1. R.C. Loflin Middle School 7th Grade Parent Meeting
February 1, 2016

2. R.C. Loflin Middle School “The Key is ME”
Damon Patterson, Principal
Lauren Hiser, 7th Grade Counselor
Amber White, 7th Grade Assistant Principal

3. Course Selections
Mrs. Hiser will visit elementary campuses to explain 7th grade Course Selection Forms to 6th grade students.
Staples—Tuesday, February 2nd at 9:00 A.M.
Elder—Tuesday, February 2nd at 1:00 P.M.
Plum Creek—Wednesday, February 3rd at 10:45 A.M.
North Joshua – Wednesday, February 3rd at 1:00 P.M.
Caddo – Thursday, February 4th at 2:00 P.M.
If your student is absent on the day Mrs. Hiser visits your student’s elementary campus, Mrs. Hiser will leave extra copies of 7th grade Course Selection Forms with your child’s 6th grade homeroom teacher.
All 7th grade Course Selection Forms are due to the student’s homeroom teacher by Friday, February 12th.
Mrs. Hiser will enter the course selections into the computer the following week.

4. Required Courses General & Honors Math Science Social Studies
ELA (double-blocked)
General & Honors
Math
Science
Social Studies
Technology
Physical Education
Athletics PE

5. Elective Courses Art (1/2) Band* (1) Choir (1) General Music (1/2)
Theater (1/2)
Photojournalism **(1)
*Requires Band teacher signature
**limited class size

6. Athletics
“Participating in the athletic program is a privilege and we encourage all to participate. However, if during the participation of athletics a student chooses not to follow the JISD Athletic Code of Conduct or prohibits instruction to other participants, that student may be removed from the athletic program.” ….Joshua ISD Athletic Code of Conduct
Boys Athletics
Football
Basketball
Track
Cross Country
Girls Athletics
Volleyball
*Students are encouraged to participate and/or try out for at least 2 sports.
**IMPORTANT* Physicals must be completed and turned into the trainer the first week of school or your student’s schedule will be changed out of athletics to P.E.

7. Gifted & Talented Honors English Honors Math Honors Science
Students qualifying for GT services are served by being enrolled in at least one Honors class at LMS.
Honors English
Honors Math
Honors Science
Students do not go to the GT center at the secondary level.

8. Honors Courses Honors eligibility is based on :
The student earning a grade of 90+ yearly average in the previous on-level class in the same subject
The student earns a Level III – Advanced Academic Performance on the STAAR Reading or Math test
The student has parent permission to enroll in honors classes

9. Honors Courses Honors ELA
Curriculum is more strenuous than regular 7th grade ELA class
If a student scores below an 80% (for any six weeks grading period), he/she will be placed on probation. If the student shows minimal to no improvement by the end of the following grading period, a teacher or parent may initiate removal.
A contract must be signed by the student & parent the first week of school.
Summer novel reading is required prior to first day of school.

10. Honors Courses Honors Math & Science
Curriculum is more strenuous than regular math/science courses.
Honors Math students will take the 8th grade STAAR Math test
If a student scores below an 80% (for any six weeks grading period), he/she will be placed on probation. If the student shows minimal to no improvement by the end of the following grading period, a teacher or parent may initiate removal.
A contract must be signed by the student & parent the first week of school.

13. Welcome!!

14. New Graduation Plan for Freshman & Beyond
House Bill 5 made substantial changes to the state's graduation requirements, moving from the current "4x4" graduation plans to a 22-credit Foundation High School Program.
The Commissioner has adopted a transition plan to replace the current graduation plans with the Foundation High School Program beginning with the school year.

15. Joshua ISD Foundation High School Program (FHSP) 26 Credits
Side by Side of the Graduation Plans
Joshua ISD Foundation High School Program (FHSP) 26 Credits
Joshua ISD FHSP + Endorsements Distinguished Level of Achievement 26 Credits 
 4 Credits English  3 Credits Math (*Algebra II required) 
 3 Credits Science (*chemistry or physics required)
 4 Credits Social Studies *
 2 Credits Languages other than English
 1 Credit Physical Education
 1 Credit Fine Arts
 .5 Credit Speech 
 1 Credit Technology 
 6.5 Credits Elective Courses
Special Note:  A student may opt for The Joshua ISD Foundation Plan without an endorsement only under limited circumstances with guardian approval AND with advisement of the counselor/administrator regarding advantages of graduating with one or more endorsements. 
4 Credits English  4 Credits Math (*Algebra II required) 
 4 Credits Science (*chemistry or physics required)
 4.5 Credits Elective Courses
Four credits of the 26 required credits must be in a coherent sequence and content-specific to the student's endorsement area.
* Pending Board Approval

16. Endorsements Total of 26 Credits
When your child is in the 8th grade, he/she will declare their preferred endorsement during their Exploring Careers class for the school year.
A school district must permit a student to choose, at any time, to earn an endorsement other than the endorsement the student previously indicated.

17. Stem Science Technology Engineering Advanced mathematics
Note: Algebra II, physics, and chemistry required and
Five credits in math
Five credits in science

18. Business and Industry Database management Information technology
Communications
Accounting
Finance
Marketing
Graphic design
Architecture
Construction
Welding
Logistics
Automotive technology
Agriculture science
HVAC

19. Public Services Education and Training Health Science Human Services
Law Enforcement
Culinary Arts and Hospitality
JROTC

20. Arts and Humanities Languages other than English Cultural Studies
English Literature
History
Fine Arts
Art
Band
Choir
Dance
Theater Arts

21. Multidisciplinary
Allows a student to select courses from the curriculum of each endorsement area and earn credits in a variety of advanced courses from multiple content areas sufficient to complete the distinguished level of achievement
Four credits in each of the four foundation subject areas to include English IV, and chemistry and/or physics

22. Distinguished Achievement Total of 26 Credits
Requirements include:
Curriculum requirements for at least one endorsement
Four credits in math, including Algebra II
Four credits in science
All students entering ninth grade are required to indicate an endorsement in writing on a Personal Graduation Plan
A student must earn distinguished level of achievement to be eligible for top 10% automatic admission

23. Questions??