th Welcome 6 Graders th 6 Grade 2020-2021 Course Selection Guide D.C. Everest Middle School 9302 Schofield Ave Weston, WI 54476 715-241-9700 Table of Contents Principal’s Welcome Letter ........................................................ 2 Middle School Course Selection Background for Parents ................ 3 School Counselors at the Middle School ................................................... 7 English 600 ........................................................................................... 8 Language Arts 606 ................................................................................ 8 Ancient Civilizations 610 ......................................................................... 8 Honors Ancient Civilizations 611H ........................................................... 9 6th Grade Math 621 ............................................................................ 10 Honors 6th Grade Math 620H ............................................................... 10 What is important to know about DC Everest Mathematics ..................... 11 Science 630 ........................................................................................ 12 Honors Science 631H ........................................................................... 12 Technology Education 681 ................................................................... 13 Social Emotional Learning 682 …………………………………………………………..14 Computer Skills 686 ............................................................................. 13 Art Essentials 680 ................................................................................ 14 Music ................................................................................................. 14 Beginning Band 650 ........................................................................ 14 Beginning Strings 655 ...................................................................... 14 World of Music 664 ......................................................................... 15 Chorus 665 ..................................................................................... 15 Physical Education 6770 ....................................................................... 15 6th Grade Entrance Profiles for an Honors Student.................................. 17 Interscholastic Sports .......................................................................... 20 Clubs/Extracurricular Activities …………………………………..………………………21 1 D. C. EVEREST MIDDLE SCHOOL 9302 Schofield Avenue, Weston, WI 54476 (715) 241-9700 FAX: (715) 241-9697 Gina Lehman, Principal [email protected] Fritz Lehrke, Asst. Principal [email protected] Dallas Rennie, Dean of Students [email protected] Principal’s Welcome Letter Dear Parents/Guardians: It is an exciting time at D. C. Everest Middle School as we prepare for course registration for the 2020- 2021 school year. We are very proud of the course opportunities that are offered to your child. This packet of information is to help you and your child choose what courses they would like to select for the upcoming school year. You will find that your child will receive core instruction through language arts, math, science, social studies, and English. Additional course opportunities include computer skills, fine arts, physical education, technology education, and social/emotional learning. We welcome your questions at any time. Also, we invite you to stay tuned for more information events that will occur as part of the transition into the new school year. This includes our Open House in August as well as our Bridge to Middle School program. During this time students can pick-up schedules, pay registration fees, take school pictures, co-curricular/sport registration, opportunities to ask questions, and tour the building. The middle school experience promises to be an exciting, important, challenging, and fun time in your child's education. We're glad to be partners with you throughout this journey! Sincerely, Gina Lehman Fritz Lehrke Dallas Rennie Principal Assistant Principal Dean of Students GLL:kl Academic Excellence, Social Equity, and Developmental Responsiveness 2 Middle School Course Selection Background for Parents The D. C. Everest Community prides itself in having high expectations for our students and providing them with a strong, well-rounded school experience. D. C. Everest Middle School (DCEMS) plays an important role in its service to a unique period of student development. Sixth and seventh grade at DCEMS are pivotal in introducing students to a new kind of school experience and helping to see that students take challenges on as middle schoolers and well beyond! Being a “middle school” means our approach is tailor fit to students “in the middle.” Early adolescence is a period of incredible growth. To maximize learning during this developmental period we structure the student experience to be one filled with an array of new challenges in a personalized, highly supportive environment. Below is key information that you should know about DCEMS. Houses Our houses can best be described as small schools within our large school. Houses at DCEMS typically consist of a team of teachers (English, language arts, science, social studies, math and specialists) who have time to collaborate together in serving a group of students that they all share. This gives us an opportunity to better get to know individual students, to problem solve challenges that they might have, and to coordinate curriculum in a meaningful way. This is at the core of how we stay connected and make our “big school” feel like a small, tight knit community. Taking the time to purposefully teach students to learn to be learners, manage their time effectively and find/follow their inspiration to learn. Exploratory As adults, many of us experienced “elective” classes. These might have been among our favorite experiences in school and often gave us glimpses into things we’d not otherwise have experienced. At DCEMS we provide “exploratory” experience. This means that we try to make sure as many students as possible have a sampling of all exploratory areas available. In future years (grades 7-12) students will have a more “elective” based experience in which they choose only their preferences. We feel the diverse introduction students receive during this time at the middle school enriches them by providing opportunities that inform their future decision-making. Interventions Part of having high expectations of students is having high expectations of ourselves. The D. C. Everest School Board has set high level goals for our students’ achievement. In early adolescence an extraordinarily valuable window to learn and grow exists. To help make that growth happen we dedicate ourselves to doing “whatever it takes” to help students be 3 successful. Specific staff and student time are dedicated to providing interventions within several areas of need. Parents are essential partners in the effectiveness of these efforts and we pledge to regularly communicate with you about the types of services that are available and in place to assist your child(ren). Unique Scheduling Scenarios Given the wide range of classes offered, it is important to note that there are some situations that affect a student's individual schedule. Students receiving specific resource support may have modified offerings. Specifically impacted are students receiving resource support in the form of Special Education, English Language Learner, Volunteens, Math Matters or Reading and Literature. There will be other unique situations, and these will be communicated on an individual basis. Feel free to contact a school counselor, or your child’s case manager, with any questions you may have. WIN Time What I Need (WIN Time) is a class period which takes place every day. The primary purpose of WIN Time is to support re-teaching, remediation, reassessment and enrichment. This is meant to be a teacher-supported time for students needing additional support, including those needing additional challenges, as well as a student using it as a study hall if no interventions are needed. Co-Curricular Activities Involvement beyond the school day is often a predictor of a student’s engagement, and success, during the school day. We strive to provide a wide range of offerings for students with the number one purpose being involvement and interpersonal connections. Traditional offerings exist within the arts and competitive sports, but dozens of other clubs have been developed to help every student find “their thing.” Many of these offerings are voluntarily led by our staff because they recognize the value of students feeling ownership and a connection to their school. More information is available on our website and distributed at our Open Houses in August. Choices Within the Core Curriculum: English, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Mathematics Teaching and administrative staff have worked to increase the level of challenge present in all classrooms. Higher standards at a state and national level, as well as collaboration within our teaching teams, bring us a high level of confidence that your child will be exposed to expectations that are both rigorous and age-appropriate. Throughout the school year, teachers will be regularly sharing information with you about what has been identified for students to learn (curriculum), how this occurs (instruction), and how we’ll know when they’ve learned it (assessment.) Our goal is to see that each and every individual