Arden Middle School

12 Pages·2016·0.2 MB·English

Arden Middle School

2016-2017

Respectful

Responsible
Safe

…The Arden Way

Principal: Jeff Banks
[email protected]
916-971-7306
www.sanjuan.edu/arden
San Juan Unified School District Board of Education

Pam Costa, President
Michael McKibbin, Ed.D., Vice President
Lucinda Luttgen, Clerk
Greg Paulo, Member
Saul Hernandez, Member

San Juan Unified School District Administration

Kent Kern, Superintendent of Schools

Donna O’Neil, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent, Schools and Student Support

Kent Stephens, Chief Financial Officer

Linda C.T. Simlick, J.D., General Counsel

Paul Oropallo, Acting Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources

Debra Calvin, Ed.D., Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services

Sue Hulsey, Assistant Superintendent, Elementary Education

Rick Messer, Assistant Superintendent, Secondary Education

Trent J. Allen, Senior Director, Community Relations

Frank Camarda, Senior Director, Facilities, Maintenance, and Transportation

Carl Fahle, Senior Director, Technology

Jim Shoemake, Senior Director, Labor and Employee Relations
Inspired by a legacy of excellence and a commitment to students, Arden Middle School ensures
Mission Statement
every student will achieve academic success and value social responsibility by providing and
celebrating the Arden Experience of dynamic, progressive learning, enriching opportunities and
meaningful staff-student connections.

Arden is recognized throughout the region and state for academic excellence. This success is
School Achievements
directly linked to Arden’s rigorous core program, hardworking staff and students, and opportunities
for emotional and social growth.

Arden’s award-winning bands excel in competitions throughout the local region and state. They
can be heard playing at many local functions, and Arden’s band room is filled with trophies and
awards. From beginner to established musician, Arden has a place for all students, having one of the
most comprehensive middle school music programs in SJUSD.

Arden’s Physical Education Program is acknowledged as one of the best in the state. In fact, the
program is being used as a model for state training videos. The program focuses on health, nutrition
and individual and team sports.

Other notable achievements include the Living History Program featuring Greek Olympics, a
Medieval Banquet, and Westward Ho.

Safety on campus is a priority. Strict enforcement of school and district rules is maintained. The
Safe Schools
district hires Sacramento County Sheriff Deputies to work geographical zones. These Safe School
officers are available on call for critical incidents, and also frequently visit campuses as part of a
“positive policing” practice. Arden’s Safety Team, composed of staff and parents, meets regularly
to review and update the Arden Safety Plan Manual, which is available in the Arden office for
public inspection.
Arden has a very active and supportive parent community. Parents are actively involved in Arden’s
Parent Involvement
Parent Teacher Association (PTA), which meets monthly on Tuesday evenings. Arden’s PTA
coordinates various school volunteer efforts, sponsors parent information evenings and raises funds
to support school-wide and individual classroom programs and activities. Parents are key planners
of school events including classroom activities, orientation, pizza night, Pops ’n Pasta night, field
trips, school dances, school beautification days, Greek Olympics, Medieval Banquet, Westward Ho
and the Eighth Grade party. Fathers, grandfathers, and uncles volunteer to spend a day helping at
school as part of the Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) program. Volunteers assist regularly
in the library/media center and produce the parent e-newsletter. Arden parent volunteers serve on
district and school committees: SPAC, Site Council, GATE Steering Committee, Band Boosters,
and Arden Safety Committee.

Arden effectively promotes two-way communication keeping families informed about school
issues. The PTA e-newsletter, “The Arden Bell” is emailed home every other Thursday. The
principal communicates through emails and phone calls as needed. Staff, students, and parents use a
“student planner” to communicate. The Arden website www.sanjuan.edu/arden provides an
additional resource regarding school activities, curricular resources, current news, messages from
site administration, and updates from teachers.

Parents have access to up-to-date academic progress and attendance through Q, the district’s student
information system. Parents have a unique ID and password. Students have their own password in
order to track their academic progress and be accountable for their learning.

Communication about academic progress occurs regularly via mid-quarter progress reports, report
cards, and individual and team conferences.

The school counselor is available to assist students with social and personal issues that can
Counseling
ultimately affect student learning. The counselor is available to meet with parents regarding student
issues. School counseling is limited in time and scope and is not meant to replace ongoing or
weekly therapy. A list of local agencies offering therapy is available.

