SWAMPSCOTT HIGH SCHOOL Curriculum Night March 10, 2009

Goals Introduction of the SHS leadership team Introduction of the SHS leadership team Highlight important information about course enrollment, required classes, progress towards graduation Highlight important information about course enrollment, required classes, progress towards graduation Inform you about the course offerings for 9 th graders at SHS Inform you about the course offerings for 9 th graders at SHS

Leadership Administration/Guidance Administration/Guidance –Lawrence Murphy, Principal –Frank Kowalski, Dean of Students/Athletic Director –Bryan Menegoni, Assistant Principal –John Solazzo, Director of Guidance, Guidance Counselor for 9 th grade –Judy Pressler, Guidance Counselor, 10 th -12 th grade –Anna Skillings, Guidance Counselor, 10 th -12 th grade Content Leaders Content Leaders –Joanna Defeo, English –Mary Alice Murdoch, Math –Bernie Kravitz, Science –Susan Haggerty, Social Studies –Pat Shanahan, Foreign Language Curriculum Specialists Curriculum Specialists –Liliana Litle, Special Education –Linda Portnoy, Career/Technical Education –Jim Pearse, Fine Arts: Art, Music, Theater –Cindy Lavender/Buck Harris – Wellness

Course enrollment Current eighth graders are recommended for core subject areas by 8 th grade teachers Current eighth graders are recommended for core subject areas by 8 th grade teachers English and math placement process English and math placement process Students submit elective course selection sheets to guidance March 20 th Students submit elective course selection sheets to guidance March 20 th All recommendations and elective choices will be sent home to parent the first week of May All recommendations and elective choices will be sent home to parent the first week of May Overrides due May 15 th Overrides due May 15 th The goal is to have schedules for next year in students hands at the step up day in June The goal is to have schedules for next year in students hands at the step up day in June The Program of Studies for the class of 2013 is available on the high school website The Program of Studies for the class of 2013 is available on the high school website

Requirements All students must carry at least 30 credits (6 classes per semester) All students must carry at least 30 credits (6 classes per semester) Typically enroll in 5 core academic courses Typically enroll in 5 core academic courses Freshmen are automatically enrolled in first semester physical education Freshmen are automatically enrolled in first semester physical education They choose two of the following requirements for freshmen year They choose two of the following requirements for freshmen year –Expository writing, Computer Applications, Health

Guidance Freshmen should carry at least 30 credits Freshmen should carry at least 30 credits MCAS testing for 9 th grade MCAS testing for 9 th grade Biology – beginning of June Biology – beginning of June Student must pass ONE science MCAS exam to graduate Student must pass ONE science MCAS exam to graduate The math and ELA MCAS exams are given in 10 th grade The math and ELA MCAS exams are given in 10 th grade

Course offerings Content leaders and curriculum specialists will take you through the sequence of course offerings in their departments… Content leaders and curriculum specialists will take you through the sequence of course offerings in their departments…

SCOPE AND SEQUENCE The English department provides a developmental program designed to teach students: * how to see and appreciate the world and the art around them with critical insight and understanding; * how to communicate articulately what they see in both oral and written expression. Freshmen: Fundamentals/The Hero’s Journey Sophomores : Literary analysis of genres Juniors: American Literature Seniors: Comparative Literature SUMMER READING EXPOSITORY WRITING REQUIREMENT VOCABULARY PROGRAM/ USAGE PROGRAM NOTEBOOK

Mathematics Courses 09/10

Biology (honors) or Introduction to Physics / Chemistry Chemistry (honors) or Biology (all levels) Physics (honors) Or Chemistry (all levels) Physics (all levels) if not completed in grade 9 or 11 Or Science Elective Scope and sequence prior to school year. 1.Prepares students to take 9 th grade science MCAS. 2.Allows more students to take physics at a time when their mathematics skills better developed. 3.Keeps students together by grade. Why change? Current Scope and Sequence. Biology (9th) Chemistry (10th) Physics (11 th or 12 th ) or Science Elective Note: must complete Physics in grade 12 Science Elective Physics (all levels) if not completed by grade 12

11th Grade Physics Or Elective Elective Must take physics in 12 th grade 10th Grade Chemistry * Chemistry MCAS if student failed or failed to take the Biology MCAS 12th Grade Physics Or Elective Elective Must have completed core science program. 9 th Grade Biology and Biology MCAS Science Graduation Requirements. 3 Years of Laboratory Based Science: Biology (9 th ), Chemistry (10 th ) and Physics (11 th or 12 th ) Successful completion of one MCAS in Science Science MCAS :biology, chemistry or physics. Target grade for MCAS is 9 th Grade Biology. SWAMPSCOTT HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE SCOPE AND SEQUENCE.

Science Learning Levels. Honors Science Can perform work at an accelerated rate. Works well independently. Strong and organized study skills. Highly Motivated Able to allocate extra time for projects, and test and classroom preparation. Has strong mathematics skills. CP 1 Science Performs work at a reasonable rate Developing skills that promote positive independent work. Motivated. Completes work with gentle parental and teacher reminders. Requires a regular pace to learn material. Moderate mathematic skills. CP 2 Science Works best at a moderate or individualized pace. Requires coaching to maintain regular study habits and homework completion. Working to enhance independent learning skills.

