A Webinar for Rising 6th Grade Parents What You Need to ...
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What You Need to Know About Renfroe: A Webinar for Rising 6th Grade Parents
Transcript of A Webinar for Rising 6th Grade Parents What You Need to ...
What You Need to Know About Renfroe:
A Webinar for Rising 6th Grade Parents
Welcome & Introductions
❏ Greg Wiseman, Principal
❏ Summer Clayton, Assistant Principal
❏ Kristen Karably, IB Coordinator & Instructional Coach
❏ Ragan Hudson, 6th Grade Counselor
Questions?
Email [email protected] during the presentation.
We will answer as many questions as we can at the end of our time together.
Learning Targets
Parents Will Be Able To:
❏ Leave this presentation without being completely freaked out that their child is going to middle school next year!
❏ Understand more about the program and structure at RMS
❏ Hear about how RMS may look next year post pandemic
❏ Identify supports within RMS to help ease their families’ transition to the 6th grade
IB Programs in Decatur
◻ Fifth Ave/Talley- Primary Years Program (PYP)
◻ RMS- Middle Years Program (MYP)
◻ DHS- Middle Years Program (MYP), Diploma Program (DP), Career Program (CP)
The IB's programmes are different from
other curricula because they:
● encourage students of all ages to think critically and
challenge assumptions
● develop independently of government and national systems,
incorporating quality practice from research and our global
community of schools
● encourage students of all ages to consider both local and
global contexts
● develop multilingual students
The IB Middle Years Programme
1. Language A (the student’s native language)
2. Language B (a second language)3. Individuals and Societies (Social Studies) 4. Sciences 5. Mathematics 6. Arts7. Physical education 8. Design
6th Grade Structure & General Info.We are team-based!❏ All students are divided into 4 teams and rotate
through their core classes within this team (think school within a school)
❏ Core Classes are ELA, Math, Science, Individuals & Societies (SS), and World Languages (Spanish, French, German).
❏ Which team is the BEST? Silver, Gold, Blue, & Green! (random placement to “balance the boat”and ensure equity)
*Additionally, students have an Advisement class once a week
6th Grade Connections
❏ Physical Education❏ Adventure Quest❏ Physical Education❏ Yoga and Wellness
❏ Design❏ Business and Communications❏ Design for Change❏ Design Technology/Engineering❏ International Perspectives
❏ Art❏ Theatre Arts❏ Foundations in Art❏ Visual Art Exploratory❏ Photography
12-Week Terms, 3-Terms per School Year - Students placed randomly
Full RMS Connections Course Description List
Music Connections
IB MYP Music Programs
❏ Beginning Band OR Continuing Band:
Christine Kraemer, [email protected]
❏ Chorus: David Hirschorn, [email protected]
❏ Orchestra: Heston McCranie, [email protected]
Interested in learning more? Join the Music Department’s Parent Webinar on
Wednesday, May 12th at 6:30 pm! Here’s the LINK.
Note: Students may choose to participate in one or two of these courses.
Please take the time to explore the program websites. Links to registration also available on each program website.
In lieu of a rotating Connection each term, students can opt for year-long music courses
Yes, but how may RMS look different next year--a year-and-a-half into this pandemic?
• Masks
• Full school day
• Arrival/dismissal/hallway usage
• Cohorting to the greatest extent possible ( the same groups of kids traveling together to each of their core classes)
• Lunch/recess schedule intentional to reduce numbers of students in the cafe and to utilize outdoor spaces as much as possible
• Limiting parents/visitors in the building
Other Student Supports: Processes & Plans
❏ MTSS: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support❏ Disabilities
❏ Special Education (IEP)❏ 504 Plan
❏ Gifted Services (Bridges)❏ Intervention❏ English as a Second Language
GMulti-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
● Students already identified and receiving services or accommodations at Talley or F.AVE, whether it’s for special education, 504 accommodations, gifted services, or intervention, will receive services at RMS
● Counselors, APs, Special Ed and MTSS Lead Teachers at the 3 schools are already sharing caseloads and information so that students are flagged and properly served
● Team teachers at RMS meet weekly to discuss needs and progress of students on their team
● All staff work with parents to communicate and address student needs
What does SE look like at RMS?
