Dowell Middle School

PARENT PRESENTATION

February 23, 2017

Administrative Team

• Principal – Holly Rogers

• Assistant Principals–Jesse Abel and Aretha Jackson

• Counselors – Jennifer Morse and Rayshana Adams

• Library Media Specialist – Jamie Morris

• Special Education Lead – Lori Wilson

• English as a Second Language – Laurea Myers and

Irma Garcia

• 504 Coordinator – Christie Thompson

Goals for the Evening

• Get information for academic decision

making.

• Get information for elective decision

making.

• Prepare for the transition to high school.

• Answer questions individually at the end.

Materials Review

• Registration Form

• 7th Grade

• 8th Grade

• Course Description Guide (Online)

• Both English and Spanish are available

Parent Information

• Email Distribution List

• Web Site:

• www:mckinneyisd.net/dowell

• Teacher web sites

• Progress Reports (Every 3 weeks)

• Report Cards (Every 9 weeks)

• Home Access Center

Middle School Philosophy

• High Academic Standards for All Students.

• Students Introduced to Academic and

Extra-Curricular Options.

• Students Begin to Determine Strengths

and Preferences.

• Partnership with Students, Families,

& Community.

STAAR Testing at Middle School

Sixth Grade Seventh Grade Eighth Grade

Reading Reading Reading

Writing

Math Math Math

Science

Social Studies

• High School credit courses are End of Course

Exams.

• The State of Texas Assessments of

Academic Readiness.

Core and Pre AP Classes

• McKinney ISD’s curriculum is common at all schools and aligned with the rest of the state.

• Core Curriculum is based on the Texas

Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

• Aligned with like grade levels and between

grade levels.

• Both are College Prep courses.

Core Courses

• Language Arts and Reading (ELAR)

• Math

• Science

• Social Studies

Every Student Takes:

Target Classes

• Placement into Target classes will be based

upon a students STAAR test results.

• This class takes the place of an elective course.

• Target courses are offered in Math and ELAR.

Math Curriculum Sequence

Grade Core Pre AP

6th 6th Grade TEKS 6th and 7th Grade TEKS

7th 7th Grade TEKS 8th Grade TEKS (Pre Algebra)

Students take the MAP Test at the end of 7th grade for

recommendation of 8th grade math course placement.

8th 8th Grade TEKS

(Pre Algebra)

Algebra 1

9th Algebra 1 Geometry

10th Geometry Algebra 2

11th Algebra 2 Pre Calculus

12th StatisticsCalculus or

Statistics

Other Levels of Courses

• ESL: Non or limited English speakers.

• Special Education: Continuum of services.

• Gifted and Talented: Identified GT students.

Gifted and Talented

• If your child is in GT, Karen Green will provide us

with the information for placement of classes.

• For now, you just check Pre AP math.

• If you have questions about GT,

• Email: kjgreen@mckinneyisd.net

Typical 7th and 8th Grade Day

• Language Arts: Every day for 1 period.

• Math: Every day for 1 period.

• Science: Every day for 1 period.

• Social Studies: Every day for 1 period.

• Electives: 3 electives that meet every day.

Physical Education Requirement

• Every student is required to complete 4

semesters of Physical Education while in

Middle School.

• Every student took a full year in 6th Grade.

• Athletics does count as their P.E. credit.

• UIL rules do not allow for a student to be in

Athletics and Physical Education at the

same time.

Electives Choices

• All electives meet every day.

• Electives are for the entire year.

• Cheerleading requires a physical and it is a

class during the day.

• If a student participates in Athletics they must

be in the Athletic period.

Elective Choices

• Art 1

• Art 2

• Advanced Art

• Athletics

− 7th Grade Athletics in the Morning

− 8th Grade Athletics in the Afternoon

• AVID (Application)

• Band

• Cheerleading

• Choir

Elective Choices

• Theatre

• Advanced Theatre

(Audition)

• Investigating Careers

(7th Grade)

• Teen Leadership

• PALS

(8th Grade/Application)

• Partner PE

(Application)

• Physical Education

• Orchestra

• Yearbook

(Application)

• Broadcast and

Media Journalism

(Application)

High School Credit in 8th Grade

Elective Choices

• Principles of Applied Engineering*

• Health/Communication Applications

• Principles of Arts, Audio/Video Technology &

Communications*

• Spanish 1

• Spanish for Spanish Speakers

* Go to dmscte.weebly.com for more information

AVID/PALS

• There is a process in place to qualify for these

courses.

• Students fill out the application.

• An interview is held.

• The criteria is reviewed by the committee to

see if the student qualifies.

• AVID: Michelle McKevitt

• PALS: Jerry Flemons

Decisions To Make

• Which Level of core academic class is most

appropriate for my child?

• Which electives will benefit my child most in

middle school and high school and beyond?

Welcome To Dowell!

• Due Date: February 27, 2017.

• Return to your Math teacher the Registration

Form only.

• Meet the Teacher August 22, 2017

Welcome to

DOWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL

2017 - 2018