BORN IN A SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION

ESTABLISHED 2010

Welcome to Mills Park Middle School

Middle School is a Time of Change!

● Change for students: physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially

● Change for parents: developing evolving relationships with their student, supporting their child’s growing independence and responsibility, interacting with a team of teachers

● Change in school experience: subject area focus with core teachers, class changes and locker use, interaction with a larger number of students, evolving special talents

Typical Daily Schedule for 6th Grade

● 7:45 Enter Building (Gymnasium)

● 7:58 Released to Lockers and Homeroom

(8:10 first bell, 8:15 tardy bell)

● 8:15 – 9:15 Core Period 1

● 9:18 – 10:18 Core Period 2

● 10:21 – 11:21 Core Period 3

● 11:21 – 12:11 Lunch/Leopard Time

● 12:14 – 1:14 Core Period 4

● 1:19 – 2:08 Elective 1

● 2:11 – 3:00 Elective 2

● 3:00 Dismissal

Attendance and Tardies

In your child’s best interest, attendance is expected every day.

● Please send a note when your child is absent.

● E-mail your child’s teachers re: absence(s)

● Absences can also be reported online by:

○ - Going to the MPMS website

○ - Clicking on the Parents tab

○ - Attendance

○ - Report an Absence

Being on time is very important. Losing just five to ten minutes of class

instruction can be detrimental to grades, can impact self-confidence and

interrupts the instruction and learning for other students.

● Ensure your child is getting proper amount of sleep

● Breakfast (at home or school) provides the fuel to make it a great day

● Plan for carpool

Carpool

Plan for carpool lines - Plan to arrive by 7:50 AM to avoid long lines that

could result in your child being tardy.

● Carpool Map - Morning

○ Follow the blue lines through the elementary school AND middle

school parking lot

● Carpool Map - Afternoon

○ Follow the blue lines through middle school parking lot

● Carpool Video

If your child plans to ride the bus at any point throughout the school year,

it would be a good idea for them to ride the bus within the first week of

school.

WCPSS Transportation Website

Middle School Team Model

● 5 Teams of 4 Core Teachers

● 2 Counselors for the Grade Level

● Approximately 120 students per team

Jaguars

Pumas

Bobcats

Tigers

Lions

Grading Policy & Honor Roll Recognition

● At MPMS, we believe that grades should accurately reflect a student’s knowledge of the Standard Course of Study and communicate this performance to stakeholders.

● 10 point grading scale:

• A - 90-100

• B - 80-89

• C - 70-79

• D - 60-69

• F - 0-59

● Grading Policy AND Honor Roll Recognition

● Honor Roll -

○ All “A” Honor Roll - Student received A’s in every class for the quarter

○ Honor Roll - These students received a 3.0 GPA or higher for the quarter (total quality points earned, divided by 6 classes) with no overall grades lower than a C.

Core Classes

All students participate in 4 core classes each day and we follow the Common Core and Essential Standards.

● Language Arts

● Math

● Science

● Social Studies

CORE CLASSES

What our 6th grade teachers

want you to know...

Sixth Grade

Math

Your placement is

based on 5th grade

teacher

recommendations and

WCPSS guidelines

Math 6Math 6 Plus

Compacted Math Math 7 Plus

Math

● Common Core Math 6 – An on grade-level math course covering 1 year of content.

● Common Core Math 6 Plus –An accelerated math course that offers roughly 1.3 years of content in one school year. It includes all sixth grade math standards and roughly one-third of seventh grade math standards. To be placed in Common Core Math 6 Plus, a student needs to have an EVAAS Probability of 70% or higher, and an EOG Score of Level IV or higher.

● Compacted Math 6 Plus / Math 7 Plus – A highly accelerated math course that offers roughly 2.5 years of content in one school year. It includes all sixth grade math standards, all of the seventh grade math standards, and roughly one-half of eighth grade math standards. To be placed in Compacted Math 6 Plus / Math 7 Plus, a student needs to have an EVAAS Probability of97% or higher, and an EOG Score of Level V.

● Math 7 Plus will be offered only to students who successfully completed Math 6 Plus in 5th grade.

