Welcome Highlanders of

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TWHS 9th Grade Campus

• Welcome Highlanders of
• 2008-09

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Transition to TWHS-9th Grade Campus

• Marguerite Weatherall Principal
• Chuck Pincumbe Associate Principal
• Jan Nell Assistant Principal
• Al Nardone Assistant Principal

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Counselors
Lead Counselor -
Denise Cipolla

• Paulette Nelson A-G
• Christy McGilvray H-O
• Betty Grames P-Z

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Schedule for Tonight

• General Session
• Departmental Information and Fair

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Questions tonight?

• Turn in an index card with question, name, phone
  number, and e-mail address.

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Welcome

• Looking forward to a new year
• New challenges for students
• New responsibilities for students
• New opportunities for students

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Goals

• Have students excel academically
• Have students develop strong social skills
• Have students be well rounded individuals
• Have students enjoy learning

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Priorities

• Positive Classroom Environment

• Rigorous Academic Programs

• Social Development

• Preparation for Next Educational Level

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A Typical Day

• Arriving at School
• 1st Block begins 725am
• Lockers/Backpacks
• 1st and 3rd Block (Splits)
• Lunch/3rd Block
• School Ends 230 pm

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Communication

• E-Mail Easiest, Quickest Method
• TWHS - Web Page
• Conferences As needed
• Highlander Happenings
• Parent Newsletter via Email
• Home Access Center

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How Parents Make the Difference!

• Keep communication lines open - Talk with your
  student
• Monitor what they are doing academically - Look
  for Progress Reports after every 3 weeks

• Encourage self-advocacy in your student
• Home Access Center Talk with or e-mail teachers
  if you have a question or concern
• Encourage involvement in school activities

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Core Courses at TWHS-9th Grade Campus

• Social Studies
• World Geography
• World Geography PreAP

• English
• English I
• English I PreAP

• Math
• Extended Algebra
• Algebra I
• Algebra I Honors
• Geometry
• Geometry PreAP
• Algebra II PreAP/GT

• Science
• Biology
• Biology PreAP

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Who should take Honors/PreAP courses?

• The most successful students are willing to work
  very hard.
• If a student plans to take AP courses, the
  earlier the preparation, the easier the
  transition.
• There are only 24 hours in a day. Evaluate how
  much time will be spent in other activities.

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Traits of the Honors/PreAP Student

• Self-starter/self reliant
• Willingness to go beyond minimum requirements on
  assignments
• Capable of adapting to a faster pace/higher level
  of thinking
• Ability to struggle with questions for which
  there are no clear answers
• Eagerness to seek out challenges
• Ability to analyze and apply concepts
• to new situations
• Enjoys being challenged academically

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Pre-Advanced Placement Program

• Its not just courses to prepare for an
  examination.
• Its not just a course.
• Its a process.

• Advanced Placement Program consists of college
  courses taught in high school.
• Students in AP classes may take examinations
  those scores can lead to college credit.
• AP courses teach students to think, read, and
  write critically and analytically.
• AP courses earn additional grade points in the
  high school GPA.
• PreAP courses facilitate students preparation
  for the challenging AP academic courses.

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Amount of Homework to Expect in High School

• Level classes
• 30-45 minutes per class per night
• Honors/PreAP Classes
• Approximately 60-90 minutes per class per night

• More reading, writing, and research-based
  assignments
•  Greater degree of critical thinking skills
• Faster pace  

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Registering for Honors/PreAP Courses

• Students must get recommendations from current
  subject teachers.
• Recommendations based on criteria.
• Teachers will have opportunity to change
  recommendations.

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TWHS-9th Grade Campus Registration Process
During registration, students will receive the
following

• Course Description Guide
• Course Selection Sheet
• Planning the Block Worksheet

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Course Description Guide

• Front of book
• General Information
• Graduation Requirements
• Description of different levels
• Policies and procedures
• G.P.A./Class Rank System
• Description of all courses
• Appropriate Grade Level
• How many credits the course earns
• What prerequisites the course has
• Additional fees for certain courses (ie cost of
  supplies and materials for ART I is
  50.00)

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 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS CLASS OF
2012
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• All students are required to earn a minimum of 26
  credits to graduate.
• SUBJECT Credits
• English 4.0
• Mathematics-Must Include
• Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra 2 (three
  credits in grades 9-12) 4.0
• Science-Must Include Biology, Chemistry, and
  Physics 4.0
• Social Studies (World Geography, World History,
  U.S. History, Gov./Eco.) 4.0
• Foreign Language (Same language) 2.0
• Health 0.5
• P.E. (1/2 credit must be Foundations) or P.E.
  Substitute 1.5
• Fine Arts 1.0
• Communication Applications (Speech) 0.5
• Technology 1.0
• Electives 3.5
• TOTAL CREDITS 26.0

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Accelerated Block Schedule

• Variations to the schedule
• 1st and 3rd block some courses are one term or
  all year for 45 minutes
• Some courses are 90 minutes for 1 semester

• Typical Schedule
• 2 Terms (Fall and Spring)
• 4 Classes per term
• Meets every day for 90 minutes
• College Type Schedule

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Fall Spring 18 weeks 18
weeks
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• THE WOODLANDS HIGH SCHOOL Student Name
  ____________________________
• 9th Grade Course Selection Sheet Student
  Signature ________________________ 2008-2009
  School Year Student ID ______________________
  ________
• Email ___________________________________
• Parent/Guardian Name __________________________
• Parent/Guardian Phone ________________________
  
