8th Grade Pre-Registration Welcome to DHS Class of 2023 8th Grade Pre-Registration

DHS Counselors The following will be your counselor for the four years that you will be attending DHS. A – K: Mr. Hodson L – Z: Mrs. Ebert

Terms to Know Semester – The school year is made up of two semesters. Credits – You receive .5 credit for each semester class that you pass. Graduation Requirement – Specific courses that you must pass to graduate. Electives – Courses that are not specifically required to graduate (i.e. Foreign Language).

Graduation Requirements English 4 credits US History 1 credit Social Studies Elective 1.5 credits Civics .5 credit Math 3 credits Science 3 credits Computer Tech .5 credit Consumer Ed or Econ .5 credit Health .5 credit PE 3.5 credits Electives 6 credits TOTAL CREDITS NEEDED 24 credits

English English Honors – A challenging class for self-motivated readers and writers. Summer reading is required and students must purchase the novels. This is a weighted course with a .5 GPA bonus. English 9

Social Studies You can choose any or all of the 3 social studies classes. However, it is not required that you take S.S. your freshman year.

Math If you’re in Math 8 you must take Algebra I Some may be recommended for Double Block Algebra I. If you took Algebra I @RMS you have the following options: Algebra I Geometry Honors Geometry (.5 GPA Bonus)

Science Biology – This is your only option for Science as a Freshman.

PE Must pick at least one semester of the following: PE Intro to Weightlifting Total Body Fitness (Must provide your own Yoga Mat) Band students are exempt from PE Freshman year.

Health Health is a graduation requirement that is typically taken as a Freshman.

Computer Tech Computer Applications I is a graduation requirement that is typically taken Freshman year.

Driver’s Education If your student turns 15 during Freshman year, they are eligible for Driver’s Ed. Please pick the appropriate quarter for your student. This is considered an elective and they will receive .5 credit.

Spanish I Spanish is considered an elective and not required to graduate. However, some colleges may strongly recommend foreign language. Currently, the U of I is the only public university in Illinois that requires at least 2 years to get in. There are now two levels of Spanish. Either of which will count toward college. Spanish I Honors is a weighted course with a .5 GPA bonus.

Some students may be placed in a study hall based on PSAT 8/9 data. Study halls are not worth credit, but it gives students a class period to get homework done or prepare for test/quizzes. Some students may be placed in a study hall based on PSAT 8/9 data. All students in Study Halls will be required to spend one hour a week on Khan Academy for PSAT/SAT Prep work.

Mentoring Dr. Grady started a Freshman mentoring program this year. Upperclassman are assigned to a group of Freshman to meet periodically throughout the year to discuss relevant topics for navigating Freshman year. Freshman are encouraged to attend these meetings and can earn a Final Exam Exemption for attending.

Students With IEPs Counselors will be working with RMS Case Managers to determine the appropriate high school courses for your student. Students will be assigned a case manager at the high school to ensure that all the components of the IEP are met and your students’ needs are accommodated.

NCAA Division I or II Athletics If your student has their eye on NCAA Div. I or II athletics please be sure to pick up a sheet that shows what DHS courses are NCAA approved.

Website Information On the back of the course selection list, you will find directions on how to reach the following: The DHS Curriculum Guide: Course descriptions, graduation requirements, etc. Course Selections Lists for all 4 years (subject to change). NCAA DI and DII approved courses.

February 28th We will be at RMS on Thursday, February 28th to collect your students’ course selection sheets and answer any questions they may have about the courses they picked. To contact the DHS counselors: shodson@dps170.org aebert@dps170.org

Questions? ?