Ms. Castello�8^th Grade School Counselor

1. Please print your name on your ‘9^th Grade Course Selection Form’ and circle your team.��2. Please circle your post graduation plan: College, Military, or Work.��3. Please list three possible careers/college majors you are considering at this time.

8^th Grade Matters!

• DEVELOP STRONG STUDY SKILLS.�In the Spring you will be taking NYS Exams in ELA, Math, and Science as well as your proficiency exam in your foreign language. Some of you will also have regents exams to prepare for – if you’re enrolled in Biology or Algebra! Practice good study skills as you prepare for your quizzes, tests, and exams.
• SHOW YOUR TEACHERS WHAT YOU’RE REALLY CAPABLE OF.�The results of your exams but more importantly, how you perform in your classes and on homework assignments will help your 8^th grade teachers better recommend you for placement in high school courses. Ask your teachers for help after school and put in the face time so they can gauge your true abilities.
• EFFORT IS EVERYTHING.�Complete all homework assignments on time, practice reading and writing daily, come to school every day, participate, and you’ll see results.
• MAKE IT COUNT.�Realize that your high school transcript starts NOW – with your foreign language courses and any regents level courses, and that you’re building your skills for success as we speak!

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Who’s Who? at the High School

Administration

Mr. Moore, HS Principal

Mr. Alexander, HS Assistant Principal

Mr. Brown, Athletic Director

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School Counselors

(Counselors are assigned by student last name)�Ms. Baxter, A-De

Mrs. Crawford, Df-K

Ms. Caddick, L-Ro

Mrs. Hynes, Ru-Z

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Additional PPS Staff

Mrs. Bryant-Ulrich, School Social Worker

Ms. Fields - PIVOT Counselor

Ms. Lesperance, School Psychologist

Ms. Moss, Youth Health Educator (CAPP)

Mr. Munroe, Student Mediator

Ms. Schwartz, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Ms. Thomas, Home School Coordinator

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What to Expect in 9^th Grade

• 9 Period Day consisting of 8 academic periods + a 30 minute Lunch (mixed)
• 43 minute periods, 3 minutes between classes. Between periods, names may be called.
• Some classes will be a mix of 9^th - 12^th graders (lunch, PE, electives, even core classes).
• Attendance Policy – students must maintain 85% attendance; seat time matters.
• Freshmen must take a minimum of 6 courses/credits + PE.
• Classes and lockers will be scattered throughout the building, no longer by team.
• You can carry your backpack throughout the day.
• There are even more ways to get involved – numerous clubs, sports, and activities.
• Summer Orientation is in August for all 9^th grade students and their families!
• School Counselors are assigned by student’s last name instead of just grade.

IRHS Time Schedule

How to Survive and Thrive �in High School

• Come to school every day unless you are ill. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to see each teacher about missed work.
• Pay attention in class and contribute to class discussions.
• Complete and hand in all homework assignments.
• Stay after school with your teachers when you need extra help and when review classes are offered.
• Study for all tests and quizzes.
• Use your planner to keep track of assignments and upcoming exams.
• Come prepared for class.
• Organize yourself on a daily basis.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities.
• Meet with your School Counselor at least once a year to assist with the continuing development of your 4 year plan.
• THINK.

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Graduation Requirements

What is a Credit?

A unit that gives value to an academic course taken during high school. Credits are awarded upon completing and passing a course.

Calculating Credits�40 Week classes = 1 Credit

20 Week classes = ½ Credit

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Mandatory 9^th Grade Courses

English: (9/9ADV/ESS) (1 credit)�Social Studies: World History (9/ADV/ESS) (1 credit)�Math: (Pre-Algebra/Algebra/Geometry/ESS) (1 credit)�Science: (Biology + Lab/Earth Science + Lab/ESS) (1 credit)

Fine Arts Elective (varies)�Physical Education (1/2 credit)

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9^th Grade Honors Courses�Offered to students recommended by their 8^th grade English and Social Studies Teachers.

