2009- 20102009- 2010Program of Studies Program of Studies

OrientationOrientation

Class of 2013

Hunterdon Central Hunterdon Central Regional High SchoolRegional High School

Welcome to HCRHSWelcome to HCRHS

Dr. Lisa Brady – Superintendent Chris Steffner – PrincipalJennifer Spieker – Vice Principal

A good place to start for A good place to start for general information…..general information…..http://www.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/ &&http://central.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/eighthgrade/

Remember, every course you take, and every final grade you receive, will be on your permanent record.

Take the most challenging course load that you can handle without creating too much stress.

Check “Prerequisites” and “Grade Level.”

Do you know what a Credit is? See Page 99 for Freshmen Electives.

Guidelines!Guidelines!

A Four – Year PlanA Four – Year Plan

When choosing your courses it is helpful to “plan backwards”. Scheduling is a four-year journey and you need to think about your eventual destination. Leave options open so that you can enroll in desired courses your Junior and Senior years.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATIONFOR GRADUATION

Pass the Grade 11 New Jersey High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) in ….

Language Arts Literacy (Reading & Writing)

Mathematics End of Course Biology & Algebra 2*

(Take the 8th Grade “NJASK8”“NJASK8” test seriously!)

Earn a minimum of 120 credits by successful completion of the following courses:

(1) At least 20 credits in English

(2) At least 15 credits in Mathematics;

(3) At least 15 credits in Science;

(4) At least 10 credits of U.S. History;

(5) At least 5 credits of World History;

(6) 5 credits of Physical Education & Health during each year of enrollment.

(7) At least 5 credits in visual & performing arts;

(8) At least five credits in career education and consumer, family, and life skills, or vocational-technical education;

(9) Achieve technological literacy via experience in our total curriculum;

10) At least 10 credits in World Languages or student demonstration of proficiency.

Requests to prove proficiency must be made through the World Languages Supervisor this summer.

Proof of proficiency WILL NOT be considered by college admissions officers in lieu of the college’s world language admission requirement.

NOTE!Minimum graduation requirements do not

equate to college admissions requirements!

College Preparatory Mathematics

Computer Programming

Language Arts (English)

World Language

Art History & Music Theory

Natural Sciences

Social Sciences

ACADEMIC UNITS

Course Levels & Course Levels & WeightingWeighting

1 - Weighted: AP (Advanced Placement courses) HNS (Honors courses)

2 - Unweighted: Any course not designated AP, or HNS

WEIGHTED UNWEIGHTED Grading Scale AP/HNS

Standard 100 - 99 5.00 4.50 92 - 90 4.00 3.50 83 -82 3.00 2.50 75 -74 2.00 1.50 69 - 0 0 0

Key to GPA & WGPA Numeric Equivalents

Some Things to Think About …Some Things to Think About …

It is better for students to experience success in an appropriate placement than to experience extreme difficulty in an inappropriate placement.

This must be weighed against the realities of what colleges look for……

Consider a “Core” Curriculum of at least five academically challenging courses each year including:

4 years of English and Math; 3 - 4 years of Laboratory Science including

Biology, Chemistry and Physics; 3 - 4 years of History or Social studies; 2 - 4 years of Foreign Language.

To leave doors open …. some colleges….

-Require Physics.

-Want to see at least Trig and sometimes Calculus.

-Require two, three, or four years of foreign language in high school.

-”Selective” Colleges require a certain number of AP courses.

Although these “Core” courses are important, choosing electives wisely can also make a big difference.

Electives provide an opportunity for students to follow their passions and round out their education.

Planning how to incorporate the various important secondary school subjects, such as the Practical Arts, and the Visual & Performing Arts, can be critical.

Some post-secondary institutions place greater value on academics, while others lean more toward the student's portfolio or audition.

Make sound initial choices. There must be an open seat in any new requested course and in any other courses which may need to be changed in order to accommodate the request.

