2016 – 2017
7th & 8th GRADE
GENERAL INFORMATION
Mrs. Brooks
Principal
Ms. Kierkiewicz
Ms. Cockrell
Counselors
Mr. Allen
Mrs. Felix
Assistant Principals
A DAY AT BERRY MILLER
JUNIOR HIGH…
Our day BEGINS at
8:40 am
And ENDS at
3:45 pm
*Front doors open at 7:45am*
BERRY MILLER JH LIFE…
EXPECT

7 classes each day – 45 to 50 minutes

5 minute passing periods
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30 minute lunch

Advisory (20 minutes)

Before and after school clubs & tutoring

Competitive sports

Increased responsibilities
BERRY MILLER JH LIFE…
DRESS CODE

Jeans/ slacks may be worn daily
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No tight jeans, rips, tears, or holes in jeans
Should fit securely at the waist
Belts not required
No sagging allowed
No shorts or capris
Collared shirts or spirit shirts may be worn
daily
 Solid colored collared shirts only with one logo
 School spirit shirts may be t-shirts without a collar as
long as they are from a Miller/PISD club or activity
 Shirts may be un-tucked
 Shirts may not be longer than your fingertips
 Hoodies/Jackets must have only one logo and one
solid color
BERRY MILLER JH LIFE…
DRESS CODE (Continued)

College spirit shirts/sweatshirts are allowed everyday
 College spirit shirts may be t-shirts without a collar or a
sweatshirt everyday

Miller/PISD club or activity sweatshirts may be worn
daily

No flip flops – all shoes must have a back strap

Backpacks – in lockers during school day
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Purses – allowed all day but no bigger than the size of a Kleenex
box
REQUIRED CLASSES
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English
Math
History
Science
Reading
Athletics or PE
 PE credit full year for grade 7 required
CORE CLASS LEVELS
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Regular
Advanced
Pre - Advanced Placement (Pre-AP)
ACADEMIC CONSIDERATIONS
FOR ADVANCED OR PAP
CLASSES

Designed for independent learners
who demonstrate:
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Motivation
Time Management & Organization
Positive Attitude
Strong Work Ethic
PAP is not Content but
AP/College Skills



It is a program that helps students to develop skills
that will help them succeed in AP courses and
ultimately in college.
It is based in skills and logic, not necessarily in
content. Teachers select activities and lessons that
engage students in the curriculum by challenging
them to use AP skills and develop appropriate
habits of mind.
It is meant to exclude no-one, but instead seeks to
offer these skills to all, for all can benefit from
them. Pre-AP student success is 90% attitude
Are Advanced Courses
Right For My Child?


Complete the Indicators of Student
Success in Advanced Courses sheet
This tool may provide guidance to
determine if your child has the
potential to be successful in an
advanced course.
ENGLISH

REGULAR ENGLISH

PRE-AP ENGLISH
READING

REGULAR READING

Pre-AP READING
TX HISTORY – 7TH GRADE
U.S. HISTORY – 8TH GRADE

REGULAR HISTORY

PRE-AP HISTORY
7TH GRADE MATH
–

MATH 7

* INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA 7 – this class is

* PRE-AP INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA 7- this
regular 7th grade math
the 8th grade curriculum and prepares above average student
for Algebra 1 in 8th grade.
class is the 8th grade curriculum and prepares truly
mathematically gifted & talented Student for PAP Algebra 1 in
8th grade. This class will have a more rigorous workload.
*See chart for prerequisite courses
8TH GRADE MATH

Introduction to Algebra 8– prepares 8th grade
students for Algebra 1 in 9th grade.

*Algebra I
prepares above average students for
Geometry in 9th grade.


–
high school credit
*Pre-AP Algebra I
–
prepares truly mathematically
gifted & talented students for PAP Geometry in 9th grade and
this class will have a more rigorous workload.

high school credit
*See chart for prerequisite courses
SCIENCE – 7th Grade

REGULAR SCIENCE

PRE-AP SCIENCE
SCIENCE – 8th Grade
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REGULAR SCIENCE
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PRE-AP SCIENCE

*IPC SCIENCE (Integrated Physics & Chemistry)
– high school level course focusing on physics and
chemistry with 8th grade concepts embedded into the
curriculum (prerequisite --must have successfully
completed Intro to Algebra or Intro to Algebra PAP in 7th
grade to register for this course)
– high school credit
Integrated Physics and
Chemistry
•
•
•
New this year!
What is this course?
Benefits
Typical Advanced Science
Progression- High School
IPC
Grade
Only)
Only available in 9th
grade if IPC was
taken during 8th
grade.
(8th
Pre-AP
Biology
Pre-Req:
Biology and
Chemistry
AP
Environment
al Science
AP
Biology
Pre-AP
Chemistry
AP
Chemistry
Pre-Req:
Algebra II
AP
Physics 1
AP
Physics 2
AP
Physics C
Anatomy &
Physiology
(5 pts)
7th GRADE ELECTIVES
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Band
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Choir
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Mixed Choir
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Art I
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Art II
(Prerequisite Art I)

PE or Athletics

Yearbook

Theatre Arts I

Theatre Arts II
(Prerequisite Theatre Arts I)

Exploratory Spanish will
NOT be offered due to
the number of Spanish I
classes offered for 8th
graders
8th GRADE ELECTIVES

