RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL RISING FRESHMAN PARENT STUDENT COURSE

RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL RISING FRESHMAN PARENT /STUDENT COURSE REGISTRATION ORIENTATION 2015 -16 WELCOME TO HIGH SCHOOL!!

AGENDA FOR THE EVENING Rising 9 th Grade Program Scheduling Overview/Orientation Auditorium 6: 45 – 7: 20 pm Presenters: Doug Anderson, Principal, Rob Yarborough, Director of School Counseling Curriculum Fair Cafeteria 7: 20 – 8: 20 pm Presenters: All Subject Department Chairs

WE ARE RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Mr. Doug Anderson – Principal Ø Mr. Rob Yarborough – Director of School Counseling Ø Mr. Matt Oblas – Athletic Director Ø Ms. Charlene Mosesso - Bookkeeper Ø

WE ARE RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL AJ Talboo- Science Bram Smith- Music James Fetterman. World Language Carole Belkin. Learning Resources Kira Kristan– English Cheryl Daley. Career & Technical Ed Lynn Davies – Social Sciences Dawn Blubaugh- Math Nick Worek. Health & PE

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:

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTIONS

HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTIONS In Virginia, diploma options available to all students student’s in the class of 2019: Advanced Studies Diploma § 26 Credits/9 Verified Credits Ø Standard Diploma § 22 credits/6 Verified Credits Ø Standard Diploma w/Credit Accommodations § 22 Credits/6 Verified Credits § Only students receiving learning services and have IEP’s can qualify for this Ø

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 – 140 seat hours. 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 – 70 seat hours. Algebra 1; Geometry; Algebra 2 Earth Science; Biology; Chemistry English Reading; English Writing (during Eng. 11)

ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits English 4 2 Social Science 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 Total (depends on foreign language option) 26 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) World Language (3 years of one language or 2 years each of two different languages)

STANDARD DIPLOMA Academic Areas Credits SOL Verified Credits English 4 2 Social Science 3 1 3 1 Health/Family Life/Physical Education 2 0 World 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)

HOW DOES YOUR STUDENT DECIDE ON WHICH DIPLOMA? Ø Choose the most challenging courses in which you can get mostly A’s and B’s. (This gives you a strong high school transcript and a solid grade point average) Ø Aim for the highest diploma you think you can achieve. (You can always “back off” later, but it’s difficult to catch up once you are behind in course work) Ø Take “core classes” every year. (English, social studies, math, science; and for competitive college admissions, foreign language) Ø Consider your previous academic and SOL test performance. (If you are having trouble passing the required number of courses or SOL tests, you may need to choose a different diploma. Your counselor can help you make that decision. )

HMMM…WHAT CLASSES DOES YOUR STUDENT SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR?

COURSE REGISTRATION PROCESS 2015 -16 Students initial course registration will happen at each receiving high school. Ø Course registration info. will be forwarded to Riverside HS to process. Ø Feel free to consult with your students current counselor or call Rob Yarborough with questions. Ø Course change deadline is June 16! The last day of school. Ø

COURSE CHANGES Deadline is June 16 to make course changes for next year. Ø Due to staffing projections it is imperative that we have student schedules in place. Ø Please plan accordingly with this deadline. Ø Requests to change courses after this date will be only be made if there was error in course level/placement or a students does not meet a course prerequisite Ø Once school starts we will expect students to remain in their selected course unless there are extenuating circumstances. There will be a process established to work through the concerns. Ø

7 CREDIT COURSES IN GRADE 9 English 9 Ø World History/Geography I Ø Earth Science (a few may elect Biology Honors) Ø Math Ø Health/PE 9 Ø World Language or Elective Ø Study Hall (Not for Credit) Ø

“BLOCK” SCHEDULING SAMPLE SCHEDULE “A” Day 1 – English 9/H “B” Day 5 – World History I/A Flex Period – 20 Minutes 2 – Health/PE 9 6 – Study Hall 3 – Theater Arts 1 7 – German I 4 – Earth Science/H 8 – Algebra 1

THINK ABOUT YOUR STUDENTS ABILITIES. Ø Ø Ø Consider their academic strengths and challenges. Consider previous grades and test scores. What is THEIR academic motivation? ? Goals? ?

