Counseling and Honors

Who is our Counselor? Karen Nosbusch Amanda Vega de Garcia Student Services Technician Parents of students new to the district need to see Mrs. Vega de Garcia to enroll.

What do counselors do? Personal, social, and academic problems Parent conferences Promotion status Community referrals Crisis intervention Classroom guidance lessons Extended Learning Time (ELT), no sign up necessary, just attend Information on CJSF, School Service Award, and Academic Talent Search

California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF) Free statewide honors club Qualified students apply each trimester –Any 2 trimesters during 7 th grade and first 2 trimesters during 8 th grade are required What’s the benefit? –Intro to high school level of CSF which helps with college applications and leadership opportunities –Recognition in promotion ceremony program

School Service Award (CJSF with Distinction Award for CJSF members) 20 hours of school service required –Recycling program, Esperanza birthday club, ELT tutoring, music tutoring –Students get the applications from their counselor, Ms. Nosbusch

Grades Online Sign up for grades online now and your login will rollover from year to year. If you need help, please contact Mrs. Nosbusch. Students will need access to grades online to track their progress (with their own address and password or they can use a parent’s address and password)

Honors *7 th grade – Heterogeneous (Lessons are differentiated) *8 th grade – Honors and/or heterogeneous Through the honors component student expand their skills as critical thinkers, writers, and in- depth readers.

Is Honors More Work? Absolutely! And valuable, relevant work Absolutely! And valuable, relevant work Rigorous and demanding curriculum for all Rigorous and demanding curriculum for all –World History, Biological Sciences, PreAlgebra, English (focus on essay and information writing) –The additional Honors projects, classwork, and assessments support the depth and complexity crucial to an Honors program.

Who takes Honors? Every student can choose to do honors work Every student can choose to do honors work Choices: 1, 2, 3 or all 4 courses...student’s choice Choices: 1, 2, 3 or all 4 courses...student’s choice First two weeks of school, teachers talk to the students about the honors components. First two weeks of school, teachers talk to the students about the honors components. Honors participation forms sent home for parent signature. Honors participation forms sent home for parent signature.

Transitioning from Elementary to Secondary The emphasis in honors level work now shifts from student learning potential to a student’s actual academic performance. The emphasis in honors level work now shifts from student learning potential to a student’s actual academic performance.

 All work completed on time.  Satisfactory/Outstanding Work Habits and Citizenship  Strong organizational skills  Positive contributions to classroom discussions and activities  The most successful honor students are intrinsically motivated. Expectations for students doing Honors work:

 Advanced reading skills with high interest in reading*  Advanced writing skills  Analytical writing versus creative writing  * Since honors students read at a higher level, they may choose to read material with more mature content. Reading - Writing

All 7 th grade students take Pre-Algebra Ability levels are mixed within each class and each community Honors level work available to all students Special projects and challenge problems available to all students All students have the opportunity to move to algebra in 8 th grade 7 th Grade Math

Pre - Algebra Algebra 1 Intro to Algebra Grade of B+ or higher Pass Standards Test Strong work habits Doesn’t meet ALL three of the above 7 th Grade8 th Grade

Algebra 1 (Repeat) Grade of A or B+ AND Outstanding work habits 7 th Grade8 th Grade Doesn’t meet BOTH of the above Geometry Honors Special case through testing and invitation only.

Honors Science  Creative and inquisitive minds  Ability to follow directions and work collaboratively for labs

Requirements to Enter 8 th Grade Honors Science  Earn an “A” grade each trimester of 7 th grade  Be responsible and turn in all assignments  Be in Algebra or Geometry as an 8 th grader  Have outstanding or satisfactory citizenship

Questions?