Freshman Parent Orientation

1
Freshman Parent Orientation

• Bryan High School
• February 9, 2009

2
Staff Introductions

• Principal Steve Alspaugh
• Assistant Principal Tim Rettig
• Secretary Melinda Kunsman
• Attendance Kathy Scheckelhoff
• Athletic Director Brian Arnold
• Athletic Secretary Teresa Kuzmaul
• School Counselors
• Shawn Grime - Freshman/Sophomore
• Kim Bassett - Junior/Senior
• Karen Meister

3
What To Expect in High School

• Higher Level of Academics
• Greater Independence and Responsibility
• Taking New Courses
• Having New Teachers
• Making New Friends
• Extracurricular Opportunities
• Life and Career Goals After High School

4
Advice for Freshman

• What you do your Freshman year sets the
  foundation for the next 4 years of high school.

5
Graduation Requirements

• 21 Total Credits
• 4 English
• 3 Social Studies - Global Studies, U.S. History,
  Government
• 3 Math
• 3 Science
• 0.5 Oral Communications
• 0.5 Health
• 0.5 Physical Education (2 semesters)
• 6.5 Electives
• 1 must be from Fine Art, Foreign Language, or
  Business/Technology

6
Honors Diploma

• 4 English
• 4 Math
• 4 Science
• 4 Social Studies
• 1 fine art

• 3 of one foreign language or 2 of two different
  foreign languages
• 3.5 GPA (through 1st semester Senior year)
• 27 ACT / 1210 SAT

Must Meet 7 of 8 Criteria
7
High School Paths
8
Recommended If Going To College

• English - 4 years
• Math - 4 years (up through Algebra 2)
• Science - 3/4 years
• Social Studies - 3 years
• Fine Arts - 1 year
• Foreign Language - 3/4 years
• 3.0 GPA
• ACT/SAT Score
• School/Community Involvement

9
Building A Strong Transcript

• Credits
• Awarded at semester for passing grades (60)
• Semester courses are worth 0.5 credits (exception
  is Reading Enrich. and PE worth 0.25)
• Course History
• Strength of schedule and total number of credits
  in subject areas
• GPA
• Calculated each semester based upon semester
  grades (average of 2 quarters and exam)
• 4.0 scale
• Class Rank
• Calculated each semester and based upon
  cumulative GPA and strength of schedule

10
Getting Into College

• A
• A-
• B
• B
• B-
• C
• C

• Colleges only see grades from 9, 10, 11.
• State schools are getting more selective.
• OSU - 72 had 26 on ACT / 57 ranked in top 10
  of class / 91 ranked in top quarter
• Miami - 3.5 GPA / 58 had 26 ACT / 79 ranked in
  top 30 of class
• Students with lower GPA/ACT scores may take
  college readiness courses or be put on academic
  watch.
• Competition for scholarships has intensified.

2.739
11
Four County Career Center

• Offer 30 vocational/technical programs that
  prepare students for high skill/high wage
  careers.
• Recommended for ALL students who do not plan to
  attend college.
• Will attend their Junior Senior year.
• Must have 6.5 credits to apply and 8 credits to
  attend.
• Several Tech Prep and dual enrollment programs
  that will allow students with certain academic
  standing to earn college credit while in high
  school.
• Many of these students then go on to attend
  2-year and 4-year colleges.
• Many students find themselves being more
  successful and involved at Four County.

12
School Day Structure

• 750 AM - 245 PM
• 7 classes (will show as 6 periods on schedule)
• 4 minutes between classes
• 4th period is split into 5 sections (2 classes
  and 1 lunch)
• Lunch is either 4A, 4C, or 4E for 26 minutes
• Activity Period - used on Fridays to hold
  meetings and school events

13
Sample Schedule
14
Registration Process

• BMS - February 10th 11th / St. Pats - February
  10th
• Due Feb. 13th to Mr. Bennett (BMS) or Mrs.
  Schaffter (St. Pats).
• Teachers will make recommendations on which
  levels students should take. As a parent you
  have the right to override that recommendation.
• Must be signed by a parent/guardian and by
  English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. We
  request they get signature from Art if taking Art
  1 as well.
• Special Education Students - Teachers will assist
  in registration process to determine appropriate
  courses in accordance with IEP.
• Schedules will be mailed towards the end of the
  school year.
• The school has the right to change student
  schedules at any time and there are no guarantees
  that requests will be honored.

15
Schedule Changes

• You have the first 10 days of the semester to
  add/drop any course.
• Any drop after 10 days will be a withdrawal
  failure and a meeting must be held.
• Yearlong courses WILL NOT be dropped at the
  semester unless school supported.
• Preferred that band not be dropped after the
  completion of band camp.
• Please try to make schedule changes prior to the
  beginning of the next year.
• Teacher changes/requests will NOT be made.

16
Required Courses English

• Intermediate English 9
• Intended for students with lower English skills
  (reading and writing)
• Intermediate English also meets college
  requirements
• Students have the option of moving to College
  Prep English their Sophomore if they show
  progress
• College Prep English 9
• Intended for students with higher English skills
  (reading and writing) and who intend to go to
  college
• There will be NO summer reading this year!
• LD English 9 - For students on IEP who need
  small-group instruction.

