POTOMAC FALLSHIGH SCHOOL

PRESENTS

WELCOME!Class of 2017!

Introduction, Graduation Requirements,

Scheduling

The PFHS Administration

• Ms. Janice Koslowski (Principal)• Ms. Kelly Hayes (9th Grade)• Mr. Jarvis Weeks (10th and 11th Grade, ELL)• Mr. Kirk Dolson (12th Grade, IEP)• Ms. Tamara Christman (Director of School

Counseling)

Upcoming Events for Rising 9th Grade Students and Parents

• February 19-25 and through Spring Break-Freshman Scheduling

• March 22 -Activities Fair for Freshman• July and August -Freshman Summer Institutes

(check our website for dates TBD)• Late August (check website for dates) 6:30 p.m.-

Freshman Parent Orientation• Late August 9:00 a.m.-1

p.m.-Freshman/Transfer orientation

The PFHS School Counseling Department

The Counselors:

• Dr. Deborah Brom (9th grade)• Mr. Richard Bader (10-12 D-I, CAMPUS• Mr. Shawn Dycks (10-12 A-C and ELL)• Mrs. Rae Ann Paolozzi (10-12 J-Ra)• Mrs. Amy Burgess (10-12 Re-Z)

Support Staff:

• Ms. Lisa Torick• Mrs. Toni Cicirelli• Mrs. Stacey Thomas, Career Center Assistant• Mr. Peter Kim, Testing Coordinator (SOL testing)

DIPLOMA TYPESRead the 2012 Program of

Studies!Available Online

• Advanced Studies• Standard• Others as determined through

Individualized Educational Plan (Mr. Dolson, Mrs. Robertson or Ms. Coyne can answer IEP questions)

Advanced Studies DiplomaEach unit is 140 clock hours of

instruction

• Four units of English• Four units of Math• Four units of Lab Science• Four units of Social Science• One unit of Economics (.5) and Personal Finance (.5)

(taken in 11th grade)• One unit of Fine Arts or Career and Technical• Three or Four units of Foreign Language• Two units of Health and PE (PE 9 and 10)• Three or more units of Electives• One Virtual Course (implementation TBD)

Standard DiplomaEach unit is 140 Clock Hours of Instruction

• Four units of English• Three units of Math• Three units of Lab Science• Three units of Social Science• Two units of Health and PE (PE 9 and 10)• One unit of Economics (.5) and Personal Finance (.5)

(taken in 11th grade)• One Fine Art, CTE or World Language• 4 Electives• One course should be a virtual course (Implementation

TBD)

VERIFIED UNITS OFCREDIT REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE ADVANCED DIPLOMA

• A VERIFIED UNIT OF CREDIT IS A PASSED COURSE WITH THE CORRESPONDING PASSED STANDARDS OF LEARNING TEST

• 2 VERIFIED CREDITS IN ENGLISH (TAKEN IN GRADE 11)

• 2 VERIFIED CREDITS IN MATH• 2 VERIFIED CREDITS IN LAB SCIENCE• 2 VERIFIED CREDITS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE• 1 ADDITIONAL FROM SOCIAL STUDIES, SCIENCE

OR MATH

VERIFIED UNITS OFCREDIT REQUIREMENTS

FOR THE STANDARD DIPLOMA

• 2 UNITS IN ENGLISH (TAKEN IN GRADE 11)• 1 UNIT IN MATH• 1 UNIT IN LAB SCIENCE• 1 UNIT IN SOCIAL SCIENCE• 1 ADDITIONAL FROM SCIENCE, SOCIAL

STUDIES OR MATH

A TYPICAL FRESHMAN SCHEDULE!• ENGLISH 9 (Academic, Honors) • WORLD GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY 1 (Academic, Pre-

Advanced Placement)• **MATH (Algebra 1, Geometry, Functions, Algebra 2 or

higher)• EARTH SCIENCE (Academic, Honors)*• HEALTH/PE 9• **FOREIGN LANGUAGE• ELECTIVE (Review diploma type)_• FLEX (8TH PERIOD)*CHECK TEACHER RECOMMENDATION

**Expunging 6th, 7th or 8th grade courses?

ELECTIVE CHOICES

• ART 1• ENSEMBLE (BAND), GUITAR, CHORUS• THEATER ARTS 1, TECHNICAL

THEATER 1, AND JOURNALISM 1• CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

COURSES• BUSINESS COURSES

ART DEPARTMENT PICTURES FOR YOUR VIEWING ENJOYMENT!

FRESHMAN MAY TAKE ART 1 ONLY:

The course includes drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, graphic design, ceramics, and textiles, photography, and computer graphics.

