Welcome to 8 th Grade Parent Night!

1. Welcome to 8th Grade Parent Night! Academics: Planning the Next Four Years

2. Your Administrators & Counselors Sandra Macut Principal David SimancekJan Kauzlarich Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Sue CalvoAthletic Director/ AP Counselors Cheryl Reger A-G Daniel Nolen H-N   Dave Carey O-Z

3. Counseling Services • Academic • Personal • Support Groups • Crisis • Career

4. Course Registration Guide2011-2012 • The updated course selection book is available online at www.swartzcreek.org (follow the links to the High School and then Course Registration Guide). • Every 8th grader will receive a copy Thursday & Friday

5. The Course Selection Book Has Helpful Info… • Course descriptions • Information on prerequisites • Graduation requirements • Testing-out procedures • Dual Enrollment • Career Pathways / 4-year plan (EDP) • Co-op • Skill Center • Co-Curricular Activities • And much, much, more!

6. Credits for Graduation • To earn a diploma, a student must earn at least 23 credits • Each year 3 credits a semester and 6 for a school year • A student can earn 24 credits during four years of high school

8. Students Are Required toTake the MME (Michigan Merit Exam) • The MME is the state assessment administered in March of a student’s junior year. • The MME consists of three major components: • The ACT college entrance exam • Work Keys job skills assessments in reading and math • Michigan assessments in math, science, social studies, and persuasive writing. • The combined MME assessment measures student learning of the Michigan high school standards, benchmarks, and core content expectations.

9. Curriculum Swartz Creek High School

10. Science Sequencing Options

12. English Sequence Options

13. Social Studies

14. FOUR-YEAR PLANComponent of Educational Development Plan (EDP)

15. SAMPLE: FOUR-YEAR PLANComponent of Educational Development Plan (EDP)

16. Skill Center Education Programs • Great opportunities for hands-on learning! • Transportation is provided. • See Course Selection Book for more detailed information on classes. • Only for 11th & 12th grade students • These are all 3.0 credit courses

17. Career Pathways • A career pathway is a plan determined by a student’s interests and abilities that ensures that what he/she learns in school connects to his/her long term goals. • Encourage your son/daughter to choose classes that support his/her career pathway.

18. Career Pathways • Arts and Communications • Business, Management, Marketing and Technology • Engineering / Manufacturing and Industrial Technology • Health Sciences • Human Services • Natural Resources and Agriscience

19. Scheduling • Students will meet with a guidance counselor next week to select classes for next year. • Students select a total of 6 credits and 4 alternate classes.

21. Welcome to 8th Grade Parent Night! Testing

22. 9th Grade: MEAP (Oct.) – Social Studies 10th Grade: PSAT* - practice PLAN *– pre-ACT 11th Grade: PSAT* – qualifying test for National Merit Scholarship ACT *– required for college admissions SAT – may be required for some college admissions MME/ACT required for graduation 12th Grade: ACT Retake Testing Sequence *Necessary scores for dual-enrollment in 11th or 12th grade

23. PSATPreliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test • 10th grade students are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT • 11th grade students compete for scholarships through PSAT test score • Administered 3rd Wednesday of October • Cost = Paid for by Swartz Creek • Students register in Guidance Office • Counselors review scores with students

24. PLAN TestPractice ACT • Excellent predictor of ACT scores • PLAN is designed for 10th grade students • Counselors review scores with students

25. ACT or SAT?National Testing Companies • Test scores are part of the college application process • 90-95% of colleges, nationwide, accept the ACT • Most colleges accept either test score • Which test is required? Check resources in Guidance Office • Scores are listed on high school transcript • ACT website: www.act.org • SAT website: www.collegeboard.com

26. Can a student take the ACT more than once? • YES! • Statistics show scores rise 1-4 points • Future classes may be required to take writing portion; check requirements for specific college • ACT Registration includes: completed ACT packet from Guidance Office, pay fees and mail to ACT. Online registration available, too, at www.actstudent.org

27. Preparation for National TestsACT & SAT • Practice tests available for both tests • MSU, U of M and other colleges offer ACT and SAT prep workshops • CD-ROM from ACT – “ACTive Prep” • Private Test Prep Companies • Practice books available at bookstores

28. Dual Enrollment • Allows a student to enroll in postsecondary for high school credit, or postsecondary credit, or both. • Eligibility: • Must be enrolled in at least one high school class. • Must take the PSAT or PLAN in 10th grade to dual enroll in 11th grade (qualifying scores are required; see course selection book pg. 1) • If student decides not to take SCHS’s AP same subject course, he/she does so at own expense. • 3 - 4 credit college courses transfer to SCHS as 1.0 credit. • 1 - 2 credit college courses transfer to SCHS as 0.5 credit.

29. Advanced Placement • AP courses prepare students for the exam • Rigorous, multiple-component exam • Administered every May • Open to any student • Students can earn college credit, placement, or both for qualifying AP Exam grades • Exam Fee $87 2011

30. Testing Out Procedures • High School credit may be earned in any course offered by the school by testing out. This applies to all SCHS courses (except courses lower in sequence of those already passed). • Student must attain a 77% or above on the course assessment exam.

31. Testing Out Timelines • Sign Up: • Guidance Office (each building) April 12th – April 30th • Pick Up Materials: • High School Media Center before or after school the week of May 3rd through the 7th • Test Out Date: • Aug 30th • Exact Times and Room numbers to follow.

