1. Rising Sophomores Course Selection Presentation

2. What you need to know  Which core course to take next year  Your State Required Electives  Procedure to turn in your course selection sheet and 4 Year Plan  Changes and updates  Questions

3. Appointment Procedures  Your appointment date/time is listed on your white folder.  Appointments last 5-10 minutes.  BE ON TIME!  Have your forms filled out completely with all required signatures.  If you do not turn in a course selection form, we will create a schedule for you.  The course selection guide is on the SPHS website  Description of courses  Explanation of prerequisites or co-requisites

4. During your appointment time…  You will turn in your completed 4-year plan  AND you will turn in your course requests for next year:

5. Schedule Change Update  Beginning the first day of school, ALL schedule changes must be approved by the assistant principal in charge of curriculum. Counselors will be available during the summer and specified drop/add days to consider any necessary changes to schedules. Students will receive a listing of their classes for the 2015-2016 school year in May. No teacher names or permanent order will be listed. If there is a problem, counselors will be available by appointment to meet with students and/or parents to consider any necessary adjustments. Changes will be considered only if it is a school error or a necessary academic change. Elective changes are discouraged. Schedule changes will be handled by appointment only.  Please choose your courses wisely.

7.  At least four (4.0) credits that meet one of the following criteria:  Two (2.0) credits of a foreign language in the same language and two (2.0) credits in a college-level course (i.e., Advanced Placement, or Dual Enrollment classes)  Three (3.0) credits of a foreign language in the same language and one (1.0) credit in a college-level course (i.e., AP or Dual Enrollment)  At least two (2.0) credits of science that meet one of the following criteria:  One (1.0) credit in Chemistry and one (1.0) credit in Physics OR  One (1.0) credit in Chemistry and one (1.0) credit in an AP science course  At least one (1.0) credit in math at the Pre-Calculus level  Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher  A minimum of 28 earned total credits Diploma Endorsements: HCS Seal of Scholastic Excellence

8. CORE ACADEMIC CLASSES

9. Math  Algebra 1A/B now, Principles of Geometry next  Algebra 1 now, Geometry or Pre-AP Geometry next  Pre-AP Geometry now, Algebra 2 w/trig or Algebra 2 w/trig Pre-AP next Teacher signature is REQUIRED for all math classes.

10. English  English 9 now, English 10 or Pre- AP English 10 next  Pre-AP English 9 now, Pre-AP English 10 or English 10 next Teacher signature is REQUIRED for Pre-AP English

11. Science  Biology now, Active Physics or Chemistry next  Pre-AP Biology now, Chemistry or Pre- AP Chemistry next Teacher signature is REQUIRED for Pre-AP Chemistry

12. History  World History 9 now, U.S. History 10 next  Pre-AP World History 9 now, AP U.S. History 10 or U.S. History 10 next Teacher signature is REQUIRED for AP History

13. New Academies  Skilled Trades Academy  Select a vocational career for an in-depth introduction through an on-line dual enrollment class. Content will be provided on-line by community colleges associated with Spain Park High School. Possible course options include Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Manufacturing Technology, Welding, and Culinary Arts.  Finance Academy  Finance Academy 2-Business and Personal Finance  IT Academy  IT Academy 2-Graphic Design/Web Design  1 st semester: Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator  2 nd semester: Adobe Dreamweaver

14.  Virtual classes will be scheduled for either Zero, 1 st, 6 th, or 7 th period.  Students will note on their course selection form what class period they prefer. However, the class period is not guaranteed and will be based on availability in the master schedule.  The course teacher will be a Hoover City Schools teacher, and he/she will have Spain Park office hours during the class period to offer assistance to students as needed.  While most of the work will be done at home/online, students may be required to report to the school for class meetings or to complete assignments, but students would have advance notice from the teacher of these meetings. Virtual Classes

15.  Students who choose to take virtual classes must be driven and self-motivated.  Students will be expected to take initiative and visit the course teacher during his/her office hours to get help when needed.  Students must have regular access to the internet.  Unless students are attending a class meeting or working with the teacher during office hours, students enrolled in a virtual course should make plans to be OFF CAMPUS during the class period.  So, you will not be able to sit in the SPHS library each day and work on your virtual class. What do I need to know?

