Signing up for your Freshman Year Classes at JMS

1. Signing up for your Freshman Year Classes at JMS

2. JMS Registration Information • Registration presentations Dec.5-8 • Course entry into Infinite Campus the week of January 9th. • Course selection forms and course books handed out at that time • Schedules mailed in late July/early August

3. Advancing in Grade Level • Recommended course load for 9th grade is 6-7 courses per semester. • Sophomore status: need 6 or more successfully completed credits • Failing a 9th-12th grade course earns 0 credits for that course

4. Total Credits Needed = 24 Units ENGLISH 4 Units Needed (8 Semesters) MATH 3 Units Needed (6 Semesters or 3 blocked periods) SCIENCE 3 Units Needed (6 Semesters or 3 blocked periods) SOCIAL STUDIES 3.5 Units Needed (7 Semesters) TECHNOLOGY .5 Units Needed (1 Semester) HEALTH .5 Units Needed (1 Semester) P.E. 1 Unit Needed (8 Semesters) (.125 per semester) Credits Needed to Graduate

5. English Courses • 4 credits (units) required for graduation • All 9th grade students take Freshman English • If one or both semesters of Freshman English are failed, students will have to make up that credit.

6. 3 credits (units) required for graduation 4 credits (units) suggested for college Freshman Math options : Bridges to Algebra (Pre-Algebra)– no prerequisite Algebra I– recommended ‘C’ or better in previous math course Geometry – ‘B’ or better in Algebra I and teacher recommendation Algebra II  Recommended ‘B’ or better in Alg. I & Geometry Algebra II/Trig. Recommended ‘B’ or better in Alg. I & Geometry Math Courses

7. 3 credits (units) required for graduation 4 credits (units) suggested for college Freshman Science options: Physical Science – required Biology – open to students who took Physical Science as an 8th grader Science Courses

8. Social Studies Courses • 3.5 credits req. graduation • All 9th graders take Topics of History which is a semester long class offered both semesters

9. Freshman P.E. • All freshman take Functional Fitness P.E. every other day all year long

10. Vocal Music: Freshman Chorus meets every other day all year long Sound Advice is a non-credit, audition only preparatory show choir and rehearses before school. All students in show choir also take Freshman Chorus Chamber Choir is a select, audition only choir Instrumental Music: Freshman Band meets every day all year Jazz Band is a non-credit offering that meets outside the school day Music Courses

11. Technology • .5 credits (units) required for graduation • 2 credits (units) suggested for graduation • Graphic Communication – computer design, desktop publishing, etc. <OR> • Computer Applications – Microsoft Office Suite • Both are semester long courses offered each semester

12. Foreign Language • Spanish 1 • Spanish 2 (teacher recommendation.) • French 1 • French 2 (teacher recommendation.) • All classes are year long and meet every day • No credit requirement for graduation, 2 credits (units) suggested for college

13. Business • Intro to Business/Money Management is a year long course that fulfills an elective credit toward graduation.

14. Project Lead the Way • National program forming partnerships among public schools, higher education institutions, and the private sector to increase the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists • Possible college credit upon successful completion • Intro to Engineering Design is offered to 9th graders and is a prerequisite for the other PLTW courses Visit pltw.org for more information

15. 5th hour Electives • Semester long Electives • Drawing • Advanced Art course offering traditional drawing experiences • Business Applications • Graphics, songs, and animations • Astronomy • Study of the universe and solar system • Creative Writing • Focus on process of producing quality creative pieces

16. 5th hour Electives • Year long Electives • Seminar • Focuses on 6 key components to HS success • Accounting I • Provides background in basic acct. procedures • Intro to Engineering Design • Entry level PLTW course • Chamber Choir • Select choir by audition only

17. Semester Long Electives 1st Sem. 2nd Sem. Journalism* Journalism* Found.of FCS Found.of FCS Graphic Comm. Graphic Comm. Computer Apps Computer Apps Woodworking Woodworking Small Engines Small Engines Art Art Culinary Arts*

18. Scheduling parameters • Students enrolled in Band and a Foreign Language will not be able to schedule additional electives except Chorus and a 5th period elective. • Students not enrolled in Foreign Language or Band and/or Chorus should select 2 electives each semester

19. Importance of Academic Success • With increased graduation requirements, academic success becomes even more critical. Failing courses not only creates a credit deficiency but also limits options for moving to higher levels of math, science, foreign language, etc. • It is IMPERATIVE that we stress this to our students at home and at school.

20. Dental Screening • Iowa law requires that any student who is entering kindergarten, ninth grade, or is an out-of-state transfer student must provide the school with proof of a dental check-up. • The Certificate of Dental Screening form will be sent home in the spring with the registration packets, and should be returned to the School Nurse next school year.   The dental screening must have been within the previous 12 months of entering ninth grade. • If you have questions or need help getting a dental check-up for your child, please contact the School Nurse – Tracy Grasso at 331-0909.