1. Class of 2021 course selection
January 25, 2017
Lori Beaver
High School Counselor

2. Remind 101
Text reminders from me to communicate with students and parents
See flyer and sign up!
Students will sign up during fall 9th grade presentation

3. Let’s hear from the teachers…
English – Karen Burk
Math – Dave Johnson
Science – Becky Cassel
Social Studies – Joe Longenecker
Art – Dana Attivo
Business – Susan Morefield
Family and Consumer Science – Michelle McGinnis
Foreign Language – Barb Blackford
Health/PE – Roy Gesford
Music – Keith Richardson
Special Education – Patti Hresko
Tech Ed – Steve Yeager

4. PLANNING FOR SUCCESS
Our program this evening has three goals: 1. To introduce the High School Curriculum 2. To show you how to plan a four year program of studies (grades 9-12) 3. To give you an overview of the scheduling process and prepare for 9th grade

5. AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, OUR VISION IS…
For all students to be successful, it is our commitment to provide customized educational opportunities and quality instruction that promote creativity, collaboration and problem- solving in a safe, supportive environment. Our graduates will take their place in a global society as productive and responsible citizens and lifelong learners.
A high school’s curriculum has to serve many functions: it must provide for a variety of student abilities, interests, and achievements and… prepare students for their work life as an adult!

6. State Requirements and Testing
Course Selection - Class of 2018
State Requirements and Testing
The state of Pennsylvania has standardized testing requirements for all of our graduates
Students must demonstrate proficiency on Keystone Exams in Literature, Algebra I & Biology upon completion of each course
In addition, students in 8th grade are required to take PSSA in Math, English/Language Arts, & Science.

7. THE FOUR YEAR PLAN A successful high school experience is based on:
Careful planning
Career and personal goals
Interests and abilities
Ask your 8th grader about the career activity we completed in class!
Career plan

8. COURSE SELECTION PROCESS
Course Selection - Class of 2018
COURSE SELECTION PROCESS
Review Course Selection Guide (full version with descriptions is online – students will get an abbreviated version)
Discuss course options – teachers, students and parents
Students will seek out teachers for their recommendations and signatures… parents must also sign card and check recommendations
Course Selection Cards will be signed in school Feb 3-9.
**Courses will NOT be scheduled without proper signatures (from teachers & parents)
Course Selection Cards are due on Friday, February 10!

9. Graduation Credit Requirements
English 4
Math 3
Social Studies 4
Science (depending on level) 3 – 4.5
Careers/Personal Finance .5
Health
Physical Education 1.5
Remainder of credits comprised
of elective courses 6 – 7
TOTAL

11. Academic Levels General/Career Prep Tech Prep
The General and Career Prep courses provide sound basic education for those who expect to enter the work force immediately after graduation.
Academic foundation for students planning to attend trade/technical schools or two- year colleges
Honors/ Advanced Placement
College Prep
An academic foundation for college bound students who have achieved at least an A- final average in a specific discipline
Or, those in honors level this year must maintain at least a B- final average to continue in the honors level at the high school (for example: Geometry, Algebra 1, Honors Science, Honors English)
The College Preparatory curriculum provides an academic foundation for college bound students.

12. Academic Levels GPA and Class Rank Weighted Values
See Course Selection Guide for details
A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated from the first day of 9th grade and includes ALL courses
A Weighted GPA is also calculated and shared after the 1st semester of 9th grade – this determines a student’s class rank
Courses offered in the curriculum vary considerably in their degree of difficulty. This range of course difficulty results from a program that is geared to provide for a broad range of student differences in abilities, interests, vocational, and academic pursuits. For this reason, weighed grade points vary in accordance with the levels of difficulty of the course. This is how we calculate Class Rank
Career Prep/General = 1
Tech Prep = 2
College Prep = 3
Honors = 4
Advanced Placement (AP) = 5
Available to students starting in 10th grade

13. 9th grade schedule – 8 period day
Required Courses:
English
Earth & Space Science
General/CP: daily for one semester OR .5 (or)
Honors: daily all year
Environment & Ecology
Honors: daily for one semester .5
US History
Math (see sequence)
PE (daily for one semester) .5
Computer Applications (daily for one semester) .5
TOTAL : 5.0 credits/periods

14. Sample Schedules First Semester Second Semester MP 1 and 2 MP 3 and 4
Period 1
Public Speaking
Study hall 2
CP US History 3
Chorus 4
CP Earth Science
CP Environment & Ecology
5/6
Spanish 2
7/8
CP English
C lunch
lunch 10
Algebra 1 11
Computer Apps
Foundations of PE 9
First Semester
Second Semester
MP 1 and 2
MP 3 and 4
Period 1
Computer Apps
Foundations of PE 9 2
CP US History 3
Honors Earth & Space 4
Study hall
Honors Environment & Ecology
5/6
Spanish 2
B Lunch
lunch
8/9
Honors English 10
Geometry 11
Architectural CAD

15. Geometry (CP or Honors)
Math Sequences
Pre-Algebra
Algebra 1 or Algebra 1A
Geometry (CP or Honors)
Algebra 2 (CP or Honors)

16. Math Sequences
AP Statistics is an elective math course that can occur after Algebra 2
If a student takes AP Calc, then Advanced Math Topics will also be available in the senior year
*A student who does not pass the Keystone Algebra exam after Algebra I will take Integrated Algebra II the following year.

17. Elective Courses -- Choose 2, 2.5, or 3
Art
Business
Family & Consumer Sciences
Foreign Language (CP students should take 2-3 years)
Music
Technology Education
** If choosing 2 electives, then student will have a study hall every day,
2.5 electives = study hall daily for one semester, and
3 electives = no study hall

18. Career and Technical Education
Dauphin County Technical School
Specific trade skills – see the Course Selection Guide or for a complete list
And, for those students who have made the decision to seek vocational training, the Dauphin County Technical School has many fine programs whether or not you plan to go to college
Students who have applied to DCTS should still complete a course selection card as if they will be attending LDHS

19. COURSE CHANGES Anytime between now and August …
Contact me to change selections or speak with Mr. Beaver about your options/concerns
or call
Schedules will be mailed home around August 7
Parent/ Student initiated elective and level changes are permitted during the summer up to August 18, 2017
Once the school year begins…

20. POLICY FOR SCHEDULE CHANGES
August 18, 2017 – Last day for student-initiated schedule changes. Summer changes do not include teacher or lunch reassignments. Once the school year begins:
Students will remain in classes as scheduled for the first two weeks of school.  No schedule changes will be made.
In weeks 3 and 4 of school, schedule changes are permitted for academic misplacements (with teacher and parent approval) AND elective changes can be made (from one elective to another – also with parental approval)
From week 4 of school through week 7, the ONLY types of changes will be for academic misplacements (with teacher and parent approval).
After week 7, no schedule changes will be made unless they are approved by a principal.
For second semester classes, students will only be able to make a change up until the second week of the course (week 2 of the 3rd MP)

21. How is the master schedule designed?
After student course requests are entered into the School District’s computer, the Building Administrator, using School Board guidelines, determines which courses will be offered each year
The Master Schedule is created and students are scheduled
We try to accommodate course requests as much as possible but students are not guaranteed to have all of the courses they select – alternate choices should be considered!

22. We look forward to having your students at the High School next year!
Thanks for coming!
We look forward to having your students at the High School next year!