9^th Grade�Nitty Gritty �at CHS

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� Eric Mullens

CHS Counseling Dept. Chair

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Parents

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What’s your favorite memory from

high school?

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Greg Gotchey - Principal

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COUNSELORS

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MISSION STATEMENT

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Our mission at Chaparral High School is to provide excellence in academics, activities, and athletics; it is also to prepare students to set and achieve high individual goals as they develop into lifelong learners, caring adults, and responsible citizens.

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COUNSELING DEPARTMENT SERVICES

Academic Counseling

• High School Transition
• 4-year academic plan
• Course Selection
• Time Management
• Goal Setting
• Credit Evaluation
• Technical & Career planning
• Post graduation planning

College/Career Counseling

• Career Development Naviance Training
• College Planning & selection
• College Admission/Financial Aid
• Technical & Career Planning
• Military opportunities

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Personal/Social Counseling

• Improving relationships
• Manage conflicts
• Referring to community agencies
• Group Counseling
• Preventive/Educational Seminars
• Crisis Counseling

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• Attend eight (8) semesters of full-time enrollment
• Document at least 20 hours of community service
• Meet College & Career readiness proficiencies

English

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

Practical Arts

Fine Arts

PE

Electives:

TOTAL

HIGHER EDUCATION

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

English

Math- Algebra I & up

Natural/Physical Science -

2 must be lab-based

Social Sciences -

1 of U.S. or World History

World Language

Academic Electives

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TOTAL

4.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

8.0

24.0

4 units

4 units

3 units

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3 units

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1 unit

2 units

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17 units

DCSD GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Community Service

• 20 hours are required to graduate
• May be completed at any non-profit entity
• Documentation is required through HelperHelper
• A student may letter in community service!
• Complete guidelines may be found on the Chap website under Student/Community Service

STATE GRADUATION COMPETENCIES

Students will be required to demonstrate college and career readiness to receive a diploma in the state of Colorado. Students must show competencies in both Mathematics and English through one of the approved methods outlined in the chart below:

GRADING SCALES: UNWEIGHTED WEIGHTED .5

A 100-90 4.5

B 89-80 3.5

C 79-70 2.5

D 69-60 1.0

F 59-0 0.0

GRADING POLICIES

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MAKE-UP WORK

• After three days of absence, parents may contact each teacher by email via Chaparral’s website to collect homework from teachers. All homework that cannot be sent home electronically will be sent to the Main Office for parents to pick up.

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• A reasonable length of time will be given to a student to prepare complete assignments and take tests. The standard amount of time allowed for make-up work is one day, plus one extra day, for each excused day of absence.

4.0

3.0

2.0

1.0

0.0

WEIGHTED 1.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

1.0

0.0

(con’t)

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• Honors Level Core Courses plus World Language III and IV will be on a 4.5 GPA Scale
• AP Courses will remain on a 5.0 GPA Scale
• Some CTE/Concurrent Enrollment Courses will be on a 5.0 GPA Scale
• The Academic Planning Guide has more information

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ACADEMIC PLANNING & SUPPORT

• LIBRARY

Open before and after school – 6:30 am to 3:30 pm

NHS Peer Tutors and Writing Peer Tutors are available before and after school in the library

Librarian: Damon Larson

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• ADVISEMENT

See your teachers by appointment and use as academic study time

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• HOMEROOM

During travel time, see your teachers and use as academic study time

Homeroom will also be used for assemblies and guest speakers

• TIME MANAGEMENT

Prioritize and use some type of calendar (Google calendar)

Break large assignments into smaller tasks

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• HOMEWORK

1 – 2 hours per night (Honors and AP courses will require more)

Complete homework the night it is assigned

Create structured time for studying each afternoon/evening

Study for tests and quizzes more frequently but at shorter intervals

ACADEMIC PLANNING & SUPPORT

Technology

Infinite Campus – Student Information System

PAST

-gradebook and attendance of record

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Canvas – Learning Management System

PRESENT

-class agenda, homework, projects, labs, notes, etc…

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Naviance - College and Career

FUTURE

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INFINITE CAMPUS

• Parents and students access official grades and missing assignments
• Download the app from the App Store or Google Play
• Search Douglas County School District and Colorado
• Enter your parent portal Username and Password
• If using a secure, private device, mark stay logged in to receive mobile push notifications
• Click Log in
• District ID FNGZXV (may not need this)
• We encourage you AND your student to check Infinite Campus on a weekly basis through the Parent and Student Portals.
• The school year is divided into semester grades

