Welcome, 9th Grade Parents & Families! Class of 2022 Tuesday, October 16, 2018

9th Grade Counselors Mrs. Fields, Last names A - K Leigh_Fields@misd.gs Mrs. Bergeron, Last names L - Z Ashley_Bergeron@misd.gs

WE’RE HERE TO HELP! We are a partner and a resource in supporting your student academically, socially, and emotionally

Anonymous Reporting for Bullying, Self-Harm, or Other Non-Academic Issues www.misd.gs > Crisis Prevention Help Link

MISD Parent University Session Parent’s Guide to Winning the Fight Against Drugs & Alcohol Guest Speaker Kathy O’Keefe from Winning the Fight Educating youth & parents about drug & alcohol use, recognizing current youth trends, supporting families and communities Thursday, October 18, 11:00-1:00 at FBC Midlothian

2018-2019 TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES Morning tutorials: check with teachers for their schedules In-school tutorials: during Advisory from 1:40-2:05, M-Th & every other Wed. Afternoon tutorials: PASS in Room 117, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday from 4:10-5:10 Tutorials by department: www.misd.gs > Midlothian High School > Tutorial Times 2018-2019 TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES

CREDITS Students must pass the semester with a 70 or higher to earn credit for the semester (1 class, 1 semester = 0.5 credit) Check your student’s grades on PowerSchool and communicate with your student’s teachers Students must have 6 or more credits to promote to sophomore year (10th grade) MUST meet 90% attendance for credit 26 total credits needed for graduation under Foundation with Endorsement plan

REMINDERS: ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Log community service hours on a personal spreadsheet (students will need this for college applications, job applications, and scholarship applications!) & turn in to social studies teacher on school form Satisfactory score on the following End of Course (STAAR EOC) Exams: English I, Algebra I, Biology, English II, and US History

REMINDER: EXAM EXEMPTIONS Attendance is very important! It is the #1 success predictor for classes If your student has good attendance and earn good grades, he/she can earn semester exam exemptions! REMINDER: EXAM EXEMPTIONS

REVIEW: LOCAL POLICY GPA/WEIGHT OF COURSES, CLASS OF 2022 & BEYOND These subject areas count for GPA/class rank: English, mathematics, science, and social studies Middle school courses for THIS COHORT ONLY do not count for GPA/class rank Weight/Multiplier: 1.15 = Advanced (AP courses) 1.10 = Honors (Pre-AP & Dual Credit courses) 1.00 = Regular (All other courses) Link: EIC Local Policy

2019-2020 COURSE SELECTION PROCEDURES & TIMELINE Discuss your student’s interests and plans together (ongoing!) Counselors distribute course selection sheets, week of January 14th Course Fair for students & parents, January 22nd Counselors meet individually with students to review goals & register (Course Selection sheets due) beginning January 23rd Review course selections and FINAL edits: late March

COURSE GUIDE www.misd.gs > Midlothian High School > Counseling Center > Resources > Academic Planning Guide Direct link: Academic Planning Guide This contains descriptions of courses for informed choices!

CTE COURSES Great opportunities for ALL students! Allows for student exploration and growth Develop employability skills (teamwork, problem-solving, communication) Learn career-specific skills: certifications

ADVANCED COURSES Help students build skills for college Challenge your students to stretch and grow Consider strengths and passions when making decisions for advanced courses Weighted/GPA considerations AP = Advanced Placement through College Board Pre-AP = Prepares students for AP Classes Dual credit = concurrent enrollment through Navarro College

FOR MORE INFORMATION Twitter: @MHSGuidance & @MHSPanthers Facebook: Midlothian High School, MHS Guidance Phone: 972-775-8237 www.misd.gs > Midlothian High School > Counseling Center