1. Welcome to Williamston High School Home of the Hornets!
9th-grade Orientation Night
Thursday, April 12, 2018

2. In this presentation… Welcome and introductions – Dr. Thoenes
Review of Tonight’s Events – Dr. Thoenes
Michigan Merit Curriculum Graduation Requirements – Dr. Thoenes
WHS Curriculum Guide – Dr. Thoenes
Departmental Presentations
English – Rhonda Jaskowski
Math – Tom Hampton
Science – Tim Kelly
Social Studies – Anne Wade
Business – Georgianna Baldwin
Question-and-Answer Panel Discussion

3. MMC Graduation Requirements
To earn a diploma, a student must earn at least 22 credits and fulfill all of the Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements for graduation.
See handout.

4. Curriculum Guide Book
This year’s edition is posted on the high school’s webpage at:
Click on Academics tab across top and select Curriculum Guide
If online access if not available for families, printed copies will be available in the Student Services Office.

5. Curriculum Guide Book Contains Graduation Requirements
Information on Scheduling and Special Programs
Course Descriptions
Course Prerequisites
Departmental Flowcharts
Testing Out Procedures
Dual Enrollment
Accelerated Programs
International Exchange
And much, much more!

6. English Department Members
Bob Duffey –
Jonny Ellis –
Rhonda Jaskowski –
Katie Nolen –
Maggie Myers –
Erika Williams –

7. English Improving study and organizational skills
Reading and analyzing a variety of texts
Writing effectively
Explicit grammar instruction
Speaking confidently
Thinking critically
Listening attentively
Self-advocating (absence, make-up work, extra help)
ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS ARE IMPORTANT AND EVALUATED

8. English
Class Literature – Lord of the Flies, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Odyssey, Romeo & Juliet
Choice reading
Critical discussion
Essays
Research paper
Speeches / Debate
Projects
Close reading /literary analysis work
Vocabulary

9. English Requirements – 4 credits
English 9 or English Enrichment (required) – Introduction to English
English 10 (required) – American Literature
Junior year – (required)
English 11 – World Literature and Analysis or
AP English Language & Composition
Senior year – (required)
English 12 – College Preparation or
AP English Literature

10. English Electives Cannot replace required English 9, 10, 11, or 12
Classes offered:
Creative Writing
Film Literature
Mythology and Fantasy
Sports Literature
Yearbook

11. Math Department Members
Steve Chamberlain –
Sarah Conklin –
Jonny Ellis –
Tom Hampton –
Ray Herek –
Steve Kersten –
Joe Rasmus –

12. Math Requirements – 4 credits
Geometry
Algebra I
Algebra II
Math course must be taken during the senior year.

13. Math Courses Geometry Geometry Support Algebra I Algebra Enrichment
Algebra II
Algebra II Extended (4 semesters)
MSA Algebra I & MSA Algebra II
Pre-Calculus
Advanced Placement Statistics
Advanced Placement Calculus
Advanced Placement Computer Science
MSA Robotics I and MSA Robotics II
Robotics and Programming

14. MSA Math Sequence Freshman year - MSA Algebra I;MSA Robotics I
Sophomore year - MSA Algebra II; MSA Robotics II
Junior year – Precalculus
Senior year – Choose one of the following:
AP Statistics
AP Calculus
AP Computer Science Principles

15. Features of Math classes
Daily Homework
Applications
Use of Technology
Problem Solving
Participation
Extra Help is Available!
Final Exams

16. Math Supplies Calculators Scientific – sin, cos, tan (geom.)
Graphing – TI 84+ (alg. I)
Inspire
Geometry – compass, protractor, ruler

17. Science Department Members
Chris Armour –
Ann Fritts –
Jakob Gailitis –
Tim Kelly –
John Travis –

18. Science Requirements – 3 credits
Michigan Science Standards at WHS
Physical Science – Required in 9th
grade
Biology – Required in 10th grade
Earth Science – Required in 11th grade

