FFREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL RISING FRESHMAN PARENT NIGHT

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

7:00 p.m.Freedom High School Auditorium

A MINUTE WITH OUR PRINCIPAL

Christine ForesterPrincipalFreedom High School

christine.forester@lcps.org

INTRODUCTIONS

Ken Christopher, Director of Guidance

Counselors:Mrs. Austin HamillMs Kelli JohnsonMrs. Cristi GoldbergMs Colleen HurleyMrs. Ann BarrettDr. Carly Fuhrman

(& Bailey)

WELCOME TO FREEDOM!!!

CLASS OF 2016!

AGENDA FOR TONIGHT

Graduation Requirements Class Options – take the most difficult

classes that you can take, yet still have a life

EXPUNGING GRADES – August 15, DEADLINE

Electives – take what interests you. Not what friends might take.

Get involved early!! Preparing for college; Preparing for AP

Classes

HELPING YOUR YOUNG ADULT PLAN FOR THE ACADEMIC FUTURE

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTIONS

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTIONSIn Virginia, diploma options available to all

students beginning with the Class of 2015:

Advanced Studies Diploma 26 Credits/9 Verified Credits

Advanced Technical Diploma 26 Credits/9 Verified Credits

Standard Diploma 22 Credits/6 Verified Credits

Standard Technical Diploma 22 Credits/6 Verified Credits

Credit = pass the classVerified credit = pass the class and the SOL

Full year course = 1 credit Half year course = .5 credit

Discipline Area

Credits Verified Credits

Discipline Area

Credits Verified Credits

English 4 2 English 4 2Mathematics 4 2 Mathematics 3 1

Laboratory Science 4 2 Laboratory Science 3 1

History and Social Science

4 2 History and Social Science

3 1

World Languages 3 World Languages 0

Health and Physical Ed.

2 Health and Physical Ed. 2

Electives 3 Electives 6

Student Selected SOL TEST

1 Student SelectedSOL TEST

1

Economics & Personal Finance

1 Economics & Personal Finance

1

Fine Arts or Career & Technical

1 Fine Arts or Career & Technical

1

Total 26 9 Total 22 6

Advanced Diploma Standard Diploma

ADVANCED TECHNICAL DIPLOMA & STANDARD TECHNICAL DIPLOMA

The Virginia Department of Education added 2 more diploma types – Advanced Technical Diploma and Standard Technical

How do I earn a “TECHNICAL” diploma?

*3 electives are in the area of technical education*

ECONOMICS & PERSONAL FINANCE

New Graduation Requirement for the

Class of 2015 and beyond:

1-credit course in Economics & Personal Finance

Can take in grades 10, 11, or 12

Not available to 9th graders

AP Econ would meet this requirement

HMMM…WHAT CLASSES DO I SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR?

Click Key for link to Online Elective Guide and LCPS Program of Studies

THINK ABOUT YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER’S INTERESTS AND ABILITIES.

Consider your son or daughter’s academic strengths and weaknesses.

Review previous grades and test scores.

Look closely at your son or daughter’s reading level. This will help determine which level of classes might be appropriate for high school.

Consider your son or daughter’s interests and his or her “work ethic” regarding academics.

“BLOCK” SCHEDULING SAMPLE SCHEDULE

“A” Day “B” Day

1 – English 9/H 5 – World History I/A

2 – Health/PE 9 6 – Eagles Connect

3 – Algebra I 7 – German I

4 – Drama 1 8 – Earth Science/A

ENGLISH, SOCIAL SCIENCE, & SCIENCE OPTIONS: All courses are offered at two

levels: Academic Honors or Pre-AP

Reading level and work ethic will be a key factors in deciding which level of these courses a student should take in grade 9.

Strongly consider teacher and counselor recommendations.

BIOLOGY/HONORS IN GRADE 9 A small number of 9th

grade students elect to take Biology/Honors instead of Earth Science.

This course requires the completion of a substantial Independent Science Research project. This project is started in Honors Earth Science, so students who skip Earth Science must be prepared to complete extensive summer work to be ready for the demands of the Honors Biology class.

FOR STUDENTS WHO EAT, BREATHE, & SLEEP

SCIENCE

MATH IN GRADE 9

Grade & SOL

2011-2012

Current Math Course in Grade 8

Pre-Algebra

Algebra I

Geometry

Algebra 2

Algebra 2/Trig

“A” or “B” AND

Passed SOL

Algebra I

Geometry

Algebra 2

or Alg. II/Trig

Hon. (if A’s in both maths)

Advanced

Algebra/Precalc.

Mathematical

Analysis

“C” or “D” OR

Failed SOL

Algebra 1

Expunge MS course

Algebra I or

Functions Alg., & Data Anal.

Expunge MS course

Geometry or

Functions Alg., & Data Anal.

