1. 8 th Grade Parent Night: LHS 101 Lexington High School January 15, 2015 Laura Lasa Principal John J. Murray, Ed.D Associate Principal Manjula Karamcheti LHS Head of Guidance

2. Themes for Grade 9 Course Selection Address Questions to Grade 8 Counselor* *S/he is your main point of contact in the process Begin to establish co-curricular identity Balance at school and at home Take academic courses that: 1. Keep you Humanely Challenged 2. Reflect strengths, interests, opportunities for growth

3. Freshmen Course Requirements Freshmen Requirements Physical Education: Adolescent Health Issues I Literature and Composition I World History I Mathematics – grade 8 teacher recommendation entered Earth Science - grade 8 teacher recommendation entered Foreign Language Electives (8 credits): Options to sign up for additional courses of their choice that will bring the total credits to 28.Foreign Language course:

4. Course Selection (continued) Electives (8 credits): Options to sign up for additional courses of their choice that will bring the total credits to 28.  Most students choose an Art, Drama, or Music course  Foundations of Art (one semester)  Watercolor, Illustration, Ceramics, Photo, Drawing I & II  Drama and Social Issues  Band, Jazz, Mixed Chorus or Debate

5. Course Selection (continued) A Foreign Language course:  We offer Spanish, French, German, Italian, Latin, Mandarin and American Sign Language Special Education liaisons will complete the Special Education section based on current IEP information. As IEP meetings proceed, updated information will be sent to Sherry Coughlin, Director of Special Education at the High School; scoughlin@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us

7. lps.lexingtonma.org Click on Aspen

8. Aspen X2

9. Student Portal

10. Course Request Screen

11. Select Electives and Phys Ed.

12. Key Dates Feb. 3: LHS Course Catalog available online Feb. 2-Feb. 13 th : MS teachers confer with students about their course recommendations Feb. 11: Curriculum Night (department leader presentation) Feb. 13: Deadline for MS teachers to enter placements in X2. Feb 23-Feb 27: Grade 8 students enter their elective course choices online!!!! (A BIG DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS)

13. Placement Review In order to appeal a teacher’s course recommendation, you must request a Placement Review Form from your child’s current subject teacher Complete and return the form to the high school department leader by Monday, March 16 The Placement Review is the only level of appeal.

14. Top Ten List for Students and Families 10. Attendance is taken very seriously at LHS 9. PE & Health ARE graduation requirements; students have been prevented from graduating when these requirements were not met 8. One of the most important considerations for the course recommendation/request process is BALANCE! 7. Your 8 th Grade Counselor is a key-player in Academic Advising and Course Recommendation/Request Process. 6. Make the most of the rest of 8 th grade: practice self-advocacy, getting extra help, time-management, and develop great organizational skills.

15. Top 10 List for Students and Families 5. Your Dean and Guidance Counselors are your “Go To” people at LHS. 4. LHS is a great, safe place for students to develop independence, confidence, resilience and self-advocacy skills. 3. Communication between parent and child is still a vital component of the educational experience. 2. Encourage your child to access LHS resources including the LHS Guidance Department 1. Enjoy the LHS experience in real time!!!

16. You’re Invited! Curriculum Night – February 11 th, 2015  You will have an opportunity to speak directly with department heads and teachers from each academic area and view textbooks.  This evening is structured to allow parents to get first- hand information about individual course requirements, level designations, electives, summer reading, course sequencing, and graduation requirements.  The answers you receive should assist you in helping your student select appropriate courses. Commons 1 & Gym: 7:00pm-8:30pm

17. LHS Web Address Bookmark this site: http://lps.lexingtonma.org You will also find helpful resources: Guidance Department Website Athletics Activities

18. Thank You!