Review the “HCRHS Freshman Course Recommendation/Selection Form - Class of 2013”.

This form includes mid-year teacher recommendations in core academic subjects.

The form is used to assist with your planning and decision making.

On the form, the student will also record choices for ten elective credits and an alternate for each elective choice.

Students selecting ….. U.S. History 1 Honors, Biology Honors, Algebra 2 Honors, Algebra 2 English 1 Honors …..will be contacted about taking a prerequisite

placement exam. These exams provide an additional source of information

for parents and students to help select the appropriate course level.

Supervisors will use placement test scores to determine recommendations for honors courses.

You will be asked to either confirm that your student will be placed at the recommended level or sign a waiver to keep your student in the honors class.

Course Selection Sheet

Electives and AlternatesElectives and Alternates(In Order of Preference)(In Order of Preference)

““Home Logic”Home Logic”

Beginning on February 6th, course requests can be entered using an internet based “HomeLogic” software.

HCRHS online course selection will be open between 8:00 AM February 6th and 8:00 AM February 11th.

You must complete your course selections online within this time frame.

Go toGo to http://homelogic.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/hlxe/http://homelogic.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/hlxe/

In order to access the software, students/parents use their exclusive, assigned User

Name and Password.

Navigating the HomeLogic System

 

Course Request ProcessCourse Request ProcessTo enter the To enter the Course RequestsCourse Requests area of HomeLogic, area of HomeLogic,

click on the click on the Course RequestsCourse Requests menu item on the left menu item on the left side of the screen.side of the screen.

You will also see a “Course Units” counter in the upper left. Course Units are blocks of time in a student's schedule. There are four blocks in a day, and four marking periods in the year. This means that there are 16 blocks of time, or "Course Units", to fill with courses.

Marching Band takes place after the school day, and uses no course units, but it is worth 2.5 credits towards graduation.

Sign up for, but do not exceed 16 course units. Health/PE is already entered as a course request

for students entering grades 9 and 10. This is a required course and should not be deleted from course requests.

Course Requests Mouse Over Course Requests Mouse Over Course DescriptionsCourse Descriptions

If you select a course for which you do not If you select a course for which you do not meet the pre-requisite, and/or, do not meet meet the pre-requisite, and/or, do not meet the grade recommendation, the following the grade recommendation, the following

warning pop-up box will appearwarning pop-up box will appear

Look for Courses labeled “Grade 9”

You may “override” a grade recommendation by selecting “Yes”.

You may not “override” a pre-requisite UNLESS you are planning on taking the pre-requisite course first semester and the requisite course second semester. In this scenario you may also select “yes”.

When making this decision, please understand that once a student has been waived into a higher level course, the ability to make a subsequent level change is dependent upon seat availability in the requested course.

It makes no difference if you select courses first or last during the 2/6 to 2/11 time frame.

However, if you fail to input courses during this time frame you will be assigned a lower scheduling priority.

A list of sports will appear with a prefix of “XTR”.  Students should check off any that they may be interested in. This information will be provided to 2009/2010 coaches.

Assigning Alternates  

It is recommended that you enter an "alternate" choice for elective courses chosen.  In the event a first choice elective course is unavailable, or if a scheduling conflict, i.e. two courses offered at the same time, prevents the first choice elective course from being scheduled, the software will substitute the requested alternate option.  

 

Clicking in the Alternate field to the immediate right of any of the Primary Requests will bring up an Alternate Request

Selection window.

Congratulations!Congratulations!After entering all requests and hitting “Next” …

you should see a pop-up window indicating that you have successfully submitted your course

requests!

Verifying Your Requests 

Clicking on the Verifying your Requests link at the top of the window will bring you to a summary page that outlines your entire list of Primary

and Alternate Requests. Your total Credit tally will also be shown. 

Non - Traditional Non - Traditional “Credit Attainment Pathways”“Credit Attainment Pathways”

If you are considering Outside HS Course Work for Additional HS Credit this summer…

You must apply and that application must be reviewed and approved by the Principal’s Credit Committee. You may call HCRHS Counseling Services for an application or go to the HCRHS website.

