Welcome Eighth Grade Highlanders of 2011-2012. Chris McCord Principal

Welcome Eighth Grade Highlanders of

2011-2012

Chris McCord

• Principal

Goals

• To challenge kids academically

• To keep children safe

• To prepare kids for high school

School Day

• 8:50 a.m. until 3:50 p.m.

• Everything from an operational perspective remains much the same.

Required Courses – 8th grade

• Language Arts• Mathematics• Science• U.S. History• P.E. (1 semester)• Electives – 5 choices• Please note the

difference from 7th grade, which only provided 4 choices.

8th Schedule(No fine arts or athletics)

Period Red Green 1st Math Science 2nd Language Arts Math/Reading 3rd PE Elective Advisory Advisory Advisory 4th Elective History

The P.E. class is one semester and then replaced by an elective the other semester. Students will take five electives total.

8th Schedule(Athletic Schedule)

Period Red Green 1st Elective Science 2nd Math History 3rd Language Arts Math/Reading Advisory Advisory Advisory 4th Elective Athletics

Typically, eighth-grade athletics classes meet in the afternoon.

8th Schedule(Band, Choir, Orchestra)

Period Red Green 1st Math Elective 2nd P.E. History 3rd Language Arts Reading/Math Advisory Advisory Advisory 4th Choir Science

The actual time slot for the fine-art class will vary based on the specific class assigned.

Elective/Core Course Requests• Elective/Core Course Request Sheets will be

sent home with current seventh graders in the next few weeks.

• The document provides space for elective requests (5).

• The reverse side provides information for core class level requests (language arts, science, and social studies—Pre-AP or regular).

Elective/Core Course Requests• You may chose the level of the core course choice for

language arts, science, and social studies for your child. This selection is to be marked on the reverse side of the elective/core course request sheet.

• In math, students will progress to the next appropriate course in the math-learning sequence.

– Seventh-grade math to Pre-Algebra

– Pre-Algebra Pre-AP to HS Algebra Pre-AP

– HS Algebra Pre-AP to HS Geometry Pre-AP

Elective Course Request Sheet

• On request sheet:• Please read all detailed, bulleted information on

the document for specifics.• Year-round classes occupy two slots and should

be listed as the first requests.

The Elective Course Registration Process

• Our administration and our counselors will meet with each incoming eighth-grade student to discuss his/her elective requests in advisory class.

• We will review the sheet shown on the previous slide to ensure accuracy.

• The request will be entered into our MIS system with the student during advisement class.

• We use these requests to hire qualified teachers.

Notification of Student Elective Requests

• During the spring, we will send home documents, indicating the requested elective courses as well as the specific levels of core academic classes they chose.

• Please review these closely and let the Counseling Center know before May 1st if there are any needed changes.

Factors which affect individual student’s schedule formation

• Staffing (based on enrollment)

• Availability of Course

• Core Course Selection

• Course selection by students

• Seniority

Specialty ClassesAthletics

Fine Arts

Algebra

Physical Education

Number of electives20 unique choices

Will take 5

Adventure into Academics

Core Subject Information

Required Courses – 8th grade

• Language Arts• Mathematics• Science• U.S. History• P.E. (1 semester)• Electives – 5 choices• Please note the

difference from 7th grade, which only provided 4 choices.

Science

• Science• Pre-AP Science

Science Fair Project

• There is an increased expectation for the level of the project in eighth grade above and beyond what was expected in seventh.

• The students focus on technical writing with increased research.

• The project requires considerable work conducted outside of the school day.

History

• U.S. History• Pre-AP U.S. History

– Students need to be able to read and write critically, perceptively, and independently.

Language Arts

• Language Arts• Pre-AP Language

Arts– Students really need

to be self-motivated readers and writers.

Eighth Grade Math Courses

• Pre-Algebra• Algebra (HS)• Geometry (HS)

MathProgression (Regular)

• 7th Grade - 7th Math• 8th Grade - Pre-Algebra• 9th Grade - Algebra• 10th Grade - Geometry• 11th Grade - Algebra II/Pre-Calculus• 12th Grade – Calculus (Optional)

This is also diagrammed in our Course Description Guide.

