5th Grade Transition to Middle Schools for Families New to U.S. Public Schools

5th grade Information Night For Families NEW to the US public school System

Click here for link to PPT for 2024-25

Presented by – Equity and Family Partnership Department

Big Transition from Elementary School

• New Place – New building and getting around
• New People – New teachers, new students
• New Procedures – Lockers, Classroom expectations, Lunch, Hallways, etc.
• Student Independence – getting to class on time on their own, communicating with their teachers, taking ownership of their academics.

Moving from ISD elementary to middle school

• Automatic – all paperwork is transferred. Parent does not need to re-register or re-enroll for middle school if your child currently attends an ISD elementary school.
• EVP – Enrollment Verification Process in August required for all ISD families each year (confirmation of attendance and required paperwork completion process).
• Course selection - Families will need to do course selection for 6th grade child in February (more information on course selection later in presentation)
• Transportation – verified during EVP, check Bus route website for route information
• Lunch account – carries to new middle school, much more lunch options (more a la carte items also)
• Highly capable - integrated in secondary schools, classes self-select
• If your child has a 504, IEP or health plan – the plan or accommodations will follow them to ISD middle school. 5th grade IEP teacher meets with the IEP teacher in middle school to review information.
  • 504 plan (504 is a plan with accommodations for children with disabilities)
  • Health plan for diabetes, asthma, hearing or other health needs
  • IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for students with special services

Big Transition - Schedule

Transition for Student and Parent/Caregiver role

• Students
  • Becoming independent learners
  • Learning how to self-advocate
  • Managing their daily class and study schedules
  • Communicating with teacher as needed
• Caregiver/Parent
  • Encourage and talk to students about asking for help from the teacher (when, how, etc.)
  • Coach to help student learn how to talk to the teacher as needed
  • Model and teach students how to email a teacher for questions or get help (students have Office365 accounts and Canvas accounts to send emails)
  • Monitor student's progress and suggests tips or strategies for success.

How Middle Schools communicate with home

A Day in Middle School

• A school day is divided into 6 period days – each period is 50 min long with a lunch and a "Homeroom"*
• Students move classrooms each period.
• Different set of classmates each period.
• Class sizes between 24-35.
• Core classes stay the same all year – same teacher (Math, Science, Social Studies and English Language Arts)
• Homeroom teacher is the same all year.
• 6 weeks progress reports – ½ way through trimester, teachers are required to update Canvas so parents are aware of the child’s progress, Skyward grades are the official grades
• Final trimester grade available approximately 1 week after the end of each trimester
• Canvas in an important tool used by teachers to communicate with students and families.
• The school year is divided into three trimesters. Each trimester is 12 weeks long. Report cards are available on Family Access at the end of each trimester.

Middle School – 1:1 laptops

• All students in the middle schools are provided a district issued laptop.
• All ISD students have an Office365 account that they use frequently to complete and submit assignments. This is the same account they may have used in elementary school.
• Many of the school textbooks are online so students can access their textbook from their Canvas account using their laptops.
• Students need to take their fully charged laptops to school each day.
• ISD requires that students use the school laptops.
• School will share date and procedure for student laptop distribution in late August/early September.

Canvas

• Learning Management System (LMS) used at ISD middle and high schools
• All course information, grades, syllabus, and expectations for each teacher is posted on Canvas
• Primary ways families can check weekly progress of the student
  • weekly grade
  • missing assignments (teachers will not call or email you - parents need to check Canvas.)
  • comments from teachers on assignments (late or missing assignments, etc.)
  • may include teacher feedback on assignments
• Student and Family account access is different – the families do not have access to class rosters, class discussions, ability to post or conduct assignments.
• Students use Canvas daily to see daily assignments, projects, submit assignments and access textbooks, other apps used in class
• Teachers in 6th grade will teach all students how to use Canvas and more specifically navigate their Canvas site
• Canvas parent workshop event will be held by Family Partnership Team in September (check ISD website or bulletins September)
• 6th grade students will learn about and access their Canvas account the first week of school.
• 6th grade families will be able to set up their Canvas account the first week of school.
• Monitoring your child's academic progress on Canvas is the best way to support your child in 6th grade.

