Preparing for Urbana High School UHS Class of 2011

Welcome to Urbana High School “Preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges.”

UHS Graduation Requirements 45 credits including (semesters) 2 Freshman English 0 to 6 ALS 2 World Studies-Eng 2 World Studies-Soc St 2 Am Studies-Eng, 2 Am Studies-Soc St 1 American Gov't 1 Consumer Ed equivalent 6 Mathematics 4 Science (2 physical, 2 life) 1 Health 2 from Art / Foreign Language / Music / Vocational Educ. 7 Physical Education

Earning Credits Each passing grade equals 1 credit per semester Students with fewer than 10 credits are classified as freshmen regardless of age or number of years in high school. Freshmen typically earn 12 to 14 credits during the year.

Summer School (6 weeks in length, 1 to 2 credits) Recapture Credit Program Night Classes through Urbana Adult Ed Concurrent Enrollment at UI / Parkland A fee is required for most of these options Other Credit Opportunities (outside the regular school day/year)

Classification of Students Freshman: credits Sophomore: credits and have completed 2 semesters of high school Junior: credits and have completed 4 semesters of h.s. by August or 5 semesters by January. Senior:31 or more credits and have completed 6 semesters of high school.

Minimum Requirements for 4 - year Colleges* 4 years of English 3 years of Math (Algebra 1 and above) 3 years of Science (Biology and above) 2 to 3 years of Social Studies 2 years of electives (frequently a Foreign Language) *Requirements do change and vary from year to year, major to major, and college to college.

“What do 9th graders usually take?” 2 semesters of English 2 semesters of Math 2 semesters of Science 2 semesters of PE 9 Lunch 2 semesters of elective(s) (Foreign Lang/Vocational Ed/Arts) or 1-2 of ALS 2 semesters of elective(s) This example makes a 7 period (8:00 to 2:18) day.

"What about Reading/Lunch?" Closed Campus for 9th and 10th graders Reading for 15 minutes/Lunch for 35 Aligned with English curriculum

“When do I get Driver Ed?” PE 10 is the course for Driver Education. This course is taken in 10th grade IF the student has passed 8 classes in the preceding 2 semesters and is 15 years old. Students who will be 16 before they start 10th grade may be allowed to take Dr. Ed. in the summer before 10th grade.

“How long is the school day?” The school day at UHS has 8 class periods of 50 minutes each, with one being the student’s reading/lunch period. A standard schedule is 7 class periods (6 classes + lunch). Everyone starts at 8:00 AM. Dismissal for a standard schedule is at 2:18.

“But what about an 8 to 3 day?” Students wishing to take 7 classes (+ lunch) have an 8:00 to 3:05 schedule. This is frequently the schedule of those freshmen taking both music and another elective, but is not necessary to earn the credits needed for graduation. Balance what your student can handle in this transition year.

Counselors Neffi DamboA - E Samuel FurrerF - L Ray MinerM - R Michael Krumwiede S - Z Students are assigned to counselors according to student’s last name. Students remain with the same counselor throughout high school. Office is on 2nd floor, Room Phone

Registering for UHS Attend Curriculum Orientation Night on Thurs, January 25, 7 PM, UHS Auditorium. 8th graders will register with their UHS counselor (in a classroom group) on Feb. 8 and 9, PLEASE review what students are wishing to take. Ask UMS teachers for input. Contact your student’s counselor about any questions or desired changes.

Future Planning Have an idea of where you’re headed. It makes for better planning. Explore opportunities and options related to your career interests. Take a variety of coursework in high school. Involve yourself in activities in the school and community. Do your best.

What’s ahead after UHS? (Interest Inventories tell which careers match a student’s interests: not what they “should be” or “are good at.”) Internet based inventories are quick and provide extensive feedback. Look for these on the UHS Guidance and Counseling Web Page.UHS Guidance and Counseling Web Page The on-line Kuder Interest Inventory is given in many vocational classes at UHS. Career Fairs are a good way to learn about options, too. UHS has a fair for sophomores.

Sources of Career and College Information UHS Counselors’ offices each have many general resource books UHS Library has an extensive collection of career and college materials UHS Guidance and Counseling Dept. web page has links to college, career, financial aid, job, and other information. Check it out!UHS Guidance and Counseling Dept. Public Library, book stores, colleges Friends, Family, etc.

Activities We have a wide variety of activities available to UHS students. Many more exist in the community. Participation helps broaden and enrich the student’s school experience, develops leadership skills, and provides service to others. Class Activities Band, Orchestra, Choir, Madrigals Art ClubKey Club Foreign Language Clubs Sports Drama, Thespians Chess Students for World Improvement Student Senate Math TeamScience Club Amnesty International Publications (Yearbook, Newspaper) Multi-Cultural Club Interact

Eligibility Every freshman begins high school with a clean slate regarding eligibility. Students must pass 5 classes each week to remain eligible. Eligibility is checked weekly. If 5 classes are not passed for a semester, the student is ineligible the following semester.

Pass/Fail Option Each semester, one course may be taken Pass/Fail. (There are restrictions on which courses.) A form signed by the parent must be received in the guidance office during the first four weeks of each semester. Students may request removal of a pass/fail in the first 10 days of the 2nd and 4th quarters. (It cannot be moved to another course.) Pass/Fail does impact Grade Point Average (GPA). Be aware of college and NCAA views on P/F.

Grade/Honor Point Scale UHS uses a 5 point scale to represent grade point average (GPA). Many of our courses are weighted or may be taken with the weighted option. Weighted courses are more challenging and involve more work on the part of the student. The honor points used in computing GPA are higher for the weighted grades, producing GPA’s above 5.0 for some students. GradeUnweighted PointsWeighted Points A A B B B C C C F

Grade Weighting When figuring GPA, an additional honor point is given for grades of C- and better. Weighted courses cannot be taken "Pass/Fail." GradeNon-weighted PointsWeighted Points A A B B B C C C D+2.25 D2.00 D-1.75 F1.00

Honor Roll Honor Roll is figured at the end of each semester. A GPA of 4.20 or above with no D’s or F’s is required. Academic Monogram 4.0 GPA achieved during both semesters of the year Awards ceremony is held in the fall of the next school year

Cooperative Training Programs* WECEP--for students age 14 through 15 –students have a work skills class –work during the school day (mostly foodservice) –receive credit for class and work, plus pay $ –Does NOT jeopardize on -time graduation or the option of going to college. Coop--for students age 16 and older STEP--for students who have an IEP *these fulfill the consumer ed requirement

Support Services for Students After School Activities and Programs (ASAP)--free tutoring before and after school Minority Enrichment Program (MEP)-- provides support for minority students in enriched courses, after-school tutoring Peer Tutoring by NHS Students Special Education--placement through IEP; credit classes and support

Your Dean Deans are responsible for attendance and behavior issues. Your dean works with a section of the alphabet. Ms. Price-Hammond Ms. Cook Mr. Fatheree

Support Personnel for Students Counselors Deans Social Workers School Psychologist Minority Enrichment Program Coordinator (MEPC) Outreach Worker School Nurse

Your experience at Urbana High School will be what you make it. Strive to do your very best in all classes, have regular attendance, and steer clear of discipline problems. When you do have concerns, promptly take them to the appropriate school personnel. We want your time here to be an enjoyable, academically and socially enriching experience!

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