SMITHS STATION FRESHMAN CENTER CLASS OF 2025 STUDENT

SMITHS STATION FRESHMAN CENTER CLASS OF 2025 STUDENT ORIENTATION FEBRUARY 9 & 10, 2021

SMITHS STATION FRESHMAN CENTER CONTACTS Michelle Mullinax, Principal mullinax. michelle@lee. k 12. al. us Christy Blythe, Assistant Principal blythe. christy@lee. k 12. al. us Sonja Davis, Counselor davis. sonja@lee. k 12. al. us

Being a 9 th Grader at the Freshman Center • 90 minute classes • 4 minutes between bells • 3 rd Period Advisory • At least once a week meet with your advisory • Three days a week either study hall, tutoring or making up missed work or panther pad • Fridays –Clubs A &B, PBIS party/break, and/or advisory • Lunch is generally at the end of 2 nd period, dismiss in 2 waves – upstairs is 1 st wave • Entry bell rings all students can enter the building and report directly to 1 st period • Tardies • Dress Code • Cell Phones

Fees Some courses offered at Smiths Station Freshman Center have a fee. The fee is to cover the costs of your child’s supplies and/or travel. If you are not able to pay the fee, please choose a course that does not require one. If you need to pay the fee in installments, please see the bookkeeper for arrangements. Below is the list of fees by course or activity: • *Freshman Fee: $20 (includes freshman t-shirt and student planner) • Agriscience: $20 • Art: $25 • Band: $100 (also a $150 fundraising obligation) • Choir: $40 • Chromebook Rental $25 • PNN $20 • Forensics: $5 Club fees are determined at the beginning of the year. Your child does not have to be a part of a club which requires a fee. Once again, these fees are set to provide supplies, activities, or travel opportunities for your child. *The Freshman Fee is a mandatory fee. In addition to providing the above listed items for your child, it will also allow your child to participate in some school activities during the year. If it is not paid, your child will not be able to participate in the activities (Class of 2025 school picture, etc. ) and the fee will follow them to the high school.

WELCOME Class of 2025 ØGraduation Requirements ØAlabama High School Diploma ØDiploma Paths ØCourse Selection

The Alabama State Department of Education have one exit document-the Alabama High School Diploma. Multiple Pathways to the Same Diploma ØGeneral Education (Use to be Regular Alabama High School Diploma ØEssential/Life Skills (Use to be AOD) ØAlternative Achievement Standards(Use to be Certificate of Attendance) Lee County Schools have two exit documents ØAlabama High School Diploma(Multiple Pathways- workforce development, technical, health science) ØAlabama High School Diploma with Academic Endorsement(Multiple Pathways)

AP/Honors Classes • Honors Biology • Honors English • Honors World History • These classes are set to prepare students for high school AP programs and college through more rigorous assignments and in depth lessons. Not allowed to drop any Honors/Pre-AP Classes after the 2½ weeks, without administrative approval

• Visual Arts I • *Visual Arts II( must pass Visual Art I and approved) • Spanish 1 • ROTC • Band • Agriscience (CTE and certification) • Choir • Business Tech • Exploring Computer Science • Forensics • Public Speaking • Cont. , World Issues • **Intro to Theatre • **Theater Tech • **PNN • *Library Aide • **Office Aide • **Yearbook • Journalism *Application Required **Application and mandatory meeting required Electives

Things to consider when choosing your Pathway/courses for next year……. Do my course selection correlate with……… • My plans after high school • Mechanic, construction, engineering, landscaping, nursing, customer service, military, teacher, doctor, computers • Does the class has a pre-requisite ( Art II must have taken and passed Algebra 1) • Will I be able to pay the class fees and/or perform all activities required • Outside commitments

What is the typical academic schedule for a 9 th grade student?

Required 9 th Grade Courses • English 9 English Honors Advance English • World History Honors World History • Science Biology Honors Biology • Mathematics Geometry • Career Preparedness A&B • Elective(1)

Schedule Changes • Once students have completed the course selection process and their selections have been verified by the parents and the school, course changes will not be made. • If a course change is absolutely necessary, it must be made by August 27, 2021. All changes should be communicated in writing, not by phone. (If a course is failed this year, it is the student’s responsibility to make necessary changes to next year’s schedule. ) • Legitimate Reasons for Schedule Changes • An error in the schedule (e. g. two English classes) • Student has already received credit for the course • Student has not passed the prerequisite course (example: student cannot take Geometry without having passed Algebra I) • Student is given an elective other than those listed on the final course verification form

REMEMBER!!! February 9 th and 10 th Receive Course Selection Guides February 19, 2021 Registration Packets Due February 26, 2021 Elective Applications Due ***see course selection guide for electives requiring applications. March 1 st and 2 nd Course Selections made for those who have completed/signed registration forms July 22 - 23, 2021: 8 -11; 1 -3 CST Students whose last names begin with A through M will pick up schedules, pay class dues, order t-shirts, change schedules. July 26 -27, 2021: 8 -11; 1 -3 CST Students whose last names begin with N through Z will pick up schedules, pay class dues, order –t-shirts, change schedules. August 5, 2021: SSFC 2021 -2022 Open House August 9, 2021: First Day of 2021 -2022 School Year August 27, 2021 Last Day to change schedule

QUESTIONS? ?