RISING 9 TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT FEBRUARY 8, 2016

Freshman Academy Staff Freshman Guidance Counselor- Mrs. Dillard Director of Freshman Academy- Mr. Young Principal- Mrs. Boseman Freshman Academy Building 2 halls (3 teams of teachers) Atrium Auxiliary gym Car Circle

 What is a Carnegie unit?  Do elective units count?  What is a GPA and how is it calculated?  What is my class rank?  Graduation requirements vs. college admissions

Numerical Average Letter Grade College PrepHonorsAP/ Dual Enrollment 100A A A A A A A A B B B B B B B B C C C C C C C C D D D D D D D

 Divided into three teams  Each team has a math, science, social studies, and English teacher. Academic Classes:  Taught 45 minutes each day  English, math, science, social studies  Recommendations made by teachers

 Smooth Transition from Middle School to High School  Commitment to High School Graduation  Rigorous Academics  Preparation for 10 th -12 th Grades and Life after WHS

 ACADEMIC  SHORT TERM Complete all Assignments Pass the test/Make A on Test Make A’s and B’s on report card  LONG TERM Pass 9 th Grade Graduate from High School Go to College (Clemson, South Carolina, Tri-County, etc) Join Military/Get a JOB

 English, Science, Social Studies, Math  Prerequisites  45 minutes daily  Teams  Homework/Lunch Detentions  Study habits, motivation, determination  Teacher Expectations

 Elective courses are taught 90 minutes every other day. Freshmen earn 8 units in the school year, and may choose 1.5 units of electives. We are on an A/B Block Schedule.  A sample schedule is listed below: A Day: AE English Global Math Science Computer 90 mins. 45 mins 45 mins. 45 mins. 45 mins. 90 mins. B Day: ROTC English Global Math Science Band 90 mins. 45 mins. 45 mins. 45 mins. 45 mins. 90 mins.

 Required course for ALL ninth grade students.  All Freshman Academy academic teachers have Academic Enhancement with their students.  Students have the opportunity to be tutored and make up tests during this class period.  In addition, a curriculum is incorporated into this class that includes:  Organizational skills  Digital Citizenship  Unit on Bullying  Unit on College/Career Readiness  Tutorials  Career and Technology Center tours  Variety of speakers

 All students must take 1 unit of PE or ROTC in order to receive a high school diploma.  Students should choose only one.  ROTC is an excellent program that teaches you about naval science, government, and physical fitness.  Required to wear a uniform once a week in ROTC.  This is a year-long course.  Opportunities for students to participate in competitions  PE consists of a yearlong course.  Students must dress out each class period  Follows State/National standards for physical fitness

 Students must complete a full unit of Computer Science in order to graduate.  Keyboarding  Course is ½ credit toward Computer Science Requirement  Prelude to Digital Literacy.  Teaches the necessary keyboarding skills to be successful on the computer.  Digital Literacy  Course is ½ credit toward Computer Science Requirement  Students must be proficient in keyboarding in order to take Digital Literacy Project Lead the Way can fulfill Computer Science requirement

Fine Art requirement  Four year colleges are requiring one full unit of a fine art (Drama, Band, Strings, Chorus, Art) in order to be admitted.  If you are planning to attend a four year college, you should choose.5 of the fine art unit your freshman year if possible. NCAA (College Athletics)  does not accept Foundations of Algebra for eligibility.

Remaining 1.5 electives are chosen by the student  The list of elective courses that are available to freshmen are on the back of the registration form  These are the ONLY courses that freshmen may choose at this time.  Please read the course descriptions to find out more information on each course.  Ex. Drama I…p. 31, Family Life…p. 37 Pay close attention to the unit value of each course since you can only choose 1.5 units. Please note that courses like Foods ($20) require additional fees.

Advanced Art Courses  If you would like to apply for an advanced art course, please see Mrs. Dierks to get portfolio deadlines and requirements.  These courses are usually not available to freshmen due to scheduling conflicts. Yearbook  If you wish to take Yearbook, please pick up an application from Mrs. Craig. Show Chorus, Concert Chorus, and Jazz Band are not available to 9 th Graders.

 Once you have chosen your 1.5 units of electives that you would like to take, you should put a check beside the course name. These are your first choice of electives, however, they are only course requests, not your official school schedule.  VERY IMPORTANT!  Students MUST write in 3 alternate electives on the bottom of their registration form.

 Met with 8 th grade students last week  Career Guide has been ed to 8 th grade students at Wren Middle  Career Guide contains course descriptions

 Bring registration sheet and blue curriculum guide back for February 16 th CAPS meeting.  Students will be putting their requests into the computer  Please go over your choices with your parents as they will have the final say at the CAPS Conference on March 11.

Any Questions: SethYoung – Paige Dillard – or call