MIDDLETOWN
Middletown Unified to move sixth grade to middle school for 2024-25 school year
Coming into line with many California districts, Middletown Unified School District (MUSD) will move sixth grade from elementary schools to the middle school beginning with the 2024 – 2025 school year.
A year from now, Middletown elementary schools will consist of grades transitional kindergarten through fifth grade, and Middletown Middle School will comprise grades six through eight. Part of the reason for the move is the new state requirement for public schools to offer transitional kindergarten (TK) to increasingly younger students.
Middletown Middle School Principal Erin Dorman said, “I’m really excited for sixth graders to join us at the middle school next year! It is going to benefit them in many ways–academically, socially and athletically. I was speaking with some current seventh graders about their own switch to middle school this year and they really like the plan for sixth grade to have a slow transition to switching classes.”
At the end of this school year, elementary schools will have a step-up rally for both fifth and sixth graders to celebrate their transition to middle school.
Starting in fall of 2024, sixth graders will attend school on the middle school campus, but their schedules will be tailored to make the transition to middle school easier. Students will have two primary teachers, as well as a teacher for their elective class, and their lunch period will only be with students in their grade.
According to MUSD Superintendent Thad Owens, the middle school will allow sixth graders to benefit academically and socially. MUSD recently purchased science and math curriculum designed to support California state standards, which is structured based on middle schools comprised of sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Sixth graders will have 50-minute classes for each subject, including physical education, which will better prepare them for both standardized testing and the academic rigors of high school.
Sixth graders will also benefit from access to elective courses. Middletown Middle School offers students four electives per year (one per quarter). For student athletes, middle school will offer the opportunity to join school sports teams and compete with other Lake County schools.
Dorman said, “We’ve already gotten tons of positive feedback on this move.”
Owens explained that having enough lead time will allow the district to do things right.
“This fall, we’re planning classroom renovations. This spring, we’ll get those renovations done. This summer, we’ll work with sixth grade teachers to prepare for the transition. We’re looking forward to this–it’s going to be really good for our students. If anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.” Owens can be contacted via email at thad.owens@middletownusd.org.
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LAKE COUNTY
Redbud Audubon welcomes Antarctica traveler for first meeting of the season
The Redbud Audubon society will host Ariana Rickard who will present a fascinating program on Antarctica on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
“After this hot summer, Redbud Audubon will take you to frozen Antarctica for our first meeting of the new program year,” noted Redbud’s President Donna Mackiewicz. “Have you dreamed of visiting the astonishing terrain of Antarctica and seeing penguins, seals, whales, and glaciers? Do you wish you could experience a place teeming with life that few people get to see?”
Speaker Ariana Rickard will take you there through photos, videos, and stories from her trip earlier this year. Learn about the adorable penguins, majestic whales, seals, sea lions, and bird life that thrive in this harsh environment. You won’t even have to cross the dreaded Drake Passage to experience the wonders of Antarctica.
Ariana will also discuss the impacts of climate change on the Frozen Continent, which is losing sea ice at an alarming rate. The loss of sea ice in Antarctica can have global implications, contributing to sea level rise worldwide.
Ariana Rickard earned her BA from Harvard in Environmental Science and Public Policy and her MS from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a focus on Ecology. She is the Public Policy and Funding Program Manager at Sonoma Land Trust. Ariana has worked for several federal government agencies, including the Peace Corps in Ecuador, and numerous environmental nonprofits, such as Audubon California. She is Vice-President and Program Chair for Mt. Diablo Audubon in the Bay Area. She also serves on the chapter’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee.
Ariana and her husband live in Pacheco with their two young sons and their indoor cat Mando, and they are hoping a bluebird family will take up residence next spring in their nest box in the backyard.
Pre-registration for the Zoom program is required and can be accomplished by going to the website: www.redbudaudubon.org and clicking on the link on the home page.
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