1. Welcome 8th GRaders & Parents!

2. Choosing the Right Classes
A Typical Freshman Schedule
English I
Math course (Alg. IR, Alg. I, Geometry)
Science Course (Biology or Earth Science)
Early U.S. History/Civics
Health/Driver’s Education
Physical Education (Weight Training or General P.E.)
Electives (Band, Chorus, Intro. To Ag., Art, Foreign Language, Business Course, etc.)
Study Hall (one only)

3. How do I choose? Think about your interests
Consider career goals/college goals
If considering college or tech/trade school, you will want to take a rigorous curriculum with at least 2 years of foreign language and additional math and science courses.
Talk to your parents/guidance counselor

4. Graduation Requirements
Number of credits needed for graduation: 24
Note: Although number of credits earned to date may be sufficient for graduation, students must meet certain graduation requirements regardless of credits earned.
Also, remember that these are graduation requirements, not college requirements. Every college has its own requirements.

5. Required Courses for Graduation
4 credits of English
3 credits of Social Studies (Early U.S. History, Civics, Modern U.S. History, and 1 credit of an elective social science(s))
3 credits of Math (Must include Algebra I or IR and Geometry or Informal Geometry)
2 credits in Science
Consumer Economics (Personal Finance/Economics/Ag Bus. Management)
Driver’s Education
Health
½ credit of a Business or Technology
1 credit from Music, Art, Foreign Language, Vocational, or Humanities
P.E. each year (unless student meets any exemptions in 11th/12th grade.)

6. Things to know about high school
Grading Scale
90/80/70/60
Semester grading system
No quarters
Semester Exams are 20% of final sem. grade
No ZAPS
College Credit Opportunities
EN100/140
PS103/US107
MGMT117
AGRI152, HORT102
Summer Opportunities

7. THINGS TO KNOW CONTINUED…
Algebra I in 8th grade can count towards high school transcript. Mrs. Seidler will give you a form at the end of 8th grade.
Career Center of Southern Illinois (formerly Beck Career Center) has several vocational programs for our students beginning in 11th grade (3 credits for attending Beck Vocational classes during the day).

8. Grades are Important!
Getting behind early makes high school years difficult
Success in high school=Success in college
Studies show that students who do poorly in high school have a lesser chance of succeeding in college
Eligibility (No Pass/No Play)
Must pass 6 courses for weekly & semester eligibility. Eligibility runs Monday-Sunday.
All Freshmen start out eligible.
EB PE Students must have C’s or better to leave!
Driver’s Education
8 classes in two semesters to be eligible (IL law)

9. And best of all…

10. Think about your future!
Never too early to explore careers/colleges/trade schools
Talk with your counselor every year
Think about your interests and skills

11. Get Involved! Participate in school activities.
Golf, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Cheerleading, Cross Country
Pep Club, Model U.N., FFA, Chorus, Band, Science Club, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, NHS, Student Council, FEA, Saturday Scholars, Musicals, plays, and much more!
Volunteer your time in school & the community.

12. Sources of information
Teacherease: Do you have your account set up? up-to-date?
Facebook Page:
Valmeyer CUSD#3 School Counseling Office (Like Please!)
Twitter
Becky Karsten-Counselor
ext. 205

13. Filling out the registration form
The numbers on the form do not correspondence to the hour you will take the class.
These are requests only. Mrs. Karsten will revise as necessary once the schedule is finished.
If you are not going to be in band or chorus, then you will have study hall that hour.
Be sure to put in some courses that are required courses…not just all electives.

14. CLASS CHOICES
MATH ALGEBRA IR ALGEBRA I GEOMETRY SOCIAL SCIENCE CIVICS/EARLY US HISTORY SCIENCE EARTH SCIENCE BIOLOGY ENGLISH ENGLISH I FOREIGN LANGUAGE SPANISH I AGRICULTURE INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE
BUSINESS (KEEP THEM IN PAIRS) COMPUTER CONCEPTS/WEB DES. I WEB DESIGN I/WEB DESIGN II FINE ARTS DRAWING/PAINTING GRAPHIC DESIGN/PRINTMAKING SCULPTURE/CERAMICS & POTTERY CONCERT BAND MIXED CHORUS PHYSICAL EDUCATION/HEALTH/DR. ED. PHYSICAL EDUCATION WEIGHT TRAINING (During school day or early bird) HEALTH (SEMESTER COURSE) DRIVER’S EDUCATION (SEMESTER COURSE)