1. POTOMAC FALLS HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS WELCOME! Class of 2018!
Introduction, Graduation
Requirements,
Scheduling

2. The PFHS Administration
Dr. Elizabeth Noto (Principal)
Ms. Kelly Hayes (9th Grade)
Mr. Jarvis Weeks (10th and 11th Grade, ELL)
Mr. Kirk Dolson (12th Grade, IEP)
Mrs. Rae Ann Paolozzi (Director of School Counseling)
Mr. Mike Sipe (Athletics Director)
Mrs. Bonnie Robertson (Special Education Dean)

3. Welcome to the Class of 2018 from Dr. Noto, your principal

4. A “Good” School or a “Good” College
*Terms to Delete*
A “Good” School or a “Good” College

5. *Terms to Delete* for my child. A “Good” School or a “Good” College
It looks good on the transcript.

6. *Terms to Delete* for my child. Balance
A “Good” School or a “Good” College
for my child.
It looks good on the transcript.
Balance

7. *Terms to Delete* for my child. Balance
KEEP!
A “Good” School or a “Good” College
for my child.
It looks good on the transcript.
Balance

8. Upcoming Events for Rising 9th Grade Students and Parents
March 3-7 – Rising Freshman Scheduling
April 11 -Activities Fair for Rising Freshman
Freshman Summer Institutes
Option A:  Thursday, July 24,  9:00 – 1:30
Option B:  Thursday, July 31,  9:00 – 1:30
Late August (check website for dates) 6:30 p.m.-Freshman Parent Orientation
Late August 9:00 a.m.-1 p.m.-Freshman/Transfer orientation

9. The PFHS School Counseling Department
The Counselors:
Dr. Deborah Brom (9th grade)
Mr. Richard Bader (10-12 D-I, CAMPUS
Mrs. Teresa Bennett (10-12 A-C and ELL)
Ms. Stefanie Weiss (10-12 J-Ra)
Mrs. Amy Burgess (10-12 Re-Z)
Support Staff:
Ms. Lisa Torick
Mrs. Toni Cicirelli
Mrs. Stacey Thomas, Career Center Assistant
Mr. Peter Kim, Testing Coordinator (SOL testing)

10. DIPLOMA TYPES Read the 2014 Program of Studies! Available Online
Advanced Studies
Standard
Others as determined through Individualized Educational Plan (Mr. Dolson, Mrs. Robertson or Ms. Coyne can answer IEP questions)

11. Advanced Studies Diploma Each unit is 140 clock hours of instruction (LCPS Program of Studies)
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) (taken in 11th grade)
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
One Virtual Course – currently met through successful completion of personal finance.

12. Standard Diploma Each unit is 140 Clock Hours of Instruction (LCPS Program of Studies)
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) (taken in 11th grade)
One Fine Art, CTE or World Language
4 Electives – 2 must be sequential
One Virtual Course – currently met through successful completion of personal finance.

13. (Information available in LCPS Program of Studies)
2 must be sequential
(Information available in LCPS Program of Studies)

14. VERIFIED UNITS OF CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
A VERIFIED UNIT OF CREDIT IS A PASSED COURSE WITH THE CORRESPONDING PASSED STANDARDS OF LEARNING TEST
Advanced Studies Diploma
Standard Diploma
English 2
Math 1
Laboratory Science
History & Social Science
Student Select
Total 9 6
(Information available in LCPS Program of Studies)

15. A TYPICAL FRESHMAN SCHEDULE!
ENGLISH 9 (Academic, Honors)
WORLD GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY 1 (Academic, Pre-Advanced Placement)
**MATH (Algebra 1, Geometry, Functions, Algebra 2 or higher)
EARTH SCIENCE (Academic, Honors)*
HEALTH/PE 9
**FOREIGN LANGUAGE
ELECTIVE (Review diploma type)_
FLEX (8TH PERIOD)
*CHECK TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
**Expunging 6th, 7th or 8th grade courses?

17. Science Course Progressions Potomac Falls High School 2014-2015
Conceptual Physics
Earth Science
Biology
Environmental Explorations
Chemistry AP
Chemistry
Physics AP
Physics
Honors
Earth Science
(Research)
Honors
Biology
(Research) AP
Biology
Independent Science Research
Geospatial Science
General Elective:
Illustration of some of the many different pathways students take in PFHS Science.
Freshmen may start in Earth Science, Honors Earth Science, or Honors Biology.

