Transcript 8th Grade Parent Meeting Mon Feb 1 2016

Sequoyah High School
8th Grade Parent Information
Course Values
• 1 Semester Course = 0.50
units
• 6 courses per semester = 3
possible units
• 6 units can be earned in a
regular school year
Current 9th 10th and 11th
CLASS PLACEMENT
Units needed for placement are:
5 Units-10th Grade (including 1 Math, 1 English, & 1
Science)
11 Units-11th Grade (including 2 Math, 2 English, & 1
Science)
17 Units--12th Grade (including 3 Math, 3 English, 2
Science, & 1 Social Studies)
Minimum 23 Units to Graduate
Georgia Milestone Tests - EOCs
• EOC Courses:
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9th & 11th Lit/ Comp
GSE Algebra I & GSE Geometry
Economics & U.S. History
Physical Science & Biology
EOC’s count 20% for each course
Graduation Requirements
•
•
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•
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English
Math
Science
Social Studies
PE/ Health
JROTC
OR
• Career Tech, Foreign Language, or Fine Arts
• Electives
4 units
4 units
4 units
3 units
1 unit
3 units
3 units
4 units
English Requirements
4units
1 unit of 9th Lit/ Comp
1 unit of 10th Lit/ Comp
1 unit of American Lit/ Comp
1 unit of 12th Lit/ Comp
* Honors and AP classes may be substituted
Math Requirements
4 units
1 unit of GSE Algebra I
1 unit of GSE Geometry
1 unit of GSE Algebra II
1 unit of a 4th Year Math
• MATH SUPPORT IS NOT A MATH UNIT
• IT IS AN ELECTIVE UNIT
* Accelerated, Honor, and/ or AP courses may
be substituted
Science Requirements
4 units
1 unit of Biology
1 unit of Physical Science or Physics
1 unit of Chemistry, Earth Science, Env. Sci. or AP
course
1 unit of a 4th year Science
* Honors or AP courses may be substituted
Social Studies Requirements
3 units
1 unit of World History
1 unit of U.S. History
.5 unit of American Government
.5 unit of Economics
* Honors and AP classes may be substituted
PE & Health
1 unit
.5 unit of PE
.5 unit of Health
* 3 units of ROTC may be substituted for this
unit
CTAE/Fine Arts/Foreign Language*
3 units Required
Based on student’s Career plan these units may
be all in one area, one in each area, or a
combination.
* Students planning to enter or transfer into a 4
year college/ university must take 2 years of
the same foreign language
Elective Requirements
4 units
If a student has taken Math support along with
their Math class – support will count as an
elective.
Academic courses that are not a part of the core
requirements will count as electives.
Hope Scholarship
• The Georgia Student Finance Commission is
responsible for calculating the final HOPE
average after graduation www.gsfc.org
• Information regarding HOPE Scholarship:
• http://www.gacollege411.org/Financial_Aid_P
lanning/HOPE_Program/Georgia_s_HOPE_Sch
olarship_Program_Overview.aspx
HOPE Requirements
• HOPE Scholarship will cover a percentage of tuition
(typically 80% to 90% depending upon the institution)
• Students must have a 3.0 GPA graduating from an eligible high
school.
• Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in college to keep HOPE.
• http://www.gsfc.org/Main/publishing/pdf/20
14/FY2014%20Award%20Rate%20Charts.pdf
Zell Miller Scholarship
• Student must have a 3.7 GPA graduating from an eligible high school.
• Students must have a combined 1200 SAT score (critical reading/ math
only) or a 26 Composite ACT score. These test scores must come from a
single test sitting.
• Students must maintain a 3.3 GPA in college to keep the Zell Miller
scholarship.
•
A valedictorian and salutatorian from each high school will be
eligible to receive the Zell Miller Scholarship without consideration of the
GPA or ACT/SAT requirements.
•
Zell Miller Scholarship will cover tuition at 100% for an academic
year.
