1. Welcome to Stratford High School
Becoming a 9th grader

2. Administrative & Counseling Teams
Administrative Team:
Building Principal: Chad Crowson
Associate Principal: Pam Metcalfe
Freshman Principal: Valerie Johnson
Sophomore Principal: Dr. Laura Villaflor
Junior Principal: Carl Blazed
Senior Principal: Jeff McCord
Counseling Team:
Registrar/Lead Counselor – Gene Rutland
A-D Carrie Campbell Bishop
E-K Jim Herrington
L-Q Crystal Arrington
R-Z Susie Velis
Post Secondary Counselor – D’Ann Franklin
Student Services Counselor – Lynn Hollister
CIS Counselor – Kristin Sulemon

3. Regular Bell Schedule Period 1 or 2 7:45 - 9:19 Period 3 or 4
7: :19
Period 3 or 4
9: :08
A Lunch
11: :38
Period 5 or 6 (A Lunch)
11: :18
Period 5 or 6 (B Lunch)
11: :48
B Lunch
12: :18
Period 7 or 8
1: :00

4. First Steps to Success Suggested to have an organization system.
Example: 2 Binders. One for A day classes and one for B day classes.
Use a planner.
Do the homework.
Re-take test when available.
Check your mysbisd.org address for information all the time.
Log into Skyward and check your grades often.

5. Communication Skyward Family Access and Skyward Emails
School website
District website
Counselor website
Principal telephone callouts
Remind 101
School Messenger

6. Encourage your student to get excited about high school.
TONS of choices
New people to meet
Teachers and Staff who care
Spartan time each week
Interesting classes, clubs and organizations

7. Did you know?
Students that are involved in extra- curricular activities are 83% more likely to graduate in 4 years…
Newsweek Magazine

8. Foundation Plan – 22 credits
4 credits in English
1 credit Physical Education
3 credits in Science
1 credit Fine Arts
3 credits in Social Studies
2 credits Foreign Lang.
3 credits in Math
5 elective credits
This is not recommended as a college ready plan and requires parent and student written acceptance to complete this plan.

9. Spartan Success Formula
26 Credits
Foundation Plan plus the following:
4th math course
4th science course
4th social studies course
Endorsement area coursework
Foundation Plan + Endorsement(s) = 26 Credits and College Ready

10. Endorsements
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) – takes 4 or 5 credits (years).
Business and Industry
Public Services
Arts and Humanities – 4 credits (years)
Example: 4 years of foreign language/4 years of band.
Multidisciplinary Studies
Example: Easiest to achieve is 4 Core Classes for 4 years.

11. State Testing Requirements: STAR EOC
*English I and English II
**Algebra I
US History
Biology
* If a student does not successfully pass the eighth grade Star English test, they will be placed in a reading course and study hall.
**If a student does not successfully pass the eighth grade star math test, they will be placed in I.P.C. and a study hall.

12. Course Catalog (Formerly known as Program of Studies)
Please refer to the Spring Branch ISD Course Catalogue for for available courses and information. It is a great reference resource.

13. Online Course Selections
Students have or will meet with their counselors and place tentative course selections into Skyward.
Students will be able to log into their family access account and update their course selections for next year. The window will be closed on March 1st. Parent accounts are view only.
Three course verification letters will be mailed home after Spring Break.

14. Typical Freshman's Course Selection
(This is an example only and not a required set schedule for any student.  This example is provided as an illustration of what a schedule could be for freshman year. ) 1.  English I (GL or PAP) 2.  Algebra I (GL or PAP) or Geometry (GL or PAP) or Some students who take Alg I and Geom in Jr High they can take Algebra II PAP   Biology I (GL or PAP) or (IPC) Integrated Physics and Chemistry (Ask your Jr High Math and Science teachers which science class would be best for Freshman Year.) 4.  World Geography (GL or PAP)  or Human Geography AP 5.  Fine Art Elective (If already took in Jr High can take another fine art or find an elective to add.) 6.  PE Physical Ed/Sport  Elective (Required to graduate and Dance I can be used as a PE Credit) 7.  Study Hall or other Elective or 2nd part of a Sport (Meaning sports are double blocked or take up two periods on an 8 period schedule.)                                                                                                                                                                   8.  Foreign Language (if have already met graduation requirement of 2 years, then can be 3rd year of foreign language or other elective)

15. Course Selection in Skyward
Select your four core courses
English
Mathematics
Science
Social studies
These courses span two semesters, so they will appear twice in the “courses requested” column

16. Social Studies Options
World Geography
World Geography PRE AP
*A.P. Human Geography
*This course may replace World Geography Pre-AP and students may receive college credit based on their A.P. score.
It is recommended for students with strong reading and writing skills.

