ARE YOU READY TO SEND YOUR CHILD TO HIGH SCHOOL? Ready or not, here they come!!!

Topics to Cover Introductions Important Dates Freshman Guidebook Diploma Options Testing Getting Involved

WHAT MAKES PENN SO SPECIAL?  We have excellent teaching staff who have gone through professional development training for many years.  We earned an “A” school rating from the Indiana Department of Education.  97% graduation rate for  Our Freshmen Academy makes a large school feel small.  Our Achievement Academies make our education relevant to life after high school.  60 class offerings freshmen year – by senior year, students will have over 800 class offerings.  We have a variety of clubs, sports, and academic teams Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities

IMPORTANT DATES Penn Showcase Monday, December 8 6:30-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 9 6:30-8:00 p.m.

PARENTING IN THE 21 ST CENTURY  Tuesday, January 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Penn High School CPA (enter through Door C)  Tony Garascia is licensed in the State of Indiana as a Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Addiction Counselor. He will be addressing the mental well being of teenagers today.  Eric Tamashasky is a law enforcement officer. His focus will be on cybercrime and cybersecurity issues.  Both will have presentations for parents and will be open for questions. Eric Tamashasky Tony Garascia

Freshman Guidebook (course descriptions)  Each student was given a Freshman Guidebook and course selection sheet

FRESHMEN ACADEMY  Smaller Learning Community (Students typically share the same group of teachers for English, Math, Biology, and Geography – called Houses)  The teachers within a house often collaborate on assignments, plan field trips/community service projects, and discuss students in need of additional support.

ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMIES

 Report cards are issued in January and June.  Students will earn 1 credit each semester for each class passed (A, B,C,D).  Monitor HAC for the most up to date information.  Students who fail required courses must repeat them. 

* Course and Credit Requirements English/ Language Arts 8 credits English 9, 10, 11, 12 Mathematics6 credits 2 credits: Algebra I 2 credits: Geometry 2 credits: Algebra II All students are required to take a math or physics course during their junior or senior year. Science6 credits 2 credits: Biology I 2 credits: Integrated Chemistry-Physics or Chemistry I 2 credits: any Core 40 science course Social Studies6 credits 2 credits: Geography/History of the World 2 credits: U.S. History 1 credit: U.S. Government 1 credit: Economics Directed Electives5 credits World Languages Fine Arts Career/Technical Physical Education2 credits Health and Wellness1 credit Electives*6 credits (Career Academic Sequence Recommended) ‏ 40 Total State Credits Required

 For the Core 40 with Academic Honors Diploma, students must: Complete all requirements for Core 40 Earn 2 additional Core 40 math credits Earn 6-8 Core 40 world language credits Earn 2 Core 40 fine arts credits Earn a grade of C or better in courses that will count toward the diploma Have a grade point average of B (3.0) or better  Complete one of the following: Earn 4 credits in 2 or more AP courses, and take corresponding AP exams Earn 6 college credits in dual credit courses Complete a combination of AP (2 credits) and dual credit (3 credits) Earn a combined SAT score of 1750 or higher and a minimum score of 530 on each (critical reading, math, and writing) Earn a 26 or higher on the ACT (including the writing section)

 For the Core 40 with Technical Honors, students must:  Complete all requirement for the Core 40 diploma  Earn 6 credits in career preparation courses and either get a certification or take 6 dual credits  Earn a grade of C or better in all of the courses that count toward the diploma  Earn a grade point average of B (3.0) or better  Complete one of the following:  One of the additional requirements for earning the Academic Honors Diploma  Take the Accuplacer and receive minimum scores of Writing 80, Reading 90, Math 75  Take the Compass and receive minimum scores of Writing 70, Reading 80, Algebra 66 

 All 9 th grade students take ISTEP  In addition to the other graduation requirements, students must pass the ISTEP test given in the 10 th grade.

Sample Schedule

HONORS CLASSES

ENGLISH 9 HONORS, BIOLOGY HONORS & WORLD GEOGRAPHY HONORS  These courses are rigorous Pre-AP courses. Students should have A's or high B’s in their core subjects. (Suggestion: if you are in doubt talk to your child’s current teacher.)  Students should be strong readers and able to understand fairly complex material. Concepts are in depth and comprehensive.  Students should have a strong work ethic and desire to take an honors course.  (English Honors will have suggested summer reading. A letter will be given to students toward the end of the year.)

MATH LEVEL PLACEMENT  Math 8 (Pre-Algebra) -> Algebra I  Grades of D or below in Math 8 should also take Algebra Enrichment  Math 8 Accelerated -> Geometry or Geometry Honors  Students who do not pass the ECA or have a grade of a B- or below will need to repeat Algebra I  Geometry Honors -> Algebra II Honors

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR ENGLISH AND ALGEBRA Your child’s counselor and teacher will help determine if either or both of these classes are appropriate for your child:  Read 180 or Contemporary Literature I – is for students who struggle in Language Arts, consistently do poorly on standardized tests and receives a Lexile score below 875.  Algebra Enrichment – is for students who struggle in math 8 (grades below a C), as well as looking at test scores.

ELECTIVES  Students should choose electives in which they think they may be interested  Students should NOT choose electives because their friends are choosing them (they will probably not be in the same class with them anyway) ‏  Elective choices are not guaranteed   Make sure to choose alternates that they are interested in taking because we often have to use their alternate class We rarely make schedule changes, unless it is for a course level. *Some elective courses require prerequisites.

SUMMER SCHOOL JUNE 8-26 – SESSION 1 JULY 6-24 – SESSION II  Students can pick up the summer PE registration form in their middle school guidance office.  Registration forms are due by December 19, 2014  Students interested in summer PE will be put in a lottery  Students will be notified the week of February 2nd if they were selected  If selected, money is due in the Penn bookstore by February 23, 2015

HOW TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR CLASSES…  Students will fill out the course selection form together with you.  You and your child will log on to HAC and add the desired classes. (If you do not have internet access at home, students may schedule on HAC when they meet with their counselor.)  Students will turn in the form to their middle school counselor by December 19.  Middle school counselors will meet with each student individually to review the plan during the months of January and February.

YOU DON’T KNOW YOUR HAC PASSWORD…  Check with your middle school counselors for your login ID and password.  HAC is a great resource for checking grades, attendance, discipline, and now you have the capability to register for your classes.

Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities Clubs and Organizations

SIGN UP FOR E-GUIDANCE  Get all the latest and greatest information from Penn High School sent right to your !  Sign up here on sheet or to be added to the Class of  Find out what our Freshman Mentors are doing each week, assemblies your student is attending, and important scheduling information  You will get crucial info such as SAT dates, PSAT sign up, FAFSA information, scholarship information, and timelines as your student enters their junior and senior year  Get all the latest and greatest information from Penn High School sent right to your !  Sign up here on sheet or to be added to the Class of  Find out what our Freshman Mentors are doing each week, assemblies your student is attending, and important scheduling information  You will get crucial info such as SAT dates, PSAT sign up, FAFSA information, scholarship information, and timelines as your student enters their junior and senior year

Thank you for coming! We will stay after for individual questions Glenn Northern is here to answer any Band questions