Expunge MS course

Algebra 2 or

Advanced Functions and

Modeling

Expunge MS course

Algebra 2 or

Advanced Algebra/Precalc.

WORLD LANGUAGES & CULTURESMost four-year colleges prefer that you have a

minimum of two (2) years of a foreign language. Very competitive colleges will want 4

or 5 years.Spanish, French, German, and Latin are offered through the Advanced Placement (AP) level in Loudoun

County.

American Sign Language and Mandarin Chinese are each offered

for 3 years

HEALTH/PHYSICAL EDUCATION Students must

complete two years of Health, Family Life, and Physical Education. These courses are normally completed in grades 9 and 10.

The Driver’s Education curriculum is taught as a part of Health/PE 10.

OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Expunging high school credits and grades taken in middle school

EXPUNGING HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS…

Students entering the ninth grade for the first time have a one-time chance to remove high school classes/credits that are earned in middle school.

Students/parents will be given a form later this year to complete if they want to take advantage of this opportunity. Form must be returned no later than August 15, 2012. Once high school begins, this opportunity ends.

ROOM FOR ONE MORE ELECTIVE!

CAMPUS PROGRAM Rising freshmen apply Focus on students historically

underrepresented in higher education and first-generation students

Non-credit class offered for students so that they have a lot of 1:1 interactions with CAMPUS teacher and counselor

Provide enrichment opportunities throughout high school for students to learn about post-secondary educational and scholarship opportunities---such as college campus visits, special presentations on careers, colleges, and scholarships, etc.

Students begin building a portfolio in ninth grade to prepare them for life after high school

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR THE FUTURE – GRADES 10-12AS YOU HELP PLAN FOR 9TH GRADE…

Monroe Technology Center and the Loudoun Governor’s Career & Technical Academy

Advanced Placement (AP) Classes

COLLEGES – WHAT DO I NEED TO GET IN??

HOW TO GET IN… Strong academic record

Challenging courses appropriate for their abilities all four years

Four years of “core” classes Solid standardized test performance

(SAT and/or ACT) Extracurricular, Athletic, and

Community Involvement Well Rounded STUDENTS “Quality vs. Quantity”

COLLEGE SOUNDS GREAT IN FOUR YEARS, BUT…WHAT CAN I DO AS A FRESHMAN??

Choose a challenging college-preparatory schedule of classes that is appropriate to your ability level

Take the PSAT in October

Get involved in at least one activity

Focus on performing well in all ninth grade classes and making a successful transition to high school

THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS TO GET INVOLVED!

Drama ClubJapanese Manga &Anime Club

PEERFuture Educators of America (FEA)

Art ClubFuture Business Leaders of America

(FBLA)HOPE ClubLeo Club

Peace & Justice ClubStep TeamLatin Club

Chinese Student Association Marching BandAcademic Team

Color GuardFriends of Rachel Club

Jazz EnsembleFellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

Dance TeamSOAR Club

Biotechnology Club

EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENTTHERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!

Choral GroupsEnvironmental Club

Black Student AssociationKnitting Club

Model UNThespian Society

French ClubDECA

Multicultural ClubArt & Literary Magazine Club

Spanish ClubDebate TeamChess Club

Muslim Student AssociationNewspaper

FCCLAStudent Council Association (SCA)

German ClubTechnology Student Association

Reading ClubYoung Americans for Freedom

ATHLETIC INVOLVEMENT

Fall Winter Spring

Football Basketball Baseball

Golf Wrestling Softball

Cross-Country Swimming Soccer

Volleyball Gymnastics Lacrosse

Cheerleading Cheerleading Tennis

Track & Field

IS THAT ALL I NEED TO KNOW?

Communicate early from the sidelines

Stay on the sidelines

24 hour rule Teach your student

how to advocate Teach your student

how to Show vs. Tell “Show” = “I care”

TEACHERS

Studying is not just doing homework

Music? Soft TV? NO Conducive studying

environment Computer in open

area, not bedroom Teach resilience Bad grade does not

mean schedule change

LEARNING, ATTITUDE, AND SUCCESS (NOT GRADES)

Other students in class

Other students in upper class

Teacher Counselor Administrators

Study Groups TALONS BEAST

KNOW THE RESOURCES

Call the other parent Invite friends to your house Stay involved in school Volunteer – good for you;

good for us; good for students

Caution: Parties do occur Do not contribute - you are

liable Drugs – know the signs Good Great kids

make mistakes

SOCIAL LIFE

FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR MIDDLE SCHOOL VISITS

Feb. 2-3: Lunsford Middle School

More visits to come… High School Student visit Honors Biology Visit Athletic Department Fine Arts

ANYONE FEELING OVERWHELMED?

Everything will be okay.

We are here to help you.

You will have four years to become an “expert” on all of this information ---and more.

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT….

Congrats!!Class of 2016!

GO

EAGLES!!