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2

September 25 Progress Grades

December 18 Semester 1 Grades May 29 Semester 2 Grades

CANVAS Learning Management System

Become an observer in Canvas to see student assignments

• instructions under Parents tab of website
• For best results with Canvas use the current version of Google Chrome

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Canvas Tips:

• Canvas Overview: https://youtu.be/RDjSFqn4rwA
• Canvas, Student App – https://youtu.be/cFLnHfDdvok

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CHS Student Expectations

• Check each of your courses daily for assignments, updates and other information
• Seek help immediately if there are any technical issues
• Follow each teacher’s directions for how to use Canvas for your specific courses

NAVIANCE

A one-stop shop for college/career planning

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Students and parents can log on to Naviance to gather valuable information throughout high school.

Use Naviance to access information about:

• College Searches
• Self Discovery Assessments
• College/Career websites

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Students will complete the state required ICAP-Individual Career and Academic Plan in Naviance with yearly assignments.

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For any Naviance questions and parent access contact Mrs. McCaw in the College and Career Center.

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• Career Exploration
• Scholarships
• College Applications

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STEM

Our goal is to create as many STEM opportunities for students as possible. The foundation of the program is a solid and rigorous math and science background as well as participation in extracurricular activities, job shadowing, and community interaction

DISTINCTION:

*4 credits of Science, must include Physics

*1 credit of Technology

*1 credit of Engineering

*4 credits of Math, must include Algebra II/Trig or Honors Algebra II / Trig

*Leadership

*One Job Shadow

*Application Required Senior year

HONORS DISTINCTION:

*4 credits of Science – must include 2 Honors / AP classes and Physics

*1 credit of Technology

*1 credit of Engineering

*4 Credits of Math – to include AP Calc AB, AP Calc BC and AP Statistics

*1 additional credit in either Math or Science

*Leadership

*Two Job Shadows and one collaboration

*Application Required Senior year

For more information, please talk to your counselor

HUMANITIES

Our goal is to highlight educational opportunities in the Humanities with a focus on creating critical, creative thinkers who will become citizens devoted to service, education and understanding of other.

DISTINCTION:

*English – 4 Credits

*Social Studies – 4 Credits

*World Language – 3 levels of the SAME language

*Visual / Performing Arts – 1 credit level I & II of the same discipline

*One year of Leadership

*Application Required Senior Year

HONORS DISTINCTION:

*English – 4 Credits

*Social Studies – 4 Credits

*World Language – 3 levels of the SAME language

*Visual / Performing Arts – 1 credit level I & II of the same discipline

*One Year of Leadership

*Application Required Senior year

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**2.0 credits in Honors or AP from the Humanities Graduation Distinction

For more Information, please see your counselor

Chaparral TUTORING Resources

• CHS students can see their teacher for tutoring during advisement and homeroom classes. These classes meet every Tuesday and Thursday.

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• Students can see their teachers outside of the classroom as the teachers schedules allow. Please check with your teachers for their office hour availability.

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• The week prior to the end of every semester our Link Crew students provide tutoring in most subjects as students prepare for their semester exams. This schedule will be provided via school announcements or email librarian Damon Larson at damon.Larson@dcsdk12.org for the most current information.

TUTORING Continued

• Free tutoring options described below are provided by students under the direction and guidance of the CHS staff members listed, however, the teachers are not conducting the tutoring sessions. Please note that the student tutors are not professionally trained but are volunteering their time. All tutoring is done on the CHS campus.

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• Writing tutors contact Librarian Damon Larson – damon.Larson@dcsdk12.org

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• World Language tutors contact Laura Kraft lkraft@dcsdk12.org

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• Khan Academy is a free, online resource that students can access at www.khanacademy.org

• National Honor Society tutors:

Student tutors are available in the library for walk in tutoring. Go to the table with a sign that says “NHS Tutors” and ask for help.

