Middle school orientation - what questions to ask?

[Anonymous]

Middle school orientation is coming up for current 6th graders. My oldest child is headed there next year and I am trying to figure out what are the most important things to ask. Here is what I have so far (but I have no idea if it is realistic to have any of these be answered in that setting):

- How to know if they are ready for middle school language arts (and what to do to ensure they get there)?
- What is the policy on grades for HS-level classes (e.g. Algebra 1 in 7th, not going well, repeating in 8th. Same for a course taken in 8th and then repeating in 9th.)?
- How after school programs/late busses etc. work?

I assume they will explain how course selection for electives works (and the counselors go to the elementary school to help out later in the semester), how the schedule works, where everything is, etc.

For those of you who have been down this road, what do you think is most important to ask? I feel unprepared, as I am used to the elementary school ways, and neither I nor DH grew up in this country. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

They will give a presentation that will probably answer most of your questions. Yes, your child will be prepared for language arts, and your child's test scores will determine whether they are ready for Algebra. If they do not do well in a HS-level class in MS, they can have it removed from their record. They should also likely have an orientation in August for your child to learn how to navigate the school.

[Anonymous]

You don't need to come with a list of questions! There will be a presentation that will provide tons of information, and your child will be assigned a counselor who can help you out with specific course questions as they come up closer to the fall. Your child's teachers will collaborate with the middle school representatives to determine best placement for language arts, and the SOLs are a good benchmark to go on as well.

The middle schools have been handling incoming 7th graders for decades--we've got this down to a science now!

[Anonymous]

Agreed that a list of questions is unnecessary. They will cover most of it, if not all of it, in the presentation.

[Anonymous]

I would focus on the practical questions. What time can you drop off in the AM, what time do kids get out, is there a late bus, can kids stay after school, how do kids get makeup work if they are out, how to let them know there's an absence, do you have to buy gym uniforms and if so/how.

The biggest things are what your kid wants to know to get comfortable, such as - is there a summer orientation day for the new students and if so when? What happens on the first day of school? When do they get their schedule?

[Anonymous]

Thank you all, this takes my temperature down, and also reminds me of a few things to make sure I understand (grading, what is posted on Blackboard, etc.) that I am hoping will be covered in the presentation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would focus on the practical questions. What time can you drop off in the AM, what time do kids get out, is there a late bus, can kids stay after school, how do kids get makeup work if they are out, how to let them know there's an absence, do you have to buy gym uniforms and if so/how.

The biggest things are what your kid wants to know to get comfortable, such as - is there a summer orientation day for the new students and if so when? What happens on the first day of school? When do they get their schedule?

Please look at the school website first before you start asking these questions. I have a rising 7th grader and have already seen a lot of this information on the website. I don’t know how they will get their schedule but I’m assuming they will tell us that in the presentation and it will be posted on SIS like we have received their teachers in the past.

This is also my oldest child and orientation is in a couple of weeks. No need to come in with questions. Bus schedules and after school programs are posted online at our school. Make up work and policies will vary by class and teacher, like it always has.

[Anonymous]

^and ask you child! I mentioned to mine something about electives and he casually told me they have already been talking to them. He knew more than me and wasn’t nervous at all. He explained to me how many they could take and what he was interested in, based upon what he had heard. He said they came and did a presentation for band and then spoke generally about all electives to his grade recently. He had never mentioned it to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all, this takes my temperature down, and also reminds me of a few things to make sure I understand (grading, what is posted on Blackboard, etc.) that I am hoping will be covered in the presentation.

A lot of times grading and what is posted and where is up to the individual teachers. So I wouldn’t assume that will be covered either. Agree with everyone else that course selection, buses, schedule, etc are most important right now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would focus on the practical questions. What time can you drop off in the AM, what time do kids get out, is there a late bus, can kids stay after school, how do kids get makeup work if they are out, how to let them know there's an absence, do you have to buy gym uniforms and if so/how.

The biggest things are what your kid wants to know to get comfortable, such as - is there a summer orientation day for the new students and if so when? What happens on the first day of school? When do they get their schedule?

Please look at the school website first before you start asking these questions. I have a rising 7th grader and have already seen a lot of this information on the website. I don’t know how they will get their schedule but I’m assuming they will tell us that in the presentation and it will be posted on SIS like we have received their teachers in the past.

This is also my oldest child and orientation is in a couple of weeks. No need to come in with questions. Bus schedules and after school programs are posted online at our school. Make up work and policies will vary by class and teacher, like it always has.

Our school has a school wide policy on make up work and policies.

[Anonymous]

Everything will be in the PowerPoint.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know when cooper MS orientation is? I can’t find it online!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't need to come with a list of questions! There will be a presentation that will provide tons of information, and your child will be assigned a counselor who can help you out with specific course questions as they come up closer to the fall. Your child's teachers will collaborate with the middle school representatives to determine best placement for language arts, and the SOLs are a good benchmark to go on as well.

The middle schools have been handling incoming 7th graders for decades--we've got this down to a science now!

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone know when cooper MS orientation is? I can’t find it online!

It is in the Upcoming Rising Events Calendar - the first post under announcements.