FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL RISING FRESHMAN PARENT NIGHT F

FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL RISING FRESHMAN PARENT NIGHT F Wednesday, January 12, 2011 7: 00 p. m. Freedom High School Auditorium

A MINUTE WITH OUR PRINCIPAL Christine Forester Principal Freedom High School christine. forester@lcps. org

INTRODUCTIONS Ken Christopher, Director of Guidance Counselors: Dr. Paul Harris Ms Kelli Johnson Mrs. Cristi Goldberg Ms Colleen Hurley Mrs. Ann Barrett Dr. Carly Fuhrman (& Bailey) Reading Specialist: Mrs. Valerie Rife

WHERE DO WE START? “Begin with the end in mind. ” The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

HELPING YOUR YOUNG ADULT PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

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.

COLLEGES – WHAT DO I NEED TO GET IN? ?

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

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTIONS

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTIONS In Virginia, diploma options available to all students beginning with the Class of 2015: v Advanced Studies Diploma § 26 or 27 Credits/9 Verified Credits v Advanced § 26 or 27 Credits/9 Verified Credits v Standard § Diploma 22 Credits/9 Verified Credits v Standard § Technical Diploma 22 Credits/9 Verified Credits

Credits Students earn units of credit in high school by successfully completing all of the course requirements with a passing mark. Year-long classes earn 1 unit of credit. Verified Credits A verified credit is earned by successfully earning a credit, and passing the associated Standard of Learning (SOL) test for a subject. Students must earn a specified number of verified credits to earn a diploma in Virginia, depending on the diploma type. High School Courses with an SOL World Hist/Geog 1; World Hist/Geog 2; US History Semester courses earn ½ unit of credit. Algebra 1; Geometry; Algebra 2 Earth Science; Biology; Chemistry English Reading; English Writing (during Eng. 11)

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 9 th graders � AP Econ would meet this requirement

ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits English 4 2 Social Studies 4 2 4 2 3 or 4 0 Health/Physical Education 2 0 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1 0 Economics & Personal Finance 1 0 Electives 3 0 Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1 26 or 27 9 (World Studies (2), US/VA Government, and US/VA History) Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II) Science (From 3 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth) Foreign Language (3 years of one language or 2 years each of two different languages) Total (depends on foreign language option)

ADVANCED TECHNICAL DIPLOMA Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits English 4 2 Social Studies 4 2 4 2 3 or 4 0 Health/Physical Education 2 0 Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education 1 0 Economics & Personal Finance 1 0 Career & Technical Education Concentration 3 0 Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1 26 or 27 9 (World Studies (2), US/VA Government, and US/VA History) Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II) Science (From 3 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth) Foreign Language (3 years of one language or 2 years each of two different languages) Total (depends on foreign language option)

STANDARD DIPLOMA Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits English 4 2 Social Studies 3 1 3 1 Health/Family Life/Physical Education 2 0 Foreign Language, Fine Arts, or CTE 2 0 Economics and Personal Finance 1 0 Electives (Must include 2 sequential electives) 4 0 Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1 Total 22 6 (World Studies, US/VA Government, and US/VA History) Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Functions, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II) Science (From 2 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth)

STANDARD TECHNICAL DIPLOMA Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits English 4 2 Social Studies 3 1 3 1 Health/Family Life/Physical Education 2 0 Foreign Language or Fine Arts 1 0 Economics and Personal Finance 1 0 Career & Technical Education Concentration 4 0 Electives 1 0 Student Selected Verified Credit 0 1 Total 22 6 (World Studies, US/VA Government, and US/VA History) Mathematics (Algebra I, Geometry, Functions, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II) Science (From 2 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth)

HMMM…WHAT CLASSES DO I SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR?

7 CREDITED COURSES IN GRADE 9 � English 9 � World History/Geography I � Earth Science (a few may elect Biology/Honors) � Math � Health/PE 9 � Foreign Language or Elective � Eagles Connect (non-credit Advisory Period)

“BLOCK” SCHEDULING SAMPLE SCHEDULE “A” Day “B” Day 1 – 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 STUDIES, & 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 9 th 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.

