Welcome to AJHS Parent Orientation!

1. Welcome to AJHS Parent Orientation!

2. Springfield Trip and Overview of the Junior High Student Typical Student Schedule Course Offerings Extra-Curricular Programs Transportation Website Tonight’s Presentation Includes

3. Springfield Trip October 2011 Mr. Consdorf

4. The Contradictions that Annoy Parents! • Freedom but not responsibility • Leave me alone but be there for me • Big bodies but little maturity • Tired all the time but full of energy • Bored one minute overwhelmed the next • High standards for everyone but themselves • Try to develop an identity while conforming • Peers are everything but family must be there

5. How Will My Child React to Me? • Begin to shut parents out • Strong concern for social justice • Exaggerate simple occurrences • Believe their problems are unique • They do not consider tomorrow, only today

7. Morning Broadcast

8. Typical Student Schedule Core Subjects

9. Typical Student Schedule with Spanishor LA 2

10. Typical Student Schedule with Music (Band)

11. Typical Student Schedule With Music & Spanish or LA 2

12. Holt Series Use of differentiated materials, such as novels, nonfiction readers MyACCESS writing program LA 2 focuses on Holt series, writing, and study skills For those students who qualify, ELL Writing course or Instructional Language Arts Clustering for high readers/writers Language Arts* *Curricular revisions coming based upon ELA Common Core Learning Standards

13. 2-year, high school level program Students placed in program according to reading/writing proficiency & readiness Not all students take Spanish at this time Starts out easy but gets progressively more difficult Cumulative test in May of 7th grade to determine if a student has met the standards and are ready to move on to 8th grade Spanish Spanish I

14. Understands political and economic systems Understands history and geography Understands culture and social systems American History - 1880s Understands the process of scientific inquiry and design to investigate questions, conduct experiments, and solve problems Understands concepts, principles, and interconnection of the life, physical, and earth/space sciences Understands relationships among science, technology and society in a variety of contexts Social Studies/Science

15. Differentiated Placement based upon 5th Grade SHS Benchmark Exams Goals/Expectations of the Department: To help your student have a successful year in math Textbooks: Pre-Algebra Survey - McDougal, Course 2 Pre-Algebra - McDougal Algebra I/II - Prentice Hall Math*

16. *Curricular revisions coming based upon ELA Common Core Learning Standards Tools Available Assignment Sheets for every unit Most Homework Answers provided Math Lab Math*

17. AJHS Chorus • AJHS Chorus is open to all students with no auditions required! • Chorus is during the school day. • Chorus is every Tuesday and Thursday….on the other three days the students have a study hall. • 7th grade students who are in band or orchestra can also do AJHS Chorus. Students would do Chorus on Tuesday and Thursday. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, they would go to Band or Orchestra since all performing ensembles rehearse during the same period.

18. AJHS Orchestra/Band • Students meet for daily large group rehearsal time where we focus on concert pieces and music theory • Students play a variety of styles of music and perform on 4 concerts a year • Students come for one 30 minute lesson a week in small groups (same time each week) where we work on more advanced technique, as well as prepare solos for a contest and recital in February • An after school group, (Orchestra-Sforzando Strings) (Band-Jazz Band), meets once a week to explore alternative styles of music • Students who have never played a stringed instrument but are interested should contact Ms. Vettraino (Orchestra) or Mr. Eifert (Band), because they are glad to start anyone new!

19. Report Card Sample

20. Report Card Labels and Guiding Definitions

21. Homework Talking Points • All students will take common assessments in each subject area that will measure the learning toward their understanding of the content in a specific subject matter (science, etc). • These assessments are correlated to the standards on the report card. • Research tells us that homework as practice is reflective of work ethic and effort, and can be used in reflection of the final grade for the quarter. • Homework is a requirement. Right now it counts toward 5% of a student’s grade. Students are accountable for their homework. This reflects "progress" and "process." Teachers will contact parents if students are not doing their homework. • By completing homework, students will get the practice they need on subject-matter curriculum which can only enhance their final product grade.

22. Parents will get a user ID and password Teachers post daily homework assignments and classroom curriculum goals Grades, Attendance, Discipline records are available in PowerSchool Sports calendars and events are updated daily Club activities are posted Student announcements are posted under the “Announcement” Section Email addresses for all staff are posted Web Site

23. How to check your child’s grades online Power School

24. Beginning of each month Includes calendar of upcoming events Directions to schools in our conference “Happenings” at AJHS! Arrowhead

25. Other ways we reach the “talents and giftedness” of students…

26. Athletics Overview Athletics in Education

27. Cross Country Co-Ed Soccer Girls’ Basketball Boys’ Basketball Wrestling Cheerleading Pom Pon Girls’ Volleyball Boys’ Volleyball Track and Field Athletics Programs at AJHS

28. Cross Country, Wrestling and Track/Field are “No Tryout” sports. Any who come out can participate. Cross Country, Wrestling and Track/Field are also open to 6th grade students (5th grade also for wrestling only). All other sports require tryouts and are open to 7th and 8th grade students. All sports require a sports physical prior to starting. Athletics has a website section that can be found on the d102.org district site. Sports “Need to Knows”

29. “Sports are just games”. That depends on the program. A quality program is far more than just games. A quality program actually teaches many life skills! Teamwork Responsibility Dedication Commitment Sacrifice There is more! Increases self-esteem Positive impact on self-confidence Promotes a “can do” attitude Sports Impacts Education?

30. Helps deter the feeling of “doom” on tougher assignments: Athletes are used to having to “step up”. More confidence promotes an increased ability to stay on task. In group settings, athletes tend to be examples in: Leadership Responsibility Integrity Teamwork Acceptance of others What about Academics?

31. Welcome to our TEAM! • And….if you are already here, welcome back! • It is the primary goal of athletics to: • Provide a positive and rewarding experience. • Help to prepare our students for the future. • Be a productive influence on student development in three areas main areas: • Academics. • Life Skills. • Healthy Life style. • Very Important….. Don’t ever feel like you are a “pain”. Some of you are as new to these programs as your children. Your involvement is crucial in this whole process. We welcome your support and would be more than happy to talk with you.

32. Co-Curricular Programs

33. National Junior Honor Society • Student Handbook • Co-Curricular Hdbk • Transitions Night • CTD Follow Up • Public Mtg March • AM Announcements • WebPresence

34. Transportation • Encourage child to ride the bus • Drop off in front before 7:40 AM (any time after 7:40, PARENT MUST SIGN STUDENT IN AT OFFICE) • Pick up in front at 2:55 PM • Two late buses 3:45 PM and 4:45 PM (must have teacher authorization) • If dropping off by car please no earlier that 7:05 AM unless supervised by a staff member

35. Important Dates • May Online registration for parents - New and Coming Soon! • May 12, 2011 Co-Curricular Fair at AJHS for parents and students! • August 2011 Building open to students; Schedules mailed PTO Supplies Pickup 8-11 and Back to School Social--6pm-8pm Ice cream; find your first class; correct schedule errors; & set-up locker

36. Q & A CONTACT INFORMATION: jbrua@d102.org 847-353-5500 jmcintyre@d102.org 847-353-5500 jlivingston@d102.org 847-353-6481 You may contact the main office at 353-5500 to set an office appointment.