1. 7th Grade Program Planning
Teacher recommendations
Advanced vs. Academic
Language options
Specials – what to expect
Timeline
Agenda for the meeting

2. Teacher recommendations
English, Math, Science, and Social Studies
In class between January 29 and February 4
Please have a conversation with your teacher if you are concerned about your placement
Math – Placed in next course based on current course and current grade
English, Science, and Social Studies – Recommended for Advanced or Academic (see next slide)

3. Advanced vs. Academic classes
Available in English, Science, and Social Studies
Factors:
Class grades
PSSA scores
Specific skills (i.e. Writing)
Work habits
Recommendations will be revisited in April if your performance changes during the second semester and based on your PSSA scores in April.
Emphasize that Advanced Science and Social Studies both have a research component.
Students are not encouraged to take both based on the heavy Spring work load. Only our strongest students should be taking both.
Students may now be Advanced in both Science and Social Studies with teacher recommendation

4. Language options Reading French Spanish
Some will be recommended for Reading.
If you are recommended for World Language, you may choose between French and Spanish.
Do not base your selection on what your friends are choosing or what you think will be easier.
Please listen to the following presentations and discuss your choice with your parents.
Allow about three minutes for French and three minutes for Spanish presentation (building specific).

5. Specials Music (Band, Orchestra, Chorus) student:
Will have one music, Health/PE, Integrated Technology 2, and two of the following
Art (*PEN)
Family and Consumer Science
Engineering
You will receive the two specials that you did not have this year
How many here are currently in Band/Orchestra/ or Chorus?
This slide is for you.
PEN is an Art class for those students who are in PEN.
Explain last bullet carefully.

6. Specials Non-music students You will have Art (*PEN)
Physical Education
Engineering
Integrated Technology 2
FCS
Exploratory Music
If you do not currently have Band/Chorus/Orchestra then this slide is for you
Explain, again, that PEN is an Art class for the students who are in PEN
Explain last bullet carefully

7. Timeline January 28 – Program planning assembly
January 31– Language choice in English class
This week– Academic teachers will be making recommendations
February 8 – Verification sheets sent home
By February 13 – Return verification sheets to homeroom teacher
Language choice will be made on the course selection spreadsheet during English class this week.
Verification sheet is a listing of all of the classes that you are registered for

8. We need to meet with any student who is changing their music situation.
Either adding Band/Chorus/Orchestra or
Looking to move out of Band/Chorus/Orchestra
Please stop by the guidance office if you need to change your music course.
If a student is looking to move out of music they will be assigned to the two electives they did not have in 7th grade (Art, FCS, and/or Tech). They then should prioritize the other three elective areas (PE, Exploring Music, and the other elective they had in grade 7). They will get two of these three.
Students who opt in to a music course will also have a choice. They may need FCS (check 7th grade classes) but have a choice for the other elective(s) beyond music.