Current Algebra and Biology Students�Provided you successfully pass Biology and/or Algebra, you will be enrolled in:

FINE ARTS ELECTIVE

In order to graduate with a NYS Diploma, all students must enroll in and successfully pass at least 1 credit of approved fine art electives.

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The following electives will satisfy (or partially satisfy) the one credit of high school fine arts required for graduation. You must select at least one FINE ARTS ELECTIVE from the following:

Art Elective

Studio Art (0805)

(1 credit) - 40 Weeks

Studio Art is a foundation course for students in grades 9 through 12 and should normally be taken in 9^th or 10^th grade. The course is designed not only for those who plan to take further courses in Art, but also for those who desire a broad background in the visual arts as part of their general education. The course offers a variety of experiences in the fine arts (Drawing, painting, sculpture, and Printmaking), commercial arts (graphic design, industrial design and fashion design), architecture, and art history. Studio Art is a prerequisite course to higher level art courses like Drawing and Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, and Jewelry.

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Theatre Elective

Theatre in Action (0962)

(1 credit) - 40 weeks

Students will explore ALL aspects of the Theatre Arts. The class units include theatre history, acting (pantomime, improvisation, character analysis, monologue, and scene work), stage combat, play-writing, directing, and technical theatre (lights, sounds, props, costume, and make-up). The course is a prerequisite for higher level theatre courses (Stagecraft and Design, Intensive Acting, Directing, Play Analysis, and Working Actor).

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Technology Elective

Technical Drawing (0765) & Architectural Drawing (0770)

(1/2 credit) - 20 weeks: Fall & (1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Spring

Technical Drawing (Fall) is the part of the industry concerned with the preparation of drawings needed to develop and manufacture modern-day products. In this course you will be involved in the following areas: sketching, drafting tools and techniques, lettering and dimensioning, orthographic projection, and career opportunities.

In Architectural Drawing (Spring) our objective is to cover the planning, designing, and drafting of specifications for residence and small commercial buildings. Course content will deal with: house construction planning, interior designing, and exterior designing. Students must take Technical Drawing in the fall.

* When combined, Technical and Architectural Drawing satisfy the fine arts requirement for graduation.

Dance Elective

Dance 1 (0900)

(1/2 credit) - 40 weeks, alternating days

Basic terminology and execution will be the focus of study. Students will gain strength, flexibility, coordination and balance. Students will also acquire knowledge of dance history, dance elements, improvisation, and composition. A variety of dance genres such as modern, jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater, and hip hop will be explored. Students will participate in one live performance during the course.

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Music Electives

Music in Our Lives (0950)

(1 credit) - 40 weeks

In Music in Our Lives, students are introduced to the many styles of music as they apply to our everyday lives. Through classroom experiences, they are exposed to listening exercises, composing, and performing. The class is designed to incorporate as many "hands-on" experiences as possible.

Music Electives

Band (0965)

(1/2 credit) - 40 weeks, alternating days

Each student in the Concert Band is required to attend one individual or small group lesson per cycle. The band rehearses 2-3 periods each week and performs in two mandatory concerts during the year. Select members may be asked to play with the Orchestra at concerts. * Prerequisite: Ability to play an instrument at an appropriate skill level as determined by the director.

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Orchestra (0975)

(1/2 credit) - 40 weeks, alternating days

The orchestra is a music organization which provides its members with the opportunity to enjoy music fully through active participation in performance and to contribute to the musical life of the school and the community. This organization meets 2-3 periods each week throughout the year. All students are scheduled for one period of small group instrumental instruction per cycle. Students are required to participate in two mandatory concerts each year. * Prerequisite: Ability to play a string instrument at an appropriate skill level as determined by the director.

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Music Electives

Chorus (0970)

(1/4 credit)- 40 weeks, alternating days

Chorus provides each student an opportunity to explore the many styles of vocal music through active participation. Contrasting works are studied in order to acquaint students with various types of choral literature and to develop choral concepts and performance skills. Rehearsals occur 2-3 periods each week and two mandatory performances are given each year.

