SENECA RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME OF THE THUNDERBOLTS

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SENECA RIDGEMIDDLE SCHOOLHOME OF THE
THUNDERBOLTS!
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WELCOME TO SRMS

• Hear from current 6TH grade students
• Lockers
• Classes
• Friendships
• Teams

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Seneca Ridge Administration
Mr. McDermott Principal
Mr. Gulgert Assistant Principal
Ms. Buhl Assistant Principal
Mr. Mihalyo 8th grade Dean
Ms. Tucholski 6th grade Dean
Ms. Lewis 7th grade Dean
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Seneca Ridge Guidance Department
Ms. Heyer 8th grade Counselor
Mrs. Diamond 7th grade Counselor
Ms. McChesney 6th grade Counselor
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Administrative Chain ofCommand
Each grade level dean acts as the first point of
contact for parents. If the information/concern
requires additional attention, one of the
assistant principals would then address the
issue. Finally, if the information is serious
in nature, the principal would then intervene.
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SRMS Structure
Each grade level is located in 3 separate House
Areas A, B, C Each House Area contains a
locker area, classrooms, restrooms, as well as a
Dean, Counselor, and Secretary. Within each
House, the grade levels are divided into Teams,
consisting of two Language Arts teachers and one
Science, Math, and Social Studies teacher. Teams
have a consistent time each day to meet with
students and parents.
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Block Scheduling

• 8 blocks total
• 4 gold day classes and 4 blue day classes
• D.E.A.R. in Homeroom 1-4 (GOLD) 5-8 (BLUE)
• Language Arts every day with S.A.M.S. every other
  day for 30 to 45 min
• Math, Science, Social Studies, Health/PE,
  Art/Keyboarding, and Music every other day
• Each class is approx. 90 min. in length
• The Music block is 45 min music instruction and
• 45 min. Resource Time

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Report Cards Interims

• When will you receive report cards?
• Every 9 weeks
• Interims will be sent home halfway through each
  quarter
• What does my child need to be promoted to the
  next grade? Must pass 3 of the 4 core subject
  areas-Math, English, Science, Social Studies

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How can we help your child with school?

• Resource Block
• Before or after school assistance from teachers
• SOL Practice

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How you can help your child succeed at Seneca
Ridge

• Attendance
• Checking student agenda
• Read with your family

• Communication with the school
• School web pages
• www.loudoun.k12.va.us/srms

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After School Activities

• Student must have a permission slip or note from
  the parent to stay after school
• Clubs
• Intramural Sports
• Tutoring
• SOL Practice

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SRMS Math

• Courses currently offered
• Math 6
• Math 7
• Pre-Algebra
• Courses offered next year may change due to
  changes in the Math SOLs at the state level.

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SRMS Math

• How do I know which class my child should take?
• Teacher Recommendations (best predictor of
  success)
• IAAT scores
• SOL scores

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SRMS Math

• How do I help my child prepare for middle school
  math?
• Memorize addition and subtraction facts
• Memorize multiplication and division facts
• Work on simplifying and finding equivalent
  fractions
• Work on adding and subtracting fractions

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6th Grade Science

• Topics Covered
• Scientific Method
• Matter
• Properties of Water
• Atmosphere
• Space
• Energy
• Natural Resources
• Watersheds

Differences include Test questions Types of
Projects More writing-intensive
assignments Stronger focus on application of
concepts Expectations Self-motivated Excellent
work habits Willingness to work with
others Strong base of scientific knowledge
Honors or Academic? All classes cover the same
content.
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6th grade Social Sciences
Differences Written essays and research
papers Oral presentations More writing-intensive
assignments Discussion of current events in
relation to historical milestones Expectations S
trong critical thinking, reading and writing
skills Preparation before the class Excellent
work habits Willingness to work with others

• Topics Covered
• Geography Skills
• European Exploration
• Colonial America
• American Revolution
• Birth of the Nation
• Westward Expansion Reform
• Civil War
• Reconstruction
• Overview of Modern America

Honors or Academic? All classes cover the same
content
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Academic Language Arts 6 is a combination of
language arts and reading, with Spanish at the
Middle School (SAMS) as an additional component
every other day. Language Arts 6 meets every day
in sixth grade as this integrated program focuses
on the following strands of the Virginia
Standards of Learning (SOLs)

• Oral language skills
• Reading comprehension and literature analysis
• Writing including expansion of usage and
  mechanics proficiency, development of
  paragraphing skills, and recognizing the
  differences between revision and editing
• Establishing research skills
• Vocabulary improvement, both in isolation and
  through the use of context clues.
• Students can expect homework, between 20 to 30
  minutes per night.

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Honors Language Arts 6 Expectations

• Students need to be reading and comprehending at
  the seventh grade level
• A strong interest in both reading and writing
• The ability to appreciate, read, and write
  multiple genres (essays, poetry, fiction, and
  other forms of fiction and nonfiction)
• The academic drive to work independently on
  complex tasks involving reading, literature
  interpretation and/or composing

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SRMS Homework

• Homework will be a formative assessment.
• It will be reviewed by the teacher and the
  student will receive feedback.
• It will not be graded.
• The purpose of homework is to practice material
  presented in class.

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Things to consider for 6th grade course selection

• What kind of learner is my child?
• Does he/she need help studying and completing
  daily homework?
• Will my child raise his/her hand in class to ask
  for help?
• Does he/she read above grade level?
• Is my child a concrete thinker or are they able
  to think abstractly?

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Remember Were all in this together!
Thanks for your help and support! The Seneca
Ridge Math Dept.
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• Thursday, April 2nd - Course Recommendations
  Due from elementary schools to Seneca Ridge.
• Please carefully consider your childs 5th grade
  teachers recommendations.
• Please list the specific instrument on the
  course selection form.

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Please Mark Your Calendars

• 6th Grade Student Orientation
• Thursday, September 3rd
• from 1230-230 pm
• First Day of School
• Tuesday, September 8th!

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Questions????