Math Progression (Advanced 1 year)

• 7th Grade - Pre-Algebra Pre-AP

• 8th Grade – HS Algebra Pre-AP

• 9th Grade – HS Geometry

• 10th Grade - Algebra II

• 11th Grade - Pre-Calculus

• 12th Grade – Calculus (Optional)

Math Progression(Advanced 2 years)

• 7th Grade – HS Algebra Pre-AP

• 8th Grade – HS Geometry Pre-AP

• 9th Grade - Algebra II

• 10th Grade - Pre-Calculus Independent Study

• 11th Grade - Pre-Calculus

• 12th Grade – Calculus (Optional)

Placement Considerations Moving from Seventh to Eighth Grade

• Students, by default, progress to 8th grade in the corresponding class from 7th grade.

• Level Science to Level Science• 7th Pre-AP History to 8th Pre-AP History• 7th Math to Pre-Algebra• Pre-Algebra Pre-AP to HS Algebra Pre-AP• HS Algebra Pre-AP to HS Geometry Pre-AP

Placement Considerations for Eighth Grade

If a student wishes to move to a regular class from a Pre-AP class (excluding math), contact his or her counselor with the request in writing before the May 1st deadline.– Emails and contact information are on our

webpage under Parent Services.

Seventh Grade Level Math to High School Algebra I Option

• I want my child to go directly from level seventh grade math to High-School Algebra.

• Take the next course in math sequence- Pre-Algebra.– The student may take a

district summer school class– The student MUST meet

C.I.S.D. summer school attendance requirements.

Seventh Grade Level to High School Algebra I Option

– This class is taught for first-time exposure to Pre-Algebra.

– The course is intensive and students receive full class hours and instruction.

– It ensures the student does not miss the critical year of Pre-Algebra before being responsible for HS math.

– Check website for information in May.

Going from Pre-Algebra Pre-AP in seventh grade to HS Algebra Pre-AP in

eighth grade• To move into eighth-grade, high-school

Algebra I Pre-AP, students must maintain an 80 average or higher in seventh-grade Pre-Algebra Pre-AP. If the course average is between 70 and 79, or if the student is in seventh-grade math with an 80 or better average, the student must score an 80 on the CISD Pre-Algebra Credit by Exam test and the Algebra Readiness Exam.

Math Note Affecting HS Math Choices

• Four years of math and science are required in high school, beginning with HS algebra.

• As of now, HS math courses taken in junior high count toward those four.

• At least three math courses must be taken at the high school campus.

Planner

• PTA is planning to continue offering planners as of now.

• Please contact the PTA if you would like to be a sponsor.

• 832-592-5100

High-School Course Considerations

• As a high-school class, the courses are much more challenging.

• The classes do not figure directly in G.P.A.

• They do not figure in class rank.• The are, however, reflected on

transcripts.• It is not necessary to get your student on

the fast track to get all the courses in the four years at TWHS.

Electives

A Taste of Adventure

Number of elective choices for eighth graders

• All eighth-grade students have five elective choices– One additional course from the four needed

in the seventh grade since the students are required to have only one semester of P.E.

Eighth Grade Elective Choices

• Art • Band• Choir• Careers• Career Portals: Computer

Applications– May be taken twice

• Career Portals: Technology May be taken twice

• Exploring Languages• High School

Communications• High School Health

Career Portals: Human Services

Music AppreciationOrchestraHS Spanish I Spanish II for Native

Speakers (must qualify)

Teen LeadershipTheater Arts

High School Spanish I

• The course lasts an entire school year (2 semesters).

• It is similar to taking HS Spanish I at TWHS.• The class is rigorous, fast-moving, and intense.• It is a high-school course• For these reasons, if you choose multiple Pre-

AP core courses, please consider this class on a similar level as it is an advanced, high-school course

Spanish II for Native Speakers

• This course is for students who have Spanish as their first language.

• There is a placement examination to qualify.• Many existing seventh graders qualified for

this course when they were in sixth grade.• Students may attempt to qualify again.• Students must be able to read, listen, speak,

and write Spanish fluently.• Students will receive credit for HS Spanish I

with successful completion of Spanish II.

