This document provides information for parents about their child's transition to Crestwood Middle School. It outlines the objectives of the 5th grade parent orientation, which is to inform parents about the registration process, transition activities, new programs, and answer questions. It discusses the schedule for 6th grade, including core classes and electives. It also addresses procedures for finalizing registration, acquiring materials over the summer, and important upcoming events like schedule pick up and back to school night. The overall purpose is to ease the transition to middle school for students and parents.

1. Welcome to
Crestwood Middle School
5th Grade Parent Orientation
February 19, 2014

2. Welcome to all our
Feeder Elementary Schools!
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Ballenger Creek Elementary School
Lincoln Elementary School
Orchard Grove Elementary School
Tuscarora Elementary School

3. Objectives
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To learn about Crestwood Middle School
To inform parents about the registration
process
To discuss transition activities
To explain new programs coming to all
FCPS Middle Schools
To answer your questions

4. The start of middle school is exciting for
students and parents.
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It is a time filled with
promise and
anticipation.
It is a time of
tremendous growth:
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Socially
Emotionally
Academically
Physically
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During this time of
change:
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Learn about your child’s
concerns.
Assist them to stay
organized and establish
a sense of routine.
Praise your child’s
successes and efforts.
Make your home a
learning resource.

5. Transition Activities
The transition to middle school is a process that
began in January and ends in August.
School
level meetings
Tonight’s Parent Orientation
Student Tour of Crestwood Middle: May 2014
Student and Parent Orientation: August 2014

6. Getting involved…
CMS PTA
Susan Thompson, President
 Cindy Woodruff, Vice President
 Jasmine Reyes, Vice President
 Sarah Mott, Secretary
 Tina Torre, Treasurer
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7. Getting Involved (continued)….
Two-way communication:
Daily use of the planner – Homework
Grades posted on Pinnacle
Calls / email to celebrate a success
Calls / emails when a concern arises
Find Out First—Sign up now!
Tutoring / Volunteering

8. Accentuate the Positives
CMS participates in PBIS: Positive
Behavioral Intervention and Supports
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Behavioral expectations are taught at the beginning
of the school year
Reinforcement lessons as necessary
Updates included on student announcements
Spirit days for students who have met behavioral
and academic goals for the quarter
Positive referrals
Students of the Month

9. Grade 6 Schedule
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Core Classes
Exploratory
courses
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Life Skills
Lab 21
One elective

10. Grade 6 Schedule
Period
Time
Minutes
1
8:00 a.m. – 8:47 a.m.
47
2
8:51 a.m. – 9:38 a.m.
47
3
9:42 a.m. – 10:29 a.m.
47
Lunch
10:32 a.m. – 11:02 a.m.
30
4
11:06 a.m. – 11:53 a.m.
47
5
11:57 a.m. – 12:44 p.m.
47
Tee
12:48 p.m. – 1:18 p.m.
30
6
1:22 p.m. – 2:09 p.m.
47
7
2:13 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
47

11. Core Classes
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Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
Physical Education
9 Week Health
Course

12. Language Arts
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Strategic reading to improve
comprehension
Reading for information and literary
experience
Writing and communication skills such as
speaking and listening
Grammar, spelling and vocabulary

13. Mathematics
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Students in Common Core Grade 7 Accelerated will receive:
The entire Common Core grade 7 curriculum during grade 7
Half of the Common Core grade 8 curriculum during grade 7
Common
Core Math 6
merit
Common
Core Math 7
merit
Common
Core Math 8
merit
Common
Core Math 6
honors
Common
Core Math 7
honors
Common
Core Math 8
honors
Common
Core Math
Grade 7
Accelerated
Common
Core
Algebra 1
5th Grade

14. Social
Studies
History
History of the
Ancient World
Mesopotamia
Fall of the Roman
Empire
476 CE
World
of the Ancient
Ancient
Egypt and
Ancient
India and China
Greece
The
Roman Empire

15. Science
Integrated study of
life, Earth, and
physical science with
modules in:
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Water
Human Body
Mechanics
Interdependence and
Diversity

16. Physical Education (PE)
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Every child will
take Physical
Education as a
year long course
(grade 6, 7 and 8)
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A 9-week Health
segment will be
part of the grade 6
curriculum
beginning with the
2014-2015 school
year

17. Gym Uniform
Students are required to change for Physical
Education
 Students must change into white shirt and dark
shorts.
Students are not required to purchase a gym
uniform, but a Crestwood white tee shirt and shorts
are available for purchase on the following days:
 Back to School Night
 The first week of school

18. SPECIAL EDUCATION AND
504 STUDENTS

19. IEP and 504 Concerns
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Grade 5 teachers will
transfer all records to
CMS case managers
Some meetings will be
held for students with
special concerns
Contact Deb Boyce for
questions/concerns
about this process

20. Highly Able Learner
Program
(HAL)

21. Leveling Process
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Elementary teachers make a recommendation of
level to middle school staff
Middle school staff determine appropriate
instructional levels for each youngster
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Present level of performance
Term 1 and 2 Marking Period Grades
MSA and all other Standardized Test scores
Families will receive a letter in the mail indicating
that the student was assigned to HAL classes

22. Electives and
Exploratory Courses

23. Electives 101
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Electives are a full year course
Electives are stand-alone courses
Encourage your child to choose a course in
which they have an interest
Descriptions for all electives are contained in the
middle school course guide
Beginning Band is available in grade 6 only
Students will take one elective in grade 7, and
two electives in grade 8

24. Electives (continued)
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Students are able to
choose one elective
for their grade 6
schedule
Students must make
a first, second and
third choice on the
registration form

25. Full Year Electives
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Beginning Band
Band
Chorus
Music Performance
Lab
Theater Arts
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Orchestra
Technology
Exposition
Visual Arts
World Language
Exploratory

26. Grade 6 Exploratory Courses
Life Skills
Lab 21
Family and
Consumer
Sciences
•Financial Literacy
•Nutrition
•Food Science
21st Century Skills
•Problem-solving
•Communication
•Computers &
Technology

27. Finalizing Your Child’s
Registration

28. Registration Letters
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Parents must check whether they agree or
disagree with the school’s leveling
information
If a parent disagrees with the school’s
recommended placement, the parent must
attach a letter to the registration form
noting why they disagree with the school’s
decision
A first, second and third elective choice
must be noted on the registration form

29. Registration Letters
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Parents must sign the registration letter
and provide their address and contact
information.
Registration letters are due back to your
child’s fifth grade teacher by Tuesday,
February 25, 2014.
Failure to return the letters on time could
result in the school selecting an elective
course for your child. Please adhere to
the established due dates.

30. Summer 2014…

31. Materials
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A grade materials list will be sent via a
June Find Out First email
Locks for Lockers
 Students must purchase a lock for their
hall locker; the cost is $5.00
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Locks can be purchased: during summer
business hours, on Back to School night, and
the first week of school
Gym locks are installed in the lockers

32. Schedule Pick Up
 Your
child’s schedule can be
picked up from Crestwood Middle
School on Thursday, August 14
from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 Bring this to Back to School Night!

33. Back to School Night
Week of August 18,
2014 (TBA)
Brief Meeting
PTA and other school
organization tables
Meet your child’s
teachers as you follow
their schedule for the
year

34. Questions
???

35. Help your child move on to
middle school success.
Be a partner with the school and
stay involved.