19. Science Electives Forensics (semester) Human Anatomy and Physiology
College Prep Chemistry/Chemistry
Advanced Placement Biology
Advanced Placement Chemistry
Advanced Placement Physics 1 – Algebra based
MSA versions of Physical Science, Biology, and Earth Science

20. MSA Science Sequence
Freshman year - MSA Physical Science and MSA Biology A (in the 2nd semester); MSA Robotics I
Sophomore year - MSA Biology B (in the 1st semester) and MSA Earth Science; MSA Robotics II
Junior year
MSA Research (Required) and also choose one of the following:
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics I
Senior year – Choose one of the following:

21. Social Studies Department Members
Mitch Lutzke -
Megan O’Rourke -
Sally Potter -
John Travis –
Anne Wade -

22. Social Studies Requirements – 3 credits
9th grade - U.S. History and Geography
10th grade - World History and Geography
11th or 12th grade - Civics (semester)
11th or 12th grade - Economics (semester)

23. Social Studies Electives
AP Economics (Micro and Macro) (offered in )
AP Psychology
AP U.S. History and Geography (offered in )
AP U.S. Government
AP World History and Geography (offered again in )
Psychology (semester)
Sociology (semester)

24. Social Studies Skills Geography Understanding Different Perspectives
Writing
Research
Current Events
Critical Thinking
Conversation/Debate
Note-taking
Analyzing primary sources

25. Social Studies Clubs and Activities
Model United Nations
Student Government
Teen Court
History Day Tour
International Exchange (Germany/Europe)

26. World Language Department Members
Sara Bostwick-
Amy Ide-

27. World Language Requirements – 2 credits.
Spanish I
Spanish 2
Other online options
Electives
Spanish 3
Spanish 4
Advanced Placement Spanish (IS)

28. Why take more than 2 credits of Spanish?
Competitive colleges like to see applicants with four years of one language. This sets them apart from other applicants.
Free college credit can be earned with just four years of Spanish.
Students may not have to take a language in college if they have four years in high school.
Our global society considers speaking a second language necessary.

29. Art Department Instructor: Meagan Kubu Features of the Art Department:
Features of the Art Department:
Hands-on, Project-based Learning
AP College Credit Opportunity for Junior or Senior Year
Art Exhibit Opportunities
Art Scholarship Opportunities

30. Art Department-Semester Classes
Art Buffet: Exploring Multimedia
Adventures In Art: Art For Beginners
Eat, Breathe, Art: Advanced Art
Fun With Photography
Playing With Clay: Ceramics For Beginners
Advanced Ceramics: Hard Core Edition
AP Studio Art (Year Long Class)

31. Performing Arts Department
Instructors:
Lindsay Snyder (Choir/Theater) –
Lynn Kelsey (Band) –
Courses offered:
Symphony Band - open to all students, 9-12
Jazz Band - zero hour, open to students in grades 9- 12, must be enrolled in Symphony Band to participate unless you receive director approval
Choir (Verismo) – mixed choir, open to all students, 9-12
Choir (Bel canto) – women’s choir, open to all students, 9-12
Theater – open to all students, 9-12

32. Benefits of Performing Arts
Builds critical thinking skills, and decision making
Enables students to confidently convey ideas
Individual and Group Performance Opportunities
Opportunities for outreach in the community
Fosters a life-long love of music and performing

33. Business Department Instructors: Dana Plaxton and Georgianna Baldwin
Courses Available to Freshmen
Business Technology
Sports Marketing
Desktop Publishing
Web Technology
Business Professionals of America
Students must have a business class first semester
Over 80 members each year
Option to compete in over 50 different events at regional, state, and national level individually or as a team.

