8th Grade Onboarding

In this newsletter you will find important information that will help you navigate the transition into your next grade level. We are looking forward to an exciting new year!

In 7th grade, you took your first Dual Enrollment course through Irvine Valley College (IVC). In 8th grade, you take two classes! One in the Fall, and one in the Spring. You are continuing to earn college credit and building your college transcript alongside your LMA transcript!

8th Grade is the last year that you will be earning college courses with a Pass or No Pass option. In high school, you will earn letter grades and the courses will be taught by IVC Professors (who are not also LMA teachers). Use this opportunity to refine your college-course taking skills: organization, completing homework, and communicating with your professor if you need help!

More information regarding Dual Enrollment below.

District Course Catalog (includes LMA course descriptors)

At LMA, students adhere to a set magnet curriculum*. Both LMA and IVC Dual Enrollment courses are required to complete and cannot be substituted (unless options are indicated). To see what will be required of you throughout your middle school and high school years, please review the sequence below.

*Please note courses are subject to change, especially as we continue to build our IVC partnership.

Starting with Business Algebra 1, grades earned in these math courses will be taken into consideration when applying to 4 year universities; therefore it is important to pass these courses with a C or above. After counselor review, if students earn lower than a C, it is likely that they will need to remediate that course.

• Students are dually enrolled in both IVC courses and LMA courses.
• Dual enrollment is part of the LMA pathway, therefore all students must enroll and pass the courses to remain on track.
• Students will be building their college transcript through Irvine Valley College, alongside their LMA transcript.
• In middle school, these courses are graded as Pass/No Pass.
• In high school, they will be graded using letter grades.
• Dual enrollment courses are taught at LMA by IVC professors.
• Homework will be assigned and they do not allow test retakes (IVC homework policy is different than LMA policy).
• Dual enrollment is in lieu of AP courses. LMA does not offer AP courses.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act):

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the US Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. In accordance with FERPA, professors will only communicate directly with their students in the IVC course and will not be able to respond to parent emails or phone calls, all communication must be done with the student directly.

Accommodations due to learning and/or physical disabilities:

Any student with an IEP or 504 plan can contact the Disabled Students Programs & Services (DSPS) department at IVC and present a copy of the current IEP or 504 for evaluation to determine what services can be provided by the college. The level of service and accommodations can be different than those provided at Legacy and is determined by IVC. The DSPS department provides support services, specialized instruction and accommodations to students with a disability, allowing them to fully participate and benefit from an equitable college experience. The overall mission of DSPS is to provide exemplary instruction, support services and access to students with disabilities. DSPS will support students with disabilities in educationally related activities consistent with the mission and vision of Irvine Valley College and in compliance with federal and state laws.

(DSPS Packet)

Support for student accommodations (504 and IEP)

For information regarding LMA's Dual Enrollment program, please contact our IVC Dual Enrollment Coordinator:

• Traci Dilellio
• Email: tdilellio@tustin.k12.ca.us

If you are a new student or need to apply to IVC, please contact her directly for information and steps.

Extracurricular involvement not only helps to build a college "resume", it also helps students to feel connected to school, helps students build very important "soft skills", build relations with peers and staff, and pursue their areas of interest.

Check out our Legacy ASB website HERE

During 8th grade, students should start to create good study habits, develop an effective organizational system, and get involved. Here are some things to consider:

• Stay on top of your grades and coursework. If you start to fall behind and don't know how to catch up, reach out to your teachers or counselor for help.
• Familiarize yourself with information systems such as Aeries, Schoology and (for dual enrollment courses) Canvas.
• Practice good organization strategies i.e. using an organization system such as a planner or digital planner for assignments, upcoming deadlines, and school event.
• Get involved in school clubs and activities. 8th grade is a time to have fun, learn more about your interests and start to discover what you might want to pursue in the future!

Remember, as part of LMA's required curriculum, you are building a college transcript through IVC. These grades will remain on your college transcript, even when you attend a 4-year university after high school! Developing organization and communication skills will be essential for your success.

Although this pertains to high school only, it is good to start understanding the various high school requirements.

A-G requirements are high school courses students would need to take in order to be eligible to apply for many 4 year universities, including UCs and Cal States. Graduation Requirements are the minimum courses students need to take in order to graduate from TUSD.

The LMA high school pathway has been structured so all students will be A-G eligible upon successfully completing their courses.

Students will have an opportunity to complete a number of the CTE pathways posted below upon graduation. All CTE courses are embedded in the LMA course progression. Completing CTE Pathways help students to be prepared for college and/or the workforce because pathways connect academic learning to real-world application. For each pathway completed, students receive a cord to wear at graduation.

If you are new to Legacy or have not had an opportunity to watch Dr. Harrison's presentations about the Legacy program, please take a look at her incredibly informative newsletter, linked HERE.

One of the key components of the instructional program at LMA is the delivery of instruction through project based learning (PBL).

PBL is the ongoing act of learning about different subjects simultaneously. This is achieved by guiding students to identify, through research, a real-world problem (from local to global) developing its solution using evidence to support the claim and presenting the solution through a multimedia approach based in a set of 21st-century tools. Students show what they learn as they journey through the unit, interact with its lessons, collaborate, and assess themselves and each other. They don't merely take a test or produce a product at the end to show their learning. PBL isn't about writing a state report. It's about using what you know about the state you study and then creating your own state. It isn't about building a replica of the Washington Monument. It's about researching someone to honor, designing your own monument, and persuasively pitching a committee to build it.

Project Based Learning prepares students for academic, personal, and career success, as well as readies young people to rise to the challenges of their lives and the world they will inherit.

Here's a VIDEO LINK that shares a bit more.

Legacy's grading mission: assessment and grading will tell an accurate story of a student’s academic progress so that they will be intrinsically motivated to consistently perform at their personal best with academic integrity.

Our grading is based on a 5 point rubric, scaled from 5 (not mastered) to 10 (mastery):

9/10 - Mastery

Student demonstrated complete and detailed understanding of the learning target or standard and can transfer it to new situations without assistance.

8 - Proficiency

Student demonstrated a firm grasp of the skill and has an almost complete understanding of the concept involved.

7 - Beginning to Understand

Student demonstrated some conceptual understanding of the learning target but may still have some confusion or assistance needed to complete.

6 - Authentic Attempt with Weak Evidence

Student has attempted the learning target but has demonstrated weak understanding or can complete with significant assistance.

5 - Not Yet

Student has not attempted this learning target yet or student attempted the learning target but with little to no understanding or submitted work is missing major portions of the assignment.

Wellness Support Counselor

Email: ttsang@tustin.k12.ca.us

Academic Support Counselor

Email: jple@tustin.k12.ca.us