Special Education (SE) - Every child with an IEP is assigned a case manager who will coordinate the provision of services at Renfroe--they will teach your child too, just not every segment.
• The accommodations in your student’s IEP are shared with all teachers of record for your student.
• Your child will have different SE teachers supporting them, either co-taught or in resource classes, who only teach that subject (so SE math teachers teach only math; SE ELA teachers teach only ELA, etc.).
Your child’s 5th grade case manager may reach out to you to amend your child’s IEP to adjust the hours to match Renfroe’s schedule.
If you have any questions about your child’s IEP please reach out to Karen Ehmer, Special Education Lead Teacher for Renfroe.
SE Continued
What does Gifted look like at RMS?
Gifted - At CSD’s elementary schools, the gifted program is called LINKS. At Renfroe, it’s Bridges.
• Students receive ongoing and varied differentiated instruction in their core subject areas of identified strength. Differentiated instruction is based on readiness and interest and is delivered by classroom teachers.
• Students take a 12-week gifted resource class as one of their connections classes for one term each year.
Bridges Continued
Stay tuned for an announcement about an upcoming information session for Renfroe’s new gifted students and their parents, where Renfroe’s gifted specialists will go into more detail about gifted services and what we offer in the gifted resource classes.
Resources:
Renfroe Bridges Website
Gifted Services brochure
Welcome to
Renfroe!
What does Intervention look like at RMS?
Intervention - At CSD’s elementary schools, the intervention program is EIP. At Renfroe, it’s REP and it’s for students identified as needing extra support in math or language arts
• Students work with a classroom interventionist in their ELA or math classroom to receive research-based supplemental support
• If needing intensive support, students are assigned to a reading or math Connections course
The Middle School Survival Guide
These Are the Yo Yo Years!
Bend But Don’t Break
Peer Relationships: Just Hang on!
Guide...Don’t Control
Mistakes = Trial & Error
Stick by Them
But Struggle Is Important, Too...
Just a Phone Call Away
Build a Team!
Give Yourself the Freedom to Make Mistakes
Take a Deep Breath
Introducing: “A.C.T.”A way to get the support you need and give it to others!
A: Advocate!
C: Care for Yourself and Others
T: Tell Someone
Bulldogs,Let’s ACT together to create a stronger and better RMS!
If you or someone you know needs support:
❏ Reach out to a trusted adult and/or❏ Complete a RMS Counseling
Referral/Connect Form today!
Straight From the Mouths of Babes Tweens
To Meet Our 2019-2020 (now 7th Grade!) Ambassadors and Learn More About Middle School, Click Here
Middle School…A Parent’s Perspective
Click below to hear from 2 of our veteran
middle school grade parents:
❏ Welcome, Christa Sobon!❏ Welcome, Tyra Buckley!
Who’s Who at RMS?
And what do they do?
Name Title E-mailGreg Wiseman Principal [email protected]
Summer Clayton 6th Grade Assistant Principal [email protected]
Kristen Karably IB Coordinator & Instructional Coach
Ragan Hudson 6th Grade Counselor [email protected]
Kim Boswell Connections Lead [email protected]
Kelsey Ulm World Language Lead [email protected]
David Hirschorn Chorus Teacher [email protected]
Christine Kraemer Band Teacher [email protected]
Heston McCranie Orchestra Teacher [email protected]
Karen Ehmer Special Education [email protected]
Laura Gary Gifted Specialist [email protected]
Interested in becoming involved in the RMS PTA?
Visit https://renfroepta.org/ &
Click HERE to learn more!
Welcome to the Renfroe Family!Questions? [email protected]