18. Science Course Selection Guidelines Potomac Falls High School 2014-2015 Edition
Honors Earth Science
Requires advanced academic skills.
Good writing skills are necessary. Students will complete lengthy research papers with references.
Students will perform some numerical analysis, and preferably have completed Algebra I before enrolling.
Honors students should have already shown a strong interest in science.
The successful honors student will be a self-starter that requires little prompting to complete assignments.
Honors Biology
Recommended only for students who can schedule long-term project work around their busy lives.
Recommend that student earn at least a “B” in Honors Earth Science and score at least 450 on the SOL if taken.
Good writing skills are necessary. Students will complete lengthy research papers with references.
Students should be able to comprehend abstract concepts, analyze data, and draw conclusions.
Student must be able to work independently.
Honors students should have already shown a strong interest in science.
Highly recommended that student be enrolled in Algebra II. Strong math skills necessary to complete statistical analyses of data.

19. ELECTIVE CHOICES ART 1 ENSEMBLE (BAND), GUITAR, CHORUS
THEATER ARTS 1, TECHNICAL THEATER 1, AND JOURNALISM 1
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION COURSES
BUSINESS COURSES

20. ART DEPARTMENT PICTURES FOR YOUR VIEWING ENJOYMENT
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.

21. ENSEMBLE, CHORUS AND GUITAR
BAND-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. Students may opt to take AP Music Theory later on.

22. THEATER ARTS 1, TECHNICAL THEATER 1 AND JOURNALISM 1
All are intro courses and required for higher levels
Journalism 1 prepares you for newspaper and yearbook classes and how to write objectively
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
Technical Theater I: Behind the scenes, lighting, sound, computer technology, stage set up, etc.

23. CAREER AND TECHNICAL ELECTIVES
Semester courses (must be taken with another .5 credit course):
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT—public speaking, community leadership, politics! (.5 credits)
FASHION DESIGN—wardrobe, color analysis, and the business of designing fashions! (.5 credits)
CHOICES—exploring the stuff teens deal with daily! (.5 credits)
GOURMET FOODS—learn to cook, clean, measure and impress! (.5 credits)
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT—what do small children need now to be productive healthy teens later? (.5 credits)
INTRO TO HOUSING AND INTERIOR DESIGN—how to design room settings, lay out, paint and wall paper colors, etc.,
Full year courses 1.0 Credits Each)
APPLIED TECHNOLOGY 1—tools of the trade and how to use them!
INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND MARKETING—marketing, advertising and fun!

24. BUSINESS ELECTIVES .5 Credit Courses (Semester Courses):
KEYBOARDING (.5 credits)
ADVANCED KEYBOARDING (.5 credits) (must have taken 6th grade keyboarding to qualify for this course)
1.0 Credit Courses (Full Year):
COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS (If you took keyboarding in 6th grade you qualify for this course)

25. 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 500 students countywide
Admission to and success in college are among the goals of the program.

26. 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
Mr. Chris Clarke, CAMPUS Program Manager at the LCPS Pupil Services Office
Mr. Richard Bader, PFHS CAMPUS Counselor

27. Academic Enrichment and Support
Mandatory CAMPUS classes and/or meetings
Structured curriculum
college preparation
application & admissions process
financial aid & scholarship preparation
time management
study skills
self-advocacy skills
leadership development

28. Important part of CAMPUS and its success
Parental Involvement
Important part of CAMPUS and its success
Asked to participate in CAMPUS initiatives
Asked to support their children in college search and application process
Asked to attend bi-monthly parent meetings
Asked to serve as chaperones for college visits

29. Application Process
Majority of applicants are selected from Rising 9th grade applicant pool.
If spaces are available, upper-class students in grades can apply during late spring or early in the fall semester.
On-line CAMPUS applications are available through the LCPS website; located under the Services tab and then under the CAMPUS tab.

30. EXPUNGING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITED COURSES TAKEN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL…
REVIEW all materials sent home with the final report card.
COMPLETE the expungement form and RETURN to PFHS Counseling
SUMMER before your freshman year is the ONLY opportunity to EXPUNGE!
REVIEW all 8TH grade high school credit courses and grades.

31. COURSE CHANGES
3RD Quarter report cards will include course request letter with teacher recommended courses.
FINAL COURSE REQUESTS will go home in FINAL REPORT CARDS.
Any change request MUST be received with PARENT SIGNATURE.
NO CHANGES WILL BE GRANTED AFTER JUNE 24, 2014!
REVIEW COURSE REQUESTS AND THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES ONLINE CAREFULLY!

32. ONLINE 2014-2015 LCPS PROGRAM OF STUDIES

33. WORDS OF WISDOM FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN AND THEIR PARENTS…
COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHERS AND OTHER SUPPORT STAFF (COUNSELORS AND ADMINISTRATORS)!
DESIGN A SCHEDULE AROUND YOUR STUDENT’S INTEREST AND ABILITIES.
GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOL!
GET TO KNOW THE MAIN OFFICE AND COUNSELING STAFF!
READ THE NEWSLETTER AND REVIEW THE PFHS WEBSITE OFTEN
CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS!

34. FIND OUT MORE IN THE CAFÉ!
Talk to department chairs
If you run out of time, feel free to with questions or concerns.
Thank you for coming!