Did anyone else go to the train wreck meeting at JWMS last night?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a digital tech class you could take instead of a language? Maybe that is it.

Do you mean that Digital Literacy class?

What is digital literacy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most middle schools have block scheduling, but JW is still in the stone ages. So they are trying to fit in the new mandatory based tech courses in middle school in one semester, but can't really explain how band and chorus kids are going to do this requirement. It is a work in progress. They are thinking of pulling them twice a week from band to do this course over a year. I am not sure what is going to happen.

Did they say that? Please tell us what meeting you were in last night. I was at the current 6th grade articulation meeting last night and they said there was no tech requirement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a digital tech class you could take instead of a language? Maybe that is it.

Do you mean that Digital Literacy class?

What is digital literacy?

It's the option kids take if they don't want to take a language. Both my kids took a language in 6th grade so never took Digital Literacy.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am in 100% agreement. I left more confused. The tech requirement, how social studies works (sounds terrible) and nothing about electives. My kid would love to take robotics, but wants nothing to do with art or music. Getting rid of an entire rotation option isn’t right. I don’t care about outdoor ed. I want to know about the classes I am signing my kid up for. They made digital literacy sound like a great option. My friend this morning said no way. But my son wants to take Latin and they don’t offer it. It was too rushed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am in 100% agreement. I left more confused. The tech requirement, how social studies works (sounds terrible) and nothing about electives. My kid would love to take robotics, but wants nothing to do with art or music. Getting rid of an entire rotation option isn’t right. I don’t care about outdoor ed. I want to know about the classes I am signing my kid up for. They made digital literacy sound like a great option. My friend this morning said no way. But my son wants to take Latin and they don’t offer it. It was too rushed

Agree with this.

The mixed English classes have been frustrating for us, and sounds like there will be no improvement.

And, the AIM track? What is going on there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most middle schools have block scheduling, but JW is still in the stone ages. So they are trying to fit in the new mandatory based tech courses in middle school in one semester, but can't really explain how band and chorus kids are going to do this requirement. It is a work in progress. They are thinking of pulling them twice a week from band to do this course over a year. I am not sure what is going to happen.

Did they say that? Please tell us what meeting you were in last night. I was at the current 6th grade articulation meeting last night and they said there was no tech requirement.

DP

MCPS is implementing this tech requirement for MSers to take a high school tech class as prep for HS.

Other schools are trying to also figure out how to do this, not just West. It may be more of an issue for your kid when she gets to 8th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree! What I completely don't understand and never got an answer on is imagineering tech. My DC was interested, but it is only a semester option. And it is the only semester option for all the electives. Band, Chorus, and Art are all full year options. So what do you take the other semester when you are done imagineering tech? Study hall or something else? No one knew the answer. LOL.

You will randomly be assigned another semester class for your second semester. They are only trying to guarantee the first choice. What are the other classes in the arts rotation? I find it hard to believe all the other arts rotation classes are all a full year.

Art rotation (full year)
Band (full year)
Orchestra (full year)
Chorus (full year)
Imagineering Tech (semester)

You are to pick ONE option ranked 1 to 3.

+1 I said this up thread. My DC has the imagineering tech this semester; had a different art type class last semester. 6th grade.

What is this imagineering tech class? I'm the poster with the 6th grade DD at JW. She only had the option of Technology and Design when she registered for classes last year. I don't remember an Imagineering Tech class being on her list of classes to select. Sounds like a fun class and she would have enjoyed it!

It's part of the art rotation.. maybe it's the same class be re-branded?

I found this online. It's not JW but I think it's the same thing:

Sixth Grade Elective Courses
Unified Arts Rotation (9 weeks each course)
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/schools/northbethesdams/news/NBMS%20Course%20Bulletin%202019-2020.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most middle schools have block scheduling, but JW is still in the stone ages. So they are trying to fit in the new mandatory based tech courses in middle school in one semester, but can't really explain how band and chorus kids are going to do this requirement. It is a work in progress. They are thinking of pulling them twice a week from band to do this course over a year. I am not sure what is going to happen.

Did they say that? Please tell us what meeting you were in last night. I was at the current 6th grade articulation meeting last night and they said there was no tech requirement.

DP

MCPS is implementing this tech requirement for MSers to take a high school tech class as prep for HS.

Other schools are trying to also figure out how to do this, not just West. It may be more of an issue for your kid when she gets to 8th grade.

In the JW current 6th grade articulation meeting, the counselor said there is no tech requirement. I can't speak for the current 7th grade articulation meeting nor can I speak to the current 5th grade meeting. As a current JW parent, there has been no notification that this tech requirement is now a thing. Maybe it will start with the current 5th graders?

