Welcome Eighth Grade Highlanders of 2012-2013

1. Welcome Eighth Grade Highlanders of 2012-2013

2. Goals To challenge kids academically To keep children safe To prepare kids for high school

3. P.T.A. Meeting • January 26 at 9:30 a.m. • Dr. Chris Hines, Deputy Supt • Expectations of the new STAAR tests and it’s impact on students • Key aspects parents/guardians need to know regarding the STAAR End of Course (EOC) exams taken by our students enrolled in high school algebra and geometry • Important considerations for parents/guardians when choosing high school courses for your child

4. Dates To Be Determined Due to Construction • Student Orientation • Football Equipment Issue Day • First semester exam dates • Hinges on district adoption of calendar • Two calendar drafts for next year on our district website for your review at this time • Campus construction scheduled to be completed August 1st

5. School Day 8:50 a.m. until 3:50 p.m. Everything from an operational perspective remains much the same.

6. Required Courses – 8th grade • Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • U.S. History • P.E. (1 semester) • Electives – 5 choices • Please note the difference from 7th grade, which only provided 4 choices.

7. 8th Schedule(No fine arts or athletics) The P.E. class is one semester in eighth grade and then replaced by an elective the other semester. Students will take five electives total.

8. 8th Schedule(Athletic Schedule) Typically, eighth-grade athletics classes meet in the afternoon. Athletics is a commitment for the entire year. There is no one semester athletic course.

9. 8th Schedule(Band, Choir, Orchestra) The actual time slot for the musical fine-art class will vary based on the specific class assigned.

10. Elective/Core Course Requests Elective/Core Course Request Sheets will be sent home with current seventh graders in the next few weeks. The document provides space for elective requests (5). The reverse side provides information for core class level requests (language arts, science, and social studies—Pre-AP or regular).

11. Elective/Core Course Requests You may chose the level of the core course choice for language arts, science, and social studies for your child. This selection is to be marked on the reverse side of the elective/core course request sheet. In math, students will progress automatically to the next appropriate course in the math-learning sequence. Seventh-grade math to Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra Pre-AP to HS Algebra Pre-AP HS Algebra Pre-AP to HS Geometry Pre-AP

12. Elective Course Request Sheet On request sheet: Please read all detailed, bulleted information on the document for specifics. Year-round classes occupy two slots and should be listed as the first requests.

13. The Elective Course Registration Process Our administration and our counselors will meet with each incoming eighth grade student to discuss his/her elective requests in math class. We will review the sheet shown on the previous slide to ensure accuracy. The request will be entered into our system with the student during math class. We use these requests to hire qualified teachers.

14. Notification of Student Elective Requests During the spring, we will send home documents indicating the requested elective courses as well as the specific levels of core academic classes they chose. Please review these closely and let the Counseling Center know before May 1st if there are any needed changes.

15. Factors which affect individual student’s schedule formation Staffing (based on enrollment) Availability of Course Core Course Selection Course selection by students Seniority Specialty Classes Athletics Fine Arts Algebra Physical Education Number of electives 20 unique choices Will take 5

16. Core Subject Information Adventure into Academics

17. Required Courses – 8th grade • Language Arts • Mathematics • Science • U.S. History • P.E. (1 semester) • Electives – 5 choices • Please note the difference from 7th grade, which only provided 4 choices.

18. Science • Science • Pre-AP Science

19. Independent Study Science Fair Project There is an increased expectation for the level of the project in eighth grade above and beyond what was expected in seventh. The students focus on technical writing with increased research in eighth grade. The project requires considerable work conducted outside of the school day.

20. History • U.S. History • Pre-AP U.S. History • Students need to be able to read and write critically, perceptively, and independently.

21. Language Arts • Language Arts • Pre-AP Language Arts • Students really need to be self-motivated readers and writers.

22. Eighth Grade Math Courses • Pre-Algebra • Algebra (HS) • Geometry (HS)

23. MathProgression (Regular) 7th Grade - 7th Math 8th Grade - Pre-Algebra 9th Grade - Algebra 10th Grade - Geometry 11th Grade - Algebra II/Pre-Calculus 12th Grade – Calculus (Optional) This is also diagrammed in our Course Description Guide.

24. Math Progression (Advanced 1 year) 7th Grade - Pre-Algebra Pre-AP 8th Grade – HS Algebra Pre-AP 9th Grade – HS Geometry 10th Grade - Algebra II 11th Grade - Pre-Calculus 12th Grade – Calculus (Optional)

25. Math Progression(Advanced 2 years) 7th Grade – HS Algebra Pre-AP 8th Grade – HS Geometry Pre-AP 9th Grade - Algebra II 10th Grade - Pre-Calculus Independent Study 11th Grade - Pre-Calculus 12th Grade – Calculus (Optional)

26. Placement Considerations Moving from Seventh to Eighth Grade Students, by default, progress initially to 8th grade in the corresponding class from 7th grade. Examples Level Science to Level Science 7th Pre-AP History to 8th Pre-AP History 7th Math to Pre-Algebra Pre-Algebra Pre-AP to HS Algebra Pre-AP HS Algebra Pre-AP to HS Geometry Pre-AP

27. Placement Considerations for Eighth Grade If a student/parent wishes to move to a regular class from a Pre-AP class (excluding math), indicate this on the course request sheet or contact his or her counselor with the request in writing before the May 1st deadline. Emails and contact information are on our webpage under Parent Services.

