Grade 8 Course Selection For Freshmen Year

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Grade 8 Course SelectionFor Freshmen Year

• It starts Monday!
• March 30- April 10

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Overview of today

• English, Math, Science, History, Language
  teachers have recommended a course level for you
  at SHS next year.
• These recommendations can be viewed online in
  ASPEN beginning Monday, March 30.
• You will log on to choose electives for your
  freshmen year.

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Grade 8 transition to SHS

• Tuesday, March 31
• Meeting for all parents of incoming freshmen
• Students are welcome but not required to attend
• 530 PM- tours
• 600 PM program

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All requests will be handled in Aspen. Log in!
https//ma-swampscott.myfollett.com Link on High
School Website SMS website
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I forgot my User Name/Password!

• Email aspensupportms_at_swampscott.k12.ma.us
• See Ms. Paine
• Please be sure to include your name and your year
  of graduation in your email

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How to enter requests

• Click on My Info top tab, Then side tab, requests

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All your recommended courses appear as requests!

• You can NOT change recommended course level
  unless you go through the override process.
• All required non core courses have been added to
  your requests (PE, Computer Apps, Health, Writing
  Across the Curriculum)
• If you think you might want to override it is
  important to attend the March 31 presentation at
  SHS.

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Program Of Studies (Handout)

• This is a list that describes the courses you are
  recommended for and the electives open to
  freshmen.
• You will choose 1 elective and 1 alternate such
  as band, chorus, art, marketing, mandarin, or a
  science elective.
• All other courses are pre-scheduled for you such
  as health, physical education, computer
  applications, and writing.

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Select your electives

• Click on the select box next to the area you
  would like to view. First choose entry mode

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Select Electives
Under primary requests click the button next to
electives labeled Select
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Choose an elective class!

• From the list place a check mark next to the
  class you want to request.

• Choose an alternate course in case you dont get
  in to your first choice

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POST when done

• You may type a note to your future counselor

• But you must POST when you finish or it will not
  save!

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Deadline to choose electives

• Online course entry for students will close April
  10th.
• If you do not choose an elective, you will be
  placed in one that you will not be able to
  change, so please do it.
• All counselors at SHS will review the schedules
  and call SMS if there are any discrepancies.

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Foreign Language

• If you are not yet taking a language, you will
  start at SHS. You will not see a teacher
  recommendation for this if you are not in a
  language.
• You have three options- Spanish, French, or
  Mandarin.
• All students must take a minimum of two years in
  the same subject for graduation.
• Please choose your language with your parents and
  communicate your choice to Mr. Calichman.

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Other Information

• Be sure to review the Program of Studies we
  handed out to get course descriptions
• Between April 1- April 30 you can review your
  placement.
• Speak to your grade 8 teacher first if you have
  questions about your placement. They know what
  SHS courses expect and are recommending you based
  on what they have seen in their classes.
• The override process is in the letter we handed
  out with the program of studies.

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Questions

• Aspen user information
• Email aspensupportms_at_swampscott.k12.ma.us
• General SHS questions mackey_at_Swampscott.k12.ma.us
  
• Questions about level placement?
• speak to grade 8 teacher first, then follow
  process in letter.
• Trouble with requests?
• Visit Ms. Paine