Independence HS Home of the Knights Welcome Class of 2022!

IHS Counselors Randall Ford (A-D) Rosalyn Greer (E-K) Heather Mayfield Katie Puente (L-Q) Jason Wooden (R-Z) Heather Mayfield Lead 2

Your Four-Year Plan! Sketches out a possible pathway through your high school classes Helps you see everything that you HAVE to take in high school, and exposes you to classes that you WANT to take. Four-Year Plans are a work in progress; it can change (we know it probably will)throughout your four years of high school. Today is a starting point with changes to be anticipated each year! So…don’t STRESS!

Academic & Course Catalog The Academic & Course Catalogs are online Academic & Course Catalog The Academic & Course Catalogs are online! You can find the complete 2017-18 Academic Guide and Course Catalog online on the Frisco ISD website at: ***The 2018-19 course catalog is scheduled to be released on Dec. 22nd.

Programs Needing Applications We will bring these back in January. Music Theory – Application Athletic Trainer – Application Partner’s PE- Application Off Campus PE – Contact Sally Turner 5

What is a Credit in High School ? A student needs 26 credits in order to graduate. Credits are earned by passing your classes with a 70 or above. You will have room in your schedule to take 8 classes each year. High school runs on an A and B block schedule (4 classes a day). 6

How do I decide PAP vs. on-level class? PAP/AP Six-Weeks Commitment Above grade level Interested in learning more in the subject Self-manager Motivated Organized Goal-oriented Confident in reading ability Efficient note taker Meets deadlines Works independently Manages time well Students who sign up for a PAP/AP class will be required to stay the entire first six weeks. The grade you have at the end of the six weeks will go with you to the new class. PAP/AP Six-Weeks Commitment 7

Dates to Remember Wednesday, December 13th- 4 yr-plans are due…input in computer labs Monday, January 29th – Rising Freshman Night, 6:00 p.m. @ IHS Auditorium Tuesday, January 30th- Individual Meetings at Nelson to finalize 9th grade course requests April 13th, 2018– Last Day for Elective Changes (Home Access open to view course requests- course request change form with middle school counselors) May 29th- Aloha Pep Rally at IHS August 2018 – Knight in Training Camp 8

Four-Year Plan Paper Version Fill out name and student ID. Use a PENCIL ONLY Circle middle school Fill out name and student ID. Dec. 11th Let’s start with core classes! Circle your choice in each row.

Sequence of Core Courses 9th 10th 11th 12th ENGLISH English 1 or PAP English 1 English 2 or PAP English 2 English 3 or AP English Lang English 4 or AP English Lit MATH Algebra 1 or PAP Algebra 1 Geometry or PAP Geometry Algebra 2 or PAP Algebra 2 Pre-Calculus or PAP Pre-Calculus* SCIENCE Biology or PAP Biology Chemistry or PAP Chemistry Physics or AP Physics 4th Science SOCIAL STUDIES World Geography or AP Human Geography World History or AP World History US History or AP US History Government & Economics OR AP Government & AP Economics *After Pre-Calculus, a student may take AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, or AP Statistics *4th Science Options- Typically an AP course, OR Earth Space Science or Anatomy & Physiology 10

4 Credits in Each Core Area: English, Math, Science, Social Studies What are Endorsements? Multidisciplinary All Career Pathways Arts & Humanities Political Science, World Languages, Cultural Studies, Literature, History, Fine Arts 4 Credits in Each Core Area: English, Math, Science, Social Studies Public Services Doctor, Nurse, Criminal Investigator, Law Clerk, Teacher, Athletic Trainer Business & Industry Information Technology, Finance, Architecture, Ag Science Explain that everyone will be on the multidisciplinary endorsement plan as they enter 9th grade STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

Endorsement Plans Identify the Endorsement Plan that you are most interested in pursuing Check the Endorsement Plan on card if different from Multidisciplinary (top of card). Write in a course(s) on your card for each year as recommended on the Endorsement Pathways Handout Use the handout with the Endorsement pathways to get ideas on how to earn an Endorsement. If you don’t know yet if there is a specific pathway you want to take, don’t put anything down. You will still earn the Multi-Disciplinary Endorsement with your core classes !

Other required credits for graduation: Technology (BIM, DM, 3D Modeling, Computer Science, Computer Maintenance, Journalism, Photojournalism, TV Broadcast, Intro to Engineering Design, Architectural Design) Fine Arts (Art, Theatre, Technical Theatre, Elements of Floral Design, AP Art History, 3D Modeling, Music Theory, Band, Choir, Orchestra, Dance) Health (or Health Science pathway which requires Medical Terminology) Professional Communications 2 yrs of Foreign Language Dance 1 – Counts for Fine Arts and PE 3D Modeling – Counts for Fine Arts and Technology 13

Ways to Meet P.E. Credit March in the Band- (fall PE credit only) Make an athletic team (football, volleyball, soccer, etc.) Be an Athletic Trainer (+ Sports Medicine and application) Make Color Guard (fall PE credit only) Make Drill Team March in the Band- (fall PE credit only) Make Cheerleading Take Dance I (cannot be taken if in athletics) Take PE class: Personal Fitness Aerobics Team/Individual Weightlifting Adventure/Outdoor Off-Campus PE 14

Multiple Activities It is possible to be involved in multiple activities and take AP/Pre-AP courses at IHS Coaches, Directors, and teachers all work together to foster student success Communication up front with coaches and directors is key. They’ll work with you! Creative scheduling can allow you to participate in athletics and fine arts throughout your high school career 15

Four-Year Plan Paper Version Now let’s work on electives and other required classes: Add Sport if Choosing Athletics Football (Or Band) Football (Or Band) Football (Or Band) Football (Or Band) Complete each year with electives of your choice! Football (Or Band) Football (Or Band) Football (Or Band) Football (Or Band) Add First Sport Only! Add 2 Semester Classes in one Box Spanish 1 Spanish 2 Health/ Speech Digital Media Art 1 Make sure you add the Other Required Credits! ***Do NOT put classes you intend to take in summer school on your 4-year plan!

Bring cards back signed by a parent! Turn into this teacher! We will be entering your 4-year plan into Home Access next Wednesday, Dec. 13th!