1. Independence HS
Home of the Knights
Welcome
Class of 2023 Parents!

2. Welcome to HHS Class 2023 Parents
Your HHS Counselors...
Denine Hammonds A-D
Julie Miller E-LA
Lannis Nelson LE-RH
Tina Kao RI-Z
Valerie Harrison LEAD

3. IHS Counselor- Rosalyn Greer
I am from Wisconsin, Go Badgers! (I hope we beat Ohio State this weekend)! J
I have been married to my best friend for 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

4. IHS Lead Counselor- Heather Mayfield
This is my 16th year in
education
Born and raised in the Texas panhandle
Texas Tech Red Raider
Married to Taylor, with 3 daughters, Lily (14), Harper (9), and Stella (5)

5. 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:
Guide coming soon!

6. 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 freshman classes are important for earning credit & beginning GPA.

7. Class of 2023 Graduation Requirements
Subject Credits Required Courses
English English 1, 2, 3, 4
Math Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th math
Science Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 4th science
OR Biology, IPC, Chemistry, Physics
Social Studies World Geo, World History, U.S. History,
Government & Economics
World Language 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 Health, Health Science (Prereq: Medical Terminology)
Speech Professional Communications
Fine Arts Art, Theater Arts, Choir, Band, Dance, Orchestra, D Modeling, Elements of Floral Design (grade 10+)
Technology BIM, DM, 3-D Modeling, Computer Science, Computer Maintenance, Journalism, Photojournalism, TV Broadcast, Intro to Engineering Design
Electives (Endorsements) 4
Total 26

8. 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
STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

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

10. Grades will be weighted according to the level of the course.
Rank in Class Policy AP
Dual Credit/PAP
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!

11. FISD Rank on Transcript Policy
Frisco ISD will only rank the Top 10% of students (required by Texas Law for automatic admission to Texas public schools at end of 11th grade).
All other students will only have their GPA reported on the transcript. Quartiles will be released each semester to students and parents.
This FORCES colleges to look at courses, grades, PAP/AP classes, etc. (This is a GOOD thing!)
Achievements Talents
Extracurricular activities Community Service
Work/Life Experiences

12. IHS Counselor- Katie Puente
This is my 16th year in
FISD
Married to my husband, Adrian, for 11 years
Mom of Cade (9) & Bella (4)
We are a sports family!
L-Q

13. Dual Credit in FISD
Qualified students may be enrolled concurrently at a FISD high school and Collin College for specified classes (see course catalog).
Students in dual credit courses earn both high school and college credit.
Students must meet Collin College admissions requirements and secure their high school counselor’s approval for the dual credit courses selected.
Most students take dual credit in 11th or 12th grade, but must be entering 10th grade to take a dual credit course.

14. PAP/ AP Courses AP=Advanced Placement
PAP and AP courses are taught at a higher, more rigorous level than an on-level course.
The goal is GROWTH in college-level analytical skills and study skills that are essential for success in college.
Texas legislation requires all Texas public universities to issue college credit for scores of 3 or above on AP exams.
Mention-College Board dictates the curriculum for all AP courses

15. Responsibilities of a PAP/AP Student
Commit to the course for the entire 1st six weeks. No exceptions. Every semester, every year.
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

16. PAP/AP Drops
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.
High Schools are moving to 9 week grading system next year.

17. High School Schedule Known as an A-B block schedule
Freshman will be scheduled in 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. 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

19. Typical Schedule for a Student
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

20. 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.

21. Balance is EVERYTHING

22. IHS Counselor- Randall Ford
Married 21 years, son Quinten (17), daughter Maddie (9)
Love family time
Cowboys fan
From St. Louis
A-D

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

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)
Foundations Personal Fitness (.5)
Aerobics (.5)
Team/Ind. Sports (.5)
Outdoor Education
Off-Campus PE

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.
Tryouts are typically before school starts or during the 7 days of the semester.
Those not making the team will be moved to classes that are STILL OPEN.

26. 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.

27. GPA Course Opt-out for Fine Arts/Athletics
Juniors and Seniors will have the option to designate one athletics or fine arts course each year to drop from the GPA for rank calculation. This option, which is voluntary and only applies to athletics and fine arts courses, is designed to encourage students to continue to pursue their interests and passions, without worrying about a potential negative impact to their GPA for rank.
Eligible courses include:
 Athletics - competitive sport, manager, trainer
 Fine Arts - band, color guards, choir, orchestra, theatre, dance/drill team

28. World Languages
We encourage all freshmen to start their foreign language!
IHS currently offers Spanish, French, and Chinese (Chinese is online).
Concurrent option available: Tamil
Dual credit options available (10th or later): Arabic, Samskritan, Teluga, Pravesam, Japanese, German, ASL
AVANT Testing Available for:

29. We will bring back in January.
Programs Needing Applications
We will bring back in January.
Athletic Trainer – Application
Partner’s PE- Application
Off Campus PE – Contact Sally Turner at district
Middle school will advertise drill team and cheer tryouts in the spring.

30. IHS Counselor- Jason Wooden
California-Raised
Graduated from the Tennessee State University
15th year in education
R-Z

31. Summer School in FISD Always Optional!
The following courses are typically offered online through FISD. Summer school information will post in May 2019 on FISD website.
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 (1 credit/2 terms)
**Summer school courses do not count into GPA.

32. 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.

33. 4-Year Planning Coming next week!
High school counselors will return to Nelson Middle School
on Wednesday, Dec. 12th in order to draft a 4-year plan with 8th graders.
4-year plans are a tentative draft of the coursework that a student plans to take over the 4 years of high school.
4-year plans are not set in stone, and can be changed.
The goal is a fun, stress-free activity where students and parents can map out what a student has to take for graduation, and also helps expose students to all of the options available at the high school level!

34. 9th Grade
The freshman course request form will be sent home in mid-January! This form will list all of the courses your student is requesting for freshman year, and will require parent signature.
High school counselors will return to Nelson on January 31st to collect forms, answer questions, etc.
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.

35. 9th Grade
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.

36. 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

37. Making a Schedule Change
 Students will be able to request changes in their course requests through May 1st , through a form with the middle school counselor.  
After this date, no course changes (including all elective, CTE classes, core classes, and level changes) are allowed.   Exceptions that will be allowed are: athletics, band, choir, orchestra, color guard, drill team, and academic decathlon.  These must be requested within the first 7 school days of the year.

38. Important Dates
Wednesday, Jan. 30th – Rising Freshman Night, 6:00 IHS and HHS
May 1st 2019– LAST DAY for Course Request Changes for freshman year courses
May 28th- Aloha Pep Rally at IHS; HHS
August 2019 – Knight in Training Camp (freshman orientation). Online Schedule will be available!
HELPFUL HINT: Make sure you know your student’s Home Access password so you will be able to view schedule in Aug.

39. Remind 101 Text the message @936736 to the number 81010
Independence:
Text the to the number 81010
Heritage:
Text the to the
number 81010

40. Q & A