17. Math Options (Currently in 8th Grade Math) (Currently in Algebra 1)
Algebra I
Algebra I PRE AP
(Currently in Algebra 1)
Geometry
Geometry PRE AP
(Currently in Geometry)
Algebra II
Algebra II PRE AP

18. Physical Education Options
One year (1.0 credit) in P.E. for high school graduation
Athletics count as PE credits
Color guard and marching band will count as a P.E. credit the first semester and will count as 1.0 fine arts credit the second semester
Off Campus P.E. applications must be submitted prior to March 15, Contact your middle school counselor for information.
You may also get PE credit for Marching Band, and Spartanaires if you stay in the program for two years.
All students must have 1 credit of PE to graduate. Athletic credits include one of the many sports that are offered, fall semester of marching band, Pre-Markettes, and Markettes. Students may not earn more than 1credit in athletics. If you plan to continue athletics after earning 1 credits, the athletic credits will become elective credits.

19. Foreign Language Options
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE I
COMPUTER SCIENCE I
FRENCH I
GERMAN I
SPANISH I
SPANISH II
SPANISH III PRE AP
SPANISH III Grade Level
SPANISH IV AP
Anything beyond 2 or 3 credits of a foreign language counts as an academic elective.
Inform students of the course options available at their campus.

20. Fine Arts Contacts
Band – Head Director Richard Graham
Choir – Head Director Peter Steinmetz
Orchestra – Head Director Michael Fahey
Theatre Arts – Head Director CeCe Prudhomme
Identify the options available at your campus.
If you are in Debate, the first semester counts as an elective and the second semester counts for Speech credit. It is a full year course, so you may NOT drop it at semester.

21. Theatre Arts
Students interested in theatre should sign up for Theatre Arts I if no previous middle school theatre arts courses have been taken.
If they have already taken two years of middle school theatre arts courses they need to speak with the Theater Arts teacher, Mrs. Prudehomme
All Theatre Arts classes are year long courses and participation outside of school may be part of the class requirement.

22. Journalism – Newspaper - Yearbook
If students are interested in photography they can sign up for Photojournalism. There is a one semester option and a full year (or 2 semester option)
If students want to study all aspects of Journalism they need to take a full year course.
Students taking Journalism I need to understand this course involves computer work, graphic design, and writing skills.
To enroll in newspaper or yearbook courses, student must have completed Journalism I or Photojournalism.
Newspaper teacher/sponsor – Janice Cummons
Yearbook teacher/sponsor – Lillian Harris

23. Athletic Information Highly competitive
Challenges athletes on a daily basis to be their best.
SHS offers both tryout (cut) and non-tryout (non-cut) sports.
A cut sport is one in which a tryout takes place and is based on ability/potential relative to the other athletes who try out.
Sports that do not have cuts still have criteria and standards that must be met and maintained to remain on the team.
Baseball students will not have Baseball 9 in their schedule for 9th grade.
Please contact Coach Humphrey’s for more information.
Meet the Coaches Night will be held on April 2, 2018 with a dinner at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria and information sessions in the main gym at 7:30 p.m.
Connect with the coach of your sport to find out if there is any summer tryouts or training.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Campus Athletic Director Elliot Allen via

24. Tryout (Cut) Sports are underlined
Athletics Options
Tryout (Cut) Sports are underlined
ATHLETIC TRAINER Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
BASKETBALL 9 BOYS Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
BASKETBALL 9 GIRLS Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
CROSS COUNTRY 9 Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
DIVING 9 Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
FOOTBALL 9 Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
GOLF Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
SOCCER 9 Boys Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
SOCCER 9 Girls Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
SOFTBALL 9 Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
SWIMMING 9 Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
TENNIS 9 Requires 1 Period / One State Credit
TRACK 9 BOYS Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
TRACK 9 GIRLS Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit
VOLLEYBALL 9 Requires 2 Periods / One State and One Local Credit

25. Spartanaires
Spartanaires is the drill team that performs at different athletic and invitational events and Spring Show.
For tryout information, please contact Mrs. Vinyard.
Dance/Spartanaire Director – Julie Vinyard

26. Guthrie Center (2 periods)
The Guthrie Center is a high school elective campus in SBISD that offers 9th to 12th grade students an opportunity for career preparation and job training with state-of-the-art technology taught by industry professionals. Students sign up for the college-level elective of their choice. Students ride a district bus that shuttles them between Stratford High School and the Guthrie center. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn and discover what you may consider for a career without the expense of a college tuition. For more information on the Guthrie Center from its teachers, to its classes, to its achievements, please visit: If you would like to see what students have to say about their experiences there, please check out the following video:

27. 504/Dyslexia Services
504 Folders are brought to SHS by the middle school staff.
Contact Lynn Hollister, Student Support Services Counselor
Encourage your student to know his/her accommodations.

28. Freshman To Do List Focus on grades and attendance.
Check the SHS Library site for any required summer reading.
Get involved:
School activities
Community activities
Community service
Keep track of extra and co-curricular involvement.
Research and visit colleges and universities.
Make sure all contact information in Skyward is current (address, , telephone, etc.).

29. ELECTIVE SHOWCASE TABLES
Please be sure to visit with teachers/sponsors in the snack bar area this evening who are sharing information regarding their different course areas.