Welcome to Middle School
We can’t wait for you to join our school community!
| Jefferson Middle School | Roosevelt Middle School | Washington Middle School |
1105 Althauser Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001 y(our) PRINCIPALS: Assistant Principal: |
2001 Radford Road y(our) PRINCIPALS: Assistant Principal: Assistant Principal / |
51 N. Grandview Avenue y(our) PRINCIPALS: Assistant Principal: |
ready to LEVEL UP?
It’s time to take the next step – middle school is almost here! But don’t worry, leveling up means access to a whole new world of possibilities that we can’t wait for you to explore.
Use this packet as a resource to get you started as you learn about what to expect from middle school. We hope this overview answers many of your questions, but don’t hesitate to contact your school if something pops up along the way!
WHERE A HOUSE IS A HOME
Think of a house as your student’s home base – a comfortable, close-knit community within a school that serves as your student’s hub of activity throughout the day. Within the house structure, students interact throughout the day primarily with a consistent group of peers and teachers. We know from experience that these smaller houses facilitate stronger learning and create stronger bonds. And, they most certainly ensure that students find a small, friendly and caring environment and never a large, overwhelming experience.
➜ Students move through their day with students in their house to create a strong sense of community.
EXPANDED ACADEMICS
When making the transition to middle school, students will move to taking classes in different classrooms with content-area teachers, with passing time between classes. This model, which is different than being with one elementary teacher for the entire day, helps prepare students for the structure of high school class periods when they begin 9th grade.
Throughout middle school, students will take courses in all core subject areas daily in alignment with State of Iowa learning standards.
Courses include: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Exploratory, Visual Arts, General Music, Health, Wellness
In addition to core coursework, students have the opportunity take honors classes based on academic achievement, receive special education instructional support based on identified needs, and participate in additional enrichment and support opportunities geared toward academic success.
daily SCHEDULE
HOMEBASE AND ADVISORY
While they may operate under different names in each middle school, each school has a morning homebase period that starts the day with community building, goal setting and skill development.
During the day, schools also have an advisory/extended learning period near the middle of the day that allow students to receive academic interventions or support from teachers to enhance student learning.
SPECIALIST CLASSES
(Wellness, Art, Health, General Music)
As part of the curriculum, students also take specialist courses in addition to their core subject areas. These courses include wellness, art, health and general music. These courses operate on alternating A/B schedule, with students taking wellness every other day for the entire year and one specialist course (art, health, general music) per trimester on alternating days. This schedule ensures that students take all specialist classes over the course of the school year.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
| Trimester 1 | Trimester 2 | Trimester 3 |
| Day A Homebase Language Arts Language Arts (6th)* Exploratory (7th + 8th)* Math Science Social Studies ArtDay B Homebase Language Arts Language Arts (6th)* Exploratory (7th + 8th)* Math Science Social Studies Wellness |
Day A Homebase Language Arts Language Arts (6th)* Exploratory (7th + 8th)* Math Science Social Studies HealthDay B Homebase Language Arts Language Arts (6th)* Exploratory (7th + 8th)* Math Science Social Studies Wellness |
Day A Homebase Language Arts Language Arts (6th)* Exploratory (7th + 8th)* Math Science Social Studies MusicDay B Homebase Language Arts Language Arts (6th)* Exploratory (7th + 8th)* Math Science Social Studies Wellness |
*Students in grade 6 receive approximately 90 minutes of daily instruction in literature and language arts, which is the equivalent of two class periods. In grades 7 and 8, the second language arts class period is replaced with exploratory.
LOVIN’ LUNCH
Moving to middle school is a transition in lunch format – and it’s usually one that our students love. Each middle school offers a variety of main options, fruits and vegetables daily, which count as a complete meal meeting the requirements of the federal meal program.
What makes a lunch? Select 3-5 items from the following:
➜ milk, grains, protein, veggie and fruit (one must be a veggie or fruit)
Based on federal income eligibility guidelines, households may qualify for free or reduced-priced meals. Get info about meal programs at: www.dbqschools.org/mealprograms
Here’s the big change:
In addition to the full-meal offering, a variety of items can be purchased a la carte, with the cost deducted from a student’s meal account balance. A la carte items or milk-only orders are not covered under meal program benefits received by a student and are billed independently. Find meal and a la carte prices at: www.dbqschools.org/food-nutrition
getting INVOLVED
ACTIVITIES ABOUND!
