Freedom High School Rising Freshman Parent Night

1. F  Wednesday, February 1, 2012 7:00 p.m. Freedom High School Auditorium Freedom High School Rising Freshman Parent Night

2. Christine Forester Principal Freedom High School christine.forester@lcps.org A minute with our principal

3. introductions Ken Christopher, Director of Guidance Counselors: Mrs. Austin Hamill Ms Kelli Johnson Mrs. Cristi Goldberg Ms Colleen Hurley Mrs. Ann Barrett Dr. Carly Fuhrman (& Bailey)

4. CLASS OF 2016! WELCOME TO FREEDOM!!!

5. Graduation Requirements Class Options – take the most difficult classes that you can take, yet still have a life EXPUNGING GRADES – August 15, DEADLINE Electives – take what interests you. Not what friends might take. Get involved early!! Preparing for college; Preparing for AP Classes AGENDA FOR TONIGHT

6. Helping your Young Adult Plan for the academic Future

7. High School Diploma Options

8. In Virginia, diploma options available to all students beginning with the Class of 2015: • Advanced Studies Diploma • 26 Credits/9 Verified Credits • Advanced Technical Diploma • 26 Credits/9 Verified Credits • Standard Diploma • 22 Credits/6 Verified Credits • Standard Technical Diploma • 22 Credits/6 Verified Credits High School Diploma Options

9. Credit = pass the class Verified credit = pass the class and the SOL Full year course = 1 credit Half year course = .5 credit

10. Advanced Diploma Standard Diploma

11. The Virginia Department of Education added 2 more diploma types – Advanced Technical Diploma and Standard Technical How do I earn a “TECHNICAL” diploma? *3 electives are in the area of technical education* Advanced Technical Diploma & Standard Technical Diploma

12. Economics & Personal Finance New Graduation Requirement for the Class of 2015 and beyond: • 1-credit course in Economics & Personal Finance • Can take in grades 10, 11, or 12 • Not available to 9th graders • AP Econ would meet this requirement

13. hmmm…what classes do I sign up for next year? Click Key for link to Online Elective Guide and LCPS Program of Studies

14. Think about your son or daughter’s interests and abilities. • Consider your son or daughter’s academic strengths and weaknesses. • Review previous grades and test scores. • Look closely at your son or daughter’s reading level. This will help determine which level of classes might be appropriate for high school. • Consider your son or daughter’s interests and his or her “work ethic” regarding academics.

15. “Block” scheduling Sample schedule

16. All courses are offered at two levels: • Academic • Honors or Pre-AP • Reading level and work ethic will be a key factors in deciding which level of these courses a student should take in grade 9. • Strongly consider teacher and counselor recommendations. English, Social SCIENCE, & Science options:

17. Biology/Honors in Grade 9 • A small number of 9th grade students elect to take Biology/Honors instead of Earth Science. • This course requires the completion of a substantial Independent Science Research project. This project is started in Honors Earth Science, so students who skip Earth Science must be prepared to complete extensive summer workto be ready for the demands of the Honors Biology class. FOR STUDENTS WHO EAT, BREATHE, & SLEEP SCIENCE

18. Math in Grade 9

19. WORLD LANGUAGES & CULTURES

20. Health/Physical Education • Students must complete two years of Health, Family Life, and Physical Education. These courses are normally completed in grades 9 and 10. • The Driver’s Education curriculum is taught as a part of Health/PE 10.

21. Expunging high school credits and grades taken in middle school Other Things You Need to Know

22. Students entering the ninth grade for the first time have a one-time chance to remove high school classes/credits that are earned in middle school. Students/parents will be given a form later this year to complete if they want to take advantage of this opportunity. Form must be returned no later than August 15, 2012. Once high school begins, this opportunity ends. Expunging high school classes from middle school years…

23. Room for one more elective!

24. CAMPUS Program • Rising freshmen apply • Focus on students historically underrepresented in higher education and first-generation students • Non-credit class offered for students so that they have a lot of 1:1 interactions with CAMPUS teacher and counselor • Provide enrichment opportunities throughout high school for students to learn about post-secondary educational and scholarship opportunities---such as college campus visits, special presentations on careers, colleges, and scholarships, etc. • Students begin building a portfolio in ninth grade to prepare them for life after high school

25. Things to keep in mind for the future – Grades 10-12as you help plan for 9th grade… • Monroe Technology Center and the Loudoun Governor’s Career & Technical Academy • Advanced Placement (AP) Classes

26. Colleges – What do I need to get in??

27. Strong academic record • Challenging courses appropriate for their abilities all four years • Four years of “core” classes • Solid standardized test performance (SAT and/or ACT) • Extracurricular, Athletic, and Community Involvement • Well Rounded STUDENTS • “Quality vs. Quantity” How to get in…

28. College Sounds great in four years, BUT…what can I do as a freshman??

29. There are many options to get involved! Drama Club Japanese Manga &Anime Club PEER Future Educators of America (FEA) Art Club Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) HOPE Club Leo Club Peace & Justice Club Step Team Latin Club Chinese Student Association Marching Band Academic Team Color Guard Friends of Rachel Club Jazz Ensemble Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Dance Team SOAR Club Biotechnology Club

30. Extracurricular InvolvementThere’s something for everyone! Choral Groups Environmental Club Black Student Association Knitting Club Model UN Thespian Society French Club DECA Multicultural Club Art & Literary Magazine Club Spanish Club Debate Team Chess Club Muslim Student Association Newspaper FCCLA Student Council Association (SCA) German Club Technology Student Association Reading Club Young Americans for Freedom

31. Athletic Involvement

32. Is that all I need to know?

33. Teachers • Communicate early from the sidelines • Stay on the sidelines • 24 hour rule • Teach your student how to advocate • Teach your student how to Show vs. Tell • “Show” = “I care”

34. Learning, attitude, and success (not grades) • Studying is not just doing homework • Music? Soft • TV? NO • Conducive studying environment • Computer in open area, not bedroom • Teach resilience • Bad grade does not mean schedule change

35. Know the resources • Other students in class • Other students in upper class • Teacher • Counselor • Administrators • Study Groups • TALONS • BEAST

36. Social Life Good Great kids make mistakes • Call the other parent • Invite friends to your house • Stay involved in school • Volunteer – good for you; good for us; good for students Caution: • Parties do occur • Do not contribute - you are liable • Drugs – know the signs

37. Feb. 2-3: Lunsford Middle School • More visits to come… • High School Student visit • Honors Biology Visit • Athletic Department • Fine Arts Freedom High School Counselor Middle school visits

38. Anyone feeling overwhelmed? • Everything will be okay. • We are here to help you. • You will have four years to become an “expert” on all of this information ---and more.

39. Before you know it…. Congrats!! Class of 2016! GO EAGLES!!