Understanding the Transition to Middle School: Key Insights for Parents

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Navigating the transition to middle school can be a significant milestone for both parents and students. This comprehensive guide offers valuable information on the unique developmental needs of early adolescents, the differences encountered in middle school such as homework and grading systems, and insights into the traits commonly observed in middle school students. Key personnel, beliefs, and the vision statement of a school are also highlighted to provide a holistic view of the educational environment. This resource aims to equip parents with knowledge to support their child's success in middle school.

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Rising Sixth Grade Parent Night April 20, 2022

Mr. Fowler 6th & 7th Grade Assistant Principal Durham Administrators Dr. Bristow School Principal Mrs. Thorpe 7th & 8th Grade Assistant Principal

Vision Statement All Students Succeed in Academics and Character Mission Statement One Team, One Goal: Student Success

Beliefs All students can learn. All students can become proficient writers. All students can become proficient in mathematical problem solving. Everyone is accountable and responsible for his or her actions. All students are guaranteed a quality curriculum. All stakeholders are partners in the educational process through effective communication. All students can strive and excel as self-directed learners, and effectively participate as a collaborative team member. One Team, One Goal: Student Success

What is different in middle school? Homework Grades Dressing Out

The Middle School Student All children develop differently but you may notice the following traits as your child attends Sixth Grade. Want to be together in groups and teams. Have the patience to work toward short-term goals. Form cliques and friendships with own sex and age group. Seek status through excellence in skills and knowledge of grown-up things.

Are fairly competitive in team and individual activities. Have a growing concern with their physical size and appearance. Like to make, do, and collect things. Boys and girls work and socialize in programs where they share planning responsibilities. Students enjoy being mischievous, daring, and trying things they would not have done in Elementary School or at Home.

Middle School Concept Our school program is designed around the unique developmental needs of early adolescents (11-14 year olds). The intellectual, social, physical, and emotional needs of this age group are different from either elementary or high school students. The middle school is a bridge between elementary school and high school. It is not an exaggerated elementary school nor a miniature high school.

At Durham Middle School During the first few weeks of school, it will be our goal to help your child make the adjustments from elementary to middle school. Your student will be encountering many new experiences including class changes, gym clothes and gym lockers, lunch periods, and schedule rotations.

Your student will have a schedule to follow and possibly a gym locker combination to remember. We will help them with suggestions to organize their passing period time so they will be able to go to the restroom and still get to class on time. To minimize passing period confusion, teachers are in the hallways to help your child with scheduling problems and where to go.

What does the middle school day look like? Morning Arrival Morning Drop off begins at 8:15 Students enter at the theater Study Hall 8:15 to 8:50 Students need a pass in advance from a teacher to visit other destinations Buses begin to arrive at 8:50 Homeroom Begins at 9:10 7 Period Day- Traditional Schedule with Quarterly Grades Bus Dismissal starts at 4:15

Student Schedule 8:50 9:10 9:20 10:16 11:12 12:34 1:30 2:26 3:26 4:15 Busses Arrive/Students go to homeroom Homeroom 1st period Academic Class 2nd period Academic Class 3rd Period Academic Class and Lunch 4th Period Academic Class 5th Period Academic Class 6th Period Connections Class 7th Period Connections Class End of School

Types of Academic Classes In sixth grade all students will take five academic classes: English Language Arts Math Science Social Studies Reading

Types of Connections Classes In sixth grade all students will be in one of three performing music classes: Band Chorus Orchestra All students will also have either Art, PE/Health, STEM. These are randomly assigned. Students do not get to pick these courses; however, our goal is for them to rotate through as many of these classes as possible during the year.

Durham Clubs Academic Team Durham Cello- Choir Durham Dynamix Durham Fiddlers Durham Legacy Team Durham Winds FCA Musical Theater Club Friends Club Intramurals Jazz Band Junior Beta Library Ambassadors Lunch Bunch Book Club Math Team Peer Mentor Group STEM Club

Advanced Content Classes In each of our subject areas we have Advanced Content Classes. These are classes that go above and beyond the state and county mandated curriculum. Each class does have a specific curriculum goal and requirements. Students are placed in these classes based on ITBS scores, RI and MI scores, and overall performance in 5th grade. We do not solicit recommendations from their elementary school teachers.

2022-2023 Request for Change in Course Assignments We are handling course registration electronically this year. To see your child s recommended courses for next year, you must access Parentvue or StudentVue from a web browser. We will send out a notification via CTLS ,when you will be able to view these courses. (Tentatively May 18) This is not a schedule, but a list of the CORE classes that your student is scheduled to take for the 2022-2023 school year. Students are selected for these classes based on student performance data from the 2021-2022 school year. The AC Criteria can be found on the Durham website. In that communication will also be a deadline if you would lie to request a class change. May 27, 2022

Wildcat Day To help transition into sixth grade we will have a sixth-grade camp. It will be held the week before school starts and is set for Thursday, July 28, 2022. Students will get schedules meet their teachers tour the building go through their schedule prior to the start of school get student laptops