Welcome to Grapevine Middle School!

Counselors

Last Names A-L: Mrs. Johnson

Last Names M-Z: Mrs. Jones

Grapevine Middle School

HOME OF THE PONIES!!!

School colors are RED and WHITE!

You will soon be starting middle school!

• Grapevine Middle School is a special place!

• You will have many opportunities to meet new friends, learn new things, and think about your future.

• You will also have more choices and independence.

• You will go to a different classroom for each subject.

• GMS has an 8 period day, and you will have 6 or more, new teachers.

GMS sounds very different,

what else is different?• A busier schedule• Your own locker• More classmates• More homework• More choices• Corral Time

Corral Time

• Corral Time is what some middle schools call “homeroom time”.

• It is between 7th and 8th periods.

• It is a worthwhile time where students can make some choices.

• Students can be assigned to do school work if not passing classes!

Corral Time• Corral Time “activities” include :

– Tutorials/Extra Help/Computer Lab access

– Organizing your “stuff”– Talking over problems, Guest Speakers– Study Hall, Silent Reading in Library– Gym days– Various club meetings-

some examples are• Walking Club• Wii• Crafts• Guitar Lessons• Approved Computer Game Time• Math & Science Club• Technology

PAT classes are different at GMS…we call them Advanced Academic classes:

PAP (Pre-Advanced Placement), GT (World Discoveries), Accelerated

Math and Accelerated Science classes.

•In elementary school, you leave your regular classroom weekly for enrichment. •In middle school, advanced classes are enriched daily in the same room with the same teacher.

Now Let’s Talk About Advanced Academic Classes!

• One purpose for advanced classes in middle school is to prepare students to get college credit in high school.

• Students are encouraged to request a variety of challenging classes……not just easy classes.

What are the Advanced Academic classes at GMS…

• Pre-Advanced Placement (PAP) prepare you for PAP and AP (Advanced Placement) classes in high school.

• Accelerated Math and Science classes are for qualified students ready to move very fast in Math and Science and prepare you for AP classes in high school.

• Gifted and Talented Language Arts and History (World Discoveries) classes are for qualified students and prepare your for AP classes in high school.

The classes listed above are specially designed to prepare you to graduate near the top of your class in high school.

Every 6th grader takes Language Arts (Reading and English), Math, Science and Social Studies.

Your current teacher can help you decide what type of each course is

best for you.

Physical Activity

• Everyone will take a daily physical activity class. • We call that class Physical Education or PE.• You will need a white T-shirt, red shorts, and

appropriate shoes for this class. You can get special GMS gym clothes at Pony Camp in August.

You will GET to take a shower after this class.

Take a shower after PE! You don’t want to be “that stinky 6th grader”!

6th Grade Elective Choices• Art• Band• Choir• Exploratory Electives• Technology• AVID- Students are selected for this

class.

You heard about these on your visit

to GMS. The BLUE book also gives you lots of information.

Choose two (2) on your blue sheet- 1. Your first choice and

2. Write in an “alternate choice”.

If you still have questions contact:

• Art- Natalie Ledbetter• Band- Robin Owens or Jennifer

Fisher• Choir- Patti Adams• Exploratory Electives- Marilyn

Johnson or Ruth-Ann Jones• Technology- Bill Berghauser• AVID- Sherri Morrison

What next?• Discuss your options with your family.• Choose your classes on the blue sheet.• Get signatures.• Write a phone number where we can

contact your parent during the day (this summer) in “Daytime Phone” blank.

• Return your blue sheet to your teacher by March 21st.

• Encourage one of your parents to enter your courses “online” using Family Access.

• Continue to do your VERY BEST in ALL of your work here at your elementary school!

And,

REMEMBER…

You can be successful at GMS if you remember to:

• BE PREPARED• BE PROMPT• BE RESPONSIBLE

• BE RESPECTFUL

What can I do to make new friends?

• Be friendly to others.• Be a good listener. • Get involved.• Be yourself.• Be a good friend to others.• Ask your teachers or counselors

if you feel these things just aren’t working.

We are so excited……..

For each of you to begin 6th grade at

Grapevine Middle School

in August!!!

Go Ponies!!!

Grapevine Middle School!!!