1. Rising 9th Grade
Course Selection
2018

2. Welcome incoming freshmen and parents!
Because this is likely the first chance your Academic Advisors have had to talk with you,
before we jump right in to select your courses for next year,
there are a few things we would like to share
- to help you get your bearings.

3. All Lamar Students are IB Students
All Lamar students are placed on path to graduate on the Texas Foundation High School Plan, having earned the Multidisciplinary Endorsement, and realizing the Distinguished Level of Achievement.
But because Lamar is an International Baccalaureate School, and because all Lamar students are IB students, our students may earn the esteemed IB diploma. You will learn more about the IB diploma once your student is actually enrolled as a Lamar student.

4. All Lamar students take a 4th year of Math and Science
All Lamar students take a 4th year of Math and Science. Because this 4th year qualifies for the Multidisciplinary Endorsement, all Lamar students are automatically placed on that path and plan. You may choose to add other Endorsements.
Public Service
Multidisciplinary
S.T.E.M.
Business & Industry
Arts & Humanities

5. ENDORSEMENTS: consist of a related series of courses that are grouped together by interest or skill set.
PUBLIC SERVICES PATH: earn 2 elective credits in JROTC S.T.E.M. PATH: earn 2 elective credits from Advanced Math, Advanced Science, Computer Science, Technology, Engineering, Manufacturing BUSINESS & INDUSTRY PATH: earn 2 elective credits from Agriculture, Culinary, Horticulture, Journalism, Technology, Business, Debate, or Banking/Finance ARTS & HUMANITIES PATH: earn 2 elective credits from English Language Arts, Fine Arts, LOTE, or Social Studies MULTI-DISCIPLINARY ENDORSEMENT PATH: a 4th year of Math + a 4th year of Science + 2 additional elective credits = 4 credits
All will earn
4X4

6. Pathways are in use in all Texas high schools, but Lamar Pathways are unique!
We realize that the thought of navigating Lamar on your own may be intimidating.
It is our hope that by explaining our process, priorities, and calendar, we will be able to put your minds at ease, knowing that your Academic Team will lead the way, checking at regular waypoints to be sure that your student remains on the correct path and plan.

7. Lamar Academic Advisors
ELL
504
Sp.Ed.
A - Da
Db - Hn
Ho-Moo
Mop - Si
Sj - Z
Cain
Stokes
Ervin/New
New
Thompson
Raibon
McDonald
Lamar Academic Advisors

8. How do I communicate with my Academic Advisor?!
A-Da
Ms. Ervin & TBA
Db - Hn
TBA
Ho – Moo
Mr. Thompson
Sp. Education
Ms. Stokes
ELL & 504
Dr. Cain
Mop - Si
Ms. Raibon
Sj - Z
Ms. McDonald

9. Why Email? Each Academic Advisor supports about 600 families.
is more efficient than phone calls. Allows us to prioritize by deadline.
Our aim is to respond within 48 hours, but we are often much faster.
We are a mobile team. Out on campus. In classrooms. Not tied to a desk phone.
serves as a “To Do” list.
allows us to send attachments.

10. Academic Advisors advise, implement, monitor, and otherwise support
the academic progress of approximately 3500 students over the course
of 4 years, assist seniors with college applications and enroll a new
class of freshman, every year - among other duties.
Wow! Advisors have a BIG job!
Yes. And that means that we cannot be all things to all people at all times.
We are able to keep all of our students on path and plan because
we concentrate our efforts, turning our attention to each deadline as it
cycles into priority over the course of the academic year.

11. 10th grade - October 9th grade - November 11th grade - February
Academic Advisors meet with EVERY STUDENT, EVERY YEAR to select courses for the following school year. When?
10th grade - October
9th grade - November
11th grade - February

12. Lamar Academic Advisors’ Parent Education Series
Your Lamar Academic Advisors understand that our annual conversation with your student about path, plan, next year’s course selection, and the document package we prepare for that meeting may not always make it home to you intact.
And you may have questions about the IB diploma, what to do if you student is struggling, how to apply to college, scholarships and financial aid, course selection . . .
That’s why we host the Lamar Parent Education Series: our annual cycle of seminars created to communicate relevant information directly to parents and entertain any questions.
Find our seminar calendar at > academics > academic advising > Parent Education Series Calendar.
We look forward to seeing you and answering your questions at these events!

15. Now, that you have your bearings, let’s select your courses!

16. Football
takes up
2 periods
Swim, Track, Soccer, Wrestling
Music Media

17. What can I take as an elective?
NO APPROVAL REQUIRED
APPROVAL REQUIRED
FINE ARTS ELECTIVES
Debate 1
Student Leadership
Piano 1
Debate 2
Intro Arts A/V (Journalism)
Drill Team 1
Music Media
JROTC (also meets PE requirement)
Cheerleading 1
Art 1
Technical Theater 1
BELOW ARE TWO (2) YEAR ELECTIVES
Theater Production 1
Choir 1
Principles of Applied Engineering
Theater 1
Principles of Agriculture
(Plant & Animal)
Theater 2
Principles of Hospitality (Culinary)
Dance 1
Orchestra 1
Marching Band

18. Personal Graduation Plan (PGP)
The PGP is attached to your Course Selection Worksheet.
HB5 instituted the PGP statewide to help high schools follow students through 4 years.
Lamar has effectively followed our students using Course Selection Worksheets, so for us, the PGP is just another layer of paperwork.
Should have been completed in middle school.
Audited annually for pathway designation and parent signature.
Please sign the PGP and leave it attached to the course selection sheet that you turn in with us tonight!

19. VERY IMPORTANT
Because students are given *5 opportunities to select courses,
Course Selection > Verification 1 > V2 > V3 > August schedule change week
after August Schedule Change Week, no schedule change request will be considered.
It does not matter if you choose to go out of town during August schedule change week.
No request to change classes, teachers, or periods will be considered.
There are no mid-year/2nd semester schedule changes.
Because incoming freshman are not on campus, and many are not in our system yet,
these students do not receive V1, V2, or V3 which are distributed through Advisory.
Instead, incoming freshmen get 2-3 opportunities to select courses:
zoned students when we visit their middle school,
all incoming freshmen at Freshman Parent Seminars, and
August schedule change week.

20. You’re new here and it is only natural that you will have questions.
And we’ve been here a while, so we have answers.
You will find the answers to your questions on the Lamar homepage.
Watch and I’ll show you how it’s done!

21. You can find us on the Lamar homepage!
Click here

22. On our landing page, you will find a number of helpful resources.
When you have a question, please look here for the answer!

23. Your student is unique, but Lamar’s programs, paths, and plans are well established, time tested, and proven to serve our families well.
Even though Lamar is a BIG school, it is our fondest wish that you can relax and enjoy these next 4 years because you know what to expect – and when.
And because now you know that
We’ve got this!

24. for coming out tonight!