EXPLORE NightIntroduction to Dundee-Crown!

Parents & Students of the Class of 2017Dundee Middle School

December 12, 2012

Agenda:Welcome and IntroductionsFreshman Academy OverviewExplore Test and Core RecommendationsElective RequestsHigh School Core CurriculumTimeline and Next StepsStudent Point of ViewThanks and Closing

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Be Responsible!Be Respectful!

Be Positive!

Charger Pride!

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What is the Freshman Academy? The Freshman Academy is a comprehensive freshman transition program for all first-time (or non-

repeating) 9th graders. The Freshman Academy implements a school-within-a-school model designed to help all students

achieve at high levels. The Freshman Academy collects data in order to make freshman specific decisions regarding

curriculum, discipline, and academics. The Freshman Academy emphasizes a smooth transition from middle school to high school.

Academy Features A focus on both academic and social development, with the goal of creating a culture of college-

and career-readiness. Support: a coordinator/dean and two counselors will work exclusively with freshmen to meet their

specific needs. Extra help: a tutoring center provides extra support during the day, before and after school.

Tutoring runs Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after school for students to work.

Teamwork and collaboration: Teachers and staff work together collaboratively to help all students achieve at high levels.

Overview of the Freshman Academy

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The EXPLORE test is the first part of a testing system that goes on to include the PLAN and the ACT.

Typically, students take ◦ the EXPLORE test in 8th grade◦ the PLAN in 9th grade◦ the ACT in 11th grade.

All three tests assess your knowledge in the areas of English, math, reading and science. However, the material tested gets progressively more difficult with each exam.

The EXPLORE Test

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The EXPLORE Student Score Report gives information about a student’s knowledge, skills, interests, and educational career plans.

Students can use this information as they begin to plan high school coursework and begin thinking about college and work.

The score report also tells you how student’s EXPLORE scores compare to those of other students across the nation.

Student Score Report

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Student scores in each of the four subject areas are between 1 and 25. Your composite score is simply the average of all four test scores.

What Do My Scores Mean?

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◦To the right of your scores, you will find the percentage of students scoring at or below your score.

◦This shows you how your scores compare to those of students across the country who took the EXPLORE.

◦Example: 74% means a student scored as high or higher than 74% of 8th grade students across the U.S.

How Scores Compare?

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How Can Students Improve?

The back of the Score Report describes the skills and knowledge the student probably already has.

You will also see some ideas for improving even more in the different subject areas. The suggestions are based on student scores and can help them do better.

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Students were asked how many core courses they plan to take in high school.

This number was then compared to the number of core classes recommended to prepare for college.

Student Plans

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Students were asked whether or not they needed help in seven different areas. The areas checked on the score report are the areas that were selected.

Student Plans

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Students answered questions about their educational plans and career area preference.

Student Plans After High School

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ACT has developed College Readiness Benchmark Scores.

◦Students scoring at or above the benchmark in each subject area are projected to be on pace to succeed in high school and college classes, if they keep up with their coursework.

◦Students scoring below the benchmark will need to put in extra effort and seek out additional supports to improve their scores for future tests.

Thinking about College?

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Students also completed an Interest Inventory as part of the EXPLORE test. The “Career Possibilities” section of the Score Report shows careers related to their reported interests.

Career Possibilities

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The results of the Interest Inventory are shown on the World-of-Work Map, and these results are compared with the student’s Career Area Preference.

For example, the Interest Inventory results may suggest that careers in areas 7, 8, and 9 on the World-of-Work Map fit the student’s current interests.

◦This would include careers in areas K through Q on the Career Area List

Career Possibilities

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Career Possibilities ACT provides a multitude of

resources on the student’s EXPLORE results at the following website: www.explorestudent.org

The website includes an interactive and informative World-of-Work Map

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How do student EXPLORE results impact his/her freshman classes?

◦ 8th grade teachers work diligently to recommend core freshman classes in the areas of English, math, science, and social studies

◦ The teachers use the following criteria to make their recommendations, including:

EXPLORE results Current grades and classes Interventions and progress monitoring Work ethic Reading and writing ability Level of motivation

9th Grade Class Recommendations

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What electives are available? ◦ 2013-2014 Course Sheet: indicates which classes are

available for freshmen.

