Rising 9th Grade Course Selection 2018

Welcome incoming freshmen and parents! Because this is likely the first chance your Academic Advisors have had to talk with you, before we jump right in to select your courses for next year, there are a few things we would like to share - to help you get your bearings.

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. But because Lamar is an International Baccalaureate School, and because all Lamar students are IB students, our students may earn the esteemed IB diploma. You will learn more about the IB diploma once your student is actually enrolled as a Lamar student.

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

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 All will earn 4X4

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. 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.

Lamar Academic Advisors ELL 504 Sp.Ed. A - Da Db - Hn Ho-Moo Mop - Si Sj - Z Cain Stokes Ervin/New New Thompson Raibon McDonald Lamar Academic Advisors

How do I communicate with my Academic Advisor? Email! A-Da Ms. Ervin & TBA mervin@houstonisd.org Db - Hn TBA Ho – Moo Mr. Thompson kthompso@houstonisd.org Sp. Education Ms. Stokes kstokes1@houstonisd.org ELL & 504 Dr. Cain rcain@houstonisd.org Mop - Si Ms. Raibon srabion@houstonisd.org Sj - Z Ms. McDonald ksydow@houstonisd.org

Why Email? Each Academic Advisor supports about 600 families. Email is more efficient than phone calls. Allows us to prioritize by deadline. Our aim is to respond within 48 hours, but we are often much faster. We are a mobile team. Out on campus. In classrooms. Not tied to a desk phone. Email serves as a “To Do” list. Email allows us to send attachments.

Academic Advisors advise, implement, monitor, and otherwise support the academic progress of approximately 3500 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.

10th grade - October 9th grade - November 11th grade - February Academic Advisors meet with EVERY STUDENT, EVERY YEAR to select courses for the following school year. When? 10th grade - October 9th grade - November 11th grade - February

Lamar Academic Advisors’ Parent Education Series Your Lamar Academic Advisors understand that our annual conversation with your student about path, plan, next year’s course selection, and the document package we prepare for that meeting may not always make it home to you intact. And you may have questions about the IB diploma, what to do if you student is struggling, how to apply to college, scholarships and financial aid, course selection . . . That’s why we host the Lamar Parent Education Series: our annual cycle of seminars created to communicate relevant information directly to parents and entertain any questions. Find our seminar calendar at www.houstonisd.org/lamarhs > academics > academic advising > Parent Education Series Calendar. We look forward to seeing you and answering your questions at these events!

Now, that you have your bearings, let’s select your courses!

Football takes up 2 periods Swim, Track, Soccer, Wrestling Music Media

What can I take as an elective? NO APPROVAL REQUIRED APPROVAL REQUIRED FINE ARTS ELECTIVES Debate 1 Student Leadership Piano 1 Debate 2 Intro Arts A/V (Journalism) Drill Team 1 Music Media JROTC (also meets PE requirement) Cheerleading 1 Art 1 Technical Theater 1 BELOW ARE TWO (2) YEAR ELECTIVES Theater Production 1 Choir 1 Principles of Applied Engineering Theater 1 Principles of Agriculture (Plant & Animal)   Theater 2 Principles of Hospitality (Culinary) Dance 1 Orchestra 1 Marching Band

Personal Graduation Plan (PGP) The PGP is attached to your Course Selection Worksheet. HB5 instituted the PGP statewide to help high schools follow students through 4 years. Lamar has effectively followed our students using Course Selection Worksheets, so for us, the PGP is just another layer of paperwork. Should have been completed in middle school. Audited annually for pathway designation and parent signature. Please sign the PGP and leave it attached to the course selection sheet that you turn in with us tonight!

VERY IMPORTANT Because students are given *5 opportunities to select courses, Course Selection > Verification 1 > V2 > V3 > August schedule change week after August Schedule Change Week, no schedule change request will be considered. It does not matter if you choose to go out of town during August schedule change week. No request to change classes, teachers, or periods will be considered. There are no mid-year/2nd semester schedule changes. Because incoming freshman are not on campus, and many are not in our system yet, these students do not receive V1, V2, or V3 which are distributed through Advisory. Instead, incoming freshmen get 2-3 opportunities to select courses: zoned students when we visit their middle school, all incoming freshmen at Freshman Parent Seminars, and August schedule change week.

You’re new here and it is only natural that you will have questions. And we’ve been here a while, so we have answers. You will find the answers to your questions on the Lamar homepage. Watch and I’ll show you how it’s done!

You can find us on the Lamar homepage! http://www.houstonisd.org/lamarhs Click here

On our landing page, you will find a number of helpful resources. When you have a question, please look here for the answer!

Your student is unique, but Lamar’s programs, paths, and plans are well established, time tested, and proven to serve our families well. 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!

for coming out tonight!