In seventh grade, children will take Science, Math, Social Studies, Physical Education and English. In additions, children will also take three "rotation" courses: Keyboarding, Technical Education, and Family & Consumer Science. Students may take French 1* over two years, during 7th and 8th grade. Their French 1 grades count toward graduation and are included in their high school grade point average as any other high school course. Algebra 1, another high school course, may be taken in eighth grade. Finally, each child will choose a music course to take: Band and/or Chorus, or General Music.
*French is an optional class in seventh grade. Our French teacher offers the following criteria for success: (1) willingness to work hard but still have a bit of fun, (2) ability to think creatively, as French is not always logical, and (3) good, applicable understanding of English grammar, especially parts of speech. Students may not take 8th grade French without completing 7th grade French. Students who complete both classes may take French II in ninth grade. The advantage of taking French in junior high is a more gradual and earlier introduction to a foreign language. Spanish I is available freshman year. French in 7th and 8th grade takes the place of Language Arts.
Study Skills in the afternoon alternates with Band, Chorus or General Music. All junior high students must take a music class; many opt to take both Band and Chorus. Students who take both don't have an afternoon Study Skills. For some students, two musical classes are a welcome balance to academics, and school work is better completed at home. Students in General Music will have their music class two days a week, with study skills the following three days.
Written progress reports are sent home between quarterly report cards. Their main purpose is to alert parents and students of classes that need more student effort. When students rally, at this point, many grades improve prior to report cards. The three progress report categories indicate a grade range: passing (70-100%), borderline (65-69%), and failing (64% and below). Students and parents may ask a teacher to tabulate an actual class grade. The easiest way to initiate contact with teachers is to leave a message on their voicemail.
Seventh Grade is different that Sixth Grade:
-Students will move to a different classroom seven times each day! The day is divided into eight 45-minute periods, with a 10-minute morning meeting in the gym each day. -Each day's homework assignments will always be written on each classroom's board. Students should look at the board and write down assignments in their planners. -If students are absent for two or more days, please call Aaron Robinson (ext. 206), and he will gather homework for parents to pick up. For one sick day, teachers will hand out work upon the student's return. -Students should tell parents any school news. Since seventh grade is different, parents may not even know what to ask about. There are dances, pizza and movie nights, and bus rides to and from sports games. All of this is new! -Students should ask their parents to occasionally help with special events. Seventh grade teachers are happy to organize fun evening activities, but they usually need extra adult help for the actual event. -Students and parents should make a plan about what to do between the end of school and the beginning of sports practice. If practice begins later than 3:30pm, students will need to leave the school building. The teachers have meetings and prepare for the next day once school ends. They don't supervise students. Some options are to go home for a while or walk to the town library. -Bring any permission slips home to sign immediately and return them to teachers the next day. -At concerts and events, students are expected to sit quietly and watch the stage. Teachers no longer sit with classes as students have had lots of elementary school practice being a good audience. -Extra help is always available. Talk with a teacher or Ms. Lane about what you any need. Classroom teachers may also be available to help during eighth period. -When students arrive at school each morning, they will choose one of three places to be before morning meeting begins at 8:10am. They may go to the mulitpurpose room, the library, or the old gym. -Since students have many teachers now, conferences are held in the library or the multipurpose room. All teachers will sit at different tables and parents may visit with as many of them as they would like. If parets come in for a meeting about students, students are welcome and encouraged to attend too. -When students go to study skills, bring homework or a book to read. Students will have more free time at home if they finish their work in school!
First Day of School General Info: -I'll be hungry! Bring a lunch from home or $2.50 for hot lunch ($1.50 for breakfast). Students on reduced lunch plans are entitled to free breakfast and $0.40 lunches. Contact the school for more information. -Am I late? Morning meeting begins at 8:10am in the high school gym, and classes end by 2:45pm. -When will the bus pick me up? Call the bus company at 788-4322. -What's my schedule? You'll receive your schedule in Ms. Epchook's room. -What should I wear? Something comfortable that you feel good in. (Shorts and skirts must be fingertip lenth or longer, not spandex, ragged or hole-filled cutoffs. Tee shirts cannot advocate alcohol, drugs, tobacco or sexual harassment.)