GHS Course Selection 2014-2015

1. GHSCourse Selection2014-2015

2. Online Arena Scheduling Process Step 1: Students request courses (Feb. 3-26) Step 2: Administration builds Master schedule Step 3: Students create schedule through Skyward Student Access during a designated window of time.

3. Online Arena Scheduling Process Choose course requests wisely! The courses you request in February determine the classes you may register for in spring. If you choose not to create a schedule. One will be created for you.

4. Confidentiality • Your transcript is: • A legal document • Confidential – please do not share information with other students • Contains G.P.A • Contains rank

5. Graduation Plans • Recommended – two or more years of the same foreign language, 26 state credits • DAP – 4 advanced measures to include college credit, AP scores of 3 or better, PSAT qualifying score

6. Transcript • For the following slides, please check the classes you have on your transcript and note the courses you need to complete.

7. Transcript • Make sure you have credit for each high school class you have taken and passed in middle school • Algebra I • Foreign Language • Touch Systems Data Entry • Engineering • Principles of Human Service • Reading • Etc.

8. Graduation Requirements • English – 4 credits • Math – 4 credits • Science – 4 credits • Social Studies – 4 credits • Professional Comm.- .5 credits • Health - .5 credits • Fine Arts – 1 credit • Foreign Language – 2 credits (3 for Distinguished Plan) • Technology – 1 credit • Physical Education – 1 credit • Electives – 4 credits (3 for Distinguished Plan) 26 total credits

9. Hints for course selection • Choose classes that will challenge, but not overwhelm you. • Choose classes based on your post secondary goals and interests NOT what classes your friends are choosing. • Gains in G.P.A and class rank come from a combination of challenging courses AND good grades. • Talk to your teacher for advice!

10. Advanced Academics • If you have not previously taken PAP/AP classes and would like to consider PAP/AP classes this year, or have qualified for the GT program, consult with your current teacher for their recommendation.

11. Program of Studies Book Please review the many different elective choices available in the POS book. A description of each course is available and can help you make choices about classes that will be of interest to you. The Program of Studies book is online. (http://www.gcisd-k12.org/Page/228)

12. Required courses - ENGLISH • Please mark the English class that you wish to take next year. Four years of English are required for graduation. • English I • English II • English III • English IV

13. Required courses - MATH • Please mark the Math class that you wish to take next year. Students are required to take four Math courses consisting of: • Algebra 1 • Geometry • Algebra II • 4th year math

14. Required courses - SCIENCE • Please mark the Science class that you wish to take next year. Students are required to take four science courses consisting of : • Biology • Chemistry • Physics • Science Elective

15. Required courses – Social Studies • Please mark the social studies class that you wish to take next year. Students are required to take four social studies courses consisting of • World Geography • World History • United States History • U.S. Government (0.5 credit) • Economics (0.5 credit)

16. Additional Required Courses • Professional Communications - .5 credits • Health - .5 credits • Fine Arts – 1 credit • Foreign Language – 2 credits (3 for Distinguished Plan) • Technology – 1 credit • Physical Education – 1 credit • Electives – 4.0 (3 for Distinguished Plan)

17. Courses & Alternates • Make sure to fill in enough courses to make a full 8 period schedule.

18. Important Reminders • Local credits cannot be counted towards the 26 state required credits.

19. Skyward Course Selections • Look at the (bright blue sheet) • Circle the area that says Skyward Login and Password • This is the access information you will need to create YOUR schedule in the spring (parent log in will not work)! DO NOT loose this!

20. Course Selections • Students can access the Skyward website from home, the school library, or a public library. • If you would like to use the school computers to register or do not have internet access you can come by the counseling office to set up a time with your counselor.

21. Skyward Course Requests • You must now log on to Skyward and enter your registration choices.

22. Course Numbers • When entering courses through Skyward make sure you are entering the correct course number. • For full year classes you will need to enter both semesters ( ex. 0101A and 0101B)

23. Course Numbers • Some courses, such as athletics, choir and band, will have a fifth digit (1-4) which indicates the number of times a student has taken the class NOT the student’s grade classification. (ex. 05081A is the first year a player has played football even if they are a Junior)

24. Next Steps Students will create their schedules during the arena scheduling windows listed below. • Rising Seniors March 31 – April 3 • Rising Juniors April 14 - 17 • Rising Sophomores April 28 – May 1 • Rising Freshmen May 5 – 9 An instructional video will be posted on the school website prior to opening of the arena scheduling windows.

25. Next Steps Students will have two opportunities to request adjustments to their schedules once built through the arena scheduling process. May 19 – 23 August 4 – 8 ONE request per student may be submitted electronically during each window. Counselors will make schedule adjustments based on course and space availability. The schedule created during arena scheduling is subject to change if adjustments are requested. For more information on Online Arena Scheduling please visit: http://www.gcisd-k12.org/arena