28. Seventh Grade Level Math to High School Algebra I Option • I want my child to go directly from level seventh grade math to high school algebra. • Take the next course in math sequence- Pre-Algebra. • The student may take a district summer school class • The student MUST meet C.I.S.D. summer school attendance requirements.

29. Seventh Grade Level to High School Algebra I Option This class is taught for first-time exposure to Pre-Algebra. The course is intensive and students receive full class hours and instruction. It ensures the student does not miss the critical year of Pre-Algebra before being responsible for HS math. The class is dependent on having enough takers to make. Check district website for summer school information flyer in May.

30. If Your Child in Pre-Algebra Pre-AP as a Current Seventh Grader has an Average of Less Than 80 During Seventh Grade at the End of The Year for the Course Seriously need to consider repeating pre-algebra in eighth grade Please contact your child’s counselor prior to the May 1 deadline to ensure your child repeat’s this specific course if this is what you would like for him/her to do. It is not a problem to do this, we just need to know it is what you want for your child.

31. Math Note Affecting HS Math Choices • Four years of math and science are required in high school, beginning with HS algebra. • As of now, HS math courses (algebra and geometry) taken in junior high count toward those four. • At least three math courses must be taken at the high school campus.

32. Math Note Affecting HS Math Choices • Please note that due to new Texas Education Agency regulations, students taking high school algebra or geometry are required to take the STAAR End of Course (EOC) exams for those classes. • These formal state exams are mandated to count for 15 percent of the student’s final grade.

33. High-School Course Considerations As a high-school class, the courses are much more challenging. The classes do not figure directly in G.P.A. They do not figure in class rank. The are, however, reflected on high school transcripts. It is not necessary to get your student on the fast track to get all the courses in the four years at TWHS.

34. Planner • Provided by the P.T.A. • Idea originated from site-based by parents for parents • Parents view each night • Teaches critical organizational skills • Quizzes • Ad Purchase?

35. A Taste of Adventure Electives

36. Number of elective choices for eighth graders All eighth-grade students have five elective choices One additional course from the four needed in the seventh grade since the students are required to have only one semester of P.E.

37. Eighth Grade Elective Choices Art Band Choir Careers Career Portals: Computer Applications May be taken twice Career Portals: Technology May be taken twice Exploring Languages High School Communications High School Health Career Portals: Human Services Music Appreciation Orchestra HS Spanish I Spanish II for Native Speakers (must qualify) Teen Leadership Theater Arts

38. High School Spanish I The course lasts an entire school year (2 semesters). It is similar to taking HS Spanish I at TWHS. The class is rigorous, fast-moving, and intense. It is a high-school course. For these reasons, if you choose multiple Pre-AP core courses, please consider this class on a similar level as it is an advanced, high-school course when choosing your child’s overall schedule.

39. Spanish II for Native Speakers This course is for students who have Spanish as their first language. There is a placement examination to qualify. Students must be able to read, listen, speak, and write Spanish fluently. Students will receive retroactive credit for HS Spanish I with successful completion of Spanish II. If the student needs more information on the course, he/she can speak directly to Mr. Texidor.

40. HS Health and HS Communications Applications These cover high-school topics and state TEKS. Permission from parent is required to request health.

41. HS Health and HS Communications Applications These may free up space in the student's high-school schedule to take alternate and/or more rigorous courses (which could count more on G.P.A. ) Need as a parent/guardian to be prepared for your child to receive high school level information on health topics McCullough common sense Scheduling-wise for the future, it makes sense to take both if the student is going to take one.

42. McCullough Athletics

43. State Eligibility for Fine Art/ Athletic Participation • No classes are exempt in junior high from counting for UIL eligibility • Includes Pre-AP courses • Includes High School Courses • Students must pass all classes to be eligible to participate in games/contests. • UIL and Progress Report Schedule is posted online at our website under athletics and parent services.

44. 8th Grade Athletics • Physical dated after April 15, 2012 • Birth Certificate • Commitment for the year • Boys • Fourth period green (tentative) • Girls • Fourth period red (tentative) • Replaces P.E.

45. 8th Grade Athletics • Minor changes • Need to view Coach Skinner’s online presentation regarding athletics for 2012-2013 online later in February when posted • I will email you the link to that presentation when it is posted

46. Volleyball • Tryouts are the first week of school. • If a student makes the team, her schedule will change. • It meets as a class during the school day

47. Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Off-season Class • Placement and tryout information is coming soon. • This is for the class, not the team. • If students make the off-season class, his/her schedule may change.

48. Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Teams • Tryouts for the team are in late October or early November. • This requires a commitment for the year.

49. Football • Practice is after school. • One year commitment

50. Cross Country • The season is in the fall. • The students remain in off-season throughout the year. • Most meets are on Friday evening.