Cedar Ridge Middle School

Steps to Success

To ensure the smoothest possible transition into middle school, students and parents should note these tips:

1. Organization is the key! Students need to continue to develop study skills, time management, and keeping organized. A daily planner is issued to all students and is a useful tool for success.
2. At home, a regular study time is important. Students should have access to a quiet place to complete coursework.
3. Take care of your body. Good nutrition and adequate sleep are important for adolescents growing brains and bodies.
4. Keep communication lines open. Your school has multiple ways to stay in contact with staff.
   • ParentVue and StudentVue: View grades, attendance, and course history. Complete enrollment verifi cation form through the ParentVUE web portal.
   • ParentSquare and StudentSquare: Receive classroom, school, and district notifi cations, announcements, newsletters, and emergency and inclement weather notifi cations.
   • Email: Email teachers directly by accessing emails from our website or Student Handbook.
   • Social Media: If social media is your thing, follow the district and your school on Facebook or Twitter.

Families are encouraged to email or call teachers, our school counselor, and administrators to ask questions or voice concerns. Please keep contact information updated with your school.

Using This Program Guide

This program guide contains information on course offerings and special programs. It has been prepared to help students and families plan their schedule.

Forecasting/Academic Planning

This guide is designed to provide students and parents with information about our programs, course offerings, middle school promotion and high school graduation requirements, as well as academic policies and procedures. Please study the Academic Program Guide carefully keeping in mind your future educational and career goals. The forecasting process runs February through April and students will select courses for the fall and spring semesters.

Students are advised to plan ahead and forecast carefully. A signifi cant amount of time and effort is devoted to giving students their fi rst-choice electives (or alternates). The offering and staffi ng of elective courses will be dependent on the requests made during spring registration. It is very important that all students, with parent involvement, complete the forecasting process in a serious manner as schedule changes are extremely limited after the fall schedule is complete. The courses listed in the catalog are based on the information available at the publish date in spring of each year. While every effort is made, it is possible that students may get an elective that was not originally selected.

Schedule Correction Procedures

Schedule corrections will only be considered for the following reasons:

• Student needs to take a required course for advancement to high school
• Student was placed in an inappropriate course/skill level
• Student has a “see counselor” note or incomplete schedule

Schedule corrections will not be made for:

• Lunch requests
• Changing unwanted electives
• Teacher preference
• Requests to be with peers

It is possible that a student may have received electives for which they did not forecast. This is due to limited space in classes or a schedule confl ict making it impossible to fi ll a schedule hole with a requested class.

Course Corrections and Changes

The master schedule, including how many sections of each course is offered, is based on the student forecasting requests made during spring of the previous school year. Due to this, schedule and course changes are diffi cult to make because often there are not available spaces in the course.

All course corrections and changes are subject to review and approval by an administrator. Please visit the school counseling center for information about the procedures and forms specifi c to each school.

Preparing for High School

Students also should consider how middle school coursework prepares them for high school courses, diploma requirements, and career and college pathways. The following page lists the requirements to graduate. The full high school course catalog may be viewed at: Sandy High School Academic Programming Guide.

Internet Access for Learning

Courses at Cedar Ridge Middle School require students to access the internet for curriculum, instructional, and assessment purposes.

A Sandy High School diploma is issued to all students who complete a minimum of 24 credits as described below:

Students enrolled in Algebra, English 9, Food Science: Food and You, Intro to Engineering: Drone and Robotics, Intro to First Aid, Spanish 1, Introduction to Art, or Vet Science: Small Animal in an Oregon Trail School District middle school will have the option of taking the class for high school credit. If the student chooses to take the class for high school credit, they would be taking it for dual credit– credit at the middle school and credit at the high school. It is important to note that taking this course for high school credit counts towards high school requirements, high school grade point average, and permanent high school transcript. Grades cannot be removed from a transcript. There will be two opportunities to opt into high school credit–one per high school semester. After this date, changing credit options will not be allowed. Once a student has opted in, they may not opt out.
If a student drops a class that they have selected to take for high school credit, this will be considered a withdrawal from the course and they will receive a “W” on their middle school transcript and high school transcript. Students may likely need to stay in the course for middle school credit or move to a grade level class when applicable. A student is not eligible to be Valedictorian or Salutatorian in high school, with a “W” on their transcript. If the student chooses not to take the class for high school credit, their grade will count only towards their middle school grade point average and it will not affect their high school grade point average or appear on their high school transcript.
Given the fact that middle school courses are on quarters, students will receive grades for middle school quarters for middle school credit and high school semesters for high school credit.

