Freshman Student and Parent Orientation

1. Freshman Student and Parent Orientation High School Auditorium February 5, 2007 7 pm

2. Introductions • Chris Ward - Middle School Counselor (945.0513) • Guidance Office - Denise Rushing (945.0313) • Jennifer Robinson - Counseling Intern • Cheryl Ewert (H-P 945.0307) • Jim Schulz (Q-Z 945.0306) • Linda Van Der Leest (A-G 945.0308)

3. Graduation Requirements • 7 semesters of English • 1 semester of Speech 10 • 4 semesters of Science • 6 semesters of Math • 4 semesters of Social Studies • US History (2 semesters) • Government (Jr Yr) • Social Studies Elective (Fr - Sr Yr)

4. Graduation Requirements (Cont.) • 1 semester of Vocational Education • 1 semester of Health • 7 semesters of Physical Education • 1 or 2 semesters of Consumer Education

5. Admission Recommendations for College, Universities and Community Colleges • English - 4 years or 8 credits • Mathematics - 3 years or 6 credits of Algebra I and beyond • Social Studies - 3 years or 6 credits • Science - 3 years or 6 credits • Foreign Language, Music, Art, Theatre, Humanities, Vocational Education - 2 years or 4 credits* *Individual College requirements may vary. Be sure to check with the college.

6. State University Foreign Language Requirement (see handout) • Chicago State University • Eastern Illinois University • Governors State University • Illinois State University • Northeastern Illinois University • Southern Illinois - Carbondale • Southern Illinois - Edwardsville • University of Illinois Chicago • University of Illinois Springfield • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign • Western Illinois University

7. Career Exploration • Use of PLAN and EXPLORE in college and career planning • Importance of planning early • Better educated about opportunities • Increase self-awareness of self and skills • Allows you to build your schedule in a manner that corresponds with goals and aspirations • Less overwhelmed by future college and/ or career prospects • Allows time to research, ask questions, job shadow, and talk with people who can provide insight in career and/or college decisions • College choices often need to be made during 1st semester of senior year • Military academies • Available resources • www.careernet.org and www.bls.gov

8. Questions and Answers • Is High School different from the middle school? Yes • Students must carry 6 classes each semester. A student can take a study hall every semester, pass all 6 classes each semester and graduate with 48 credits. 42 credits are required. • Course Planning Guide - www.dist228.org • Important to understand the courses a student needs to take if they are college bound. Also, read February newsletter for NCAA changes. • Grades - critical in high school. Available at power school. Also, if you have a concern or question about a class, make sure you talk with the teacher first. • Physical Examination - REQUIRED

9. Activities • National Honor Society • National Technical Honor Society • Clubs and Organizations • Sports • Visual and Performing Arts

10. Overview of Courses “English Curriculum” page -This is how it will appear in the course planning guide. Note credits and prerequisites. This information will help you select the correct classes in the correct order “Requirements” page -outlines the required class which are offered in English, Math, and Science “Electives” page -outlines the additional classes a freshman make take

11. Freshman Requirements • English - 2 semesters • Mathematics - 2 semesters • Science - 2 semester • PE/Health • 1st semester Health if in Marching Band (subject to change based on numbers) • 1st semester PE if last name A-K (subject to change based on numbers) • 1st semester Health if last name L-Z(subject to change based on numbers)

12. Electives (need to pick 3-6) 1- World History • Honors • 1 or 2 semesters of World History 2- Other Electives to follow 3- Study Hall (1 or 2 semesters) (not guaranteed in the semester of the request)

13. Handoutsavailable in HS Counseling Offices - please stop in for a copy if you are interested • Agriculture • Business • Family and Consumer Science • Foreign Language • Technology

14. Agriculture(green handout) Introduction to the Agricultural Industry 2 semesters Units of study include: History of FFA Soil Science Crop Science Record Keeping Electricity Welding Woodworking

15. Agriculture (cont) • Agricultural Science • Year Long • Units of Study include: • Soil Science • Fertility • Crop Science • GPS/GIS • Biotechnology • Animal Science • Pre Vet Science • Animal Rights/Animal Welfare

16. Business(blue handout) • BE 145 A, B, C - Word Processing • BE 180 - Business Communications • Business and Technology Concepts (fulfills consumer education requirement) • Computer Applications A (used to be Keyboarding A) • Computer Applications B (used to be Keyboarding B) • Consumer Economics (fulfills consumer education requirement) • CS 100 - Computers

17. English • Media Literacy - this course will acquaint students with the various methods, formats and intents of media. Students in film, art, music, journalism, radio and the Internet will be approached with an emphasis on “students as a consumer”. Students will be engaged in a variety of group and solo presentations. Guest speakers will be invited to speak on the various forms of media. • This class can not replace an English requirement and can only be used as elective credit.