CONSIDER YOUR INTERESTS Ø Ø Ø What is your students favorite subject? In what subject(s) does your student do well in? in In what subject(s) does your student not do well in? in What are your students hobbies? hobbies What career(s) is your student considering?

ENGLISH, SOCIAL STUDIES, & SCIENCE OPTIONS: Ø Most 9 th grade courses are offered at two levels: § Academic § Honors or Pre-AP Ø Ø Reading level and work ethic are a key factors in deciding which level of courses a student should take in grade 9. Strongly consider teacher and counselor recommendations.

SCIENCE – EARTH SCIENCE OR BIOLOGY Ø Ø A small number of 9 th grade students elect to take Research Biology Honors instead of Earth Science Honors. It is still recommended to take Earth Science as the normal 9 th grade science sequence. Both Earth Science and Biology are taught at the Academic and Honors Level. However, Biology can only be taken at the Honors level for 9 th grade students.

MATH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 9 TH GRADE

WORLD LANGUAGE Most four-year colleges prefer that you have a minimum of three (3) years of a World 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 is offered for 3 years

ART 1 9 th Grade Elective Course Options INTRO TO BUSINESS & MARKETING COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS THEATER ARTS 1 TECHNICAL THEATER 1 JOURNALISM NEWSPAPER JOURNALISM 1 PHOTOJOURNALISM 1 FASHION DESIGN & MERCHANDISING GOURMET FOODS HUMAN DEVELOPMENT HOUSING/INTERIOR DESIGN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 1 FRENCH 1, 2 & 3 GERMAN 1, 2, & 3 LATIN 1, 2, & 3 SPANISH 1, 2, 3 MUSIC APPRECIATION MUSIC THEORY BAND CHORUS ORCHESTRA GUITAR TECHNICAL DRAWING AND DESIGN TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATIONS 1

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR THE FUTURE AS YOU HELP PLAN FOR BEYOND NINTH GRADE… Ø Monroe Technology Center and the Loudoun Governor’s Career & Technical Academy Ø 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 Ø Ø 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 Ø Experience a college-level course and test Ø Be more competitive in college admissions Ø Study topics at greater depth Ø Earn college credit or placement Ø Save $$$ on college tuition Ø Earn an additional 1. 0 in your quality points for your grade point average Ø

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… Ø Ø 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. Forms must be completed and returned no later than mid August 2015. Once high school begins, this opportunity ends.

CAMPUS PROGRAM Ø Ø Rising freshmen apply Focus on students historically underrepresented in higher education and firstgeneration students 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

EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT THERE WILL BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Choral Groups Drama Club Environmental Club Japanese Manga &Anime Club Knitting Club PEER Model UN Future Educators of America (FEA) French Club Art Club DECA Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Art & Literary Magazine Club Step Team Spanish Club Latin Club Debate Team Marching Band Chess Club Academic Team Muslim Student Association Color Guard Newspaper Jazz Ensemble FCCLA Student Council Association (SCA)Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Dance Team German Club Fishing Club Technology Student Association Battle of the Books Walking Club Field Hockey Club

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

Important Dates for Rising 9 th Graders FEBRUARY 9 & 10 - MR. YARBOROUGH TO BELMONT RIDGE MS FEBRUARY 12 – CURRICULUM FAIR/OPEN HOUSE AT BELMONT RIDGE AT 6: 45 PM MARCH ? – EXPO/ACTIVITIES FAIR JUNE 16 – LAST DAY TO MAKE CHANGES TO SCHEDULES

ANYONE FEELING OVERWHELMED? Ø Everything will be okay. Ø We are here to help you. Ø The Program of Studies has all of this information and more! Ø See the Index of Courses in the back of the POS Ø You will have four years to become an “expert”

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT…. Congrats!! Class of 2019!