1. POTOMAC FALLS HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS WELCOME! Class of 2015! Introduction, Graduation Requirements, Scheduling

2. The PFHS Administration Ms. Janice Koslowski Mr. Jarvis Weeks (9 th Grade and 12 th A-L) Mr. Douglas Fulton (10 th Grade and Special Education) Mr. Kirk Dolson (11 th Grade and 12 th M-Z)

3. Upcoming Events for Rising 9 th Grade Students and Parents March 7 th and 8 th through Spring Break- Freshman Scheduling April 15 th -Activities Fair for Freshman July 15 th and August 15 th -Freshman Summer Institutes August 24 th 6:30 p.m.-Freshman Parent Orientation August 25 th 9:00 a.m.-1 p.m.-Freshman/Transfer orientation

4. The PFHS School Counseling Department is… The Counselors: Mr. Timothy Pitkewicz Mr. Richard Bader Mrs. Donna Kelly Mrs. Rae Ann Paolozzi Mrs. Amy Burgess Mrs. Dawn Faust Support Staff: Ms. Lisa Torick Mrs. Toni Cicirelli Ms. Silvia Lamb Mrs. Stacey Thomas, Career Center Assistant Mr. Peter Kim, Testing Coordinator (SOL testing)

5. DIPLOMA TYPES Read the 2011 Program of Studies! Advanced Studies Advanced Technical Standard Standard Technical Others as determined through Individualized Educational Plan

6. Advanced Studies Diploma Each unit is 140 clock hours of instruction Four units of English Four units of Math Four units of Lab Science Four units of Social Science One unit of Economics (.5) and Personal Finance (.5) One unit of Fine Arts or Career and Technical Three or Four units of Foreign Language Two units of Health and PE (PE 9 and 10) Three or more units of Electives

7. Advanced Technical Diploma Each unit is 140 clock hours of instruction Four units of English Four units of Math Four units of Lab Science Four units of Social Science One unit of Economics (.5) and Personal Finance (.5) One unit of Fine Art or Career and Technical Three or Four units of Foreign Language Two units of Health and PE (PE 9 and 10) Three or more units of Career and Technical Electives

8. Standard Diploma Each unit is 140 Clock Hours of Instruction Four units of English Three units of Math Three units of Lab Science Three units of Social Science Two units of Health and PE (PE 9 and 10) One unit of Economics (.5) and Personal Finance (.5) One Fine or Practical Art Six units of electives (two must be sequential)

9. Standard Technical Diploma Each unit is 140 Clock Hours of Instruction Four units of English Three units of Math Three units of Lab Science Three units of Social Science Two units of Health and PE (PE 9 and 10) One unit of Economics (.5) and Personal Finance (.5) One Fine or Practical Art or Foreign Language 4 or more units of Career and Technical Electives 1 unit of electives

10. VERIFIED UNITS OF CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA A VERIFIED UNIT OF CREDIT IS A PASSED COURSE WITH THE CORRESPONDING PASSED STANDARDS OF LEARNING TEST 2 VERIFIED CREDITS IN ENGLISH (TAKEN IN GRADE 11) 2 VERIFIED CREDITS IN MATH 2 VERIFIED CREDITS IN LAB SCIENCE 2 VERIFIED CREDITS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE 1 STUDENT SELECTED

11. VERIFIED UNITS OF CREDIT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STANDARD DIPLOMA 2 UNITS IN ENGLISH (TAKEN IN GRADE 11) 1 UNIT IN MATH 1 UNIT IN LAB SCIENCE 1 UNIT IN SOCIAL SCIENCE 1 STUDENT SELECTED TEST

12. A TYPICAL FRESHMAN SCHEDULE! ENGLISH 9 (Academic, Honors) WORLD HISTORY 1 (Academic, Pre-Advanced Placement) **MATH (Algebra 1, Geometry, Functions, Algebra 2) EARTH SCIENCE (Academic, Honors) HEALTH/PE 9 **FOREIGN LANGUAGE ELECTIVE (Review diploma type)_ FLEX (8 TH PERIOD) **Expunging?

13. ELECTIVE CHOICES ART 1 ENSEMBLE, GUITAR, CHORUS THEATER ARTS 1 AND JOURNALISM CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES BUSINESS COURSES

14. ART DEPARTMENT PICTURES FOR YOUR VIEWING ENJOYMENT! FRESHMAN MAY TAKE ART 1 ONLY: The course includes drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, graphic design, ceramics, and textiles, photography, and computer graphics.

