1. Incoming 9th grade presentation
James Bowie HS
Incoming 9th grade presentation

2. Welcome! Introductions HB 5 AISD Prescribed Graduation Plan
Academics & GT Programming
Course Levels
Course Contract/ Endorsement Form
Important Dates and Reminders

3. Mr. Kane
Bowie Principal

4. Theresa Bastian
Bowie PTSA President

5. 9th Grade ap/counselor team
Students with the last names: a-j
Students with the last names: k-z
Susan Leos Assistant Principal Karina Reyna Counselor
Vicente Trevino Assistant Principal Ruzenjka Oliver/ Kathy Miller Counselors

6. 10th-12th grade ap/counselor team
A - EP
Stephanie McGraw
Kristen Williamson
EQ - K
Jorge Rodriguez
Lisa Saunders
LA - RAM
Carla De La Rosa
Nona May
RAN - Z
Larry Britton
Kate Kopke
For a complete listing of Bowie faculty, please visit…  
College Advisor
Veronica Castillo

7. Aisd prescribed Graduation Plan
Complete the Foundation High School Program + Endorsement(s) + Distinguished Level of Achievement Plan
Complete and pass the FIVE required End-of-Course Exams

8. AISD All Staff Virtual Convocation
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
End-of-Course Exam Requirements:
English I (Reading and Writing)
English II (Reading and Writing)
Biology
Algebra I
US History
AISD All Staff Virtual Convocation
August 16, 2011 8

9. Distinguished achievement plan – 26 Credits
4 English Courses-
English I, II, and III, & English IV/ Advanced English credit
4 Math Courses-
Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and Advanced Math
4 Science Courses-
Biology, IPC or Chemistry, plus another 2 Advanced Sciences
4 Social Studies Courses-
World Geography, World History, U.S. History, ½ Economics, ½ Government
2 Credits of Language Other than English -
French or Spanish
Computer Science
1 Credit of Physical Education
1 Credit of Fine Arts
0.5 Credit of Health
5.5 Electives (including 4 Endorsement electives)

10. Language other than english requirement
Any 2 levels in the same language OR
2 credits in computer programming languages selected from:
Computer Science

11. Endorsement Options
Students will choose between one of the following five endorsement options
Arts and Humanities
Business and Industry
Multidisciplinary Studies
Public Services
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

12. What is an endorsement Similar to a college major
Designed to encourage students to select an area of specialization based on their interests
Course Pathways that will enable students to become college and career ready.

13. Arts and Humanities
The Arts and Humanities endorsement is a curriculum path that allows for a student to focus deeply on courses directly related to fine arts, English literature, foreign languages, and social studies.

14. Business and Industry
The Business and Industry endorsement is a curriculum path that allows a student to focus deeply on courses directly related to the business field.

15. Public Services
The Public Services endorsement is a curriculum path that allows a student to focus deeply on courses directly related to the public service field, including the education field and government.
Complete Foundation Plan and general endorsement requirements, including:
A total of 4 credits in Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC 1-4)
A coherent sequence of 4 or more credits in Education and Training:
Child Development
Instructional Practices in Education (2 credits)
Practicum in Education and Training (2 credits)

16. STEM
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) endorsement is a curriculum path that allows a student to focus deeply on courses related to science, technology, engineering, and math.

17. Multidisciplinary
The Multiple Disciplinary endorsement allows for students to further study a foundation area or a wide range of curriculum sets.
Complete Foundation Plan and general endorsement requirements including one of the following:
A total of 4 credits from any endorsement area. It does not need to be a coherent sequence.
A total of 4 credits from AP level or Dual Credit courses.
A total of 4 credits in each of the 4 core subject areas, including Algebra II, English IV, Chemistry and/or Physics.

18. Performance Acknowledgements (optional)
Students may earn a performance acknowledgement on the student’s diploma by achieving one of the following:
Outstanding performance in
dual credit courses
bilingualism and biliteracy
Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams
PSAT, ACT-Plan, SAT, or ACT
By earning a nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification license

19. Course Levels Andrea Ramirez - School Improvement Facilitator
Susan Leos - 9th Grade AP & Instructional Administrator
Welcome future Bulldawgs and Bulldawg parents!
As you enter high school, you can look forward to many fun and exciting experiences. We have several programs once you are here in August to help you navigate this transition to help make your 9th grade year fun and successful. Before you get here though, you and your parents will need to make some very important decisions. For the next few minutes, you will hear about the differences between Pre-AP and Academic courses at Bowie. Remember that we want you to be successful, so it is very important to choose what is right for YOU!

