Cabin John

Middle School

2018 - 2019

Registration Packet

10701 Gainsborough Road

Potomac, Maryland 20854

Office (240) 406-1600

Counseling Office (240) 406-1560

Fax (301) 469-1003

School Year Calendar: 2018-2019

2018

Wednesday, July 4 Holiday Independence Day

Monday, September 3 Holiday Labor Day

Tuesday, September 4 First day of school for students

Monday, September 10 No school for students and teachers

Wednesday, September 19 No school for students and teachers

Friday, October 5 Early release for all students – planning/grades/interims

Monday, November 6 Holiday (Schools and Offices Closed)

Wednesday, November 7 Early Release K-12, planning/grades

Monday and Tuesday, November 12 and 13 Early release days, K-12 (parent conferences)

Wednesday, November 21 Early release K-12

Thursday and Friday, November 22 and 23 Holiday Thanksgiving

December 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31 Winter break – no school for students and teachers

2019

Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Holiday New Year’s Day

Monday, January 21 Holiday Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday

Friday, January 25 Early Release K-12, planning/grades

Monday, January 28* Professional day for teachers-no school for students

Monday, February 18 Holiday Presidents’ Day

Friday, March 1 Early Release K-12

Wednesday, April 3 Early Release K-12/planning

Wednesday & Thursday April 17, 18, Spring break – no school for students and teachers

Friday, April 19 Holiday

Monday, April 22 Holiday

Monday, May 27 Holiday Memorial Day

Wednesday, June 5* Professional day for teachers

Thursday, June 13 Last day of school for students – early release, K-12

Friday, June 14* Professional day for teachers

*Indicates make-up snow day.

Cabin John Middle School .

10701 Gainsborough Road

Potomac, Maryland 20854

240- 406-1150

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students -

I extend a warm welcome to all of you on behalf of the Cabin John Middle School family as we start the

planning and registration phase of preparing for the 2018-19 school year.

Enclosed in this document are the class and course offerings for Cabin John Middle School. It is important

that every student be provided with an academically rigorous instructional program that will help prepare

them for high school and the careers and college experiences that follow. We strive to offer a variety of

course offerings that will not only provide challenge, but also be of interest to the students here at Cabin

John. It is important that every family read and consider the courses they select carefully. Students need to

be well-rounded and provided with a variety of courses that challenge them academically, while also

building on their interests in the arts, technology, world languages and culture. The staff here at Cabin

John stand ready to assist you and work with you to identify and select the best course of study for you.

A counselor and administrator is assigned to each grade level to assist with questions and to provide

information during this process. The teachers are carefully considering the recommendations that they

make to ensure that courses are the right fit for each student. If you have questions about the

recommendations that have been made, please reach out to us so we can work with you. The website is an

invaluable resource, as it will have copies of all instructions, course offerings, and contacts. The best

resource is the grade-level counselor that has already met with the students to share registration

information. Your child’s current teachers are also an invaluable resource about the upcoming courses and

the recommendations they made.

After students register online, a copy of your registered classes will be sent home as confirmation. After

registration, families can still make changes or alterations to the courses selected if there is a specific need

for a change. A final schedule of the selected classes for the 2018-19 school year will be mailed home in

the first week of May to ensure that every student is correctly registered for their classes. We stand ready

to assist with making the transition to the next grade level as smooth as possible.

Please let us know if we can help. The direct number for the counseling office is 240-406-1560.

Thank you for your continued support throughout this process.

Sincerely,

John Taylor

Principal Cabin John Middle School

Home of Cougar Pride!

Cabin John Middle School .

10701 Gainsborough Road

Potomac, Maryland 20854

240- 406-1150

Dear Parents and/or Guardians,

We look forward to taking care of your children and keeping them safe and healthy. To help us in

that endeavor, we ask that you give us as much information as possible about any chronic or acute conditions

as well as any injuries or surgeries that your child might experience throughout the school year or over the

summer. Those students that develop asthma, diabetes or other chronic conditions should complete an

additional set of health forms that will be kept in their confidential health files. Children with asthma should

have an ASTHMA ACTION PLAN and those with severe food allergies should have an EpiPen and

Benadryl for ANAPHYLAXIS along with the proper forms (forms 525-13 and 525-14) in place with the

school health room. These forms are available on the MCPS website or from our Health Room. All

medications that your child may need to receive during the school next year must have a new medication

authorization form accompanying them at the start of the year.

Students going into 7th and 8th grade will need to have a recent Tdap and Meningococcal

vaccination. We will need an updated copy of their immunization record reflecting these vaccinations by the

first day of school for that school year.

