Agenda: Welcome and Introductions Freshman Academy Overview Explore Test and Core Recommendations Elective Requests High

1. Agenda: Welcome and Introductions Freshman Academy Overview Explore Test and Core Recommendations Elective RequestsHigh School Core Curriculum Timeline and Next Steps Student Point of View Thanks and Closing EXPLORE Night Introduction to HHS! • Parents & Students of the Class of2017 • Dundee Middle School • December 12, 2012

2. The Whip-Pur Way! • Be respectful • Be responsible • Be involved

3. The EXPLORE Test • The EXPLORE test is the first part of a testing system that goes on to include the PLAN and the ACT. • Typically, students take • the EXPLORE test in 8th grade • the PLAN in 9th grade • the ACT in 11th grade. • All three tests assess your knowledge in the areas of English, math, reading and science. However, the material tested gets progressively more difficult with each exam.

4. Student Score Report • The EXPLORE Student Score Report gives information about a student’s knowledge, skills, interests, and educational career plans. • Students can use this information as they begin to plan high school coursework and begin thinking about college and work. • The score report also tells you how student’s EXPLORE scores compare to those of other students across the nation.

5. What Do My Scores Mean? • Student scores in each of the four subject areas are between 1 and 25. Your composite score is simply the average of all four test scores.

6. How Scores Compare? • To the right of your scores, you will find the percentage of students scoring at or below your score. • This shows you how your scores compare to those of students across the country who took the EXPLORE. • Example: 74% means a student scored as high or higher than 74% of 8th grade students across the U.S.

7. How Can Students Improve? The back of the Score Report describes the skills and knowledge the student probably already has. You will also see some ideas for improving even more in the different subject areas. The suggestions are based on student scores and can help them do better.

8. Student Plans • Students were asked how many core courses they plan to take in high school. • This number was then compared to the number of core classes recommended to prepare for college.

9. Student Plans • Students were asked whether or not they needed help in seven different areas. The areas checked on the score report are the areas that were selected.

10. Student Plans After High School • Students answered questions about their educational plans and career area preference.

11. Thinking about College? • ACT has developed College Readiness Benchmark Scores. • Students scoring at or above the benchmark in each subject area are projected to be on pace to succeed in high school and college classes, if they keep up with their coursework. • Students scoring below the benchmark will need to put in extra effort and seek out additional supports to improve their scores for future tests.

13. Career Possibilities • Students also completed an Interest Inventory as part of the EXPLORE test. The “Career Possibilities” section of the Score Report shows careers related to their reported interests.

14. Career Possibilities • The results of the Interest Inventory are shown on the World-of-Work Map, and these results are compared with the student’s Career Area Preference. • For example, the Interest Inventory results may suggest that careers in areas 7, 8, and 9 on the World-of-Work Map fit the student’s current interests. • This would include careers in areas K through Q on the Career Area List

15. Career Possibilities • ACT provides a multitude of resources on the student’s EXPLORE results at the following website: www.explorestudent.org • The website includes an interactive and informative World-of-Work Map

16. 9th Grade Class Recommendations • How do student EXPLORE results impact his/her freshman classes? • 8th grade teachers work diligently to recommend core freshman classes in the areas of English, math, science, and social studies • The teachers use the following criteria to make their recommendations, including: • EXPLORE results • Current grades and classes • Interventions and progress monitoring • Work ethic • Reading and writing ability • Level of motivation

17. Freshman Elective Options • What electives are available? • 2013-2014 Course Sheet: indicates which classes are available for freshmen. • Categories include: (art, business, English, family and consumer science, foreign language, industrial education, music, social studies) • Where can I get more information? • District 300’s Elective Online Tool: www.d300electives.org • Get elective class descriptions, prerequisites, and other information here.

18. www.d300electives.org Visit this site to learn more about the electives offered to freshmen.

19. Two Ways to Make Elective Requests • 1. On paper • Review the list of electives • Discuss with your parents • Fill out the homework sheet • Bring it in a discuss with a high school counselor on January 11th, 2013 • 2. Online • Review the list of electives • Discuss with your parents • Login to your Student Portal and complete the Freshman Elective Request Form

20. Student Portal Click

21. Student Portal Click

22. Online Tool Questions • What if our home doesn’t have Internet access? • Review the List of Courses Sheet, and parents and students can do the Electives Homework Assignment over Winter Break. • Students can sign up to meet with their middle school counselor to review elective options online. • The IMC is available before school hours (8:15 until warning bell) for those who want to choose the electives at school. Students that come on the bus will not be able to take advantage of this opportunity due to bus time arrival. • What if I still can’t figure something out? • If you have any questions regarding the online tool, please direct them to your middle school counselor.

23. Contact InformationDundee Middle School • Jerry Weir, 8th Grade Counselor • 224-484-4517 • Jerome.weir@d300.org Elizabeth Thompson, 6th and 7th Grade Counselor • 224-484-4516 • Elizabeth.thompson@d300.org

24. Freshman Core Curriculum Sample student schedule:

25. D300 Course Numbering System and Levels of Classes Department 1000 English/ESL 2000 Social Science 3000 Math 4000 Science 5000 World Languages 6000 Business Education 7000 Industrial Education; Family and Consumer Sciences 8000 Art; Music 9000 PE/Health/Driver Education Level of class and weighted GPA value _200 Preparing for readiness for college and career GPA weight = +1 _300 On track for college and career (college prep) GPA weight = +1.5 _400 Honors level GPA weight = +2 _500 Advanced Placement (AP) GPA weight = +2.5 Example Semester 1 Semester 2 2301/2302 World History First number = department Second number = level of class and weighted GPA value

26. 9th Grade Planning • 8th graders will meet with high school counselors on January 11th to discuss electives • Plan to attend the Incoming Freshman Orientation Night on January 16th • During the Orientation Night, students and parents will review and finalize course preferences and elective requests • Parents will sign and turn in the scheduling sheet at the high school that night

27. Timeline for 8th Grade Course Selection and Information:

28. HHS Freshman Orientation Night & Curriculum Fair Location: Hampshire High School Auditorium, Commons, and Classrooms When: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

29. Student Point of View Kelsey Fisher Nicholas Swierczynski

30. For More Information • English and Social Studies Geoff Falk x 3586 • Science and Math Nate Danielson x 3592 • Special Education Rich Golminas x3765 • Counseling Jennifer Dowling x3521 Tony Lis x3523 Dave Triana x3514 Christina Wade x3522 • AVID Britany Goodman x3662 • Dean of Students Aaron Butler x3548 • Athletic Director Dave Hicks x3569