Transition to 6th Grade FAQs

How are students organized at middle school?

Students are organized by grade level and academic team and they follow an academic class schedule based on their team. Daily class schedules consist of the following:  

• 4 core classes: (53 minutes for each subject area daily)
  • Math
  • Science
  • Language Arts
  • Social Studies
• Encores, PE  (43 minutes for each daily; encore classes rotate and students will have one encore class daily.) 
• XLT/band (40 minutes)

How much time are students allowed to get to classes?

• Students have 3 minutes in between classes. Hallways are monitored during passing periods by staff. The first few weeks staff are very flexible and supportive to students who need more adjustment time.  

Do students have homerooms?

• Yes. The student’s first period Core 1 class is considered the student’s homeroom.

When will my 6th grader know their schedule?

• Class schedules and transportation information will be posted in ParentVue In mid-August. It’s important to keep your contact information up-to-date in ParentVue. Please contact your child’s school to make any changes. 

• Details about schedules and important dates for the upcoming school year will be sent via email over the summer.

If a student has been in Dual Language since kindergarten and is not switching to EC, do they still take Spanish?

• Yes. All middle school students take Spanish Encore class. For students in Dual Language, the Spanish Encore class is at an advanced level for middle school in order to support the level of Spanish proficiency of Dual Language students.

Are Dual Language students integrated with students who are not in the program? 

• Yes. Dual Language students at middle school are integrated with students who are not in the Dual Language program for Math, Science, PE, XLT and Encores (with the exception of Spanish Encore). Dual Language students are integrated with each other for Language Arts and Social Studies and instruction is delivered in both Spanish and English. This is in alignment with our language allocations for the Dual Language program in middle school.

See the Athletics & Activities channel on middle school websites

Sports 

What sports are available to my 6th grader?

• Cross country

• Wrestling

• 6th grade dance club

• Track and field

Clubs

How does my 6th grader find out about joining clubs?

• Information about clubs, sports and activities is shared with students during daily announcements via their school TV show. The daily announcements are also posted on the website for parents.

• Students are encouraged to get involved at school, whether through an afterschool club, activity or sport. If there isn’t a club that suits their interest, students are encouraged to bring new ideas to the school administration for consideration. 

What is Homework Club/10th Inning?

• Students can stay after school in the library media center (LMC) to get help with homework beginning at 2:20pm and ending at 4:15pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. 

Eligibility

• Students must be academically eligible to participate as well as behavior

Activity Bus

Can my 6th grader use the activity bus?

• The activity bus picks up 6th, 7th and 8th grade students at all three middle schools at 4:15pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Note: The activity bus drop-off location is different from a student’s assigned bus stop.

The Break Teen Center After School Program

• The Break is partnering with District 47 has partnered with The Break Teen Center in Crystal Lake to provide a safe place for middle school students to have fun and connect in their after school program. Register here.

  • District 47 can provide transportation to The Break after school, check in with the school office once registered for the program.

See the attendance line posted on all middle school websites

What do I need to do if my student is sick?

• Student absences are reported in ParentVue online or via the ParentVue mobile app; available for download through App Store or Google Play store. If you need help logging into ParentVue, please contact the school or email the parent help desk at hd@d47.org or by calling 815-788-5000. 

 What happens if my student is late for school?

• Students check in at the office for a pass to class and the tardy is recorded. 

• After three tardies, a notice will be given indicating that the next time there is tardy, school consequences will apply (ex: 30-minute after school detention).

Visit the “Student Handbook” for more information

Can 6th graders have cell phones at school?

• Students can bring cell phones to school but they must be turned off and secured in their lockers during the day (from 7:40 am to 2:14 pm). Students may not check cell phones during passing periods or lunch. 

Can 6th graders wear smart watches at school?

• Smartwatches can be worn as long as they are not used for two-way communication or as a cell phone. 

What if my child violates the cell phone procedure?

• Consequences for cell phone violations are outlined in the student handbook. 

What if there is an emergency and my child needs to reach me or I need to reach my child during the school day?

• Students may use the phone in the school office if necessary during the school day. 

• Parents may call the school office in the case of an emergency. 

• Should the school need to contact parents in the event of an emergency during the school day, messages will be sent to parents via email, text and/or phone. For more information about emergency communications, please visit the District 47 website.  

Visit the District 47 website for Chromebook FAQs

What are the expectations for Chromebooks?

• Students bring devices home every day. Chromebooks must be charged and ready for learning each day.

• Students/families are expected to review and adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. 

How do I know my child is safe while using the Internet?

• Students are taught digital citizenship through the Project B3 curriculum (Be Safe, Be Smart and Be Kind). Internet safety resources for parents can also be found on this webpage. 
• GoGuardian is a 24/7 monitoring tool that filters and blocks some internet content and allows teachers and administrators to track how students are using their devices. Student activity on the Chromebook will be reviewed as needed and school administrators will address any concerns or violations as outlined in the student handbook. During the summer, content will still be filtered but monitoring will be deactivated. Should students choose to use their Chromebooks over the summer, parents should monitor their students’ online activity.   

Will my child use the same Chromebook in middle school? 

• Incoming 6th graders will bring their existing device to school in the fall, but will turn it in and be issued a new device for the next three years.

How do I get and share information with the school/teachers?

