Students and parents: Please discuss these encore class options available to 7th graders and decide together what options would be most appropriate for next year. Please understand there is very little flexibility for schedule changes once this form is turned in: give careful thought to your course selection.

Note: Every general education 7th grade student will automatically be enrolled in Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Math all year long. This form is for encore and Spanish I classes ONLY.


Course Details:

Spanish I: Program Application Description: Spanish I is a high school level class that teaches students the fundamentals of the Spanish language. This course is non-traditional, as students will acquire Spanish much like they did with their first language: hearing it and seeing it, as opposed to using a textbook with grammar and worksheets. Students are immersed in the language daily, and will do a lot of listening, creative storytelling, and reading. Students will also be introduced to many aspects of the various world cultures that speak the Spanish language. Students taking this course should be willing to listen and read with the intent to understand. Ideally, they should also have a solid foundation with reading in the English language at or above their current grade level. Credit: Students who elect to take Spanish I in 7th grade are prepared to make a two-year commitment to the language, taking Spanish II as 8th graders. Students who pass Spanish I and II in 7th and 8th grade will earn both of their required credits in world language in order to graduate from a Michigan high school, as currently required by state law. Thus, those students who pass both classes will complete their state world language requirements entirely before entering 9th grade. For both courses, students will receive standard letter grades on their middle school report cards, but a simple "CR" (for "credit') will appear on their high school transcripts (i.e., these course grades will not factor into a student's high school G.P.A.). Please note: various larger universities (both in and out of state) give preference to those students who still elect to take at least one credit of world language at the high school level: therefore, many students elect to enroll in Spanish III once in high school to ensure they remain competitive for admissions purposes.

OMS Choir Program: Please note that students are required to perform at least three times a year outside of normal school hours, and that my parents must provide transportation to and from these performances.

Please contact Melissa Garrett: mgarrett@otsegops.org with any questions or concerns.