1. Grade 8 to 9 Course Selection and Pre-Registration
Georgetown High School
Spring 2018

2. Forward
The courses you take, the activities you participate in, and the way you choose to conduct yourself have a huge impact on the options you will have available to you upon graduation.
Take advantage of the many opportunities afforded to you in high school to ensure that you have the best chance possible of achieving your personal goals.

3. Agenda Transition to High School Graduation Requirements
Endorsement Pathways
Pre-Registration

4. The Middle School to High School Transition
Moving on to high school from middle school is an important event in your education. New experiences, new friends, and new responsibilities are in store. Your teachers, counselors, and principals are here to help you make a successful transition.

5. The Rules of the Game Change.
Promotion is out - Classification is in.
7 Periods out – AB Modified Block Schedule in - Most classes meet every other day.
Tests abound-Final exams, STAAR, TSI, ASVAB, PSAT, SAT/ACT, etc.
An Endorsement Pathway is required.

6. Your Grades Count!
Grade Point Average shows how you did overall in all of your courses. If you get straight A’s you have a 4.0 GPA.
Your transcript is your official high school record.
NOTE: Applying for college at beginning of 12th grade means 9th grade determines 1/3 of a student’s WGPA!

7. ACADEMICS…
Rigorous curriculum designed to prepare students for college and/or post-secondary employment
Pre-AP and Advanced Placement Courses
College credit while in high school
ACC Dual Credit Opportunities
Articulated Courses
Advanced Placement Test Scores for 3 or above

8. PERSONAL & SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT…
Clubs and Organizations
Service Projects and Activities
UIL Activities and Competitions
Special Events
NOTE: Check the GHS website for more details.

9. CAREER PLANNING… Endorsement Pathways Performance Acknowledgements
Industry Certifications
Student Portfolio Development
Occupational Exploration
College Search
Employment Skills
College and Careers Center
GHS Counselor Webpage

10. Graduation Requirements
Students must successfully earn at least 26 credits in a plan of study that includes specific courses in English, math, science, social studies, and other required courses and electives. Students must also select and complete an endorsement as mandated under HB5.

11. Foundation Graduation Plan
IMPORTANT:
The Distinguished Level of Achievement is required for automatic admission to state 4 year universities.

12. Remember, you have the next 4 years to set up the rest of your life
Remember, you have the next 4 years to set up the rest of your life. Make them count!

13. Endorsement Pathways
Endorsement pathways are intended to give students opportunity to take a concentration of related courses in high school to help them be better prepared for post- secondary education and careers.

14. Endorsements Multi-Disciplinary Arts and Humanities
Business and Industry
Public Service
STEM
REMEMBER: Endorsements can be changed if you change your mind anytime during high school. You and your parent/guardian will need to meet with your high school counselor.

16. Please Note…
In general, students must earn 4 credits from a sequence of related courses designated for a particular endorsement pathway.
While it is possible for students to meet the requirements for more than one endorsement, “collecting” endorsements is not really the intent of the mandate.
Scheduling conflicts may require students to set priorities regarding the endorsement completion requirement.

17. High School Course Catalog
The following presentation references the Georgetown ISD High School Course Catalog which is available online at:

18. Core/Academic Courses
State-mandated curriculum (TEKS-based curriculum)
Focus on comprehension, application, analysis and synthesis of subject area content processes and skills
Mastery of the TEKS curriculum is measured by performance of state-mandated STAAR assessments

19. Pre-AP/AP Courses
Parents should review the Georgetown ISD Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP)/Advanced Placement (AP) Guidelines document to make an informed decision about placement for their child.
After careful review of the indicators of success, if a student meets the characteristics listed, advanced coursework is recommended.
Students who enroll in Pre-AP/AP courses will be required to adhere to the Georgetown ISD Pre-AP/AP Course Commitment including the Petition for Pre-AP/AP Course Exit.
All of these documents can be found in the Georgetown ISD Course Catalog and in the course selection paperwork sent home from your secondary campus.
Please consult the GISD Calendar for Pre-AP/AP and G/T Parent Awareness Presentations available in January.

20. Gifted/Talented Services
For identified Gifted /Talented students, the appropriate course selection is Pre-AP/AP.
Teachers of G/T students are appropriately trained.
Opportunities to qualify for G/T are available annually.
Students who enroll in G/T courses will be required to adhere to the Georgetown ISD Pre-AP/AP Course Commitment including the Petition for Pre-AP/AP Course Exit.
Please consult the GISD Calendar for Pre-AP/AP and G/T Parent Awareness Presentations available in January.

21. Schedule Change Guidelines
Schedule change requests must be made in writing, with a parent signature, within five (5) days of the start of class.
Requests may not be approved.
Requests for schedule changes will be approved for the following reasons:
Error in schedule (This will be confirmed by counselor and the course verification form. If the course verification form was not returned, this request will be denied.)
Student failure in prerequisite course
Change in program/level (athletics, band, choir, orchestra, etc.)
Level changes as recommended by teachers and counselor with parental knowledge and principal approval
More information regarding the Georgetown ISD Secondary Schools Schedule Change Guidelines are available in the Georgetown ISD High School Course Catalog.

22. Petition for Pre-AP/AP Course Exit
Petition for Pre-AP/AP Course Exit may be requested twice during the school year:
the 6th week of the first grading cycle (second progress report) and are due within 10 days of posted grades;
~ OR ~
two weeks before the last day of the fall semester (to begin in an on-level course for the spring semester).
Students who enroll in GT courses will be required to adhere to the Georgetown ISD Pre-AP/AP Course Commitment including the Petition for Pre-AP/AP Course Exit.
More information regarding the Georgetown ISD Pre-AP/AP Course Commitment and the Georgetown ISD Petition for Pre-AP/AP Course Exit are available in the Georgetown ISD High School Course Catalog.

23. Pre-Registration
Students are expected to complete a pre-registration worksheet with parents. This plan will be used to enter course choices on the district student database. There will be opportunity to make adjustments at a later date.

24. CHECKLIST:
___Name and ID
___Core Subjects
___LOTE and Electives
___Alternates
___Endorsement
___Signatures

25. Please note…
Course selection worksheets need to be filled out completely and legible!
Student and parent signatures are required!
Course Selection Worksheets need to be submitted to your child’s teacher by the designated due date!

26. Pre-Registration Forms Due:
BENOLD
forms are to be submitted to
Science
teachers by
Friday
February 2
FORBES
forms are to be submitted to
Social Studies teachers by
Friday
February 2
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28. A - Hem Tricia Cook Hen - M Shannon Henson (Lead) N - Z
Students
Counselor
A - Hem
Tricia Cook
Hen - M
Shannon Henson (Lead)
N - Z
Chailleen Gilly
Grade 9
Laura Lake

29. REMIND 101
Stay connected with the counseling center in a safe manner.
Get information and reminders via
one-way tex. Join us!!!
to:81010

30. QUESTIONS?
For further information regarding GISD pre-registration after today’s presentation, please contact your middle school counselor.

31. Middle School Counselors
A - L
Tara Simpson
Ext. 6927
A-K
Emily Kridler
Ext. 7713
L-Z
Jenny Brockway
Ext. 7712
M - Z
Angela Entrekin
Ext. 6913
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32. THANK YOU!
We look forward to working with you and your family over the next 4 years.