Aliamanu
Middle
School
Registration
Guide
2015-2016
Accredited by
3271 Salt Lake Blvd.Western Association of
Honolulu, HI 96818Schools and Colleges
REGISTRATION TIMELINE
6th grade students who attend Aliamanu, Hickam, Makalapa, Mokulele, Nimitz, Pearl Harbor, and Pearl Harbor Kai Elementary Schools and live in the AMS district will be automatically enrolled at Aliamanu Middle School for 7thgrade if not officially withdrawn by parent by the end of the school year.
Parents of all students new to the district must come to Aliamanu Middle School to officially register.
Beginning of School
For students who start at the beginning of the school year:
Homeroom assignments will be posted at the school beginning in late July (exact date not available at publication time.) Students should check for their room ahead of time. Complete schedules will be given to students by advisory teachers on the first day.
7th Grade Orientation
End of July--Date has not been set at publication time.
Half day for 7th graders only.
For Students who come mid school year:
Registration Hours: 8 – 11:30 daily, except for state holidays.
Students will begin in the Transition Center the day after registration is completed.
Dress Code
Uniform Dress Policy:
All students attending AMS are required to wear the school uniform effective the first day of school. Uniform shirts and jackets are provided by a vendor and are available at the vendor’s store or on campus mornings (7-8 am & 10-11 am) during school. Students are required to wear a uniform shirtand adhere to specific criteria for dress code bottoms, footwear, and outerwear as detailed in the student planner and on the website. If students want to wear a jacket, it must be the official school jacket.
ID Badge
The ID badge is to be with the student at all times. Badges will be made for each student as soon as possible after admission. Replacement badges will be available for a $7.00 fee.
All information is subject to change. Every effort has been made to as accurate as possible as of press time (12/14).
Overview of Aliamanu Middle
Background:
The name “Aliamanu” is a Hawaiian word which means, “the resting place of the birds.” Founded in 1958, AliamanuMiddle School is located on a 15-acre parcel of land set in a geological depression which at one time may have been the crater of an active volcano.
There are approximately 750 students enrolled each year. The majority of AMS’ students are federally connected.
Aliamanu Middle School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
General InformationWeb Page:
The school web page: is a good source for the latest information. It will contain valuable information for all students. You may also “like” us on Facebook to see new information.
Health Requirements: Current tuberculin clearance is required for all students new to the state of Hawaii, and proof of such is required to register. New students must produce proof of an annual physical and updated immunizations, or proof of an appointment with a doctor. All 7th graders must have Hepatitis B, MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) and varicella (chickenpox) immunizations, and must provide proper immunization documentation in order to attend school. Medical records of students currently attending a Hawaii DOE school will be transferred to Aliamanu Middle School upon enrollment.
When Enrolling (new to Hawaii/district): We’d like to meet the new student. In addition to the health records listed above, please bring a birth certificate, proof of residence, and any legal documents pertaining to legal names and guardianship. A transcript from previous school or a recent report card is also helpful.
Transfers: Complete and submit a “Request for Transfer” form when you have finalized your plans to leave our school. A minimum of 5 working days is required to process a student’s release. Requests must be in by May 5thfor a May 26th,release date. Transfer forms are available in the office. Students will be required to follow the clearance procedure and the return textbooks and pay for lost books and/or damages before being released.
Geographic Exceptions: Students are required to attend school in the district they live. Geographic exceptions will be considered in accordance with the State School Code. Forms are available at any school. The completed form should be submitted to the school the student is trying to enroll in. Upon notification of acceptance, parents should notify the school the student should have attended, and register student at the accepting school. The student is not enrolled until registration papers are actually filled out at the receiving school.
Program Changes: Students’ registration requests determine which courses will be offered during the following school year. For this reason, only adjustments to accommodate courses taken during summer school or IEPs will be considered. Remember that these changes may alter a student’s schedule considerably. Requests for changes must be in writing and signed by a parent. No changes will be processed during the grade entry and report card printing.
Counseling: Counselors are on the Aliamanu staff to assist with personal education, social and vocational problems and plans. Parents may wish to call for an appointment with the counselor or with any of the teachers. Such appointments are encouraged.
Health Services: Students must have a health record on file in the health room. Pertinent health information should be given to the Health Aide. The school has a dispensary where you may receive attention for minor ailments. The health room does not provide any medications. Personal medication should be stored in the healthroom. It will be dispensed with proper written authorization. In cases of illness or serious injury, parents will be notified to pick up the student. Local emergency contact phone numbers are vital.