Over the Summer...-Practice standard algorithm for multiplying and dividing

-Math study habits should be practiced

Learn how to take notes

Learn how to work practice problems independently

Learn how to advocate for yourself

-Be prepared for daily homework

-Relax and enjoy your summer before the school year takes off! :)

6th Grade Science:Units of Study

• Safety and Lab Procedures

• What’s the Matter – Structure, classifications, and physical properties of matter

• Catch a Wave – Wavelike property of energy in earthquakes, light and sound waves

• The Land Beneath our Feet– Structure of earth and how interactions of constructive and destructive forces have

resulted in changes in the surface of the Earth

• Space Invaders– Study of the earth/moon/sun system and celestial bodies in the Universe

• Growing and Flowing – Understanding the flow of energy through ecosystems and the structures, processes and behaviors of plants

How We Learn

Hands on and Inquiry based learning

as well as Cross-Curricular Connections to other core subjects

6th Grade Science Tips

• Keep your science notebook up to date and organized

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions• Review science concepts/vocabulary on a

daily basis

Social StudiesIn 6th grade we study ancient civilizations beginning with the river valley civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus River Valley and Ancient China. In addition we will explore Ancient America, Rome, Greece and Western Africa.

We study Geography, Religion, Achievements, Politics, Economics and Social Structures. (G.R.A.P.E.S.)

Successful students have strong organizational skills and work habits.

Language Arts

Our writing curriculum requires students provide textual evidence in order to

support a stance.

Students must understand that the skills taught in Language Arts will be applied

in all other content areas. Therefore, it is important that they take these

literacy skills seriously in order to be successful in all of their classes.

Students will be reading a variety of texts in class. Students should also be

reading text of their choice at home.

We use rubrics to grade all major assessments. They must be used as a

checklist while writing, and then as review before submitting, an assignment.

Special Education

● MPMS Special Education Department is collaborating with Elementary Schools to support the transition process and attend IEP transition meetings.

● All Special Education Students receive a case manager to support their learning throughout the school year. Case managers will contact parents at the beginning of the school year.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORT PERSONNEL

●2-3 Special Education Teachers certified in Math or

Language Arts at each Grade Level

●Autism Support & Behavior Support Teacher

(AST/BST) and Teacher Assistant

●Teacher Assistants that support in the special

education resource classrooms

Special Education Course Offerings

● In-class resource (ICR) Language Arts

● In-class resource (ICR) Math

● Resource Literacy and Math

•Connections

•Essentials

● Decoding

● Curriculum Assistance (serves as an elective)

Academically and Intellectually Gifted Program

Service Delivery Options May Include…

● Appropriate classroom grouping (cluster classes)

● “Push-in” model – students are not “pulled out” for AIG services

Content Differentiation May Include…

● Differentiated instructional projects/investigations/units of study

● Tiered activities and assignments

● Varied questioning strategies, use of various texts and materials

● Increased complexity and challenge

Single Subject Acceleration (SSA)

● Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) is the practice of assigning a students to a higher-grade level than is typical, given the student’s age, for the purpose of providing access to appropriately challenging learning opportunities.

● It is an accelerative practice that allows students to show mastery of the content of a course without having taken the course. For example a parent could nominate his/her child to skip a grade level of content in either Language Arts OR Mathematics.

● SSA Nomination and Testing Windows are set by the county based on the school calendar.

For additional information on SSA, please contact your elementary school or use the link below.

WCPSS Single Subject Acceleration Link

4 C’s and SWRL

Vision 2020 – the WCPSS strategic plan – focuses

language around students acquiring and utilizing the

four Cs: communication, critical thinking,

collaboration, and creativity. The four Cs are

included in the district’s mission statement.

Communication

● Listens, comprehends, critiques, and communicates

effectively by adapting to diverse audiences, tasks,

purposes, and disciplines

● Uses multiple media to demonstrate thinking and

justify reasoning

Critical Thinking

● Identifies inquiry questions related to the task clearly

and precisely

● Analyzes and evaluates information, evidence,

arguments, claims, and beliefs

● Synthesizes information and makes connections

between information and arguments

Collaboration

● Works effectively in teams by sharing ideas,

sharing responsibilities, and considering multiple

perspectives in order to achieve goals

Creativity

● Demonstrates innovative problem solving by

designing unique ideas, solutions, and products,

and adapting as necessary

● Takes intellectual risks, overcoming challenges and

failures within the learning experience

SWRL -

● Speaking

● Writing

● Reading

● Listening

BYOD

Mission: Mills Park Middle School “Bring

Your Own Device” (BYOD) initiative

supports instruction and provides the best

possible environment for student

collaboration, creativity, critical thinking

and effective communication.

MPMS defines “devices” as privately

owned wireless and portable electronic

devices than can be used for wireless

internet access, word processing,

image/video capturing, sound recording

and information transmitting.

Students unable to bring their own device

will be provided access to technology.