• School and district websites
• Assignments are given to students via Google Classroom
• Newsletters
• D47 mobile app; search “Crystal Lake Dist. 47” in the App Store or Google Play store; app features a staff directory, school/district news and more
• Social media (Facebook and Instagram for all three middle schools)
• Snap! Mobile; see the Athletics & Activities channel on school websites to access the Snap! website. All sports communication comes through Snap! (formerly 8to18).
• Email, text and phone calls; voicemail messages can be left that go directly to school staff email.
• Keep contact information up-to-date in ParentVue in order to receive emails, text messages, phone calls, etc. Please report any changes to your contact information to your child’s school so they can update your ParentVue account. 

Are 6th graders able to select their Encore classes?

• No. Sixth graders have six weeks of instruction in each encore so they gain exposure to a variety of areas. Encores will rotate and students will have one encore class daily.

• Encores include:

  • Music

  • Art

  • Spanish (Note: Spanish is the only language offered at middle school and students will take Spanish all three years.)

  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

  • FACS (Family and Consumer Sciences)

  • Health (Health is 6 weeks and the other weeks are in PE)

What is XLT?

• XLT (extended learning time) is a 40-minute daily intervention, SEL and enrichment block for middle school students. Students who are in band do not have XLT as grade-level band practice takes place daily during XLT time.

What will my child learn in XLT? 

• Mondays and Fridays are dedicated to social-emotional learning through the Second Step curriculum. Tuesday through Thursday focuses on academics and personalized instruction. 

When will my child have band lessons?

• Band lessons occur weekly and at different times during the instructional day each week.

Do I need to fill out any forms for medication to be given to my child?

• Yes. Health forms can be found on the District 47 website and must be completed for ANY medication (prescription and non-prescription, ex. Tylenol) to be given.

Does my 6th grader need a physical?

Yes. Information about required physical, dental and vision exams and immunizations can be found on the District 47 website. 

Are students assigned their own locker?

• Yes. All students are assigned a locker and there are various locker models (top and bottom; all-in-one). 

Can students decorate their lockers?

• Yes, the inside. Students may decorate their lockers with small photos and other items but the decorations must not interfere with opening and closing of the locker.

Are students provided locks for their lockers?

• Yes. Students are provided locks for their lockers and are strongly encouraged to keep their lockers locked at all times to protect their personal belongings. Students should NOT give out their locker combinations to anyone. 

Visit the Food Services webpage for more information

Do middle schools serve breakfast?

• Yes. Breakfast is available at all three middle schools. 

What are my student’s options for lunch?

• Students may bring their own lunch or purchase a lunch from the school district’s food service provider Sodexo in the cafeteria.

How does my student pay for lunch?

• Parents can set up an electronic payment method through MyPaymentsPlus. If you already have a MPP account set up for your child, this will transfer over to middle school. Students go through the line to enter their student ID and funds are deducted to pay for their lunch. 
• Lunch purchases can also be made by cash or check (made payable to “District 47”).

How are food allergies handled at middle school?

• Peanut-free snacks are provided by food service provider Sodexo.
• Other than lunch, no outside food/snacks are allowed. 
• No outside food deliveries (Grub Hub, Door Dash, Uber Eats) are allowed. 

Do students go outside for recess? 

• Yes. Students go outside for recess. 

Can students use and/or bring sports equipment to be used at recess?

• Yes; however, if students bring their own sports equipment it must fit in their locker. 

Do students have PE every day? 

• Yes.

Are students required to wear a uniform for PE?

• Yes. Students change into uniforms for physical education each day. 
• Uniforms should come home with students each week to be washed.

Are students provided a gym locker and lock? 

• Yes. Students will be issued a gym locker and lock.

Is there a cost for PE uniforms? 

• Uniforms are $20. Should your student need a replacement shirt/shorts or forget to bring their uniform to school, please contact the school’s main office. 

What if my student is injured and cannot participate in PE?

• You will need to have your child provide documentation of the injury to the school nurse and notify the PE teacher. 

When is the first bell?

• The first bell rings at 7:30am; classes start at 7:40am. Students need to be in their seats at 7:40am to not be marked tardy. 

What time is dismissal?

• Students are dismissed at 2:14pm.

When is the main office open?

• 7am - 4pm

Busing

How do I know where my child’s bus stop is and when the bus comes?

• Bus route information is available in ParentVue in mid-August. It will include:

• Route number

• Bus stop

• Pick-up and drop-off times

• Students should arrive at their bus stop 5 minutes before their scheduled pick-up time. 

Do school buses have cameras?

• Yes. School buses are equipped with cameras (that capture both audio/video) for the safety of all students. 
• Can students ride a different bus to go to a friend’s house?
  • No. For safety reasons, students are not permitted to ride a bus that they are not assigned to. 
  • Students must get off the bus at their bus stop only.
  • Families with special circumstances may contact the transportation department to request route changes.

Walkers, Bus Riders, and Car Riders

Bikes:

• Students may ride bikes to school, but will be required to walk the bike once entering school grounds. Students are encouraged to bring locks and to lock their bikes on the bike racks.

Skateboards & Scooters

• Skateboards and scooters are discouraged due to lack of storage.

Cars riders

• Be aware of traffic delays, especially on inclement weather days. Students will be considered tardy even if the line is long.

I’ve heard about a program called Jump Start or Bear Camp at HBMS. What is this and can I enroll my child in this program?

• Each middle school is running a slightly different version of Jump Start/Bear Camp. All programs will be run the week of August 12th.  
• More information will be coming late July/early August.  

Will my child have an opportunity to visit the middle school prior to school starting?

• Yes. All middle schools have an opportunity for incoming 6th graders and new students/families to come to the school before school starts. Events include student orientations and open houses. Email communication about these events will come from middle schools in late July or early August.