IMS School Counseling Department March 3 and 4, 2015

Mrs. Feliciani, D-Ko Mr. Kiggins, A – C

Miss Wallace, Kr-Ro Mrs. McCormick, Ru – S & 10 th Grade Spec. Ed.

Mrs. Liebenguth, T - Z & 9 th Grade Spec. Ed. Mrs. Traversari, Counseling Department Secretary

Program of Studies On-line at

Scheduling Timeline March 1 st –Honors and AP Podcasts available on-line at March 1 st –Honors and AP Podcasts available on-line at March 2- NAI students/counselors visit IMS March 2- NAI students/counselors visit IMS March 3 rd, 4 th –IMS counselors discuss the new scheduling process with all 8 th grade classes. March 3 rd, 4 th –IMS counselors discuss the new scheduling process with all 8 th grade classes. March 5 th —NAI holds scheduling meetings for parents of 8 th and 9 th graders (9:30am & 7:30pm). March 5 th —NAI holds scheduling meetings for parents of 8 th and 9 th graders (9:30am & 7:30pm). March 5 th –Elective Fair at NAI Gym for students and parents (6:00pm-7:30pm). March 5 th –Elective Fair at NAI Gym for students and parents (6:00pm-7:30pm). March 12th –Students will receive access to the Tyler Student Portal to review their course recommendations and select electives for next year with IMS counselor. March 12th –Students will receive access to the Tyler Student Portal to review their course recommendations and select electives for next year with IMS counselor.

Scheduling Timeline, cont’d March 19 th – 23 rd –NAI counselors visit middle schools to discuss schedules with individual 8 th grade students (MMS-19 th, CMS 20 th, IMS 23 rd ). March 19 th – 23 rd –NAI counselors visit middle schools to discuss schedules with individual 8 th grade students (MMS-19 th, CMS 20 th, IMS 23 rd ). March 27 th –All waivers are due to respective Counseling Offices—grades 8 through 11 (NO EXCEPTIONS). March 27 th –All waivers are due to respective Counseling Offices—grades 8 through 11 (NO EXCEPTIONS). March 27 th –Scheduling process is complete. No schedule changes will be accepted after this date. March 27 th –Scheduling process is complete. No schedule changes will be accepted after this date.

Full-time Course –meets 5 times each week. Part-time Course –meets 2 or 3 times per week. Semester Course –a course that is one-half of a school year or 18 weeks of class. Elective Course –a course taken to enhance a particular subject area, for personal interest or for career exploration and preparation. Required Course –a course that must be taken by all students in order to graduate. Honors Course –a level of course that has extended content and additional workload. They are set apart from regular high school courses in the same subject, have prerequisites for admission, and are weighted for the purpose of computing class rank.

1.0 – One credit is earned for successful completion of classes meeting 5 times each week for 36 weeks or 120 hours..5 – One half credit is earned for successful completion of classes meeting 5 times each week for 18 weeks or 60 hours. One half credit is also earned for attending classes 2 or 3 times each week for 36 weeks. 1.5 – One and one half credit is earned for successful completion of classes meeting 5 times each week for 36 weeks and doing laboratory work 2 or 3 times each week for 2 semesters.

A minimum of 24 credits is required for graduation from North Allegheny. English4.0 credits (includes culminating project) Social Studies 4.0 credits Mathematics3.0 credits Science3.0 credits S.T.E.M.1.0 credit Physical Education2.0 credits (.5 credits per year) Health Education0.5 credits Electives6.5 credits

Required * English1.0 credit * Social Studies1.0 credit * Math1.0 credit * Science1.0 credit * Physical Ed.0.5 credit * Health0.5 credit Required Courses5.0 credits Elective Coursesup to 3.0 credits (must schedule at least 2.0 credits)

PHASE I * Emphasizes the basic skills of a subject * Provides practice in learning and applying the basic skills PHASE II * Emphasizes the continued application of basic skills of a subject * Allows average students more time to review, practice and apply skills

PHASE III * Designed for students who are college bound or better than average ability * Need to have a command of basic skills * Emphasizes higher level of thinking skills PHASE IV * Emphasizes critical thinking, writing and research skills * Material is covered at a rapid pace * Strict prerequisites are required * Most challenging classes

PHASE I PHASE II PHASE IV PHASE III

Plan Ahead Sheet

Procedures: * Communication is initiated by the parent and student to the appropriate teacher. * If a waiver contract is still desired, the waiver form is given to the student by the teacher. * The student is responsible for obtaining all the needed signatures on the form except the principals. * The form MUST be handed in to the school counseling office on or before March 27th.

If a student does withdraw from a course (after the 15 day waiting period) for which a waiver contract has been signed, one of the following consequences will occur for a full year course: 1. If withdrawal occurs during days 16 to 40 of the semester, a “W” will appear on the official transcript. 2. If withdrawal occurs beyond the 40 th day of the semester, an “E” will appear on the official transcript. There will be no exceptions.

All students have an opportunity in the spring of each year to select courses appropriate to their needs. Students are also permitted to adjust their course selections prior to March 27 th. Following this date, all course selections will be considered final, and schedule change requests will only be considered for the following reasons: * Mechanical Error: Ex. Course left off schedule. * Level Changes: Level changes can only occur within the first 40 days of school and if the student has a 79% or lower in their current class. After day 40, level changes will not be permitted. * Needed for a Graduation Requirement: Ex. Failed required course and must drop elective or study hall to schedule a make-up course. * Fill a Study Hall: Ex. Replace study hall with an elective course without adjusting any other parts of schedule and if seats are available in the class. Page 8…Program of Studies

What else, as a student, should I think about when scheduling? Activities A t h l e t i c s W o r k Volunteering clubs Social life

Ingomar Middle School School Counseling Department