Arrange a google meet student tutor session with this link or QR code. For questions about NHS Tutoring contact:

Laura Bush – lbbush@dcsdk12.org or

Diana Brown– dbrown2@dcsdk12.org

TUTORING Continued

Sources of Strength

Spreading Hope, Help, and Strength

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• Connects teens to trusted adults, breaking codes of silence and increasing protective factors.
• Uses the power of peer-led social networks to positively change norms and cultures.
• Promotes and focuses on connectivity, school bonding, peer-adult partnerships, and help seeking behaviors

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For more information visit https://sourcesofstrength.org/

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9^th Grade Prevention/Education Programs

August 12^th

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August 19^th

Back to School

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September 3rd

Homeroom

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September 10th

Homeroom

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• Sources of Strength 9th grade Intro
• Freshman Welcome Night

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• 9^th Grade “Nitty Gritty” at Back-to-School Night

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• 9^th Grade Johnny’s Ambassadors

Substance abuse awareness

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• 9^th Grade Seminar

Graduation Requirements

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Bell Schedule 2026-27

Johnny Wolverine

Advise A

200 Ward

7:45 - 8:30

Advise B

401 L Brown

8:35 - 9:20

Period 5

Period 6

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Period 7

Sample Student Schedule (Tuesday)

Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Performing Arts, Visual Art

Math, English, Practical Arts, Physical Education

• The purpose of this block is to promote academic success and personal growth. It provides students with designated time to make up work and receive targeted academic support.

STRUCTURE

• Advisement will be divided into two halves (Adv A and Adv B)
• Students may visit up to two teachers (one per session) but must make arrangements and secure a paper pass from the receiving teacher in advance.
• Teachers will only be available for students for either Adv A or Adv B

(The image to the right shows when teachers are available)

Advisement A

7:45 - 8:30

Advisement B

8:35 - 9:21

Science, Social Studies, World Languages, Performing Arts, Visual Arts

Math, English, Practical Arts, Physical Education

EXPECTATIONS:

As members of the Chaparral Family, students are expected to display respect, kindness, understanding, tenacity, and integrity.

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• Cell phones must be placed in classroom pocket storage upon entry. Students may borrow a Chromebook if they need to access Canvas or Google Drive
• Students must bring necessary study materials or reading books.
• Maintain a quiet, productive and respectful working environment for everyone.
• Use courteous language, practice self-discipline, and communicate with positive intent - remembering that we are all learning together

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ADVISEMENT

Tuesday 7:45 - 9:21

GRADING, ATTENDANCE AND TRAVEL:

• Grading: Advisement will be graded using a Pass/Fail system. Seven or more unexcused absences will result in an “F”. Advisement scores will be documented on student transcripts but will not be calculated in GPA. A grade will be given for both Advisement A and Advisement B.
• Punctuality: Students must be in their seats at the start of Advisement A (7:45 AM) and Advisement B (8:35AM)
• Travel Policy: Traditional paper passes are required for all student travel. Students must obtain a paper pass prior to the start of the Advisement period from the teacher they intend to visit.
• Reporting Absences: Students can be excused from Advisement if a parent or guardian calls the attendance line. Unaccounted absences will automatically convert to “unexcused” after 48 hours.

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Bell Schedule 2026-27

Homeroom Schedule

7:45 - 7:55

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7:55 - 8:25

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8:25 - 9:21

Attendance, grade checks for upper classmen, Link Crew check-in with freshmen

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Seminar Lesson for all Homerooms

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Freshman grade checks, Chap community activities or travel to see teachers/tutors for academic support

Homeroom Overview

Homeroom - Thursdays 7:45am - 9:21am

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7:45 - 7:55 - Prompt attendance, followed by Link Crew check-ins for freshmen, and grade checks for upper classmen

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7:55 - 8:25 - Seminar Lesson - students will review skills important to being a productive member of the Chaparral Family. Short, very approachable quiz to sum up lesson

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8:25 - 9:21 - Travel period begins - student will sign in to each room they visit and use a paper pass. Students can use this academic time in a variety of ways.

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Student will earn a grade for seminar quizzes, but cannot pass homeroom with 7 or more unexcused absences.

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Occasionally, this time will also be utilized for ICAP counseling assignments, level meetings, and spirit assemblies.

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Advisement:

• Academic Support
• Appointment required to see teachers
• Access to teachers guaranteed weekly

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Homeroom:

• Help to stay organized through grade checks
• Help to learn life/educational skills through

Seminar lessons

• Help to learn and appreciate the values of

Chap Family and Sources of Strength

• Help from teachers and student tutors, academically, on occasion

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Counselors will

answer questions

outside the

counseling office as needed this evening