BYOD Contract

Field Trips

● 1-2 field trips per year

● Aligned to curriculum

Electives

● Year-long elective:○ Band (clarinet, flute, trombone, trumpet)

● Semester electives ( 2 per year):○ Visual Arts Exploratory, Spanish Beginning 1 Year,

Introduction to Dance, Exploring Interpersonal Relationships-Childcare/Exploring Nutrition & Wellness, Keyboarding and Basic Word Processing/Digital Literacy, Understanding Personal Finance- Hospitality/Exploring Apparel & Interior Design Project Revive/Exploring Technology

● Additional Classes:○ ESL I and II, Math Intervention

Healthful Living

● All students participate in a Healthful Living Class as one of their electives for the year

● Alternate between Health and P.E on a 2 week rotation

● Students need to purchase their own combination lock for use on their PE locker.

● Students DO dress out for gym – tennis shoes are required

● No showers – use deodorant :-)

Character Education

● Classroom presentations by counselors focus on developmentally appropriate content. Topics may include respect, team building, time management, study skills, self-regulation, coping skills and emotional management, bullying awareness and cyber bullying, learning styles

● Service Project: Food Drive (We CAN Make a Difference)

Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS)

Courage: Having the determination to do the right thing even when others don't; the strength to follow

your conscience rather than the crowd. Attempting difficult things that are worthwhile.

Good Judgment: Choosing worthy goals and setting proper priorities. Thinking through the consequences

of your actions. Basing decisions on practical wisdom and good sense.

Integrity: Having the inner strength to be truthful, trustworthy, and honest in all things. Acting justly and

honorably.

Kindness: Being considerate, courteous, helpful and understanding of others. Showing care, compassion,

friendship and generosity. Treating others as you would like to be treated.

Perseverance: Being persistent in pursuit of worthy objectives in spite of difficulty, opposition, or

discouragement. Exhibiting patience and having the fortitude to try again when confronted with delays,

mistakes or failures.

Respect: Showing high regard for authority, for other people, for self, for property and for country.

Understanding that all people have value as human beings.

Responsibility: Being dependable in carrying out obligations and duties. Showing reliability and

consistency in words and conduct. Being accountable for your own actions. Being committed to active

involvement in your community.

Self-discipline: Demonstrating hard work and commitment to purpose. Regulating yourself for

improvement and refraining from inappropriate behaviors. Being in proper control of your words,

actions, impulses and desires. Choosing abstinence from premarital sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco and

other harmful substances and behaviors. Doing your best in all situations.

Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS)

● Purple Spot tickets

● Monthly SPOTS Breakfast

● Quarterly Celebrations

MPMS Sports

● School Sports are only open to 7th and 8th Graders

● 6th Grader students do have the option to be team managers

●Football, Girls Volleyball, Boys and Girls Basketball, Cheerleading, Boys and Girls Track and Field, Softball, Boys and Girls Soccer

● Club Sports - Indoor Hockey (boys), Lacrosse (boys), Baseball and Lacrosse (girls)

Clubs and After School Activities

● Battle of the Books, Run Club, Grow Club, Scratch Club, Film Club, Math Counts, Media Minions, Minecraft Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Science Olympiad, National Junior Honors Society (7th and 8th grade only), Spotlight Theater, Odyssey of the Mind, Student Council, Stock Market Club, Chess Club, Mock Trial and more!

MPMS Clubs Page

Helpful Hints

● Developing a sense of independence

● Having an Organizational system○ Having an organized locker

○ Separate, different colored notebooks for each class,

○ Using the agenda, which are provided to sixth graders, daily.

● Be aware of your child’s potential involvement with Social

Media.

● Supply list will be made available over the summer

● Stay up-to-date with what your child is doing in 6th grade by

checking Team/Teacher/Counselor websites and monitoring

grades on Power School once school has started.

Helpful Information

● Mills Park Website: http://millsparkms.wcpss.net/index.html

● Middle School Math Site: http://wake-ms-math.weebly.com/

● Middle School Program Information:

http://www.wcpss.net/middle-school

● MPMS AIG Website: http://mpmsaig.weebly.com/index.html

6th Grade Contacts

Shantel Summerfield

6th Grade Assistant Principal

919.466.1500 ext. 20821

ssummerfield@wcpss.net

Tracy Morris

AIG Teacher

919.466.1500 ext. 20830

tmorris@wcpss.net

Michelle Racippo

Special Education Department Chair

919.466.1500

mracippo@wcpss.net

Brad Hambric

6th Grade Counselor

919.466.1500 ext. 20828

bhambric@wcpss.net

Rhonda Kennedy

6th Grade Counselor

919.466.1500 ext. 20829

rkennedy@wcpss.net

Elena FelicianoSchool Nurse919.524.3760efeliciano@wcpss.net