17
Required Courses Math

• Math 9
• Intended for students who struggle with math
• Math 9 and Math 10 combined are the same thing as
  Algebra I, just covered at a slower pace over 2
  years
• Algebra I
• Intended for students having success in general
  math or those who have had struggles with Algebra
  I
• Geometry
• Intended for students who have been successful in
  Algebra I
• Geometry is very different and students may find
  themselves performing at a lower level so be
  prepared
• LD Math 9 - For students on IEP who need
  small-group instruction.

18
Required Courses Social Studies

• Comprehensive Global Studies 1 2
• Intended for students who struggle with the
  reading and memorization required with social
  studies.
• Will be determined by teacher recommendation.
• Global Studies 1 2
• May take Global 2 over summer and sign up for
  Global 1 during Freshman year

19
Required Courses Science

• Comprehensive Science 9
• Quarter of biology, environmental, chemistry, and
  physics
• Intended for students desiring a more basic,
  inquiry approach to science
• Accelerated Science 9
• Quarter of biology, environmental, chemistry, and
  physics
• Intended for students who plan to pursue a career
  in science or intend to take any advanced science
  their Junior and Senior year
• Students must demonstrate strong math and reading
  abilities and have a high interest in science

20
Required Courses Health, PE, OC

• Recommend that ALL students have these completed
  by end of their Sophomore year, especially for
  Four County
• Health (1 semester)
• Physical Education (2 semesters)
• May take over the summer, early bird (700 AM),
  or twice in one year
• Participation in sports or outside summer
  programs does not count toward PE credit
• Oral Communications (1 semester)
• May take over the summer
• This is a BHS requirement and not mandated by the
  state

21
Elective Courses

• Study Hall (1 per semester)
• Recommended for students who need time for work
  and will use the time productively
• Reading Enrichment (2 semesters)
• For those recommended based on reading
  assessments done in Jan.
• Will have class 2 or 3 days a week and a study
  hall on the off days
• Language Arts Electives (1 semester)
• Study Skills/Speed Learning - recommended for any
  student needing to improve upon study skills,
  even top students

22
Elective Courses

• Foreign Language
• Spanish and French
• Recommend for Freshman if planning to take 4
  years, if going to Four County, or plan on being
  in TRUST as a Senior.
• If planning to attend Four County, they should
  take Spanish because it is now being offered at
  Four County.
• Art
• Art 1 (2 semesters) - Intended for serious art
  students with desire to work hard and pursue a
  career in the arts. Must have approval from MS
  art teacher.
• Ceramics, Drawing, Fundamentals of Art (1
  semester)
• http//www.bryanart.org

23
Elective Courses

• Business
• Computer Tech 1 (1 semester) - Microsoft Office
  applications
• Computer Tech 2 (1 semester) - Choose digital
  presentation, desktop publishing, web design, or
  data management applications
• Music (2 Semesters)
• Womens Glee - Freshman/Sophomore females
• A Capella - All males and Junior/Senior females
  with exception of Freshman/Sophomore females in
  Light Shines. Students trying out for Light
  Shines MUST be signed up for chorus
• Orchestra
• Concert Band - Marching Band 1st semester
• Symphonic Band - Marching Band 1st semester

24
Elective Courses

• Work Family Life (1 Semester)
• Managing Life Skills - managing resources and
  making consumer decisions with regards to foods
  and nutrition, clothing evaluation and
  construction, and interior design
• Interior Design
• Fashion Strategies - may take all 4 years

25
Summer School

• Summer Option
• 4 weeks (M-F) preceding the end of the year
• 830-1130 / 1230-330
• PE (AM or PM)
• Oral Communications (AM only)
• Global Studies 2 (AM only)
• 90 per course
• Letters will be mailed around Spring Break and
  registration is on first come basis
• Pass/Fail and will not be factored into GPA

26
Credit Remediation

• Encouraged to make up credit ASAP
• Options
• Retake the class
• STEP Ahead (free) - offered each semester and
  summer
• Virtual Learning Academy (deposit) - On-line
  during study hall or own time
• Correspondence Course (fee) - Typically takes 5-6
  weeks to complete 0.5 credit
• Summer School (fee) - Four County offers two
  3-week sessions for 0.5 credit

27
Athletic Eligibility

• Eligibility determined each quarter.
• 4th quarter of 8th grade determines eligibility
  of 1st quarter Freshman year.
• 1.85 GPA
• no more than 1 failing grade
• must be enrolled in 5 one credit classes

28
Parent/Guardian Role in High School Transition

• Share your own high school experiences.
• Help set goals and develop a 4-year plan.
• Monitor their academic progress.
• Develop a study/homework plan.
• Stay involved with the school.
• Promote a healthy lifestyle (diet, sleep,
  exercise, stress)
• Talk with your child about making good decisions.
• Foster independence and responsibility by setting
  limits.
• Be involved with their interests, activities, and
  friends.
• Stay connected by listening and communicating.

29
Thank You For Attending!

• Please contact a counselor or administrator with
  any questions about next year.