A Message from the Department of Teaching and Learning

Dear seventh grade families,

Your student is currently taking seventh grade math, and we wanted to inform you of an optional and additional class they may register for during second semester that may affect which math class they take in eighth grade. Please read on for more information if your seventh grader may be interested in taking on this challenging, independent online class.

To develop math skills and readiness, we recommend Math 8 for most students, and most students take it. Please visit our grade level middle school math curriculum and classes webpage for more information about our math pathways through middle and high school.

We also recognize that some students may be interested in and motivated to take Compacted Math 8/Algebra 1 in eighth grade, which is a class that earns high school credit. To support these students, the Online Bridge to Compacted 8/Algebra 1 class is available during second semester. This online course is optional and independent, and students take it in addition to their current math course.

Students who successfully complete Online Bridge to Compacted 8/Algebra 1 will be eligible to take Compacted Math 8/Algebra 1 in eighth grade.

Students who do not opt in for this independent, online class will be enrolled in Math 8 in eighth grade with no action required by students or families. Students will still have all four years of high school to earn their necessary three high school math credits for high school graduation.

Please continue reading if you think your seventh grader might be interested in this additional math class for the second semester. There is a link for an online registration form at the end of this email, and the priority registration deadline is Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Quick information about Online Bridge to Compacted 8/Algebra 1:

• Student must maintain completion of Math 7 work while they take on this additional, independent class.
• This additional course will best fit those who are highly motivated to accelerate into high school math and who can work well independently in an online learning environment.
• Here is an overview of the units of study for the course.
• Class is independent online learning through a platform called Edmentum Plato.
• Our priority deadline for students to opt in for this additional class is Tuesday, January 9.
• Class will open and begin by Friday, Feb. 2 for those who meet the priority deadline.
• Registrations received after January 9 will begin their class after February 19.
• All students must complete the class by Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. regardless of registration date or start date.
• We encourage all interested families to register their children by the January 9 priority date.
• Students will have minimal support to complete this independent work.
• The weekly time commitment is typically five lessons of about 60 minutes each, so students should expect to work at least five hours per week.
• To continue, the student must meet weekly expectations and benchmarks for participation and assignment completion.
• Students must earn 80% minimum score on unit posttests and a final assessment to be eligible for Compacted Math 8/Algebra 1 when they complete the course.
• At any time, students may choose to stop taking the online course with no penalty or concern.

Please take some time to read through this letter and talk over this option with your seventh grader. If they wish to pursue this additional class, please fill out this form by the priority date of Tuesday, Jan. 9. Students registered by January 9 will start the class on February 2. To register a student after January 9, please email Rey Ramos at rey.ramos@bellinghamschools.org.

If you would like some guidance on whether this option is a good fit for your child, please feel free to reach out to your principal or to your child’s math teacher.

Sincerely,

Meagan Dawson, principal, Kulshan Middle School

Steve Ruthford, principal, Fairhaven Middle School

Allison Chryst, principal, Shuksan Middle School

Mischelle Darragh, principal, Whatcom Middle School