1. Independence HS Home of the Knights
Welcome
Class of 2022 Parents!

2. Heritage HS Home of the Coyotes! Welcome Class of 2022 Parents!

3. YOUR HHS COUNSELORS Valerie Harrison (Lead) Denine Hammonds (A – D)
Yolanda Edwards (E - LL)
Alma Campo (LO - RO)
Tina Paek (RU – Z) 3

4. IHS Counselor- Rosalyn Greer
I am from Wisconsin, Go Badgers!
I have been married to my best friend for 38.5 years & we have 3 sons and 3 daughter-in-laws
The name I most love to be called is Mimi by my 3 amazing grandchildren!
E-K

5. IHS Counselor- Heather Mayfield
This is my 15th year in
education
Born and raised in the Texas panhandle
Texas Tech Red Raider
Married to Taylor, with 3 daughters, Lily (13), Harper (8), and Stella (4)

6. Academic & Course Catalog The Academic & Course Catalogs are online
Academic & Course Catalog The Academic & Course Catalogs are online! You can find the complete Academic Guide and Course Catalog online on the Frisco ISD website at:

7. What is a Credit in High School ?
A student needs 26 credits in order to graduate. A half-credit is earned each semester for each class passed with a 70 or above average.
All 9th grade students must be enrolled in eight class periods. 7

8. Class of 2022 Graduation Requirements
Subject Credits Required Courses
English 4 English 1, 2, 3, 4
Math 4 Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th math
Science 4 Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 4th science
OR Biology, IPC, Chemistry, Physics
Social Studies 4 World Geo, World History, U.S. History,
Government & Economics
Foreign Language 2 Spanish, French, Chinese (online)
P.E P.E., Athletics/Training, Fall Band, Fall Color Guard, Drill Team, Cheer, Dance 1 (not an option for athletes)
Health .5 Health, Health Science (Prereq: Medical Terminology)
Speech .5 Professional Communications
Fine Arts 1 Art, Theater Arts, Choir, Band, Dance, Orchestra, D Modeling, Elements of Floral Design (grade 10+)
Technology 1 BIM, DM, 3-D Modeling, Computer Science, Computer Maintenance, Journalism, Photojournalism, TV Broadcast, Intro to Engineering Design
Electives (Endorsements) 4
Total 26

9. 4 Credits in Each Core Area: English, Math, Science, Social Studies
Endorsement Plans
Multidisciplinary
All Career Pathways
Arts & Humanities
Political Science, World Languages, Cultural Studies, Literature, History, Fine Arts
4 Credits in Each Core Area: English, Math, Science, Social Studies
Public Services
Doctor, Nurse, Criminal Investigator, Law Clerk, Teacher, Athletic Trainer
Business & Industry
Information Technology, Finance, Architecture, Ag Science
Explain that everyone will be on the multidisciplinary endorsement plan as they enter 9th grade
STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

10. IHS Counselor- Katie Puente
Married to my husband for 10 years—he is the boys soccer coach at rival Heritage High School
Mom of Cade (8) & Bella (3)
This is my 15th year in
FISD
Born & raised in Illinois
L-Q

11. ***GPA and Rank changes coming to FISD.
Rank in Class Policy
AP/PAP
Dual Credit
On-Level
Grade Point 95
100
5.5 94 99
5.4 93 98
5.3 92 97
5.2 91 96
5.1 90
5.0 89
4.9 88
4.8 87
4.7 86
4.6 85
4.5 84
4.4
Rank in class, honor graduate status, valedictorian and salutatorian determination shall be based on a weighted grade point average (GPA) system.
Grades will be weighted according to the level of the course.
Incoming 9th Graders will not receive a GPA and Rank until after the first Fall semester at Independence!
***GPA and Rank changes coming to FISD. 11

12. Top 10% Rule (end of junior year)
Class Rank and GPA are used to determine if a student is in the “Top 10%” of the class.
Students who are in the top 10% of their class are automatically accepted into Texas public colleges. (UT Austin is now top 7% for Fall 2017 & 2018)
“Freshman grades count!” Start strong and do your best from your first day of high school.” For admissions purposes, rank at the end of junior year dictates the top 10% of the class. 12

13. State Assessments for High School
5 STAAR End-of-Course (EOC) Exams
English I
English II
Algebra I
Biology
US History 13

14. Responsibilities of a PAP/AP Student
Actively engage with sophisticated concepts
Desire to be challenged
Ask questions during class
Seek help when clarification needed
Stay organized
Be judged by rigorous, college-level standards
More written vs. objective test
Open-ended questions
Faster pace
More depth
Complete longer and more complex nightly assignments
30-50 pages a week of outside reading
30 minutes to 1 hour of homework nightly 14

15. Remember….keep a good balance!
SO IMPORTANT!!  In order to have a happy, healthy mind, you need to have balance in your life.  Too many PAP and AP classes can cause you to lose sleep and become anxious.  There are only so many hours in a day that you are not in school.  You need to keep a balance between school and downtime in order to be able to function.  Just because your friend is doing something doesn’t mean you have to do it, too.  Grades are important, but
not all that colleges
are looking for. 15