20. What is Pre-AP
Advanced Placement, or AP courses are college-level courses taken at the high school level. If a student is successful on an AP test, he or she can earn college credit in addition to high school credit.
Dual credit classes can be taken through ACC or UT on campus to earn high school and college credit simultaneously.
Pre-AP courses at the 9th and 10th grade level are designed to prepare students for the rigorous curriculum in the 11th and 12th grade AP courses.
Pre-AP, AP, and Dual Credit courses are weighted.
One of the biggest dilemmas you and your parents will face is whether to take your high school coursework at an Academic Level or at a Pre-AP Level.  AP courses are college level classes taken in your junior and senior year. In these College Board approved classes, a test is given in May. If you score high enough on this AP test, you can earn credit for a college level class that will transfer into many colleges or universities. Dual credit courses are ACC courses that count for high school credit and college credit. The main purpose of Pre-AP classes is to prepare you for these AP and dual credit classes, and that means a more challenging and deeper level of coursework, sometimes at a faster pace.
Also, Pre-AP courses are weighted which means that you receive an extra point on your GPA corresponding to the grade you earn in the Pre-AP course. Keep in mind that any grade below 70 is failing regardless of the level of the class and will not earn credit.

21. Pre-AP Readiness Works well independently.
Is creative in their approach to solving problems.
Readily applies learned principles to new situations.
Responds positively to challenging situations.
Has a strong intuitive sense for the subject matter.
Shows a high degree of interest and motivation.
Has experienced high achievement in past courses.
Shows above average ability in critical reading skills, writing skills, and oral expression.
Shows above average maturity in relationship to classroom behaviors and critical thinking and application skills.
Here are characteristics about personal and academic characteristics that indicate a level of preparedness for the rigor of Pre-AP courses.
Works well independently.
Is creative in their approach to solving problems.
Readily applies learned principles to new situations.
Responds positively to challenging situations.
Has a strong intuitive sense for the subject matter.
Shows a high degree of interest and motivation.
Has experienced high achievement in past courses.
Shows above average ability in critical reading skills, writing skills, and oral expression.
Shows above average maturity in relationship to classroom behaviors and critical thinking and application skills.
Please take some time to consider all of these personal and academic characteristics in making your decision about whether to take a class as Pre-AP or Academic

22. Which classes are offered as Pre-AP in the 9th grade?
English Language Arts I
Biology
World Geography
Algebra I and Geometry
jbhs.org Academics TabGuidance/Counseling
All 4 of the core content areas can be taken as Pre-AP or as Academic. Both Pre-AP and Academic will prepare you for college, career, and life. We take great pride that over 90% of Bowie graduates go straight into college and do very well! Rest assured that you will encounter rigorous curriculum in both Pre-AP and Academic classes. The biggest difference is that Pre-AP curriculum provides more rigorous curriculum at a higher level for those of you who will likely take college level classes in your junior and senior year. You can find out more details, such as the required summer work at jbhs.org on the Guidance and Counseling page under the Academics tab. Please make sure you carefully read the expectations for each Pre-AP course you select as some courses require you to read a novel over the summer or do research for a project over the summer. You should also consider time for homework when making your decision. You can expect an average of one to three hours of homework each week in each Pre-AP class you take. If you are involved in extra-curricular activities, you must carefully weigh the amount of time you have for homework with the demands of a Pre-AP class. Make sure you know what you are committing to before you choose!

