List of 9 items.

• Essential Questions/Interdisciplinary

  One of the overarching goals of our elective program is to create pathways for our Middle School students to explore interests outside of traditional academic courses in areas such as the arts and design and innovation. In this COVID-19 environment, many of our electives would be challenged or prohibited from running as designed. In response, we’ve reimagined our current space and have decided to leverage our faculty’s talents. We are currently designing our reimagined elective programs.

• Grade 7 Math Update

  The Middle School math team has been working hard this summer to develop the new Integrated Math 5th to 8th-grade sequence. This sequence responds to the demands of mathematics in the 21st century, highlights the interconnectedness of math concepts, weaves algebra throughout, and is commensurate with the integrated math sequences offered by high achieving countries internationally.  
  

   

  After much discussion, we have decided to make the sequence available to all students and to group all students into heterogeneous cohorts. This option to shift to heterogeneous groupings aligns with the model that has been successfully implemented in the fifth grade. If your child was originally placed in Integrated Math 7, Honors, they will still be able to engage in honors-level content and earn an honors designation on their Grade 7 transcript in the heterogeneously grouped cohort. 

   

  Additionally, every student in the Integrated Math sequence can choose to pursue an honors designation. Each lesson within each unit of study will have tiered activities and extensions. By successfully completing challenges or extensions, each student will be given the opportunity to earn an “Honors Level” designation. Honors-level tasks and assignments will be made available in place of, rather than in addition to, on-grade-level work. We aim to be proactive and transparent in our communication to students and families regarding how, and when, students can take advantage of these opportunities. 

   

  We are excited that we are designing limitless classrooms where we can meet every student’s needs, and we are confident that the integrated approach will meet the needs of all learners.

• Hybrid Model

  The LJCDS hybrid model combines face-to-face learning and synchronous learning for students. In some cases, cohorts will be split between two physical locations, with one group of students receiving direct instruction, while another group is learning remotely via Zoom. In a few cases, some students will connect synchronously with their teachers and classmates from home. More details to follow.

• Technology

  • The Middle School will continue to utilize the Blackbaud portal for both students and families. Course information, class assignments and school information will be posted on the portal.  
    
    
  • Formative will also be available for teachers to use to create digital formative assignments/assessments.
    
    
  • Zoom will be used if needed when students are not on campus or when a teacher needs to stream to another classroom on campus.
    
    
  • We will also be piloting the use of Swivl, a robotic mount that tracks and records a moving person in a few Middle School classrooms.

• Early Care/Extended Day

  We know several of our families rely on our Extended Care options. As our first priority is the health and safety of our community, this service will be modified. Morning drop off for Extended Care will start at 7:30 a.m. We are still finalizing plans for Extended Day that honors our cohort model. Please fill out this survey to help inform our plans for Extended Day.

• Learning Resource Center

  Specialists will push into assigned outdoor spaces and work with students 1:1 or within cohorts.

• Physical Education 5–6

  Middle School students will participate in physical education outdoors and in the gym with other members of their cohorts. They will not be changing into PE uniforms and should plan on wearing appropriate clothing/shoes for PE to school.

• Physical Ed/Athletics 7–8

  The South Coast Middle School League has yet to determine how, when and if Middle School athletics will be played in 2020-2021. Athletic directors will meet once campuses successfully reopen to formulate a plan that is safe and healthy for all the SCMSL member schools’ Middle School students.  
  
  

• Arrival Process

  The arrival process to school will be different this year to ensure the health and safety of our community. Click here to learn more about the arrival process.