Zachary High School Class of 2018 8th-9th Transition Meeting February 25, 2014

Objectives for Tonight’s Meeting To share information regarding Freshman Academy resources for ZHS students and parents To review Graduation Requirements and TOPS curriculum To prepare for 9th grade scheduling To browse through Career Pathways Showcase and walk through Foundation Hall

Ninth Grade Academy Goals Increase the # of first-time 9th graders who successfully complete freshman year Raise student achievement levels Increase daily attendance rate Decrease the # of discipline referrals Increase the # of 9th graders participating in ZHS extracurricular activities Promote students’ awareness of post-secondary options

Strategies for Success Successful transition to high school Increased communication between school and home 9th grade core teachers teaming daily Enhanced guidance support HEAT daily for missing homework Saturday School for academic work After-school tutoring available T-Th Early, targeted interventions for struggling learners

Grading System 18-week cumulative grading period Semester 1(Aug.-Dec.) Semester 2 (Jan.-May) Progress reports are mailed home at the end of a 6-week period (parents should check JPAMS Parent Command Center on a regular basis) Final grades are awarded at the end of each semester. These are official transcript grades that will follow students to all post-secondary options.

Importance of Rigor Honors courses AP (Advanced Placement) courses Challenge Exposure In-depth College Readiness Please review the following handout carefully: Comparison Chart for Standard, Honors, AP Courses

Journey to College and Career 9th Grade Checklist Counselors’ Corner website ACT resources Annual update of Individual Graduation Plans College Fair in the fall semester

Core 4 Graduation Requirements English 4 Units Must be I, II, III, and IV Mathematics 4 Units Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th Math Science 4 Units Biology, Chemistry, 3rd and 4th Science Social Studies 4 Units World Geography, Civics, American History, 4th Social Studies Physical Education 1½ Units Can substitute ROTC I and II Health ½ Unit Foreign Language 2 Units Two years in the same language Art Elective 1 Unit Fine Art Survey, Art, Music, or Drama Electives 3 Units 24 Units

TOPS Curriculum & Requirements Graduates of 2014 and thereafter English – 4 Units English I, II, III and English IV Mathematics – 4 Units Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry, Advanced Math, Probability & Statistics, or Calculus Science – 4 Units Biology, Chemistry, and Physical Science, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Anatomy & Physiology, Biology II (AP), Chemistry II (AP), Agriscience II, or Physics Social Studies - 4 Units Civics, American History, World Geography, and World History Foreign Language – 2 Units 2 units from same language Arts – 1 Unit _________________________ Total – 19 Units Level 1 Award: 2.5 Core GPA, 20 ACT Level 2 Award: 3.0 Core GPA, 23 ACT Level 3 Award: 3.0 Core GPA, 27 ACT

Registration February 27th @ NMS Course selections should be driven by the student’s academic record, standardized test scores, career interests and postsecondary plans

Advising/Scheduling Process When we come to NMS on February 27, we will sit one-on-one and advise your child as to his/her course selections. How we look at student placement in core courses, including honors/AP: Use 7th iLeap, current grades, and teacher input to make our best judgment as to which classes your child will be most successful. A few days after scheduling, your child will come home with a copy of his/her course requests. Please review your child’s course requests and write any changes you’d like on the bottom of the form, sign, and return. When considering honors/AP, use our selections to help guide your decisions.

Advising/Scheduling Process Electives: The state wants students to explore one elective area in depth rather than take several intro elective courses. Therefore, students must choose an elective area of concentration/elective pathway and plan to stick with that elective pathway for all 4 years of high school. In junior and senior year, students will have more room in their schedules which will allow them to take additional electives outside of their elective pathway We do not have a pathway for every possible career. Therefore, if we have a pathway that does relate to your child’s career interest, we would encourage him/her to choose that pathway. If we do not have a pathway related to your child’s career interest, we would encourage him/her to choose an elective area that they are interested in exploring and might enjoy while in high school.

Career Pathways Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Ag Production/ Management/ Entrepreneurship Horticulture Architecture and Construction Carpentry and Construction Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication Entertainment Production Journalism Liberal Arts Mass Communication Performing Arts

Career Pathways Business, Management, and Administration Business Administration Education and Training Education Finance Banking and Finance Government and Public Administration JROTC Health Science Nursing Pharmacy Sports Medicine

Career Pathways Human Services Information Technology Manufacturing Management of Family Resources Information Technology Computer Science Information Systems Manufacturing Welding Marketing, Sales and Services Clothing and Textiles Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics Auto Technology

Save the Dates May – begin checking online for summer assignments (all incoming 9th graders) and sports information July 30th – Freshman Orientation/ Parent University sessions Last names A-L 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Last names M-Z 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. ***Student fees are $35 plus additional fees for various classes/programs. July 31st - 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Freshmen Only Day

Questions??? Contact… Donna Kline, Freshman Academy Coordinator donna.kline@zacharyschools.org Tiffany Bacon, Freshman Counselor tiffany.bacon@zacharyschools.org

Zachary Career and Technical Center (ZCTC) Kim C. Germany, Administrator Bianca W. Brown, Counselor

A typical ZCTC student… Works well in smaller classes and school environment Struggles academically Struggles socially Interested in graduating on time according to age Motivated Needs flexibility Prefers the use of technology in the classroom Interested in working ahead to graduate early Interested in Carpentry, Auto Mechanics, or Art career fields

If you’d like to learn more about ZCTC, please meet with Mrs If you’d like to learn more about ZCTC, please meet with Mrs.Bianca Brown in Foundation Hall, room F107, immediately following this general session.

If you were invited to a separate informational meeting with Mrs If you were invited to a separate informational meeting with Mrs. McMorris, please meet in Foundation Hall, room F113, immediately following this general session.

Thank you for coming tonight! Now enjoy our Career Electives Showcase in the ZHS practice gym.