In addition, students will need an MCPS Health Information Form (HIF) completed WITHIN THE LAST

TWO YEARS by their pediatrician in order to participate in SCHOOL SPORTS. These can be obtained in

the school Health Room or on the MCPS website. We recommend having these forms be completed in

June/July so that they will be valid until the end of the school year. For all High School students, a new HIF

is required EVERY year for sports. Incoming grade 6 students should have a new Health Inventory

completed by your pediatrician as well in order to update our records from Elementary School.

Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to taking care of your children while they are

at Cabin John Middle School. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Brie Merritt, RN, BSN, SCHN

School Community Health Nurse

Cabin John Middle School

(240) 406-1571

Instrumental and Choral Music Offerings

Middle School Chorus 6

Chorus 6 provides an opportunity for students to sing and perform in an exciting large ensemble. Students with elementary

choral experience are encouraged to continue chorus as their Arts offering in grade 6. Chorus is not limited to students with prior

vocal experience. No audition is necessary. Students will develop and refine their choral skills by learning proper vocal

techniques and performing a variety of musical styles ranging from Bach to Rock. Students will develop a greater understanding

of music in relation to history and culture, and will have an opportunity to sing in different languages. Selected singers will have

the opportunity to sing solos in concerts, and be considered for County Honors Chorus.

Middle School Chorus 2 (Treble)

Students will create, perform, and respond to music in a variety of styles/genres. Students will continue to develop the

fundamentals of proper vocal technique and choral singing in relation to posture, breath control, tone, intonation, diction,

blending, singing in harmony, music literacy, and sight-singing. Students will primarily sing state level 2-3 music. There will

likely be a minimum of two school concerts as well as the opportunity to participate in other festivals/performances and students

are expected to participate in all performances. An audition and/or a prerequisite of MS Chorus 1 may be required.

** Please note that 7th Grade male students need to register for Advanced Chorus

Middle School Chorus 3 (Advanced)

Students will create, perform, and respond to music in a variety of styles/genres. Students will continue to develop proper vocal

technique and choral singing in relation to posture, breath control, tone, intonation, diction, blending, singing in harmony, music

literacy, and sight-singing in multiple keys and parts. Students will primarily sing state level 3 music. There will likely be a

minimum of two school concerts as well as the opportunity to participate in other festivals/performances and students are

expected to participate in all performances. An audition and/or a prerequisite of MS Chorus 1 and/or 2 may be required.

Beginning Winds and Percussion

Concert Band is a new course open to students with little or no music experience. Students will have the opportunity to begin a

traditional band instrument like flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, french horn, trumpet, baritone, tuba, and percussion.

This course will be structured to progress at a very comfortable pace. Musicians who excel faster will be considered for higher

placement into the Intermediate Band.

Intermediate Band

Intermediate Band provides an exciting large group experience and a seamless continuation for students with one or more years

of elementary band experience. Students with prior band experience are encouraged to choose this arts offering in grade 6 so

that they will have the opportunity to continue band in grade 7 and beyond. Through daily instruction, students make incredible

progress and are able to perform a variety of musical styles ranging from traditional band works to the latest popular selections.

Musicians will explore additional instrument choices such as percussion, tuba, oboe, bassoon, and French horn.

Concert Band

The Concert Band is an accelerated program. Advanced sixth grade band students will be integrated with band musicians in

grade 7. Students who have private music instruction or any other extensive musical training should consider the Concert Band.

For example, students who have qualified for the Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra (PVYO) or the Maryland Classic Youth

Orchestras (MCYO) may register without a recommendation. All other students should seek a recommendation from their

elementary teacher or contact Mr. Herman to schedule an evaluation to determine placement.

Advanced Band

This is the premier band at Cabin John. Students develop and refine their technical skills in order to per­form music at the

highest level. Members meet daily in school and after-school in sectional rehearsals. The members of this ensemble will

represent the school in regional and state music festivals, events, and other trips which have included musical tours of New York

City and music competitions in Ohio and Virginia. Members of these ensembles audition and are selected for the county and

state honors programs, as well as the local youth orchestras.

Intermediate Orchestra

Intermediate Orchestra provides an exciting large group experience and a seamless continuation for students with one or more

years of elementary string experience. Students with prior string experience are encouraged to choose this arts offering in grade

6 so that they will have the opportunity to continue orchestra in grade 7 and beyond. Through daily instruction, students make

incredible progress and are able to perform a variety of musical styles ranging from traditional classical works to the latest

popular selections. No audition is necessary. Musicians will explore additional instrument choices like the viola and bass.

