1. Welcome to high school and yes…9 th Grade Matters!

2. “9 th Grade Matters” Classes taken in 9 th grade count toward graduation, your cumulative GPA (grade point average) and college entrance. If you do not successfully complete a course (65+) that is required for graduation, you must make it up.  In your schedule for the next year OR  Summer school (summer school may or may not be available…don’t rely on summer school for credit recovery)

3. High School Graduation Requirements Must complete 22 Credits  4 year English  3 years of Math  4 years of History  3 years of Science ( 1 yr. Life, 1 yr. Physical)  4 years of P.E. (total of 2 credits)  1 year of Fine Arts (Studio Art, DDP, Band or Chorus)  1 year of Foreign Language (8 th grade)  1 /2 credit of Health Must Pass the required New York State Exams with a 65 or better (Unless stated otherwise on IEP or 504 plan)

4. Grading and what it means for me…. You must pass both the courses and the Regents exams that you take in order to graduate.  For each course that you are taking you will receive a grade for each of the 4 Marking Periods, a Final Exam grade, and a Final average.  The 4 marking period grades and the Final exam grade (Regents exam or locally developed exam) will each count as 20% of your final average for the course.  Passing grade for a course is 65. Only the Final exam grades and the Final average appear on the High School Transcript.  Example: You pass Living Environment course with a 68 average but receive a 59 on the Living Environment Regents exam. You would not need to retake the course but you would need to retake the exam. The opposite is also true. If you have a final average in the Living Environment course of 59 but pass the exam with a 68, you would not need to retake the exam but you would need to retake the course.

5. Regents Exam Grades and Requirements: Required Regents exams (Pathways to Graduation) as of 4/8/2015: Students who first enter 9 th grade in September 2011 and thereafter have the following options available in order to meet the assessment requirements leading to a Regents or Local Diploma: 4 REQUIRED REGENTS EXAMS: (Must pass with 65 or better unless stated on IEP or 504 plan) ELA REGENTS EXAM ( 11 TH Grade ) 1 SCIENCE EXAM (Typically 9 TH OR 10 TH Grade) 1 MATH EXAM (Typically 9 TH OR 10 TH Grade) 1 SOCIAL STUDIES EXAM (Typically 10 th or 11 th grade) PLUS ANY ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ASSESSMENTS: Additional Math Additional Science Additional Social Studies Additional English NYSED approved CTE pathway assessment and program completion NYSED approved pathway assessment in the Arts NYSED approved pathway assessment in a Language other than English

6. Diploma types offered by New York State Department of Education and Poland Central School:  Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential  Career Development and Occupational Studies Credential (CDOS)  Local Diploma (Use of safety net assessment 55-64 for IEP/504 Students)  Regents Diploma (65 or better on Required Assessments)  Regents Diploma with Honors (Average of 90+ on Required Assessments)  Advanced Regents Diploma (65 or better on Required Assessments plus additional assessments  Advanced Regents Diploma with Honors (Average of 90+ on Required Assessments plus additional assessments)  Advanced Regents Diploma with Mastery in Math and/or Science  Mastery in Math (3 math exams all with scores of 85 or better)  Mastery in Science (3 science exams all with scores of 85 or better)  Advanced Regents Diploma with Mastery in Math and/or Science with Honors  Mastery in Math (3 math exams all with scores of 85 or better)  Mastery in Science (3 science exams all with scores of 85 or better)  Average of all assessments is 90+

7. 9 th Grade Success Do the best you can! Ask questions/get help! Remember if you don’t like your class the first time, you’re not going to like it any better the second time around. Questions/concerns…make an appointment with Mrs. Watrous to discuss your academic concerns.

8. Go to class prepared Attendance is extremely important to the success of any high school student!! You have to be here to learn! At 18 absences credit can be denied. Being prepared for class is also important. Students must bring textbook, paper, pens/pencils, notebook/binder, calculator, etc.  Notebook should be organized- something your parents/guardians can help with at home if needed.  Periodically clean out backpacks and lockers.

9. Successful attitude Not only should you be prepared for class but you need to come to class with a good attitude, and an open mind ready to learn something new!  Be on time to class  Actively listen  Be engaged (positively) in the classroom discussion  Participate in the classroom activity  Use your time wisely – if the teacher gives you time to work on an assignment/homework – USE IT!

10. Questions and Extra help Don’t be afraid to ask questions Teachers are there to help If you don’t ask questions they may not know that you need the help! Extra help is available in several ways:  Help from your teacher (before or after school or at lunch/planning) – Just check with your teacher  Advisement Period – get a pass to see the teacher of the course you are struggling with.  AIS – specific class assigned for help  Student tutors – request one in the Guidance Office

11. Daily Homework All homework assignments should be written in your planner and completed on a daily basis. Homework needs to be completed daily  Often accounts for a significant portion of your grade If you miss school, you need to make up the work that you missed. Parents can call Mrs. Rommel and request homework.

