1. Welcome to Weslaco East High School Class of 2018

2. Agenda A brief history of Weslaco East High School What are small learning communities? What are the graduation requirements for the class of 2018? What are End of Course exams and why are they important? How and when will my child register for high school?

3. A Brief History of WEHS The doors opened in 2000 Became a separate high school in 2002 Graduated the first class in 2004 E nrollment is about 2200 students Compete at the 6A level for all UIL activities 3

4. WEHS Alumni  Our alumni have gone onto UTPA, UT Austin, UT San Antonio, Texas A& M College Station, Texas A&M Kingsville, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Texas A&M International Laredo, Southern Methodist, Rice, Texas State, Mary Hardin Baylor, Baylor, University of Houston, Incarnate Word, Our Lady of the Lake, Texas Tech, Abilene Christian, Sul Ross, Stanford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown, Rutgers, Emory, Rochester University, Carrolton College, Bowling Green, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, The United States Air Force Academy, Johns Hopkins, The University of Chicago 4

5. Small Learning Communities  WEHS transitioned to small learning communities six years ago  We currently have six SLCs  Students are placed on an SLC for four years  If a student wishes to change their SLC they may submit an application in May  The applications are reviewed to determine if changes are possible 5

6. Small Learning Communities  A group of students who take classes from a group of teachers and have elective choices related to the specific small learning community  Designed to build community and relationships among a small group of teachers and students within a large high school  Selection may be based on a current interest or talent or a future career interest 6

7. Small Learning Communities Design and Engineering Administrator: Dr. Raul Cantu Counselor: Stephanie Inlow Technology and Media Administrator: Belen Torres Counselor: Carey Boleach Health Science Administrator: Dr. Olga Estrada Counselor: Elvira Martinez Business and Finance Administrator: Lisse Krink Counselor: Cindy Cid Arts and Education Administrator: Sue Peterson Counselor: Diana Reyna Law Administrator: David Gamboa Counselor: Olga Garza 7

8. House Bill 5  Changes in Testing  End of Course Exams in English I, English II, Biology, Algebra I and United States History  Changes in Graduation Plans  Foundation Plan  Foundation Plan with Endorsements  Foundation Plan with Endorsements and Distinctions

9. Foundation Plan  English Language Arts Four credits  Mathematics Three credits  Science Three credits  Social Studies Three credits

10. Foundation Plan  Physical Education One credit  Languages Other Than English Two credits in the same language  Fine Arts One credit  Electives Six credits

11. Foundation Plan with Endorsements  A student may earn an endorsement by successfully completing:  curriculum requirements for the endorsement  four credits in mathematics  four credits in science  two additional elective credits

12. Endorsements  STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)  Arts and Humanities  Public Service  Business and Industry  Multidisciplinary

13. STEM Endorsement Includes courses directly related to: science, including environmental science technology, including computer science engineering advanced math

14. Business and Industry Endorsement Includes courses directly related to: database management information technology communications accounting finance marketing graphic design architecture construction welding logistics automotive technology agricultural science HVAC

15. Public Services Endorsement Includes courses directly related to: health sciences and occupations education and training law enforcement culinary arts and hospitality

16. Arts and Humanities Endorsement Includes courses directly related to: political science world languages cultural studies English literature history fine arts

17. Multidisciplinary Studies  Allows a student to select courses from the curriculum of each endorsement area and earn credits in a variety of advanced courses from multiple content areas sufficient to complete the distinguished level of achievement

18. Distinguished Levels of Achievement  Distinguished Level of Achievement A student may earn a distinguished level of achievement by successfully completing:  All requirements for the Foundation Plan  a total of four credits in mathematics, which must include Algebra II  a total of four credits in science  the curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement  A student must earn distinguished level of achievement to be eligible for top 10% automatic admission.

19. Performance Acknowledgements A student may earn a performance acknowledgment : for outstanding performance in a dual credit course in bilingualism and biliteracy on an AP test or IB exam on the PSAT, the ACT-Plan, the SAT, or the ACT for earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or license

20. Registration Procedures  Most 8 th graders have already selected their small learning community  WEHS counselors will visit each middle school to assist students with course selection, Cuellar on March 20 and Mary Hoge on March 24  Students who want band, orchestra, mariachi, dance and choir or one of the sports need to let the counselors know 20

21. Registration Procedures  Students will receive a course verification form with their small learning community assignment before the end of the school year  Pre-AP assignments will be posted on our school website by the second week of June  Final registration will take place the second week of August

22. Class of 2018 Welcome to Weslaco East High School!