1. Work Hard & Be Nice Freshman Information Night Class of 2018

2. Our Agenda I.Welcome to LHS from Maureen Montgomery, Principal of Leonardtown High School II.Overview of High School Graduation Requirements by Scott Smith, Acting Assistant Superintendent of Instruction III.Overview of the 2014-2015 course selection process IV.Overview of signature pathways for freshmen V.Breakout Sessions Work Hard & Be Nice

3. James Scott Smith Acting Assistant Superintendent of Instruction It’s all about the next four years….

4. Work Hard & Be Nice SMCPS Mission Know the learner and the learning expecting excellence in both. Accept NO excuses, educating ALL with rigor, relevance, respect, and positive relationships.

5. From our Middle Schools, we have grades, attendance, and teacher recommendations From our Data Warehouse we have county benchmarks and end of course exams From the MSDE, we have state assessment data What do we know about our learners? Know the Learner Expecting Excellence Know the Learning

6. We know that the pathway chosen must be of high interest and individualized We know that students must choose a completer pathway to be successful We know that students need to complete 21 credits to graduate What do we know about the learning? Know the Learner Expecting Excellence Know the Learning

7. Choice is the single greatest factor in motivating students – if they feel they are directing their learning, they will be invested Engagement comes from authentic learning with the students believing in the relevance of their work Excellence comes from engaged students in rigorous classes How do we get to excellence? Know the Learner Expecting Excellence Know the Learning

8. STEM Academy Academy of Finance Global & Intern. Studies Fairlead 9 th grade 4 year program To this end, we have pathways of excellence 4 year program Visual and Performing Arts 4 year program JAFCTC 24 Pathways 3 year programs 2 year programs 1 year programs

9. From the beginning.. Before being overwhelmed the multiple pathways to high school completion, we must first look at the core graduation requirements of each. Before being overwhelmed the multiple pathways to high school completion, we must first look at the core graduation requirements of each. Work Hard & Be Nice

10. SMCPS Graduation Requirements To receive a High School Diploma in St. Mary's County, students must satisfy the following requirements: Complete a minimum of 21 credits, including: English 4 Social Studies 3 Mathematics 3 Science 3 Physical Education/Health 1 Technology Education 1 Fine Arts 1 Core Credit Total 16 + elective and completer program credits

11. Work Hard & Be Nice Additionally Pass all the High School Assessments or earn a passing combined score Take a math class each year Complete the student service-learning component Compile a web-based career portfolio Complete a program sequence

12. Completer Programs University Sequence: Completer 16 core credits Complete 4 credits in Mathematics to include Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry (non-trivial Algebra minimum in senior year) Complete 2 credits in a World Language Career and Technology Completer Sequence: Complete the 16 core credits Complete 4 credits in an approved Career and Technology Program Sequence There are three overall pathways a student can take in high school Dual Completer Sequence: Complete both the University Sequence and CTE sequences 50% 35% 15%

13. Choices.... So what are the choices students will have to make in the next few months? So what are the choices students will have to make in the next few months?

14. Course Requests Our Student Information System allow a student’s current classroom teacher to make recommendations for their next year’s class. Our Student Information System allow a student’s current classroom teacher to make recommendations for their next year’s class. Work Hard & Be Nice

15. Counselors Once teachers have made course recommendations, counselors will meet with 8 th graders individually to review these and move them over to course requests. Work Hard & Be Nice

16. Printed course requests Work Hard & Be Nice At the end of the session, counselors will print out a summary of each students’ course requests. This will go home to parents for review. This process will ensure that each student has the appropriate grade level course requests. These requests will be entered in the student information system and available for review by both the middle school and high school counselors At the end of the session, counselors will print out a summary of each students’ course requests. This will go home to parents for review. This process will ensure that each student has the appropriate grade level course requests. These requests will be entered in the student information system and available for review by both the middle school and high school counselors

17. Course requests Making the right choice MathematicsMathematics Algebra I Geometry CM Common Core Math 8 Common Core Algebra I Algebraic Foundations Algebra Comprehensive Intermediate Algebra CM Geometry Algebra II Honors Geometry Honors