•
Students who drop below the college 3.3 GPA can earn Regular HOPE
if their GPA remains at 3.0 or above.
HOPE Rigor Requirement
• Beginning with the graduating class of 2017,
students must pass 4 courses from the following
types of courses:
• Advanced Math (Adv Algebra/ Pre Cal/ Stat Reasoning)
• Advanced Science (Chemistry/Physics/Any AP class)
• Advanced Placement (AP) in core subjects
• Core Subjects taken at USG Institution (dual enrolled)
• Advanced Foreign Language (2nd, 3rd, 4th, or AP course)
• http://www.gsfc.org/main/publishing/pdf/2012/Cou
rse_list.pdf
Hope Grant
• HOPE Grant is for students seeking a technical
certificate or diploma
• HOPE Grant pays for a percentage of tuition and fees
for students. The amount is determined by the
Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) and is
subject to change yearly
• HOPE Grant is available to high school graduates in
Georgia regardless of GPA
• https://secure.gacollege411.org/Financial_Aid_Plann
ing/HOPE_Program/Georgia_s_HOPE_Grant_Progra
m.aspx
Attendance Policy
All classes will receive any earned credit at the end of
the semester, so attendance is determined each
semester. When a student is absent 7 days in a
semester, excused or unexcused, no credit for the course
is given unless an attendance waiver is granted.
Attendance waivers are only granted if all absences are
validated by the School Attendance Committee as
excused, all make-up work has been completed, and a
passing grade has been earned for the course.
Consequently, it is imperative that students bring an
excuse for every school day missed, whether for sickness
or for doctor’s appointment.
The policy for excuses is that they accept either parent
notes or doctor’s notes for sickness. Parents may e-mail
excuses to the attendance office at
[email protected].
Attendance Policy
Excuses must be presented to the attendance
office within 5 days of the absence, and this includes
both parent and doctor’s notes. No excuses will be
accepted after 5 days.
•
All medical appointments must be validated
with a physician’s note to be considered excused. In
other words, if the student says he or she is checking
out for a doctor’s appointment, it remains unexcused
until we get the physician’s note back.
•
If a student has excessive absences for health
reasons, the school may require a physician’s excuse
in order to consider the absence as excused. After 5
parent notes for either full days absent or tardy, we
may request medical documentation.
•
Parent Information Website
One of the best ways parents can stay informed about their
student’s attendance and grades is to check this website at
least once a week. If you have not registered for this
informational service, please do so with Dean Rusk by the
end of the year, and you will automatically have access at
Sequoyah next year. For parents who do not yet have an
account, you may request access to the Family Portal by
contacting the school and submitting a valid e-mail address.
When the e-mail is entered into the student information
system and the security features are activated, you will then
receive instructions on how to access the portal.
You will be able to track your student’s grades and
attendance in each class.
Please let us know as soon as possible if you see
discrepancies with your student’s attendance.
EXAMS
We have exams the last four days of each
semester. No student will be allowed to
make-up an exam without a medical
excuse. Please be aware that family
vacations, athletic competitions, are not
considered excused.
Missing an exam for anything other
than a medical emergency will
result in a zero for the exam.
Things you need
to know:
Cell Phone, etc.
Sequoyah does participate in the BYLD. However, students
are not allowed to have their cell phone out in any
classroom unless they are under the supervision of a teacher
in the classroom. Additionally, we do not allow ipods or any
other electronic devices to be used during classes unless
during the teachers requests their usage.
PE Lockers
It is extremely important that students lock up all valuables
during their PE class. We are working very hard to prevent
thefts, but open purses, wallets and cell phones left out
during PE are highly likely to be taken. Students may bring a
lock from home to use.
Other things you need to know:
Picking Up Students After School
Parents are not allowed to park in the teacher or student parking lot
while waiting to pick up students in the afternoon. Please pick your
son or daughter up before 3:00 if you are trying to get to an
afternoon appointment.
