Tansition and information presentation

1. Welcome to Middle School

2. Mission and Philosophy
We are a learning community of students, faculty, staff, and parents. At ZIS, educational excellence commits us to
Learn, Care, Challenge, Lead.
Learn
• We learn by creating meaning, developing habits of mind, and acting on values.
• We teach to multiple learning styles.
• We learn to understand and to become imaginative thinkers.
• We believe that effective teaching leads to meaningful learning, and that effective teachers continue to be learners.
Care
• We provide a caring environment for the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of our students.
• We care for the world around us and our planet.
• We value diversity and plurality of voices.
• We are committed to the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
Challenge
• We challenge ourselves to be open to risk, change, and innovation.
• We challenge ourselves to ensure the success of each student.
• We challenge our students and teachers to share the responsibility for learning.
• We challenge our students to exceed their own academic expectations.
Lead
• We enable students, faculty, and staff to become confident and responsible leaders.
• We lead with a clear sense of direction and purpose.
• We lead through best practice and educational innovation.
• We aspire to lead by example

8. Middle School life is about . . .
Learning
Growth
Deeper understandings
Relationships
New experiences
Exploration
Creativity
Fun
Collaboration
Being Active
Being Involved
Community
New Challenges

10. Feedback on learning
• Continuous feedback on academic achievement and
self-management achievement through PowerSchool
• Achievement data reset each quarter
• Feedback includes meetings (family and student led
conferences), teacher comments, student reflections
• Separate presentation before Open House in the first
week of school

12. Settling into Middle School – the Curriculum
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:50-9:00
ADVISORY
8:50-9:00
ADVISORY
8:50-9:00
ADVISORY
8:50-9:00
ADVISORY
9:00-10:05 (65 min)
Math 6
9:00-10:05 (65 min)
SS 6
8:50-9:50 (60 min)
Strings 6
9:00-10:05 (65 min)
Science 6
9:00-10:05 (65 min)
PE 6
10:10-11:15(65 min)
Strings 6
10:10-11:15(65 min)
Sem 1 Drama
Sem 2 Art
9:55-10:55 (60 min)
PE 6
10:10-11:15 (65 min)
BG German
10:10-11:15(65 min)
SS 6
11:15-11.25Break 11:15-11.25Break 10:55- 11:05 Break 11:15-11.25 Break 11:15-11.25Break
11:30-12:35(65 min)
PE 6
11:30-12:35(65 min)
Science 6
11:10-12:10 (60 min)
Sem 1 Drama
Sem 2 Art
11:30-12:35 (65 min)
English 6
11:30-12:35(65 min)
Strings 6
12:35-1:15 (40 min)
LUNCH
12:35-1:15 (40 min)
LUNCH
12:15-1:15 (60 min)
BG German
12:35-1:15 (40 min)
LUNCH
12:35-1:15 (40 min)
LUNCH
1:15-1:30 SSR 1:15-1:30 SSR
1:15 -1:55 (40min)
LUNCH 1:15-1:30 SSR 1:15-1:30 SSR
1:35-2:35 (60 min)
English 6
1:35-2:35 (60 min)
Math 6
1:55-2:45 (50 min)
Assembly/Advisory
1:35-2:35 (60 min)
SS 6
1:35-2:35 (60 min)
Science 6
2:40-3:45 (65 min)
BG German
2:40-3:45 (65 min)
English 6
2:45-5:00
Faculty Meeting Time
2:40-3:45 (65 min)
Math 6
2:40-3:45 (65 min)
Sem 1 Drama
Sem 2 Art

13. Elective Choices
Each semester students take eight classes: math, English,
science, physical education, social studies, and German
language + two elective courses that students choose.
Students need to select their electives for both the first
semester (August – January) and the second semester (January
– June). In order to fill the elective blocks/classes, students
must choose two electives for both semesters which may
consist of:
a) 4 semester courses
b) 1 year-long course and 2 semester courses
c) 2 year-long courses

14. Elective Choices
One Year Courses
Middle School Band *
String Ensemble *
Semester Courses
Choir * Design and Technology
Drama Spanish
Art French
All grade 6 students must take at least one music elective *
Give some consideration to language choices, if this is
something that might be important for future schooling

15. Hopefully, you have already read about these courses in ZIS links:
Grade 6 Elective Descriptions
On Thursday, March 12th you will find the sign-up form in ZIS links. Please
sign up with your choices as soon as possible:
Elective sign-up form
Elective Choices

16. • MS administration visit
the LS and Baden to help
with elective choices and
to talk about life in the
villa
• LS and Baden students will
visit the middle school in
May
• Meet with teachers and
students and learn about
life in middle school
Student Preparation

17. Teacher Preparation
• Meetings and conversations
between teachers in the
middle school and lower
school
• Sharing of information about
students, curriculum etc. to
help prepare for move to
middle school

18. Some final preparations for the move
From us:
• Students will receive a welcome
letter in June (also on ZIS links)
• Includes a supply list as well as
summer reading assignments
From you:
• Make sure you have all the
supplies etc.
• Be back in good time for return to
school (night before is not ideal!)
• Practice the journey to middle
school

19. Settling into Middle School
Advisory
• Students are assigned
to an advisory group
• Advisor meets with
students everyday and
plays a big role in
helping students to
adapt to life in middle
school

20. Athletics and Activities Program - ATAC

21. How to be successful in Middle School . . .
Work hard
Be involved
Get help when you need it
Be respectful of others, your school, our
environment

22. Never worry on your own …
… we can usually help
And finally...
Contact us: dwood@zis.ch; skeys@zis.ch;