3. 13/14 YEAR OLDS: SOCIAL & LANGUAGE Neatness an issue with appearance, not environment Feelings easily hurt Hang out in large groups, but starting to form more intimate relationships Phone, computer, video games are major distractions Like to do as much as possible and cram a lot into a day More of their own adult personality evident Embarrassed to be seen with parents Don’t respond well to adult lectures; “know it all” stage Can withdraw in the home setting Worry about school work Can be difficult at home and a star in school One word answers Like to challenge intellectual and social authority Aware of problems in larger world and invested in finding solution Abstract reasoning begins to develop

4. Higher academic demands Individual responsibility emphasized More independence expected Organizational skills are necessary Self-advocacy skills essential

5. *Student to communicate with teacher: Ask questions during class Discuss problems or concerns with teachers before or after class, in the morning or after school Participate in after school help Email teacher *Clarification of homework assignments: Student to use planner consistently to write down assignments Student to use team homework page on the school website Student to call a peer Student to ask parents for assistance *Student and Parents review Parent Portal together: Student follows up with teacher on missing assignments, low scores *Student comes to guidance regarding academic, social, or personal concerns

6. October: All students established Power School accounts Letter sent home from SWHS to all families regarding transition information October 24 th : Rockville Vo-Ag Open House ~ 6 PM October 29 th : Cheney Tech Open House ~ 6 PM Nov. 3 rd :SWHS Family Curriculum Night ~ 6:30 PM Nov. 20 th : Prince Tech Open House ~ 5:30 PM

7. Timeline to High School: December 2014 – January 2015 December: Private high school applications due to TE counselors January 14 th : Parent presentation at SWHS ~ 9 th grade course selection process~ 6:30 PM Mid January: SWHS 9 th grade counselor visits all 8 th grade classes to distribute and explain course selection materials

8. February - March 2015 First week of February: Level recommendations mailed home with course selection worksheet and permission slip for SWHS tour ~ MUST BE COMPLETED, SIGNED, & RETURNED! February 23 rd, 24 th & 25 th : Students tour SWHS and enter course requests in Power School during visits (one team per day) March 20 th : Last day for level change requests

9. May – June 2015 May: Preliminary schedules will be mailed to students from SWHS June 12 th : Final date for students to change elective courses August: Freshman Orientation at SWHS

10. Levels at SWHS Levels at SWHS Goal is to place students where they can be most successful! Levels at SWHS follow New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) standards. Courses are divided into levels based on difficulty of curricular content, academic requirements, sophistication of analysis required College Prep Honors Advanced Placement (AP) : Offered for sophomores, juniors, and seniors

11. How Levels are Determined 1 st trimester grades Reading ability Ability to work independently Ability to analyze information and think abstractly Writing skills CMTs, benchmark assessments, and teacher generated tests Study habits Overall quality of work Responsibility in meeting deadlines *Any questions should be addressed to the teacher as a first step*

12. 9 th Grade Course Requirements All students must take the following classes: 1 st year English or Humanities (by recommendation) Math Physical Science Modern World History or Humanities (by recommendation) PE (1/2 year =.5 credit) Computer Applications (1/2 year =.5 credit) *These required classes total five credits. *Students will need to choose up to two more credits in elective courses. If students require math, reading, or resource support, those are considered elective courses.

13. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 24 credits minimum Students must pass 6 credits to become sophomores To graduate from SWHS, students will need: 4 credits of English 4 credits of math 3 credits of science 3 credits of social studies 1 credit of PE ½ credit of health 2 credits of career and technology 1 credit of world language 1 credit of fine arts 4 ½ credits of electives

14. Additional questions? Thank you for coming ~ Please complete the evaluation and enjoy this exciting year with your 8 th grader !