1. Welcome to the 9th Grade Beth Roman Guidance Counselor 6-8 Amy Froats Guidance Counselor Holly Riley Guidance Counselor 11-12

2. What do you want for your child’s future?
Health
Wealth
Happiness

3. Health Wealth Happiness Good decision making skills
Family Sustaining wage
Minimal Loans
Happiness
Having a career that lights and keeps their “spark”

4. What is needed to be successful in the world of work ?
Technical skills
Academics
Ability/Work Force preparation

5. The future of our economy…actually the “new” economy
The future of our economy…actually the “new” economy. And how it affects your child’s future.

6. Jobs for skilled technicians and trained workers
The WORKFORCE:
Jobs requiring
a Bachelors
Degree
Jobs requiring
a Masters
Degree +
Jobs for skilled technicians and trained workers

7. The “NEW” WORKFORCE: White Collar Blue Collar Gray Collar Gold Collar
Professional: Degree
Blue Collar
Apprenticeship/ on the job training
Gray Collar
Over educated & unemployed or uneducated
Gold Collar
Skilled, less than 2 years training
Highly employable and family sustainable wage
Fastest growing occupation area

8. Burgettstown Middle/High School Graduation Requirements

9. Graduation Units
A Burgettstown Graduation Unit is defined as one semester course successfully completed in Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Each semester class passed = 1 unit.
53 total units in grades 9-12 are required for graduation purposes.

10. What’s in your folder: Course selection booklet
Scheduling Sheet: Recommendations for English & Math & Biology are on your sheet
“Electives Available for Freshman” list
Graduation Checklist
Please keep the folder for all of your child’s records

11. Graduation Requirements
Total of 36 units identified as required courses
Total of 17 units identified as elective courses
GRAND TOTAL OF 53 FOR BHS DIPLOMA

12. Keeping on Track
To move from Freshman to Sophomore status, students must have 12 units completed
Sophomore to Junior= 26 units
Junior to Senior status= 37 units
Parents can help students stay on track by maintaining your own graduation checklist.

13. Requirements Per Department
English- 8 units = 4 years
Social Studies- 8 units = 4 years
Math- 6 units= 3 years
Science- 6 units= 3 years
Health and Phys. Ed.- 3 units (1 health and 2 semesters of P.E.)
Business Education and Computer Application- 2 units (includes Info Tech and Career Readiness – 1 unit each)
Family and Consumer Science- 1 unit
Fine Arts- 1 unit
Graduation Project – 1 unit

14. Recommendations
All recommendations are based on current course test scores and previous PSSA scores

15. Graduation 53 units + PA Standardized Test Proficiency
Keystone Exams – Alg 1, Bio, Literature
+ Graduation Project =

16. KEYSTONE EXAMS Are required by PDE for graduation
Will be taken upon completion of
Algebra 1
Biology
English 10
Students who do not reach Proficient level, must take remediation course prior to re-testing
May effect a student’s future elective choices and daily schedule
i.e. WACTC
i.e. additional required courses (PE, FCS, etc)

17. Attendance = SUCCESS
DIRECT CORRELATION
Students who have good attendance also have good grades and do well in school

18. Advisors
All 9th grade students will be assigned a homeroom with an Advisor
Purpose: To work on high school success skills

19. 9th Grade Courses Students can take up to 16 courses a year
8 courses- semester 1
7 if taking Honors Bio (w/ Lab)
8 courses- semester 2

20. What do I need in 9th Grade
Regular or Honors English 9 A&B
American History 9 A & B
Algebra 1 or Geometry (Honors)
Biology or Honors Biology (with Lab*)
Information Technology
Health
FCS – one semester
Fine Art – one semester
Physical Education or Movement PE
2 semesters = full year
* Weighted course – more quality points for GPA & Class rank and
takes two periods in schedule

21. How many Units do I have 2 units- English or Honors English
2 units- American History
2 units- Biology
remember Honors (with lab) will fill two class periods
2 units- Math
2 units- Physical Education
1 unit- Health
1 unit- Information Technology
1 unit FCS
1 unit Fine Arts
_____________________
Total- 14 required units

22. Students may take 0 - 2 electives…
depending on their Biology course choice

23. Foreign Language Foreign Language is not required for graduation.
However, students attending college will need at least 2 years of a Foreign Language. (Some colleges even want to have 3 years completed)
We offer two:
Spanish
German
Note: when completing scheduling sheet, write both A & B for 2 electives (will not take an FCS, Fine Arts or one PE course)
Not necessary in grade 9
Manual Communications (sign language) DOES NOT count as a Foreign Language for college admission

24. Family and Consumer Science (FCS)
1 unit required for graduation
Adult Roles and Functions
Foods
Consumer Science
Interior Design
Fashion Design

