9th Grade Parent InformationSouthwest High School

Shelly Landry, 9th Grade Counselor

Sept. 26, 2017

Agenda

Welcome

Focus on 9th Grade

Counseling at Southwest

MPS Credit System

Graduation Requirements

College Entrance Requirements

Questions

Focus on 9th grade• 9th Grade Teaming:

• 4 teams (Cedar, Nokomis, Harriet, Isles)

• Core academic teachers (English, Social Studies, Science, Math)

• Shared prep period for teachers

• Teacher pages and team websites

• IB MYP• all students in a World Language

• common instruction; expectations; philosophy

• Growth Mind Set

• Partnership with Project Success

• PREP

Counseling structure

Shelly Landry 9th Grade Counselor

Jenny Moore A-D, Grades 10 – 12

Kate Van Pernis E-K, Grades 10 – 12

George Mountin L-Q, Grades 10 – 12

Janelle Vogel R-Z, Grades 10 – 12

Danielle Jastrow CCC Coordinator

Katie Hanson CCC Tuesdays & Thursdays

Barb Mahal 1.0 Counseling Clerk

Counseling at Southwest

Academic, Career & College, Personal/Social

Personal/Social – Crisis support; Check-ins; Brief Solution Focused

On-Going Personal Therapy – Available through Mini-Clinic; Private Counselors available at Southwest

Special Education – Case Managers are responsible for scheduling students. Collaborate with Counselors in 11th/12th grades for graduation readiness and post-secondary planning.

504’s – Shared responsibility with designated Social Worker, but SW does most of case management.

Testing – Counselors coordinate ACT testing, including full school practice day in fall. All other tests managed by Test Coordinator.

School Year & Grades Quarters, Semesters, Year◦ 4 Quarters; 2 Semesters; 1Year

◦ Quarters 1 & 2 = Semester 1

◦ Quarters 3 & 4 = Semester 2

Mid-quarter grades are mailed home

Students receive final grades at the end of each quarter◦ Quarter 1 ends November 1

◦ Q2 – January 24 (Semester classes change)

◦ Q3 – March 29

◦ Q4 – June 8

Check the portal for current grades and missing assignments!

MPS Credit System

For each class that a student passes, .25

credit is given per quarter

All classes at Southwest are either a

semester or year long – there are no

quarter classes

Q1 - .25 Q2 - .25 Q3 - .25 Q4 - .25

Semester 1 - .5 Semester 2 - .5

Year – 1.0

MPS Credit System

A student who takes 7 classes and passes

all classes for all four quarters will earn 7

credits for the year

Four years = 28 total credits at the end of

senior year

Study Hall is the one class where students

do not earn credit

Graduation Requirements

Students must earn a minimum of 21.5 credits

Students may already have credits through Fast Track, Concordia Language Camp, Advanced Math in Middle School, UMTYMP, StepUp or Online Health/PE

Students cannot graduate early – we encourage students to take advantage of dual credit opportunities, e. g. IB; PSEO; Concurrent Enrollment (CTE); etc.

Graduation Requirements

Certain credits must be earned in specific

subject areas:

Subject Credits Years

English 4.0 4

Social Studies 4.0 4

Math 3.0 3

Science 3.0 3

Fine Arts 1.0 1

Health .5 ½

PE .5 ½

Electives 6.0 4+

Graduation Requirements In some subject areas, students need to complete

specific classes:

Social Studies◦ Geography (District .5; SW 1.0)

◦ US History (1.0)

◦ World History (1.0)

◦ Government (.5)

◦ Economics (.5)

Science◦ Physics (1.0)

◦ Biology (1.0)

◦ Higher level science or Chemistry (1.0)

Math◦ IB MYP Curriculum for 9th and 10th Grade

◦ 3 credits

Graduation Requirements

Health & Fitness for Life

◦ Students can take these classes through MPS Online

◦ Online pros & cons

◦ Online registration

College Entrance Requirements:

◦ World Language – IB Requirement for SW

◦ Math & Science – Encourage 4 years

Higher Level Classes

◦ SW IB/AP classes will meet graduation requirements

Questions?

Thank you for attending!