Welcome to Middle School 2016-2017

Welcome to Middle School at the Lerner Family Upper School Campus 2016-2017 Classes of 2022 and 2023 CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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CESJDS Middle School Program Helping our students grow into confident, compassionate thinkers, who engage the world through Jewish values

Learning: Building key skills in and out of the classroom

Caring: “Living Our Values”

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

K’hilah Ahrayut Derekh Eretz

Growing: Enriching students through dynamic experiences

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Required Classes for Middle School ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Bible/Tanakh ‫תנ''ך‬ English Hebrew ‫עברית‬ Social Studies Math Rabbinics/Toshba ‫תושב''ע‬ Science Exercise Science (PE) - at least one semester

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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6th Grade Math Levels • Throughout the year, students will be pre-assessed before each unit. They will be grouped according to performance on the pre-assessment. (A few units will not be leveled at all.) • Students needing a supported math class, based on 5th grade teacher recommendation, will be enrolled in that class for the entire year to provide more scaffolding.

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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7th Grade Math Levels Students are placed in levels based on a review of the following: ● Basic skills assessment ● Orleans-Hannah algebra readiness assessment ● ERB scores from 5th grade ● 6th grade report cards ● 6th grade teacher input CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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6th and 7th Grade Math Courses

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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Hebrew/Tanakh Levels Ivrit/Hebrew: Levels will be determined using a review of the results of the Avant testing and teacher input based on student performance.

Tanakh Ivrit: The Hebrew (Ivrit) level Tanakh course is designed for students who have a strong mastery of the Hebrew language. Tanakh Ivrit offers students the additional opportunity to develop Hebrew language skills through exclusive use of Hebrew texts, worksheets, language of instruction and class discussion.

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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6th and 7th Grade Elective Classes ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Art & Design Sculpture Instrumental Ensemble Choir Introduction to Piano Music Theater Coding Robotics 3D Printing

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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Full Year Elective Opportunities • Spanish I(A) in 6th grade and Spanish I in 7th grade both courses require a full year of study • Structured Study Hall - requires a full year of study and is based on ESS Department recommendation • Study Hall - can be taken by semester or full year • Exercise Science (PE) - one semester is required, or it can be taken full year as an elective

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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Zman Kodesh/Sacred Time 6th Grade Tefilah: Prayer and Personal Connection 7th Grade Minyanim: ● Derekh T’filah 7 ● Masorti 7 ● Mehitzah Ashkenazi for Middle School ● Mehitzah Sephardi

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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Online Registration • You will receive an email next week with links to the Course Catalogue and instructions about registering through the PowerSchool portal.

• Beginning March 23, register online for all elective slots available to your child and also for Zman Kodesh if your child will be entering 7th grade.

• After you complete your elective choices, please press SUBMIT. • Then, print and sign the registration page. Return signed copy to your Lower School Advisory teacher by April 1st.

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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Next Steps from the Middle School Team ● Middle School counselors will meet with 5th and 6th grade students on Tuesday, March 22 to explain elective options and answer questions. ● You will receive a letter in early June detailing your child’s courses, placements and assigned school counselor. ● Please check the website in June for summer reading, suggested school supplies and required book purchases for courses. (The Athletics Department will post dates for fall sports tryouts). ● Counselors are available to answer questions before school begins.

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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Middle School Schedule 2016-2017 Structure: •

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The Monday-Thursday daily schedule includes all academic classes, Zman Kodesh, two elective slots and either Yesodot/foundations or K’ hilah/community time.

Academic class periods are approximately 40 minutes with some flexibility with consistent start and end times, and more movement breaks during the day.

The Friday schedule includes Kabbalat Shabbat, special programming, math and Hebrew learning, extended electives, advisories, etc.

Benefits: • • • •

Opportunities for more electives including: visual arts, performing arts and STEM-type experiences.

Increased time for skill-building programs, advisories and K’hilah.

Increased experiential education and programming.

And more teacher teaming and planning time.

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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Mark Your Calendar: Middle School Student Orientation

• 6th Grade: August 29, 2016 from 1-3 PM • 7th Grade: August 29, 2016 from 8-11 AM

CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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Whom Should I Contact?

▪ Questions about Zman Kodesh:Stephanie Hoffman, Director of Jewish Life (shoffman@cesjds.org) ▪ Questions about B’nei Mitzvah: Laura Shaw (lshaw@cesjds.org) about resources posted online or donation boxes at school for collection drives.

▪ Questions related to academic advising, orientation, student well-being, and community service hours contact the Middle School counselors: – Marissa Tisch-mtisch@cesjds.org or 301-692-4938 – Sarah Kingdom (skingdom@cesjds.org) or Jodie Macht (jmacht@cesjds.org) both at 301-692-4905 CHARLES E. SMITH JEWISH DAY SCHOOL

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