8 TH GRADE ORIENTATION

1. 8TH GRADE ORIENTATION Welcome Class of 2013!!!!!!

2. RADIO SPORTS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY FFA/FCCLA/FBLA BAND STUDENT COUNSEL UIL COMPETITION THEATER DRILL TEAM CHEERLEADING JOURNALISM CHOIR PALS NATIONAL ART HONORS YEARBOOK/JOURNALISM WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES?

3. CLASS OF 2013WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER • You are not alone in your anticipation of a bright future!! Your classmates are making these choices along with you.

4. What’s the big deal about these choices? • The choices that you make today will have an impact on what you do as an adult, so choose wisely. • The counselors, administrators and teachers of LDISD are here to help you make the best choices possible for you.

5. What’s a credit? In high school, classes are counted as credits. Classes are worth ½ credit per semester. So for a two semester class you can earn one credit. Some classes such as health and speech are one semester (1/2 credit) classes.

6. What’s the difference between a required and an elective credit? Required credits are from core subject areas. Elective credits allow students to pursue special interests like upper level art classes. There are also REQUIRED ELECTIVES: BCIS, Health/Speech, Fine Arts, PE, & 2 years of a Foreign Language.

7. How many credits do I need to graduate? You must earn 27 credits to graduate from LDHS. We have 8 class periods a day, so you can earn 8 credits each year. It’s possible to earn 32 credits in four years. Most graduates earn 30 credits or more by passing all classes.

8. What if I fail a class or miss a credit? Graduations Requirements. 4 credits of math 4 credits of science 4 credits of english 4 credits of social studies 2 credits of a foreign language 1 computer credit 1 fines arts credit 1 health/speech credit 1 ½ P.E. credits If you fail a class, you have the opportunity to recover the credit during Tier II at the end of the school year. If the credit is not earned during Tier II, you will need to attend Summer School.

9. What is a Prerequisite? A prerequisite is a required class that must be taken BEFORE you take another class. Example: you must take Art 1 before you can take ceramics, painting, photography, electronic media or any other advanced art class. Art 1 is a prerequisite to the advanced classes.

10. What are “alternate elective choices?” On your pre-registration form you are asked to make alternate choices just in case your chosen classes are full or unavailable. Please be sure to fill in these blanks on your form in case there are conflicts with your first choices.

11. How important is my 9th grade TAKS test? Your 9th grade TAKS is a very accurate predictor of how you will score on the EXIT TAKS, which your HS diploma is dependent. This test will tell you what areas need more work prior to the EXIT TAKS. A high score on later tests can EXEMPT you from certain college entrance exams.

12. Do I get credit for band, cheer and drill team? Each of these count for ½ P.E. credit in the fall and ½ fine arts credit in the spring. Extra classes in these areas are counted as electives.

13. What foreign language classes are offered? American Sign Language and Spanish

14. What classes count as “fine arts” credit? We offer: Art 1—Choir—Band—Dance— Music A-Z—Theatre 1 Each of these classes have additional classes for further study in subsequent years.

15. What happens if I do not turn in a pre-registration form with my elective choices? We will make those choices for you! We will not adjust them later or make changes to your schedule if you do not turn in your form.

16. What classes need signatures of recommendation by my teachers? You must get the signature of the appropriate teacher, sponsor or coach to participate in these areas: Sports Pre-AP classes Band

17. What is a Pre-AP class? A Pre-AP class is one that is more challenging in subject material and depth of study. Pre-AP courses are prerequisites for AP classes in most subject areas.

18. What is an AP class? AP is an acronym for “Advanced Placement.” These classes are taught on a college level and can count for college credit if you make a 3 or above on the AP exam given at the end of the course. Scoring a “3” or above on these exams also counts as an advanced measure for DAP.

19. What is DAP? •3 years of the same foreign language instead of 2 •Take a more rigorous math and science course load and •Earn 4 Advanced Measures Advanced Measures are earned by making a “3 or above” on AP Exams and by earning a “B” or better in Dual Credit courses. Each “3 or above” and each “B” average counts for one advanced measure. DAP is an acronym for “Distinguished Achievement Program,” and it’s awarded to students who take:

20. What’s a Dual Credit Course? Dual credit courses are those that will earn both high school and college credit. We offer some dual credit courses on the LDHS campus, while others can be taken on the campus directly at NCTC , UNT, or TWU. You will be eligible for these classes the summer after your sophomore year.

21. TECH-PREP ARTICULATION: another way to earn college credit while in High School We have an agreement with NCTC for certain CTE classes that are taken at LDHS and an “80” or better is earned, along with a teacher recommendation …that you can receive FREE college credit upon enrollment at NCTC.