18. Family and Consumer Science(yellow handout) • FACS (Studies in Family and Consumer Sciences) 2 semester class • This class offers units of study serving as an introduction to all Family & Consumer Science classes, including: • Foods and Nutrition • Gerontology (study of aging) • Parenting • Basic Sewing Skills • Interior Design

19. Family and Consumer Science (cont.) • Food and Nutrition I (1 semester class) • Units of Study include: • Influence on Food Choices • Food & Culture • Cooking Methods • Food Preservation • Mealtime Customs • The Food Supply • Sanitation • Celebration Meals • Convenience Foods • Regional Foods

20. Family and Consumer Science (cont.) • Food and Nutrition II (1semester class) • Units of Study include • Nutrients and their role • Dietary Guidelines • Fact/Fiction • Planning Food Choices • Food and Fitness • Eating Disorders • Yeast Breads • Pastry • Cake Decorating • Careers

21. Foreign Language(white handout) There are many reasons why your son or daughter may want to begin second language study as a freshman: • 1. Learning a second language is an excellent way to enhance a student’s understanding of English. • 2. Learning a second language can improve study skills and a student’s understanding of other subjects, such as social studies, music, and art. • 3. Since the freshman year is the first chance for Geneseo students to study a second language, many students have yet to discover that they have a special talent for language study. • 4. By beginning language study as a freshman, a student may then choose to take four consecutive years of that language. • 5. Proficiency in a second language can give our graduates an advantage in a competitive job market.

22. Recommendations • ｷIf students plan to take only two years of French or Spanish, we recommend that they do this during their last two years of high school. • ｷFor the most success, we recommend that students study a second language in consecutive years. • ｷWe encourage students to study both languages if their schedule permits it.

23. Other information regarding Foreign Language • ﾘMany colleges require two years of a foreign language for entrance. • ﾘMany of these same colleges also require two additional years of language study as a requirement for graduation. • ﾘA student who has had four years of foreign language in high school is generally exempt from this requirement. • ﾘThis can be a savings of thousands of dollars that would be needed for eight or more hours of college credit.

24. Technology(red handout) • Drafting / Communications Technology: A one-semester course designed to inform students of the resources, technical processes, industrial applications, and technological impact of communication technology. It involves designing and drafting through the traditional systems. Other areas that will be covered include the graphic and electronic means of transmitting and receiving messages with experiences in telecommunications, photography, and graphic arts.

25. Technology (cont.) • Energy Technology: A one-semester course designed to orient students to the resources, technical processes, industrial application and technological impact of energy and its uses in today's society. Class discussion, lecture, and laboratory experiences cover the field of electricity, its principles, generation, transmission and distribution, and uses of this energy source. Additional units of study in solar energy, wind and water, fossil fuels, nuclear resources, and conservation of energy as well as alternate methods of production are to be applied in laboratory experiences. • **Students are required to furnish OSHA approved safety glasses.

26. Technology (cont.) • Introduction to Manufacturing-Woods: A one-semester course designed to introduce the student to the production materials, tools, equipment and techniques with emphasis in woodworking. Students will be made aware of resources, technical processes, industrial applications, and technological impacts of manufacturing and construction technology in today's society. The students will be involved in management, material processing, research and development, production, marketing and servicing components of industries which provide goods, services, and structures. Activities include: organizing a manufacturing and/or construction company; designing a factory production line; producing interchangeable parts using jigs and fixtures; designing a factory assembly line flowchart; assembling a product quickly and accurately using production methods. • **Students are required to furnish OSHA approved safety glasses and a tape measure.

27. Technology (cont.) • Power and Transportation Technology: A one-semester course that includes an overview of the following: internal combustion engines, fuels, transmission systems, and various modes of transportation. Lab experiences involving mechanics, experiments, and testing as well as class lecture and discussion will occur. Projects will be used as learning devices. Transportation demands and uses and environmental aspects will be included. • **Students are required to furnish OSHA approved safety glasses.

28. Technology (cont.) • TV 160 - Introduction to Radio Broadcasting: A year long course that will follow the Black Hawk College’s TV 160 Introduction to Radio Broadcasting curriculum, which will be offered as dual credit. The student will be exposed to various aspects of radio such as FCC rules and what goes into a radio production. Due to limited lab space, students will be expected to complete assignments outside of the assigned class period.

29. Technology (cont.) • Introduction to Metals Processes: This semester long course will introduce the student to the basics of metal processes, from raw material to finished product. Students will be acquainted with basic hand tools and the basic stationary tools like the band saw, surface grinder, stationary grinder, and drill press. Related layout and precision measurement techniques are included. Safety and industry desired work habits are stressed. • **Students are required to furnish welding gloves and OSHA approved safety glasses. • Production Machining: Pre requisite is Intro to Metals Processes. This class focuses on lathe and milling operations.

30. Visual & Performing Arts • Marching Band or Concert Band • Freshman Chorale • Introduction to Art

31. Registering on Power school • Students will need to bring their computer login information plus their Power School login on February 13 • Students will meet with high school and middle school counselors to select classes for the 2007-08 school year.

32. Timeline • February 6 - Registration information distributed at the middle school • February 9 - Completed Pink class request form must be returned to your homeroom teacher • February 13 - Students will enter class requests in Power school and return their pink registration forms. These forms represent your final requests. • March 1 - recommendations to high school

33. Registration Forms • Please make sure they are filled out entirely, including alternate classes and both a parent and student signature. Remember, in the event of a conflict or a dropped class, the alternate class may replace the class in conflict without any notification.

34. Placement Letters • The middle school will mail placement letters to students. • On March 20, you will be able to view your students’ class requests on Power School. Do not make any changes.

35. Questions • Prepare for the future - what classes do you want to take while in high school? • Reminder - Pink form with class requests and alternates to your homeroom teacher on February 9. • Post Secondary Plans • Thank you for attending tonight