18. Course requests Making the right choice EnglishEnglish Work Hard & Be Nice Grade 8 RLA Honors English 9 Honors English 9 CM English 9 English 9/90 Grade 8 RLA OGL

19. Course requests Making the right choice ScienceScience Work Hard & Be Nice Grade 8 Science Biology Honors Earth Space Science CM Explorations in Science Must have completed Algebra

20. Course requests Making the right choice Social Studies Work Hard & Be Nice Grade 8 Social Studies United States History CM United States History

21. Final Choices Work Hard & Be Nice PE / Health Foundations of Technology World Language JROTC Fine Arts Select one of the following: Spanish French German Latin Chinese ASL Visual Arts Crafts Theater Arts Chorus Band Strings

22. Special Considerations Work Hard & Be Nice Students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP) will have their course requests reviewed and finalized during their spring transition meetings Students who have struggled in middle school will have their course selections audited to make sure they have enrolled in the most beneficial and appropriate classes Students accepted into one of the signature academies will be hand scheduled by the hosting high school

23. Student Transfer Request http://schools.smcps.org/chs/afjrotchttp://schools.smcps.org/gmhs/njrotc Air Force JROTC at CHS Navy JROTC at GMHS Special permission due to “course of study” can be requested to attend either high school by filling out the “Student Transfer Request” form through student services. Building counselors can assist with the process.

24. How can Freshman success be guaranteed? Put forth one’s best effort in 8 th grade – all the way to the end of the year Put forth one’s best effort in 8 th grade – all the way to the end of the year Visit HAC weekly and take responsibility for grades Visit HAC weekly and take responsibility for grades Take advantage of high school informational sessions coming in the spring (extra-curricular activities and athletics) Take advantage of high school informational sessions coming in the spring (extra-curricular activities and athletics) Work with teachers and counselors to make sure the most academically appropriate courses are selected (after spring testing) Work with teachers and counselors to make sure the most academically appropriate courses are selected (after spring testing) Be informed Be informed Work Hard & Be Nice

25. Where can I get more information? Visit www.smcps.org and click on the “Our Schools” tab.www.smcps.org

26. www.smcps.org/schools Check out the high schools’ web pages Check out the academies’ web pages

27. Academy Applications Work Hard & Be Nice Click on Academies

28. Academy Home Page Work Hard & Be Nice

29. 2015 Program of Studies Work Hard & Be Nice Program of Studies

30. Work Hard & Be Nice 150 pages listing every course and program offered for high school students in SMCPS

31. In the Auditorium…. Ms. Montgomery Principal LHS Ms. Montgomery Principal LHS The principal and selected staff will be available in the auditorium to answer any specific questions you may have Dr. Dennie– Assistant Principal for 9 th grade Mr. Readyhough – Assistant Principal for 9 th grade Ms. Crowder– Department Chair for Counseling

32. Email us We have set up an email account for your questions and comments. We have set up an email account for your questions and comments. Please email your questions/ comments to: Please email your questions/ comments to: classof2018@smcps.org

33. Breakout Sessions Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00 There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program. STEM

34. Breakout Sessions AOF There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program. Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00

35. Breakout Sessions GIS There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program. Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00 (if needed)

36. Breakout Sessions Work Hard & Be Nice AVPA There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program. Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00 (if needed)

37. Breakout Sessions Fairlead Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00 (if needed) There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program.

38. Breakout Sessions Work Hard & Be Nice JAFCTC Session #1 6:45 to 7:05 Session #27:15 to 7:35 Session #37:40 to 8:00 (if needed) There will be a twenty minute presentation outlining the academy, its requirements for entry, and the course of study for the program.

39. Thank you Please remember to visit www.smcps.org to learn more about the exciting opportunities for the class of 2018 Please remember to visit www.smcps.org to learn more about the exciting opportunities for the class of 2018 www.smcps.org Email questions and comments to “classof2018@smcps.org” Email questions and comments to “classof2018@smcps.org” Work Hard & Be Nice