Requests must be received by May 15.

STANDARD FRESHMAN STANDARD FRESHMAN PROGRAMPROGRAM

ENGLISHPHYSICAL EDUCATION/ HEALTHUS HISTORY 1MATHEMATICSSCIENCEWORLD LANGUAGEELECTIVESLUNCH

SEMESTER ONE SEMESTER TWO

Quarter 1(Sept.- Nov.)

Quarter 2(Nov.- Jan.)

Quarter 3(Jan.- Apr.)

Quarter 4(Apr.- June)

Block 1 Math Math US History I US History I

Block 2 Phys Ed Phys Ed Spanish II Spanish II

Block 3 English English Science Science

Block 4 Art I* Art I* Interior Design**

Computer Applications

**

Student Student SchedulesSchedules

From Feb. 6th to Feb. 11th you will enter your course selections on-line

You will 1st receive a scheduling request verification in the mail

The master schedule will then be built

Conflicts will then be resolved

Actual student schedules will be mailed prior to the close of the school year

Physical Education, Health & Physical Education, Health & Driver’s EducationDriver’s Education

One year of Physical Education and Health & Safety for each year of public high school enrollment in New Jersey is required!

H & PE 9 is scheduled automatically.

There are “Sport Specific” options for grades 11 & 12.

The Practical Arts and The Practical Arts and Visual & Performing ArtsVisual & Performing Arts

SPECIAL EDUCATIONSPECIAL EDUCATIONThis program is designed for students with special needs

as outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Depending upon the IEP SE students have access to…

Programs which are individualized for each student using a diagnostic/prescriptive method.

Programs which are designed to follow the mainstream curriculum with accommodations and modifications.

Programs which are adapted to the student’s learning needs.

Programs which emphasize study skills and preparation for tests and written assignments in mainstream classes.

EnglishEnglish

Mr. Brendan McIsaac

Freshman English 1 (#012)Freshman English 1 (#012)

Standard college preparation courseGenre study – classic and contemporary

literature, drama, poetry & non-fictionNightly reading & writing assignmentsResearchSAT & HSPA preparationCan move up to honors in sophomore

year

Freshman Humanities 1 Freshman Humanities 1 (#014)(#014)

Year-long 10 credit courseEnglish & Social StudiesTwo-teacher interdisciplinary approachNightly reading & writing assignmentsResearchSAT & HSPA preparationCan move up to honors in sophomore yearLearning Style

Freshman Honors English 1 Freshman Honors English 1 (#011(#011))

More rigorous pace & workloadMulti-textual reading and writingRecommended Advanced Proficiency on

NJASK8– 250Placement Test in AprilRecommendation letters sent in JuneSummer assignment required

Freshman English 1 Basic Freshman English 1 Basic SkillsSkills

Utilizes same readings as other freshman courses

Slower pace and assignments progress through more gradual steps

Recommended for Limited Proficient NJASK8 – less than 200

Recommendation from sending district

Creative Writing (#061)Creative Writing (#061)&&

Media Literacy (#050):Media Literacy (#050): Electives open to all gradesWorkshop environment & peer critiquingLearn to deconstruct and create media textsRead cultural theory and examine how

media impacts culture

Social StudiesSocial Studies

Dr. William Fernekes

There are 3 course options for There are 3 course options for incoming 9incoming 9thth graders graders

1. U. S. History 1 (#101) 5.0 credits 1 semester

2. Honors U.S. History 1 (#100) 5.0 credits 2nd semester only Application process (The following 3 elements comprise the

placement process. If the student surpasses the threshold set by the social studies department, he/she is recommended to enter Honors U.S. History 1. )A. Placement test required (Given in late March or early April)B. Grade in 8th grade social studies class as of mid-March