22. LDHS TechPrep Courses: • Accounting 1 • BCIS 1 and/or 2 • BCIS 2 w/MOS • Ready, Set, Teach 1 (ATC also) • Child Development / Prep for Parenting (ATC also) • Anatomy/Physiology • Administrative Procedures • Intro to Business

23. Name: (Last)__________________________ (First)_______________________ (Middle)____________________ Grade___________ Date _______________ This is a tentative plan to help give you, your parents, and your school some direction as you progress through high school. As you fill in your plan, remember that it is only a plan and should be revisited as needed to ensure your educational success throughout your four years at high school. Plan carefully and select academic courses and electives that will support your interests, career goals, and post-secondary plans. • Career Clusters: (check one) • www.ldisd.net/~4yearplan • Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources • Architecture & Construction • Arts, A/V Technology & Communications • Business, Management & Administration • Education & Training • Health Sciences • Hospitality & Tourism • Human Services • Information Technology • Manufacturing • Marketing, Sales & Service • Other:_____________________________________ • Undecided Lake Dallas High School Four-Year / Post-Secondary Plan • High School Graduation Plan: (check one) • Recommended (27 credits) • Distinguished Achievement (27 credits) • LDHS Classification Credits: • Sophomore (10th) 6 credits • Junior (11th) 12 credits • Senior (12th) 19 credits • Post-Secondary Plans: (check as many as apply) Certificate / Licensure 2 year degree / Community College Technical Training 4 year degree / College / University Full-time Employment Military Other ___________________________________________

24. Filling in the Blanks... LDHS Four-Year / Post-Secondary Plan—

25. STEP 1—Select a Career Cluster Career Clusters: (check one) www.ldisd.net • Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources • Architecture & Construction • Arts, A/V Technology & Communications • Business, Management & Administration • Education & Training • Health Sciences • Hospitality & Tourism • Human Services • Information Technology • Manufacturing • Marketing, Sales & Service • Other:_____________________________________ • Undecided

26. Career Cluster Information… • www.ldisd.net • Select High school campus • Select “09-10 Pre-Registration Information” in Quicklinks • Click on 2009 – 2010 Pre-Registration Information link • Click on “Elective Course Selection Information” link

27. A Useful Guide to LDHS Elective Course Selections based upon your future career choice Texas’ adoption of the US Department of Education’s 16 Career Clusters with 81 pathways identifying high-growth/ high-paying jobs in the 21st century Texas economy. Information provided per cluster: • Suggested LDHS Career-Related Courses • Post-Secondary College Credit Opportunities plus Certifications • Student Organizations

28. LDHS CAREER-RELATED COURSES

29. Filling in the Blanks... LDHS Four-Year / Post-Secondary Plan—

30. Freshman Course Elective Choices Art 1 or Art 1 PAP Theatre Arts 1 Stagecraft-Technical Theatre 1 Band: Marching Band: Jazz (by audition only) Choir: General or Men’s Choir: Treble/ Concert or Show (by audition)

31. Freshman Course Electives Choices • Intro. to the World of Agriculture/Applied AG Science • Intro. to Business • Journalism • Personal and Family Development • American Sign Language 1 • Spanish

32. Options for 1 ½ PE Credits • Physical Education • Athletics • Marching Band (PE credit fall semester) • Cheerleading (PE credit fall semester) • Drill Team (PE Credit fall semester)

33. Athletic Information • Athletic classes during the school day: Football, Basketball, Volleyball and Soccer. Please sign up for athletic classes in the spaces provided on the registration form. • After school sports that are not an athletic class during the day: Golf, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, Track/CC Track. Please list these on the line provided.

34. Graduation Credits Class of 2013

36. How many electives can I choose as a freshman? You make 2 choices from 4 areas. Area 1: PE credit (sports, cheer, drill team or regular P.E.) Area 2: Fine Arts Area 3: Foreign Language Area 4: Personal Family Development, Ag, Business and Journalism

38. DATES TO REMEMBER: • Pre-Registration Forms Due: FRIDAY, FEB 6. Turn in these forms to your home room teacher.

41. Compulsory Attendance Law: • State law requires that a student between the ages of six and 18 attend school, unless the student is otherwise excused from attending or legally exempt. • A court of law may impose penalties if the student is: absent from school on 10 or more days within a 6 months period, or is absent on 3 or more days (or parts of days) within a 4 week period.

42. Attendance Information: • Absence from School Policy: Students must bring a note from a Dr. or parent stating the reason for the absence. Students have two school days to turn in the note for an EXCUSED absence. • Late Arrival Policy: Students have two school days to turn in a note for a late arrival to be considered EXCUSED .

43. 8TH GRADE ORIENTATION Welcome class of 2013!!!!