Welcome to Sparkman 9 TH Grade School

1. Welcome to Sparkman 9TH Grade School S9 Thursday, April 10, 2014 Freshman Night

2. Pledge of Allegiance Presented by Sparkman JROTC

3. Welcome AJ Brien Sga president

4. Sparkman 9th Grade School MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Sparkman 9th Grade School is to provide an exemplary academic and social learning experience and to help students successfully transition into high school by establishing high standards, maintaining a safe and orderly school climate, and embracing community values.

5. Principal Martin Hester

6. Sparkman 9 General Information • Goal of S9GS • Retain High Quality Teachers • Effective Professional Development to Support Teacher Growth • Integrate Available Technology • Provide a Clean and Safe Facility • Deliver a Quality Education for All Students • S9GS Facts • 70 staff members • 45 Certified Employees • 20 Bus Drivers • Average of 650 students per year • Addition of courses and extracurricular activities each year • 95% pass rate • Introductions • Russ Tate, Assistant Principal • Steve Gipson, Assistant Principal • Jamel Thomas, Counselor • Stephanie Goglin, Counselor

7. Presentation Varsity Dance Team Coach: Katherine Neis

8. Sparkman ChoirJacob Daugherty & McKenna Barlow We believe in a strong background in music theory as well as a variety of choral literature. Our approach to choral music is make it FUN while also learning a proven skill to better their studies in other classes. Music Education is vital to a well-rounded education.  We hope to see you singing with us in the future! The Sparkman Choral Department prides itself on excellence in choral music. 

9. Vocal Level I – Choir Vocal Level I • Vocal Level I is a prerequisite to all choirs offered at the high school. • Students will learn beginning music theory, sight sing, perform in a choral environment, and vocal techniques. • At least 4 opportunities to perform each semester • Comprised of about 60 9th grade boys and girls • Beginning choir students are eligible to audition for Sparkman Chamber Choir and Musical Theater at the end of the year. 2013-2014 Choir Events • Halloween Concert / Family Movie Night • Madison County Honor Choir October 2013 • Winter Concert, Asbury UMC • State Performance Assessment March 2014 • “Wizard of Oz” field trip March 2014 • Alabama All State Festival April 2014 • “Little Shop” field trip April 2014 • Sparkman Spring Concert May 6, 2014 • Spring Choir Trip

10. Theatre I & Drama Club Patricia glover

11. Russ TateAssistant Principal • Roles and Duties • Social Studies and English Curriculum • Textbooks • Tardiness, Bus, and First Floor Discipline • Expectations • Students will be expected to demonstrate a willingness to succeed in today’s world. • Hard Work • Preparation • Character

12. GrADING Policy Semester Exams • Grade of 60 needed to pass • 1st nine weeks – 40% • 2nd nine weeks – 40% • Final exam – 20% • Final exams given on the last 2 days of each semester • No exams are given early • Prior permission needed to make up missed exams

13. Block scheduling • 8 classes each year • 4 classes each semester • Each class is about 100 minutes long

14. Presentation Army JROTC

15. Stephanie Goglin & Jamel ThomasCounselors • Request 8 total credits / 1 alternate • Use yellow Course Selection Form to fill in 9th grade portion of 4-year plan. Use Course Catalog to fill in 10th-12th grade • Think carefully about all course requests, especially Pre-AP courses. • We cannot change schedules after the 1st week of school. • All 9th graders MUST request Career Prep

16. Important Information • Registration • April 14 – 18: Monrovia Middle School • April 21 – 25: Sparkman Middle School • Items to Return • Student Registration Form • Course Selection Form • Four-Year High School Plan • Health Assessment Record • Indian Education/Title VII Student Survey

17. Post card this summer Update demographic information • Student Schedule Pick-Up July 31, 2014 – Freshman Expo Girls 8:30 am – 11:00 am Boys 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm • August 5, 2014 – first day of school • Facebook – sparkman ninth grade school • Twitter - @S9GS

18. Get Connected with the Library! • Facebook: Sparkman 9 Library-Media Center • Twitter: @S9GSLibrary • Book Club! The S9 YA Readers • Librarian: Alison Madison

19. Steve GipsonAssistant Principal • Roles and Duties • Math and Science Curriculum • Testing • Athletic Director • Bus Routes • Second floor discipline

20. F.R.E.S.H.M.A.N. • Freedom • Respect staff, students and yourself • Effort • Seriousness • Help • Maturity • Academics • Ninth Grade

21. Athletic Eligibility • Grade 9 Eligibility Requirements • Must pass 5 courses in 8th grade w/ an overall 70 average • Required paperwork before practice begins • State certified birth certificate (copy) • AHSAA Physical form signed by MD (not by nurse) • AHSAA Concussion Information Form • STAR Sportsmanship Certificate • AHSAA Participant Agreement • MC Extracurricular Permission/Insurance Waiver • MC Out of County Field Trip/Medical Release Form

22. Athletic Eligibility • Grades 10-12 Eligibility • Must pass all 4 core requirements • Must obtain minimum of 6 credits • Overall 70 Average • Parents and Students must stay abreast of additional NCAA requirements

23. Closing Remarks • Independent Tour • 1ST Day for Students – August 5, 2014 • Morning drop-off for all students will be at the gym entrance • Afternoon pick up: • Females at front office (beside flagpole) • Males at gym exit (same as morning) • All traffic will enter and exit from Fords Chapel Road • School Hours: 8:20 – 3:20 (students may arrive @ 7:50) • Office Hours: 7:30 – 4:30 • Summer Hours: Monday – Thursday 7:00 – 5:00 Sparkman 9TH Grade School (256) 851-4560 Website: https://www.madison.k12.al.us/Schools/s9gs/default.aspx