8 th to 9 th Grade Planning VMS Principal: Ms. Drautz School Counselor: Mrs. Lyons

8 th to 9 th Grade Planning Timeline  November 23 rd : Counselor visited Social Studies classes to get to know students and begin discussion about current academic performance and information related to transition to grade 9  December -February: Student meetings with school counselor in small groups to discuss career/college goals, diploma options, regents courses, and credit requirements for high school  January/February : 8 th grade teachers make core course recommendations for all students  January 15 th : Course Expo, Grades 8-11 Students attended event to learn about high school courses and have time to make elective selections  January 25th : Individual student course selection sheets will come home with students for parent review  January 29th: Parent signed copy of course selection sheet due to middle school office  April/May: Tentative schedules mailed home (no teacher names or room numbers)  August: Final Schedules mailed home

9 th Grade Programming Sheet

CORE Course Breakdown English 9 *English 9 R REGENTS EXAM: Grade 11 Math: *Algebra 1, Algebra 1A, Basic Algebra, Geometry REGENTS EXAM: Grade 8, 9, and/or 10, dependent on each student’s schedule/course load

CORE Course Breakdown SCIENCE: * Earth Science, Earth Science Lab, Biology, Bio Lab REGENTS: Earth Science or Biology, Grade 9 SOCIAL STUDIES: * Global History 9 REGENTS: Global History, Grade 10 FOREIGN LANGUAGE: (Optional) * Spanish 2, French 2 EXAM: Teacher Exam at the end Grade 9 (Checkpoint B at the end of Grade 10)

9 th Grade ELECTIVES CourseCredits Chorale.5 Band.5 Jazz Band.25 Studio Art1 Intro to Engineering, Project Lead the Way 1 Wood/Material 1 and 2.5 each Digital Graphics 1 and 2.5 each Baking (Principles of Baking).5 Foods 1 (Introduction to Food Prep and Nutrition ).5 Child Development.5

VHS Graduation Requirements & The 9 th Grade Team VHS Principal: Laura Schmitz VHS Counselors: Kristen Heyde, and Tim Kelley

High School Counseling Staff  Kristen Heyde (A-K)  ext 203   Tim Kelley (L-Z)  ext 205 

Course RequirementsNumber of Years or CreditsNew York State Regents Exam English4 Years/4 CreditsEnglish Common Core Social Studies4 Years/4 CreditsGlobal History & Geography United States History & Government Mathematics3 Years/3 CreditsAlgebra 1 Common Core Geometry Common Core Algebra 2 Common Core Science3 Years/3 CreditsEarth Science Living Environment Chemistry Physics Physical Education4 Years/2 Credits Foreign Language1 Credit (7 th and 8 th Grade) 3 Credits (Advanced Regents)* Checkpoint A (8 th Grade) Checkpoint B (10 th Grade) Art or Music1 Credit Personal Finance (district requirement)½ Credit Health½ Credit Electives/Sequence3 Credits *A 5-Credit Sequence in Art, Music or CTE may replace a Foreign Language Sequence Total Credits 22 (Minimum) Diploma Types Regents Regents with Honors Advanced Regents

Diploma Types  Regents  5 required exams  Advanced Regents  8 required exams  Honors Designation  90 average on required exams

Sample 9 th Grade Schedule

Global History 10 US History Economics/ Government AP World History AP US History AP Micro/Macro Economics Global History 9

Students may double up on Science starting in 10 th grade

9 th Grade Expectations  Academic independence  Self-accountability  More rigor  Continued engagement in after school activities (recreational and academic)

High School Support  9 th grade team  Meets daily  Discuss students at risk  Home Work Center  After school Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday  Support Staff  School Counselors (Ms. Heyde & Mr. Kelley)  School Social Worker (Ms. Chu)  School Psychologist (Mrs. Kemp)

Transition Strategies  Foster organization  Emphasize importance of HS courses  Attend school  Check parent portal and read daily announcements that are posted on the school website

Career and Technical Education (CTE)  ½ day training in a specific career and tech program  Attend in 11 th & 12 th grade  Must be in good academic standing, including attendance

Advanced Placement & UHS Courses  College level courses  AP exam attached to AP course  Offer 9 AP courses  Offer 8 UHS courses