Electric bass, guitar, and piano students are encouraged to learn string bass. No experience is required. Please note that piano

and guitar are not offered in orchestra.

Advanced Orchestra

The Advanced Orchestra is premier orchestra at Cabin John. Students who have had private music instruction or any other

extensive musical training should consider the Advanced Orchestra. For example, students who have qualified for the Potomac

Valley Youth Orchestra (PVYO) or the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras (MCYO) may register without an audition. Other

incoming 6th grade string students interested in the placement should contact Mr. Herman to set-up an audition. Evaluations will

be done from either a video submission or a live audition. If in doubt, please register for Intermediate Orchestra until an

evaluation can be done. Levels can be adjusted upon placement. Members meet daily in school and after-school in sectional

rehearsals. The members of this ensemble will represent the school in regional and state music festivals, events, and other trips

which have included musical tours of New York City and music competitions in Ohio and Virginia. Members of these

ensembles audition and are selected for the county and state honors programs, as well as the local youth orchestras.

Digital Literacy 1 (Grade 6)

Digital Literacy 1 curriculum focuses on developing critical and creative thinking through reading, writing, speaking, listening,

and viewing in a 21st century approach. Working through a problem-based process, students learn to define real world problems

of interest, research the causes of those problems using real-time global texts, and then create solutions to address the problems.

World Languages (Grades 6,7,8)

The world languages available at Cabin John Middle School are Chinese, French and Spanish. The world language courses are

high school credit-bearing courses. Courses are language and level dependent.

Full Year French 1A/Full Year Spanish 1A/Full Year Chinese 1A (Grade 6 and 7) (1st semester spread out over the whole

year) (1/2 high school credit)

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are developed in the first half of level 1 world language. Vocabulary and

grammar are taught through themes so that the language can be used for meaningful communication in real-life situations.

Themes studied in level 1A include: greetings, school, pastimes, numbers, and descriptions. Cultural aspects of the language are

integrated into the studies. Students who successfully complete this class may enroll in French 1B or Spanish 1B or Chinese 1B

the following year.

**Please note that 8th graders attending Churchill High School may not enroll in FY Chinese 1A, as Chinese 1B is not offered at

Churchill High School.

Chinese 1 AB**/French 1 AB/Spanish 1 AB (GRADE 6, 7, 8**) (1 high school credit)

Listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills are developed in this fast-paced first year high school world language course.

Vocabulary and grammar are taught through themes so that the language can be used for meaningful communication in real-life

situations. Themes studied in level 1AB include: greetings, school, pastimes, numbers, descriptions, weather, family, home,

food, and clothing. Cultural aspects of the language are integrated into the studies. No prior knowledge of the language is

necessary; however, students must have exceptional study skills and be highly motivated. Students who successfully complete

this class may enroll in Chinese 2, French 2, or Spanish 2 the following year.

**Please note that 8th graders attending Churchill High School may not enroll in Chinese 1AB, as Chinese 2AB is not offered at

Churchill High School.

Chinese 2 AB/French 2 AB/Spanish 2 AB (GRADE 7, 8) (1 high school credit)

Listening, speaking, reading and writing skills continue to be developed in this fast-paced second year high school world

language course. The theme areas started in level 1 AB are expanded to include more extensive vocabulary and more advanced

grammar. The prerequisite for this class is the successful completion of Chinese 1 AB / French 1 AB / Spanish 1 AB, or the

approval of the world language chairperson. Students who successfully complete this class may enroll in Chinese 3, French 3, or

Spanish 3 the following year.

Unified Arts Rotation (Grade 6)

The purpose of the Cabin John Middle School Unified Arts Rotation is to open the minds of students to new worlds and cultures

and enable them to creatively express themselves and value the perspectives of other. Students actively engage in authentic

artistic processes to problem solve and reinforce artistic concepts as involved learners in the arts. (students will be assigned to

four 9 week classes which may include: Art, Computer Technology, Fitness for Life, Imagineering Technology, Journalism, and

General Music)

Middle School Art 2 (Grade 7 and 8) (studio Art 2)

Intermediate level art expands their knowledge of materials and techniques. Students also use their personal reactions and

responses as a focus in their artwork. Creativity, innovation, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration continue to be

developed throughout the course. Units include design, drawing, painting ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, and collage. Units

require students to express personal identity, make aesthetic choices, and initiate social action.

Middle School Art 3 (Grade 7 and 8) (Studio Art 3) Prerequisite: Art 2

Students in this advanced level art class refine their skills and develop their own artistic style. Students continue to explore the

role of artists in the past and their influence on contemporary society. Students improve craftsmanship and refine creative

processes through units in design, drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, and collage. Units cover art history and

techniques using masterworks as inspiration.

