1. Ross S. Sterling HS Welcome Parents Class of 2015

2. RSS Administration Principal Dr. Don Beck Academic Dean Julie McReynolds Assistant Principal: Ryan Rodriguez / Ext. 245 Secretary: Laura Morris / Ext. 240 Counselors: A-L- Leah Veazey/ Ext. 234 M-Z- Clara Monroe/ Ext. 229 Fax: (281) 420-4974

3. Sterling Vision of Excellence

4. Ross S. Sterling High School -COLLEGE AND CAREER READY - RIGOR, RELEVANCE AND RELATIONSHIPS - SAFE ENVIRONMENT - TEAM ATMOSPHERE “ATTIDUDE IS EVERYTHING”

5. Student Connections / Advisory Student Connections  There are over 40 Clubs and Organizations  Club and Organization “Wall” Advisory  30 Minutes every Friday  Stay with same teacher all four years

6. RSS Ninth Grade Plan “Finding Nemo” Smaller Learning Communities 4 academic teams consisting of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies teachers Ninth grade classrooms all together in one part of the building with easy access to main office and guidance office, limiting ninth graders’ movement throughout the building Academic team members with one conference period and one team planning period Clear expectations for team members and training related to ninth grade goals Administrative office located nearby to better serve and support students, parents, and teachers A school-wide advisory program “Fish Camp” for incoming freshmen

7. PRINCIPAL ------------------------------- ACADEMIC DEAN ---------------------------------------------- GRADE LEVEL ADMINISTRATOR OR COUNSELOR ---------------------------------------------------------------- TEACHER Communication Pyramid

8. Communication Tips “What do I do if my child has a problem in a class?” Contact the teacher. Because no one knows the situation better than your child and the teacher, it is imperative that parents and teachers communicate with each other. Call the school and leave a message for the teacher; find out the teacher’s conference period and make an appointment; and/or email the teacher if possible. Please allow the teacher at least 24 hours to return your call. If you have conferenced with the teacher but feel the issue has not been resolved, contact the grade level administrator or counselor to set up an appointment. Bring with you any documents (student work, progress report, notes) that might help to explain the situation. If you have conferenced with the administrator or counselor but still feel the issue has not been resolved, contact the academic dean’s office to make an appointment for a telephone or office conference. If you have conferenced with the academic dean but continue to feel the issue has not been brought to some kind of resolution, contact the principal’s office to make an appointment for a telephone or office conference.

9. “Who do I call for what?” Call the teacher for all types of issues regarding the classroom. All teachers have voice mail that can be accessed when you call the main office at 281.420.4500. After you have talked to the teacher, contact the Grade Level Administrator ( Ryan Rodriguez) concerning administrative issues such as discipline, textbooks, absences. OR After you have talked to the teacher, contact the Grade Level Counselor ( Clara Monroe or Leah Veazy) concerning academic and personal issues such as grades, credits, schedules, and social and physical problems. Ms. Julie McReynolds, Academic Dean Mr. Don Beck, Principal

10. EVERYTHING COUNTS! Beginning with the first day of ninth grade year, the RSS computer system will keep track of:  Your attendance—excused and unexcused absences,  All your grades,  The credits you earn, and  Your discipline record. These records are kept all four years!

11. Attendance You must be present at least 90% of the time in order to receive credit for taking a class.

12. GRADUATION PROGRAMS GCCISD Graduation Requirements Proposed to begin with the 2010-2011 school year Curriculum AreaRecommended ProgramDistinguished Achievement Program English4 credits Mathematics4 credits (including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II) Science4 credits (including biology, chemistry and physics) Social Studies3 ½ credits Economics½ credit Other Languages2 credits (same language)3 credits (same language) Physical Education1 credit Health½ credit Speech½ credit (Communication Application) Technology1 credit Fine Arts1 credit Elective Courses4 credits3 credits Advanced MeasuresNone4 advanced measures Total Credits26 credits State ExamsTAKS All students who enter ninth grade beginning in 2007 must complete at least the 26 units of credit and receive a passing score on each section (English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies) of the Exit-Level TAKS. Each student will graduate under one of the following graduation plans. To qualify for top ten local honors, students must complete the Recommended (REC) or Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP). College Board Advanced Placement courses may be substituted for requirements in appropriate areas.

