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

3
Diplomas

• Standard Diploma
• Advanced Studies Diploma

4
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
6
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

7
Scheduling Process

• BWHS counselors will be visiting the middle
  schools this week
• February 10 11 Stone Hill
• February 11 12 Eagle Ridge

8
Scheduling Process

• Students will receive the 2009-2010 Program of
  Studies course selection information
• Counselors will review
• Transitioning to high school
• Graduation requirements
• The high school schedule
• Advanced Placement courses
• Activities sports
• Classes for next year

9
Scheduling Process

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

10
Scheduling Process

• There is a different process for scheduling at
  each middle school
• The end result is the same Students and parents
  will select their courses with the input and
  assistance of their counselors and teachers

11
Scheduling Process at Stone Hill

• BWHS counselors will review course options with
  students
• Students will meet with SHMS counselors
• SHMS counselors will present students with their
  core course recommendations
• SHMS counselors will help students pick their
  electives
• Students will bring home a print-out of these
  courses for your final approval

12
Scheduling Process at Eagle Ridge

• BWHS counselors will review course options with
  students and help students pick their electives
• On 2/18/09 ERMS counselors will mail home a
  course selection form for your final approval.
  The form will include core course recommendations
  and elective choices
• Please sign the form and send it in with your
  child

13
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, 2009

14
Scheduling Process

• After June 30th schedule changes may not be
  possible
• After school begins, students who receive the
  elective selections they requested will not be
  permitted to make changes

15
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.

16
Course Levels

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

17
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.

18
Freshman Science

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

19
Lesson in Balance

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

20
Lesson in Balance

• Take the most challenging classes you can handle.

21
Lesson in Balance

• Take the most challenging classes you can
  reasonably handle.

22
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?

23
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!

24
Lesson in Balance

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

25
Review

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