C. Skill assessment completed by 8th grade teacher

Students who successfully complete Honors U.S. History 1 can register for A.P.U.S. History for sophomore year

Summer assignment required for Honors U.S. History 1

3. Humanities 1 (#014) 10.0 credits Interdisciplinary course co-taught by one

English and one Social Studies teacher Not an honors course Benefits students that enjoy a thematic-

interdisciplinary approach to history Summer assignment required

Course Selection Sheet

# Course Name Mid YearRecommendation (Teacher Initial)

Override (Parent Initial)

011 Honors English I

012 English I

014 Humanities 1 If recommended for 012 you may choose 014

If choosing 014 rather than 012 initial here

S019 English I

Other Required Courses:Other Required Courses:Placements by HS in SummerPlacements by HS in Summer

U.S. History 1, Basic Skills (#109), U.S. History 1I ESL Foundations (#101-ESL) and U.S. History 1 ESL (#101-ESL2)

Students are placed in these courses based upon review of (1) their 8th grade performance in language arts, (2) teacher recommendations, and (3) (if available) scores on the NJ-ASK standardized assessments.

Elective Courses in Social Studies Elective Courses in Social Studies

99thth Grade GradeWorld Geography (#111)

- This course is strongly recommended if a student plans to take A.P. Human Geography as a sophomore.

World LanguagesWorld Languages

Mrs. Lynn Luster

Preparing Communicators for a Global Society

Graduation RequirementGraduation Requirement

Students must complete ten credits in the same language in advancing courses.– Level 2 and Level 3– Level 1 and Level 2

COURSE SELECTIONSCOURSE SELECTIONS

CHINESE FRENCH GERMAN LATIN SPANISH LATIN & GREEK

ROOTS

Chinese OfferingsChinese OfferingsChinese 1Chinese 2Chinese 3Chinese 4Chinese 5AP ChineseAdvanced levels of

Chinese are usually taught in combined classes.

Latin OfferingsLatin Offerings Introduction to Latin Latin and Greek Roots Latin 1 Latin 2 Latin 3 Latin 4 Latin 5 Advanced Studies

French OfferingsFrench OfferingsFrench 1French 2French 3French 4French 5French – Advanced

Placement

German OfferingsGerman Offerings

German 1German 2German 3German 4German ConversationGerman –Advanced

Placement

Spanish OfferingsSpanish Offerings Spanish for Communicators Spanish 1 Spanish 2 Spanish 3 Spanish 4 Spanish 5 Spanish Conversation Spanish Composition Spanish Cinema Spanish - Advanced Placement

World Language Ninth World Language Ninth Grade OfferingsGrade Offerings

Semester Courses 5 credits Chinese 1 # 215 Latin 1 # 210 Chinese 2 # 225 Latin 2 # 220 French 1 # 211 Spanish 1 # 212 French 2 # 221 Spanish 2 # 222 French 3 # 231 Spanish 3 # 232 German 1 # 213 Spanish for Communicators German 2 # 223 Level 1 # 202

Spanish for CommunicatorsLevel 2 # 203

Quarter Courses 2.5 credits Introduction to Latin #200 Vocabulary Through Latin and Greek Roots # 206

Dr. Ken Micai

SCIENCE

General InformationGeneral Information Freshmen have three options,

either Environmental & Earth Science, Fundamentals of Environmental and Earth Science or Honors Biology. CP Biology is not an option for freshmen.

401 Environmental and Earth 401 Environmental and Earth ScienceScience

This is a lab-based course that is designed to cover environmental science topics included within the End-of-Course Exam required to be taken by all students after the completion of their biology course. The course also addresses the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Science that require an understanding of systems, problem solving, critical thinking, use of technology and the integration of math skills in science. Concepts emphasized include environmental systems, human impact on the environment, earth materials, meteorology, and astronomy.

