Is Your Student ready for High School

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Is Your Student ready for High School?

• The Class of 2013

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How do I choose a high school?

• Parents point of view
• Transportation
• Open campus
• Academics
• School focus
• Student body
• Extra-curricular activities
• Fit for my child

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How do I choose a high school?

• Kids point of view
• Where are my friends going?
• Where are my friends going?
• What have I heard about the school?
• Where are siblings going?
• Academics
• Extra-curricular activities
• Impressions from experiences at the school (OE
  experiences)

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How to say it to teens.

• Listen to your child (There are many fears and
  concerns around high school)
• Ask your child to talk about his/her direct
  experience with the schools (Not just what they
  have heard)
• Ask your child to rate in importance the things
  he/she want to consider when making a school
  choice
• Prioritize your considerations/requirements for
  high school
• Take time to discuss the possibilities for school
• Remember you are the parent and the decision is
  yours!

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The Four Year Plan

• Students in the 8th grade will be registering for
  classes in February
• They will be asked to begin planning their
  academic journey through high school
• This journey is. The Four Year Plan!

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Graduation Requirements

• As students begin their four year plan they will
  become aware of the fact that the BVSD graduation
  requirements are not necessarily the same as the
  course requirements to enter different colleges
• Parents and students should sit down together to
  discuss the childs interests
• Parents and students can make an appointment to
  visit the career center at the high school

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Ninth Grade Courses

• One year of
• Language Arts
• Math
• Science
• One semester of
• Government
• World Geography
• Physical Education
• Electives
• A combination of full year and/or semester
  electives so that you are taking six to seven
  courses per semester (depending on your high
  school).

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A typical ninth grade schedule could look like
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(No Transcript)
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Course Selection Timeline

• Mid-January to February
• Go to with your student to the high schools
  website
• Look at courses that your student must take and
  the ones s/he is interested in taking
• Look at course guidelines
• Notice the courses grade level, whether it is
• a semester or year long course, prerequisites,
• and fees

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• Courses can be looked up by their
  department.
• Example
• Finance Course is located in Business.
• French 2 is located in World Languages.
• Weight Training is located in Physical Education.

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January or February

• Attend the Eighth to Ninth Grade Parent/Student
  Transition Night
• This is a night during which the high schools
  explain course selection, answer questions about
  courses and on-line course selection, and
  introduce you to their school.

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January-February

• On-line Course Selection
• All students will select courses through Infinite
  Campus.
• Students will need their own (not parents)
  Infinite Campus password to do so.
• Students will select their classes online at Platt

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If you are open enrolling

• If you have accepted open enrollment to a high
  school, you may select courses at that high
  school.
• Otherwise, you need to select courses at your
  neighborhood high school until it is
• confirmed that you will be attending a
• different high school.

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COURSE CREDIT

• How students earn it
• How they can lose it.
• Why it is necessary..

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• Students earn FIVE credits for each semester
  class that they pass.
• All Freshmen need to pass at least six-seven
  classes per semester which will equal at least 60
  credits per year.

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• Students lose credit by
• Failing a class
• OR
• Missing too many classes in a semester (be sure
  you know your schools policy).

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Predictors of High School Success

• Success is directly tied to

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• Good Choices
• Realistic Expectations
• Knowing and Using Available Resources

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Realistic Expectations

• Choose courses that challenge but dont overwhelm.

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Knowing and Using Your Resources

• There is ALWAYS someone willing to help.
  Students need to advocate for themselves.
• Parents can ask questions, email teachers, ask
  for appointments.

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Predictors of High School Success

• Setting goals
• Getting involved
• Balance time
• Being organized
• Attending class on time
• Trying, even when its hard or they dont feel
  like it.

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Transition to High School

• Begins now!
• 8th grade students are feeling the pull of high
  school even before they finish middle school
• Some students may experience conflicting and
  intense emotions at this time
• They really do need to focus on middle school and
  stay present in the present

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Stressors for Students

• Feelings of loss and grief for relationships
• Fears about fitting in socially
• Fears about academic success
• Judgment from classmates about their high school
  choice

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What Parents can do to help

• Talk with your child about his/her feelings about
  the transition to high school
• Honor their feelings of loss
• Encourage them to focus on honing their study
  skills now that will help them in high school
• Encourage them to check into the extracurricular
  activities they can take part in that take place
  in August
• Remind them that while they are leaving some of
  their friends behind there will be ways to
  continue their friendships outside of school

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Additional tips for parents

• Dont hesitate to contact your students teachers
• Learn about your students high school freshman
  seminar class
• Get to know the parents of your students new
  friends
• Have discussions surrounding your expectations
  about how your student uses his/her free period
  at the high school

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School Course Selection Information Nights

• New Vista Parents Night only May 4th
• Fairview Parents and Students Feb 18th _at_ 6PM
• Boulder Parents and Students Feb 18th _at_ 6PM
• Centaurus Parents and Students Feb 9th_at_ 630

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What schools will do to help..

• Students will get information from a high school
  counselor to learn about the four year plan and
  how to register for classes
• High schools will have an evening for parents and
  students of incoming 9th graders to discuss the
  particulars of their school and the registration
  process
• Fairview and Boulder High Schools will visit
  Platt on February 26th to help students register
  for all Boulder Valley high schools online
• High school students will come to visit all 8th
  grade students to talk about the high school
  experience

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Working Together we will

• Help all students transition into high school
  with the best possible experience!
• Hold on to your hats and enjoy the fun!