Welcome to the Pride!

1. Welcome to the Pride! CSHS Cougars Freshman Registration October 29, 2012

2. Introductions • Mr. Mike Martindale – Principal • Mr. Justin Grimes – Asst. Principal, A-L Dr. Joey Washington – Asst. Principal, M-Z • Mrs. Anne Hoffman – Counselor, A-L • ahoffman@csisd.org • Mrs. Valarie Reed – Counselor, M-Z • vreed@csisd.org Phone – 979-694-5800

3. What is a Credit? • Credits are earned for courses taken in high school – even elective courses! • Difference between promotion and earning credits • 26 credits are required for graduation • 0-5 credits = 9th grade • 5.5-10.5 = 10th grade • 11-16.5 = 11th grade • 17+ = 12th grade

4. Credits, cont. • Each student has 7 class periods per day. • Students have the opportunity to earn 7 credits per year during the regular school day. • 1 semester course = ½ credit • All year course = 1 credit

5. Graduation RequirementsRecommended High School Plan (pg. 12) • English = 4 credits • Math = 4 credits • Science = 4 credits • Social Studies = 4 credits • Foreign Language = 2 credits of same language • Fine Arts = 1 credit • Speech = ½ credit • PE (or equivalent) = 1 credit • Career Pathway Electives = 5.5 credits Total of 26 credits

6. Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP) • Same as Recommended plan with the following changes: • 3 credits of Foreign Language (same language) • 4.5 career pathway electives • 4 additional measures (AP Exams, College Courses, etc. – see pg. 14) • Still a total of 26 credits

7. Course Description Guide • Parts of the Course Description Guide: Pages 1-17 General Information including: • Transfer information • Scheduling • Grading/class rank/GPA • Graduation Requirements • Alternate credits/enrichment/DAP • Eligibility requirements/NCAA information Pages 18-110 Subject Flowcharts & Course Descriptions

8. Course DescriptionsReading and Understanding • Course Number • Course Name • Course Weight • Pre-Requisites • Credits/Grade Level • Course Length • Course Description • Fees • Type of Credit

9. Course List (cheat sheet) • Be sure to look at • Course Numbers • Credits • Asterisks (means it requires approval)

10. Should I sign up for on-level, Honors, Pre-A/P or AP Courses? • Ask your teacher in each subject. They know your abilities, study habits and potential! • If you are planning to take AP level courses, prepare for them by taking Pre-A/P courses. • AP Courses provide college level curriculum and often require more homework. Students may choose to take an AP exam in May to receive an AP score. Each college decides what score is needed to be awarded credit for their school. • AP Courses usually have different style tests – i.e. essay or short answer questions, not multiple choice. • Re-testing is not available! • AP Courses require intense reading and writing, often outside of class time. • Honors level courses provide advanced study, but not college level curriculum. • Honors courses will also require additional work and study outside of class time and may have different style tests and also do not allow re-testing • Advanced courses receive an additional 10 points added to grade

11. Five Year Plans • Blank/Sample plan on page 15 of Course Description Guide • Very important! Allows students to plan ahead and make sure they get courses they need! • But…it is a plan and can be modified from year to year.

12. Five Year Plan – How to • Fill in 8th grade (current) courses • Fill in planned core courses (English, Math Science, Social Studies) for next 4 years • Fill in planned activity courses for next 4 years (i.e. Band, Orchestra, Athletics, Theater, Art, etc.) • Decide when you will take other required courses such as Speech, Foreign Language, PE, etc., and fill these in • Think about other interests in Career and Technology (CATE) areas. Use quizzes starting on page 54 to help you make elective decisions.

13. Blank Five Year Plan

14. Five Year Plan – Cont. • Finish the plan and be ready to turn in during registration week (Nov. 5-8) • Be sure to fill in the Career Cluster Preference box at the bottom right • Parent Signature is required!

15. Sample Five Year Plan

16. Course Request Form • Use your 5 year plan and the 9th grade “cheat sheet” as guides • All students will sign up for the 4 required 9th grade courses = English, Math, Science, Social Studies. • Add 3 additional courses for a total of 7 periods each semester • Think about additional required courses like P.E., Fine Arts, Foreign Language, etc.

17. Course Request From • Write in the course number carefully and fill in the course name. Ask your teachers for required signatures! • You may or may not be recommended for the level of course you want. • See waiver information in This N That page. • Year long (1 credit) courses may be written in Semester 1 with an arrow across Semester 2.

18. Course Request Form • Consider Career Cluster Electives from pages 54-99. Make sure you are planning for pre-requisites. • Any course that requires a try-out or application should be written in the course request box. Designate a specific alternate that would replace this course if you are not selected. • Alternates must be listed!!!

19. Blank Course Request Form

20. Course Request Form • Remember this is not your schedule, just your requested courses • Alternates must be listed in the 6 spaces • If you have ½ credit courses on your course requests, you should also have ½ credit alternates • Alternates are not in order, but will used where they fit best • You will not be notified if we have to use an alternate • Parent signature is required!!

21. This N That (TNT) • Important dates • Answers to questions • Information about Waivers and Help Sessions

22. Homework! • Complete the course request form and have it ready to turn in Nov. 5th, 6th &7th • Complete 5 year plan and have it ready to turn in Nov. 5th, 6th &7th • Get teacher signatures • Get parent signatures Cougar PRIDE!

23. Questions!?