Homework and classwork expectations

• Read the class syllabus for each class (posted on Canvas) at start of year.
• Homework is often assigned in core classes – most frequently in math and science.
• Amount of homework dependent on teacher.
• Assignments and due dates posted on Canvas page.
• Grades frequently updated on Canvas.
• Parents and students need to check Canvas. It is the main method of communication with parents.
• When absent, work needs to be made up. Check with teacher.
• Teachers have policies regarding missed work, late work or absent work.
• Some homework is graded, other marked for completion, depending on assignment and teacher decision.

Role of School Counselor

• Usually, middle school counselors are the main point of contact for general support (not Homeroom teacher).
• Academic Counseling (discuss course selection)
  • Scheduling for courses, advanced class choices and selection of pathways, elective questions
  • Liaison between teacher and parents
• Point of contact for financial assistance and basic needs
• Social and Emotional Counseling
  • Not a stigma to talk to counselor – support person in high school
  • Talk to students about social and emotional issues
  • Connect students with mental health resources available on campus
  • Rise of anxiety and depression in schools around the country and world

Counseling and Mental Health

• Two school counselors at each building.
• Counselors are assigned based on last name.
• Student will have same counselor for all middle school years.
• Students can request to see a counselor by requesting a meeting with counselor.
• Social Emotional Learning
  • Second Step curriculum used to teach skills during Homeroom time at the schools
  • Social Emotional Resources for Families
• School Based Swedish Mental Health counselors available at each middle school.

Required Classes in 6th Grade

• Language Arts (full year)
• Social Studies (full year)
• Math (full year)
• Science (full year)
• Health and PE – 1 trimester of Health and 2 trimesters of PE
• Homeroom class – for all students – school business, daily announcements, etc

Electives

• Most students can take one elective class each trimester in 6th grade
• Band, Chorus, Orchestra are year-long elective
• Other elective based on each Middle School – some schools offer electives such as leadership, drama
• Students who are in the Multilingual/ELL program will take an MLL class for their elective class.

Middle School Planning Worksheet - Grades 6-8

Use this planning guide to map out your three-year plan for middle school. We also encourage you to think ahead about the sequence of courses you will want to take in high school, as the courses you take now can impact your options later. This way you will know what courses to choose in middle school to be prepared for the high school courses and your future that interest you.

Opportunity to select more advanced coursework

The choices you make now are important building blocks to future learning. By taking rigorous courses in middle school, you gain knowledge and a learning environment that you might not otherwise experience.

The greatest benefit of any of these programs is the experience of taking academic courses in an enriched environment with classmates that are also seeking additional intellectual challenges. Advances courses are courses where students learn above grade level content, students learn concepts at a fast rate, and/or courses where concepts are taught with greater complexity and depth courses.

Students choosing courses should:

• reflect students interest and aspirations in that course of study
• ready and willing to develop and apply
  • advanced study habits and organizational skills.
  • effective communication and reading skills for engaging with rigorous material.
  • motivation, maturity, perseverance, and stamina for learning challenging material.
• consider the increased time commitment to studies outside of the school day. Please consider all responsibilities, including sports, music, and club affiliations.
• consider the possibility that grades could be lower than if students took the typical course sequence(s).
• consider the possibility that by skipping courses in math and science your student may have some gaps in content knowledge.

Attendance

• Punctual attendance is a key component to student success.
• Students are accountable for being in class on time and prepared to learn.
• Students may be subject to school consequence if frequently tardy (Check school’s attendance policy in the School Handbook on the website).
• To participate in any after-school activity, sports, theatre, concert, etc., a student must attend class for at least one-half of the school day.
• Students are typically allowed one day for each day of absence to complete homework/classwork (check school policy).
• Students responsible for work missed when absent.
• Extended absences for travel are discouraged in middle school.
• Student work/tests are not automatically excused for extended absences. Work is also not given to students prior to the absence. Students need to use Canvas to check assignments and work assigned.