Arden Middle School is committed to recognizing and rewarding positive student behavior. The
P.A.W. Program
Core Expectations of the Arden Middle School community are to be respectful, responsible and
safe. The Arden staff believes strongly in promoting our core values and recognizing students
for exhibiting these essential qualities. The P.A.W. program (Practicing the Arden Way) is an
essential part of Arden's Positive Behavior Intervention System designed to appeal to middle school
students. On a daily basis, Arden staff members pass out PAWs to students that are being respectful,
responsible and safe in both behavior and academics. PAWs can be used to purchase a variety of
privileges (PAW Payouts) on campus such as five minutes early to lunch, dance or social pass or
lunch line pass to name a few. All PAWs are entered into the Arden tumbler for weekly, quarterly
and yearly drawings.
The Peer Helpers are a group of eighth grade students who volunteer their time and energy to help
Peer Helpers
create a warm and friendly environment at Arden. They begin training at the end of the summer and
are here to greet students and families during orientation days. On the first day of school the Peer
Helpers are on hand with banners and balloons, guiding traffic and escorting students to classes.
They provide tours, information, smiles; they help students problem solve, teach locker tricks, and
are new friends at a new school. The Peer Helpers also provide tours to incoming families
throughout the school year as needed.

Extra-curricular activities are designed to meet the interest of our students and to involve students in
Student Activities
the Arden community. Staff designs some activities and students design and charter others and are
supported by staff. Activities may include:

School Dances Peer Helpers
Socials Science Bowl
Intra-murals Chess Club
Library/Media Center Running Club
Student Leadership Bike Club
Lunch Tutoring Book Club
Band Game Club
Sports Mindcraft Club

Many students at Arden participate in after school sports with Mission Oaks Recreation and Park
After School Sports Program
District (MOPD). MOPD offers a variety of fee-based programs for sixth - eighth graders. Sports
usually include flag football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, track and field. Practices are held after
school at Arden. Contact phone number: 488-7276 or website: www.morpd.com

Arden’s sixth grade program is designed to ease the transition to middle school by providing an
Sixth Grade Program
emotionally supportive environment. Developmentally, students in grades six, seven and eight are
more alike physically, psychologically, socially, emotionally and intellectually than any other age-
grade combination. Three years in middle school allows students, parents and staff to form
supportive relationships that help students develop positive self-images, allowing for future
academic and social success.

Sixth graders spend the majority of their day in self-contained classrooms with a team of sixth grade
teachers. The sixth grade program also offers an Honors Program. Sixth graders interact with
seventh and eighth graders at lunchtime, during some elective classes and extra-curricular activities.
This program bridges the gap between the elementary environment and the traditional seventh/eighth
grade environment, in which students change classes every period.
Honors courses will be offered in the core academic areas science, social studies and/or English
Honors: Sixth, Seventh, Eighth Grades
classes. Students can select one or more honors classes to fit their personal academic abilities
Students who have demonstrated a high level of resiliency, ability, interest, and/or potential in one or
more academic areas may be ready to take Honors classes. Enrollment in Honors classes will take
place in the spring during the course selection process. The entrance criteria will be based upon
many data points to accommodate student academic needs and find where advanced placement is
right for the student.
The curriculum and instruction in Honors classes extends and enriches through best practices.
Classes are designed to engage and challenge advanced learners, e.g. complex problem-based
learning activities, multiple source research, and intricate investigations. Honors classes provide
opportunities to build on individual academic strengths, develop critical and creative thinking skills,
and prepare students for advanced coursework in high school, i.e. Advanced Placement, International
Baccalaureate, or High School Honors courses.
.

The Resource Specialist Program (RSP) at Arden provides assistance to students who meet special
Special Education
education eligibility in the least restrictive environment. These students have average to above
average intelligence but learn differently and require some curricular modification, legal
accommodations, or support to ensure their academic success. The RSP program develops successful
organizational strategies, healthy study habits as well as fostering independence, self-awareness and
critical thinking.

The Special Day Class (SDC) at Arden is designed to meet the needs of students with learning
disabilities who require intensive and individualized instruction. Students in this program are given
specialized support and instruction as they work diligently to approach state mandated grade level
academic standards. To this end, the SDC/LH program emphasizes organization, good study habits,
problem solving skills, personal responsibility and self-confidence. To the extent possible, students
in the SDC/LH program attend classes in regular education classrooms in order to challenge them
academically and prepare them for a successful high school experience.