Withdrawing from High School Credit Classes
By requesting to withdraw from a high school credit earning course, a “W” will appear on the student’s high school transcript and the student will not accumulate high school credit for that class. Students with “W” are not eligible for cumulative academic awards including high school Valedictorian or Salutatorian. Students will remain in the course as a middle school student and their middle school transcript will refl ect the grade earned, an A, B, C, D, or F at the end of the quarter. This only applies to students who have opted in to earn high school credit at the beginning of the term.

Students and families must take the forecasting process very seriously because it is difficult to make schedule changes after the master course schedule is built and teachers are hired. Students may request a schedule change during the designated week in August due to academic misplacement or computer/administrative errors only. There will be NO schedule change requests after school begins. Families may appeal for an exception to these policies to the Assistant Principal through their counselor.

The following grading scale is in effect at all middle schools in the Oregon Trail School District; A, B, C, D and F. Grades and GPAs will be determined on a percentage basis with:

A= 90 - 100%
B= 80 - 89%
C= 70 – 79%
D= 60 - 69%
F= 59% or below

How is your GPA (grade point average) determined? Each grade is worth points: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0. Add up the points for all grades and divide by the number of classes taken. Grades on individual assignments are to be determined by each ndividual teacher. Please see each teacher’s syllabus for additional information on grading.

Honor Roll: The Honor Roll is a distinction reserved for students with a grade point average between a 3.0 and 4.0. Students with a GPA of 3.00-3.49 will be placed on the “B” Honor Roll, and those with a 3.5 to 3.9 GPA will be placed on the “A” Honor Roll. Students earning a 4.0 will be placed on the Principal’s Honor Roll. No student may be on the honor roll with an incomplete grade.

Academic Scholars: Students receiving a cumulative G.P.A. over the course of the three years of middle school will receive a certifi cate and recognition at the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony.

Most Outstanding: Each year, at the end of the year, staff nominate students who exemplify excellence in education for each of the core content areas. These are incredibly talented and hard-working young people.

Success Looks Like You Award: Each of our content area teachers will select a student to represent this honor at the end of each year. This award is for students that have, in one way or another, faced adversity and overcome it. This is a student that has shown true grit and determination to succeed. This award goes to the student that may have started off a little rocky, but has demonstrated a tremendous amount of growth in the areas of academics, attitude, and behavior.

ACCELERATED TRACK MATH
Course Title: Math 7, Math 8
Course Length: Year
Open to: 6th and 7th grade students Students selecting the accelerated Math track in 6th and 7th grade will be placed in the above grade level Math course (Math 7/Math 8). This will put students on track to take Algebra their 8th grade year. Students may also opt into the advanced track at any time, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade year without taking the previous year's advanced course. For example: if you are a 6th grader requesting advanced math, then you would be placed in 7th grade math.

ALGEBRA
Course Length: Year
Open to: 8th grade students
High School Credit: Optional
This is a comprehensive course in algebra that includes the topics of number sense, solving equations, graphing, exponents, polynomials, inequalities, factoring, and functions including linear, quadratic, and exponential. Students should expect daily work to be assigned along with periodic projects and tests. A scientifi c calculator is required. This course has the option of being taken for high school credit in addition to middle school credit, taking it for high school credit is not required.

ACCELERATED TRACK LANGUAGE ARTS
Course Title: Language Arts 7, Language Arts 8
Course Length: Year
Open to: 6th and 7th grade students Students selecting the accelerated Language Arts track in 6th and 7th grade will be placed in the above grade level Language Arts course (Language Arts 7/Language Arts 8). This will put students on track to take Language Arts 9 in their 8th grade year. Students may also opt into the advanced track at any time, 6th, 7th, or 8th grade year without taking the previous year's advanced course. For example: if you are a 6th grader requesting advanced language arts, then you would be placed in 7th grade language arts.

LANGUAGE ARTS 9
Course Length: Year
Open to: 8th grade students
High School Credit: Optional Students will read 9th grade literature, nonfi ction, plays, poetry, news articles and editorials. Thematic units may include survival, literature of the civil rights era, and journeys of transformations, among others. From your reading, you will gather evidence from texts and incorporate it in written, visual and oral responses. You will encounter varied and complex writing in this course as you write in a variety of modes including argumentative, analytical and narrative. This course has the option of being taken for high school credit in addition to middle school credit, taking it for high school credit is not required.

FOOD SCIENCE: FOOD & YOU Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 8th grade students
High School Credit: Optional
Students will be introduced to common foods, their production process and the chemistry behind food and cooking. The fi rst semester will cover food insecurity in the United States and other countries, food processing and diet misconceptions. Topics to be covered will be dairy products, meat, poultry & eggs, grains, organic, natural, free range, genetic modifi cation and food marketing. This class qualifi es for elective science credit. This course has the option of being taken for high school credit in addition to middle school credit. Taking the course for high school credit is not required.

