Freshmen Orientation

1. Louisa-Muscatine High School Freshmen Orientation

2. Credits • 52 credits needed to graduate • 1 credit is earned for each class each semester • Homeroom is worth .5 credits each semester, 1 credit for the year, credit earned by reaching AR goal • No credit is earned for an F (affects eligibility) • Each class taken for a grade makes up your Grade Point Average (GPA) • Important to pass all classes: retakes • GPA in cumulative- follows you through High School • For courses that take 2 semesters to complete, first semester is the A portion and second semester is the B portion.

3. Language Arts 8 credits This is the progression of classes • English I A, B • English II A, B • English III • 1 English elective (of either kind) • 1 Composition elective • Creative Writing, Life English, Writing and Film, MCC Comp I, MCC Comp II, MCC Speech • 1 Literature elective • World Literature, American Literature, Contemporary Literature, MCC Intro to Literature

4. Math 6 credits This is also the progression of classes students MUST complete Algebra II to graduate • 6 Credits from the following: • Foundations of Math A,B (not a math credit, but elective credit) • Algebra I A,B • Geometry A,B • Algebra II A,B • Pre Calculus A,B • Trigonometry (sem 1) • Calculus A (sem 1) • MCC Statistics (sem 2)

5. Science 6 credits This is the progression of classes • Physical Science A, B • Biology A, B • 2 Science Electives (A,B) from the following • Chemistry • Physics • Anatomy & Physiology • General Science

6. Social Studies 6 credits This is the progression of classes • American History A, B • Geography • Social Problems • American Government • 1 SS Elective from the following • Ancient History, Modern History, Recent American History, Current US Topics, Struggle for Equality, Global Issues, or AP US History (online) • College Classes: MCC Economics, MCC Psychology

7. Economics and Financial Lit • Required junior or senior class teaching you about financial responsibility

8. Health • Health I is a required course you will take in 9th grade • CPR training, Sex Ed, peer relationships, refusal skills, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, nutrition and other topics are covered

9. Physical Education • 4 credits • 1 per year • PE 9-12– regular PE • PE 9-12 Advanced – more competitive • Personal Fitness – Tae Bo, Fitness Walking • Strength/Conditioning A/B– strength training

10. Electives • Spanish • Agriculture • Art • Business/Computers • Family and Consumer Science • Industrial Technology • Music • Health II • AR • Courses you are scheduled into for academic help such as: Content Area Reading, Foundations of Math or Study Skills • Any course after the requirements are met

11. Things to Know • Late work policies vary by teacher • Computers are available for check out to take home for homework

12. Silver Cord • Volunteer service • Log in the counselor’s office • Good for: • Experience • Connections • Job/college/scholarship resumes • Forms in guidance office, guidance website, or back of course manual

13. Freshman Year • Core requirements: • Physical Science A/B • American History A/B • English I A/B • Math A/B • PE (1 semester) • Study Hall

14. How Grades are Figured • 45% ( Q1 ) + 45% (Q2) +10% (Final) = Sem Grade • Example: • Q1 Grade 75% • Q2 Grade 90% • Final Exam Grade 95% .45(75) + .45(90) + .1(95) = 83.75 PS rounds up = 84% • GPA –hard to come back from a low GPA • GPA scale is on page 12 of planner

15. AR • AR Goals based on • Iowa Assessment Scores • Time given to read during HR • AR quizzes to meet goal and earn .5 credit • Taken during HR or in English class • One quiz per day • Cannot be read aloud • Book Talks can be done w/Mr Parkhurst or written options are available if there is no test for the book one time per semester

16. Math • Standard Quizzes • Make up times • Homework Check Up • Bell work

17. Eligibility • 30 day eligibility by semester grade Activities Football Volleyball Cross Country Cheerleading (FB, Wrest, Bball) Basketball Wrestling Bowling Track Golf Baseball Softball FFA Colorguard Jazz Band Jazz Choir Band Choir Chorale Mr. Noll’s Game Night Chess Club NHS Drama Club Student Council Speech Team Soccer (MHS share) Swimming (MHS share)

18. Behavior Expecations • Students will be allowed to use cell phones and other electronic devices during lunch and passing time • Cell phones should be on silent/off/out of sight when the bell rings to begin class • Teachers may occasionally give permission to use phones in class • If a student is caught using their phone in class it will be confiscated and taken to the office

19. Behavior Expectations cont’d Consequences for cell phone violations: • 1st offense – student receives a detention • 2nd offense – student will receive 1 day of ISS • 3rd offense – student will receive 2 days of ISS The confiscated cell phone or electronic device will be returned to the parent/guardian only, or held in the office until the end of the of the 3rd full school day

20. Attendance • Please make sure to call your child in if they will miss school • Planner page 18 explains Unexcused vs Excused

21. Falcon Day of Action • LMHS opportunity to give back to the community in the Spring • High School students will go off campus to parks and community members’ homes to give help as needed • Small jobs (ex: yard work or painting) • Each small group of students (less than 10) is supervised by a teacher

22. Helpful Info • https://sites.google.com/site/lmguidance/ • Powerschool https://ps-lmcsd.gwaea.org/public/home.html • Planner • All rules and policies • Contact information for teachers and administration • School calendar