1. Welcome to Gaithersburg High School!
A Signature Academy School
Incoming Grade 9 Parent Night
August 27, 2015

2. Dr. Christine Handy Principal

3. Administrative Team Dr. Christine Handy- Principal
Ms. Susan Frishman- Assistant Principal
Todd Nutter- Assistant Principal
Rudy Tyrell - Assistant Principal
Karla Lopez- Assistant School Administrator
Michael Ridge - Assistant Principal (sub for Ms. Lopez)
Kim Curtis – Signature Academy Coordinator

4. As a team, our focus is student success!

5. Ms. Carrie Bohrer PTSA President carrieb@newsomseed. com https://youtu

6. Who will know my student. Who do I contact if there is a problem
Who will know my student? Who do I contact if there is a problem? How does the bell schedule work?

7. Ninth Grade Academy Leadership
Administration
Ninth Grade Academy Coordinator
Dedicated Grade 9 Counselors
Team Leaders
Classroom Teachers

8. Grade Level Administrator
Mr. Rudy Tyrell – Assistant Principal

9. Mrs. Kim Curtis, MBA Academy Coordinator

10. Ninth Grade Academy 9th Grade Administrator
One team leader for each of four teams
Two 9th Grade Counselors
Team size students
Biweekly team meetings using CPS process
Shared planning time for team leaders
Double period Algebra courses
Student Recognition Program
Group Interventions

11. Signature Academies
Provide students with an opportunity to take related courses in areas of high interest that may lead to continued academic endeavors or future careers.

12. Science and Technology
Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
Research and Experimentation
Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences
Academy of Information Technology
Networking/Hardware
Information Resource Design
Automotive Technology
Automotive Body Repair

13. Leadership and Education
Early Childhood Education
Secondary Education
Human Rights
NJROTC

14. Business Studies Finance Business Management Cosmetology
Entrepreneurship Hospitality
Landscape-Nursery Management

15. Arts and Communication
Dance
Fine Arts-Visual
Fine Arts-Music/Drama
Journalism
Broadcast Media

16. GHS Counselors Services
Bernadette White– Resource Counselor
Jessica Pollard – 9th Grade Counselor
Dwayne Thomas – 9th Grade Counselor
Thania Rey– ESOL and RELL Counselor
Ms. Martinez
ESOL and RELL Counselor
Maria Garcia –
– ESOL and RELL Community Based Counselor Counseling Department
College and Career Center

17. Mrs. Pollard Mr. Thomas Grade 9 Counselors

18. Our Roles and Responsibilities
COUNSE L
ING
SERV I
CES
Individual Counseling:
Academic Planning
Personal/Social Development
Classroom Guidance:
Bully Prevention
College and Career Awareness
Course Registration
Group Counseling:
Peer Interactive Groups for social development
Responsive and Preventative Services:
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Crisis Intervention
Domestic Needs Assessment
Collaborative Problem Solving:
Work close with teachers to develop effective teaching strategies to impact student learning and social development
Work with administrators, school psychologists and pupil personnel workers to address student concerns

19. What Are the Graduation Requirements for the Class of 2019?
The State of Maryland authorizes a diploma for all students completing at least 22 units of credit. Final Semester grade of D or better must be earned for credit as follows:
Credit Subject
4 English
3 Social Studies (US History, World History, NSL)
3 Science (Biological, Physical, + 1 additional science)
4 Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, + 2 math)
1 Physical Education
.5 Health
1 Fine Arts
1 Tech Ed
Completer Pathway Options: High School Assessments/PARCC:
2 World Language or Algebra (OYG 2017) PARCC (OYG 2019) TBD
2 Advanced Technology or English 10 (2017) PARCC (OYG 2019) TBD
3–9 Career Development Biology (All) 400
NSL Government (All) 394
+/- 2.5 Other Electives
22 TOTAL Student Service Learning hours: 75 hours

20. EARNED CREDIT
0.5 CREDIT FOR EACH CLASS PER SEMESTER – must receive a passing grade to earn a credit.
You can earn up to 7.0 credits total in 9th Grade.

21. (22 Credits Required for Graduation)

22. MCPS Promotion Policy End of: Grade 9 5 1 3 Grade 10 10 2 4 Grade 11
Total Credits Needed for Promotion to Next Grade
Mathematics Credits in Required Courses
English Credits in Required Courses
Science Credits in Required Courses
Social Studies Credits in Required Courses
Other Credits
Grade 9 5 1 3
Grade 10 10 2 4
Grade 11 15

23. Student Government Association
Nilda Keres

24. How Does the “One Lunch Work?”
Lunch Period = (43 minutes)
All 2300 students share the same lunch period
Purpose:
To work with teachers
For clubs and activities to meet
To eat and decompress

25. Grading and Accountability
What are the differences between middle school grading and high school grading?
How do final exams work?
How can I access my child's grades?
How much homework will my child have on a typical night?

26. Supports
National Honor Society offers Tutoring to all students interested.
Late Activity bus Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday’s for students to stay after school to get extra help
Show Time: time extended during 4th period on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Writing Center, lab 1126 (Offered: every day at lunch, every Tuesday and Thursday at SHOWtime(by sign-ups), and by appointment with the English Comp Assistants
George B. Thomas School – Saturdays at GHS
Homework Help Line.
- Twitter

27. Discipline and Behavior
Cell Phones/ MP3 Players/ electronic devices
Internet /Cyber-bullying
Dress Code Young Men/Young Women
Attendance Issues
Absence note within three days
Tardies
Unexcused travel
Securing personal property

28. Some Things Parents May Wish to Consider
Social Media Issues
Driving with other students
Homecoming Week Activities
Lunch time for all 2300 students
Using the Health Room when ill
BYOD: Yes or No?

29. Ninth Grade Parent Homework
Do not let go of the “reins”.
Activate your Parent Edline Account
Check Edline regularly, but not too regularly
Do not accept “0” or “Z” grades from your student
Start becoming familiar with the college readiness process now – AP, SAT, ACT, PSAT, etc.
Attend PTSA functions, other school info meetings
Bookmark the school’s webpage
Follow Dr. Handy on
“SchoolWay” App!

30. Calendar Highlights
8/31: First Day of School! 9/15: SHOWTime Begins every T & Th 10/2: Quarter 1 Interims Mailed Home 10/10: Homecoming week 11/11: Report Card Distribution

31. The Wellness Center Services include
Advanced Health Services (Physicals, exams, shots etc.)
Mental Health Services (depression, suicidal, etc.)
After School Youth Groups ( boys group, girls group, Spanish speaking only group, etc.)
Case Management services for families. ( child care, clothing, Evictions, food resources, etc.)
All of these services are designed to help students reach their full potential.
In order to have access to these services all students must sign up for the Wellness Center. Students can obtain a Wellness Center packet through our health center, counseling office or the Wellness Center itself.

32. QUESTIONS??
Refer to our website at:
Mr. Rudy Tyrell, 9th Grade Administrator
Ms. Kim Curtis, Academy Coordinator
Counseling Office
Ninth Grade Team Leaders