MATH IN GRADE 9

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.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE Most 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

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR THE FUTURE AS YOU HELP PLAN FOR NINTH GRADE… � Monroe Technology Center and the Loudoun Governor’s Career & Technical Academy � Advanced Placement (AP) Classes

MONROE TECHNOLOGY CENTER AND LOUDOUN GOVERNOR’S CAREER & TECHNICAL ACADEMY • Administration of Justice • Culinary Arts Students seeking • Auto Collision Repair Technology • EMT highly technical and • Building Construction • Firefighter industry-level • Computer Integrated • Graphic certification and/or Engineering & Design Communications (CIED) licensure will want to • Heating, Ventilation, & • Computer Network Air Conditioning explore the programs Administration (CNA) (HVAC) • Advanced Computer Networking offered at Monroe • Masonry Technology Center • Computer Systems • Nail Design Technology (CST) • Cosmetology • Television Production • Welding

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES � � Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level courses that students complete while in high school. These courses allow students to develop the reading, writing, critical thinking, organizational, and analytical skills needed for college. They also require a substantial investment of student effort and time. In May of each year, students take AP exams for these courses. Colleges may award college credit for completion of these AP courses if students earn a qualifying score on the exam. The first AP course students are eligible to take is AP World History in grade 10. We highly recommend that students hoping to pursue this course take Pre-AP World History/Geography 1 in grade 9 so that they will have the skills necessary to be successful in a college-level course in their sophomore year.

BENEFITS OF AN AP COURSE � Gain invaluable academic skills � Experience a college-level course and test � Be more competitive in college admissions � Study topics at greater depth � Earn college credit or placement � Save $$$ on college tuition � Earn an additional 1. 0 in your quality points for your grade point average

IS THAT ALL I NEED TO KNOW?

21 ST CENTURY LITERACY STRATEGIES

WHAT WILL I LEARN? Reading Skills Sustained Silent Reading (SSR)/Read Aloud Ø Vocabulary Development Ø Comprehension Skills Ø Reading Strategies Ø SOL Test Preparation Ø Literary Terminology Ø Academic Skills Ø Learning Styles Ø Time Management Ø Contextual Knowledge Ø Study Strategies Ø Organization Ø Test-taking Skills

LEARNING + FUN = RETAINED KNOWLEDGE We read great novels such as this by Sharon Draper… Project Work �Writing Activities �Novel-based Projects �Book Reviews �Book Talks �Group Work

OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Ø 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, 2011. Once high school begins, this opportunity ends. �

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 postsecondary 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

EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Choral Groups Environmental Club Black Student Association Knitting Club Model UN Thespian Society French Club DECA Multicultural Club Art & Literary Magazine Club Spanish Club Debate Team Chess Club Muslim Student Association Newspaper FCCLA Student Council Association (SCA) German Club Technology Student Association Reading Club Young Americans for Freedom Drama Club Japanese Manga &Anime Club PEER Future Educators of America (FEA) Art Club Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) HOPE Club Leo Club Peace & Justice Club Step Team Latin Club Chinese Student Association Marching Band Academic Team Color Guard Friends of Rachel Club Jazz Ensemble Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Dance Team SOAR Club Biotechnology Club

ATHLETIC INVOLVEMENT Fall Winter Spring Football Basketball Baseball Golf Wrestling Softball Cross-Country Swimming Soccer Volleyball Gymnastics Lacrosse Cheerleading Tennis Track & Field

FREEDOM HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR MIDDLE SCHOOL VISITS �Counselor Schools �Mercer 27 -28 �Stone Visits to Middle School – January Hill Middle School – February 7

ANYONE FEELING OVERWHELMED? � Everything will be okay. � We are here to help you. � You will get most of this information in writing in the Program of Studies. � You will have four years to become an “expert” on all of this information ---and more.

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT…. GO EAGLES!!