16. PAP/AP Six-Weeks Commitment
Students who sign up for a PAP/AP class will be required to stay the entire first six weeks. At the close of the first six weeks, students who wish to drop will meet with their teacher, parent and counselor to discuss the move. The grade at the end of the six weeks will go with the student to the new class.
Following the close of the first six weeks, students will not be allowed to drop the course until second term begins. 16

17. Counseling Intern- Latresea Kennedy
Huge basketball fan – I love the Dallas Mavericks!
I worked in Marketing before I became a teacher.
I am married to Bryan, and 2 lovely kids Bryan Jr (5) and Layla (3)

18. High School Schedule Known as an A-B block schedule 8 total classes
A Day = 4 classes; B Day = the other 4 classes
30-minute lunch is based on student’s 3rd period class
School begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:15 p.m.
Each class is 90 minutes with 5 minutes between each class 18

19. Programs Needing Applications
We will bring with us next week.
Athletic Trainer – Application
Partner’s PE- Application
Off Campus PE – Contact Sally Turner at district
Middle school will advertise drill team and cheer tryouts. 19

20. Block Schedule A Day B Day Periods 1-4 Periods1-4 Sunday Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
A Day
Periods 1-4
B Day
Periods1-4 20

21. Typical Schedule for a Student in P.E. Class
A Day
B Day
1st period: Algebra I
1st period: Biology
2nd period: English I
2nd period: Health/Speech
3rd period: Art I
3rd period: World
Geography
4th period: PE
4th period: Spanish I 21

22. Typical Schedule for a Student in Band or Athletics Every Day
A Day
B Day
1st period: Algebra I
1st period: Biology
2nd period: English I
2nd period: Health/Speech
3rd period: Spanish I
3rd period: World
Geography
4th period: Athletics or Band
4th period: Athletics or Band
*Girls Athletics is double-blocked
1st period each day.
*Boys Athletics is double-blocked 4th period each day. 22

23. Completing Other Requirements
Technology (BIM, DM, 3-D Modeling, Computer Science, Computer Maintenance, Journalism, Photojournalism, TV Broadcast, Intro to Engineering Design, Architectural Design)
Fine Arts (Art, Theatre, Technical Theatre, Elements of Floral Design, AP Art History, DGA, Music Theory, Band, Choir, Orchestra, Dance)
Health (or Health Science pathway which requires Medical Terminology)
Professional Communications (speech)
Dance 1 – Counts for Fine Arts and PE
3-D Modeling – Counts for Fine Arts and Technology 23

24. Ways to Meet P.E. Credit March in the Band- (fall PE credit only)
Make Color Guard (fall PE credit only)
Make an athletic team (football, volleyball, soccer, etc.)
Be an Athletic Trainer (+ Sports Medicine and application)
Make Drill Team
Make Cheerleading
Take Dance I (cannot take if in athletics)
Take PE class:
Personal Fitness
Aerobics
Team/Individual
Weightlifting
Adventure/Outdoor
Off-Campus PE
Have students turn to the back of the Endorsement Pathways (What Counts as……?) 24

25. Athletic Try-Outs
All students are free to sign up for any athletic class they wish, but they must make the team in order to stay in the class. PE teaches how to play various sports, but the athletic teams in high school are competitive and require you to already know how to play.
Try-outs are typically made the first two weeks of each semester.
Those not making the team will be moved to P.E. and to elective classes that are STILL OPEN. 25

26. IHS Counselor- Randall Ford
Married 20 years, son Quinten (16), daughter Maddie (8)
Love family time
Cowboys fan
From St. Louis
A-D

27. BAND
Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band (top 2 groups), & percussion are double-blocked classes; Concert Band (third band) & color guard are single blocked classes. Variances are handled on a case by case basis in order to work with other campus programs.
All band students participate in marching band during the fall.
The band director and athletic coach must be contacted if a student wants to participate in both band and a sport.

28. Foreign Language
We encourage all freshman to start their foreign language in 9th grade!
IHS currently offers Spanish, French, and Chinese.
FYI…Chinese classes are online. 28

29. Typical Summer School Options
The following courses MAY be offered in summer school for advancement:
Business Information Mgmt (1 credit/2 terms)
Digital Media (1 credit/2 terms)
Health (.5 credit/one term)
Professional Communications (.5 credit/1 term)
Medical Terminology (.5 credit/1 term)
**Can take up to 1 full credit in summer school. Does not count in GPA calculation**
***FISD Summer School will probably be all online classes. Complete summer school details usually arrive to campuses in May.
***Summer school is always optional. 29

30. Credit By Exams for Acceleration
Current 8th graders may be able to test at the end of school this year to ensure that grades are received in time for an accurate schedule at schedule pickup.
A student’s schedule will not change until grades have been received.
Grade does not count in GPA.
See middle school counselor if seeking this option. 30

31. IHS Counselor- Jason Wooden
California-Raised
Graduated from the Tennessee State University
Addicted to peanut butter
R-Z