403 Fundamentals of 403 Fundamentals of Environmental and Earth Environmental and Earth

ScienceScience This is a lab-based course that is designed to

cover environmental science topics included within the End-of-Course Exam required to be taken by all students after the completion of their biology course. The course also addresses the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Science that require an understanding of systems, problem solving, critical thinking, use of technology and the integration of math skills in science. Concepts emphasized include environmental systems, human impact on the environment, earth materials, meteorology, and astronomy.

425 or 426 Honors Biology425 or 426 Honors Biology

This is a weighted laboratory oriented course designed for students who are considering a science related career and who have shown a high aptitude in science and a proficiency in math. The underlying theme of the course is the origin of living cells and their development into more complex organisms, culminating in the study of human beings in a biological setting. It addresses the New Jersey State Standards. This course uses the dissection of a fetal pig in its treatment of human systems. Students must complete this course for the grade to be weighted.

General InformationGeneral Information

If a student is recommended for Algebra 1 #312 or #313 he/she should select Environmental & Earth Science #401.

General InformationGeneral Information

If a student is recommended for Fundamentals of Math #314 he/she should select Fundamentals of Environmental & Earth Science #403.

General InformationGeneral Information

If a student is currently taking Algebra 1 or Algebra 2 in eighth

grade and is being recommended for Algebra 2, #332, Honors Geometry #321, Geometry #322, or Honors Algebra 2 #311 he/she should select Honors Biology #425 or #426, either non-dissection or regular.

General InformationGeneral Information

Students who are NOT in Algebra in eighth grade MAY NOT select honors biology as their ONLY science course. They may select it as an elective after completing Algebra 1 #312 and Environmental and Earth Science #401.

General InformationGeneral Information

There is a placement test for honors biology which will take place on Saturday May 9th from 8:45 – 11:15 AM. This is only open to those students currently taking Algebra I in eighth grade. This test includes proficiencies from our Earth and Environmental Science course. It is NOT a test on biology concepts.

General InformationGeneral Information The new end of course biology exam has

replaced the current HSPA as a graduation requirement. Approximately 25% of this exam is environmental science which is covered in our Environmental and Earth Science course. Since students who opt for honors biology will be skipping this class it is imperative that we measure their proficiency in this area.

End of Course Biology End of Course Biology ExamExam

In May 2008 the first end of course biology exam was administered.

This test will tentatively become a graduation requirement starting in May 2011.

All students enrolled in a biology course will be required to take the exam in the year in which they take the course.

The test includes questions on biology(75%) and environmental science (25%).

End of Course Biology End of Course Biology ExamExam

Environmental Science is not part of the biology standards and therefore is not included in our current biology courses but rather in our new ninth grade classes Environmental and Earth Science #401 and Fundamentals of Environmental and Earth Science #403.

Science Questions…Science Questions…

…..Please feel free to call me at

284-7134

or contact me by e-mail

kmicai@hcrhs.k12.nj.us

Mr. Ed Brandt

If your student struggles in If your student struggles in math…math…

Scores below proficient on

NJASK7 and/or NJASK8

(less than 200)

Recommended by 8th grade teacher

Fundamentals of Academic Math (314)

Fundamentals of Academic Geometry (324)

Algebra 1 C/C (313)

Edward Brandt : 284-7190

If your student has Pre-Algebra…If your student has Pre-Algebra… Scores on low end of proficiency in NJ

ASK 7 and/or NJASK8 (low 200s) Tends to need more time to master

concepts Has difficulty with time management

and study skills

Algebra 1 C/C (313)

Scores mid- to upper- 200s

Succeeds in Pre-Algebra

Has strong study skills and tends to pick up math concepts quickly

Algebra 1 (312)

Edward Brandt : 284-7190

If your student has Algebra 1…If your student has Algebra 1…

Recommended to one of the following based upon: 8th Grade Teacher

recommendation Algebra 1 Placement

test Performance in 8th

Grade Study Skills

Honors Algebra 2 (311)

Algebra 2 (332)

Algebra 1 (312)

Edward Brandt : 284-7190

Q & A Q & A