February 6, 2019

WELCOME FUTURE KILMER MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS!

Kilmer Middle School Administration

Ronald James, Principal

Sarah Groh, Director of Student Services

Debra David, Assistant Principal

Michelle Lyttle, Assistant Principal

Chris Musgnug, Assistant Principal

Erin Tavernier, PTA President 2019-2020

Michelle Ramos, PTA President 2020-2021

Kilmer Middle School Mission

To create a safe, positive, and enriching environment that will promote resiliency, confidence, resourcefulness, and life-long

learning.

Our goals this evening:

• To provide parents with the essential information to assist with the transition from elementary to middle school.

• To inform and increase knowledge about middle school curriculum and course options.

• To encourage all rising seventh grade students to select middle school courses that reflect their academic abilities, strengths, and interests.

What’s new in seventh grade?

• School start time: 7:30 AM!!!

• 8 Period Day

• 8 Different Teachers

• Elective courses

• 5 minutes between classes

• After School Activities

• Lockers

• HPE Uniforms

• Increased workload & expectations

• Almost teenagers!

Kilmer Middle School 2019-2020

7 Elementary Schools

580 Rising Seventh Grade Students

1149 Total Students

Interdisciplinary Team model• Smaller learning community

• Four teams in each grade level

• 150 students

• Four teachers• Close in proximity

• Weekly team meetings

• Students are placed on a team at random - based on course requests

• School Counselor

• Grade Level Assistant Principal

Bell Schedule• Seven 45 minute periods

• Four lunches – A & B for seventh grade

• 5 minutes between each class

•PAWS - 25 minute period for extended learning • Targeted remediation and intervention

• Teacher assistance

• Library access & reading

• Enrichment activities during 2nd & 3rd quarter

Kilmer Enrichment Program

Seventh Grade Bell Schedule

What courses will students take in seventh grade?

English MathematicsInvestigations in Environmental ScienceU.S. HistoryHealth & PE2-4 electives(semester or yearlong)

Required Courses: English, Math, Science, History, & HPE•Course Levels➢ General Education ➢ Honors ➢ Advanced Academic Level IV Program

• English for Speakers of Other Languages Services➢ Students are placed in classes based on their English Language

Proficiency (ELP) level

• Special Education Services➢ Students receive services in a variety of classroom settings based

on their Individual Education Plan (IEP)

General Education English, Math, Science, History

• For each course, teachers follow a Program of Studies with identified standards and course objectives to meet the Virginia Standards of Learning.

•General education courses provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to master grade level curriculum

Honors LevelEnglish, Science, History•Open Enrollment for students who seek increased

academic rigor•Provides extensions to the Program of Studies that

add depth and complexity.• Students can expect a rigorous and challenging

learning experience.

➢Students & parents self-select enrollment➢Important to consider teacher recommendations,

current academic progress, strengths, and interests➢Students can select one or more honors courses

Honors Classes

No eligibility required-- required-- required--

Open AccessOpen AccessOpen Access

All middle schools offer

Honors classes

Students access AAP

curriculum in1, 2, 3, or 4

Honors classes

Students are in classes with other students who also

chose Honors level

classes

Prepares students for Advanced

coursework in High School

AAP Level IV (Center) Classes

Students are found eligible

through central

screening process

Students are assigned to a center based

on their home address

Students access AAP

curriculum in 3 core

subjects and Technology Education

(required semester elective)

Students are in classes with other eligible

students(mathematics and elective classes are

mixed)

Prepares students for Advanced

coursework in High School

Grade 7 Mathematics Course Options

Mathematics 7 7th grade standards

Mathematics 7 Honors 8th grade standards + extensions

(Open access)

Algebra I Honors criteria: ● Advanced Math in 6th grade,● 500+ on 7th grade SOL, and● 91% on Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test

(Algebra I is a high school credit course.)

Mathematics Course Sequence

Seventh Grade Mathematics Courses

Math 7 - A traditional pre-algebra curriculum that is correlated to the Math 7 SOLs. Prepares students for Algebra I or Algebra I HN

Math 7 HN - A more rigorous approach to the pre-algebra curriculum with an emphasis on problem solving. It is correlated to the 8th grade Math SOLs, but contains many extensions and enrichment opportunities. Typically prepares students for Algebra I HN

Algebra I HN - A fast-paced approach to Algebra I which includes many extensions to the Algebra I SOLs. Prepares students for Geometry HN.

Math 7 Honors•Covers many pre-algebra topics, and includes enrichment and extensions•Requires students to master the content assessed on the Mathematics 8 Standards of Learning (SOL) test.•Students who have not completed Advanced Mathematics in 6th grade may need support and/or require additional effort to be successful.

Grade 6 Math 7 Honors -- Content missed includes:◆ Negative exponents using powers of ten

◆ Proportional reasoning and percent problems

◆ Solving two-step equations and inequalities

◆ Transformations of polygons on the coordinate plane

◆ Investigating theoretical and experimental probability

Algebra 1 Honors

•Three Criteria for Algebra 1 Honors➢ Completion of Advanced Math 6➢ 500 or above on the Math 7 SOL➢ 91% or above on the IAAT

•Final math placements will be communicated in late July once all scores and final marks have been received from the elementary schools

•All students in Advanced Math 6 will select Math 7 Honors on their course selection sheet

Seventh Grade Mathematics Courses

Which course is best for your child?

➢ When considering open enrollment, please make an informed decision

Recommendation

➢ Have a discussion with your child’s teacher(s) about their recommendation and current academic progress

Key Take-Away:

➢ Both Math 7 Honors & Math 7 prepare students for Algebra 1 in eighth grade.

