1. WELCOME TO CHS 9TH GRADE PARENT ORIENTATION!
THE JOURNEY IS FILLED WITH MANY WONDERFUL AND EXCITING POSSIBILITIES!
“Cresskill High School Class of 2020”

2. Transitioning into High School
For students with IEPs and 504 Plans

3. PSAT, SAT, AP, ACT Accommodations
Students who have IEPs can use their special education testing to apply for accommodations.
Students who have 504 plans are responsible for gathering updated testing to apply for accommodations.
The district does not test students with 504 plans for accommodations for national college entrance exams.
The district does not grant accommodations (we only request). Accommodations are granted or denied by the College Board (PSAT, SAT, AP) and ACT Board.

4. What Documentation is required?
A complete standard cognitive and achievement battery for all students regardless of diagnosis or educational classification.
Some students may also require a complete neurological or psychiatric evaluation (e.g., Anxiety, ADHD, etc.).

5. Who is eligible for College Services?
Your child’s IEP or 504 plan does not carry over to the college environment.
Students with IEPs or 504 plans get admitted through the same channels as their typical peers.
Students are responsible for requesting accommodations and services by applying through the disability services office, once they have been accepted to that college or university.
Students are typically found eligible for some accommodations/services, but this is not a guarantee.

6. What are college accommodations/services?
Colleges can reject accommodations that are considered alterations to the college programs.
Students must meet the same requirements as their typical peers for everything from admissions through graduation.
Students should check graduation requirements of the colleges to which they wish to apply to make sure they can successfully pass all classes.
Students should not expect to have adjustments made to class assignments (e.g., writer a shorter essay, completing fewer of the assigned readings, etc.).
Students who want extra assistance in the college setting must seek out private tutoring or apply to schools that provide it for an additional cost.
Students at many colleges do not get approved for extended time for papers or projects, but instead are recommended to take fewer classes.
Colleges do not typically ask professors to provide study guides, students are expected to prepare their own.

7. What does this mean for high school?
Since some modifications/supports are unlikely to be available at college, it is a good idea to wean off of certain kinds of accommodations.
Students and their families should talk with teachers, IEP teams, teams and talk about academic challenges and accommodations so adjustments can be chosen for students’ high school years that promote independent functioning.
Students should learn what their disability is and how the accommodations/services help them. They will be responsible for communicating this to the disability services office and/or professors.
Students and their families should work collaboratively with the guidance and child study team departments to apply for accommodations on national college entrance exams and apply for accommodations/services at the college level.

8. CHS GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT
MR. Robert Valli, SUPERVISOR OF GUIDANCE
MRS. Michelle Blanco, GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
MS. Christine O’Connor, GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
MR. Michael Zelizo, GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
MS. Lana Shtofmakher, M.S. COUNSELOR
MRS. Cathy White, SAC COUNSELOR
MRS. Debra Brody, GUIDANCE SECRETARY

9. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
State – 120 credits (20 English, 15 Math, 15 History, 15 Science, 20 PE/Health, 5 Language, 30 Art/Career Ed./Other) =120
District Website –

10. COURSE LEVELS

11. MS TO HS PLACEMENT REGULAR 8TH GRADE COURSE TO HONORS H.S. COURSE
FINAL GRADE MUST BE AN (A) AVERAGE OR HIGHER
HONORS 8TH GRADE COURSE TO HONORS H.S. COURSE
FINAL GRADE MUST BE A (B+) AVERAGE OR HIGHER

12. NINTH GRADE COURSE REQUIREMENTS

13. 9th Grade Electives SEMESTER CLASSES: FULL YEAR COURSES: VISUAL BASICS
ROBOTICS/ENGINEERING
VIDEO PRODUCTIONS/
PHOTOGRAPHY
WEB DESIGN/ANIMATION
FULL YEAR COURSES:
VISUAL BASICS
EXPLORING COMPUTER SCIENCE
INTRO TO ART
INTRO TO BUSINESS
DRAWING & PAINTING
BAND
CHOIR
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY
ITALIAN I
FRENCH I
SPANISH I
STUDY SKILLS
TRIMESTER CLASSES:
INTRO. CREATIVE WRITING/
PUBLIC SPEAKING/
BLOCKBUSTERS
GLOBAL ISSUES/
HUMAN RIGHTS/
COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS

14. FOUR YEAR SCHEDULE PROJECTIONS
Example 1 – College Prep Student

15. FOUR YEAR SCHEDULE PROJECTIONS
Example 2 – Honors/Advanced Placement Student

16. EVERYTHING COUNTS WHAT COLLEGES SEE
STUDENT PROFILE/TRANSCRIPT

18. ATHLETICS

19. CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

20. REGISTRATION WITH PARENT PORTAL
Students are to work with their parents in registering for classes.
Registering for classes will take place in the Genesis Parent Portal
After signing into the portal, students and parents click on the scheduling tab.
Then click on the dark blue request tab. You will see a screen that will give you your credits earned so far and then the option to select your next year’s courses.
Click on each subject area and make your selections. If you are doubling up in a subject area you CAN make multiple choices.
Remember to look under the Visual, Performing and Elective categories for more course options.

21. QUESTIONS/COMMENTS