VET SCIENCE - SMALL ANIMAL Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 8th grade students
High School Credit: Optional
General Animal Knowledge related to pets will be discussed throughout the semester. Dogs, Cats, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Reptiles, Fish, and Birds will be discussed in length. This course has the option of being taken for high school credit in addition to middle school credit. Taking the course for high school credit is not required.

ART (DRAWING AND PAINTING) Course Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Students will have the opportunity to create and learn about art in multiple media. Students will draw and paint along with learning about different styles of art, art history, and artists.

INTRODUCTION TO ART
Length: Year
Open to: 8th grade students
High School Credit: Optional
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the elements and principles of design. Evaluation standards will be explained to students and provided to them as a scoring guide based on originality, composition, presentation, technical quality, and time management. Students’ works will be evaluated based on the creativity of the work, while staying within the evaluation parameters provided. The goals and standards will be met by explaining the elements and principles of design in lecture format, supplemented with slides and examples of artwork. Lab fees may be charged.

BEGINNING BAND
Course Length: Year
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Students will have the opportunity to learn to play an instrument. Students entering into the beginning band do not need to have any instrumental experience. This course is open to students of any grade level. Students will learn about the different instruments and make their selections with the guidance of our band director. Students will then learn how to read music and begin playing songs together.

ADVANCED BAND
Course Length: Year
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students with previous band/music experience
Students with instrumental experience will have the opportunity to grow their skills. Our band director will work with students to challenge their skills as they learn to play increasingly more complex music. This course is open to any student with previous middle school band experience or music experience at the discretion of the band director.

CHOIR Course Length: Year
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Students that love to sing, play music, and perform will love this elective. Students will learn and perform songs together. Students will have the opportunity to blend singing, drama, and incorporate other musical instruments such as the Ukulele, piano/keyboard, world percussion instruments and more.

SPANISH 1
Course Length: Year
Open to: 8th grade students
High School Credit: Optional
Spanish 1 is designed for students with no previous knowledge of Spanish. Students will learn basic grammar in an oral/aural context in each class. Students of Spanish 1 will expect to develop the four facets of language in the areas of speaking, listening, basic reading and writing as well as an appreciation of target-language cultures. This course has the option of being taken for high school credit in addition to middle school credit. Taking the course for high school credit is not required.

• Carry on simple conversations in Spanish involving the introduction of people, likes/dislikes, hobbies, family and personal descriptions, school life and commenting on food.
• Read and discuss simple stories, poems, and other authentic text in Spanish.
• Compare the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and people with those of the United States to identify similarities and differences.

• Tell about the countries and geographical regions where Spanish is spoken.

INTRO TO FIRST AID Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 8th grade students
High School Credit: Optional
This introductory course will teach students how to apply appropriate injury management care for emergency fi rst aid situations. Upon the completion of the course, students will have the opportunity to earn certifi cates for First Aid and CPR/AED through the American Red Cross. This hands-on class will keep students engaged through a variety of classroom and lab activities. This course has the option of being taken for high school credit in addition to middle school credit. Taking the course for high school credit is not required.

MOUNTAINEER MUSCLE Course Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students Students will utilize the Cedar Ridge Fitness Room to explore all things health and fi tness in a fun, aerobic, and strength conditioning workout. This class includes circuit training, strength training, cardio exercises, bodyweight exercises, core training, and stretching for a complete workout. This class is suitable for all fi tness levels.

SPORTS MANAGEMENT Course Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
This course will focus on sportsmanship, being a team player, and how to be a team leader/coach.
Students will participate in classroom-based lessons and physical education activities, including games and conditioning. Not only will students get to learn these games and be physically active, students will also learn about sports leadership.

STORYTELLERS Course Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
An exploration of great novels, fi lms, and short stories (classics and popular fi ction). Students will immerse themselves with the characters, storylines, setting, and time period. Students will interact with these stories by reading, watching fi lms, creating arts and crafts that relate to the story, as well as developing their own writing style and skills. Students will also have an opportunity to dive into the realm of theater production by reading, performing, and analyzing theater productions.

MYTH, LEGENDS, AND FOLKLORE Course Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students Students will delve into the realm of myths, legends, and folklore through this elective class. Students will learn to identify differences between Myths and Legends while learning about the fascinating stories that have been shared throughout the centuries. Students will have an opportunity to read, create art, write creatively, and conduct trial case studies on fairytale characters when we burrow into the land of folklore.

WORLD EXPLORATIONS Course Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Students will get to travel around the world in this course. With the use of interactive websites, articles and videos, students will learn about geography, current events, culture, civics, and government. This elective will also incorporate elements of speech and debate.

SPORTS CENTER Course Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Students will learn about the dynamic world of sports. Units will cover sports history, legends, stats and world records. They will look at sports marketing, broadcasting, sponsorships and endorsements. Students will apply the principles of branding, merchandising, promotion, concessions, and human relations.

