I know it seems surreal, doesn't it?

We want your kiddos to feel prepared as they finish their last year of elementary school and get ready to embark on their new chapter of middle school 💛 I hope this newsletter will provide some clarity and understanding and of course if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me!

🙂 Mrs. Felix

• Vale/Rayburn visit Michael Elementary for a presentation
• Students will hop on a bus to visit Vale/Rayburn (Dec. 5th)
• (permission slips will be sent home and will state which middle school your child is slated for)
• 3 upcoming guidance lessons I will teach in the classrooms:
• Magnet Schools information
• Course Selection - going over middle school classes and elective choices
• I will walk students through registering their courses in HAC

Nov. 12th - Vale Course Fair

Dec. 2nd - Magnet Fair

Dec. 3rd - Rayburn Course Fair

Dec. 5th - Students Field Trip to Visit Rayburn/Vale

Dec. 9th - Magnet Fair

*See more information below . . .

Students will enroll in one course in each of the following content areas:

English Language Arts (ELA)

• or Advanced ELA

Math

• or Accelerated Math

Social Studies 6

Science

PE/Healthy Habits

Advisory

One Fine Arts Elective

Note: In place of Advisory:

• students may be enrolled in an additional class based on academic need.
• GT students will enroll in Innovative Thinkers
• Rayburn students can opt to apply for AVID
• This is a college readiness course. Students applying need to be willing to also take advanced ELA or Accelerated Math

Dance - The first dance course in middle school is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and execute beginner skills in ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance, musical theatre dance, and world dance forms. Various dance genres and styles will be explored while improving students’ technique, self-confidence, creative ability, and concept of wellness. Dance students will have ensemble performance opportunities. No prior dance experience is required.

Theatre - Beginning Theatre is an introductory theatre course designed for the student to experience the basic elements of drama. No previous theatre or drama experience is required. Beginning acting and technical theatre techniques will be explored along with the basic skills needed to create a theatrical performance.

Choir: Treble (girls) - This course is designed to teach students how to sing properly. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Girls are assigned to the Treble Choir and boys are assigned to the Tenor Bass Choir. Students learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Choir concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Choir: Tenor/Bass (boys) - This course is designed to teach students how to sing properly. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Girls are assigned to the Treble Choir and boys are assigned to the Tenor Bass Choir. Students learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn

rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Choir concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Band - Band Beginner Level is designed to teach students how to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Band concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Orchestra - Orchestra Beginner Level is designed to teach students how to play a violin, viola, cello, or string bass instrument. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Orchestra concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery. (Note: Students who have successfully

completed a 5th grade after-school string program may be eligible for placement in an intermediate orchestra class pending a review of the student’s skill abilities by the middle school orchestra director. Parents should contact the middle school orchestra director immediately for an appointment.)

Art - Beginner Art MS 1 is concept-based. Curriculum units build student skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, three-dimensional art forms, fiber, and digital art. Content will include student originality and creativity.

Mariachi - Instrumental Ensemble is available on only those campuses where district approved mariachi programs are offered (Rayburn, Jones, Ross, Neff). This is a beginner level course for

students to learn to play guitar, vihuela, and guitarrón only. Vocal, trumpet, and violin beginner students enroll in beginner choir, band, and orchestra classes. Students learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform. Mariachi concerts allow students to develop live performance skills. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

• Applications Open November 18th
• Applications Close January 21st
• Acceptance Letters emailed January 31st

Can I participate in sports?

• Yes! Magnet school students can join the same sports teams as their peers on their host campus. Team sports are open to 7th and 8th graders, and 6th graders can participate in extracurricular activities including intramural sports.

What electives can I choose?

• Students in the magnet school programs will take a CTE Magnet course in place of 6th grade advisory. In 6th grade, students will take a fine arts elective. In 7th and 8th grade, students have access to most of the same electives as their host campus peers. The middle school course catalog contains a complete list of the electives available to magnet students.

Is transportation available?

• Bus transportation is available to qualifying students. Buses typically pick up and drop off at selected Northside campuses near the zoned middle school.

What is the dress code?

• The magnet school campuses follow the standard Northside dress code that applies to all secondary schools in the district.

Who can apply?

• Applications are open to all 5th graders who live within Northside ISD and exhibit a history of good behavior and regular attendance.