NEEDHAM HIGH SCHOOL

AGENDA: Minuteman High School (Jack Dillon) Introduction to NHS Curriculum Course Selection Nuts & Bolts Freshman Seminar Announcements

NHS Curriculum – The Basics 92 credits required to graduate Subject Area Requirements 16 credits (4 years) English 12 credits (3 years) Laboratory Science 12 credits (3 years) Mathematics 12 credits (3 years) History/Social Studies 8 credits (2 years) World Language 8 credits (4 semesters) Fine and Performing Arts 8 credits (4 semesters) Health/Physical Education 2 credits (60 hours) Community Classroom Pass MCAS: Eng, Math, Science

9TH GRADE English Science (Biology) World History Math – Algebra I, Algebra II World Language – Spanish I or II, French I or II, Mandarin I, Latin I Directed Study- Freshman Seminar (Fall) Health/PE (Spring) Elective(s) (4 credits) Skill Center (if your student is on an IEP)

COURSE LEVELS Basic Standard Honors Accelerated

COURSE SELECTION PROCESS Teacher recommendations in PowerSchool Students choose electives (though not assured of getting them) Parent review via PowerSchool See 8th grade Timeline

COURSE SELECTION TIMELINE: DATEEVENT & DESCRIPTION Week of February 3 rd NHS Counselors visit 8th Graders at Pollard Tuesday, February 4 th School Committee approves 2015 Program of Studies Wednesday, February 5 th 8 th grade Curriculum Night- NHS Auditorium 7:00-8:30pm (Snow Date: Thursday, February 27 th ) Thursday, February 13 th Special Education Information Night- NHS Library 7:00-8:30pm (Snow Date: Thursday, March 6 th ) February 10 th - February 14 th Teachers input course level recommendations into PowerTeacher. All recommendations are due by Friday, February 14 th. March 3 rd -7 th Student input week. Students input elective choices into PowerSchool by March 7 th. Students who miss the deadline will be assigned to elective courses by Guidance. Students without PowerSchool access should go to the Grade Level Office. Students seeking to override a teacher recommendation must complete the “Recommendation Override” form found on the NHS Website. March 10 th -14 th Parents review student courses via PowerSchool parent access. Friday, March 14 th Override Forms Due! Monday, August 25 th Guidance counselors return from summer break; student schedules available on PowerSchool.

Please remember… Teacher Recommendations Override with caution Student & Parent sign the override form Deadline is Friday, March 14 th, Only a very small percentage of students successfully navigate all accelerated classes (approximately 7%) Due to increased enrollment and schedule constraints, changing course levels later may not be possible. Encourage your children to get involved

Course Overrides…

FRESHMAN SEMINARS 1 small group meeting with a School Counselors during their study, discussing topics related to course selection and graduation requirements In addition, freshmen meet individually with their School Counselors before the semester break

RESOURCES TO HELP Your child ’ s current teachers and counselor High school department chairs High school School Counselors NHS Website – Course Selection Page: 2.ma.us/guidance/Cour seSelection 2.ma.us/guidance/Cour seSelection

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Special Education Course Selection- parents and students do not chose Skills or PLC- it is assigned (Special Education Curriculum Night Thursday, February 13 th 7-8:30pm). Fall Sports Start Before School Starts (Starting Dates for 9th Graders between 8/18 - 8/25) Sports Seasons run through all 3 School Vacations

NHS ATHLETICS Announcements and SPRING ‘ SAVE THE DATES ’ The Needham High School Athletic Department is excited to offer the following Spring events for 8 th graders and their families: 8 th Grade Student-Athlete Step-Up Needham High School Tuesday, June 3 rd (early release day) Program open for all 8 th graders to tour NHS, hear from NHS athletes, coaches & teachers, and experience interactive Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) athlete workshop. NHS ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES FAIR for rising 9th graders and parents/guardians Wednesday, June 4 at 6:00pm Orientation session in NHS Auditorium Fall Sports Start Before School Starts (Starting Dates for 9th Graders between 8/18 - 8/25) Sports Seasons run through all 3 School Vacations

CLUB SPORT OFFERINGS & Proposed Options CLUB SPORTS PROGRAM Club Cheer- Fall & Winter Club Dance- Fall & Winter Club Sailing- Fall & Spring Boys Ultimate Frisbee - Spring Girls Ultimate Frisbee - Spring Proposed Club Options Club Bowling- Winter Club Squash- Winter

ANNOUNCEMENTS CONTINUED: METCO Night Auditions for …FPA

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING! Questions?