LEADING FOR CHANGE Course Length: Year
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students - Application process required
These students become the leaders of our school. They act as peer mentors and positive role models throughout our school. Each year these students facilitate several community leadership projects. In the winter they partner with Sandy High School and the Kiwanis club to host our annual Holiday Toy and Food Drive. In the spring these students extend their service to our local community. Between these large events students take an active role promoting school spirit, events, and activities by participating in student video announcements, staffi ng our student store, hosting assemblies, supporting conferences and other school activities, and promoting and participating in dress up days.

TEACHER’S ASSISTANT (T.A.)
Course Length: Year
Open to: 7th, and 8th grade students - Application process required
Teacher’s assistants play a vital role in supporting our teachers. These students are independent, self directed and outgoing. They assist our teachers with making copies, creating bulletin boards, setting up classroom activities, collecting/creating materials for teachers and much, much more.

YEARBOOK & JOURNALISM
Course Length: Year
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Our yearbook and journalism students take on the responsibility of documenting and reporting our school year. These students attend school events to take photos and take notes on the event. Once back in the newsroom they learn how to format and edit our yearbook using a digital software system. Students learn about layouts, editing photos, inserting text and marking the sale of our yearbook. In addition to this, these students also create our NewsBlast that goes out to all students and families that include photos and the highlights of various school events

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE Course Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Students will learn about the great outdoors. Units will cover Botany (plants), Zoology (animals), Ecology, Agriculture, Wildlife management (Forest, Rivers, Fire), Natural Resources, Orienteering and Survival Skills.

CREATIVE SCIENCE - SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY Course Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on science experiments (Chemical Reactions, Plant Experiments, Thermal Energy). Students will work collaboratively as a team as they learn the scientifi c inquiry process. This course will also integrate technology and math with the use of computers, coding, and data analysis.

CREATIVE SCIENCE - ENGINEERING AND DESIGN Course Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on engineering projects (Bridges, Catapults, Ramps, Boats). This course will focus on students working collaboratively with a team as they learn the steps of the engineering design process. This course will also introduce students to basic engineering principles, documentation, teamwork, data collection and analysis, basic programming and problem solving strategies through the use of VEX IQ robotics platforms.

INTRO TO ENGINEERING: ROBOTICS AND DRONES Length: Quarters 1&2 OR Quarters 3&4
Open to: 8th grade students
High School Credit: Optional
This is a hands-on introductory course that will introduce students to robotics and unmanned aerial systems, also known as drones. Students will use engaging hands-on learning such as robots and drones to begin to learn how coding and engineering work together to create solutions for everyday problems. Students will also learn about the history and applications of drones and robots. This class will expose students to basic skills from coding and engineering. This course has the option of being taken for high school credit in addition to middle school credit. Taking the course for high school credit is not required.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Course Length: Based on individual student need - offered yearlong
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
The purpose of the Academic Success class is to support students in their academic and personal development. Students will have the opportunity, with support from the teacher, to monitor current progress and achievement in other courses, helping them to stay on track for the successful completion of their class. Throughout the course, students will develop and practice skills and habits essential for personal management, problem solving, and effective communication. Students will receive a grade at the end of the semester of either Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U). The criteria for whether or not you pass will be based on your effort and participation.

SOCIAL & STUDY SKILLS
Course Length: Based on individual student need - offered yearlong
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Prerequisite: IEP/Team decision
The purpose of social and study skills is to provide students with identifi ed disabilities support in general education classes. Students will be provided time to work on homework for classes, with support in organization and time management. Students will also be provided with social skills/social communication instruction and self-advocacy skills.

STUDY HALL & ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Course Length: Based on individual student need - offered yearlong
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Prerequisite: IEP/Team Decision
Learning Resource Center classes provide support for students with identifi ed disabilities. This Study Skills course is designed to reinforce strategies necessary for success in mainstream classes. Students will also develop social communication and self-advocacy skills. Grading used is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.

STRUCTURED LEARNING CENTER - ACADEMIC (SLC-A)
Course Length: Based on individual student need - offered yearlong
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Prerequisite: Placement through Student Study Team
SLC-A provides an integrated curriculum designed for those working on functional academics, daily living skills, social skills and employment / career development training. Students will receive opportunities to develop maximum independence through self-determination instruction, community-based integration and vocational skills development.

STRUCTURED LEARNING CENTER - BEHAVIOR (SLC-B)
Course Length: Based on individual student need - offered yearlong
Open to: 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students
Prerequisite: Placement through Student Study Team
A structured behavioral classroom that offers identifi ed students academic, emotional and behavioral support in a structured environment. Each course will be adapted to the individual student’s needs and learning style. This program requires direct parent involvement to provide a collaborative consortium of social, emotional and educational services. Specifi c academic classes vary for each student and are offered in an online format.