Biology (9 th ) Biology MCAS 510 Honors Biology Honors Biology 521 CP1 Biology 522 CP 2 Biology Physics (11 th or 12 th ) 530 Honors Physics Honors Physics541 CP1 Physics 542 CP 2 Physics Math Skills play a primary role in course selection. Student may opt to take physics during senior year, allowing math skills to reach an appropriate level.

Freshmen World History I College Preparatory World History I Honors Sophomores World History II College Prep. 1 World History II College Prep. 2 World History II Honors Juniors US History College Prep. 1 US History College Prep. 2 American Studies Advanced Placement US History

Welcome to the Swampscott High School Foreign Language Department Program consists of five years of Spanish, five years of French, three years of Chinese and Latin, and the option of a year of Intensive Language in Italian or German for advanced students. AP is offered in French and Spanish. WHAT IS THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT? Beginning with the class of 2010, all students must have two years of foreign language to graduate from SHS. Study at the Middle School counts as one year toward the high school requirement. Some colleges require two years of successful completion of a language. Some schools recommend a third or fourth year of study, but a third year is not required. Global Competence: 4 years of a spoken language is recommended Meilleurs vœux, muchos recuerdos, saluti cordiali, salutem plurimam, veile grüsse, s pozdravem, zai jian!

Ways to Help Your Teenager be a Successful 9th Grader  Encourage your teenager to become familiar with the guidance counselor.  Empower your teenager to get involved by joining a club or sport; this will allow your teenager to develop new friendships.  Teach time management skills and help your teenager balance time for fun and time for work.  Ensure your teenager has necessary school supplies throughout the year.  Communicate with the teachers, especially if your teenager appears to be struggling.  Take active interests in academics: explore the Boston Museum of Science’s exhibits, read historical biographies, read the required summer reading together  Talk to your teenager about being prepared for situations that might happen.  Set a clear expectation that your teenager will have to work hard. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.

Video, Television & Media Literacy Courses * TV Production I, Grades 9-12, Semester, 2.5 credits * TV Production III, Grades 9-12, Semester, 2.5 Credits (Requirements – 80 Average in TVI and Permission of Instructor) *Media Literacy I: The History of Film & Television Grades 11 & 12, Semester, 2.5 credits *Media Literacy II: Modern Media Grades 11 & 12, Semester, 2.5 credits *Lifetime Health, Fitness & Media Literacy Grades 11 & 12, semester, 2.5 credits Video, Television & Media Literacy Courses * TV Production I, Grades 9-12, Semester, 2.5 credits * TV Production III, Grades 9-12, Semester, 2.5 Credits (Requirements – 80 Average in TVI and Permission of Instructor) *Media Literacy I: The History of Film & Television Grades 11 & 12, Semester, 2.5 credits *Media Literacy II: Modern Media Grades 11 & 12, Semester, 2.5 credits *Lifetime Health, Fitness & Media Literacy Grades 11 & 12, semester, 2.5 credits

CAREER TECHNOLOGY COURSE SELECTIONS ----FRESHMEN---- COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (GRADUATION REQUIREMENT) EXPLORATORY TECHNOLOGY/ENGINEERING ACCOUNTING $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ADVANCED COMPUTER ACCOUNTING LAW VHS PERSONAL FINANCE MULTI MEDIA WEB DESIGN ENTREPRENEUR & BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PARENTING CHILD DEVELOPMENT MANUFACTURING CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY II & III

Art, Music and Theater for Grade 9 Survey of Studio Art Survey of Studio Art Band-Marching and Concert Band-Marching and Concert Piano Lab I Piano Lab I Music in America Music in America Mixed Chorus Mixed Chorus Jazz and Rock Ensemble/Music Theory Jazz and Rock Ensemble/Music Theory Theater Major Theater Major

SWAMPSCOTT HIGH SCHOOL WELLNESS DEPARTMENT  Teachers: Bill Bush, Cindy Lavender, K. Buck Harris Bill Bush, Cindy Lavender, K. Buck Harris  PHYSICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS Freshman Year Freshman Year Physical Education I: (1st semester, 2.5 credits) Physical Education I: (1st semester, 2.5 credits) Sophomore Year Sophomore Year Physical Education II: (2nd semester, 2.5 credits) Physical Education II: (2nd semester, 2.5 credits)  HEALTH EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS Freshman or Sophomore Year Freshman or Sophomore Year Health: Contemporary Adolescent Issues I (1 quarter-1.25 credits) Health: Contemporary Adolescent Issues I (1 quarter-1.25 credits) Junior or Senior Year Junior or Senior Year Health and Media Literacy (1 semester-2.5 credits) or, Health and Media Literacy (1 semester-2.5 credits) or, Health: Contemporary Adolescent Issues II (1 quarter-1.25 credits) Health: Contemporary Adolescent Issues II (1 quarter-1.25 credits)

Conclusion Freshmen year is important! We want to make sure your student enrolls in the courses that will best support long-term success… Freshmen year is important! We want to make sure your student enrolls in the courses that will best support long-term success… Questions and Answers Questions and Answers