1. Belton Middle School/Freshman Center
Welcome

2. 9th Grade Staff 2015-16 Mr. George Shrum, Grade-level Principal
Mrs. Angie Howard, 9th Grade Counselor

3. Schedule Academic Focus plus 7 class periods
Typical freshman schedule has 4 core and 3 elective courses.

4. Cores College Prep English I/Advanced College Prep
Government/Geography
Biology
Algebra I, Geometry, Advanced Alg II

5. Elective Options Human Communications Acting I Contest Speech
Spanish I & II
French I
Introduction to Art
Advanced Art
Freshman Music Appreciation
Freshman Choir
Marching/Symphonic Band

6. More Electives Business Management Intro to Business
Introduction to Engineering Design
Principles of Biomedical Sciences
Beginning Foods, Nutrition and Wellness
Relationships & Family Living
Freshman Fitness
Advanced Physical Fitness

7. 1:1 Technology Program
It is our goal that every student have an Chromebook in 9th grade.
They are used extensively throughout the curriculum in all classes. Examples of use include research, canvas, etc.
Each year the 1:1 technology program improves and has become an essential tool for student learning.
Sliding scale and work program available for fees.

8. Extracurricular
Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track, Soccer, Tennis, Swim, Volleyball, Cross country, Wrestling, Cheer, Dance, Golf
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America
Power Lifting/Strength and Conditioning
Speech and Debate
Jazz Band
National Honor Society
Color Guard
9th grade Play (Theater)

9. Attendance Attendance is very important!!!
State and district expectation of attendance is 95%.
Students that are absent more than 7 class periods in a semester will lose credit unless the time is made up.
Time must be made up during the semester it is missed.
A parent call is required any time a student is absent. Doctor’s note, if possible, is preferred.

10. Grades Semester grade cards are issued
Students receive progress reports every 3 weeks which are ed home.
Student and Parent Portal – Are you signed up?

11. High School Credits Students earn high school credit now
Each semester course is worth ½ credit
Students can earn 3 ½ credits a semester or 7 credits their freshman year
A student must have a total of 26 credits to graduate from Belton High School
s-requirements-college/graduation-requirements
Course Description Book-

12. High School Transcript
This document lists classes taken
Courses taken and grades
GPA
Attendance record
Standardized test scores
Extremely important document – a record of your performance in High School and it begins with your freshman year! Remember, all grades count.

13. High School Athletic Eligibility
A beginning 9th grade student shall have been promoted from the eighth grade to the ninth grade for first semester of eligibility.
Grades received the preceding semester will determine eligibility to participate in interscholastic activities.
The student must pass 6 out of 7 classes, otherwise you are ineligible for entire semester. Grades will be reviewed again.

14. End of Course Testing
Next year Freshman will be required to take EOC tests in Government, Biology, and Algebra.
A score of proficient or better on the Algebra EOC is required for the A+ program.
Attendance and participation in class is critical for students to learn and score well on EOC tests.
All of these courses and tests are great preparation for the ACT and SAT.
All students will be required to take the ACT their junior year of high school.

15. A+ Program Requirements
95 % attendance
GPA of 2.5 or higher
Must achieve a minimum score on the Algebra I EOC or other qualifying Math exam
Tutor younger students a minimum of 50 hours over 4 years
Have a record of good citizenship
Can get 2 years of College paid for through this program.

16. College Tidbits
There is no foreign language High School graduation requirement. However, 4 colleges in the state of Missouri require it. If going out of state can generally assume Div 1 colleges require it.
Some schools (MU, UMKC, MO S&T) require trig/precalc.
ACT score, which will be taken around Junior year

17. Course selections and Personal Plans of Study (PPS)
Courses selected by the student with parent input
Check for special course requirements
Student and parent signature on yellow copy
Schedule will be handed out at District Open Enrollment
Requests for schedule changes must be made prior to the first day of school.

18. Questions???