It s Time for the

1. It�s Time for the Countdown to the FUTURE� for the class of 2016! Information Meeting For Parents of incoming Freshmen Peggy Savage Freshman Counselor 903-891-6440 extension 4411 psavage@shermanisd.net Thanks for being here! Please sign in and provide your email address so that we can add you to our parent group e-mail list.

2. Welcome to Sherman HighAgenda Discuss enrollment process Share graduation plans and requirements Explain course guide and its purpose Discuss info for students interested in athletics

3. Why is pre-enrollment so early? Enrollment at Sherman High is large. We will normally have between 1600 and 1700 students enrolled. We know what is required for graduation, but we don�t know what level of courses the students will want. For instance, regular classes, Pre AP, or GT. We also need to know about electives. Student choices are entered into the data system which helps us determine how many sections of a class need to be offered. We use this information to determine whether or not we have enough or too many teachers for the requested subjects. Many steps later the master schedule is set, usually by the first part of August. Until then I will not know who your child�s teachers are or what time the classes are offered. Schedules are picked up a week or so before school starts and conflicts are resolved.

4. So what do we do? Help your student complete the course request form (pink sheet) that I will give them. Be sure to verify phone numbers. 2. Bring your student to the appropriate enrollment session. Be sure to bring the completed, signed pink sheet with you.

5. Pre-enrollment dates A-D Wednesday, Feb. 15, 3:30 - 6:00 E-L Thursday, Feb. 16, 3:30 - 6:00 M-Q Wednesday, Feb. 15, 5:00 - 7:30 R-Z Thursday, Feb. 16, 5:00 � 7:30 Makeup date: Wed, Feb 22 3:30 � 5:30

6. How do I know what my child needs to enroll in? USE THE COURSE GUIDE!!! Page 4 has graduation plans for next year�s freshmen. Also, the choice sheet, on the left side, lists the requirements.

7. Be realistic in your plans. You know your child and your child�s strengths and weaknesses. Do not enroll them in something because you want it. As freshmen, all regular ed students are expected to graduate on either the recommended or distinguished plan. Some special ed students will have other requirements, but those decisions are made by the ARD committee.

8. Which plan will you choose? Students planning to attend college are strongly encouraged to follow the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Graduation Plan. TEA Grants for college are currently available for students with financial need who follow these plans.

9. Recommended or Distinguished? Distinguished Achievement Plan requirements are the same as the Recommended with these exceptions: Distinguished requires: Three (instead of two) years of the same foreign language Any combination of four �advanced measures� Specific science courses Students must also meet the college readiness component for EOC tests in English 3 and Algebra 2

10. No matter what, you need to have a plan and begin working toward that plan NOW!

11. What is the course guide? Planning tool that lists and describes all regular, Pre AP and GT classes offered by SHS. After each course name you will see what grade levels are able to enroll in that particular class and the length of the class. After grade levels you will see any prerequisites needed for that class.

12. Students need to enroll in 7 classes for next year. All students must enroll in English, math, science, and social studies. Each of these areas requires 4 years of credit to graduate so they must be taken every year. Students will then choose 3 other courses for next year.

13. Because the recommended program requires 2 years of foreign language, I highly recommend your child start those next year. Foreign language choices for freshmen include Spanish, French and Latin. If your child took Latin in 8th grade and struggled, I would advise starting with another language. That year of Latin would then count as an elective. We no longer offer German I.

14. Other grad requirements�.. One credit of PE One credit of Fine Arts One half credit of speech Enough electives to earn 26 credits by the end of the senior year. Students may have multiple credits in PE and Fine Arts. Each extra one will count as an elective. Either Art I or Speech can be taken in summer school this year.

15. Other things to keep in mind� Pre AP classes often have eligibility requirements. Also, several have lengthy summer assignments. That will be stated in the course description. Most competitive and performing classes require some type of audition or previous participation. Band instructors will tell me what band your child should be placed in. Competitive sports require previous participation or an audition or �try out�.

16. Except football�. Coach Kinne is willing to let students enroll in football whether they previously participated or not. However, they will be expected to attend summer workout sessions and all two- a �days before the school year starts. Football students must have transportation and be able to stay after school.

17. All student athletes will be required to have a physical before they can work out. Cheerleading, Color Guard, Band, Choir and Drill team all require auditions. Students who participate will also have fees and expenses in these programs. If your student will audition for one of these programs, please be sure to put alternative choices on the pink sheet.

18. Questions? Please be sure to come to enrollment night with your child. If your student loses the �pink� sheet, I will have extras in the enrollment labs. I sent letters to parents of Special Ed students about enrollment. If you have a special ed student that is in all regular classes, you are welcome to come to enrollment night. I will just have to make sure your choices match ARD paperwork.

19. Now What? Head on down to the cafeteria for SHS info night. All clubs and organizations will have tables set up and members or sponsors available to answer questions concerning their programs. It is a proven fact that the most successful students are also involved in extra-curricular activities. It is easier to fit in if your student becomes a part of something.

20. Help us COMMUNICATE Please be sure you have signed in and provided an email address if you have one. It is also very important that you keep your registration information accurate. If you move or change your phone number, please let us know. Thanks so much for helping me help your student. Welcome to high school!