Transcript Leadership at D-CHS

Agenda:
Welcome and Introductions
Freshman Academy Overview
Explore Test and Core Recommendations
Elective Requests
High School Core Curriculum
Timeline and Next Steps
Student Point of View
Thanks and Closing
Parents & Students of the Class of 2017
Dundee Middle School
December 12, 2012
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Be Responsible!
Be Respectful!
Be Positive!
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What is the Freshman Academy?
The Freshman Academy is a comprehensive freshman transition program for all first-time (or nonrepeating) 9th graders.
The Freshman Academy implements a school-within-a-school model designed to help all students
achieve at high levels.
The Freshman Academy collects data in order to make freshman specific decisions regarding
curriculum, discipline, and academics.
The Freshman Academy emphasizes a smooth transition from middle school to high school.
Academy Features
A focus on both academic and social development, with the goal of creating a culture of collegeand career-readiness.
Support: a coordinator/dean and two counselors will work exclusively with freshmen to meet their
specific needs.
Extra help: a tutoring center provides extra support during the day, before and after school.
Tutoring runs Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after school for students to work.
Teamwork and collaboration: Teachers and staff work together collaboratively to help all students
achieve at high levels.
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The EXPLORE test is the first part of a testing system
that goes on to include the PLAN and the ACT.
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Typically, students take
◦ the EXPLORE test in 8th grade
◦ the PLAN in 9th grade
◦ the ACT in 11th grade.
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All three tests assess your knowledge in the areas of
English, math, reading and science. However, the
material tested gets progressively more difficult with
each exam.
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The EXPLORE Student Score Report gives
information about a student’s knowledge, skills,
interests, and educational career plans.
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Students can use this information as they begin to
plan high school coursework and begin thinking
about college and work.
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The score report also tells you how student’s
EXPLORE scores compare to those of other
students across the nation.
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Student scores in each of the four subject areas
are between 1 and 25. Your composite score is
simply the average of all four test scores.
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◦ To the right of your scores, you will find the percentage
of students scoring at or below your score.
◦ This shows you how your scores compare to those of
students across the country who took the EXPLORE.
◦ Example: 74% means a student scored as high or
higher than 74% of 8th grade students across the U.S.
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The back of the Score
Report describes the skills
and knowledge the student
probably already has.
You will also see some
ideas for improving even
more in the different subject
areas. The suggestions are
based on student scores
and can help them do better.
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Students were asked how many core courses they
plan to take in high school.
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This number was then compared to the number of
core classes recommended to prepare for college.
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Students were asked whether or not they
needed help in seven different areas. The areas
checked on the score report are the areas that
were selected.
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Students answered questions about their
educational plans and career area preference.
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ACT has developed College Readiness
Benchmark Scores.
◦ Students scoring at or above the benchmark in each
subject area are projected to be on pace to succeed in
high school and college classes, if they keep up with
their coursework.
◦ Students scoring below the benchmark will need to
put in extra effort and seek out additional supports to
improve their scores for future tests.
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Students also completed an Interest Inventory
as part of the EXPLORE test. The “Career
Possibilities” section of the Score Report shows
careers related to their reported interests.
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The results of the Interest Inventory are shown on the
World-of-Work Map, and these results are compared
with the student’s Career Area Preference.
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For example, the Interest Inventory results may
suggest that careers in areas 7, 8, and 9 on the
World-of-Work Map fit the student’s current interests.
◦ This would include careers in areas K through Q on
the Career Area List
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ACT provides a multitude of
resources on the student’s
EXPLORE results at the
following website:
www.explorestudent.org
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The website includes an
interactive and informative
World-of-Work Map
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How do student EXPLORE results impact his/her
freshman classes?
◦ 8th grade teachers work diligently to recommend core freshman
classes in the areas of English, math, science, and social studies
◦ The teachers use the following criteria to make their
recommendations, including:
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EXPLORE results
Current grades and classes
Interventions and progress monitoring
Work ethic
Reading and writing ability
Level of motivation
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What electives are available?