ASB

• ASB – Associated Student Body Athletics and Activities - Issaquah School District 411 (isd411.org)
• Group of students at each school who contribute to a fund that helps support clubs, sports and other events at the school
• Students are elected to represent the grade levels and group to run the organization, plan and support student engagement on campus.
• Students who plan on participating in sports, clubs and attend ASB sponsored events need to pay and have an ASB card (can pay online during the Enrollment Verification Process (EVP) or anytime during year)
• $35 membership fee for ASB (part of Fees and Fine payment in August and can pay anytime through the year)
• Financial aid available for ASB, sport and other fees. Speak to the school counselor.
• For a recording and slide deck on ASB Clubs, and Athletics, click here.

Fees and Costs

• ASB card – usually required for all sports, clubs, and music programs ($35)
• Sports fee – $50 for Junior Varsity (JV) and Varsity and $20 for intramural per sport
• PE uniforms (check with individual school)
• Yearbook
• Science/Lab fee
• Elective class fee – depending on type of elective (art, drama, etc. - usually 7th and 8th grade)
• Instrument rental (as needed for students taking Band or Orchestra as an elective)
• Financial assistance is available to families who qualify check with school counselors.

*Most fees and expenses paid in August during Enrollment Verification Process (EVP) or before school begins families can go to the school office.

Clubs and After School Bus

• All middle schools offer a variety of afterschool club opportunities.
• Students must have an ASB card to participate in clubs (pay in August during EVP as part of school material fees)
• Check the school's website – Student Life – Activities – Clubs - to learn more including the clubs, times and dates club meets, room location
• Each year, the club opportunities may vary since club availability depends on student interest and advisory availability.
• If students would like to start a club, contact school ASB teacher.
• After school buses are available for students (who take a school bus) who participate in clubs and sports.
• After school buses do not stop at the regular bus stop so please check the bus route – all school bus information on Programs and Services – Buses tab on ISD website.
• Additional after school opportunities available through PTSA and the Issaquah Community Center.

Advice from Parents

• Understand that MIDDLE SCHOOL is a transition year – they are learning how to be organized, develop good studying skills, personal skills, etc.
• Help your child be organized – strategies for binder, locker, classroom behavior
• Time management strategies – when to go to bathroom, locker, lost and found, office or counselor
• If you and your child need support – who to talk to for help? School counselor
• Check Canvas with your child in 6th grade for the first few months
• Help them learn how to open their lockers
• Remember – no specific parent-teacher conference date, if you need to communicate with teacher or counselor, you need to initiate contact with specific teacher or a school counselor.

Who to Contact - Issaquah School District 411

• Family Liaison can help you navigate the schools and connect you with staff or resources.
• School counselor – for support if student needs academic, social or mental support. Also to help connect with the teacher(s).
• Bookkeeper – Fees, PE uniform, sport related fees, financial assistance for school related supplies or activities
• School Registrar – Registration, enrollment, change of address or EVP (Enrollment verification process in August) questions
• Front office staff – attendance, lunch and general questions
• Administration (principal and assistant principal – discipline and behavior concerns, many other issues (very approachable and partner in your child's education)

Middle School Welcome Events - Check middle school announcements/bulletins

Back to School - August

• Enrollment Verification Process (usually 2nd week in August)
• Complete Final Forms if your student will be doing Sports
• Back to school events – Check school website and your email around EVP for type of event, date and time
• Possible events include:
  • WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) activity at some schools
  • Locker assignment (some schools)
  • Pick up PE uniforms

Questions?

Please contact a Family Liaison if you have additional questions!

For questions about course selection in middle school, please wait till after the information night at each school before contacting the elementary school counselor.

Questions can be directed to the middle school counselors starting in late August.

Click below for presentation in Espanol

2024-25

Información de transición de quinto grado​
 

Click below for presentation in Mandarin

2024-25