Welcome to Lamar! Do you have questions? Lamar is an IB School. What is IB? Is my child an IB student? How will IB benefit my child? Does every student earn an IB Diploma? What are our diploma options? What is House Bill 5? How will it affect graduation requirements for my child? What are pathways, paths, plans, endorsements? Which endorsement(s) can my child earn? Who is my child’s Academic Advisor? How do I know what courses my child must take to graduate? What about college? Will someone help my child decide which colleges are a good fit? How will I know what to do about testing, applications, recommendation letters, college visits, financial aid...

We are happy you are here! And we have answers!

Mirabeau B. Lamar High School Pathways WELCOME Mirabeau B. Lamar High School Pathways

You may be asking, “What is a Pathway?” As the name implies, a Pathway is a way through; a roadmap. Specifically, Pathway is the term used throughout Texas House Bill 5. In HB5, Pathway describes the sequence of courses a student must take to graduate on the Foundation High School Plan (FHSP), with one of 5 Endorsements, to realize the Distinguished Level of Achievement. But Lamar is unique in its offerings. Your Pathway through Lamar will include FHSP – and we have so much more to offer!

All Lamar Students are IB Students All Lamar students are placed on path to graduate on the Texas Foundation High School Plan, having earned the Multidisciplinary Endorsement*, and realizing the Distinguished Level of Achievement. *Endorsement options will be discussed later in this presentation. But because Lamar is an International Baccalaureate School, and because all Lamar students are IB students, our students may earn the esteemed IB diploma.

The IB Program in 9th and 10th Grades The IB Program instills critical-thinking skills and a sense of international-mindedness. The IB Middle Years Program provides a framework of academic challenge that encourages students to embrace and understand the connections between traditional subjects and the real world, and to become critical and reflective thinkers. In 10th grade, students engage in a personal project. The project allows students to demonstrate the understanding and skills they have developed in the program.

IB Programs in 11th and 12th Grades In 11th and 12th years, any student may pursue the IB diploma. Students enrolled in Career pathways may choose to earn either the IB diploma or the IB Career-related certificate. Public universities in Texas, Colorado, California, and Florida give a minimum of 24 hours of credit to IB diploma recipients attending state colleges. Lamar graduates have received as many as 45 hours of credit based on their scores on the IB diploma SL and HL exams.

All Students are IB Students Begin with the end in mind. What are my diploma options? All may earn. Magnets must earn. IB DIPLOMA (earned in Junior & Senior Years) *Available to All Students. Alternative Option for CATE Students. PATH: Distinguished Level of Achievement + 3 SL Level Courses + 3 HL Level Courses/Exams + Theory of Knowledge (TOK) + Extended Essay + CAS http://www.ibo.org/diploma/ Career Program students choose Diploma or Certificate IB CAREER RELATED CERTIFICATE* (in Junior & Senior Years) *Available to students in Agriculture, Horticulture, Culinary, and Engineering pathways PATH: Distinguished Level of Achievement + 2-4 SL/HL Courses/Exams + Alternative Theories of Learning (ATL) + Reflective Project/Language Development + CAS http://www.ibo.org/en/programmes/career-related-programme/ All Students are IB Students DISTINGUISHED LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT PATH: Foundation Plan (22 credits) + Multi-disciplinary Endorsement (4 credits) = 26 credits required to graduate MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ENDORSEMENT PATH: a 4th year of Math + a 4th year of Science + 2 additional elective credits = 4 credits You may choose another endorsement. All will earn 4X4 House Bill 5 FOUNDATION PLAN PATH: English 4, Math 3, Science 3, Social Studies 4, LOTE 2, Fine Arts 1, PE 1, Health .5, Other Electives 3.5 = 22 credits

ENDORSEMENTS: consist of a related series of courses that are grouped together by interest or skill set. PUBLIC SERVICES PATH: earn 2 elective credits in JROTC S.T.E.M. PATH: earn 2 elective credits from Advanced Math, Advanced Science, Computer Science, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing BUSINESS & INDUSTRY PATH: earn 2 elective credits from Agriculture, Culinary, Horticulture, Journalism, Technology, Business, Debate, or Banking/Finance ARTS & HUMANITIES PATH: earn 2 elective credits from English Language Arts, Fine Arts, LOTE, or Social Studies MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ENDORSEMENT PATH: a 4th year of Math + a 4th year of Science + 2 additional elective credits = 4 credits

At Lamar, all students are automatically placed on path and plan to earn the Multidisciplinary Endorsement because Lamar students take a 4th year of Math and Science. You may choose to add other Endorsements. Public Service S.T.E.M. Business & Industry Multidisciplinary Arts & Humanities

You are Here Section 1: What did we learn in this section? All Lamar students are placed on path to graduate on the Texas Foundation High School Plan, having earned the Multidisciplinary Endorsement, and realizing the Distinguished Level of Achievement. Students may take additional courses to earn an additional endorsement. All Lamar students are IB students and may earn the IB diploma. CATE students may choose to earn the IB diploma or the Career-Related certificate.