Communications
AMS utilizes a number of means to keep in touch with parents. Parents are also encouraged to call their child’s counselor or teachers whenever they have questions concerning their child’s progress.
Paw Notes:
Email is a critical means of communication between school and parents. Information is sent at least monthly in the form of “Paw Notes”, an online newsletter containing current school news and reminders.
Web Page:
The school web page: is current source of information. Paw Notes are also posted on line for easy reference.
Report cards:
The report card is intended to give a general estimate of student progress and mastery of learning both knowledge and skills at that point in time. The grades indicate achievement in relationship to the grade level and classroom standards. Report cards are given to students approximately 2 weeks after the end of the quarter (excluding vacation days). 4th quarter report cards are mailed home.
Deficiency notes and progress reports:
A deficiency notice is sent to parents of students who are doing unsatisfactory work. Progress Reports are sent by some teachers to let parents know of their child’s progress for the first half of each quarter. These reports are sent mid-quarter to allow time for extra help and improvement.
Parents are strongly encouraged to keep track of students through review of the planner and by checking the various online grading programs used by some of the teachers.
Automated phone calls:
School wide calls are also used when information needs to be shared quickly. These may be generated by the school or the state office.
Honor Roll:
The Aliamanu Honor Roll lists students who have achieved academic excellence during each of the first three quarters. Students who earn a grade point average of 3.5 – 4.0 will be on the Blue Honor Roll. Those who earn a grade average of 3.0 - 3.49 will be on the White Honor Roll. Quarter grades at the time of printing are used to determine the honor roll. Grade points will be determined in the following manner: A = 4 points; B = 3 points; C = 2 points, D = 1 point; F = 0 points.
Academic Programs
Curriculum:
The curriculum of Hawaii’s public schools is currently moving to Common Core from the Hawaii Content and Performances Standards vol. III (HCPSIII) and six General Learner Outcomes (GLOs). Detailed information is available on line at:
Our aim is to equip each student with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to live responsibly, to provide guidance and assistance to the students, and to provide for a sound learning and teaching atmosphere in the school. AMS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The Principal is the person to contact with inquires regarding our nondiscrimination policies.
Special Programs:
Aliamanu provides programs to serve students with special needs:
- Students with identified handicapping conditions receive special education and related services in keeping with their individualized education program.
2. Aliamanu has an ESL program for students who speak English as a second language.
- Special Motivation Classes (SMC) are also provided.
A screening committee selects students for these classes.
Program Descriptions:
The BASIC REQUIRED PROGRAMconsists of courses which are required of all students. It includes Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Fine Arts, Computer Literary, Health, and Physical Education. This program forms a basis of common learning experiences for all students.
The Elective Program is provided to give each student an opportunity to select courses that meet a personal interest or need.
Exploratory Wheels provide students with opportunities to sample a variety of learning experiences. Students do not elect specific wheel placement. Each spoke of a wheel is a quarter long mini-course aimed at introducing youngsters to new pursuits. Courses include activities geared to develop skills students need as adults while addressing many of the standards set forth by the Department of Education.
Gifted and Talented Students at AMS
Aliamanu Middle School offers a GIFTED & TALENTED option for identified students in the seventh and eighth grades. Students are identified by scoring within a required range on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Cognitive Abilities Test (administered by written request). A combination of standardized test histories, qualifying grade point averages, and teacher recommendations may also be used for students who approach the required ranges.
Seventh graders who qualify may take GT Language Arts 7, and, if eligible, Accelerated Math 7, which is a Pre-Algebra Class. This class will have accelerated math students, both GT and non-GT.
Qualifying eighth graders are offered GT classes in English, Math, Social Studies, and Science. GT math for eighth grade is Algebra 1. GT students who have taken and successfully passed a course in high school level Algebra 1, may elect to take Geometry 1, for high school credit.
