1. Curriculum Night 2013-2014 9 TH GRADE SCHEDULING

2. Tools to help you The Course Selection Sheet The Course Selection Sheet An easy reference to every course BHS offers An easy reference to every course BHS offers The Course Selection Guide Booklet The Course Selection Guide Booklet Contains course descriptions for every course Contains course descriptions for every course Tells you the length of the course (year/ semester), the number of credits, the level of difficulty, and any pre-requisites or co- requisites Tells you the length of the course (year/ semester), the number of credits, the level of difficulty, and any pre-requisites or co- requisites Directions for on-line Course Selection Directions for on-line Course Selection

3. Important Dates Online scheduling opens: 8:30 tonight Online scheduling opens: 8:30 tonight Online scheduling closes: February 15 Online scheduling closes: February 15 No class changes after: February 15 No class changes after: February 15 Signed Course Confirmation Forms due: February 19, 2013 Signed Course Confirmation Forms due: February 19, 2013

4. Schedule for a Full Day BHS has an 8-period day BHS has an 8-period day 9 th graders should fill every period 9 th graders should fill every period A full day = more credits for Graduation A full day = more credits for Graduation 7:30 AM: Students admitted to the school 7:30 AM: Students admitted to the school 7:45-2:30: 8 periods = 8 classes 7:45-2:30: 8 periods = 8 classes 5 minutes passing time between classes 5 minutes passing time between classes Lunch/HR are periods 4, 5, & 6 Lunch/HR are periods 4, 5, & 6

5. Graduation Requirements 4 credits English 4 credits English 4 credits Social Studies 4 credits Social Studies 4 credits Math 4 credits Math 3 credits Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics 3 credits Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics 7.5 credits Electives 7.5 credits Electives 2.0 credits must be Art/Humanities 2.0 credits must be Art/Humanities 1.0 credit Physical Education (4 PE classes) 1.0 credit Physical Education (4 PE classes).50 credit Health.50 credit Health 24 total credits 24 total credits Minimum per year = 5.75 Minimum per year = 5.75 Maximum per year = 6.75 Maximum per year = 6.75 Keystone proficiency Keystone proficiency Graduation project Graduation project

6. Credits Math, Science, and World Language classes taken in 8 th grade do not count toward student’s high school record or for college admissions Math, Science, and World Language classes taken in 8 th grade do not count toward student’s high school record or for college admissions It’s fine to repeat a course in 9 th grade to build a strong foundation It’s fine to repeat a course in 9 th grade to build a strong foundation Credit deficiencies Credit deficiencies Occur through subject failure Occur through subject failure Retake the course Retake the course Summer school Summer school Student’s responsibility to reschedule class Student’s responsibility to reschedule class

7. Recommendations for Core Course Scheduling English, Social Studies, Math, Science, World Languages English, Social Studies, Math, Science, World Languages Teacher Recommendations will appear in Skyward when you log-in to select courses Teacher Recommendations will appear in Skyward when you log-in to select courses As many as 5 out of 8 periods will already be scheduled for your child As many as 5 out of 8 periods will already be scheduled for your child Weighted (honors) classes can boost GPA Weighted (honors) classes can boost GPA Your child has already talked with his/her teachers about recommendations Your child has already talked with his/her teachers about recommendations

8. Things to Consider When Choosing Classes Choose electives to prepare you for your future Choose electives to prepare you for your future What are your future goals? Does your future include college/tech school? Choose classes that will prepare you. Is Steel Center for you? What are your future goals? Does your future include college/tech school? Choose classes that will prepare you. Is Steel Center for you? Check all prerequisites Check all prerequisites Read course descriptions Read course descriptions Ask other students about courses Ask other students about courses Challenge yourself Challenge yourself Talk to your teachers Talk to your teachers Talk to your counselor Talk to your counselor

9. World Languages Two consecutive years of the same language in high school is recommended for many colleges Two consecutive years of the same language in high school is recommended for many colleges Three or four years recommended for more competitive colleges Three or four years recommended for more competitive colleges Recommended for certain majors Recommended for certain majors NOT required for graduation NOT required for graduation

10. Science Courses with Labs Some students will be recommended for Honors Biology Some students will be recommended for Honors Biology This is a lab-science course This is a lab-science course Must take year-long PE to fit the lab into the schedule Must take year-long PE to fit the lab into the schedule

11. Physical Education Physical Education (PE) is taken every day for a semester or split up over a year (to make room for a science lab) Physical Education (PE) is taken every day for a semester or split up over a year (to make room for a science lab) Students must change clothes for PE Students must change clothes for PE Students must swim for two weeks (10 days) Students must swim for two weeks (10 days) If a student cannot swim, he/she may take PE/Basic Swim If a student cannot swim, he/she may take PE/Basic Swim

12. Homeroom/Lunch All students must select a Homeroom/Lunch period All students must select a Homeroom/Lunch period If your child doesn’t want Lunch, attach a note giving parent permission to not have a lunch next year If your child doesn’t want Lunch, attach a note giving parent permission to not have a lunch next year

13. Choose Alternates Choose alternate courses for electives…due to conflicts, not all courses will “fit” into a student’s schedule. Choose alternate courses for electives…due to conflicts, not all courses will “fit” into a student’s schedule. Classes with less than 15 students may not be offered. Classes with less than 15 students may not be offered. FOUR alternates must be chosen for Course Selection to be complete. FOUR alternates must be chosen for Course Selection to be complete.

14. Schedule Changes Changes may be made online through Feb. 15 Changes may be made online through Feb. 15 If you disagree with a teacher recommendation, follow the process to choose another course If you disagree with a teacher recommendation, follow the process to choose another course Talk to your child’s teacher Talk to your child’s teacher Talk to your child’s counselor Talk to your child’s counselor The best thing to do is talk to the teacher! The best thing to do is talk to the teacher! After school starts, must follow Schedule Change Procedure After school starts, must follow Schedule Change Procedure

15. Questions? If you think of questions later, please feel free to email: If you think of questions later, please feel free to email: A-Dsfiorill@bwschools.net A-Dsfiorill@bwschools.netsfiorill@bwschools.net E-Kghall@bwschools.net E-Kghall@bwschools.netghall@bwschools.net L-Qsmisquitta@bwschools.net L-Qsmisquitta@bwschools.netsmisquitta@bwschools.net R-Zkdegregorio@bwschools.net R-Zkdegregorio@bwschools.netkdegregorio@bwschools.net