13. ORIGINAL RESEARCH/PROJECTS Judged by a panel of professionals in the field that is the focus of the project; or Conducted under the direction of a mentor(s) and reported to an appropriate audience; Can be earned in junior high or high school Allow two advanced measure. District provides criteria. Student files a letter of intent to seek an advanced measure (includes time line and how district criteria will be met). Letter of intent is approved by the Advanced Measures Committee. Product is approved by the Advanced Measures Committee. Letter of intent is not needed for approved projects. Official documentation of accomplishment submitted to school registrar. TEST DATA A score of three (3) or above on the College Board Advanced Placement examination; or A score of four (4) or above on an International Baccalaureate examination; or Commended Scholar (or higher), by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation; as a part of the National Hispanic Scholar Program of The College Board; or as Outstanding Negro Students of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation Allow four advanced measures. (Allow four advanced measures.) (Allow one advanced measure – maximum permitted.) COLLEGE COURSES A grade of 3.0 or higher on courses that count for college credit Allow four advanced measures. Dual-credit courses (students receive both high school and college credit) and concurrent enrollment (students enrolled in college-level courses for which there are no high school equivalents). Students select from a list of courses approved for dual credit and advanced measures. Each dual-credit and concurrent enrollment course used for advanced measures must earn three (3) hours college credit. Dual credit and concurrent credit will not be used to determine a student’s grade point average (GPA). To participate in dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment: Students must meet college entrance requirements. Students must pay own tuition and provide transportation. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of four courses for high school credit (if enrolled in regular school term). EARNING THE DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM Students may graduate on the Distinguished Achievement Program by completing the state’s Distinguished Achievement Program course requirements and, in addition, earning four (4) advanced measures. Students may earn the four (4) required advanced measures in any combination from TEST DATA, COLLEGE COURSES, OR ORIGINAL RESEARCH/PROJECT.

14. ATTENDANCE + PASSING GRADE = CREDIT In order to obtain official Sophomore standing, you must have at least 5.5 credits by the end of this school year. IMPORTANT!!!!IMPORTANT!!!!

15.  Don’t panic!  Follow the schedule as it is printed.  Schedule change request forms will be available the first week of school in the Commons.  Return completed forms to the Freshman Office by 3:00 Friday, August 26th.

16. College GPA - 4.0 non-weighted A student’s GPA reported to colleges will be computed on a 4.0 non-weighted scale (4.0 = 90-100; 3.0 = 80-89; 2.0 = 70-79). Reporting GPA on a 4.0 non-weighted scale is now required by the NCAA and is the stated preference of colleges and universities. This computation will include all state approved courses that the student attempted. Academic Class Rank (ACR) – 5.0 weighted: The GPA used to calculate the student’s class rank (ACR) and student honors will be determined by dividing the number of core academic courses, third year language courses other than English, and AP courses into the grade points earned on the district’s weighted grade point scale. Beginning with freshman class of 2009-2010, dual enrollment courses will be included in a student’s academic class rank (ACR). Excluded from these calculations are credits earned through local credit courses, and all courses attempted under the following instructional arrangements: credit by exam, correspondence, and computer assisted instruction, night school, and SMARTS (Summer Migrant Access Resources through Technology). Grade Point Averages (GPA)

17. Courses to Be Used For Determining Academic Class Rank The class rank reported to colleges will be known as the Academic Class Rank (ACR). The ACR will be determined by dividing the number of courses attempted from the following list into the number of grade points earned on the District’s Weighted Grade Point Scale. This list consists of state-approved foundation courses (English, mathematics, science, social studies), third (3 rd ) year of languages other than English and College Board Advanced Placement courses. This list also represents Resource, Deaf Education, Regular, and Pre-AP courses of the same title where applicable.

