Rising 7th Graders
Transition to Middle School
How Mrs. Cook Can Help You
I want to be as helpful as possible for our rising 7th graders. It is a big step, and I want to support your and our students. I taught middle school for two years (DMS) and high school for five years (JCHS/BJHS). I welcome any questions or concerns. I want this transition to be as smooth as possible!
scook@madisoncity.k12.al.us.us
256-772-9255 (ext. 85226)
Important LMS Dates
February 24th - Parent Night @6pm in LMS Gym
February 25th - Registration forms distributed to elementary schools
March 2nd - LMS field trip
March 8th - Registration forms due WITH parent signatures
April 1st - Deadline for course change requests
July 21st - Online fee payment opens
July 26th - On-Site fee payment day (fees can be paid in person from 8-3pm)
July 26th - Rising 7th graders orientation from 5-6:30pm
August 1st - Open House (receive lockers, schedules, planners, meet staff) 5-7pm
LMS Athletic Dates - Tryouts
- Baseball - August 2016
- Basketball Cheerleading - March 21-23 3:30 - 5pm @LMS Gym
- Soccer - Fall 2016
- Boys' Basketball - May 23 3:30-5:30 and May 24 5:30-7:30
- Competition Cheerleading - March 7-10 3:30-5:00
- Dance Team - April 5-8 (see LMS dance team website for specific times)
- Girls' Basketball - May 23 5:30-7:30 and May 24 3:30-5:30
- Girls' Soccer - Fall 2016
- Softball October 2016
- Volleyball - April 27-28 3:30-6:00
Please see the LMS website for more information about each sport. There is a section "Athletic" that has all information about each sport. Forms can be found under this section as well.
Important DMS Dates
March 1 - DMS coming to MES to review registration/courses. Registration forms will be handed out.
Feb 29 and March 3 - Panther Parent University Meetings 5 -7pm @ DMS
University session will include:
- 2016-2017 registration and process
- Athletics and procedures
- On-level and advancement placement
- Fine Arts Course Offerings
- Brain Research
March 11 - Registration Forms Due
April 1 - Last day for student schedule request changes
July 17 - Fee statements mailed out
July 26 - Fee payments online 8:00 - 3:00
July 31 - Open House 1:30-4:30
DMS Tryout Information
Competition Cheer - March 7 and 8 4:00-6:00 (Forms due March 1)
Softball - October 16 and 17 3:30-5:30
Please contact Kevin Wilson at DMS for more information about tryouts.
Course Request
Your students will come home with a Course Request form between Thursday and next Tuesday. DMS will bring their forms during their visit next week. Please sit down with your child and go through the course catalog. Be sure to include the required course:
- English
- Math
- Science
- Geography/Civics
- PE (be sure to specify)
Your student will then get to decide on the electives to fill in the remainder of the schedule. Your student must come up with 7 terms worth of electives. Remember the following:
- One Term = 9 weeks
- One Semester = 2 terms (18 weeks)
- One Year = 4 Terms (36 weeks)
Some electives are 9 weeks, semesters, or even year long classes. My biggest piece of advice is to include as many alternative classes as possible. This is a request for classes. Eighth grade students are registered first. Some of the classes fill up, so it's important to have plenty of back up classes.
Course Catalog
What a Schedule Looks Like
2016-2017 Bell Schedule for DMS and LMS
8:05 -9:20am -- A Block
9:20 – 9:30am -- Break
9:30 - 10:45am -- B Block
10:45 - 10:50am -- Transition
10:50 - 12:30pm -- C Block (Lunch)
12:30 -12:35pm -- Transition
12:35 -1:50pm -- D Block
1:50 - 1:55pm -- Transition
1:55 - 3:10pm -- E Block
Students will have five blocks that each consist of 75 minutes. C Block is a longer block due to lunch. Depending on what class students are taking, they will take lunch at a specific time. After each class students are given 5 minutes to get to their next class. They are allowed to get items from their locker, go to the restroom, and socialize if time permits.
School Websites
School Counselors at the Middle School
Karen Clayton - Liberty Middle School
- 256-430-0001 ext 83423
- kaclayton@madisoncity.k12.al.us'
- http://lms.madisoncity.k12.al.us/?PageName='Guidance'
Kelle Moody -- Discovery Middle School
- 256-837-3735 ext 82126
- kmoody@madisoncity.k12.al.us
- http://dms.madisoncity.k12.al.us/?PageName='Guidance'
How You Can Help
Listen to your student. Encourage him/her to discuss what they want. Let them have a say in their schedule. Students do better when they have ownership in their schedule. Guidance is always appreciated, but allow them to figure out who they are and what they want. If your student is on the fence about honors, middle school is a great place to figure it out. It's a great opportunity to try out electives and find out what interests the student has.
Check the website for important dates. I have tried to include as many dates as possible. Always ask questions. There are wonderful counselors at either middle school. Always feel free to ask me for help.
Please attend all parent meetings. Important information will be shared at these meetings. They will go over the registration process, important dates, and how life will be at the middle school.