◦ 2013-2014 Course Sheet: indicates which classes are
available for freshmen.
◦ Categories include: (art, business, English, family and
consumer science, foreign language, industrial
education, music, social studies)
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Where can I get more information?
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District 300’s Elective Online Tool:
www.d300electives.org
Get elective class descriptions, prerequisites, and other
information here.
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Visit this site to learn more about
the electives offered to freshmen.
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1. On paper
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Review the list of electives
Discuss with your parents
Fill out the homework sheet
Bring it in to discuss with a high school counselor on
January 11th, 2013
2. Online
◦ Review the list of electives
◦ Discuss with your parents
◦ Login to your Student Portal and complete the Freshman
Elective Request Form
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Click
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Click
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What if our home doesn’t have Internet access?
◦ Review the List of Courses Sheet, and parents and students can do
the Electives Homework Assignment over Winter Break.
◦ Students can sign up to meet with their middle school counselor to
review elective options online.
◦ The IMC is available before school hours (8:15 until warning bell) for
those who want to choose the electives at school. Students that
come on the bus will not be able to take advantage of this opportunity
due to bus time arrival.
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What if I still can’t figure something out?
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If you have any questions regarding the online tool,
please direct them to your middle school
counselor.
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Jerry Weir, Counselor, 8th Grade Counselor
◦ 224-484-4517
◦ [email protected]
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Elizabeth Thompson, 6th and 7th Grade
Counselor
◦ 224-484-4516
◦ [email protected]
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Sample student schedule:
Semester 1
Semester 2
Period 1
English 9
English 9
Period 2
World History
World History
Period 3
Algebra
Algebra
Period 4
Elective
Elective
Lunch
Lunch
Period 5
Biology
Biology
Period 6
Advisory
Advisory
Period 7
PE
PE
Period 8
Elective
Elective
Lunch
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Department
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
9000
English/ESL
Social Science
Math
Science
World Languages
Business Education
Industrial Education; Family and Consumer Sciences
Art; Music
PE/Health/Driver Education
Level of class and weighted GPA value
_200
_300
_400
_500
Example
Preparing for readiness for college and career
On track for college and career (college prep)
Honors level
Advanced Placement (AP)
GPA weight =
GPA weight =
GPA weight =
GPA weight =
+1
+1.5
+2
+2.5
Semester 1 Semester 2
2301/2302 World History
First number = department
Second number = level of class and weighted GPA value
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8th graders will meet with high school counselors here at
DMS on January 11, 2013 during school hours.
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Plan to attend the Incoming Freshman Orientation Night on
January 16, 2013 between 5:30 and 8:30 pm at D-C.
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During the Orientation Night, students and parents will
review and finalize course preferences and elective
requests
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Parents will sign and turn in the scheduling sheet at the high
school that night
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Middle
School
Nights
High School
Counselor
1 on 1 Visits
Freshman
Orientation
• Middle school night at DMS
• December 12th, 2012 at 7pm
• Fri. January 11, 2013 during school
• Wed. January 16, 2013 5:30 to 8:30 pm
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Wednesday January 16, 2013
5:30 to 8:30 pm
Gain more insight into transitioning to high school!
 Turn in your course selections!
 Take a tour of the school!
 Meet coaches, faculty sponsors, and involved
students!
 Meet academic divisionals, guidance counselors!
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A
message from students
who were in your shoes just
one year ago!
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English / ESL
◦ Nicole Woodbury x 5018
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Science
◦ Barb Sydnor x 5059
Career and Technical Ed.
◦ Michelle Buhrow x 5037
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Social Studies
◦ Chris Lagioia x 5019
World Language and Fine Arts
◦ Jennifer Troy x 5253
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Education Services
◦ Susan Rohlwing x 5056
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Counseling
◦ Jason Johnson x 5049
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Freshman Coordinator
◦ Tom Rodman x 5065
Mathematics
◦ Tim Bruell x 5254
Tutoring Center
◦ Stephanie Reed x 5247
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