Band

Yearbook

Choir
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Mixed Choir
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Theatre Arts I
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Theatre Arts II/III
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Art I

Art II / III
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Student Aide


(prerequisite Theatre Arts I)

Theatre Production
(prerequisite Theatre Arts I 
and teacher approval)
(prerequisite Art I)
High School Credit Classes
Principles of Arts,
Audio/Video Technology and
Communications

1 high school credit
Foreign Language- Spanish I

1 high school credit
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
(PE)
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1 year (2 semesters) of PE is required in 7th
grade
PE is required for 8th graders who have not
fulfilled requirements in 7th grade
Athletics fulfills PE requirement
Off Campus PE is available for some sports.
Application and approval REQUIRED. See
your counselor for details.
BOYS AND GIRLS
ATHLETICS
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Only for those interested in playing volleyball
or football
Basketball – tryouts in the fall; if you make
the team, your schedule will change
accordingly
Track, Cross Country, Tennis, Soccer – you
need not be in athletics to participate
All students must have a physical from a
doctor on a 2016-2017 District PISD Form
and district participation fee before tryouts.
BAND (7TH AND 8TH)

Previous band experience (No Beginner’s band)

Audition Required
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Four levels of band

YEAR LONG commitment
CHOIR (7TH AND 8TH)


COMPETITIVE
Students who have not
 Boys Choir
yet auditioned for
competitive choir must
 Girls Choir
contact Ms. Peterson the
 Competitive audition
choir director.
required
 YEAR LONG commitment
MIXED CHOIR
 Combined boys & girls
 Non-competitive
 Semester commitment
YEARBOOK (7TH AND 8TH)

Allows students opportunity to work on Miller’s
yearbook

Develop skills in layout and design & graphics

YEAR LONG commitment

Application Required
ART (7TH AND 8TH)
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Art I – basics of drawing, print making, painting, craft
projects, sculpture, art history and appreciation (7th &
8th grade)
Art II – print making, painting, sculpturing, drawing,
ceramics, 3D, art appreciation (7th & 8th grade)
Art III is offered as a continuation of Art II. (8th
grade only)
Each level is a semester commitment
Theatre Arts I & II (7th & 8th)
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Theatre Arts I – will develop imagination,
observation & concentration skills while engaging in
theater exercises. (improvisation, pantomime,
storytelling, characterization, voice, etc.)
Theatre Arts II – will deepen their theatrical skills
through character development, improvisation,
directing, script writing (prerequisite Theatre I)
Each level is a semester commitment
Theatre Production
th
(8 ONLY)
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Advanced course for 8th grade students who have a
desire to be involved with play productions and
compete in the UIL One Act play contest.
Audition required to perform in One Act play.
Each semester, there will be a performance outside
of the school day.
Year-long Commitment
STUDENT AIDE
TH
(8 ONLY)

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Allows students the opportunity to
experience the day-to-day operations
of an administrative office or library.
We also have peer buddies for life
skills students.
Application required
Semester Commitment
8th GRADE ELECTIVES
FOR HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT
Principles of Arts, Audio/Video Technology
and Communications
( 1 year high school credit)


Spanish I (1 year high school credit)
PRINCICPLES OF ARTS, AUDIO/VIDEO
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
High School Credit: 1 (Year-long Course.)


Provides a better understanding of video production
and other activities performed in the communication
industry.
Hands-on product driven course in which students
use state-of-the-art technology to explore the skills
and technologies needed in this industry.
SPANISH I
High School Credit: 1 (Year-long Course.)


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Students will understand statements, commands, and
will ask questions about every day conversations in
Spanish.
Students will learn to read and write simple
expressions.
Students will learn the history and culture of Spanishspeaking areas.
GT CLASS PLACEMENTS


GT students are placed on a GT cluster
team for core subjects within PAP
classes.
All core classes with GT students meet
the 40% saturation standard.
CLUBS AND
ORGANIZATIONS
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National Junior Honor
Society (8th graders)
Student Council
Math/Science Club
Quiz Bowl
Future Problem Solving
Chess Club
C.A.T.S.
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Poetry Club
Robotics Club
Step Team
Debate Club
Art Club
Environmental Club
Spanish Club
City
ONLINE RESOURCES…
Miller Day Tours


All current 6th graders will be given a
tour of the Berry Miller Campus during
the school day on May 17th and 18th.
The Rogers counselors and
homerooms will walk over on their
designated day.
Miller counselors will give the tour and
will also answer questions for students
REMINDERS…
All Course Requests Due:
8th Grade: February 19th
7th Grade: February 22nd
8TH GRADE (Current 7th graders)
Course Entry
February 22nd & 23rd
7TH GRADE (Current 6th graders)
Course Entry
February 24th & 25th
CONTACT INFORMATION
Berry Miller Junior High
281-997-3900
Email your child’s counselor
A-K Counselor
Sarah Kierkiewicz
L-Z Counselor
Crichelle Cockrell
http://www.pearlandisd.org/BerryMiller
BMJH PTA
Interested in PTA for next year? Check
out the PTA member page on the BMJH
website or email:
[email protected]
BMJH T-shirts are available for purchase
at the PTA table tonight – cash or check
ARE YOU READY TO BE A
CHAMPION?
Berry Miller Bobcats
perform like
CHAMPIONS
EVERY DAY!!