Lockers and Book Bags
Every student is assigned a locker. We allow students to bring their
backpack in and leave it in the locker for the day. Our building is
small enough that most students get to their lockers several times a
day. Our classrooms are small, and there is no room for every
student to carry a book bag. USE YOUR LOCKER!
Agendas and Student Responsibility
We expect students old enough to be in high school to show
responsibility. That means that they need to write down and be
responsible for all their assignments daily. NO WORK EQUALS NO
GRADE. We do not give minimum grades in high school. You get
what you earn. Also, the agenda is your hall pass. You cannot leave
the classroom without it.
Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors Classes
We consistently strive to offer students a challenging curriculum, including
the opportunity to take advanced classes. Honors classes are taken in
preparation for the eventuality of taking AP classes and receiving college
credit. However, before signing up to take any advanced classes, both
the student and the parent need to take into account the student’s
outside school activities and the amount of time the student has to
devote to the extra studying required for these courses. Once we do the
scheduling, and the student is committed to the class, we cannot make
schedule changes.
Tutoring
Sequoyah High School offers tutoring before and after school and during
lunch in all academic areas. If your student is experiencing difficulty in any
subject, please check the tutoring schedule on the school website. In
addition to our school-based tutoring, Cherokee County BOE publishes a
list of educators who do after hours tutoring. Please contact Student
Services or your student’s teacher for a list of school-wide tutors.
9th Literature & Composition
This
class is a combination of Literature and Writing
Expectations:
Students
should expect homework on a weekly basis consisting of
reading, short term written assignments, and vocabulary work; as well as
long term written assignments such as essays and research papers.
No
late work is accepted by English teachers so it is imperative that
students keep up with nightly homework and long term essays and
assignments. Utilizing the teacher websites and checking grades
weekly is HIGHLY recommended.
Students
are encouraged to utilize the school agenda to keep up with
all assignments.
Students
should expect to read a minimum of two novels per semester
in addition to other curriculum requirements.
Students
need to be prepared for class each day according to
the requirements of each individual teacher.
Students
will take a Georgia Milestones End of Course test
in 9th Literature & Composition during Spring semester.
English Courses
9th Grade:
• 9th Lit & Comp OR 9th Honors Lit & Comp
10th Grade:
• 10th Lit & Comp, 10th Honors Lit & Comp OR AP
Language
11th Grade:
• American Lit & Comp, Honors American Lit &
Comp, OR AP Language
12th Grade:
• British Lit, Honors Advanced Composition, OR AP
Literature
English Electives
• 10th,
11th and 12th grade students may select:
• Oral & Written Communication
• Students will study modes of communication, deliver speeches,
and participate in class debates.
• Literature in Film
• Students will study the techniques of film and create
original
films (semester class which pairs with Oral & Written).
• Journalism/Literary Magazine
• Students will study creative writing and the completion of a
student magazine.
• Journalism/Newspaper
• Students will write articles and editorials, be responsible for
photography, and design of the newspaper.
• Journalism/Yearbook
•
Students will write copy for the yearbook, be responsible for
photography, and design of the yearbook.
Extra-Curricular Activities
Students
are encouraged to participate in the clubs
and sports offered at Sequoyah High School.
Some of our offered activities are: Band, Chorus,
Drama, Math Team, Photography Club, Robotics Club,
Science Olympiad, Speech and Debate, Writing Club,
Book Club, and ROTC.
Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross
Country, Dance Team, Football, Golf, Gymnastics,
Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track,
Volleyball, and Wrestling
Joining an extra-curricular activity will
make the high school experience so
much more meaningful!
Choices for 9th graders
GSE Algebra
Honors GSE Geometry
Accelerated Honors GSE Algebra I/Geometry A
Accelerated Honors GSE Geometry B/Algebra II
** A student must qualify for the Honors and
Accelerated classes. If interested mark Math on
the honors letter and turn it in**
Mathematics
Students will be placed into
their 9th grade course based
on the following criteria:
 Standardized test scores
 Previous math courses
Mathematics
Homework will be assigned DAILY.
