Welcome To Luna Middle School !

Hello Future Longhorns & Parents,

This newsletter is intended to by your one stop resource location for all things pertaining to questions regarding next school year.

Information is broken down by the grade you or your child will be in next year (2024-2025)

If you don't find it here, please reach out to the counseling office at (210) 397-5332, we are always happy to help!

Between November 18th -November 20th. 5th grade students will be participating in visits to Luna with their elementary campuses and participating in a special transition camp. They will then be selecting their 6th grade middle school classes and electives during their guidance lesson at their elementary campus. December 1st-December 18th.

6th graders will enroll in each of the following content areas:

1. ELA or Advanced ELA (90 minute block)
2. Math or Advanced Math (Must take Advanced to be in Advanced MS Algebra 1 in 8th Grade)
3. Science
4. Social Studies
5. PE: Fitness and Team Sports / * Healthy Habits (1 semester each)
6. **Advisory or AVID (application & interview process required) or Innovative Thinkers 1 (GT students only)
7. Fine Arts Elective Course

*Healthy Habits is a semester course taken to empower 6th grade students to maintain and improve their health and wellness by developing skills, attitudes, and knowledge necessary to be successful in middle school. Students will take 1 semester of Healthy Habits and 1 semester of PE: Fitness and Team Sports.

**Advisory supports students as they transition to middle school. Advisory is designed to encourage students to develop intellectually and strive for personal excellence through goal setting, character education, and academic support.

Incoming 6th Grade Students will participate in a visit from the Luna MS Campus team.

Nov. 18th-20th - 6th Grade Transition Camp (ES Feeder Campuses Travel to Luna)

Dec. 2rd- 6th Grade Parent Information 6-7:30 pm

Dec. 19th - Winter Showcase (ES Feeder Campuses Travel to Luna)

Aug. TBA- 6th Grade Orientation

6th graders have two Advanced options: Advanced ELA and/or Advanced Math.

Northside offers many Advanced courses to middle school students. Participation in advanced academic courses is a foundation of college readiness. Students who participate in advanced coursework are more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree in college and typically have higher grades in college.

Northside ISD recognizes the value of student participation in rigorous academic coursework and encourages students to graduate from high school with at least one advanced academic course credit such as Advanced Placement. Our collective purpose is to ensure

student success in middle school Advanced courses and provide opportunities for higher levels of learning in future grades.

Advanced courses are intended to develop students’ literacy, problem-solving skills, and analysis. These middle school classes are designed to challenge students through rigorous instruction and complex learning tasks in order to prepare them for success in future Advanced classes, AP classes, and college courses.

***If you would like for your student to enroll in Advanced MS Algebra 1 in 8th grade and earn high school credit, your student must take Advanced Math in 6th grade.

AVID 6 is an academic course taken in lieu of advisory that prepares students for college readiness and success. Each week, students receive instruction utilizing a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, tutor-facilitated study groups, motivational activities, and academic success skills. In AVID, students participate in activities that incorporate strategies focused on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading to support their academic growth.

***Prerequisite: Application and Interview Process in the Spring and must take an Advanced ELA and/or Accelerated Math academic course.

AVID Interest Form Link: coming soon

Please contact marliyn.alaniz-garcia.nisd.net for inquiries.

6th grade GT students will take Innovative Thinkers 1 instead of advisory.

In addition to Innovative Thinkers 1, students may also select Advanced ELA and Accelerated Math courses in which both enrichment and acceleration opportunities are available.

For more information on our Innovative Thinkers 1 course or to request for your child to be tested for Gifted & Talented in 6th grade, please contact our middle school GT Specialist: melissa.boley@nisd.net.

Beginner Band Level is designed to teach students how to play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Band concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Band Director : jackieemma.hengst@nisd.net

Please contact the band director for tryouts on instrument selection

Beginner Orchestra Level is designed to teach students how to play a violin, viola, cello, or string bass instrument. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Students will learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform music. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Orchestra concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Orchestra Intermediate Level is designed for students to continue developing music fundamentals on violin, viola, cello, and string bass instruments introduced in

the beginner level class. Orchestra literature is more advanced and promotes increased teamwork, kinesthetic development, expression, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Orchestra concerts include music of all styles. Students earn awards for individual and ensemble mastery of skills.

*6th graders may only enroll in intermediate orchestra if they are currently in 5th grade strings.

Orchestra Director : rebecca.wright@nisd.net

This course is designed to teach students how to sing properly. No prior music experience or knowledge is required. Girls are assigned to the Treble Choir and boys are assigned to the Tenor Bass Choir. Students learn to read music, produce good tone quality, learn rhythm skills, and perform. Students can develop skills at their own pace. Choir concerts allow students to experience live performance. Students earn awards for individual outstanding skill mastery.

Choir Director/Instructor : jessica.logan@nisd.net

Beginner Theatre is an introductory theatre course designed for the student to experience the basic elements of drama. No previous theatre or drama experience is required. Beginning acting and technical theatre techniques will be explored along with the basic skills needed to create a theatrical performance.

Theater Instructor: andrea.cotham@nisd.net

The first dance course in middle school is designed to give students the opportunity to develop and execute beginner skills in ballet, jazz, tap, modern dance, musical theatre dance, and world dance forms. Various dance genres and styles will be explored while improving students’ technique, self-confidence, creative ability, and concept of wellness. Dance students will have ensemble performance opportunities. No prior dance experience is required.

Dance Instructor: kyriah.shalifoe@nisd.net

Beginner Art MS 1 is concept-based. Curriculum units include drawing, painting, printmaking, three-dimensional art forms, fiber, and digital art. Content will include student originality and creativity.

Instructors:

erik-1.sanchez@nisd.net

shauna.mobley@nisd.net

Main Campus # 210-397-5300

Principal Lisa Richard

Associate Principal Leti Chapa

Assistant Principal Jennifer Cippolone

Academic Dean Carrie Moix

Special Education Coordinator: Dominic Milligan

200 N. Grossenbacher Rd.

San Antonio, TX 78254

(210) 397-5300

X (Formerly Twitter) @GLunaCounseling