3D Art Studio (Grade 7 and 8) (Ceramics) Prerequisite: Art 2

In this class students will learn to express themselves and think visually in three dimensions. Students will acquire beginning

clay hand building techniques including pinching, coiling, and slab and limited exposure to the potter’s wheel. Students will also

be introduced to a variety of sculptural materials including paper mache, cardboard, found objects, wire, and plaster. Students

will continue to use art elements and design principles to create art that communicates personal meaning. Historically significant

and contemporary examples of each art form, representing a variety of cultures, are investigated and explored in the creative

process. Students develop a context for understanding art as an aspect of human experience and continue to evaluate and critique

personal artwork and the artwork of others.

Earth and Space Technology (Science Olympiads) (Grade 7 and 8)

The science elective course combines Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics to provide an enriching

experience in all five areas outlined in its name through minds-on and hands-on activities. During the semester long course,

students will be looking deeper into the scientific method through exploration and experimental design as students tackle various

problems or challenges. Students will use technology as a means to research solutions to the problems presented or to create

working prototypes of simple and complex machines. Students will use tools to construct projects, following the Engineering

design to determine the problem, imagine a solution, plan out the process of creation, create a prototype, and improve upon the

design until it successful meets certain criteria outlined in the project. Students will gain an appreciation of art and its

relationship to the engineering process when generating aesthetically appealing designs. Students will also use their

mathematical skills to help graph their results, determine optimum working conditions, and analyze their results.

Computer Applications (Grade 7 and 8)

Computer Applications provides students with active learning experiences related to the productive use of computer-based

applications. Students use word processing, spreadsheets presentation, programming, and research skills to complete authentic

projects. This course focuses on the selection and use of appropriate technology tools and resources to solve problems and

accomplish a variety of tasks.

Television Production and Journalism (Grade 8)

This course introduces the fundamentals of television. Activities are centered on classroom work. The course offers a

combination of theory and practical experience. Students also design and organize the daily news as part of the course.

Course Requests for Cabin John MS Students

Overview

As a function of the new scheduling application, students will have the ability

to enter their course requests online. These requests are guided by the

recommendations that their current teachers enter. If you have a question

regarding one of the course recommendations, please contact that specific

teacher.

For requesting courses, students should follow the steps listed below. Please

note that students will need to have the MCPS Login and password

information used to login to computers at school. Each student should use the

information sheet that the counselor handed out when they discussed course

recommendations. If you need any assistance, please contact the Cabin John

Counseling Office at

240-406-1560.

Process

Login: To access the online registration use the following URL:

https://portal.mcpsmd.org/public

Once you see the sign-in screen, enter your MCPS username (your 6

digit MCPS student ID #) and password (the password you use to log

into the computers at school). Then select “Sign In.”

Once you have signed in, you will see a navigation screen like the

screen below. Your name will be shown in the center of the screen.

Core courses have already been selected. These courses include:

English, Social Studies, Science, Health, Counselor and Homeroom.

Each student will be required to select two (2) credits worth of

electives. If they are currently in a World Language, students should

select the teacher’s recommendation. On the next screen, you will

find the class registration page for the upcoming year. On the page,

there are several categories of classes from which you will select

your courses for next year. Remember to select enough classes to fill

your schedule.

On the right-hand side of the screen, you will see two icons.

The denotes the choice has been made or that there is no

choice required in that section. The denotes a selection still

needs to be made.

Begin by reading the

instructions for each

of the sections. Based

on that information,

you may need to

select at least one

course within that

group. If not, simply

move on to the next

group. To select

courses within a

group, click on the

icon. A list of courses, and any

related teacher

recommendations will appear on

screen.

Note: In some cases, there may be more options that what can fit

on the screen. Remember to look for more pages of options at the

bottom of the course selection screen.

Click “Okay” on each course selection screen. When you are finished making all of your choices, click the “Submit” button in the bottom right, which will show you a list of the all of your course requests. When you are finished, click the “Submit” button in the bottom right. You can click on the “View course requests” link if you want to double check your selections.

When you are completed with registering for your classes please:

● Print out your course requests

● Write two alternate elective courses on your printed out course

request sheet

● Have your parents/guardians sign it

● Return it to your History teacher

Once you have finished, you can sign out of the application using

the Sign Out link located in the upper right-hand corner of the

screen.

To view a detailed list and description of all the courses

(CJMS Course Bulletin), go to the Cabin John MS website.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/cabinjo

hnms/

Online Registration must be completed by Friday, February 16, 2018