34. Features of the Business Department
VPAA Credit - Visual, Performing, and Applied Arts
Blended Learning - Accounting I and Advanced Accounting combination of face-to-face and online learning opportunities
Senior Year Math Credit - Accounting, Advanced Accounting, Business Management, and Personal Finance
College Credit opportunities for Articulation in the 11th- and 12th-grade years - Business Technology, Personal Finance, Business Management and Accounting
Office Assistant opportunities - After completion of Business Technology
Work Based Learning (WBL) opportunities

35. 9th-grade Scheduling
WHS Counselors, Linda Ereg and Michelle Greenleaf, and WHS Registrar, Lori Enfield will meet with incoming 9th-grade students at WMS and explain the scheduling process.
Students will receive a scheduling packet with information regarding the process including a copy of the master schedule and planning forms.
Paperwork will require student and parent signatures.
Please review the materials with your child.
We anticipate scheduling all students individually in late April.

36. Make Wise Course Selections
Consider your required and elective course selections carefully keeping in mind your future career or post-secondary options.
Double check selections. Do your research and make informed choices.
Have a “Plan A”, a “Plan B” and maybe even a “Plan C” for your course selections since freshmen are the last to schedule.
Schedules available at orientation in August.
Adding/dropping classes will be reserved for unusual situations.

37. Generic Four-Year Plan
Grade
English
4 credits
Social Studies
3 credits
Math
Science
Elective
8 total credits
9th
English 9 or
English 9 Enrichment
US History
Geometry
Algebra I
MSA Algebra I
Physical Science
MSA Phy Sci
MSA Biology A
MSA Robotics I
____________
10th
English 10
World History
AP World History
Algebra I Enr
Algebra II
MSA Algebra II
Biology
MSA Biology B
MSA Earth Sci
MSA Robotics II
11th
English 11
AP English Language
Civics
Economics
Ext Algebra II
___________
Earth Science
MSA Research
12th
English 12
AP English Lit
__________

38. Sample Four-Year Plan Grade 9th 10th 11th 12th English Social Studies
4 credits
Social Studies
3 credits
Math
Science
Elective
8 total credits
Alternate
Electives
9th
English 9
US History
Geometry
Physical Science
Health PE
Spanish I
Theater
10th
English 10
World History
Algebra I
Biology
Bus. Tech
Bus. Mgmt
Spanish II
11th
English 11
Civics
Economics
Algebra II
Earth Science
Ceramics
Art I
Spanish III
Accounting
12th
AP English Literature
Pre-Calculus
Personal Finance
Sociology
Spanish IV

39. Sample MSA Four-Year Plan
Grade
English
4 credits
Social Studies
3 credits
Math
Science
Elective
8 total credits
Alternate
Electives
9th
English 9
US History
MSA Algebra I
MSA Physical Science
MSA Tech 9
MSA Biology A
Spanish II
10th
English 10
World History
MSA Algebra II
MSA Earth Science
MSA Tech 10
MSA Biology B
Spanish III
11th
AP English Lang & Comp
Economics
Civics
Pre-Calculus
Chemistry
MSA Research
Art I
Ceramics
12th
AP English Lit & Comp
AP World History
AP Calculus
AP Physics
Human Biology
AP Chemistry

40. WTC Sample Four-Year Plan
Grade
English
4 credits
Social Studies
3 credits
Math
Science
Elective
8 total credits
Alternate
Electives
9th
English 9
US History
Geometry
Physical Science PE
Health
Spanish II*
10th
English 10
World History
Algebra I
Biology
Art I*
Ceramics*
Bus. Tech
Film Lit
11th
English 11
Algebra II
Earth Science
CACC
(3 hours)
12th
English 12
Economics
Civics
CACC- Senior Math Credit
Robotics I
Developing Leadership

41. Advice on Course Selection
EXPLORE new classes.
REINFORCE skills already acquired.
COURSE CHOICES may help lay a foundation for career choices in the future.

42. Counselor Contact Information
Michelle Greenleaf
(7011)
Linda Ereg
(7009)

43. Questions and Answers
Do you have any questions?