Pathways are in use in all Texas high schools, but Lamar Pathways are unique! We realize that the thought of navigating Lamar on your own may be intimidating. The goal of this Pathways presentation is to explain how Lamar’s Academic Team partners with parents to shepherd students through from enrollment to graduation. It is our hope that by explaining our process, priorities, and calendar, we will be able to put your minds at ease, knowing that your Academic Team will lead the way, checking at regular waypoints to be sure that your student remains on the correct path and plan.

Whoa! Lamar is a BIG school. Will my child be lost? Yes. Lamar is a big school! No. Your child will not be lost. Why? Because every student is supported by an Academic Team which will follow that student from enrollment to graduation.

An Academic Team? Absolutely! Each student has one Academic Advisor. But parents, teachers, and a variety of program coordinators are also a vital part of every student’s Academic Team.

What is an Academic Advisor? Academic Advisors shepherd students from enrollment to graduation. Academic Advisors work diligently to insure that every student is placed in the correct courses each year so that every student remains on path to graduate according to plan. We make sure that transfer students are in the courses required to maintain their transfer status and that students that choose an endorsement are in the courses required to earn it. We make sure that all students are in the courses required to earn the FHSP Diploma at the Distinguished Level of Achievement, the IB Certificate, and/or the IB Diploma.

Who is my Academic Advisor? If your student is taking 2 or fewer Advanced Academic courses, your Academic Advisor is located in Office 1: Ms. Raibon serves those with last names beginning with A-K. Dr. Mosby serves those with last names beginning with L-Z. If your student is taking 3 or more Advanced Academic Courses, your Academic Advisor is located in Office 2: Ms. Eng/Ms. Ervin serves those with last names beginning with A-K. Ms. Sydow serves those with last names beginning with Gi-0. Ms. Harrison serves those with last names beginning with P-Z.

How do I communicate with my Academic Advisor? If you want a quick response, please do not call. Email us instead. We strive reply to email within 48 hours. (But we are usually faster!) Office phones tie us to our desks and we are a mobile team! Our antiquated phone system can be… “unreliable.” Please email us!

What is my Academic Advisor’s email address? Office 1 (2) or more Advanced Academics A-L Ms. Rabion srabion@houstonisd.org L-Z Dr. Mosby gmosby@houstonisd.org Office 2 (3) or more Advanced Academics A-K Ms. Eng/Ms. Ervin seng@houstonisd.org mervin@houstonisd.org Gi-O Ms. Sydow ksydow@houstonisd.org P-Z Ms. Harrison lharri26@houstonisd.org Special Populations Ms. Stokes kstokes1@houstonisd.org Ms. Morgan jmorgan2@houstonisd.org

Who are the other members of my Advising team? 9th & 10th grades - IB Middle Years Program Coordinator, Mr. Gillespie dgilles1@houstonisd.org 11th & 12th grades - IB Diploma Program Coordinator, Ms. Bissell rbissell@houstonisd.org IB Career Program Coordinator, Mr. Munoz dmunoz@houstonisd.org IB Magnet Program Coordinator, Ms. Titus ctitus@houstonisd.org College Corner Staff: Mr. Minter, Ms. Ling, Ms. Alderete mminter@houstonisd.org, cgranger@houstonisd.org, nalderet@houstonisd.org Lamar Success Center Director, Ms. Tello atello@houstonisd.org Communities in Schools Director, Ms. Beggs sbeggs@houstonisd.org

College Corner Your Academic Advisor will write your “Counselor” Recommendation Letter and forward it, along with your transcript and initial document package, to colleges you link to Common App in Naviance, but the Advisors in College Corner can do so much more… Located for easy access in the school library, College Corner is a center for information and assistance for students of all grades to explore post high school plans, colleges and careers. College Corner hosts college admission advisor visits, career seminars, parent meetings and advocacy programs, all designed to give every student and family the information needed to maximize their high school academic experience and navigate the college admission and financial aid process.

You are Here Section 2: What did we learn in this section? Every student is assigned an Advising Team to follow that student from enrollment to graduation. You know your Advising Team members, and your know how to contact them.

You may plan your path using this 26 page Workbook & Planner With the sample plans included in the Pathways Workbook, you can follow the one that fits you exactly, or borrow the concept from one and adjust it to suit your interests, no matter what you want to accomplish. Lamar offers strong college preparation in all classes with the power and support of the International Baccalaureate behind everything we do. Whether you are a magnet student, athlete, or artist, you can build your program at Lamar with the sample plans in this presentation. Pathways Workbook Academic Planner But you are not alone!

Academic Advisors advise, implement, monitor, and otherwise support the academic progress of approximately 3600 students over the course of 4 years, assist seniors with college applications and enroll a new class of freshman, every year - among other duties. Wow! Advisors have a BIG job! Yes. And that means that we cannot be all things to all people at all times. We are able to keep all of our students on path and plan because we concentrate our efforts, turning our attention to each deadline as it cycles into priority over the course of the academic year.

Academic Advisors meet with every student, every year. Wait. What? Yes. That bears repeating. Academic Advisors meet with every one of our approximately 3600 students, every year. Academic Advisors meet with every student, every year, to review path and plan and select courses for the following year. We present in history classes, then meet with each student individually. This process takes roughly one month for each grade level.

