Scheduling Presentation NAI School Counseling Department March 3, 2014

NAI Counseling Department Mr. Kiggins, A – C bkiggins@northallegheny.org Mrs. Feliciani, D-Ko dfeliciani@northallegheny.org

Miss Wallace, Kr-Ro mwallace@northallegheny.org Mrs. McCormick, Ru – S & 9th Grade Spec. Ed. mmccormick@northallegheny.org

Mrs. Liebenguth, T - Z & 10th Grade Spec. Ed. rliebenguth@northallegheny.org Mrs. Traversari, Counseling Department Secretary 412-369-5464

Program of Studies 2014-2015 On-line at www.northallegheny.org

2014-2015 Scheduling Timeline March 1st –Honors and AP Podcasts available on-line at www.northallegheny.org. March 3rd –NAI counselors discuss the new scheduling process with all 9th grade classes. March 4th —NAI holds scheduling meetings for parents of 8th and 9th graders (9:30am & 6:30pm). March 6th –Elective Fair at NAI Gym (6:00pm-7:30pm). March 3rd – 13th –Students will receive access to the Tyler Student Portal to review their course recommendations and select electives for next year.

Scheduling Timeline, cont’d March 21st – 25th –NAI counselors visit middle schools to discuss schedules with individual 8th grade students. March 17th – March 20th –NAI counselors will meet with 9th and 10th graders in the NAI Library to discuss and finalize course selections. April 3rd –All waivers are due to respective Counseling Offices—grades 8 through 11 (NO EXCEPTIONS). April 3rd –Scheduling process is complete. No schedule changes will be accepted after this date.

Course Terms Full-time Course –meets 5 times each week. Part-time Course –meets 2 or 3 times per week. Semester Course –a course that is one-half of a school year or 18 weeks of class. Elective Course –a course taken to enhance a particular subject area, for personal interest or for career exploration and preparation. Required Course –a course that must be taken by all students in order to graduate. Honors Course –a level of course that has extended content and additional workload. They are set apart from regular high school courses in the same subject, have prerequisites for admission, and are weighted for the purpose of computing class rank.

CREDITS 1.0 – One credit is earned for successful completion of classes meeting 5 times each week for 36 weeks or 120 hours. .5 – One half credit is earned for successful completion of classes meeting 5 times each week for 18 weeks or 60 hours. One half credit is also earned for attending classes 2 or 3 times each week for 36 weeks. 1.5 – One and one half credit is earned for successful completion of classes meeting 5 times each week for 36 weeks and doing laboratory work 2 or 3 times each week for 2 semesters.

Graduation Requirements A minimum of 24 credits is required for graduation from North Allegheny. English 4.0 credits (includes culminating project) Social Studies 4.0 credits Mathematics 3.0 credits Science 3.0 credits S.T.E.M. 1.0 credit Physical Education 2.0 credits (.5 credits per year) Health Education 0.5 credits Electives 6.5 credits

Grade 10 Course Sequence Required English 1.0 credit Social Studies 1.0 credit Math 1.0 credit Science 1.0 credit Physical Ed. 0.5 credit Required Courses 4.5 credits Elective Courses up to 3.5 credits (must schedule at least 2.5 credits)

Phasing of Course PHASE I Emphasizes the basic skills of a subject Provides practice in learning and applying the basic skills PHASE II Emphasizes the continued application of basic skills of a subject Allows average students more time to review, practice and apply skills Phasing of Course

Phasing of Courses, cont’d PHASE III Designed for students who are college bound or better than average ability Need to have a command of basic skills Emphasizes higher level of thinking skills PHASE IV Emphasizes critical thinking, writing and research skills Material is covered at a rapid pace Strict prerequisites are required Most challenging classes Phasing of Courses, cont’d

PHASE I PHASE II PHASE III PHASE IV

Plan Ahead Sheet

1. Login to your TYLER Student Portal 2. Click on “Student Update”

Click on “Course Request” under your picture on the left.

Teacher recommended courses Elective course sections

Math, Science, Social Studies, English, World Language, Music, and Physical Education will be submitted by your current teachers. These courses are “locked” in. You can change a recommended course with your counselor ONLY!

You are able to read Course Descriptions for each class. You access the information by clicking on “View Course Descriptions.”

Each elective subject has a drop down box… Click on the down arrow to see the selection of courses offered… Click on the elective you would like to take!

If you would like to take more than one elective In a particular subject area, then click on the “add new selection” icon. An additional box will be added, click the drop down arrow and select additional electives.

Once you are done selecting your electives, then click on “submit” at the top of the page.

REMEMBER: if you are under 8 credits, a study hall will be automatically added to your schedule. If it will not submit, then you are under 7 credits or over 8 credits. A warning will appear at the top of the page.

If you change your mind about an elective, you can reset your elective to “select” in the drop down box. Once again, click “submit” at the top of your page!

Three alternate elective choices MUST be selected at the bottom of the screen. These choices will be used if your selected electives are unable to be scheduled. Select alternative electives by clicking the drop down arrow and choosing one elective.

When making your online course requests, you must choose three alternative electives in the event you do not get your first choice electives. Alternate Electives

Teacher Recommendations If you are choosing an elective that requires a teacher recommendation in the Program of Studies (ex. Honors Anatomy and Physiology), you MUST obtain a signed teacher note from the recommending teacher. You will need to bring this note to your individual scheduling meeting in the library the week of March 17th.

Trouble Shooting What if I forget my username/password for TYLER? What if I want to change my elective choices after I submit? What if I want to change a course recommendation, either dropping down a level or waiving into a course? What if I forget how to choose my electives?

Waiver Policy Procedures: Communication is initiated by the parent and student to the appropriate teacher. If a waiver contract is still desired, the waiver form is given to the student by the teacher. The student is responsible for obtaining all the needed signatures on the form except the principals. The form MUST be handed in to the school counseling office on or before April 3rd. Waiver Policy

Waiver Policy, cont’d If a student does withdraw from a course (after the 15 day waiting period) for which a waiver contract has been signed, one of the following consequences will occur for a full year course: 1. If withdrawal occurs during days 16 to 40 of the semester, a “W” will appear on the official transcript. 2. If withdrawal occurs beyond the 40th day of the semester, an “E” will appear on the official transcript. There will be no exceptions.

New Schedule Change Procedures All students have an opportunity in the spring of each year to select courses appropriate to their needs. Students are also permitted to adjust their course selections prior to April 3rd. Following this date, all course selections will be considered final, and schedule change requests will only be considered for the following reasons: Mechanical Error: Ex. Course left off schedule. Level Changes: Level changes can only occur within the first 40 days of school and if the student has a 79% or lower in their current class. After day 40, level changes will not be permitted. Needed for a Graduation Requirement: Ex. Failed required course and must drop elective or study hall to schedule a make-up course. Fill a Study Hall: Ex. Replace study hall with an elective course without adjusting any other parts of schedule and if seats are available in the class. Page 8…Program of Studies

Beattie Tech If you are interested in attending Beattie Career Center in 10th grade, you need to fill out an application and return it to the NAI Counseling Office. You will have room for 5 classes plus lunch. Beattie would then be scheduled in the afternoon. Beattie classes count for 3 elective credits. If you have any questions, please see your counselor.

Thank you for attending! North Allegheny Intermediate High School School Counseling Department