25. Fine Arts 1 units required for graduation Chorus 9-12 Band Art
Ceramics (class limit & seniority)

26. Technology Education 0 units required for graduation
Building Technology
STEAM-IN
GOOD ELECTIVE OPTIONS

27. Health and Physical Education
1 unit of Health and 2 units of P.E. required for graduation. PE
and/or
Movement PE
May take additional P.E. courses as elective courses in the future
(The best attempt will be made to fill requests, however, students may be placed in either PE course to fulfill requirements)

28. English Department Manual Communications (sign language) Poetry*
Does NOT count as a Foreign Language for college admission
Poetry*
Speech*
Media*
Applied Communications-Media*
*By English teacher recommendation only!
Have your current teacher sign your scheduling form

29. Sample Schedule #1 Semester 1 1 English 9 A 2 Biology A 3 Art 4 Lunch
5/6 American History A
7/8 Algebra 1 A
9 elective: “Bldg Tech”
10 Health 9
11 Movement PE
Semester 2
1 American History B
2 Biology B
3 Physical Education
4 Lunch
5/6 Information Tech.
7/8 Algebra 1 B
9 English B
10 Foods
11 elective: “Chorus”

30. Sample Schedule #2 Semester 1 1 English 9 A 2 Honors Biology A
3 H. Bio Lab
4 Lunch
5/6 American History A
7/8 Algebra 1 A
9 Physical Education
10 Health 9
11 Fashion Design
Semester 2
1 American History B
2 Honors Biology B
3 H. Bio Lab
4 Lunch
5/6 Information Tech.
7/8 Algebra 1 B
9 English B
10 Physical Education
11 Art

31. Sample Schedule #3 Semester 1 1 English 9 A 2 Honors Biology A
3 H. Bio Lab
4 Lunch
5/6 American History A
7/8 Algebra 1 A
9 elective: “German 1B”
10 Health 9
11 Fashion Design
Semester 2
1 American History B
2 Honors Biology B
3 H. Bio Lab
4 Lunch
5/6 Information Tech.
7/8 Algebra 1 B
9 English B
10 Physical Education
11 elective: “German 1B”

32. Grade 9 Field Trips Students will be given the opportunity to visit :
WACTC – Western Area Career Technology Center
Current programs offered starting in gr. 10:
Automotive Mechanics
Emergency & Protective Services
Carpentry
Health Assistant
Child Care
Heating & Air Conditioning
Collision Repair Technology
Machine Shop
Cosmetology
Masonry
Culinary Arts
Networking
Electrical Occupations
Welding

33. Graduation/Career Project
Students will get specific details in their Advisory Homerooms:
Complete Info Tech course grade 9
Do a Job Shadow experience grade 10
Complete Career Readiness course grade 11
Do a Community Service or Creative Work project grade 11/12
Finish with an Oral Presentation and submission of Portfolio grade 12

34. FYI - Parents IMPORTANT WEBSITE: http://www.burgettstown.k12.pa.us
Lots of other good info throughout the entire site
Select school: Middle/High School
Click teachers: every teacher has info on upcoming assignments, calendars, info, etc.
Click Guidance, then High School Guidance: course selection guide, announcements, 9th grade page, tips, etc

35. PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE
Consider possible career choices when making course selections.
For Example:
Hands-on, skill and getting a trade: Consider WACTC
4 year college: Honors English & Foreign Language (2+ years)
Medical careers: Sciences with labs, Wellness
Engineering careers: Math & Physics & Technology electives
Careers in the Arts: Work samples and Auditions
Great elective for everyone: Speech Class
Military – PE…usually require physical training test
Not sure: take a variety of electives, join clubs & activities
NCAA Div I & II schools have coursework requirements
Talk to your Guidance Counselor or Teachers for suggestions

36. PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE
Please complete the back of your scheduling form.
THINKING ABOUT CAREER GOALS
Please respond to the following:
What are your goals throughout high school?
Complete the requirements to earn my diploma
Attend WACTC and complete all required courses to earn my diploma
Take the Honors/college prep course load to earn my diploma
What do you plan to do after graduating from high school?
Enroll in a four year college or university
Enroll in a two year college (example: CCAC)
Enroll in a trade or technical school (example: PTI)
Enroll in a school of nursing (example: Washington Hospital School of Nursing)
Enroll in a business school (example: Bradford School of Business)
Enlist in the military
Employed in a job full or part time
Undecided at this point
List 3 careers in which you have an interest
________________ __________________ _________________

37. APRIL 4, 2016 COMPLETED DUE DATE FOR SCHEDULING FORMS-
To the guidance office

38. Something to think about….from Mike Rowe, star of “Dirty Jobs”