23. Questions to ask…
Do I have an interest in, or aptitude for, the course I want to take as Pre-AP?
Will I be okay making average grades in a course even if I am working way harder than I did in middle school?
Did I do well on the STAAR test in this area?
Am I willing to be challenged?
How much time do I have in the evenings for homework?
In conclusion, here are some important questions to ask yourself when making this important decision:
Do I have an interest in, or aptitude for, the course I want to take as Pre-AP? It is really hard to meet a challenge in a subject that doesn’t interest you.
Will I be okay making average grades in a course even if I am working way harder than I did in middle school? Many of our students become discouraged because they have always been “A” students and not had to work too hard. The work gets harder in high school!
Did I do well on the STAAR test in this area? You should be strong in the subject or subjects you take as Pre-AP
Am I willing to be challenged? Remember, the word challenge means it’s not easy! This challenge starts before school even starts. If you enroll in a Pre-AP class, it is expected that you complete your summer work before school starts.
How much time do I have in the evenings for homework? If you are in band, play a sport, or do anything else that requires a lot of practice time, you must take this into consideration. 9th grade is one of the toughest transition years. We want you challenge yourself, but we also want you to be successful and to get enough sleep too!
Ultimately, only you and your parents can decide what is best. This is a decision that you should give a lot of thought as it is difficult to change. Our entire master schedule is based on what you choose, so there may or may not be room in another class. Bowie High School policy in the past has been that students applying for a level change must have turned in all assignments and attended tutoring sessions in the content area in which they are requesting the change before it is even considered. Level changes are difficult to make and often result in changing other classes as well.
We want your first year at Bowie to be wonderful. This starts with making the right schedule for YOU!

24. Academics and gt programming
Wide range of opportunities
Gifted & Talented academic program coincides with the Pre-AP/AP program
Many outlets for GT students include newspaper and yearbook, drama/theatre class for those who are GT in language arts and later on honors level courses like Contemporary Novels and Creative Writing as well as competitive activities Oral Interpretation. National math competitions available to students; science fair opportunities, and social studies like Debate and Model UN. UIL competitive events in all areas.
Other outlets for GT students are often with clubs, activities that align with their electives.
For academics the GT program at high school level coincides with the Pre-AP/AP program. The official program is Pre-AP/AP so check your records for the subjects he/she tested in as “gifted and talented.”

25. Balance for GT Students
Know your child and consider life balance
Parent signature on yellow course choice sheet may indicate student’s intention
Furlough/Exit documents available through counselors
GT – as Ms. Ramirez said earlier, balance is critical.
Explain choice sheet signature and furlough/exit doc.

26. Course contract and endorsement form
All Incoming 9th Graders will be required to turn in a Course Contract and Endorsement Form to their Middle School Counselors on Feb. 16th.

27. Bowie Course Contract

28. All Freshmen will take 8 classes:
English I
Math (Algebra I, Geometry, or Alg II)
Biology
World Geography
5-8 Choose 4 more classes:
- Language other than English
- PE or Athletics
- Career Technology Education Classes
- Fine Art (s)
- Elective (s)
*Although Health is a required course, we are requiring students to take it their junior and senior year, so that students are able to take the majority of required courses to obtain an endorsement at the entry- level.

29. Endorsement Form
Fill in the endorsement student has chosen (Endorsements can be changed at any time).
Write the courses selected on the course contract in the 9th Grade column. Please leave the other columns blank (the Bowie counselor will help fill the rest out next year).
Make sure both student and parent/guardian sign at the bottom.
Turn in to middle school counselor.

30. Endorsement Form

31. Additional bowie news and events
Camp Bowie
Bowie
Sign up for Bowie PTSA and Bowie Bulletin
Attend Counseling Department Presentations

32. Parent q&A sessions at feeder Middle schools
Covington Feb.
Small Feb.
Bailey Feb.
Gorzycki Feb.

33. Important dates Camp Bowie:
Feb.8th-11th-Parent Q/A Sessions at Middle Schools
Feb. 15th-Course Advising in Bowie Library from n and 4-7pm
Feb. 16th-Course Contract due to MS Counselors
Feb. 17th-24th-Naviance Course Entry in MS
June 10th-”Change of Mind” deadline for schedule changes.
Camp Bowie:
June 7th-9th (1st session)
June 14th-16th (2nd session)
June 21st-23rd (3rd session)

34. Closing remarks
Be assured that we will do our best to make sure your son or daughter has the best experience at Bowie. We give you our word that we will pursue two main goals: 1) Every student will graduate on time 2) Every student will be college or career-ready upon leaving Bowie High School.

35. thank you!