Valley Forge Middle School Class of 2016 8th to 9th Transition Valley Forge Middle School Class of 2016

Upcoming Events & Deadlines February 2, 2012 CHS counselors visit VFMS 8th graders and give out course selection cards. CHS counselors will go over, in detail, the Conestoga course selection process. **Students should have their Program of Studies booklet with them. February 7, 2012 Conestoga Special Areas and Core Class Department Chairs visit VFMS and make presentations to our students regarding course offerings, credit requirements, and other curricular information. Special Areas:  8:00am - 8:46am (1st period) Core: 12:06pm - 1:44pm (6th & 7th periods) February 8-17, 2012 (Wednesday to the following Friday) 8th grade teachers will make recommendations on students’ course selection cards. February 17, 2012 (Friday) Completed course selection cards are due back to Mrs. Neary.

CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR 9-12 English 4.0 Social Studies 3.0 Science 3.0 Math 3.0 Core Electives 2.0 Must include at least one course in each of these three areas: Visual & Performing Arts Business & Technology Family and Consumer Sciences Health & Phys Ed 1.9 Culminating Project 0.1 after freshman year (can be a college application) Electives 5.0

World Language Requirements Level 1, 2 – CHS; if changing languages for 9th, must take minimum of 2.0 credits Level 3 - CHS; if continuing same MS language for 9th, must take minimum of 1.0 credits in same language and 1.0 elective in any other course. **every student must finish at least one Level 2 or 3 language course at CHS **Any student planning to attend college should take a minimum of 4 years of ONE language at CHS.

COURSE LEVELS: Academic (A) Accelerated (X) Honors (H) serious academic studies- pace is modified to accommodate the individual needs and abilities of the students. College-prep level. Accelerated (X) solid foundation for success in most colleges and universities. Pace is accelerated and the workload is demanding. Honors (H) taught at high school level, but like AP courses, provide greatest challenge and best preparation for success at academically rigorous colleges. Advanced Placement (AP) college-level courses taught according to syllabi prescribed by The College Board Advanced Placement Program. Possible college credit can be awarded by the college through AP tests.

Course Levels – 9th grade Core classes SCIENCE Biology AP, H, X, A ENGLISH World Literature H, X, A SOCIAL STUDIES World History AP, H, X MATH Next level after 8th grade math class Offered: A, X, H for all freshman math classes LANGUAGES French, German, Latin, Spanish Italian, Chinese Offered: A, X, H for levels 1-3.

AP COURSES – 9th Grade offered only in Biology & World History For students with: Strong reading and writing skills Strong motivation (800-1000 pages of text + note-taking) College-level text books Strong organizational and study skills Speed matters: reading and notes For students who have excellent attendance AP is not a track…

HEALTH – 9th grade No summer Health Freshman Health is now called “Health & Fitness” Semester course meeting every day (6/6 days of cycle) 4/6 days Health (one full semester) 2/6 days Phys. Ed. (lab)

PHYS. ED. – 9th Grade Called “PE – 9” Semester course Meets 2/6 days PE required in 10th through 12th grades After 9th grade, students can substitute PE with “alternative experiences” (sports, ‘extended experience’, etc)

Periods Per Cycle Students must schedule 36 (min.) and 42 (max.) periods per cycle Exceptions not counted towards the 42 class period cap: ESL Resource Room Co-Curriculars Writing: Spoke (newspaper), Lit. Mag., Yearbook Science Olympiad Music Groups: Camerata, Chanteuses, Chorale, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble, Wind Ensemble Experiential Learning Opportunities -ELO (online courses, service learning) Academic Seminars Science labs

STUDENT BLOCK SCHEDULE 1st Semester 2nd Semester   Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8

9th Grade Student BLOCK SCHEDULE 1st Semester 2nd Semester   Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Period 1 Period 2 Period 3 Period 4 Period 5 Period 6 Period 7 Period 8 WORLD LITERATURE WORLD HISTORY MATH BIOLOGY WORLD LANGUAGE0 HEALTH & FITNESS PE 9 ELECTIVE ELECTIVE ELECTIVE STUDY HALL STUDY HALL

LUNCH Four 30-minute lunch period per day – 5th or 6th period You find out first day of school which one you have. Does not count to 42 periods per semester

ENGLISH CO-CURRICULARS Applications due back to CHS Newspaper (Spoke) Yearbook Lit. Mag. Multimedia Mag.

See Mrs. Neary Make an appointment! Before school After school Lunch or lunch activity Make an appointment!