12. Sample Planner PeriodClass/ TeacherAssignment 1P.E./ Mr. PotempaComplete short essay 2Living Environment/ Mr. Newman Read Chapter 3 complete review questions 1-6 3Language Arts/ Mrs. Daniels Write one paragraph about personal success story 4Algebra/ Mrs. TullarComplete review wksht. and Ch. 4 questions pg. 115 questions 1-5 5Global Studies 9/ Mrs. Oczkowski Complete chapter 5, answer questions 1-5 7Health/ Mrs. HittRead chapter 6 and complete questions 1-10 8StudyhallWork on Science and Social Studies 9BandPractice 20 min

13. Where to do homework? Quiet place to study Sit upright at a desk or table No interruptions  No television, phone, radio, i-pod, internet, video games

14. Notes – Assigned Readings Review class notes the day you write them  Re-write if not clearly organized Make flashcards of important facts  Don’t wait until the night before a test Survey a chapter before you read it, look at the review questions at the end so you are able to identify the important facts while reading the chapter. Re-read a chapter for clarification.

15. Resources Available Weekly progress reports – some teachers will print out a weekly grade report automatically, otherwise you may ask for one from your teacher. Stay informed with Parent Portal in SchoolTool – see assignments and grades, email teachers, etc. Teachers are willing to help – all you need to do is ask! Make an appointment or stop in and see… Counselor – Mrs. Watrous Social Worker – Mrs. LaPlante Principal – Mr. Cuthbertson Talk with your Parents/Guardians about your concerns.

16. Academic Success Survey – Self-evaluation Take a moment and ask yourself these questions… On average how many minutes/hours a night do you spend on homework? What time do you do your homework? Do you have a quiet place to study? Have you ever attended tutoring? How do you keep track of your grades? Do I pay attention and participate in class? Have you ever asked for weekly progress reports? Depending on the answer to these questions you may find areas where you could make adjustments to be more successful.

17. What to look forward to in High School… Wide variety of courses to be taken – including courses for college credit!! Opportunity to attend Career Tech Center to learn a skill in a specific trade area! Opportunities to be involved in numerous class and club activities! Opportunities to be involved on an Athletic team!

18. Courses offered in High School at PCS! There are numerous courses offered for you to take advantage of while in high school: CollegeNOW Public Speaking CollegeNOW Literature CollegeNOW Writing Pre-Calculus (College or local credit) Calculus (College or local credit) CollegeNOW Statistics Accounting Chemistry Physics Environmental Science CollegeNOW Geology CollegeNOW Anatomy and Nutrition Forensic Science CollegeNOW Introduction to Psychology History Through Film CollegeNOW Introduction to Sociology CollegeNOW Social Problems Studio Art Drawing and Painting (College/local credit) Sculpture Pottery (College or local credit) Digital Photography (College/local credit) Adobe Photoshop AP Studio Art (Drawing, 2D and 3D) DDP Technical Drawing Computer Assisted Design Principles of Engineering Materials Processing Band Chorus Music Theory

19. Career and Technical Education What is Career Technical Education-  CTE is a program that offers a variety of classes. CTE is housed out of Herkimer BOCES and students can attend during their Junior and Senior years. A visit to CTE will occur during 10 th grade for interested students.  Purpose is to help prepare students for college and careers (marketable skills & strong work ethic).  Offers students hands on experience needed to get and keep a job in that career area.  Students will learn new skills, train for a career, or build on your current skills.

20. Club Opportunities now that you are in High School: Color Guard Drama Club Envirothon Team French Club National Honor Society Mock Trial Peer Leaders Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) Science Club Skate Club Ski Club Spanish Club Spring Musical Student Council Tri-M Music Honor Society Varsity Club Yearbook

21. Remember the key to success over the next 4 year’s is to… 1. Determine a goal- “I want to… graduate, go to college, go in the military…” 2. Develop a tentative plan to reach that goal. 3. Have a backup plan. 4. Consider all your options and revise the plan as needed. 5. Work hard – always keeping your goal in mind! 6. Be involved in your education! 7. Ask for help if you need it – use the resources available to you!!

22. For a copy of this presentation or for more information regarding graduation requirements, college planning, etc., please visit the “Guidance (MS/HS)” page on the Poland School Website at www.polandcs.orgwww.polandcs.org It is going to be a great year!!