18. English English I + English II + English III English IV English Language and Composition Advanced Placement * English Literature and Composition Advanced Placement * Languages other than English French III + German III + Spanish III + French Language and Composition Advanced Placement * French Literature and Composition Advanced Placement * Spanish Language and Composition Advanced Placement * Spanish Literature and Composition Advanced Placement * German Advanced Placement * Mathematics Algebra I Algebra II + Algebra III Geometry + Independent Studies in Mathematics Mathematical Models with Applications Precalculus + Calculus Advanced Placement – AB * Calculus Advanced Placement – BC * Statistics Advanced Placement * Computer Science II Advanced Placement * Science Integrated Physics and Chemistry Biology + Chemistry + Physics + Astronomy Aquatic Science Environmental Systems Earth and Space Science Biology Advanced Placement * Chemistry Advanced Placement * Physics B – Advanced Placement * Physics C – Advanced Placement * Environmental Science Advanced Placement * Scientific Research and Design Anatomy and Physiology of Human Science Medical Microbiology and Pathophysiology Engineering: Digital Future Advanced Animal Science Social Studies World Geography + World History Studies + United States History United States Government Economics Human Geography Advanced Placement * European History Advanced Placement * World History Advanced Placement * Microeconomics Advanced Placement * Macroeconomics Advanced Placement * United States Government Adv. Placement * United States History Advanced Placement * Electives Psychology Advanced Placement * Art – Two-dimensional Advanced Placement * Art – Three-dimensional Advanced Placement * Art – Drawing Advanced Placement * Art History Advanced Placement * Music Theory Advanced Placement * Dual Enrollment (beginning with the Freshman Class of 2009-2010) United States Government * Economics * Psychology * Sociology * College Algebra * Calculus * English IV * Environmental Science * Anatomy and Physiology * Biology * Chemistry * Physics * Courses to Be Used For Determining Academic Class Rank * These classes will earn the student AP and/or Dual Enrollment grade points. + The Pre-AP sections of these classes will earn the student Pre-AP grade points. AP courses are scheduled depending on student enrollment and teacher availability.

19. Weighted Grade Point Scale Courses earn grade points based on the requirements (rigor) of the curriculum. The following chart shows grade points earned for categories of courses. This weighted scale will be used to determine student honors and a student’s class rank reported to colleges (ACR). GradeAPPre-AP Academic/ Regular Integrated/Level/ Applied Dual Enrollment Class of 2009-2010 1006.05.55.04.06.0 995.95.44.93.95.9 985.85.34.83.85.8 975.75.24.73.75.7 965.65.14.63.65.6 955.55.04.53.55.5 945.44.94.43.45.4 935.34.84.33.35.3 925.24.74.23.25.2 915.14.64.13.15.1 905.04.54.03.05.0 894.94.43.92.94.9 884.84.33.82.84.8 874.74.23.72.74.7 864.64.13.62.64.6 854.54.03.52.54.5 844.43.93.42.44.4 834.33.83.32.34.3 824.23.73.22.24.2 814.13.63.12.14.1 804.03.53.02.04.0 793.93.42.91.93.9 783.83.32.81.83.8 773.73.22.71.73.7 763.63.12.61.63.6 753.53.02.51.53.5 743.42.92.41.43.4 733.32.82.31.33.3 723.22.72.21.23.2 713.12.62.11.13.1 703.02.52.01.03.0

20. ***Algebra I **Health and Communications Application **Spanish I and II – Student may earn credit for high school by enrolling for Credit by Exam through their junior school counselor. **Keyboarding – Junior school student may earn ½ high school credit for Keyboarding upon successful completion of junior school keyboarding and scoring a 90 or better on the keyboarding credit by exam. (Keyboarding elective does not take the place of the year long Technology Application credit needed for graduation.) **These courses are excluded in the calculations for GPA and class rank. ***This course is included in the calculation for GPA and class rank; however, it may not be used in calculating GPA for NCAA eligibility requirements. High School Credits That Can Be Earned In Junior School

21. Things to Remember ATTENDANCE  Must bring note within 3 days of absence DRESS CODE  Change ID BADGES  $5.00: Badge  $2.00: Case  $1.00: Lanyard  $1.00: Temporary Badge CELL PHONES  48 Hours / $15.00 LATE ARRIVAL  Thursday / 9:10AM

22. TIPS FOR A GREAT YEAR! Come to school! Work hard! Get involved! Meet new people! Communicate! Smile!... AND REMEMBER...