It WILL be checked.
Late work will not be accepted.
Tutoring is available
 every morning from 7:45 – 8:15
 first 30 minutes of every lunch
RESPONSIBILITY
&
ORGANIZATION
•Teacher Websites
•Writing in Agenda
•Making up work from an absence
•Taking notes and keeping up with your
assignments
Science
You must have 4 units of science to graduate
1 must be Biology
1 must be Physical Science or Physics
Colleges like to see “The Big 3” on your transcript.
Biology, Chemistry, Physics
Science class placement will be determined by data from
test scores and 8th grade science class grades.
You MUST do your homework and you MUST study!
Teachers DO NOT take late work.
Science teachers DO offer tutoring and help Morning,
Noon and Night. Take advantage of the help if you need it.
You can expect homework most nights.
Other Science Classes
Social Studies for 9th Graders
• Only electives that count toward
HOPE GPA other than foreign
language
• Prepare students for other high
school required courses.
• A Great option for students who plan
to take Honors or AP World History
in the 10th grade
• Honors and regular levels are
available
Paths for 9th Graders
•
World Geography and Current
Issues for anyone!
•
Honors US World Affairs *PRE AP
program to develop skills
necessary for AP courses. Invites
based on pre-established criteria in
language, reading, and social
studies *Not just the current SS
grade. *If you get one please
consider taking the course.
•
AP Human Geography- Invites
based on pre-established criteria in
language, reading, and social
studies *Not just the current SS
grade. *If you get one please
consider taking the course.
Courses for 10th, 11th & 12th
10th grade
10th grade
ELECTIVES: 10th Grade
11th Grade
11th Grade
ELECTIVES: 11th and 12th grade
12th Grade
12th Grade
Honors World History
AP World
USH in film (1/2 semester),
Individual and the Law (1/2 Semester), Oral and
Written
Honors US History
AP US History
AP Euro* (Yr long)
AP Psych, (Yr long)
Psychology (1/2 semester)
Sociology (1/2 semester),
USH in film (1/2 semester)
Individual and the law (1/2 semester)
AP Micro (1/2 semester)
AP US Government (1/2 semester)
WORLD LANGUAGE
• World Language classes
count for HOPE GPA
• Most 4 year colleges and
universities require at
least 2 years of the same
language in high school.
• 2 year colleges and
technical colleges do not
require world language.
WORLD LANGUAGE FOR
9TH GRADE
• Languages offered: Spanish 1, French 1, Latin 1
• Language classes are rigorous and require strong
organizational, study and time management skills.
If your child has struggled academically in middle
school he SHOULD NOT TAKE WORLD
LANGUAGE AS A 9TH GRADER.
• Students must have strong performance in 8th grade
Reading, Language Arts, Math and Standardized
Tests in order to be considered to take a Foreign
Language in the 9th grade.
• Students who are not strong in math are often not
successful in world language.
TH
9
WORLD LANGUAGE FOR
GRADERS WHO ARE IN
LEVEL 1
• Spanish 2 Honors, and Latin 2 Honors is
offered to students who have completed the
prerequisite Level 1 of the same language in 8th
grade. Teacher recommendation is required.
• Regular placement for any Language Level 2 is
also offered. Prerequisite Level 1
WORLD LANGUAGE
Other World Language Levels Offered:
• Spanish 3 Regular and Honors
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Spanish 3 Honors Pre- AP
Spanish 4 Honors
AP Spanish Language
French 3, 4 and 5. Regular and
Honors placement.
Latin 3 and 4. Regular and Honors
placement.
Teacher recommendation is required
for Honors and AP classes
Special Services
• Special Education
– Special Education Department Chair
– Christy Flynn
• 504 Plans
– 504 Chair
– Tonya Carnes
• RTI
– RTI Chair
– Carey Blalock