DAMASCUS HIGH SCHOOL 9 TH GRADE PARENT MEETING

1. DAMASCUS HIGH SCHOOL9TH GRADE PARENT MEETING

2. Counselors: A-Ba Mr. Peelman Be-E Mr. Higgins F-Kh Mrs. Djouha Ki-O Mr. Smith P-Sa Mrs. Poker Sc-Z Mrs. Villani COUNSELING OFFICE

3. COUNSELING OFFICE • Registrar - Mrs. Burkey 301-253-7041 • Counseling Office Secretary - Mrs. Nelson 301-253-7037 • Career Center - Mr. Ed Martin 301-253-7045

4. Counseling Office Agenda • Final exams • Increased workload and difficulty • Academic Eligibility • Attendance and LC Information

5. Counseling Office Agenda • Graduation Requirements with HSA • Summer School / High School + • Transcript Information • PSAT, SAT, and ACT • Registration Procedures for 9th into 10th Grade

6. Final Exam Schedule January 14-15 – Review Days January 16 – 1st and 7th exams January 19 – Holiday (MLK Day) January 20 – 2nd and 6th exams January 21 – 3rd and 5th exams January 22 – 4th and Make-up exams January 23 -- Make-up exams January 26 – No School – Report Card Prep. Day January 27 -- 2nd Semester Begins Daily Exam Schedule: 7:25 – 9:30 - Exam #1 9:30 – 10:00 - Break/Study 10:00 – 12:00 - Exam #2

7. Increased Difficulty – 9th Grade • Increase in amount of work and difficulty of work • Long-term assignments • 2nd Quarter versus 1st Quarter • Communications with teacher/counselor -EdLine, DHS site, e-mail, progress reports, interims, PTSA newsletter, parent meetings • Honor Roll requirements

8. Academic Eligibility • Eligibility is determined each quarter • Must achieve a minimum of 2.0 for the quarter; no more than one E • Ineligibility remains in effect until the next quarter report card is distributed

9. Attendance and LC • Must turn in absence notes within three school days of absence (even if called in by parent) • After three unexcused absences, an LC warning letter is sent home • After five unexcused absences, an LC letter is sent home • Three unexcused tardies equal one unexcused absence • Appeal Process is available

10. Summer School and High School+ • When is summer school or high school+ necessary? -English, Math, Prerequisites,Total Credits • Locations and costs -Limited offerings, provide own transportation -Last year’s summer school cost was $265 per course • Registration Procedures • Calendar for summer/high school +

11. Transcripts • Transcripts include the following info: - Semester courses and semester grades - Cumulative GPA and cumulative WGPA - Attendance Record - Student Service Learning Hours - Graduation Summary - High School Assessment Results

12. PSAT, SAT, ACT • PSAT automatic in 10th and 11th Grade (free) • PSAT Day activities for 9th Grade Students - class meeting, 7 Habits, meet with counselors, career & technology presentations • Test October 15th; Results in December • Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Score • DHS courses to assist: SAT Prep, more rigorous courses (Honors and Advanced Placement) • Official test to qualify for National Merit Scholarships for 11th Grade

13. The SAT Math: - No quantitative comparisons - Algebra 2 included - Testing time is reduced by 5 minutes Critical Reading (replaces Verbal): - No more analogies - More passage-based reading questions - Testing time is reduced by 5 minutes

14. The SAT Writing Component/Multiple Choice Section: - Multiple Choice- improving sentences and paragraphs (25 minutes) - Student written essay- communicating a viewpoint (25 minutes) Cost is $45.00

15. ACT • ACT changed in Spring, 2005 - Writing section is optional - Increasing number of schools are accepting it - More achievement-oriented test - Cost is $46.00; no writing $31.00

16. DHS COURSE REGISTRATION • Course level recommendations done by 1st semester teachers in January • Registration materials to students in late February • Students return completed and signed registration card in early March • Course offering booklet distributed to all DHS students during registration • More course offerings available to 10th graders

17. Graduation Requirements • 4 credits in English • 3 credits in Social Studies (U.S. History, NSL Government (or AP NSL), Modern World History (or AP World History) • 4 credits in Math (Algebra and Geometry required) • 3 credits in Science (Biology and a physical science required) • 1 credit in Physical Education

18. Graduation Requirements(continued) • .5 credit in Health (10th Grade) • 1 credit in Fine Arts • 1 credit in Technology • One of the following: - 2 credits in a Foreign Language - 2 credits in Advanced Technology - 4 credits in a Career Completer

19. Graduation Requirements(continued) • 22 Total credits • 75 hours of Student Service Learning Hours • AND

20. Graduation Requirements • TAKE AND PASS ALL HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENTS (HSA) • English 10, NSL, Biology, Algebra

21. HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENTS Pass Algebra 1 412 Biology 400 English 10 396 NSL Government 394 TOTAL 1602

22. Factors in College Admission • Considerable Importance - Grades in College Prep Courses - Standardized Admissions Tests - Grades in All Classes • Moderate Importance - Class Rank (MCPS does not rank students) - Essay or Writing Sample - Counselor Recommendation - Teacher Recommendation - Work/Extracurricular Activities

23. Factors in College Admission • Limited Importance - Alumni Relation • Very Limited Importance - Interview - Student’s Demonstrated Interest - State Graduation Exam Scores - Subject Tests (SAT II, AP, IB) - Race/Ethnicity - Ability to Pay - State or County of Residence

24. University of Maryland • 61 Students applied to Maryland • 47 were admitted • Admitted averages: 3.6 grade point average 3.9 weighted grade point average 1270 SAT for math and critical reading

25. IMPORTANT DATES • October 15 - PSAT Day • November 11 - Report Cards • November 21 - Progress Reports • November 26 - Early Release Day • November 27-28 - Thanksgiving • December 12 - 2nd Qt. Interims Mailed • December 24- - Winter Break January 2 • January 5 - Progress Reports • January 16 - Semester Exams Begin