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MMS 6th Grade Parent Newsletter

Participation Responsibility Integrity Determination Effort

MMS 6th GradeParent NewsletterParticipation Responsibility Integrity DeterminationEffort

Principal's Message

Dear Incoming MMS Families,


First of all, I'd like to welcome all of the families that will be entering MMS this fall, especially those that are brand new to us. Our number one priority at MMS is making each student feel safe and welcome at school, and that won't change whether we are in a virtual or face-to-face setting. Under normal circumstances, I'd invite each and every one of you to MMS one spring evening for a parent orientation to hear about the middle school experience directly from me. This year is different, though, so I'm going to use a variety of ways to communicate including newsletters, videos, virtual meetings and (hopefully) some in-person events later on.


One of the biggest changes for middle schoolers is the student's schedule. Students interact with more teachers every day and have to navigate a large campus is a timely manner. To be honest, the 6th grade teachers do an excellent job welcoming and indoctrinating our students over the first few days of school, but I also know that parents like to be front-loaded with the information in advance. Below you'll find lots of information about how that all works.


As you may know, in middle school students have an Explore class in their schedule (in high school they are referred to as "elective" classes). Generally speaking, these are enriching and fun classes for our students. In this newsletter, I'll explain our process for assigning Explore classes.


Our students in special education enjoy a very typical experience in middle school and also receive some enhancements to their schedule. I'll describe those details below as well.


Looking ahead to August, I still don't know what the first day of school is going to look like. I just know that whatever we are asked to do, we'll do it in a way that ensures a first class education for each of our students.


Hope you find this helpful!
Mr. Legg

Principal MMS

Schedule Basics

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Six Periods A Day

Each MMS student takes 6 regular classes for which they will receive a grade.


Here is an example of a possible student schedule.

Per 1: Math

Per 2: Language Arts

Per 3: PE

Per 4: Explore

Per 5: Science

Per 6: Social Science


We will publish your students final schedule on the IC Parent Portal a day or two prior to school starting.

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Advisement

Advisement is a "class" that meets for 10 minutes each morning, approximately 8:15-8:25 (depending on the day). During Advisement, students check-in, watch the announcements and get ready for their day.


A frequent question is "do tardies to advisement count?" The answer to this is "yes" and upon a fifth tardy to Advisement, a consequence will be issued to the student.

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Mustang Pride

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Option 1: Band or Orchestra

MMS boasts unparalleled opportunities in the arts. Band and Orchestra are both three-year programs where students are introduced to music through rehearsals, concerts and competitions. Although a very few students choose the Explore Rotation after year one, if your son or daughter signs up for band or Orchestra it can be their Explore class for all three years at MMS. If you are interested please contact the teachers directly!
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Option 2: Explore Rotation

Most students are in the "rotation". Each semester students will rotate between these classes:

1. Intro to Computers

2. Intro to Art

3. STEM

4. Literature Explorations

5. Communications


We do not take requests for Explore classes. Rather, over their three years, students will be able to take all of them at one time or another.


Students who do not sign up for band or Orchestra are automatically placed into their Explore classes. There is nothing you need to do!

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Option 3: Start in the Rotation, then...

TMS has options for 7th and 8th graders who started in the Explore Rotation. After 6th grade, 7th and 8th graders may apply for year-long courses in the following areas:

1. Computer Science

2. Advanced Art

3. ASB Leadership


We'll let you know when they can apply next spring!

Special Education Schedules

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RSP Classes

RSP classes are general education courses that are supported by a special educator within the classroom. The MMS special education department utilizes a push-in system where we support our kids in the gen ed setting whenever possible. With the help of Instructional Assistants and Special Education teachers right there in the classroom, we're very successful at supporting students in the gen ed setting.
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Concepts Classes

Concepts classes are offered in Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Science (all students at MMS take general education PE and Explore). Concepts classes have a modified curriculum and support our students who require a smaller setting. Case managers will work directly with parents on placing students in Concepts Classes. Many students have a mixed schedule, with some Concepts classes along with some RSP classes.
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Pride and Advisement

Advanced Math Options

As fifth graders, the district assesses students in math to determine the top 5% for Compacted Math (five years of mathematics "compacted" into three years). This class begins a long preparation for advanced calculus in high school. We have already received assessment results and will place these students accordingly. Often parents ask to "opt in" to Compacted math, but that is discouraged. Rather, after a successful year in 6th grade, students can be placed into "Accelerated Math 7" which is a happy medium between grade level math and compacted.