Course Description
Grade 7
English
Social Studies
Mathematics
Science
Computer Lit/PE7
Fine Arts
Language Arts (year)
Seventh grade Language Arts curriculum emphasizes reading, writing, and oral communication. Instruction and lessons are based on statewide standards, and performance benchmarks which focuses on reading a range of literature and genres, and writing in a variety of ways. Prentice-Hall’s “Language and Literacy” anthology for seventh grade readers introduces students to common stories and poems in Western literature, and provides lessons in vocabulary, grammar, and writing. Achieve 3000, (TeenBiz) an interactive online reading program, is utilized throughout seventh and eighth grades to improve reading comprehension and constructed response writing. Achieve 3000 has been aligned with the nationwide Essential Core Standards. In addition, multiple instructional resources are directed at acquiring new skills in reading, writing, and speaking.Review and reinforcement is necessary to succeed as a reader, writer, and speaker in today’s world.
Life Science
Life science is an introduction to the biological concepts on life processes, relationship of structure and function, classification of organisms, interdependence of living things, and examination of the biotic environment, the cell as the basic unit of living things, reproduction, and genetics. Biochemistry and physical science concepts,which affect living things, are also included. Laboratory activities are included to develop inquiry, laboratory skills, and the use of equipment.
Math (year)
This course is required of all students in grade 7. Emphasis is on developing thinking skills and gaining understanding of the concepts and skills in numbers and operations; measurement; geometry and spatial sense; and data analysis and probability. Learning in these areas will support the development of student proficiency in the grade 7 Common Core Standards.
Physical Education A (semester)
This course provides students an opportunity to explore and develop fundamental movement skills, physical fitness, and social skills. Students explore the principles of exercise through their warm-up, aerobic conditioning, and strength training units. Fundamental movements, skills, rules, strategies and teamwork are explored through cooperative game unit. Student learning is demonstrated through modified game play, aerobic activities, strength training activities, written assignments and tests.
Social Studies, Grade 7 (year)
The first semester focuses on the events, people, and ideas that led to the unification of the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaii State Social Studies Standards (HCPSIII) and the new Common Core Standards are both used to ensure that students in all classes will be college and career ready. The class emphasizes an understanding of change and continuity during the unification and later the roles of significant individuals and groups, and their involvement in the Overthrow. Focus on Economics is two-fold. Students will show an understanding of how the sugar industry dominated the economy and society and understand this economics development with relation to Hawaii’s location. Students will be able to describe how the sugar industry influenced government, immigration and the diverse society of Hawaii that we know today.
The second semester focus is geography and the Pacific Island Nations. Students will be able to use geographic representations to explain population, distribution and the physical and human characteristics of Oceania. Recognition of the economic, religious, social and political influence of the Europeans on the belief, values and norms of Indigenous populations will illustrate how unique societies adapt. The course will trace the development and evolution of government systems within Oceania from pre-contact to present and analyze the roles and responsibilities of contemporary governments in the Pacific Island Nations. Students will be able to explain how the demographic patterns affect each of the island groups, analyze variety of current issues facing the Pacific Island Nations and determine their cultural and political relationship with each other and the United States.
Computer Literacy (semester)
This course is part of the school wide emphasis on technology literacy. The goal of this course is to ensure that students will become more proficient users of technology by the time they finish the 8th Grade. This includes the safe and efficient use of the Internet as well as using basic productivity tools such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, common program functions, and keyboarding. In addition to enhancing these skills, students will also be exposed to the use of digital technology in photography, video production, and audio recording. Applications used in this course will include Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google Docs. Also, students will be working with Apple’s iPhoto, GarageBand and iMovie programs.
Fine Arts Courses
Exploratory Art (semester)
This is a basic exploratory course in the fundamentals of art, providing students with opportunities to explore a variety of media and techniques, and to become familiar with various basic art materials, tools and equipment. Activities include experiences in both two and three dimensional areas of study which emphasize expression and creativity and the development of necessary related skills, attitudes and understandings.
Beginning Band (year)
In this beginning band course students will learn to play a wind or percussion instrument, and gain a better understanding and appreciation of music through the performance and learning of music from the various periods in music history. At this level, instruction is focused on the development of motor skills, general musicianship, playing techniques and embouchure development. Music Theory will also be a topic of study for the beginning of the school year. Music performance will be focused on the Grade I level. Students are encouraged, but not required, to purchase their own instrument.
Beginning Orchestra (year)
Introduction of musical techniques and string instruments are taught in this course. This will include care of an instrument, correct posture, tone production, intonation, bowing styles, basic note reading, musical terminology and theory, and fingering. Students study beginning orchestra literature (sheet music, grade 1-2) and are given the opportunity to play and listen to different types of musical compositions. Students are encouraged, but not required, to purchase their own instrument. The rental of school instrument is free.