ENSEMBLE, CHORUS AND GUITAR• BAND-ENSEMBLE 1 OR 2 (BASED ON

AUDITION)• CHORUS, MEN’S, WOMEN’S SHOW CHOIR,

PANTHERA (BASED ON AUDITION)• BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE AND

ADVANCED LEVELS OFFERED (BASED ON AUDITION AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATION)

• STRINGS (AUDITION)• MUSIC APPRECATION: Students will explore

music throughout the ages and how it relates to history.

• MUSIC THEORY: Students will learn about the language of music. This course is designed for students who are planning on pursuing music in college. No performance is required. Students may opt to take AP Music Theory later on.

THEATER ARTS 1, TECHNICAL THEATER 1 AND JOURNALISM 1

• All are intro courses and required for higher levels

• Journalism 1 prepares you for newspaper and yearbook classes and how to write objectively

• Theater Arts I: Students survey the technical and performing art of theater, including improvisation, mime, basic acting, the history of the theater, stage settings, costuming, make up, and lighting

• Technical Theater I: Behind the scenes, lighting, sound, computer technology, stage set up, etc.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL ELECTIVES Semester courses (must be taken with another .5 credit course):

• INDEPENDENT LIVING– how to make a budget, let yourself in the house and be independent! (.5 credits)

• LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT—public speaking, community leadership, politics! (.5 credits)

• FASHION DESIGN—wardrobe, color analysis, and the business of designing fashions! (.5 credits)

• CHOICES—exploring the stuff teens deal with daily! (.5 credits)• GOURMET FOODS—learn to cook, clean, measure and impress! (.5

credits)• HUMAN DEVELOPMENT—what do small children need now to be

productive healthy teens later? (.5 credits)• INTRO TO HOUSING AND INTERIOR DESIGN—how to design room

settings, lay out, paint and wall paper colors, etc.,

Full year courses 1.0 Credits Each)

• APPLIED TECHNOLOGY 1—tools of the trade and how to use them!• INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND MARKETING—marketing,

advertising and fun!

BUSINESS ELECTIVES.5 Credit Courses (Semester Courses):

• KEYBOARDING (.5 credits)• ADVANCED KEYBOARDING (.5 credits)

(must have taken 6th grade keyboarding to qualify for this course)

1.0 Credit Courses (Full Year):

• COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (If you took keyboarding in 6th grade you qualify for this course)

WHAT IS CAMPUS?

• An academic and college preparation program designed to meet the specific needs of students from historically under-represented populations in higher education and prospective first-generation college students attending LCPS high schools

• Seeks to support and encourage students who demonstrate ability to achieve academic success and college admission

• Serves over 500 students countywide

• Admission to and success in college are among the goals of the program.

How CAMPUS Supports You!• Academic enrichment and support (Mandatory

CAMPUS class and/or meetings)• 2-Day Summer Seminar• College and university visits• College and scholarship preparation• Community service projects and activities• Leadership development

CAMPUS Application Process• Majority of applicants are selected from rising

9th grade applicant pool.• Applications are available through LCPS

website and middle school counseling offices. • Application deadline is March 19th! Late

applications will not be accepted• Mr. Bader will be at RBMS to discuss

CAMPUS w/interested students! • See Mrs. Gwizdala for more information!

EXPUNGING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITED COURSES TAKEN IN

MIDDLE SCHOOL…• REVIEW ALL MATERIALS SENT HOME WITH

THE LAST REPORT CARD• FILL OUT EXPUNGEMENT FORM AND

RETURN TO THE PFHS COUNSELING OFFICE NO LATER THAN MID-JULY

• SUMMER BEFORE THE FRESHMAN YEAR IS THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO EXPUNGE!

• REVIEW ALL 8TH GRADE HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT COURSES AND GRADES!

COURSE CHANGES

• 3RD QUARTER REPORT CARDS WILL ALSO INCLUDE COURSE REQUEST LETTER WITH TEACHER-RECOMMENDED COURSES (April 10)

• AFTER 4TH QUARTER REPORT CARDS ARE SENT HOME, YOU HAVE ABOUT ONE WEEK TO VERIFY THE COURSE REQUESTS.

• NO CHANGES WILL BE GRANTED AFTER JUNE 17, 2013!

• REVIEW COURSE REQUESTS AND THE PROGRAM OF STUDIES ONLINE CAREFULLY!

ONLINE 2013-2014 LCPS PROGRAM OF STUDIES

WORDS OF WISDOM FORINCOMING FRESHMAN AND THEIR

PARENTS…

• COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHERS AND OTHER SUPPORT STAFF (COUNSELORS AND ADMINISTRATORS)!

• GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOL!• GET TO KNOW THE MAIN OFFICE AND

COUNSELING STAFF!• READ THE NEWSLETTER AND REVIEW THE

PFHS WEBSITE OFTEN• CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS!