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
INTRODUCTIONSKen Christopher,
Director of GuidanceCounselors: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 OPTIONS
In 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 1Laboratory 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 6Student 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” Day1 – 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
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!!