As students transition to middle school, they will find a significant increase in extracurricular opportunities to get involved in. These include a variety of opportunities from fine arts (such as band, choir, orchestra and drama) to student government, yearbook and a number of other student organizations and clubs.
There are also a variety of after-school activities offered through the district’s Leadership Enrichment After-School Programs (LEAP), including a variety of fun, educational and social activities. Learn more about leap at: www.dbqschools.org/LEAP
The activities office at each school will promote activities with students throughout the year and we encourage students to explore all there is to participate in!
ATHLETIC PROGRAMS
Beginning in sixth grade, students have the opportunity participate in intramural-style athletic offerings that are geared toward skill development. They practice and participate in intersquad competitions at school. The following are offered for sixth-graders:
FALL: track and field (girls and boys)
WINTER: basketball (girls and boys)
SPRING: flag football (boys), volleyball (girls)
In seventh and eighth grade, interscholastic athletic programs begin with competition between areas schools in the following sports:
FALL: cross country (girls and boys), football (boys), volleyball (girls)
WINTER: basketball (girls and boys), dance (girls), wrestling (boys)
SPRING: track and field (girls and boys)
ATTENDANCE
We want students here!
There is nothing better than a room full of energetic students – and we want students with us on a daily basis. We are always better when we are all together. We also know that school attendance is a key indicator of future success.
In middle school, attendance is calculated a bit differently than you may be used to if you have not yet had a middle or high school student. Starting in sixth-grade, attendance is now calculated on a per-period basis. You can view attendance information in Infinite Campus, and it is also included on report cards each trimester.
learning TECHNOLOGY
LAPTOPS FOR EACH STUDENT
Through the district’s Anytime, Anywhere Learning (AAL) Initiative, each student in grades 6-12 will receive a student-assigned laptop, charger and carrying case to use for the duration of their enrollment. The student-assigned laptop, charger and carrying case are the property of the district and are used to allow student access to required instructional resources offered by their teachers.
OFFICE 365
As part of their learning, students have access to Microsoft’s Office365 set of productivity software. These tools provide students with access to the world’s most prevalent professional and consumer software package while integrating foundational technology skills across curriculum areas. In addition, every student (and staff member) in the district can download Microsoft Office on up to five PCs or Macs. They can also download office apps on other mobile devices including Windows tablets and iPads, enabling access virtually any time and from anywhere.
Find details about Office365 for students at: www.dbqschools.org/office-365-for-students-and-staff
CANVAS LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Canvas is the district’s learning management system used at the secondary level to facilitate coursework, assignments and teacher interactions. This digital system houses electronic course materials (e.g. videos, chats, documents, etc.) and allows teachers to give timely electronic feedback to student work.
Parents/guardians are able to create an “observer” account in Canvas that allows them to see courses in which their student is enrolled.
For instructions on how to create an observer account in Canvas, visit: www.dbqschools.org/canvas
INFINITE CAMPUS
You may be familiar with the district’s Infinite Campus student information system, which houses grades, contact information, etc. Use of Infinite Campus typically increases for both parents/guardians and students in middle school because assignments are now listed and graded on an ongoing basis so you can monitor your student’s course progress.
For more information on Infinite Campus, or to login, visit: www.dbqschools.org/infinite-campus
keeping CONNECTED
Parents/guardians are a key part of the middle school experience and we hope you’ll stay connected and involved in your student’s educational experience.
There are a number of ways to engage with us:
CLICK. LIKE. FOLLOW.
Our schools use a variety of digital platforms to community with parents/guardians. Key among these is ParentSquare, the district-wide digital messaging platform of the district. Schools will regularly share information with families through ParentSquare – also be sure to respond to the email invite you’ll receive to create a ParentSquare account so you can benefit from the tool’s advanced features.
➜ Need to update your contact information? Contact your school’s office and they can help!
In addition to ParentSquare, you can find school information on your school’s website as well as their official social media channels. Look for info from your school on which channels to follow and then give them a like!
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher Conferences, which are scheduled twice each year, are key opportunities to engage with your student’s teachers and discuss their progress in school. Conferences are typically offered in either virtual (which is most popular!) or in-person formats, depending on parent/guardian preference. Look for scheduling information directly from your school in the fall and spring.
PARENT ORGANIZATIONS
Schools across the district benefit from tremendous support of their Parent Organizations. Made up of parent/guardian volunteers, these independent (but closely connected) organizations help generate financial support, organize student/family activities, and serve as school advocates. Look for information from your school on how you can get involved.