Additional AcademicSupports

• Intervention courses are added to a student’s schedule in lieu of an elective for students needing additional support to master grade level skills.

• Academic Intervention courses include:

• Action Literacy

• Read 180

• Algebra Readiness

Elective Courses• Elective classes are exploratory classes. Generally students

select elective classes based on personal interest(s).

• All elective teachers are showcasing their electives in their classrooms this evening!

Visit the Kilmer MS Websitehttps://kilmerms.fcps.edu/student-services/academic-advising

Spring Registration Timeline• January 25 Transition meeting held at Kilmer with sixth grade

teachers and elementary school counselors

• TONIGHT: Rising 7th grade Curriculum night

• January 30 - Feb 8 A parent registration letter & course selection sheet will be distributed to every student

• February 11 – February 22 Kilmer Middle School Counselors visit feeder elementary schools to complete the course registration process and speak with sixth grade students about their upcoming transition to middle school

• Elementary school counselors are the point of contact at each elementary school and will help facilitate the course selection process at each school

• Sixth grade teachers will communicate course recommendations to students and parents based on current academic progress

Next Steps in Transition• Return your child’s course selection sheet to your

elementary school no later than Monday, February 11.

• Once the course registration is complete, students course requests will be visible in SIS ParentVue.• Further communication will be emailed in March with

instructions for viewing course requests.• If you have questions about your child’s course requests, please

contact a Kilmer school counselor. • Course selections are a firm commitment. Course request

changes will not be accommodated after June 1.

• Math placement decisions for Algebra 1 Honors will be mailed home in July.

• Student schedules will be available Thursday, August 23rd during our Annual Locker Night Open House.

Top 3 Skills for Students to be Successful in Middle School

1. ASK QUESTIONS - Communicate with teachers and school counselors in person or by email

2. USE AGENDA

3. Check SIS StudentVUE and Blackboard/Google classroom DAILY

Top 3 Skills for Parents to be Successful in Middle School

1.Encourage your child to self-advocate & ask questions

2.Proactively communicate with teachers, school counselors, and administration when needed

3.Utilize SIS ParentVue and Blackboard

How we communicate

•KMS enotify and News You Choose emails

•Kilmer Website

• Calendar

• Student Services academic advising page for curriculum information, presentations, and course information

https://kilmerms.fcps.edu/student-services/academic-advising

■Counselors will be available in the main hallway to answer all of your questions.

Monday

(Parent (Parent (Parent

Pick-up)Pick-up)Pick-up)

Academic

Support by

Appointment

Tuesday

(Late Bus)

Independent

Study &

Homework/

Club Activities

Wednesday

(Late Bus)

Independent

Study &

Homework/

Club Activities

Thursday

(Late Bus )

Independent

Study &

Homework/

Club Activities

Friday

(Parent

Pick-up)

ougar’s De

Recreation/

Club

Activities

n C

Math Counts Science Bowl Art Club SCATheatre Sports/Drama Capital Debate

School Publications NJHS Model UN Cooking Sports Intramurals YogaScience Olympiad Rubik’s Cube Club Chess Latin Dance International Club Capital One Coding Cyber Patriot STEM Club Dr. Who

Kilmer Middle Afterschool ProgramActivities at a Glance (Sample Schedule)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Parent Parent Late Bus Day Late Bus Day Late Bus Day Parent Pick-Up

Pick-Up Pick-Up

Independent Independent Independent Cougar’s Den Academic

Blue Study/Homework Study/Homework Study/Homework Recreation Support by

2:25-3:30Appointmen SpaceScience Model UN We the People Culinary Creators

pmt Bowl

Block Art Club STEM Club

Science OlympiadInternational Club Dr. Who Club

Drama ClubTalent Show Odyssey of the

Yearbook Auditions Mind Interest

Meeting

Talent Show Auditions

Transition/ Snack / Dismissal for students not staying for Green Block

Independent Independent Independent Cougar’s Den

Study/Homework Study/Homework Study/Homework Recreation

Green Soccer Running Club Tennis Public Forum

3:45-4:45Debate *monthly

pm Block Library Go/Board Game Weight Training

Club Yoga

LibraryAnime

Talent Show Talent Show

Auditions

SCA

Auditions

Kilmer Afterschool Program: FAQ

The mission of the Kilmer Afterschool Program is to provide students with a supervised and structured vehicle for academic, athletic and art enrichment and remediation opportunities.

Social, life, and prevention skills are integrated into this design. Registration is free and snack may be provided, depending upon availability.

How will we know when clubs meet?

•Flyers, News You Choose Emails, Morning Announcements and the Kilmer website are resources for afterschool news.

Can my student start a club?

•Absolutely! Please see Ms. Kardelis for any club requests or volunteer facilitation opportunities. We can always use volunteers.

How can I sign my student up for Afterschool activities?

•An Afterschool Registration form must be completed and submitted to Ms. Kardelis (Afterschool Specialist) prior to your child staying after. Forms are also available in the Main Office and on the Kilmer website under Programs/After School.

Curriculum Fair 6:30-7:30 p.m.• Immediately following this presentation please pick up

your child in his/her assigned classroom.

• The Curriculum Fair is located in the Cafeteria.• Math, Science, US History, & English• ESOL• Special Education• Creative Writing

• Elective courses are showcased in classrooms.• Refer to the map on the back of your agenda.• Administrators and school counselors will be available in

the main hallway to answer all of your questions.

Thank you for joining us & enjoy

your evening!