When do Academic Advisors meet with students? 10th grade - October 9th grade - November 11th grade - February

How do I know which courses my student needs? You are not alone. Academic Advisors review each student’s path and plan before we meet every year. We bring along a Course Request Worksheet which we have already largely completed taking into account graduation requirements, transfer requirements, path, plan, and student interest. Ideally, any choice left to the student is one that will not adversely impact graduation.

Annual Cycle: Course Requests, Verifications, and Schedule Change Requests Course Selection October 10th Grade Course Selection November 9th Grade Course Selection December & January 8th Grade Course Selection February 11th Grade Course Selection March Course Requests are Entered March Course Verification 1 is sent home and returned with any change requests April Course Verification 2 is sent home and returned with any change requests June Course Verification 3 is sent home. August Advisors host in person Schedule Change Requests the week before school starts 1st Week of School One last opportunity to change schedule, but only if you are in the wrong class. Last Chance/Wrong Class Requests Entered In person Schedule Change Requests Course Verifications and Written Change Requests

Academic Advisors prepare and send home our Course Request Worksheet and Supporting Documents every year. 9th – 10th Grade Course Request Worksheet In the annual path and plan review, Academic Advisors give each student a document package to bring home for parent review. Expect a document package to come home, every year. This annual document package includes the Course Request Worksheet that your Academic Advisor has completed with your student, a list of course offerings, your student’s current schedule, and transcript. Please check your student’s backpack.

How many selections do I actually make? SS SS Transfer students take their required transfer elective, and choose 2 electives/year. Zoned students choose 3 electives/year.   All students must devote at least one full year elective to PE and at least one full year elective to Fine Art. IB diploma candidates must test in 3 HL and 3 SL level courses. Must get to Math SL. SS

Academic Advisors’ Parent Education Series In a perfect world, students would share with their parents the information we convey when we meet to review their path and plan and select courses for next year, but... we are parents and we know that does not happen. So, as we work our way through each grade level, Academic Advisors host Parent Education Seminars. Seminars are offered in the evenings, during the same month we meet with grade level students. This way, we are able to present to parents the same information we share with students.

LHS Advisors’ Parent Education Series Page 1 of 2 Calendar of Events 2016 - 2017 School Year All Events Hosted on LHS Campus Unless Otherwise Noted* Revised 9.27.16   September 7 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: CAS Hours (IB diploma) Titus/Poerschke/Bissell 13 & 15 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: Senior Transcript Review Harrison 19 & 22 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: College App Grades 11/12 Minter October 4 6pm Campus College Night (booths) PTO 6 & 10 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: Course Selection 10th rising 11th Harrison 25 & 27 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: College App/Financial Aid Minter November 1 & 3 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: Pathways: 4 years at LHS Sydow 10 4:30 E103 FAFSA Roadshow Minter 10 & 14 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: Course Selection 9th rising 10th Harrison

Page 2 of 2 December 5 & 7 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: College Financial Aid/FAFSA Minter   January 17 & 19 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: Senior Transcript Review Harrison 9 10am Cafeteria Parent Education: Pathways: 4 years at LHS Sydow 11 12:30 Library Parent Education: Pathways: 4 years at LHS Sydow 11 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: Extended Essay Bissell/Brahm February 1 & 7 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: Course Selection 11th rising 12th Harrison 13 & 16 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: Junior Transcript Review Harrison 20 12:30 Library Parent Education: College Financial Aid/FAFSA Minter 28 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: Course Selection 8th rising 9th Harrison March 2 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: Course Selection 8th rising 9th Harrison 21 & 23 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: College Search Grades 9/10 Minter April 3 & 6 6pm Cafeteria Parent Education: College Search/Naviance Harrison/Minter

You can find us on the Lamar homepage, too! Click here

You have Arrived at your Destination You have Arrived at your Destination! Section 3: What have we learned in this section? Academic Advisors meet with every student every year. We send documents home for parent review. Courses are Requested, Verified, and Changed on a specified cycle. You are invited to our Parent Education Series! We have posted lots of great information on the Lamar home page.

Pathways Summary: What have we learned? All Lamar students are placed on path to graduate on the TFHS Plan, having earned the Multidisciplinary Endorsement, and realizing the Distinguished Level of Achievement. Students may take additional courses to earn a different endorsement. All Lamar students are IB students and may earn the IB Diploma. CATE students may choose to earn the IB Diploma or the Career-Related Certificate. Every student is assigned an Advising Team to follow that student from enrollment to graduation. You know your Advising Team members, and your know how to contact them. Academic Advisors meet with every student every year. We send documents home for parent review. Courses are Requested, Verified, and Changed on a specified cycle. You are invited to our Parent Education Series! We have posted lots of great information on the Lamar home page, including this PowerPoint!

We’ve got this! We’ve got this! Your student is unique, but Lamar’s programs, paths, and plans are well established, time tested, and proven to serve our families well. We hope you have enjoyed learning about our paths and plans, advising priority, process, and calendar. Even though Lamar is a BIG school, it is our fondest wish that you can relax and enjoy these next 4 years because you know what to expect – and when. And because now you know that We’ve got this!