Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen

1
Information Night for Parents of Rising Freshmen

• Briar Woods Guidance Department
• Dave Royhab, Director

2
Agenda

• Graduation SOL Requirements
• Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process
• Course Options for Rising 9th Grade Students

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Diplomas

• Standard Diploma
• Advanced Studies Diploma

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Standard Diploma
Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits
English 4 2
Social Studies 3 1
Mathematics 3 1
Science 3 1
Foreign Language 0 0
Health/Physical Education 2 0
Fine or Practical Art 1 0
Electives 6 0
Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1
Total 22 6
5
Advanced Studies Diploma
Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits
English 4 2
Social Studies 4 2
Mathematics 4 2
Science 4 2
Foreign Language 3 or 4 0
Health/Physical Education 2 0
Fine or Practical Art 1 0
Electives 1 or 2 0
Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1
Total 24 9
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SOL Courses

• Reading (Eng. 11) Earth Science
• Writing (Eng. 11) Biology
• Chemistry
• Algebra 1 World History 1
• Geometry World History 2
• Algebra 2 US History

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Scheduling Process

• BWHS counselors will be visiting the middle
  schools this week
• February 5 6 Stone Hill
• February 7 8 Eagle Ridge

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Scheduling Process

• Students will receive the 2008-2009 Program of
  Studies Course Selection Forms
• Counselors will review
• Transitioning to high school
• Graduation requirements
• The high school schedule
• Advanced Placement courses
• Activities sports
• Classes for next year

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Scheduling Process

• English
• Social Studies
• Science
• Math
• Health Physical Education
• Elective
• Elective

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Scheduling Process

• Students will receive course selection forms with
  academic levels pre-selected for them
• BWHS counselors will help students determine
  their electives
• Students will be instructed to obtain your
  signature and return forms to their 8th grade
  guidance counselor

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Scheduling Process

• If you would like to change your childs
  selections, you should write a note and have your
  child return it with the form
• If you disagree or do not understand why a level
  was recommended please consider contacting your
  middle school counselor or teacher
• Changes can be made until June 30, 2008

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Course Levels

• Honors and Pre-Advanced Placement
• Course content is rapidly paced with additional
  depth. Lessons are often designed to be complex,
  abstract and open-ended.

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Course Levels

• Academic
• Course content and expected student performance
  require additional reading and writing at a
  rigorous level.
• Academic is a college-bound level.

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Course Levels

• General
• Course content and student performance are
  commensurate with the students grade level.
• Basic
• Course content may be adapted to the performance
  level of students with special needs.

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Freshman Science

• Earth Science
• Honors
• Academic
• General/Basic
• Biology
• Honors

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Lesson in Balance

• Challenge the student vs. Overloading the student
• Finding balance in the students course load

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Lesson in Balance

• Take the most challenging classes you can handle.

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Lesson in Balance

• Take the most challenging classes you can
  reasonably handle.

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Lesson in Balance

• How much time do you have available to study and
  do homework?
• Do you play sports?
• Are you involved in activities?
• What does your track-record indicate?
• How committed and disciplined are you?

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Lesson in Balance

• Think long-term
• Its easier to improve your schedule each year by
  taking more challenging classes
• than it is to improve a damaged GPA!

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Lesson in Balance

• Dont forget to consider the students interests
  when determining his/her course load.

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Review

• Graduation SOL Requirements
• Rising 9th Grade Scheduling Process
• Course Options for Rising 9th Grade Students