Belton Middle School/Freshman Center Welcome

9th Grade Staff 2015-16 Mr. George Shrum, Grade-level Principal Mrs. Angie Howard, 9th Grade Counselor

Schedule Academic Focus plus 7 class periods Typical freshman schedule has 4 core and 3 elective courses.

Cores College Prep English I/Advanced College Prep Government/Geography Biology Algebra I, Geometry, Advanced Alg II

Elective Options Human Communications Acting I Contest Speech Spanish I & II French I Introduction to Art Advanced Art Freshman Music Appreciation Freshman Choir Marching/Symphonic Band

More Electives Business Management Intro to Business Introduction to Engineering Design Principles of Biomedical Sciences Beginning Foods, Nutrition and Wellness Relationships & Family Living Freshman Fitness Advanced Physical Fitness

1:1 Technology Program It is our goal that every student have an Chromebook in 9th grade. They are used extensively throughout the curriculum in all classes. Examples of use include research, canvas, etc. Each year the 1:1 technology program improves and has become an essential tool for student learning. Sliding scale and work program available for fees.

Extracurricular Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track, Soccer, Tennis, Swim, Volleyball, Cross country, Wrestling, Cheer, Dance, Golf Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Power Lifting/Strength and Conditioning Speech and Debate Jazz Band National Honor Society Color Guard 9th grade Play (Theater)

Attendance Attendance is very important!!! State and district expectation of attendance is 95%. Students that are absent more than 7 class periods in a semester will lose credit unless the time is made up. Time must be made up during the semester it is missed. A parent call is required any time a student is absent. Doctor’s note, if possible, is preferred.

Grades Semester grade cards are issued Students receive progress reports every 3 weeks which are emailed home. Student and Parent Portal – Are you signed up?

High School Credits Students earn high school credit now Each semester course is worth ½ credit Students can earn 3 ½ credits a semester or 7 credits their freshman year A student must have a total of 26 credits to graduate from Belton High School https://sites.google.com/site/enrollment4yearplan/credit s-requirements-college/graduation-requirements Course Description Book- www.beltonschools.org

High School Transcript This document lists classes taken Courses taken and grades GPA Attendance record Standardized test scores Extremely important document – a record of your performance in High School and it begins with your freshman year! Remember, all grades count.

High School Athletic Eligibility A beginning 9th grade student shall have been promoted from the eighth grade to the ninth grade for first semester of eligibility. Grades received the preceding semester will determine eligibility to participate in interscholastic activities. The student must pass 6 out of 7 classes, otherwise you are ineligible for entire semester. Grades will be reviewed again.

End of Course Testing Next year Freshman will be required to take EOC tests in Government, Biology, and Algebra. A score of proficient or better on the Algebra EOC is required for the A+ program. Attendance and participation in class is critical for students to learn and score well on EOC tests. All of these courses and tests are great preparation for the ACT and SAT. All students will be required to take the ACT their junior year of high school.

A+ Program Requirements 95 % attendance GPA of 2.5 or higher Must achieve a minimum score on the Algebra I EOC or other qualifying Math exam Tutor younger students a minimum of 50 hours over 4 years Have a record of good citizenship Can get 2 years of College paid for through this program.

College Tidbits There is no foreign language High School graduation requirement. However, 4 colleges in the state of Missouri require it. If going out of state can generally assume Div 1 colleges require it. Some schools (MU, UMKC, MO S&T) require trig/precalc. ACT score, which will be taken around Junior year

Course selections and Personal Plans of Study (PPS) Courses selected by the student with parent input Check for special course requirements Student and parent signature on yellow copy Schedule will be handed out at District Open Enrollment Requests for schedule changes must be made prior to the first day of school.

Questions???