By the end of the meeting you will be able to:

Identify what we value, who we are as a school, and
what makes us unique by reviewing our mission and
vision.
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Identify how we are successfully going to prepare your
child for high school and college/career readiness by
becoming familiar with the course offerings at Roberto
Clemente Middle School.
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Reviewed the registration process and supports for
students.
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Administration
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Mrs. Khadija Barkley, Principal
Ms. Rose Alvarez, Assistant Principal
Dr. Tiffany Awkard, Assistant Principal
Mr. Doug Nelson, Center Coordinator
Mr. Rob Obstgarten, Assistant School Administrator
MYP Coordinator
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Mrs. Molly Murray
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Counseling Department
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Resource Counselor: Ms. Catherine Reddington
Rising 6th grade counselor, Mr. Marcus Turner
Rising 7th grade counselor, Ms. Karen Joseph
Rising 8th grade counselor, Ms. Natalie Williams
Center Programs counselor, Ms. Wendy Morris
 Content Specialists
› English Language Arts Content Specialist- Ms. Jamila Denney
› Mathematics Content Specialist- Ms. Nancy Easley
› Social Studies Content Specialist- Mr. Aaron Barnett
› STE Content Specialist- Mr. Dave Hill
› World Languages/Arts Content Specialist- Mr. Ernie Padilla
› Special Education Content Specialist– Ms. Lisa Ridenour
› Physical Education/Health- Mr. Jason Maxey
 6th Grade team leaders
› Ms. Eileen Carraway
› Ms. Elizabeth Gall
We, the RCMS community, inspire passion and creativity in
each child by fostering collaboration and risk taking with
authentic learning experiences through purposeful
planning of rigorous instructional opportunities.
We embrace our common responsibility to build positive
relationships and develop open-minded, caring citizens
who learn by considering multicultural perspectives.
As a result, we will come together as a community of lifelong learners that inspires global change through inquiry
and action.

Personal responsibility for our
academic achievements,
accomplishments, and
commitment to literacy allows
everyone to become lifelong
learners.

Intelligence comes from
effective effort in the learning
environment fostered by high
and consistent expectations
for all students by every adult
in the building.
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Respectful interactions is the
key to nurturing our children to
grow, learn, and mature into
responsible and productive
citizens.

Diversity means that we
celebrate, tolerate, and
embrace the differences that
make our community
representative of a global
village.

Every child deserves to learn
in a safe, clean, and wellmaintained building.
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International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme
Gifted and Talented/Learning Disabled
Learning and Academic Disabilities
Learning for Independence
Humanities and Communication Magnet Program
Mathematics, Science, Computer Science Magnet
Program
Positive Behavior Interventions and Support
Excel Beyond the Bell
Award Winning Music Program
Band
 Orchestra
 Chorus
 Digital Music
 Rock Band
 Guitar

Built in 1994, dedicated to Roberto W.
Clemente, Puerto Rican baseball player
and humanitarian
 Housed on 19.9 acres
 Countries represented = 90+
 Professional staff = 93
 Supporting services staff = 40

The International
Baccalaureate
Organization aims to
develop inquiring,
knowledgeable and caring
young people who help to
create a better and more
peaceful world through
intercultural
understanding and
respect.
Attributes of lifelong learners
The aim of all IB programmes is to
develop internationally minded people
who, recognizing their common humanity
and shared guardianship of the planet,
help to create a better and more peaceful
world.
2014-2015 Staff/Student Focus:
• Continue to identify connections to the Learner Profile
• Complete a unit planner
• December: 7th grade Journey Through Africa
• March: 6th grade Passport Through China
• May: 8th grade Maryland: Then and Now
MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS
During this period of transition and growth, middle-school-aged
students are faced with many challenges such as developing
responsibility and self-discipline, dealing with the effects of peer
pressure, learning to access information and apply it both to realworld and academic problems.
Middle School employs a team model of grouping students by
grade levels. In middle school, students take many exploratory
classes, sampling different curricula in areas such as art, music,
foreign language, computer, and technical and career-related
courses.
 “7 teachers/7classrooms
 Lockers
 Physical Education Class/Health
 PBIS and Character Counts
 Activities-sports/clubs/interventions/supports
 Outdoor Education
Students Can….
 Complete Summer Reading and Math Packets
 Gather all necessary school supplies/materials for class
 Enjoy summer break and come back ready to learn!!!
Parents Can….
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Encourage their child to complete packets
Discuss expectations of Middle School
Check the school website for any updates
Emphasize RCMS behavioral expectations (PBIS)
Support your child with homework
Maintain communication with your child’s teachers

Counseling incoming 6th graders regarding their new school
setting and helping them build the academic, personal, and
interpersonal skills necessary for success.

Working with small groups or individuals who may need
additional support during this transition period.

Consulting with school staff and with parents to offer
suggestions for supporting adolescents during middle school
which is a period of rapid growth.

Serving as a resource and liaison for parents,
teachers and community agencies.
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Pathways:
Curriculum 2.0
Advanced level Classes
Math 6 through Geometry
Humanities Center Program
Math, Science, and Computer Science Center Program
Expansions Academic Pathways
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Special Education Programs:
GT/LD Program
Learning and Academic Disabilities Program
Learning for Independence Program
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ESOL Program: Levels 1-5
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English 6
 Digital Literacy or foreign language
 Specialized Reading Intervention Courses
(ie: READ 180)
 ESOL 1, 2 and 3

English classes focus on the communication
processes of reading, writing, speaking,
listening, and viewing through the study of
language and literature.
 Courses are organized into four thematic
units:

o Unit 1: Foundations
o Unit 2: Adventures
o Unit 3: Challenges and Barriers
o Unit 4: Choices
The Digital Literacy 1 curriculum focuses on
developing critical and creative thinking through
reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing in a
21st Century approach. Working through a problem
based process, students learn to define real world
problems of interest, research the causes of those
problems using real-time global texts and then create
solutions to address the problems.
Specialized Reading Classes will be
developed to meet the individual needs of
the reader.
 Guided by input from the previous year’s
teacher, various reading assessments,
writing samples, and overall performance.
 These classes will have a reduced number
of students; examples of possible classes
include READ 180.