◦Categories include: (art, business, English, family and consumer science, foreign language, industrial education, music, social studies)

Freshman Elective Options

Where can I get more information? District 300’s Elective Online Tool:

www.d300electives.org Get elective class descriptions, prerequisites, and other

information here.

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www.d300electives.org

Visit this site to learn more about the electives offered to freshmen.

1. On paper◦Review the list of electives◦Discuss with your parents◦ Fill out the homework sheet◦Bring it in to discuss with a high school counselor on

January 11th, 20132. Online◦Review the list of electives◦Discuss with your parents◦ Login to your Student Portal and complete the Freshman

Elective Request Form

Two Ways to Make Elective Requests

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Student Portal

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Click

Student Portal

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Click

What if our home doesn’t have Internet access?

◦ Review the List of Courses Sheet, and parents and students can do the Electives Homework Assignment over Winter Break.

◦ Students can sign up to meet with their middle school counselor to review elective options online.

◦ The IMC is available before school hours (8:15 until warning bell) for those who want to choose the electives at school. Students that come on the bus will not be able to take advantage of this opportunity due to bus time arrival.

Online Tool Questions

What if I still can’t figure something out? If you have any questions regarding the online tool,

please direct them to your middle school counselor.

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Jerry Weir, Counselor, 8th Grade Counselor◦224-484-4517◦Jerome.weir@d300.org

Elizabeth Thompson, 6th and 7th Grade Counselor◦224-484-4516◦Elizabeth.thompson@d300.org

Dundee Middle School Contact Information

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Semester 1 Semester 2Period 1 English 9 English 9Period 2 World History World HistoryPeriod 3 Algebra AlgebraPeriod 4 Elective ElectiveLunch Lunch Lunch

Period 5 Biology BiologyPeriod 6 Advisory AdvisoryPeriod 7 PE PEPeriod 8 Elective Elective

Freshman Core Curriculum

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Sample student schedule:

D300 Course Numbering System and Levels of Classes

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Department 1000 English/ESL 2000 Social Science 3000 Math 4000 Science 5000 World Languages 6000 Business Education 7000 Industrial Education; Family and Consumer Sciences 8000 Art; Music 9000 PE/Health/Driver Education

Level of class and weighted GPA value _200 Preparing for readiness for college and career GPA weight = +1 _300 On track for college and career (college prep) GPA weight = +1.5 _400 Honors level GPA weight = +2 _500 Advanced Placement (AP) GPA weight = +2.5

Example

2301/2302 World History

Semester 1 Semester 2

First number = department

Second number = level of class and weighted GPA value

8th graders will meet with high school counselors here at DMS on January 11, 2013 during school hours.

Plan to attend the Incoming Freshman Orientation Night on January 16, 2013 between 5:30 and 8:30 pm at D-C.

During the Orientation Night, students and parents will review and finalize course preferences and elective requests

Parents will sign and turn in the scheduling sheet at the high school that night

9th Grade Planning

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Middle School Nights

• Middle school night at DMS• December 12th, 2012 at 7pm

High School Counselor 1 on 1 Visits

• Fri. January 11, 2013 during school

Freshman Orientation

• Wed. January 16, 2013 5:30 to 8:30 pm

Timeline for 8th Grade Course Selection and Information:

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Wednesday January 16, 20135:30 to 8:30 pm

Gain more insight into transitioning to high school! Turn in your course selections! Take a tour of the school! Meet coaches, faculty sponsors, and involved

students! Meet academic divisionals, guidance counselors!

Information about Incoming Freshman Orientation Night

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A message from students who were in your shoes just

one year ago!

Student Point of View

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For More Information 224-484-xxxx English / ESL◦ Nicole Woodbury x 5018

Career and Technical Ed.◦ Michelle Buhrow x 5037

World Language and Fine Arts◦ Jennifer Troy x 5253

Mathematics◦ Tim Bruell x 5254

Tutoring Center◦ Stephanie Reed x 5247

Science◦ Barb Sydnor x 5059

Social Studies◦ Chris Lagioia x 5019

Education Services◦ Susan Rohlwing x 5056

Counseling◦ Jason Johnson x 5049

Freshman Coordinator◦ Tom Rodman x 5065

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