And, the AIM track? What is going on there.

While there will be no enriched Algebra I for current 6th graders next year, they will stay with their cohort in Algebra I. AIM kids will be with other AIM kids in Algebra I; IM kids will be with other IM kids in Algebra I.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most middle schools have block scheduling, but JW is still in the stone ages. So they are trying to fit in the new mandatory based tech courses in middle school in one semester, but can't really explain how band and chorus kids are going to do this requirement. It is a work in progress. They are thinking of pulling them twice a week from band to do this course over a year. I am not sure what is going to happen.

Did they say that? Please tell us what meeting you were in last night. I was at the current 6th grade articulation meeting last night and they said there was no tech requirement.

DP

MCPS is implementing this tech requirement for MSers to take a high school tech class as prep for HS.

Other schools are trying to also figure out how to do this, not just West. It may be more of an issue for your kid when she gets to 8th grade.

In the JW current 6th grade articulation meeting, the counselor said there is no tech requirement. I can't speak for the current 7th grade articulation meeting nor can I speak to the current 5th grade meeting. As a current JW parent, there has been no notification that this tech requirement is now a thing. Maybe it will start with the current 5th graders?

And, the AIM track? What is going on there.

While there will be no enriched Algebra I for current 6th graders next year, they will stay with their cohort in Algebra I. AIM kids will be with other AIM kids in Algebra I; IM kids will be with other IM kids in Algebra I.

Thank you for clarifying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a digital tech class you could take instead of a language? Maybe that is it.

Do you mean that Digital Literacy class?

What is digital literacy?

It's the option kids take if they don't want to take a language. Both my kids took a language in 6th grade so never took Digital Literacy.

It used to be called "Reading"

[Anonymous]

That was the most poorly organized, stuffed to the gills, overheated, and rushed "meeting" I have ever been to in my life. Spending 10min in the hall for each rotation because they were too short and not enough info was presented. It took 7min to clear people out and smoosh people back in like sardines. Everything was running late. Standing room only in every room. It was a complete disappointment all around. No one was able to answer questions. They had not one session on the electives which most people seem to have questions on. We heard twice "it is hard to explain". WTF does that mean? Then they have the balls to say see you later - the registration form is due tomorrow - bye!

Now I get it that some parents can be annoying AF. I mean we actually heard a Dad asking if this track there child can not take AP Stats, but can they take another Calc course in 12 GRADE!!! He waited until after the presentation, but there were a line of people each times for questions and they pushed you out for another rotation. Just said to contact the school with any questions. Trying to do these rotations in avoidance of questions was just a terrible way to promote your school. No one was happy. Everyone was annoyed. Not feeling good about this school at all.

I agree that the format was TERRIBLE. The doorways and hallways were gridlocked. They should have had the presenters rotate, not the parents. Or had us all together in auditorium/all-purpose room and just given each teacher 10 min to talk and someone timing them to move it along quickly.

That said, I was very impressed by the enthusiasm that the teachers all showed and how committed they seem to making 6th grade a success for all students. I walked away thinking it was a dumb meeting but a great school where my kid will be well supported.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a digital tech class you could take instead of a language? Maybe that is it.

Do you mean that Digital Literacy class?

What is digital literacy?

It's the option kids take if they don't want to take a language. Both my kids took a language in 6th grade so never took Digital Literacy.

It used to be called "Reading"

Lol. This.

It’s a support class.

[Anonymous]

They made digital literacy sound like a great option.

Great option for who? I thought it sounded they made it sound like a last resort for kids who aren't capable of studying a foreign language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was a digital tech class you could take instead of a language? Maybe that is it.

Do you mean that Digital Literacy class?

What is digital literacy?

It's the option kids take if they don't want to take a language. Both my kids took a language in 6th grade so never took Digital Literacy.

It used to be called "Reading"

Lol. This.

It’s a support class.

Read 180 is the support class. "READ 180 is an intensive reading intervention program designed to meet the needs of students whose reading achievement is below the proficient level."

As opposed to Digital Literacy:
"The Digital Literacy 1 curriculum focuses on developing critical and creative thinking through reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing in a 21st century approach."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

They made digital literacy sound like a great option.

Great option for who? I thought it sounded they made it sound like a last resort for kids who aren't capable of studying a foreign language.

My kid took this because she was in 6th at North Chevy Chase ES before Silver Creek MS opened and the only language option was high school level in 6th grade which I thought was ridiculous. She and I both thought the class was very valuable.