1. WELCOME Robbinsville High School 8 th Grade Academic Planning 2015

2. Guidance Assignment A - CeMrs. Rotondo Cf – JohMr. Saleem Joi- PalMs. Richard Pam - ZMrs. Walker Student Assistance Counselor: Mrs. Hernandez

3. Agenda  Graduation Requirements  Honors/AP Courses  Course Selection Process  Activities  Parent Portal  Family Connection  Attendance Procedures  New Student Orientation

4. Plans after High School Graduation  College- 4year and/or 2year  Vocational/Technical School  Military  Employment No matter what you decide, receiving a high school diploma is your first step. To receive a high school diploma, selecting appropriate courses for success is essential. We are here to help you.

5. College Admission Factors  The most important factors in college admissions: 1.The types of courses the student chooses to take throughout their high school career 2.Grade Point Average 3.SAT/ACT 4.Extracurricular activities 5.Letters of Recommendation 6.Essay

6. Graduation Requirements  4 years of English  3 years of Science:  Conceptual Physics or Physics, Chemistry, & Biology  3 years of History:  US History I, US History II, World History  2 years of World Languages (consecutive) Students must choose two World Language options. (one is an alternate)  1 year of Health/Physical Education for each year enrolled  3 years of Mathematics  Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, PreCalculus, etc.

7. Required Courses for 9 th Graders  English I or English I Honors  US History I or US I Honors  Conceptual Physics, Physics, or Physics Honors  Health & PE I  World Language  Math Course – Based upon current placement  Elective Courses – Your choice

8. 9 th Grade Mathematics Placement Requirements  *Algebra 1 (10 credits) Prerequisites: Current Algebra 8, Part 1 assessment average of 69 or less or score under 200 on the ASK 7 All current Math 8 students  *Algebra 1, Part 2 (5 credits) Prerequisites: Current Algebra 8, Part 1 assessment average of 70-79 or an ASK 7 score under 220 *Any student enrolled in Algebra must enroll in Conceptual Physics.

9. 9 th Grade Mathematics Placement Requirements  Geometry Prerequisites: Current Algebra 8 Assessment average of 80-94 and an ASK 7 score of at least 220  Geometry Honors Prerequisites: Current Algebra 8 Assessment average of 95-100 and an ASK 7 score of at least 275 Current Algebra 8 Accelerated Assessment average of 90-100 Current Algebra 8 Accelerated Assessment average of 85-89 and an ASK 7 score of at least 250

10. Option: Doubling Up in Honors Math  8 th graders currently in Algebra 8 Accelerated with an “A” average have the option to take both Geometry Honors and Algebra II Honors at the same time next year.  Sequence of Math: 9 th Grade: Geometry Honors & Algebra II Honors 10 th Grade: Pre-calculus Honors 11 th Grade: Calculus Honors, AP Calculus AB, or AP Calculus BC 12 th Grade: AP Statistics or Multivariable Calculus

12. Graduation Requirements  Electives  1 year or 5 credits in Visual and Performing Arts  1 year or 5 credits in 21 st Century Skills (Family Consumer Science, Business, & Technology)  1 semester or 2.5 credits Technology  1 semester or 2.5 credits Financial Literacy (Can begin to take in Sophomore Year)  Community service requirement of 30 hours Students can begin to acquire hours starting in September 2015  Note: The state of New Jersey is transitioning to the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC). Exams will be administered to 9, 10, and 11 th grade students in language arts and mathematics. All RHS students enrolled in Biology are required to take the NJ Biology Competency Test (NJBCT).

13. Sample 9 th Grade Schedule A DAY Block 1A: English I Block 2A: Health & PE I Block 3A: Physics Block 4A: Digital Design B DAY Block 1B: Geometry Block 2B: US History I Block 3B: Fundamental Art Block 4B: Italian I

14. Sample 9 th Grade Schedule with Algebra I (10 credits) A Day  Block 1A: English I  Block 2A: Health & PE  Block 3A: French I  Block 4A: Algebra I B Day  Block 1B: Culinary Arts  Block 2B: US History I  Block 3B: Conceptual Physics  Block 4B: Algebra I

15. Sample 9 th Grade Schedule Doubling Up in Math A Day  Block 1A: English I  Block 2A: Health & PE  Block 3A: French I  Block 4A: Geometry Honors B Day  Block 1B: Culinary Arts  Block 2B: US History I  Block 3B: Physics  Block 4B: Algebra II Honors