15. ENSEMBLE, CHORUS AND GUITAR ENSEMBLE 1 OR 2 (BASED ON AUDITION) CHORUS, MEN’S, WOMEN’S SHOW CHOIR, PANTHERA (BASED ON AUDITION) BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED LEVELS OFFERED (BASED ON AUDITION AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATION) STRINGS (AUDITION) MUSIC APPRECATION: Students will explore music throughout the ages and how it relates to history. MUSIC THEORY: Students will learn about the language of music. This course is designed for students who are planning on pursuing music in college. No performance is required.

16. THEATER ARTS 1 AND JOURNALISM Both courses are intro courses. Journalism prepares you for newspaper and yearbook classes and how to write objectively You do not need to be enrolled in Theater Arts 1 to audition, but it might help! Theater Arts I: Students survey the technical and performing art of theater, including improvisation, mime, basic acting, the history of the theater, stage settings, costuming, make up, and lighting.

17. CAREER AND TECHNICAL COURSES INDEPENDENT LIVING– how to make a budget, let yourself in the house and be independent! LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT—public speaking, community leadership, politics! FASHION DESIGN—wardrobe, color analysis, and the business of designing fashions! INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND MARKETING— marketing, advertising and fun! CHOICES—exploring the stuff teens deal with daily! GOURMET FOODS—learn to cook, clean, measure and impress! HUMAN DEVELOPMENT—what do small children need now to be productive healthy teens later? APPLIED TECHNOLOGY—tools of the trade and how to use them!

18. BUSINESS COURSES KEYBOARDING, ADVANCED KEYBOARDING.5 credit COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (YOU MAY ONLY TAKE THIS IF YOU PASS THE KEYBOARDING EXAM! SEE KEYBOARDING TEACHER FOR DETAILS!)

19. WHAT IS CAMPUS? An academic and college preparation program designed to meet the specific needs of students from historically under- represented populations in higher education and prospective first-generation college students attending LCPS high schools Seeks to support and encourage students who demonstrate ability to achieve academic success and college admission Serves over 450 students countywide Admission to and success in college are among the goals of the program.

20. How CAMPUS Supports You! Academic enrichment and support (Mandatory CAMPUS class and/or meetings) 2-Day Summer Seminar College and university visits College and scholarship preparation Community service projects and activities Leadership development

21. Application Process Majority of applicants are selected from rising 9 th grade applicant pool. Applications are available through LCPS website and middle school Counseling offices. Application deadline is March 18th! Late applications will not be accepted Mr. Pitkewicz will be at RBMS to discuss CAMPUS w/interested students! Date is TBD.

22. EXPUNGING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITED COURSES TAKEN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL… REVIEW ALL MATERIALS SENT HOME WITH THE LAST REPORT CARD FILL OUT EXPUNGEMENT FORM AND RETURN TO THE PFHS COUNSELING OFFICE NO LATER THAN MID-JULY SUMMER BEFORE THE FRESHMAN YEAR IS THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO EXPUNGE!

23. COURSE CHANGES 3 RD QUARTER REPORT CARDS WILL ALSO INCLUDE COURSE REQUEST LETTER WITH TEACHER- RECOMMENDED COURSES AFTER 4 TH QUARTER REPORT CARDS ARE SENT HOME, YOU HAVE ABOUT ONE WEEK TO VERIFY THE COURSE REQUESTS. NO CHANGES WILL BE GRANTED AFTER FRIDAY, JULY 1 ST, 2011! REVIEW COURSE REQUESTS AND THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES CAREFULLY!

24. WORDS OF WISDOM FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN AND THEIR PARENTS… KEEP IN CONTACT WITH TEACHERS GET INVOLVED GET TO KNOW THE MAIN OFFICE AND COUNSELING STAFF READ THE NEWSLETTER AND REVIEW THE PFHS WEBSITE OFTEN

25. Academic vs. Honors Science… Both Honors and Academic courses have the same curriculum and SOL’s. The labs and tests in the Honors ask higher order questions. The primary difference is that Honors science students are actively involved in a research project over the course of two years. Students develop their own research project in the Honors Earth Science course and finish carrying out their project in Honors Biology.

26. Honors Science Course Load… Students that take these Honors courses should want to do research, they want to explore and develop ideas outside of class time. Several items that need to be stressed: the research component adds hours of extra work outside of class time, represents 25% of the student’s grade, and follows strict deadlines. We want to make sure that all parents and students understand the commitment the Honors courses require for student success.