HS Health and HS Communications Applications

• These cover high-school topics and state TEKS.

• Permission from parent is required to request Health.

• The grade will appear on high-school transcript.

• G.P.A. will not be factored based on high-school course scores taken in junior high.

HS Health and HS Communications Applications

• These may free up space in the student's high-school schedule to take alternate and/or more rigorous courses

• Need as a parent/guardian to be prepared for your child to receive high school level information on health topics

• McCullough common sense

• Scheduling-wise, it makes sense to take both if the student is going to take one.

McCullough Athletics

State Eligibility for Participation

• No classes are exempt in junior high from counting for UIL eligibility– Includes Pre-AP courses– Includes High School Courses

• Students must pass all classes to be eligible to participate in games/contests.

• UIL and Progress Report Schedule is posted online at our website under athletics and parent services.

8th Grade Athletics

• Physical dated after April 15, 2011

• Birth Certificate

• Commitment for the year

• Boys– Fourth period green

• Girls– Fourth period red

• Replaces P.E.

Volleyball

• Tryouts are the first week of school.

• If a student makes the team, her schedule may change.

• It meets as a class during the school day

Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Off-season Class

• Placement and tryout information is coming soon.

• This is for the class, not the team.

• If students make the off-season class, his/her schedule may change.

Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Teams

• Tryouts for the team are in late October or early November.

• This requires a commitment for the year.

Boys’ and Girls’ Football

• Practice is after school.

Cross-Country

• The season is in the fall.

• The students remain in off-season throughout the year.

• Most meets are on Friday evening.

Boys’ and Girls’ Track

• The season begins in February.

• Everyone makes the team.

• Practice– 7th- Morning

– 8th- Afternoon

Club Golf

• This is a spring sport.• There are tryouts.• For more information,

contact Coach Lilley.

Club Tennis

• This is a spring sport.• There are tryouts.• Practices meet before

and after school.• For more information,

contact Coach Saltis.

Club Soccer

• Soccer is not a UIL sport in junior high.

• There are tryouts.• The team plays other junior-high

teams once within district.• There are a total of five games.• Girls- Coach Maddock• Boys- Coach Texidor

Questions regarding Athletics

• Please contact Lance Skinner.– Girls’ and Boys’ Athletic

Coordinator– cskinner@conroeisd.net

Private P.E.

• Must be an approved facility for 2011-2012

• Individual Olympic event preparations

• Fully completed application and required form are available online at district website around mid-April.

Private P.E.

• Completed form will be due by formal deadline on May 1st

• Students with approved applications will not be in a P.E. class at McCullough

Private P.E.

• Students can change facility only at semester• Parents must be able to pickup child promptly

at dismissal time- exactly 2:50 p.m. each day.• Students will be in a fourth-period class on

campus from 2:26 p.m. until 2:50 p.m.• The state allows us to dismiss one hour early

each day.

Private P.E.

• Parents and students must be flexible on the schedule as it will change due to pep rallies, TAKS, exams, etc.

• Facilities submit records of attendance and grade for the class.

Level 1 Private P.E.

• 15 hours or more per week at approved facility are required.

• Students planning to do private P.E. need to check regular P.E. on Elective Course request sheet initially.

Level 1 Private P.E.

• Students are assigned to a fourth-period private P.E. class from 2:26 p.m. until 2:50 p.m. each day.

• Commitment for the entire year is required.

Level 2 Private P.E.

• This requires 5 hours or more a week at an approved activity.

• It has very few advantages.• The student is required to be in band,

choir, or orchestra in place of the physical education class.

• The student is asking for two extra classroom classes above and beyond.

• There are no exceptions to this.

For more information on band, contact

• Susan Meyer• sbmeyer@conroeisd.net

For more information on orchestra, contact

• Michelle Reinhardt– mreinhardt@conroeisd.net

For more information on choir, contact

• Keith Brumfield– kbrumfield@conroeisd.net

• Staff members are available to answer your questions on a wide range of subjects as we conclude.

• Following are key people who can help you along with their picture:

Questions

• Department Heads– Questions about math, language arts,

history, science

• Counselors– Program questions

• Administrators– General