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Jazz Rock (0971)

(1 credit) - 40 weeks

This organizational is designed to provide additional vocal experiences for the advanced-level musician. Repertoire focuses on the pop-rock idiom and choreography is an integral facet of the program. Performances are scheduled throughout the year, both at school and at various community functions. Afterschool rehearsals are set up by the director as needed.

*Acceptance into Jazz Rock is by competitive audition; students must also be in Chorus.

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If you plan to take Technical and Architectural Drawing for your fine arts elective, you must take both. Technical Drawing is a prerequisite to Architectural Drawing.

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If you have never played an instrument, please do not sign up for Band or Orchestra. You CAN, however sign up for Chorus even if you’ve never sung before.

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Students interested in auditioning for Jazz Rock must also enroll in Chorus. If you are interested in auditioning for Jazz Rock, please notify Ms. Haycock in the spring.

At this time, please select which Fine Arts course(s) you would like to enroll in for next year. You can sign up for more than one.

Additional Electives

Media Technology

Media Production 1: Yearbook (0572)

(1 credit) - 40 weeks

Students will develop skills in computer related print media to organize, design, and produce a school yearbook. We will also explore the effects of the communication age on modern society with a focus on projects and real world examples.

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Robotics/Rapid Prototyping 1 (0580)

(1 credit) – 40 weeks

Robotics and Rapid Prototyping will explore electronics, robotics, building, and programming, as well as designing and manufacturing products that you create from scratch. We will be building robots and working in the Maker Creation Center to prototype and create those robots. Using 3D Printing, UV Printing, Laser Cutting, and Vinyl Cutting, we will make items to sell and items to take home. This course explores the maker in all of us to design, create, and program anything. From Cosplay, Fashion Design, Manufacturing, and 3D Modeling – to printing your own pancakes, Robotics and Rapid Prototyping has a little bit of everything. The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.

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Media Technology

Video Production 1 (0855) & Video Production 2 (0856)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Fall à (1/2 credit) - 20 weeks: Spring

Students will be learning and implementing modern video production techniques in order to make videos for the school as well as contests and events. Using digital video cameras and computer editing software, students will work in teams of three or four to complete assignments on a bi-weekly basis. This “hands on” course will be graded by the videos you make and your skill and growth throughout the course. Students will also learn live production and event filming while running the morning announcements (1^st period only). This fun and exhilarating course is designed to integrate students’ knowledge, humor, and creativity in a wide variety of topics.

Family Consumer Sciences

Basic Sewing (0640)

(1/2 credit) - 20 weeks: Fall

Students will learn basic sewing skills, including reading pattern instructions, seam finishes, gathering, sewing on buttons, and hems. We will learn about design elements and color. Projects will include a tote bag, a fabric pumpkin, a community service project, and other projects. This class will teach students a new skill that can last a lifetime, as a hobby or a future career.

Sewing Fashions (0645)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Spring ~ Prerequisite: Basic Sewing

This class will include a review of Basic Sewing. Students will learn about clothing styles and design, clothing through the ages, and clothing sizes. Students will learn to do a collar, sleeves, button holes, zippers, facings, and hems. Projects include a teddy bear and jacket for the bear, a community service project, an item of clothing to wear, and a fashion show with completed outfits.

Family Consumer Sciences

Textile Arts (0646)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Fall or Spring

Students in this class will learn a variety of textile arts including weaving, counted cross stitch, knitting, macramé, lacemaking, dyeing with nature, fabric marbling, basket-making, and felting. Guest speakers will teach optional topics such as spinning. The class will consist of hands on projects in each area. Students will also learn the basics of design and color and use these in their projects. Students will create their own final project using techniques learned in class.

Quilting (0647)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Spring ~Prerequisite: Basic Sewing

Students will review sewing skills, design and color. This class will consist of small quilting projects to learn techniques of quilting, including patchwork quilting, applique quilting, machine vs hand tied quilts, folded tar patchwork, and crazy quilts. Students will create and design their own final project using the techniques learned in class.

