Rippon Middle School
8th grade Academic Advising Form 2021-2022
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS
YOU CAN TRANSLATE THIS NEWSLETTER TO OTHER LANGUAGES.
DEADLINE for Academic Advising Form (Course Requests) is APRIL 26, 2021
PARENTS AND STUDENTS: WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO HONOR YOUR SELECTION ON THE ACADEMIC ADVISING FORM (COURSE REQUESTS), BUT DUE TO CLASS RESTRICTIONS AND AVAILABLE SPACING, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HONOR ALL OF THEM.
* The link to the Academic Advising Form is at the bottom of the newsletter.*
Rising 8th Grade Students Welcome to Next Academic Year's Information
We are hoping that you are getting through this challenging time. We have been steadily moving ahead and making plans for the 2021-2022 School year. We are expecting that students will be returning to the building 5 days a week.
It is our hope that this newsletter will give you all of the information needed to make informed decisions with your student regarding classes for the next school year.
In the following sections, you will find important information regarding course selections.
Please take some time to read through everything. You will find the following:
- Requirements for Extended Classes: Extended Courses for 8th-grade Students
- Social Studies and Science Middle School Curriculum Links
- Related Arts or Encore Selection Descriptions
- Math and Science Program Information
- Academic Advising Form (Course Requests)
Requirements for Extended and Foreign Language Classes
Students will be ultimately be recommended for Extended level classes based on teacher recommendations and their academic grades for Marking Periods 1-3 in 7th grade.
- Generally speaking, if a student was in an extended class in 7th grade and performing well (A or B), they will be recommended to take an extended class in 8th grade.
- If a student was in a regular level math or language arts class in 7th grade but wishes to take an extended version of the course for 8th grade - we will make the determination on a student-by-student basis.
Foreign Language Classes: Spanish 1 and French 1 will be offered next year, however, space is extremely limited.
Math Sequences
UNDERSTANDING THE MATH SEQUENCES: 8th Grade
Please remember that Math courses are sequential, and students can not skip to a higher-level math course. Please see the progressions below to help your student select the proper math class:
- If your student took "Math 7" last year, they will select "Pre-Algebra" for next year.
- If your student took "Math 7 Extended" last year, they will select "Pre-AP Algebra I" for next year.
- If your student took "Pre-AP Algebra I" last year, they will select "Pre-AP Geometry" for next year.
Please keep in mind that due to the cancellation of SOL tests for this academic school year, we will be utilizing students' academic grades and teacher recommendations to ensure the best placement for students.
Related Arts or Encore Selection Descriptions
How Encores will work in 8th Grade.
- We will be having 2 periods of encore next year.
- Students will meet with their encore classes EVERYDAY - there will no longer be an A or B Day encore in 8th grade.
- Gifted services will be conducted as Pull-out model only. Will no longer be part of the encore cycle. (8th grade only)
- Music will be year long classes.
- PE classes are year-long. PE is OPTIONAL in 8th grade.
- Related Arts classes will be on Semesters.
- The Music Dept. would like to see students everyday for the whole year.
- French 1 and Spanish 1 will be offered during encore times. This means that there are only 4 classes being offered with limited seating. There will be some restrictions regarding who will be able to take a foreign language.
- This also means that students will be limited in the total number of classes that they can select
So there are several example scenarios that a student's schedule may look like:
1.) Related Arts (not taking music or a foreign language)
Period 1: Art (Semester 1) / FACS (Semester 2)
Period 2: PE (Year) or Eng. Systems (Semester 1) or STEM (Semester 2)
2.) Foreign Language
If a student wants to take a foreign language, their schedule might look like this:
Period 1: Spanish I or French I (Year) **VERY LIMITED SPACES
Period 2: Art (Semester 1) / STEM (Semester 2) OR PE (Year Long)
3.) Music
Period 1: Music
Period 2: PE (Year Long) or Art (Semester 1) / STEM (Semester 2)
4.) Foreign Language + Music
We know that we have some students who want to take music and a foreign language. These students would not be placed in PE for the year, in order to accommodate both classes. They would not have room for any other encores.
Period 1: Spanish I/French 1 (Year) **VERY LIMITED SPACES
Period 2: Music (Year)
5.) Gifted Students and Foreign Language and Music: UPDATED INFORMATION***
Gifted Services will be set up as Pull out services from Mrs. Payne in 8th grade.
You do not have to choose it as a part of the encore cycle.
WHAT DOES THE SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
Core 1 Period 1
Core 2 Period 2
Encore 1 Period 3
Encore 2 Period 4
Core 3 Period 5
Lunch A 12:35-1:00PM
Lunch B 1:05-1:30PM
Core 4 Period 6
LIFE CAREER AND PLANNING (FACS): Life and Career Planning is an advanced-level course that prepares middle school students for their roles in families, careers, and communities through project-based instruction. Students experience in-depth studies of nutrition and wellness, food preparation, relationships, personal environments, textiles, fashion and apparel, consumer resources, child development and care, and leadership service in action.
ENGINEERING SYSTEMS (Tech ED): Students learn about the structure and function of technological systems. Students will explore, design, analyze, and evaluate technological systems. By simulating systems and assessing their impacts, students gain insight into how to approach the problems and opportunities of a technological world. Teachers will use the nationally recognized middle school engineering curriculum, Gateway to Technology by Project Lead the Way.
ART: The Prince William County visual art instructors educate students to develop an awareness and appreciation of art. Through their study of visual art, students will develop fluency in visual, oral, and written communication using the language of art. While developing aesthetic and critical thinking skills, students will become risk-takers and creative problem solvers. Students learn about visual communication while making original artwork. Students are expected to embrace art as a visual language to express and communicate their ideas and feelings while utilizing safe and ethical practices in the creative process.
FRENCH 1 or SPANISH 1: Students use the language authentically, communicating in real-life situations from the beginning of the course. They learn the sound system and basic grammar and vocabulary, primarily through the use of the language in meaningful contexts. All basic skills of the language are learned: understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis is on communication in interpersonal situations. Culture is an integral part of the course.
STEM APPLICATIONS (BUSINESS): This foundation course introduces the use of relevant and emerging technologies, tools, and applications to prepare students for current workplace practices and everyday life. Students will demonstrate information processing using a variety of hardware and software and Internet-based tools to produce and integrate data in various formats. This course is designed for students wishing to progress through more advanced business and information technology coursework.
Music Information
SPECIAL MESSAGE TO OUR 8TH GRADERS FROM MRS. TASSA
I am the 8th-grade administrator. I look forward to developing a partnership with you and your child as well as the teachers and staff to support your child’s success. In their last year of middle school, 8th graders immerse themselves in preparation for high school by practicing and strengthening skills.
I encourage all students to
- Respect themselves, their teachers, and others
- Ask for help from adults to resolve conflicts
- Always put forth their best work
- Come prepared to learn with the necessary materials
- Follow directions when given
- Use electronic devices productively at school with the permission of staff
- Preserve a positive learning environment
I look forward to the excitement ahead for your child this year as he/she prepares for the move to high school.
Math and Science Specialty Program Students: What to fill out on the Course Form
8th Graders
- Pre AP Algebra 1 (all Math and Science students begin with this course)
- Science 8 (states that there is a section for Math and Science Students)
- Ext. LA is optional for the Math and Science Students
- Social Studies: Same course for all students