INCOMING 9TH GRADE

PARENT ORIENTATION

& DISCUSSION

PJ JACOBS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Monday, January 12, 2026

7:15PM

Hailey Wierzba

Miranda

Moody

School Psychologist

Assistant Principal

Jennifer Knecht

Principal

School Counselor

Julia

Her-Khang

Lora Schultz

School Counselor

Laura Leahy

Instructional Leader & Math Teacher

Goal

To provide you with an overview of:

• important dates
• graduation requirements

as we transition your child to their 9th Grade (freshman) year of high school.

Daily Bell Schedule

Academics

• Required Classes: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education

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• Elective Classes: Please see the last page of the handouts you received at the door

Athletics

Clubs & Activities

Student Council

Forensics

FCCLA

Washington DC Trip

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High School Fall Sports Meeting - TBD @ SPASH

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• Code of Conduct Meeting - All athletes must attend
• Individual Sports Meetings - All athletes must attend

*Football *Golf-Girls * Tennis-Girls *Rugby-Girls

*Soccer-boys *Cross Country-girls *Cross Country-boys *Volleyball

Athletics

The Registration Process

An advantage to being a freshman in junior high:

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• A head-start on the high school transition process and earning of credits

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The “differents” for next year:

• 9th graders are considered high school student
• Students earn grade points and high school credits towards graduation
• Athletic teams are combined in most sports (i.e. basketball, volleyball, soccer)

Graduation Requirements = 23.5 credits

• English 4 credits
• Social Studies 3 credits
• Math 3 credits
• Science 3 credits
• Physical Education 1.5 credits
• Health .5 credit
• Personal Finance .5 credit
• Fine Arts .5 credit
• Career & Tech Ed .5 credit
• Electives 7.0 credits

The Registration Process

The Registration Process

4 Year Plan

• Pages 6-7 in SPASH Academic Guide
• First blue paper in handouts

Recommended Preparation

Academic Guide: online (soon to be published on line) on PJ & SPASH websites

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Page __ in SPASH Academic Guide

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Second blue page in handouts

• Minimum Requirements for Graduation
• Minimum Recommended for WI Technical College System/Apprenticeship/Military
• Minimum Recommended for Wisconsin Universities
• Suggested for Competitive 4-year Colleges/Universities

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The Registration Process

Tuesday, January 13:

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• 9th Grade Registration Prep in 8th Grade Social Studies classes: yellow course selection form and online SPASH Academic Guide

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Friday, January 30:

• Completed and signed yellow 9th grade registration forms due to Social Studies teachers

The Registration Process

Advanced Classes

• Opportunities in the core subject areas:
• English, Math, Science, and Social Studies

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• Teacher recommendation required

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• Academic data (grades, standardized test scores, etc.) is also considered

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• 9^th grade advanced courses are not a prerequisite for future advanced courses, including AP high school courses

The Registration Process

Math Placement

• Placement is based on AIMSweb testing with teacher input

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• P.J. Jacobs staff will reach out to students/families to discuss any discrepancies

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• Laura Leahy, Math Instructional Leader
• Available to discuss any questions regarding AIMSweb, Forward, and/or math progression

The Registration Process

Other academic options and considerations

• AP Courses
• Dual Enrollment
• Early College Credit Program & Start College Now
• Online Learning Center
• Summer School

The Registration Process

Dual Enrollment (DE) Business Classes

Coming in 2026-2027:

• Dual Enrollment (DE) business classes taught at PJs
• DE-Intro to Business
• DE-Microsoft Office

These are Mid-State Technical College (MSTC) courses and are part of an Associate’s Degree program (Business Management) students can complete while in high school!

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If interested in pursuing this option, please connect with your PJ school counselor in spring for more information, as classes start the summer before 9th grade. Stop by the MSTC table for more information, too!

Math

Reading

Achieving In Math (AIM )

The Registration Process

Reader’s Workshop

Multi-Language Learner:

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Resource and/or Writing

MLL

Academic Supports

NOTE: A student may be recommended for support classes based on a variety of data compiled throughout the school year, as well as teacher recommendation.

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These supports include Reader’s Workshop, Achieving in Mathematics (AIM), MLL Services.

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These decisions are made later in the school year and may affect course choices.

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Special education students’ schedules will be adjusted based on their IEP needs.

• January: Parent Orientation & Course Registration
• February-May: 8th Grade Conferences (next slide)
• May/June: Course Verification Forms mailed home/due

in a week

• August TBD: Back to School Open House (for all students)
• Tuesday, September 1: 1st day of school for freshmen

Transition Activities

8th Grade Individual Planning Conference (Feb-May)

• Optional 45 minute conference for students and parents/guardians to discuss academics, career/post-secondary planning, social/emotional topics, etc.
• Ms. Schultz (students with last names A-L)
• Ms. Her-Khang (students with last names M-Z)

Transition Activities

Transition Activities

Back to School/Open House

Date: TBD August

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• The school is open for students and families to walk through on their own. Student fees may also be paid at this time.
• Students will have access to their class schedule and locker.
• Parents/Guardians and students follow a condensed schedule, meet teachers, and learn more about each class.

Parent/Guardian Communication

• Weekly E-blast/Smore
• Skylert messaging/email
• Skyward Family Access
• School Webpage
• Teacher Email and Schoology Pages

Handouts

• Important Dates
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• High School 4 year plan
• Recommended Academic & Career Prep 9-12
• 2026 - 2027 District Calendar
• Sample 9th Grade Course Registration Selection Form

Thank you for attending/

viewing this presentation!

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Questions? Please contact:

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Lora Schultz (School Counselor for students with last names A-L)

lschultz@pointschools.net or 715.345.5422, ext. 70412

Julia Her-Khang (School Counselor for students with last names M-Z)

jherkhan@pointschools.net or 715-345-5422, ext. 70598

Sara Przybylski, MLL students: sprzybl@pointschools.net

Hailey Wierzba, Special Ed or 504 Plan questions: hwierzba@pointschools.net or 715-345-5661

Laura Leahy, Math related questions: lleahy@pointschools.net