1. Zachary High School Class of 2018 8th-9th Transition Meeting
February 25, 2014

2. Objectives for Tonight’s Meeting
To share information regarding Freshman Academy resources for ZHS students and parents
To review Graduation Requirements and TOPS curriculum
To prepare for 9th grade scheduling
To browse through Career Pathways Showcase and walk through Foundation Hall

3. Ninth Grade Academy Goals
Increase the # of first-time 9th graders who successfully complete freshman year
Raise student achievement levels
Increase daily attendance rate
Decrease the # of discipline referrals
Increase the # of 9th graders participating in ZHS extracurricular activities
Promote students’ awareness of post-secondary options

4. Strategies for Success
Successful transition to high school
Increased communication between school and home
9th grade core teachers teaming daily
Enhanced guidance support
HEAT daily for missing homework
Saturday School for academic work
After-school tutoring available T-Th
Early, targeted interventions for struggling learners

5. Grading System 18-week cumulative grading period Semester 1(Aug.-Dec.)
Semester 2 (Jan.-May)
Progress reports are mailed home at the end of a 6-week period (parents should check JPAMS Parent Command Center on a regular basis)
Final grades are awarded at the end of each semester. These are official transcript grades that will follow students to all post-secondary options.

6. Importance of Rigor Honors courses AP (Advanced Placement) courses
Challenge
Exposure
In-depth
College Readiness
Please review the following handout carefully:
Comparison Chart for Standard, Honors, AP Courses

7. Journey to College and Career
9th Grade Checklist
Counselors’ Corner website
ACT resources
Annual update of Individual Graduation Plans
College Fair in the fall semester

8. Core 4 Graduation Requirements
English 4 Units
Must be I, II, III, and IV
Mathematics 4 Units
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th Math
Science 4 Units
Biology, Chemistry, 3rd and 4th Science
Social Studies 4 Units
World Geography, Civics,
American History, 4th Social Studies
Physical Education ½ Units
Can substitute ROTC I and II
Health ½ Unit
Foreign Language 2 Units
Two years in the same language
Art Elective 1 Unit
Fine Art Survey, Art, Music, or Drama
Electives 3 Units
24 Units

9. TOPS Curriculum & Requirements Graduates of 2014 and thereafter
English – 4 Units
English I, II, III and English IV
Mathematics – 4 Units
Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry, Advanced Math, Probability & Statistics, or Calculus
Science – 4 Units
Biology, Chemistry, and Physical Science, Environmental Science, Earth Science, Anatomy & Physiology, Biology II (AP), Chemistry II (AP), Agriscience II, or Physics
Social Studies - 4 Units
Civics, American History, World Geography, and World History
Foreign Language – 2 Units
2 units from same language
Arts – 1 Unit
_________________________
Total – 19 Units
Level 1 Award: 2.5 Core GPA, 20 ACT
Level 2 Award: 3.0 Core GPA, 23 ACT
Level 3 Award: 3.0 Core GPA, 27 ACT

10. Registration February 27th @ NMS
Course selections should be driven by the student’s academic record, standardized test scores, career interests and postsecondary plans

11. Advising/Scheduling Process
When we come to NMS on February 27, we will sit one-on-one and advise your child as to his/her course selections.
How we look at student placement in core courses, including honors/AP:
Use 7th iLeap, current grades, and teacher input to make our best judgment as to which classes your child will be most successful.
A few days after scheduling, your child will come home with a copy of his/her course requests. Please review your child’s course requests and write any changes you’d like on the bottom of the form, sign, and return. When considering honors/AP, use our selections to help guide your decisions.

12. Advising/Scheduling Process
Electives:
The state wants students to explore one elective area in depth rather than take several intro elective courses. Therefore, students must choose an elective area of concentration/elective pathway and plan to stick with that elective pathway for all 4 years of high school.
In junior and senior year, students will have more room in their schedules which will allow them to take additional electives outside of their elective pathway
We do not have a pathway for every possible career. Therefore, if we have a pathway that does relate to your child’s career interest, we would encourage him/her to choose that pathway. If we do not have a pathway related to your child’s career interest, we would encourage him/her to choose an elective area that they are interested in exploring and might enjoy while in high school.

13. Career Pathways Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Ag Production/ Management/ Entrepreneurship
Horticulture
Architecture and Construction
Carpentry and Construction
Arts, A/V Technology, and Communication
Entertainment Production
Journalism
Liberal Arts
Mass Communication
Performing Arts

14. Career Pathways Business, Management, and Administration
Business Administration
Education and Training
Education
Finance
Banking and Finance
Government and Public Administration
JROTC
Health Science
Nursing
Pharmacy
Sports Medicine

15. Career Pathways Human Services Information Technology Manufacturing
Management of Family Resources
Information Technology
Computer Science
Information Systems
Manufacturing
Welding
Marketing, Sales and Services
Clothing and Textiles
Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics
Auto Technology

18. Save the Dates
May – begin checking online for summer assignments (all incoming 9th graders) and sports information
July 30th – Freshman Orientation/ Parent University sessions
Last names A-L 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Last names M-Z 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
***Student fees are $35 plus additional fees for various classes/programs.
July 31st - 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Freshmen Only Day

19. Questions??? Contact… Donna Kline, Freshman Academy Coordinator
Tiffany Bacon, Freshman Counselor

20. Zachary Career and Technical Center (ZCTC)
Kim C. Germany, Administrator
Bianca W. Brown, Counselor

21. A typical ZCTC student…
Works well in smaller classes and school environment
Struggles academically
Struggles socially
Interested in graduating on time according to age
Motivated
Needs flexibility
Prefers the use of technology in the classroom
Interested in working ahead to graduate early
Interested in Carpentry, Auto Mechanics, or Art career fields

22. If you’d like to learn more about ZCTC, please meet with Mrs
If you’d like to learn more about ZCTC, please meet with Mrs.Bianca Brown in Foundation Hall, room F107, immediately following this general session.

23. If you were invited to a separate informational meeting with Mrs
If you were invited to a separate informational meeting with Mrs. McMorris, please meet in Foundation Hall, room F113, immediately following this general session.

24. Thank you for coming tonight!
Now enjoy our Career Electives
Showcase in the
ZHS practice gym.