Transition to Staples High School

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Transition to Staples High School

• January 24, 2008
• 700pm
• Staples High School Auditorium
• Staples High School
• Guidance Department

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Welcome to Staples High School

• Our purpose this evening is to give you
  information to assist in your childs transition
  to Staples High School.
• We will be happy to answer your questions at the
  end of this program.

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Graduation Requirements

• Students must earn a minimum of 25 credits in the
  following areas
• English 4.0 (1.0 credit each year)
• Social Studies 3.5 (1.0 Western Humanities, 1.0
  U.S. History,
• .5 American Government, .5 Area Studies,
• .5 additional elective)
• Mathematics 3.0
• Science 2.0
• World Language 2.0 (any one world language in
  sequence)
• Phys. Ed/Health 3.0
• Arts 1.5
• (with a minimum of .5 in Fine Arts and .5 in
  Practical Arts/Human Arts. Remaining .5 in
  either area)
• Fine Arts (Art, Music or Theater)
• Practical Arts/Human Arts (Computer Science,
  Culinary Arts, Technology Education, Media/TV
  Production, Child Development, Child Study,
  Community Service, Senior Option, Chinese
  Culture)
• Electives 6.0

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Course Registration Requirements

• 9th graders must take at least 7 classes each
  semester
• 10th, 11th and 12th graders must take a minimum
  of 6 classes each semester

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High School Courses

• English
• 1H 1A 1B
• Social Studies
• Western Humanities Honors
• Western Humanities

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High School Courses Continued
Math Applied Math 1 Algebra 1A
Algebra 1B Geometry Honors
Geometry A Algebra 2 Honors (for
students currently taking Geometry)
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High School Courses Continued

• Science
• Biology Honors
• Biology A
• Biology B

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High School Courses Continued

• World Language
• Spanish 2H
• Spanish 2
• Spanish 1
• Conversational Spanish 1C
• French 2H
• French 2
• French 1

• Latin 1
• German 1
• Mandarin Chinese 1
• Italian 1

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High School Courses Continued

• Physical Education
• All freshmen are required to participate in ¾
  year of physical education classes in addition to
  ¼ year of health education. The freshmen
  physical education curriculum includes swimming,
  fitness, tennis, badminton, floor hockey and
  volleyball.

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Music/Theater Options

• Classes at Staples meet four days per week. In
  the areas of music and theater you may choose two
  days of music and two days of theater scheduled
  during the same period.

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Academic Support Classes

• Intensive Reading and Writing - Required semester
  course for students who do not meet goal on the
  reading/writing portion of the 8th grade CMT
• Math Problem Solving Required semester course
  for students who do not meet goal on the math
  portion of the 8th grade CMT
• Personalized Study Skills

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Electives

• Students need to choose electives plus alternates
  to complete their schedule.
• Please choose electives wisely they are
  difficult to change later on.
• There are some electives that are not available
  to 9th graders. Please review course book
  closely.
• Note Students may not receive their first
  choice electives

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Issues to Consider7 credits vs. 8 credits

• Your childs personality
• Your childs commitments outside of school
• Your childs course load
• Your childs ability to manage unstructured time
• Final choice is an individual and family decision

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Issues to ConsiderWhich level class is right
for your child?

• If your child is achieving high grades, is that
  true for tests as well as homework and/or extra
  projects?
• How much time does your child currently spend on
  homework?
• How much does your child currently stress about
  grades?
• How busy is their life outside of school?
• How independent and responsible is your child?
• Does your child do their homework consistently?
• Is your childs life balanced?

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Homework

• Homework completion is the key to success.
• Your child should expect more homework in high
  school than what he/she had in middle school.

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What are Learning Centers?

• Learning Centers are
• Available for all 5 academic subjects
• Staffed by our teachers
• Strictly voluntary for students
• Open during school hours only

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Course Pre-Registration Process

• 1. 8th grade teachers make course recommendations
  based on academic performance CMT scores.
• 2. Counselors will meet with 8th grade students
  to discuss the registration process.
• 3. A letter will be mailed to parents and
  students with a copy of the Staples High School
  course recommendations and electives for parent
  and student to review and sign. Due back to 8th
  grade counselor by Friday, March 7th . Changes
  cannot be guaranteed after this date.

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Waivers/Overrides

• Parent must first call and discuss course
  recommendation with subject teacher.
• Parent then calls 8th grade counselor to request
  a waiver/override form.
• Waive/Override form must completed and returned
  to the 8th grade counselor.
• Waiver forms that are received by the end of
  March will receive first consideration for
  available seats in a course. After that date we
  will do our best to accommodate your request if
  any seats remain. The absolute deadline for a
  waiver form to be returned is the end of May.
• No overrides will be accepted in the fall.
• CAUTION If a student overrides a course
  recommendation and the course is too difficult
  they may be unable to change levels during the
  school year.

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Staples Add/Drop Policy

• There are only specific reasons to drop or add a
  course
• Drop and or add to accommodate a level change.
• Add a course during an unscheduled period if it
  doesnt require another change in schedule.
• NOTE Choose electives wisely.
• Teacher changes for individual subjects
  will not be permitted.

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Sports Clubs

• Athletics Students will be notified during the
  summer of the fall practice schedule.
  Information can be found in the PTA Newsletter
  and online. Completed health forms are required.
• Clubs A listing of clubs/activities will be
  available the first day of 9th grade.

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The Beginning of a New Journey

• Transition Period
• Encourage kids to get involved
• Let your kids be kids maintain a balance
  between school, activities and fun
• These years will go quickly, take the time to
  enjoy them

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Thank you for coming

• Please be sure to fill out an Evaluation Form