Buford High School 9 th grade Orientation Welcome to Buford High School Class of 2019

Requirements for a SC High School Diploma O 4 units of English O 4 units of Math O 3 units of Science O 1 unit of Physical Education OR JROTC O 1 other Social Studies (ie. World Geography or World History) O U.S. History O Government/Economics O 1 Foreign Language OR a Career & Technology class (C.A.T.E.) O 7 Other Electives

What to Expect O Block Scheduling-you will have four classes both semesters. There are two semesters in a year. O It is possible to earn eight units by the end of your 9 th grade year O These units are earned toward your high school diploma. (Note: 24 units required to graduate)

Requirements for Four Year Institutions O 4 English O 4 Math O 2 Foreign Language Classes (some colleges require 3) O 3 Lab Sciences O 3 Social Studies O 1 Academic Elective O 1 Fine Arts Note: See course guide and student handbook for specific classes that are considered academic electives.

High School Promotion Standards O 9 th grade promotion- 5 units O 10 th grade promotion- 10 units O 11 th grade promotion- 16 units

Report Cards O Report cards are issued every 4 ½ weeks O Please be sure to routinely monitor your child’s progress online through PowerSchool. O If you need to have access to the Parent Portal in PowerSchool please contact Guidance for assistance.

College and Career Planning O It is never too early to begin planning for college and/or career. O Please encourage your child to begin researching possible careers and colleges. O Students are strongly encouraged to continue using their SCOIS accounts throughout their high school years. O SCOIS is linked to college and career planning in addition to scholarships.

College and Career Planning O Guidance will meet with parents and students beginning in January to discuss Individual Graduation Plans (IGP). O These meetings are crucial in helping your child plan for their classes and their college and career goals. O Please review the course guide in January with your child before their meeting to ensure their class selection is geared towards their college and/or career goals.

Other Important Information O If your child plans to pursue a collegiate sport please be sure to visit the NCAA Clearinghouse website and register them by their 10 th grade year. O This is important for eligibility purposes.

School Activities O Sports O Band O Beta Club O Honor Society O JROTC O Art Club O School Play O Junior Civitans O Seth’s Giving Tree

Attendance O Attendance is vital for student success. O Semester classes- 6 unexcused absences (you can only recover 7-12 days) O 9 week classes- 3 unexcused absences (you can only recover 3-6 days) O Attendance is taken in EACH class. You will need to be in each class to be counted for that particular class.

Recovery O Every day that you are over on your attendance, you will be required to stay an hour of recovery. (Per class that you are over on your attendance.) O Each class is worth 1 hour. Parent notes DO NOT excuse absences. O Medical notes from doctors will be excused only if they are turned in within two days of the student’s return to school. O Students are not required to make up medical days or a death in the immediate family. O All work must be made up in all classes.

BHS Media Center Kimberly Blackmon, Media Specialist

Program and Role O Promote reading that supports life long goal of learning O Provide resources for personal and educational information needs O Provide account information for students O Assist in completing assignments O Work with teachers to ensure they have latest resources to use O Maintain technology

Collection at BHS Periodicals-magazines, newspapers, comic books Books- over 6,000 non-fiction and fiction books Automated catalog through the Follett system Internet accessible computers in library Wireless laptops for classroom use iPad cart for classroom use

DISCUS O O State’s virtual library O Available at all public campuses and libraries O Resources available 24 hours, 7 days a week all year O Has access to databases with test practice, SAT, and ACT O Requires password and username if used at home; see the media specialist

Rules and Behavior return items on time; fines are 10 cents per day have a pass to come to library present pass to library personnel ask permission to leave for any reason follow established library, school, and district rules have parental permission to operate computers be respectful to staff

Policies Concerning Materials O Books can be checked out for 3 weeks; magazines and comic books for 1 week O Overdue items will access a fine after a week grace period; cost is 10 cents a day O Students will receive overdue notices through first period class once a month. O Printing for school projects is free; no personal printing allowed

Policies Concerning Technology O Students are given permission to use technology unless parents return form found in district newsletter. O Abuse of technology is treated very seriously; discipline concerning this is found in district newsletter. O Students have Google accounts created through the district.

Ways of Communication O BHS Website- information on activities at school, instructions on accessing information, calendar of events, and more; including ing teachers. O PowerSchool- access to grades and schedule; parent and students have accounts; however parents must create their account. Directions on how to set up parent account is located on BHS website. O ConnectEd- automated phone messages for tardies, overdue items, discipline, absences

PowerSchool O Directions for accessing PowerSchool and setting up accounts can be found on school website O Information needed to set up parent accounts can be obtained from Mrs. Blackmon or guidance department O feature exist in PowerSchool to communicate with teacher

Connect Ed O Communication through phone messages for general announcements, attendance, weather issues O Only one number is entered unless specified to add “other” phone number O The phone number that is main contact is one listed as home phone number in PowerSchool O Critical that students complete forms correctly and returned at beginning of the year

Nursing Services O Students are not allowed to carry medication on them; all medication should be kept in the nurse’s office. O Any medication sent to the nurse’s office should be in the original container. O A permission form must be completed and on file for students to have OTC (over the counter) and or prescription medication administered by the nurse.

Nursing Services O An IHP (Individual Health Plan) must be completed by parents and doctor for students requiring inhalers, epi-pens, and/or take medication on a routine basis. O Students are required to have completed referral from school personnel to visit the nurse.

Discipline O Dress Code O Cell Phones O Tardies

What to Expect on Friday O Students will meet with administration in the auditorium on Friday morning O Students will attend all their classes O Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria

Closing Remarks O Thank you for coming and remember if you have any questions or concerns, please call us. We are here to empower your children to be successful!

Contact Information Buford High School (803) Fax (803) Rodney Miller-Principal JoAnn Garris-Assistant Principal Martin Orr-Assistant Principal Lisa Cauthen-Guidance Director Eron Watts-Guidance Counselor Kim Blackmon-Media Specialist Earline Bowers-Bookeeper Wanda Moser- Bus Supervisor