J. Michael Lunsford Middle School - Loudoun County Public Schools

J. Michael Lunsford Middle School RISING 6TH GRADE PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT Building a legacy of excellence

AGENDA Welcome Introduction of Staff School Information Middle School Teaming The Block Schedule 6th Grade Course Information Next Steps

Neil Slevin, Principal

Goals for J. Michael Lunsford Middle School Be a school for all learners Build positive and collaborative relationships throughout the school community

Lunsford – Who are we? Where are we coming from? Arcola Buffalo Trail Little River Liberty Hutchison Farm Pinebrook

Who was J. Michael Lunsford? Director of Transportation, 1995-2009 Over 40 years of service to Loudoun County Began career as a bus driver at 16 years old Well loved and respected within the Loudoun County community for his leadership and kindness

Introduction of Administrative Team Paul Rochford 6th Grade Dean Kelly Kenworthy, 6th Grade Counselor Jennifer Bantle, Assistant Principal Jennifer Brooks, Assistant Principal

What do we Value?

Positive Relationships Respect Competence Personal Regard Integrity

Collaboration “Work on building a professional community that is characterized by shared purpose, collaborative activity, and collective responsibility among staff.” - Newmann and Wehlage

Equity We believe that all students can learn. What two assumptions are made when making this statement?

Equity We believe that all students can learn. Student learn in different ways Students learn at different rates

Equity “To treat all children the same is to favor some and penalize others.”

People to help the transition J. Michael Lunsford Middle School PTA Tricia Haneghan, JML PTA President

People to help the transition Parent Liaison Stefani Cardone

People to help the transition Special Education Contact Jennifer Brooks

People to help the transition 6th Grade Dean Paul Rochford

The Teaming Model 4 Core Teachers Math Science Social Studies Language Arts 120-150 Students Per Team Teachers have common planning during students’ resource block

Purpose of Grade Level Teams To meet the needs of all students To serve as a professional growth group To build positive relationships To connect concepts and skills across the curriculum To establish common expectations and procedures To speak as “one voice” with parents

Block Schedule 90 Minute Blocks Alternating A and B Days 4 Classes Per Day Language Arts Meets Daily 30 minutes every other day for SAMS (Spanish at the Middle School) – through Language Arts classes

Block Schedule More time to go in depth Provides for more creative instructional strategies Fewer transitions Balance of assignments, projects, and tests

Sample Block Schedule A Day Block 1 Math Block 2 PE Block 3 History Block 4 Lang. Arts B Day Block 5 Resource/Music Block 6 Lang Arts Block 7 S1 Art/S2 Keybd Block 8 H Science

Course Overview Language Arts (Honors or Grade Level) History (Honors or Grade Level) Science (Honors or Grade Level) Math (Accelerated Math 6/7 or Grade Level) PE/Health Art & Keyboarding Music (student choice)/Resource

People to help the transition SALTs Mitch Seipt, SS Tasmine Poole, Science Shannon O’Neill, LA/English Aimee Dunnaville, Math

Social Studies Sequence 6th Grade Topics 6th 7th U.S. History Until 1865 U.S. History From 1865 Geography of the USA and the World * * Native Americans 8th Civics and Economics * * SOL Test Age of Exploration Colonial America American Revolution Birth of a Nation Westward Expansion and Social Reform Civil War

6th Grade Science Scientific Method Matter Water Atmosphere Space Energy Resources Watersheds

6th Grade Language Arts *Demonstrate critical thinking skills *Develop a literary background *Read challenging literature independently *Develop grammar, usage, spelling and mechanics through the writing process *Implement skills in the use of electronic technology *Develop oral communication skills - SOL Test – 6th Grade Reading

Math Progression for 2012-2013 Mathematics 6 Mathematics 7 Algebra I Mathematics 8 Accelerated/Mathematics 6/7 Algebra I Geometry

Course Overview 6th Grade Music Options: Band Instrument Strings Chorus General Music Lab

J. MICHAEL LUNSFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SELECTION CLINICS Hutchison Farm ES: Tuesday March 13, 2012 (band: last name A-L; strings last name: A-Z) Hutchison Farm ES: Thursday March 15, 2012 (band only: last name M-Z) Liberty ES: Wednesday March 21, 2012 (band only: last name A-L) Liberty ES: Monday March 26, 2012 (band: last name M-Z; strings last name: A-Z) Little River ES: Monday March 5, 2012 (band only) (last name A-L) Little River ES: Wednesday March 7, 2012 (band: last name M-Z; strings last name: A-Z)

People to help the transition 6th Grade Counselor Kelly Kenworthy

Program of Studies Available online under “Student Services” and Lunsford’s Counselor Webpage. Registering for classes – Pages 1 Special Programs – Page 6 Spectrum Academy of Science Thomas Jefferson High Math Progression Chart – Page 8 High School Credit Courses in Middle School – Page 4 Course Descriptions – Page 9-11

Course Selection Process Your student will receive his/her course selection form from their elementary school. Elementary teachers will make recommendations to assist you and your child with selections.(Academic v. Honors) Math recommendation letters will be sent home to parents from the elementary schools on Tuesday, March 6th based on the students IAAT scores. Course Selection Verification will be mailed to your home in Mid-April. All changes must be made by JUNE 19.

Transition Continues Lunsford Staff will visit your child’s elementary school this April Your child will visit Lunsford on May 29th Lunsford Middle School Open House on August 22nd “Lunsford Leap” in August 2012

People to help the transition Assistant Principal Jennifer Bantle

Drama Chess Soccer Knitting Dance SAC International Night Basketball Yearbook Girls on Track Operation Montserrat Math Counts Twenty Clubs Homework Club Public Art Club Latin Club Brain Games Book Club Shakespeare Troupe Odyssey of the Mind Service Enrichment and Academics Activities After School Activities Leo Club CUBS Public Arts Club

PBIS PBIS is a framework for teaching children appropriate behavior and providing the supports necessary to sustain that behavior. Student Recognition: ROAR tickets Student of the Month Community Achievement ROAR Student of the Semester

Community Involvement

Student involvement We want to hear from you! An invitation to students to write to the school has been posted to our website. Any student who writes will receive a free school spirit item.

What we need from you Your input – Family Survey Opportunities for Business Partnerships Volunteers/PTA organizations If possible, attend to Tdap immunization prior to the end of the school year

Important Dates Parent Coffee Question and Answer Opportunities Liberty – 3/26, 8:30am Hutchison Farm – 3/27, 8:30am Little River – 3/28, 8:30am

Questions? Visit our school’s website Like us on Facebook! Follow us on Twitter! Contact your child’s teacher Contact the Lunsford Staff. We are here to help!

J. MICHAEL LUNSFORD MIDDLE SCHOOL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC SELECTION CLINICS Hutchison Farm ES: Tuesday March 13, 2012 (band: last name A-L; strings last name: A-Z) Hutchison Farm ES: Thursday March 15, 2012 (band only: last name M-Z) Liberty ES: Wednesday March 21, 2012 (band only: last name A-L) Liberty ES: Monday March 26, 2012 (band: last name M-Z; strings last name: A-Z)