POTOMAC FALLSHIGH SCHOOL

PRESENTS

WELCOME!Class of 2018!

Introduction, Graduation Requirements,

Scheduling

The PFHS Administration

• Dr. Elizabeth Noto (Principal)• Ms. Kelly Hayes (9th Grade)• Mr. Jarvis Weeks (10th and 11th Grade, ELL)• Mr. Kirk Dolson (12th Grade, IEP)• Mrs. Rae Ann Paolozzi (Director of School

Counseling)• Mr. Mike Sipe (Athletics Director)• Mrs. Bonnie Robertson (Special Education Dean)

Welcome to the

Class of 2018

from Dr. Noto,

your principal

*Terms to Delete*

A “Good” School or a “Good” College

*Terms to Delete*

A “Good” School or a “Good” College

for my child.

It looks good on the transcript.

*Terms to Delete*

A “Good” School or a “Good” College

for my child.

It looks good on the transcript.

Balance

*Terms to Delete*

A “Good” School or a “Good” College

for my child.

It looks good on the transcript.

Balance

KEEP!

Upcoming Events for Rising 9th Grade Students and Parents

• March 3-7 – Rising Freshman Scheduling • April 11 -Activities Fair for Rising Freshman• Freshman Summer Institutes

– Option A: Thursday, July 24, 9:00 – 1:30– Option B: Thursday, July 31, 9:00 – 1:30

• 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• Mrs. Teresa Bennett (10-12 A-C and ELL)• Ms. Stefanie Weiss (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 2014 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

(LCPS Program of Studies)

• 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 – currently met through successful

completion of personal finance.

Standard DiplomaEach unit is 140 Clock Hours of Instruction

(LCPS Program of Studies)

• 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 – 2 must be sequential• One Virtual Course – currently met through successful

completion of personal finance.

2 must be sequential

(Information available in LCPS Program of Studies)

VERIFIED UNITS OFCREDIT REQUIREMENTS

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

Advanced Studies Diploma

Standard Diploma

English 2 2

Math 2 1

Laboratory Science

2 1

History & Social Science

2 1

Student Select 1 1

Total 9 6

(Information available in LCPS Program of Studies)

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?

Science Course ProgressionsPotomac Falls High School

2014-2015

IndependentScience

Research

EnvironmentalExplorations

APBiology

APChemistry

APPhysics

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Conceptual PhysicsEarth

Science

HonorsEarth

Science(Research)

HonorsBiology(Research)

GeospatialScience

General Elective:

Illustration of some of the many different pathways students take in PFHS Science.Freshmen may start in Earth Science, Honors Earth Science, or Honors Biology.

• Honors Biology– Recommended only for students who

can schedule long-term project work around their busy lives.

– Recommend that student earn at least a “B” in Honors Earth Science and score at least 450 on the SOL if taken.

– Good writing skills are necessary. Students will complete lengthy research papers with references.

– Students should be able to comprehend abstract concepts, analyze data, and draw conclusions.

– Student must be able to work independently.

– Honors students should have already shown a strong interest in science.

– Highly recommended that student be enrolled in Algebra II. Strong math skills necessary to complete statistical analyses of data.

• Honors Earth Science– Requires advanced academic

skills. – Good writing skills are

necessary. Students will complete lengthy research papers with references.

– Students will perform some numerical analysis, and preferably have completed Algebra I before enrolling.

– Honors students should have already shown a strong interest in science.

– The successful honors student will be a self-starter that requires little prompting to complete assignments.

Science Course Selection Guidelines Potomac Falls High School

2014-2015 Edition

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):

• 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 INFORMATION SYSTEMS (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• Mr. Chris Clarke, CAMPUS Program Manager at the

LCPS Pupil Services Office• Mr. Richard Bader, PFHS CAMPUS Counselor

Academic Enrichment and Support • Mandatory CAMPUS classes and/or

meetings • Structured curriculum

college preparation

application & admissions process

financial aid & scholarship preparation

time management

study skills

self-advocacy skills

leadership development

Parental Involvement

• Important part of CAMPUS and its success• Asked to participate in CAMPUS initiatives • Asked to support their children in college

search and application process • Asked to attend bi-monthly parent meetings • Asked to serve as chaperones for college visits

Application Process• Majority of applicants are selected from Rising

9th grade applicant pool.

• If spaces are available, upper-class students in grades 10-11 can apply during late spring or early in the fall semester.

• On-line CAMPUS applications are available through the LCPS website; located under the Services tab and then under the CAMPUS tab.

EXPUNGING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITED COURSES TAKEN IN

MIDDLE SCHOOL…• REVIEW all materials sent home with the final

report card.• COMPLETE the expungement form and

RETURN to PFHS Counseling • SUMMER before your 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 include course request letter with teacher recommended courses.

• FINAL COURSE REQUESTS will go home in FINAL REPORT CARDS.

• Any change request MUST be received with PARENT SIGNATURE.

• NO CHANGES WILL BE GRANTED AFTER JUNE 24, 2014!

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

ONLINE 2014-2015 LCPS PROGRAM OF STUDIES

WORDS OF WISDOM FORINCOMING FRESHMAN AND THEIR

PARENTS…

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

• DESIGN A SCHEDULE AROUND YOUR STUDENT’S INTEREST AND ABILITIES.

• 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!

FIND OUT MORE IN THE CAFÉ!

• Talk to department chairs• If you run out of time, feel free to e-mail

with questions or concerns.• Thank you for coming!