32. 9th Grade Schedule Q&A When is the freshman course card due?
IHS Counselors will be back at Nelson next week to collect the freshman course cards and answer questions. Students will have another opportunity during the first two weeks of April to make changes. No elective changes after April 13th!
Very important to review course catalog so you are aware of all course options in FISD! Lack of research on the student’s part will not result in schedule change. 32

33. 9th Grade Schedule Q&A
Will my student get every elective class we requested for 9th grade year?
Maybe, but there are no guarantees with high school scheduling! We love for the students to get every class they selected, but there are MANY factors that affect a student’s schedule. Don’t forget to list alternate choices on your course request form! No alternates listed on course verification form? We pick a new class for you (and unfortunately you can’t change it). Your student’s schedule may not work out as planned, so be flexible and prepared with back-up choices. 33

34. 9th Grade Schedule Q&A A HEADS-UP to Students and Parents:
Leveling and Balancing classes due to growth and continuous enrollment can happen anytime...your student’s schedule could be changed.
No schedule is guaranteed. Smaller classes equals greater success in the classroom. We will make changes during the school year if needed.
We ask parents and students to have a flexible and kind mindset when it comes to your student’s schedule and when working with your counselor on it!
9th Grade Schedule Q&A 34

35. Making a Schedule Change
Your last opportunity to change an elective is on or before:
April 13th, 2018
Only approved program changes (in or out of athletics, band, etc.) can be made during the first two weeks of school or 2nd semester.
PAP/AP students must complete the first six-weeks grade cycle before a change to on-level will be considered. 35

36. Dates to Remember
Monday, January 29th – Rising Freshman Night, 6:00 IHS Auditorium
HHS, 6:00 p.m. Open House, 7:00 Presentation
Tuesday, January 30th- Individual Meetings at Nelson with IHS counselors- Freshman course cards are due.
April 13th, 2018– Last Day for Elective Changes (Home Access open to view course requests- course request change form with middle school counselors)
May 29th- Aloha Pep Rally at IHS ; May 21st -Aloha Pep Rally at HHS
August 2018 – Knight in Training Camp 36

37. Freshman Parent Survey (Survey from current freshman parents of fall 2017)
What is the biggest challenge(s) your freshman student has faced this year so far?
52%- Time Management
22%- Balancing extra-curricular activities & school work
18%- Amount of homework
8%- Social Situation/Peer Pressure

38. Freshman Parent Survey
What strategies have you found effective so far to assist your student with the above issue(s)?
Trying to use a planning calendar
A set time for doing homework everyday
Checking HAC updates from teachers
No phone during homework. Doing homework on Day it is assigned (A or B day)
Still working on it - conversation & encouragement!
I gave a 6-8 weeks transition time and gradually expected more. Earlier bed-time 1-2 times a week, when possible.

39. Freshman Parent Survey
What is something you wish you would have known about the transition to high school that you were not aware of?
The backpack policy
A & B day
Homework load on major/core classes
That is not a big deal like we were told. We thought it would be much worse.
The time demands of extra-curricular groups
Upper classmen may be in freshman classes; grade levels are mixed in lunch periods and building wings

40. Freshman Parent Survey
What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to a parent of an incoming freshman?
Set boundaries early.
High School is not as hard or difficult as they make it seem.
It will be fine!
BREATHE! Don't hover, they need to figure it out. Sometimes they need to fail to learn.
Make sure you have a good support group of other parents you are friends with, and trade off on carpooling to and from various meetings and activities.

41. Freshman Parent Survey
What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to a parent of an incoming freshman?
You don't have to push all AP/Pre-AP classes at first...slowly build up.
Be patient with your sons. Guess what, they don't like to give 100%?! Wait what? They'll come around.
Ask questions…talk to them about any concerns.
Help your student to understand how smart they are and to not get tied up in percentages of class rank.
Speak up. If you don’t understand or need help finding something ask directly, , something until you get answers.

42. Freshman Parent Survey
What has your student enjoyed the most about IHS? What do you appreciate the most about IHS as a parent?
Teachers and school spirit!
Great Campus environment and great teachers.
Variety/options of classes; communication from teachers in key classes.
He LOVES athletic program and we appreciate the coaches. As well as teachers.
The ladies in the front office are extremely nice and supportive, and most teachers are also.

43. Freshman Parent Survey
What has your student enjoyed the most about IHS? What do you appreciate the most about IHS as a parent?
Only having 4 classes a day… he loves the block scheduling as it allows for more time.
Meeting new people
We love the staff, the school spirit, the administration, and we love that even with that many students, it still feels small. And the kids love seeing admin at events. I know my kids both love the APs and the counselors.
My student enjoys all the Independence. She enjoys making her own decisions. I appreciate IHS’s communication.

44. Freshman Parent Survey
78% of parents regularly and routinely enforce a bedtime for their freshman.
Barriers to sleep: studying for exams or homework
Solutions: Guide with time management; balance activities; analyze course load each semester
84% of parents regularly and routinely monitor their child’s technology.
Helpful methods:
No device at bedroom
Designated times for use
Access to all passwords
Software called “Our Pact” to monitor usage

45. Email Heather Mayfield at: mayfieldhe@friscoisd.org
Questions?
Heather Mayfield at: