Welcome to 9th Grade Scheduling

Mrs. Garcia (A – Fe)Ms. Lau (Fi – La)

Mrs. Druten (Le – Ra) Mrs. Barricklow (Re – Z)

Ms. Torres – College & Career Counseling Coordinator

Counselor’s Role

➢ Same counselor for 4 years

➢ Academic counseling

➢ Personal, social and emotional counseling

➢ Career counseling

➢ College counseling

2nd Visit

➢ Bert Lynn Middle School● Monday, May 6

● Tuesday, May 7

➢ Jefferson Middle School● Tuesday, April 30

● Thursday, May 2

Incoming 9th Grade NightWednesday, March 27th at 6:00pm in WHS Pavilion

Learn about classes and activities at West High:

Athletics College PlanningHonors/ AP Academic DecathlonWHS Counselors Science OlympiadBand/ Color Guard Speech & DebateChoir YearbookDrama Dance Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Robotics

How do students earn credits?

➢ Students will earn 5 credits per class (per semester)

➢ Semester grades are permanent marks, which go on your West High transcript

➢ Q1 + Q2 = Semester 1 (cumulative grade)

➢ Q3 + Q4 = Semester 2 (cumulative grade)

Graduation Requirements➢ 220 credits

➢ 6 semesters of satisfactory citizenship

➢ English – 40 credits

➢ History/Social Studies – 30 credits

➢ Math – 20 credits

➢ Science – 20 credits

➢ Health – 5 credits

➢ PE – 20 credits

➢ World Language or VPA – 10 credits

Are You Ready For Honors?

➢ You should have an A in your current class

➢ Highly interested in subject

➢ Always complete work on time

➢ Good study habits

➢ Motivated

➢ Responsible

➢ Able to seek help

➢ Successful in all classes

Honors Classes➢ Honors Commitment Form

www.whs.tusd.org

➢ Assessing Strengths Form (required for students currently taking an Honors class at WHS)

All Honors/AP classes are a yearlong commitment.

Choose wisely!

9th Grade Required Courses

➢ English

➢ Math

➢ Science

➢ PE

➢ Health/Intro to Business, Health/Teen Living OR Health/World Geography

➢ Elective (World Language, Visual & Performing Art, or Career Tech Ed)

Link to WHS Course Description Handbook

English➢ English 1

➢ English 1H

➢ English 1(S) – ELL students only

English Elective

➢ Forensics Workshop – Debate (Zero Period Only)

Health● Health / Introduction to Business

● Health / World Geography

● Health / Teen Living

● ONLINE Health

Planning on taking Health over the summer?Question: Should I take Health over the summer?Answer: Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

Question: Where can I take the course?Answer: South Bay Enrichment Academy or through an Online Provider (Mission Academy, Opportunities for Learning, Method).

Question: How can I sign up?Answer: Prior to enrolling, you must submit to your counselor a completed Correspondence Course PreApproval Form. Once submitted, you can enroll with your summer program via their website.

ScienceThe following is the order of progression for science:

Current Class Next Year’s Class

8th Grade Science Biology or Biology H

Biology H Chemistry or Chemistry H

➢ In order to move on to the next math class, you must pass your current math class with a C or better.

➢ The following is the order of progression for math:Algebra 1

Geometry or Geometry HAlgebra 2 or Algebra 2 HTrigonometry, PreCalc or PreCalc H

Mathematics

Physical Education➢ Options include:

● PE 9 *Drill Team / Hip Hop

● Beginning Dance *Pep Squad

● PE Band *Athletics

Note: Courses with an asterisk* require coaches approval and/or tryout.

Visual & Performing Artsand World Language

➢ To receive a high school diploma, you must take 1 year of a Visual and Performing Art (VPA) OR 1 year of a World Language

➢ To fulfill A-G requirements for 4 year colleges, you must take 1 year of a VPA AND 2 years of a World Language

Electives

➢ Visual and Performing Arts Electives:● Theatre Arts 1

● Stage Tech (7th period)

● Art 1

● Costume and Wearable Art

● Beginning Choir

● Girl’s Glee

● *Advanced Choir

● Beginning Instruments (Piano)

● Adv Band/Percussion Ensemble

Electives➢ World Language:

● French

● Japanese

● Korean

● Spanish

In order to move on to the next language level class, you must pass your current class with a C or better

Electives➢ Career Technology Education Electives:

● Design & Architecture● Wood 1● PLTW: Intro to Engineering & Design

➢ Social Studies Elective:● *AP Human Geography

Additional Electives:● *Yearbook (Chieftain)● *Journalism (Smoke Signals)

Alternatives for Electives➢ On the back of your course request sheet

where it says “Please write 3 Alternatives for Electives”, please make sure it is completed.

➢ It is VERY important to complete this part. If this section is left blank, your Counselor will select an elective for you. ☺

➢ The more alternatives you select, the more likely you are to get a class you will enjoy.

Zero Period

➢ Zero period classes offered include:● PE Band

● Forensics Workshop/Debate

● Geometry H

● Biology H

Please have the following when you meet with your counselor:

➢ A completed course selection sheet signed by a parent

➢ A signed and completed Honors/AP Commitment Form

➢ A signed and completed Assessing Strengths Form (if currently enrolled in a Honor’s course @ WHS)

➢ A completed Correspondence Course Form if you plan on taking a class over the summer

Online Class Registration

➢ Once you have decided on your courses and have circled your selections on the pink scheduling form, complete the online registration steps on the half sheet by logging into your PowerSchool account

➢ The online class registration window will be open until Tuesday, April 30th @ 7:30 am.

➢ Your counselor will review your selections at your meeting in April/May.

Warrior Welcome

➢ Orientation for all incoming Freshmen

➢ Usually held in mid-August

➢ All are encouraged to attend

College & Career Center➢ College Rep Visits

➢ Career Speaker Presentations

➢ College Workshops

➢ Financial Aid Resources

➢ Military Resources

➢ Scholarships

Getting Involved➢ There are many clubs on campus

➢ Students are encouraged to find a club they would like to join and become active members

➢ Clubs usually meet during lunch

Thank You for Your Time and Attention

Happy Scheduling!