16. Organizational Tips  Get an A-Day & B-Day Book Bag  Do your homework on the same day it is given A-Day: Do A-Day Homework B-Day: Do B-Day Homework  Teachers are in the classroom from 2:05pm – 2:35pm every day to assist students

17. Honors/AP Criteria at RHS FromToGrade AcademicHonorsA- or higher Honors B- or higher HonorsAPA- or higher

18. Grades/Weighted GPA  Standard/College PrepA = 4.0 scale  Honors A=4.8 scale  AP A=5.0 scale Note: RHS does not Rank

19. Honors Criteria  REQUIRED Grade Teacher Recommendation  Collaboration with 8 th grade teachers

20. What is an AP course?  AP = Advanced Placement  Not available to 9 th graders  No more than 3 AP Courses per year  Expectations Viewed as a college course Summer assignments Large amount of independent study Examination given through college board in May

21. Honors Appeals Process  Waiver Form for Honors Courses Overall Academic Performance including 3 rd & 4 th marking period grades Standardized Test Scores Teacher Recommendation Attendance/Discipline Record Waiver Forms will be available at your school counselor meeting Waiver Forms must be submitted to the RHS Guidance Department It is important to note that if a student waives into a course they were not recommended for, there is a strong possibility that it will not be possible for him/her to withdraw from that course.

22. Course Selection Process  Schedule a meeting tonight with your counselor to discuss courses (students & parents/guardians attend the meeting) Come Prepared-(meetings are every 10 -15mins.)  Review Program of Studies (2015 – 2016 Program of Studies Link on RHS main website) Read elective descriptions and requirements  Complete Course Selection sheet  Rank Electives in order of preference (work left to right in order of preference)  Submit Course Selection Sheet By Friday, March 27 to your homeroom teacher or Mrs. Singer at Pond. This will allow us to input courses into the system on Friday prior to our meetings on Saturday.  Try your best, we can make changes when we meet and discuss  Meet with counselor Review teacher recommendations Review report cards and NJ ASK scores

25. Reminder: Note World Language Alternate Electives: Put the same category within each choice. 1 st choice: Technology 1 st choice alt: Technology

26. Course Selection Meetings Only for Pond Road Students  Saturday, March 28 th at RHS Guidance Department; Park in the front of the building  Tuesday, March 31 st at Pond Road; Report to the Main Office  Wednesday, April 1 st at Pond Road; Report to the Main Office All Completed Course Selection Forms due to Homeroom Teacher and/or Mrs. Singer on Friday, March 27 th. Try your best, we can make changes in your meeting. *New Families to the District need to first register through the central registration office. Once you register, we will make an appointment for you to meet with your counselor to complete course selection.

27. Schedule Change  Schedules will be available to view through Parent Portal at the end of August  Convenience or teacher preference will not be considered  Course requests do not guarantee placement in that course  Junior/Senior preference  Some courses may not run

28. Activities  GET INVOLVED!!!!! There is something for everyone There will be a club fair during the first two weeks of school for new students to sign up during lunch Mr. Wyers, our athletic director conducts an information session for new students/parents about RHS sports prior to your arrival. An email will be forth coming. Typically, at the beginning of June at Pond Road Middle School.

29. Other Career Options  Mercer County Vocational Technical School  See your counselor for more information about Certifications Military Technical Institutes Other career options

30. Parent Portal  Live Teacher Grade Book  Login and Password will remain the same Families new to the district will receive an email once you register with a login and password.  Check grades regularly  View Class Schedule at the end of August

31. Family Connection  College/Career Search Database specified to RHS  Get your password  Link to Family Connection can be found on the RHS Website  Important reason to register: Emails (Student & Parent)  Monthly Guidance Newsletter  All communication is via email

34. Attendance Procedures The Board of Education requires that the pupils enrolled in the school district attend school regularly in accordance with the laws of the state. Robbinsville High School reinforces the attendance policy. Full Year Courses: Maximum of 8 unexcused absences per course Half Year Courses: Maximum of 4 unexcused absences per course Three Tardies to a course = 1 Unexcused Absence for that course Attendance is taken by course not by date. If students go over the allotted days, they will lose credit from their courses even if they have a passing grade. The attendance office will send warning letters home. Attendance hearings are held monthly with an Attendance Committee. It is up to the family to provide documentation for the absence to be excused.

35. Fall Orientation  New Student Orientation is highly encouraged.  Students will receive their homeroom, locker number & print out of their schedule.  Thursday, September 3 rd is orientation. The time is 7:30am – 9:00am.  Tuesday, September 8 th is the first day of school.  Students will receive bus transportation.

36. Thank You We look forward to working with you over the next four years!