The special education program offers an alternative education placement for students who are
severely handicapped. The Independent Living Skills (ILS) curriculum focuses on teaching
independence with important life skills and activities such as communication, social behaviors,
recreation, shopping, meal preparation, banking, money management, and job skills.
IInn otrdeerr tvo ehenlp tailol sntud/enStsu repadp, worirtet aCnd lcaomspsuete sa t, or above identified content standards,
reading and math support classes are usually available. Students are identified for placement in these
classes based upon an evaluation of test scores, progress on subject area standards, district
assessments and teacher judgments.

The Language Arts curriculum focuses on grammar, writing, literature, and vocabulary to continue
English/Language Arts
students' development to communicate and think critically. Course components include the study of
rich and varied literary and informational text and writing in the genres of argumentative,
informative/explanatory, narrative, and summaries of reading materials. Students work
independently, as well as collaboratively, to learn how to understand what they read and evaluate
and author's assumptions and claims. Students will conduct research that requires the analysis of
resources and accurate interpretation of literary and informational text. In the spring, Arden students
engage in a poetry unit and have the opportunity to participate in the annual Poetry Slam at Open
House.

History at Arden is a standards based curriculum. We teach what everybody else teaches…what
History (Social Sciences)
makes our teaching different is the living history program.

Living history at Arden has been an on-going tradition for over twenty years! These events are open
to every student per grade level event. These events are built around state standards and experiencing
the past.

Greek Olympics
Sixth graders will conclude their study of ancient civilizations by participating in their own Greek
Olympics. These Olympics will include an opening parade of city-states, athletic events, and temple
building during the school day. The Greek Night festivities include an academic competition,
awarding of medals, and a feast of Greek foods.

Medieval Banquet
As a culminating event of medieval studies, all seventh graders plan and present a medieval banquet
at Castle Arden. The banquet is attended by students, staff, and parents dressed in medieval
costumes. Many interdisciplinary activities and contests such as jousting, wool spinning,
calligraphy, chess, music and a drop spindle contest are offered throughout the evening. The
banquet becomes a culinary feast with authentic medieval food.
Westward Ho
This is the major interdisciplinary event for eighth graders. Festivities include awards for square
dancing, log sawing, gold panning, seed spitting, calf roping, fire starting and buffalo chip tossing.
Parents are invited to attend, and like students and staff, dress in costume. Everyone enjoys the
competitions, entertainment, and family fun.

When your child attends Arden, it is events like these they will look back on and remember for the
rest of their lives. History at Arden is not old…its living!

Arden mathematics teachers offer a strong and diversified math program with courses addressing
Mathematics Courses
both the state and district standards. Emphasis is placed on quality of work that demonstrates a
higher level of mathematical thinking skills and varied approaches to problem solving.

The Arden Science program implements curriculum based on the Next Generation Science
Science Courses
Standards. Students at Arden are taken through the processes of scientific inquiry and engineering
design through hands-on learning such as experiments/labs and projects. Teachers engage our future
scientists in collaboration and critical thinking skills to teach scientific concepts. The NGSS
establish learning goals in science that will give all students the skills and knowledge they need to be
informed citizens, college ready, and prepared for careers.

Sixth Grade
Sixth grade science will emphasize Earth and Space Science topics: Earth’s place in the universe,
Earth’s systems, and Earth and human activity.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMP
Sixth grade students go on an overnight, week-long field trip. This outdoor education program
fosters character development and team-building, while naturalists engage students in hands-on
activities to learn about environmental stewardship, geology, forest ecology, creek studies, and more.

Seventh Grade
Seventh grade science will emphasize Life Science topics: From molecules to organisms,
Ecosystems, Heredity, and Biological Evolution.

MARINE SCIENCE INSTITUTE FIELD TRIP
MSI is a four-hour boat trip on the 90ft. research vessel Robert G. Brownlee. Students use
oceanographic equipment to sample and explore fish (ichthyology), bottom dwelling invertebrates
(benthic ecology), plankton (plankton ecology) and water chemistry (hydrology) of San Francisco
Bay. The Robert G. Brownlee travels in the very protected waters of S.F. bay.