32. Athletics & Co-Curricular At SCHS

33. Athletics and Co-Curricular Eligibility • All ninth grade students are eligible to participate in Swartz Creek’s athletic program during their first semester of high school regardless of previous academic achievement. • To remain eligible for participation in Swartz Creek interscholastic sports programs; regular education, special education, second semester freshmen and all students at other grade levels must pass four classes (66% of credit load potential for a full time student) during the semester immediately preceding their sport’s first practice. • The period of ineligibility following a deficiency at the end of a semester is 60 scheduled school days. • Students become eligible on their 61st scheduled school day provided they have been doing passing work cumulatively for the previous 60 days. • In addition, students must maintain a grade point average (G.P.A.) of “C” or 2.0 at the conclusion of each marking period or semester. • The student’s grades will be checked at the end of each marking period and/or semester to validate that they are eligible to participate. • Eligibility is determined at the end of each marking period and is cumulative through one semester. At the end of a semester, the grade will be used to determine eligibility. • Students not meeting the 2.0 standard but wish to participate may appeal in writing to the athletic director. However, these students will observe a two week waiting period to establish a new grade point average for the beginning of their new marking period/semester. At the end of these two weeks if the student has obtained a 2.0 or higher they are immediately eligible and will continue to be monitored on a weekly basis.

34. Division I 16-Core Courses 4 yrs. English 3 yrs Math (Alg. 1 or higher) 2 yrs. Natural/Physical sci. (1 yr. lab if offered) 1 yr. additional English, Math or Natural/Physical sci. 2 yrs. Social Science 4 yrs. additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy) Division II 14 Core Courses: 3 yrs. English 2 yrs Math (Alg. 1 or higher) 2 yrs. Natural/Physical sci. (1 yr. lab if offered) 2 yr. additional English, Math or Natural/Physical sci. 2 yrs. Social Science 3 yrs. additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy) NCAA FreshmanEligibility Standards

35. Division ICore GPA/ Text-Score Sliding Scale

36. For More Information www.ncaa.org or 1-317-917-6222 www.ncaaclearinghouse.net Or 1-877-262-1492

38. FALL SPORTS • Cross Country (B/G) • Football • Golf (G) • Soccer* (B) • Swimming (G) • Tennis (B) • Volleyball* • Cheerleading* • Poms* *TRY-OUTS REQUIRED

39. WINTER SPORTS • Basketball* (B/G) • Bowling (B/G) • Competitive Cheer* • Hockey* • Swimming (B) • Wrestling • Poms* *TRY-OUTS REQUIRED

40. SPRING SPORTS • Baseball* (B) • Golf* (B) • Lacrosse (B/G) • Soccer* (G) • Softball* (G) • Tennis (G) • Track (B/G) • Poms* * TRY-OUTS REQUIRED

41. Freshman Class Sponsor Mrs. Kauzlarich Sophomore Class Sponsors Mrs. Brown/Mrs. Karagosian Junior Class Sponsor Mrs. Kunkleman/Ms. Pettit Senior Class Sponsors Ms. Shyamsunder/Ms. Camp Drama Club Mr. Butters K.E.Y. Club Mrs. Boros National Honor Society Mrs. Kauzlarich Quiz Bowl Mrs. Kunkleman Road Runners Mr. Wiens S.A.D.D. Mrs. Pasquale/Ms. Michalczuk Science Olympiad Mr. Dorow Student Council Mrs. Kauzlarich Swartz Creek Sports Ms. Calvo It is important to get involved in high school, balancing academics and co-curricular activities. The following are great ways to be involved!

42. Welcome to 8th Grade Parent Night! Getting the Most Out of High School

43. The Key to Success in High School… Study Skills

44. Understanding the Difference Between Homework and Studying • Homework – completing an assignment • Studying – outlining a chapter, rewriting notes, or making flashcards.

45. Study Guideline • Students should be spending a minimum of 20 minutes on homework / study time per academic subject each day (5 days a week). • 5 academic subjects = 1 hr. 40 min. of study time daily (average)

46. Homework • Use a planner everyday! • Set up a study space free from distractions • Determine what time of day is best to study • Turn off the TV and phone • Organize – use three-ring binders and homework folders • Go to tutoring if struggling • Make up missed assignments right away

47. How Do Students Learn Best? Visual Learner – learns best from videos, TV, pictures, reading, and demonstrations. When studying, a “visual learner” may find it helpful to: • Take notes • Use flash cards, charts, and diagrams • Form pictures in his/her mind • Make use of color in notes • Outline and read the textbook

48. Auditory Learner – learns best from lectures, discussions, TV, videos, and music. When studying, an “auditory learner” may find it helpful to: Read aloud Have discussions Listen to tapes Review information out loud Use memory tricks involving rhythm and rhyme

49. Kinesthetic Learner – learns best from role-playing, labs, and hands-on activities. When studying, a “kinesthetic learner” should: Try moving around while studying Use tools and objects whenever possible Write or type notes Role play ideas and concepts

50. When Reading Assignments, Encourage Your Son/Daughter To… • Read summary or chapter review first • Read chapter questions • Skim chapter – topics to be discussed • Read notes in margins • Read captions for pictures / graphs • Read entire chapter • Answer chapter questions • Write his/her own chapter summary or outline