RT - Resource Teacher
Units of Study OVERVIEW
• This curriculum is a unique problem/project based curriculum. The learning
is student-centered.
• Instruction is woven around one main problem within each unit of study, and
students will be presented a request for proposals (RFP) at the start of each
unit.
• Minds-on inquiry and hands on explorations, productive discourse,
purposeful reading and meaningful writing
• Students engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) in order to propose solutions to real world problems.
• They will then use a design-folio throughout the quarter to research,
develop, design and evaluate their proposal.
Investigations to Science Units of Study
Unit 1
Matter and It’s Interactions
Ecosystem Interactions,
Energy and Dynamics
Unit 2
Unit 3
Earth’s Resources and Human Impacts on the
Environment
Energy and Waves
Unit 4
6th Grade Rotation: Intro to Computers
( A one marking period course)
In this course, students use technology in a rigorous, inquiry and project-based
learning environment that promotes relevance and engagement. Students
acquire knowledge and skill sets connected to grade 6 content areas involving
the use of application, web-based, and multimedia tools. Project-based learning
will be used to prepare students for the basic technology requirements that they
will encounter throughout their 21st century lives.
Students will spend time learning about the following programs:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Inspiration 8 (organization/notetaking)
- Photostory (animated presentations)
- Scratch (programming)
- Google Chrome (web browsing)
The skills of historical thinking form the backbone of social
studies and are part of a grade six to eight continuum of skill
development. Historical thinking skills are built through the use of
Document Based Inquiry (DBI) tasks.
In grade six, advanced students are introduced to basic skills of
historical thinking.

Unit 1: "Patterns of Settlement in the Ancient & Modern Worlds“
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Unit 2: "Citizenship and Governance in Classical & Modern Times“
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Unit 3: "The Impact of Economics in Ancient and Modern China“
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Unit 4: "Cultural Systems: The First Millenium and Today"
The Full year 1A and 1B course is designed for the
middle school age student. The content is the same,
allowing time for deeper understanding.
 The 1A/B course is designed for 9th grade students. It is
highly demanding and fast paced, Classes will be
mixed grade level, with majority 8th graders in each
class.
 Many colleges still want to see 3 years of World
Language completed in high school.

The middle school physical education program focuses on health
related fitness, movement skills concepts and personal and social
responsibility similar to the elementary program.
In Middle School:
 Students will need to dress for PE each and everyday
 Students will have a PE lockers for storing their belongings during PE
 Students will be scheduled for physical education for 3 quarters of
the year and 1 quarter of health class.
 Students will receive instruction on the family life and human
sexuality and disease prevention unit and parents have the option
to have their students excused from this unit (A parent information
meeting is scheduled in the fall to discuss the human sexuality unit of study).
Registration is moving online! While
students will still receive printed
registration cards, they will also register
for selected electives online.
 Online registration will be completed
through the elementary schools with the
support of RCMS counselors.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Elementary school teachers have been hard at work
making recommendations for your child’s core classes
(Math, English, World Studies, Science, & possibly Reading).
When counselors visit elementary schools next week,
students will receive their Registration Cards and New
Student Info Forms.
Examine the recommended classes with your child.
Choose three electives and rate them in order of preference
(1=1st choice, 2= 2nd choice, 3=3rd choice).
Sign the form.
Return the form to your child’s fifth grade teacher by the
deadline specified.
Elementary Schools will work with their students to
complete online registration.
We’re doing our part to save paper! The
RCMS Course Guide can be accessed
online!
 Go to the RCMS home page and under
Quick Links of the left, click “Course
Guide.”
 Please reference this document for
detailed information about specific
courses including electives.

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Elementary School Visits:
› 1/21: Clopper Mill ES
› 1/22: McAuliffe & Sally Ride ES
› 1/23: Quince Orchard & Germantown ES
› 1/30: Great Seneca ES

Elementary schools will work with students to
complete the online registration by midFebruary
 What is my commitment as a RCMS parent?
 What is the best way to communicate with
RCMS staff?
 What does it take for my child to be high
school and college ready?
Encourage your child to always do their best
Provide your child with an environment conducive to
learning
Support your child while they learn to self-advocate
Be involved and aware through Edline, Connect-Ed,
monthly newsletter, and grade reports.
Learn to see your child as the young adult they are
becoming.

High school credit will be awarded to middle school
students who complete a high school course (Algebra I,
Geometry, Algebra II, one or more years of a world
language, and Introduction to Engineering Design), after
the student successfully passes the final examination and
passes the course.

Credit will be awarded and the grade is recorded
automatically on the student’s high school transcript.
Students are responsible for:
Arriving to class on time
Completing and submitting assignments on time
Participating actively in classes
Internalizing and displaying the attributes of Character
Counts
Self-advocating with teachers and staff
Prioritizing with the “Big Picture” in mind

Content Specialist are available to
discuss and answer any questions you
may have about the courses in 6th
grade and middle school.

You may peruse curriculum materials
and class artifacts.