• Parent/Guardian Approval Signature
  _______________
• A complete schedule consists of 8 blocks (4 in
  the Fall, and 4 in the Spring.) Ninth grade
  students will take the following core academic
  classes Math, English I, Biology, World
  Geography. You will need to get your
  teachers recommendation for the academic courses
  for which you wish to register. Parents who
  wish their student to take a more advanced level
  than the teacher recommends may fill out the
  Student and Parent Agreement for Enrollment in
  Advanced Courses. The counselors have copies of
  these forms.
• Students will choose classes to fill the
  remaining four blocks of time. One full (1.0)
  credit class 1 block. Two ½ (.5) credit
  classes 1 block. All courses requiring
  teacher/coach/director approval will be
  designated with an .
• Below you will find a grid showing 8 blocks of
  time. Class periods are not designated, nor are
  Fall and Spring designated. In the first four
  blocks you will see the names of all courses in a
  content area. Have your teacher sign on the
  appropriate line for the recommended course for
  next year.
• NO CHANGES IN COURSE REQUESTS WILL BE MADE AFTER
  MAY 16, 2008.
• The last four blocks allow for other courses.
  Our recommendation is that all freshmen take at
  least two ½ credit P.E. courses for one full
  credit, Health ( ½ credit ), and Communications
  Applications (speech ½ credit).

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• Students get teacher recommendations for Honors
  and PreAP.
• Without recommendations, students will be placed
  in level classes.
• Parents can override with a Letter of Agreement.
  
• Letters of Agreement will be available in the
  McCullough Counselors office.

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TEACHERS Sign your name beside the course/level
you recommend for this student. SELECTING
ELECTIVES Course offerings are contingent upon
adequate enrollment and staffing considerations.
Students are encouraged to complete the courses
required for graduation. You will be choosing
electives to fill three or four blocks of time.
Circle in pencil your choices on the back, and
also use the grid above as a schedule. Complete
the grid with course names and numbers. You will
also choose at least four alternate electives
numbered in order of preference. Write your
alternates in the blanks below. Please include
the course number and title of each course. When
necessary, a 45-minute class may be substituted
for a 90-minute class or a 90-minute substituted
for a 45-min. class to complete the requested
schedule.
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Planning the blocks
Athletics such as Football, Basketball, Soccer,
etc., will require two blocks of a students
schedule. Some sports require the coachs
approval. Signing up for an athletic team class
requires attendance at the Athletic Information
Night. Other programs, such as Choir, Band,
and Orchestra, also require directors approval.
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Athletic Info Night

• Monday, April 14th
• 630 PM TWHS 9GC Gym

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Choosing alternates
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Foreign Language
FOREIGN LANGUAGE (90 min. 18 wk.) S Spring
(A high level of proficiency in Lang. Arts is
recommended before taking Foreign Language.)
N3001S Spanish I____________________
N3401S German I _____________________
__________ (taught on senior campus) FOREIGN
LANGUAGE (45 min. 36 wk. ) (A high level of
proficiency in Lang. Arts is recommended before
taking For. Lang.) N3004 Spanish I
_______________________ N3014 Spanish II
_______________________ N3204 French I
_______________________ N3704 Japanese I
_______________________
Discuss Foreign Language placement with current
Language Arts teacher.
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Fine Arts

• FINE ARTS (90 min. 18 wk.)
• N 4001 Art I
• N4401 Theatre Arts I
• N4651 Concert Band __________________
  N4901
  Symphonic Band I______________
• N4951 Wind Ensemble I________________
• FINE ARTS (45 min. 36 wk.)
• N5354 Choir I (Girls) _____________
• N4404 Theatre Arts I
• N5004 Phil.Orchestra I _________________
• N5104 Choir I (Boys) _____________
• N5054 Symph Orchestra I ____________

One credit of Fine Arts is required for
graduation.
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Electives

• TECHNOLOGY (90 min. 18 wk.) Either course
  satisfies the required technology appls. credit
  toward graduation.
• N7811 Technology Systems
• N7161 BCIS (Business Computer Information
  Systems)
• CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY ELECTIVES
  
• (90 min. 18 weeks)
• N7601 Personal and Family Development
• (45 min 18 wks.)
• N6753 Intro to World Ag. (Fall) N6763 Applied
  Ag. Science (Spring)
• OTHER ELECTIVES
• N2414 Journalism I (45 min. 36 wks) N1543
  Teen Leadership (45 min. 18 wks)
• N2611 Debate I (90 min. 18 wks) N154H Teen
  Leadership (90 min. 9 wk.)
• N8804 AFJROTC I (45 min.36 wks) waives 1.0 P.E.
  credit
• Enrollment may be limited in elective courses due
  to classroom and equipment availability.

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WRITTEN REQUESTS FOR CHANGES, SIGNED BY A PARENT
OR GUARDIAN, MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE COUNSELING
OFFICE BY MAY 16, 2008. ______________________
_______ ______________________________ Stud
ent Signature Parent Signature COMMITMENT
STATEMENT FOR HONORS/PREAP COURSE(S) I have read
and I understand the expectations for
participating in the Honors/Pre-Advanced
Placement courses at The Woodlands High School as
stated in the Course Description Guide. I
understand the criteria and I am personally
committed to expend the time and effort necessary
for success. I accept that I must work to the
best of my ability in order to be a part of this
program. By entering into an Honors/PreAP
course, I understand that I am making the
commitment to that course for the entire school
year. ______________________________
_______________________________ Student
Signature Parent Signature
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Course Selection Sheets are due back to their
Language Arts teachers by Wednesday, February
27th
Students will receive a course verification
sheet listing the selected courses by mail.
Deadline for all schedule changes, May 16th .
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Questions??????

• Index cards with name, phone number,
• or email address
• ROTC Presentation is Thursday, February 21st
• Faculty in the Lobby for parent questions.
• Help Session Monday, February 20th
• 400 700pm TWHS-9GC Commons

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• Thank you for your attendance.