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McMurray School Tours
McMurray School Tours
Each year around this time the phone begins to ring with parents calling who are interested in exploring McMurray Middle School and learning about the enrollment process for Commuter Students the following Fall.
McMurray offers a series of tours for students and their families aimed to give a broad overview of our Middle School programs as well as familiarize visitors with our campus , facilities, and extracurricular programs.
Tours are led by Principal Greg Allison and School Counselor Carolyn Zike. Following a welcome and overview, tour participants are encouraged to ask questions. A small student panel will offer their perspective on attending McMurray Middle School, as well information about what is involved in navigating the commute to Vashon for those coming from off-Island.
If you are interested in attending one of our tours, please contact Carolyn Zike, McMurray Counselor at 206 463-9168, ext. 211 to sign up in advance.
2009 Tours are currently scheduled for the following dates:
Tuesday January 13th 10:00 am
Tuesday February 24th 10:00 am
Tuesday March 24th 10:00 am
Tuesday May 5th 10:00 am
McMurray Accelerated Learning Placement Process
In preparation for McMurray Middle School registration, fifth grade students will participate in taking the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test). Testing will take place in individual fifth grade classrooms the morning of April 1st and 2nd. The total testing time is approximately 90 minutes and will be broken up into three 30-minute sessions. Make up tests for students who are absent will be offered over the following two weeks.
The CogAT is a standardized test that assesses ability, not achievement. Ability tests measure individual cognitive ability and reasoning that are not explicitly taught and not specific to a particular content area. In other words, the CogAT does not have a reading or math section per se. CogAT measures students’ learned reasoning abilities in three areas most linked to academic success in school: Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal. Reasoning abilities have substantial correlations with learning and problem solving, both in and out of school. CogAT’s measurement of three different content domains ensures that educators receive a balanced view of the child.
Each level of CogAT offers three test batteries:
Verbal (verbal classification, sentence completion, and verbal analogies)
Quantitative (quantitative relations, number series, and equation building)
Nonverbal (figure classification, figure analogies, and figure analysis)
Data from the CogAT is one key component in the process of placing students in the sixth grade In-Depth Humanities and Advanced Math classes. These classes are part of the Vashon School District’s Accelerated Learning Program.
The In-Depth Humanities and Advanced Math classes provide a rigorous curriculum that challenges students to apply complex thinking skills when working with core skills and concepts. The curriculum focuses on expectations that are above the students’ assigned grade level, and emphasizes an advanced level of complexity and depth.
Please note that McMurray also has a variety of enrichment programs that are not dependent on placement criteria. Knowledge Bowl, Lego League/Tech Club and Math Club are some examples of after school co-curricular opportunities available to all students in grades 6-8. Additionally, enrichment opportunities are available to all students through our diverse selection of electives including courses in music, art, drama, leadership and creative writing, as well as Spanish and German languages.
4 Steps in the Placement Process
McMurray Middle School works collaboratively with Chautauqua staff to ensure appropriate placement for all students entering 6th grade. There are four basic steps in the placement process.
Step 1
Students who score at 95% or higher on the Verbal section of the CogAT will be placed into In-Depth Humanities. Likewise, students who score at 95% or higher on the Quantitative section of the CogAT will be placed into Advanced Math. This is true of students who score at this level on either their 5th grade or earlier CogAT tests.
Step 2
A team made up of McMurray’s School Counselor, Principal, Chautauqua’s Accelerated Learning Program Coordinator Gail Labinski and 5th Grade Teachers meet and review a variety of secondary indicators in considering placement. These secondary indicators include:
95% + non-verbal CogAT score
Standardized achievement test data, such as WASL or ITBS
Achievement scores/grades in specific subject areas
Teacher observations
Based on review of this information, additional students may be identified for placement in In-Depth Humanities and/or Advanced Math.
Step 3
Parents will be notified of their student’s 5th grade CogAT scores as well as the determination made with regard to their placement. These letters will be mailed home to parents in early May, prior to the start of the 6th grade registration process.
Step 4
If a parent believes that their student would be most appropriately placed in one of the Accelerated Learning classes, but he or she did not meet the initial criteria for placement in Steps 1 and 2, they can access the placement review process.
In this process, a parent completes a simple form indicating the reasons they feel their student should be placed in either/both of the Accelerated Learning classes. Additional supporting data can be submitted along with this form for consideration. A review team will convene to look over all placement requests, current student achievement and assessment data, along with a 13-point teacher rating scale. Based on review of this information a final determination will be made. Parents will be notified of the results of the review process in June, prior to the end of the school year.
McMurray’s In-Depth Humanities and Advanced Math classes will be formed by clustering all students identified through our placement steps described above. When necessary and appropriate, the placement review committee will identify additional students to complete the classroom roster to achieve balanced class sizes. These students are nominated by the review committee as having the skills, readiness and motivation to fully participate in the curriculum.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact School Counselor Carolyn Zike (463-9168 ext 211) or McMurray Principal Greg Allison (463-9168 ext 166).
Guiding Good Choices Parent Series
GUIDING GOOD CHOICES
Is Middle School too early to talk about drugs and alcohol?
Parents, did you know that the number one reason young people choose not to use alcohol and drugs is that they don’t want to disappoint their parents? Teens who get into trouble with alcohol, tobacco and marijuana report their first time use occurred during the middle school years. Yet, nearly half of thirteen year olds would say their parents have not talked with them seriously about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.
Want more tools? Twenty years of research has shown that the way we parent – our attitudes, our values and our behavior – influence whether or not our children will use drugs. McMurray is hosting a research-based workshop called Guiding Good Choices, offering valuable tools to let you know what the risks for your child are, and ways to protect your child from them.
Studies have shown that parents who have attended this series had kids who were less likely to use drugs or alcohol for up to three years after the workshop ended. Both the fall and spring workshops have been a big hit with parents, with over 80 participants last year!
The class beginning in October of 2008 is now full, but it’s not too early to get your name on the list for the spring 2009 class!
Contact McMurray’s Counselor Carolyn Zike at 463-9168 ext. 211 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for more information and to enroll.
Parenting Books Available in the Library
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Freeing Your Child from Anxiety