The Road to High School!

1. Welcome Parents!Getting Ready for High School:Everything You Need to Know!Mrs. Dowty ~ A-K last namesMrs. Jennings ~ L-Z last names As a table, please spend a few minutes to list any questions you would like answered at today’s meeting ~ thank you!

2. The Road to High School!

3. What to Expect: 13/14 YEAR OLDS: PHYSICAL -Changes in energy patterns -Skin problems/hygiene a key issue -Boys: voices change/growth spurts -Girls: 95% of mature height -High need for physical activity and snacking

4. 13/14 YEAR OLDS: SOCIAL • Neatness an issue with appearance, not environment • Feelings easily hurt • Hang out in large groups, but starting to form more intimate relationships • Phone, computer, video games are major distractions • Like to do as much as possible and cram a lot into a day • More of their own adult personality evident • Embarrassed to be seen with parents • Loud • Don’t respond well to adult lectures; “know it all” stage • Can withdraw in the home setting • Worry about school work • Can be difficult at home and a star in school

5. 13/14 YEAR OLDS: Language • One word answers • Street/peer language important, but learning to negotiate adult world • Develop a broader vocabulary • Like to challenge intellectual and social authority • Aware of problems in larger world and invested in finding solutions • Abstract reasoning begins to develop • Easily bored -

6. What to Expect: Academically • Higher academic demands • Individual responsibility emphasized • More independence expected • Organizational skills are necessary • Self-advocacy skills essential

7. How parents can help students build self advocacy skills: *Studentto communicate with teacher: Ask questions during class Discuss problems or concerns with teachers before or after class, in the morning or after school Participate in after school help Email teacher *Clarification of homework assignments: Student to use planner consistently to write down assignments Student to use team homework page on the school website Student to call a peer Student to ask parents for assistance *Student and Parents review Parent Portal together: Student follows up with teacher on missing assignments, low scores *Student comes to guidance regarding academic, social, or personal concerns

8. Timeline to High SchoolFall 2013 October: All students established Power School accounts Letter sent home from SWHS to all families regarding transition information October 29th: Cheney Tech Open House ~ 6 PM Nov. 4th: SWHS Family Curriculum Night ~ 6:30 PM Nov. 6th: Rockville Vo-Ag Open House ~ 6 PM Nov. 14th: Prince Tech Open House ~ 5:30 PM

9. Timeline to High School:December 2013 – January 2014 • December: Private high school applications due to TE counselors • January 15th: Parent presentation at SWHS reviewing 9th grade course selection process • January: SWHS 9th grade counselor visits all 8th grade classes to distribute and explain course selection materials

10. February - March 2014 • First week of February: Level recommendations mailed home with course selection worksheet ~ MUST BE COMPLETED, SIGNED, & RETURNED! • February 24th & 25th: Students tour SWHS and enter course requests in Power School during visits • March 21st: Last day for level change requests

11. May – June 2014 • May 30th: Preliminary schedules will be mailed to students from SWHS • June 17th: Final date for students to change elective courses

12. Levels at SWHSGoal is to place students where they can be most successful! • Levels at SWHS follow New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) standards. • Courses are divided into levels based on difficulty of curricular content, academic requirements, sophistication of analysis required • College Prep • Honors • Advanced Placement (AP) : Offered for sophomores, juniors, and seniors

13. How Levels are Determined • 1st trimester grades • Reading ability • Ability to work independently • Ability to analyze information and think abstractly • Writing skills • CMTs, benchmark assessments, and teacher generated tests • Study habits • Overall quality of work • Responsibility in meeting deadlines

14. 9th Grade Course Requirements All students must take the following classes: • 1st year English or Humanities (by recommendation) • Math • Physical Science • Modern World History or Humanities (by recommendation) • PE (1/2 year = .5 credit) • Computer Applications (1/2 year = .5 credit) *These required classes total five credits. *Students will need to choose up to two more credits in elective courses. If students require math, reading, or resource support, those are considered elective courses.

15. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS • 24 credits minimum • 6 credits (at least) required each year • Students must pass 6 credits to become sophomores • To graduate from SWHS, students will need: 4 credits of English 4 credits of math 3 credits of science 3 credits of social studies 1 credit of PE ½ credit of health 2 credits of career and technology 1 credit of world language 1 credit of fine arts 4 ½ credits of electives

16. Additional questions? Thank you for coming ~ please complete the evaluation and enjoy this exciting year with your 8th grader!