16. VIRTUAL CLASSES o Health o Spanish 2

17. Required Electives  PE 9 1.0 credit  Health0.5 credit  Career Prep1.0 credit CTE/Foreign Language/Arts3.0 credits Choose any combination of Career Technical Education, Arts Education and/or Foreign Language courses.

18. Driver’s Education  Need a permit to take Driver’s Education  Write on your course selection sheet which semester you want to take Driver’s Education

19.  Must complete 4 courses in one area  Recommend you complete one AP course  AP Music Theory  AP Studio Art Talk to your fine art teacher for more information. Fine Arts Academy Band Choir Art Dance Theater

20. ELECTIVES o Please check the Course Selection Guide on the SPHS website for a full list of elective descriptions. Elective descriptions may be spread out throughout the Course Selection Guide depending on the course content (AP Human Geography is listed in the History section) Some of them require pre-requisites or teacher signatures so look CLOSELY

21. Instructional Support Aide Applications in Guidance; see Ms. Varner (123) Library Aide See Mr. Middlebrooks (Library) Peer Helpers See Mrs. Engates (JAG Room) Yearbook Staff See Mrs. Rodgers (229) Scholars Bowl See Mr. Parker (110) Electives that Require Applications MUST You MUST speak with these teachers if you wish to take any of these classes

22.  German I (Virtual)  Computer Science Principles  Introduction to central ideas of computing and computer science  AP Computer Science  Must have taken Algebra 2 Trig  Will pay for and take the AP Exam in May  Dietetics  In-depth study of the science of food (nutrition, weight control, maintenance of good health and the preparation of food, etc.) New Electives

23. NEW ELECTIVES  Ceramics 1 & 2 (Ceramics no longer requires Art I as pre-requisite)  ACT Prep (semester course)  Interior Design I (year-long course)  Choosing, furnishing, and maintaining a home  Fashion Design (must have taken Fashion this year)  Gaining efficiency in sewing skills/techniques  Fashion Media (must have taken Fashion this year)  Explores factors related to the retail industry and fashion business  Dual Enrollment  Culinary & Hospitality Institute at Jeff State Community College

26. ALL MATH COURSES REQUIRE A TEACHER SIGNATURE!!! REMEMBER

27. You MUST choose 2 alternate electives They cannot be electives that require an interview/application process You also must make sure that you meet the pre-requisites for the course (if necessary) Why do I have to choose alternate electives? A course you chose won’t fit in your schedule (this happens OFTEN!) A course you chose doesn’t “make” and we will no longer offer it A course you chose is full You make or do not make a team/elective required by try-outs Remember… while you are out for the summer, we are here working on your schedules! Please help us by giving us a few options you would be OK with in the event that one of these situations happens with your schedule!

28. AP Contract If you are taking an AP course, you and your parents must sign an AP contract form. This form is in your packet. Override Letters If your teacher or counselor doesn’t recommend for you to take a course, then you and your parents will have to sign an override letter. This letter will remain on file with your counselor. **All of these forms will be in the Guidance Office. If you need either of these forms, you MUST bring the completed and signed form with you to your appointment. Additional Forms you may need to bring to your Course Selection Appointment

30. Friendly Reminders  Your appointment date/time is listed on your white folder.  Appointments last 5-10 minutes.  BE ON TIME!  Have your forms filled out completely with all required signatures.  If you do not turn in a course selection form, we will create a schedule for you.  The course selection guide is on the SPHS website  Description of courses  Explanation of prerequisites or co-requisites

31. Make sure you have a parent initial your 4 Year Plan and sign your Course Request sheets– it is State Mandated to have a parent signature on file! Make sure you have 2 alternate electives on your Course Request sheet Final Reminders

32. See you at your appointment! Mrs. Thomason 10 th Grade Counselor mthomason@hoover.k12.al.us