2014-15 Scheduling Orientation for Students, Parents and Guardians

Lower Moreland High School

February 26, 2014

Program Agenda:

I. Introduction & Program Objectives

II. Credit Requirements & Sample Schedule ~ Mrs. Julien Drennan

III. Course Levels, Offerings & Timeline ~ Ms. Jen Dilks

~ Ms. Linda Helm

V. School and Community Involvement ~ Mr. Anthony Veneziale

V. Building College & Career Readiness ~ Ms. Maura Quinn

Program Objectives:

•To convey specific information about scheduling

•To discuss academic, personal and social elements of 8-9 transition

•To review timeline and procedures for course recommendations and placement for rising students in grades 9-12.

Graduation Requirements24.0 credits are required according to the following distribution:

4.0 credits English3.0 Social Studies3.0 Mathematics3.0 Science1.0 Physical Education0.5 Health1.0 Fine / Practical Art1.0 Humanities0.5 Art, Music & Culture0.5 Personal Finance0.5 Writing Seminar6.0 Additional Electives

Note: 1.0 credit reflects quantitative recognition of completion of 120 hours of instruction in a given course

Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that students, beginning with the class of 2017, demonstrate proficiency in Algebra, Literature, and Biology on the Keystone Exams as part of graduation requirements.

Required Minimum Number of Credits

Grade 9 6.50

Grade 10 5.75

Grade 11 6.00

Grade 12 5.75

Sample Ninth Grade Daily Schedule

Period Course Section Room Time Forum Forum HR-48 108 7:25 AM -7:35 AM1 World Studies English - CP 1132-1 218 7:38 AM - 8:23 AM 2 World Studies Cultures - CP 2132-1 218 8:26 AM – 9:11 AM 3 Fresh. Chem & Physics - CP 4522-1 206 9:14 AM - 9:59 AM A - 4 Geometry - College Prep 3242-1 212 10:02 AM - 10:47 AM B - 5 Critical Writing 1136-6 102 10:50 AM - 11:35 AMC - 6 Physical Education - 9 8135-2 Gym 11:38 AM - 12:23 PMD Lunch D 0001-4 cafe 12:26 PM - 12:49 PM7 Study Hall 0002-10 107 12:52 PM - 1:37 PM8 Spanish II 5385-1 115 1:40 PM - 2:25 PM

High School Course Levels• Core Academic Courses

Students are recommended for courses based on careful consideration of both aptitude and past performance Advanced Placement (AP) Honors College Preparatory Additional Levels

• Electives Refer to course descriptions and pre-requisites in Program of Studies 0.5 credit or 1.0 credit options

Students and parents are encouraged to read the course descriptions in the Program of Studies: www.lmtsd.org/lmhs -- “Info” – “Program of Studies”

Special Programs

- Dual Enrollment

- Virtual High School

- Eastern Center for Arts and Technology

Timeline for Course SelectionGrade 8 / Murray Avenue Grades 9, 10, 11 / LMHS

MARCH

Program of Studies now available

•Students choose electives

Program of Studies now available•Teachers make recommendations•Teachers discuss with students•Students choose electives

MAY

• Staff enter recommendations for course levels

• Course verifications are mailed home to parents

• Course verifications are mailed home to parents

JUNE

• Recommendations for course placement are finalized

• HS counselors to visit Murray to meet students

• Recommendations for course placement are finalized

• Request for Change of Course forms available

AUGUST N/A • Request for Change of Course due AUG 1

• Student schedules mailed home

SEPTEMBER N/A• Drop / Add period through Friday,

September 20, 2014

Personal / Social GrowthATHLETICS CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

BaseballBasketball

Cross CountryField Hockey

FootballGolf

LacrosseSoccerSoftball

Swimming / DivingTennis

Track & FieldWinter Track

Wrestling

Academic Decathlon, Animal Rights ClubArt Club, Asian Cultures Club

Band, Buddy Club, CheerleadingChess Club, Choir / Honors Choir

Class Officers, Concert BandDebate Team, Drama Club

Environmental Science Club, French ClubFuture Business Leaders of America, Gay Straight Alliance, German Club,

Interact (Rotary), Jewish Student Union, Lion’s Roar (Newspaper), Literary Magazine

Mock Trial, Mountain Bike ClubNational Honor Society, News Studio

Ping Pong Club, Science ClubSpanish Club, Stars & Stripes

Students Against Destructive DecisionsStudent Council – President, Vice President,

Secretary, Treasurer, RepresentativesTASC, Tech Crew

Vocational / Industrial Clubs of AmericaWorld Affairs Council, Yearbook (Elmleo)

College and Career Readiness

--- Building the Academic Transcript--- Grade Point Average and Class Standing--- Involvement in School and Community--- Commitment and Leadership--- Summer Opportunities

Grade Point Average and Class Standing• Determined by assigning a numerical value to each subject’s final

letter grade, adding them up and dividing by the total number of credits

• All full and half year courses that meet everyday during the regular school day count

• Weight value of .075 is given for every credit of honors

• Weight value of .15 is given for the first 8 AP credits with a final grade of C or better

• Beginning with the class of 2014, class standing is reported in deciles for the purpose of college admission (top 10%, top 20%, etc.)

Key Resource:

Lower Moreland High School Website