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Technology

Wood (0741)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Fall or Spring

Students work with woodworking tools and machines. The student will have the opportunity to build projects out of common types of materials: wood and plastics.

Transportation Systems (0750)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Fall or Spring

Transportation Systems is a course that will acquaint students with a range of methods used to move people, materials, and products, across land, sea, and air. The study of these systems will be the main focus of the course. The theory of operation and the scientific principles of the transportation systems will be included. Lab activities will include construction of model cars, plans, rockets, and boats. Students will also experiment with the internal combustion engines that are used to power our transportation systems, as well as auto repair and maintenance.

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Technology

Intro to Skilled Trades (0775)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Fall or Spring

Introduction to skilled trades is a 20 week course which provides students with learning experiences that involve the knowledge, skills, and attitudes in a number of trade areas. Students will experience an introduction to trades such as Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, Welding, and Manufacturing.

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Agri-Science

Introduction to Agriculture (0905)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Fall or Spring

Introduction to Agriculture is an introductory class to agricultural sciences, including topics in animal, plant, mechanical, and environmental and food systems.

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Business

Personal Finance (0501)

(1 credit) – 40 weeks

Personal Finance will help students determine and plan their short term and long term financial goals for post high school success. Students will have a chance to build their financial literacy knowledge through an assortment of activities and projects. Exploration of goals, budgeting, career paths, savings and checking accounts, debt, major life purchases, insurance and retirement will build students’ financial knowledge as they plan for their future.

Introduction to Business & Marketing (0505)

(1 credit) – 40 weeks

Introduction to Business will provide a basis of business concepts that are vitally important in today’s workplace. The business environment and the basics of management, marketing, and finance are introduced in an easy-to-understand manner that helps students connect the concepts of business to their everyday life. This course will lay the groundwork for other electives in the Business Department.

Business

Computer Keyboarding 1 (0565)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Fall or Spring

Computer Keyboarding is a hands-on class where you will learn how to “touch type,” or type without looking at the keyboard. This class will benefit the high-school student, the college-bound student, as well as the business-career student. In today’s fast-paced and technological world, so much of our time is spent on the keyboard doing things like emails, internet searches, essays, reports, letters, etc. The faster you can learn to navigate the keyboard, the more time you have for other things. The first 10 weeks is devoted to learning the keyboard, increasing your speed and accuracy, and reviewing basic language skills (capitalization rules, commas, etc.) You will continue to increase your speed and accuracy during the second 10 weeks, and you will also learn advanced features and applications of Microsoft Word…the right way. You will learn several time-saving tips and techniques.

Business

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Microsoft Applications (0568)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Fall or Spring

This course is designed to give students the skills needed to be successful in today’s communication age. Students will become efficient with Microsoft Word and Power Point. Students will be introduced to Microsoft Excel and basic video production software (Roxio Video Wave, Movie Maker, Photo Story). These skills will give students that extra edge for success in their college career, their personal use, as well as their workplace environment.

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Google Applications for Learning Digital Citizenship (0560)

(1/2 credit) – 20 weeks: Fall or Spring

This course will have students use the most popular Google Apps to complete projects that investigate the important aspects of their personal online presence. Subject areas such as identity theft, online privacy, social media dos and don’ts, cyberbullying, email etiquette and more will be discovered through this computer project-based course

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At this time, please select and then rank order by preference, any additional electives you wish to enroll in.

• Make sure you’ve answered BOTH foreign language questions.
• Make sure you’ve selected AT LEAST ONE Fine Arts Elective.
• Please review your additional elective choices and sign and date your form on the student line.
• When you are finished, raise your hand and I will meet with you to reivew your selections and collect your form.
• A copy of your course selections will be mailed home in the spring for your review. I
• If you change your mind about an elective choice, please stop into Guidance and leave me a note indicating the change request or send me an email!

PLEASE REVIEW YOUR COURSE SELECTION FORM