Eighth Grade
Eighth grade science will emphasize Physical Science topics. The primary focus will be on Physics
and Chemistry: Matter and its interactions, Motion and Stability (forces and interactions), Energy,
and Waves and their applications.
PHYSICS DAY FIELD TRIP
Eight grade students are taken to a local amusement park where students learn the laws of physics in
motion and discover how math and science apply to amusement park excitement.

Science and Engineering Practices
Engineering practices are embedded throughout the standards and across grade levels. By the time
students reach middle school, they should have had numerous experiences in engineering design.
The goal for middle school students is to define problems more precisely, to conduct a more
thorough process of choosing the best solution, and to optimize the final design.

1. Asking questions and defining problems
2. Developing and using models
3. Planning and carrying out investigations
4. Analyzing and interpreting data
5. Using mathematics and computational thinking
6. Constructing explanations and designing solutions
7. Engaging in argument from evidence
8. Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Physical Education is a required class for all sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. The physical
Physical Education
education program is designed to give all students the opportunity to acquire and/or improve skills
and knowledge necessary to participate in a variety of lifetime activities such as team sports,
individual sports, physical fitness, and dance. Students will also be given opportunities to improve
social skills and develop a positive self-image.

Specific units of study include: adventure racing, basketball, weight training, dancing, disc sports,
football, golf, health and fitness, hockey, nutrition, plyometric training, soccer, softball, strength
training, tumbling, track and field, volleyball, wrestling, and yoga.

Modified P.E. and adaptive P.E. are also available.

Advanced Art Painting: Eighth Grade
Electives
Advanced Art Painting is a year-long class designed for artistically talented students using many
different painting mediums. Students will study the use of line, form, space, color and composition.
These areas of study will culminate in mural paintings on the school campus. Enrollment in the class
is a selection process through the use of art portfolios. Academic teachers may also recommend
students.
Art: Sixth - Seventh - Eighth Grades
Art is a year-long class designed to study the use of line, form, color, composition and space as they
relate to two and three-dimensional art. The course will also include art history, art criticism and
aesthetics.

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination): Seventh - Eighth Grades
This course is designated for seventh and eighth grade students who meet the criteria relative to the
designated grade point average, academic potential and commitment. This program is designed to
increase the academic rigor for students and to help them complete a college preparatory curriculum.
Students who are selected will learn critical thinking, writing, problem solving and reflection. In
addition, they receive support in time management, study skills, weekly tutoring and organization.
You may visit the AVID website at: http://www.avidonline.org/

Beginning Band: Sixth - Seventh - Eighth Grades
Beginning band is a class designed to teach students who have had little or no previous musical
experience. Students with piano background are especially encouraged to participate in learning to
play a band instrument. A limited number of school instruments are available to students who wish
to play a larger instrument, i.e., trombone, baritone, French horn and tuba. A limited number of
flutes, clarinets and trumpets are also available for students who have financial needs. Piano and
guitar are not taught in beginning band.

Intermediate Band: Sixth - Seventh - Eighth Grades
Intermediate band is designed to address the fundamentals of music in relation to band performance.
This class is for the student who has had previous band experience but does not possess the expertise
required by advanced band. Intermediate band students should know how to play the “B flat”
concert scale well and understand whole, half, quarter and eighth notes. They should also know
most of the names of their notes. Piano and guitar are not taught in intermediate band.

Advanced Band: Seventh - Eighth Grades
Advanced and jazz band are the highest levels of band at Arden Middle School. To qualify for this
advanced band class, students must have a good knowledge of music and instrumental technique.
Advanced band students should know at least three major scales: Bb, Eb and Ab concert scales. They
should also know how to play their Bb concert chromatic scale as well as know the note names of
that scale. These band members should be able to recognize and play rhythms with dotted quarters
and eighth notes, dotted eighth and sixteenth notes, various combinations of sixteenth notes, and
have a fair understanding of 6/8 time, cut (2/2) time and basic syncopation.
Admission to advanced band is by audition or recommendation from Arden Middle School’s band
director.

Jazz Band: Seventh - Eighth Grades
Jazz and advanced band are the highest levels of band at Arden Middle School. Jazz band is offered
to students enrolled in the band program by audition only. Instruments included are: saxophone,
trombone, trumpet, piano, bass guitars, electric guitars and drums. This class is highly competitive
and a high level of individual responsibility is required. Music relates to the jazz idiom with
emphasis on style, improvisation, and technical aspects of jazz performance.