Welcome to Mercer Island High School

1. Welcome to Mercer Island High School IMS Pre-Registration NightClass of 2017 January 28, 2013

2. Transition for Parents

3. Transition for Students

4. Goal To develop a meaningful daily life schedule for entry into high school that meets your academic and personal needs. Think about the courses you choose in relation to the following: • Placement • Balance

5. Today’s Activities Review Registration Materials Review Important Dates Discuss Course Requirements Consider Elective Options Develop a draft of 9th grade schedule with alternate choices Department Head Forum

6. Materials Received • Course Catalog – “Program of Studies” • electronic version available on MIHS website • Draft Registration Worksheet • Skyward Registration Instructions with Student Skyward Password

7. Schedule of Events • Monday 1/28 Pre-Registration Night • Tuesday 1/29 On-Line Registration Opens • Thursday 1/31 Student Q&A at IMS (IMS Library – during math) • Friday 2/1 Parent Q&A at IMS (IMS Library – 2:00p-3:30p) • Wednesday 2/6 On-Line Registration Closes • Wednesday 2/27 The High School Journey (hosted by the PTSA)

8. Themes to Keep in Mind for a Successful Freshman Year • Balance • Find balance between stress, opportunity, happiness and challenge. • Proper Placement in Classes • Choose appropriate classes that match your academic skills AND your commitment to each course.

9. Balance – Sample Time Budget • Sleep 8 hrs • Meals 2 hrs (30 min/B & L and 1 hr D) • School 7 hrs (8am - 3pm) • Honors class 30+ min/class • Regular class 20+ min/class • Family commitments 1 hr • Friends 1 hr • Sports 2 hrs • Misc. Extra-Curricular 1 hr/activity (work, clubs, volunteer, etc.) NOTE: This means that 24+ to 24.5+ hrs/day spent on being a typical teenager going to high school taking 6 regular classes. SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE!!

10. Proper Placement in Classes • Academic Skill Level • reading, writing, math • Commitment to the Course • Time Management Skills • Organizational Skills • Accountability

11. What’s in a 9th grade schedule? • Six (6) classes each semester is a full schedule • 3 required courses (English, Math and Science) • 3 elective courses that match your interests and goals • One (1) open period • Provides down-time to help adjust to high school • Allows time during the day to talk to teachers and counselors • Allows time to study • Allows time for assigned group work • B.R.I.D.G.E.S. Advisory Group • Assigned randomly to multi-grade groups

12. Honors Classes • Curriculum is covered with more depth • Challenging Coursework • In-Depth Analysis • Comfortable with abstract concepts • Ability to make connections and “leaps of logic” • Able to draw conclusions from facts • More Independent Homework • Students are expected to find answers and solutions on their own

13. 3 Parts To An Honors Student

14. Characteristics of an Honors Student • Intellect or Brain Power • Strong reading and writing skills • Able to complete more independent work outside of class • Demonstrates strong ability to comprehend complex materials • Able to relate and expand ideas and concepts • Able to apply abstract ideas to new situations • Motivation • Passionate about subject • Looks for academic challenges outside of class • Self Discipline/Time Management Skills • Diligent homework habits • Well-developed organizational skills • Strong self-advocate

15. English (p15) • REGULAR • English 9 • 1 English Credit = 1 class period • English 9 with Applied Technology • 1 English Credit + 1 CTE Credit = 2 class periods • HONORS • English 9 Honors • 1 English Credit = 1 class period • English 9 Honors with Applied Technology • 1 English Credit +1 CTE Credit = 2 class periods • NOTE: English class is the same with or without Applied Technology

16. Applied Technology Communication“Applied Tech” (p46) • Use writing assignments in English class to develop: • Technical Writing Skills • Writing Mechanics • Career Unit • Resume Writing • Career Exploration • Developing Technical Documents

19. Math(p29)(Please talk to your current math teacher for recommendation)

21. Science (p35) • Chemistry 1 Options • Regular • Honors – Completion of Algebra 1 with a B+ or better is highly recommended • Physics 1 Options • Regular • Honors – Completion of Algebra 1 with a B+ or better is highly recommended • The computer randomly chooses which science is taken first.

23. Chemistry 1/Physics 1 Challenge Test • Must have content knowledge and skills (e.g., summer lab work) to move directly to Biology in 9th grade. • This test provides placement into Biology, not credit for chemistry 1 and physics 1. • All 8th grade students will be sent a letter on February 4th. • Register by March 1st on MISD website. • Test Date – Wed., March 6th at 1:30p-3:30p Location: IMS

24. Why Take Electives? • Intellectual Curiosity • Connection to Personal Interest • Academic Schedule with Rigor • College Entrance Requirement • Graduation Requirement

25. World Language (p39) MIHS offers 3 languages: French Mandarin Chinese Spanish Successful completion of 2 years of middle school Spanish or Mandarin Chinese allows for enrollment into Level 2 (B or better is highly recommended).

27. Social Studies (p22) • Global Studies (1 year) • Global History (1 semester) (NOTE: Either course meets the pre-requisite for 10th grade Honors World History/World Cultures) • Washington State History (PNW) (1 sem) (NOTE: Take only if you did not take or pass 7th grade LASS.)

30. Other 9th Grade Electives Academic Elective Journalism 1, Debate Fine Arts – Visual & Performing (2 sem) (p59) Visual Arts– Ceramics, Photography, Drawing & Painting Performing Arts – Instrumental Music, Vocal Music and Drama NOTE: Band Camp is the week of August 19th Career & Technical Ed - CTE (2 sem) (p45) Applied Tech, Accounting, Multi-Media, Computers, Radio, Gas-Engine Repair

31. CTE Classes That Offer Community College Credit“Tech Prep Program” • Accounting 1 • Video Arts • Adobe Photoshop • Engineering Technology 1 & 2 • Computer Programming 1 & 2 • Web Multimedia • Note: PROGRAM FEE APPLIES MUST GET A “B” OR BETTER TO QUALIFY

32. Other 9th Grade Electives (cont.) • Family & Consumer Science (1 sem) (p48) • “Image” is the name of the health class for freshman • Physical Education (3 sem) (p69) • PE Core, Team Sports, Net Sports, Yoga, Cheer, Drill • Directed Athletics (On and Off Campus) • Special Education Classes (p72) • Individual Family Meetings – review IEPs and answer questions • Non-Departmental Classes • Leadership, Teacher’s Assistant

35. Alternate Courses • Elective courses are not guaranteed, except: • World Language, Social Studies, Band & Orchestra • Must choose at least 2 courses; max 3 • Be mindful that some courses are semester-long and some are year-long.

36. In Summary…. • You received: • Information on how to create your 9th grade schedule • Program of Studies (course catalog) • Blank Registration Worksheet • Skyward Access Registration Instruction w/ Student Skyward Password (DO NOT LOSE!) • You created a first draft of your 9th grade schedule for next year. • A video and this PowerPoint presentation will be available on the MIHS website after January 31st

37. Adrienne Suhm Sophomore Student Guest Speaker

38. What Happens Now? • Department Head Forum • Location: Main Hallway • Special Student Q&A Table