Welcome to Eighth Grade Parent Night

1. Welcome to Eighth Grade Parent Night January 29, 2014

2. Welcome to Westwood High School • Ms. Kathryn Ricard, Dean of Students • Welcome

3. Ninth Grade Programs & Services • Ninth Grade Handbook • Mailed in the summer • First Day of School • Study Skills • PTO Ninth Grade Parent Night • Panel of high school teachers & administrators • Ninth Grade Seminars • Taught by Guidance Counselors

4. 9th Grade Course Selection • Ms. Lynne Medsker, Director of Guidance • Course Selection • High School Guidance Counselors will meet with middle school students on February 7th to distribute course selection sheets (green) • Due back on February 12th • Students choose electives only • Ninth Grade Course Options • Focus for tonight is ninth grade

5. 9th Grade Courses • English • Social Studies • Math • Science • Foreign Language • Wellness I • Elective • Learning Center for some students

6. High School Schedule • Eight-Day Rotating Schedule Total of 8 Blocks 7 Blocks meet each day 1 Block drops out

7. WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULE

8. Sample of 9th Grade Courses • Freshman Comp. & Lit. • World Civilizations • Biology • Biology Lab/R & R • Algebra I • Spanish II • Chorus • Wellness

10. Recommendation Process • H.S. Department Chairs collaborate with middle school teachers in course selection process for incoming ninth grade students • 8th grade performance • placement test results • Determine appropriate levels • Honors (level 1) or College Prep (level 2 or 3)

11. Recommendation Process • Additional Criteria: • Organizational and study skills • Ability to work independently • Homework completion • Reading comprehension • Writing ability • Motivation

12. Recommendation Process • Specific Criteria for Math and Science: • Number sense and Algebra skills • Ability to process new information • Problem-solving skills • Ability to draw conclusions and make deductions • Abstract thinking capability

13. Math Recommendation • Most ninth grade students are recommended for Algebra I (70%) • Ninth grade students recommended for Geometry have demonstrated a solid foundation in Algebra, one that will prepare them for success in all future math courses

14. Science Recommendation • Most ninth grade students are recommended for Physical Science (65%) • Ninth grade students recommended for Biology have demonstrated the skills necessary for success in upper level science courses (unit conversions, basic chemistry & physics concepts, and the ability to independently manage many aspects of learning)

15. French II and Spanish II • Most middle school students have completed a two-year sequence of foreign language in 7th & 8th grade (equivalent of one year of high school foreign language) • Their ninth grade foreign language will be: • Spanish II • French II

16. First Year of Foreign Language • For students who want to change languages, or for those who did not successfully complete 7th & 8th grade French or Spanish, their options are: • Spanish I • Mandarin I

17. Mandarin • Offered Mandarin I in 2013-2014 school year • Will offer Mandarin I and II in 2014-2015 school year • Hope is to have Mandarin grow into a four-year program • Mandarin will satisfy foreign language graduation requirement

18. Foreign Language Elective Options • Mandarin can be taken as an elective course in addition to French or Spanish • Latin is an elective option, can be taken in addition to French, Spanish or Mandarin • Both would be a sixth academic class

19. Please Remember . . . • Collaborative recommendation process • Call H.S. Dept. Head w/placement questions • Course confirmation letters mailed March 31st • Must contact department heads by April 11th with concerns regarding academic placements • Overrides should be made with caution • Lists your child’s top three elective choices • Not guaranteed to get those electives

20. Elective Courses • Fine & Performing Arts • Art • Studio Art I, Ceramics I, 3-D Design • Theater • Drama I: Intro to Theater • Music • Chorus, Concert Band, Orchestra, Music Theory

21. Special Education Department • Learning Center • Learning Center is a class taken in addition to all other courses • Learning Center teachers serve as liaisons, consult with regular education teachers • Evaluations

22. Athletic Department • All available sports are listed on website • Registration & fees required for each sport • Online process • Students must have an up to date physical for the entire season to participate • Will be ineligible if it expires during the season • Fall sports begin third week of August

23. Co-curricular Activities • All co-curricular activities are listed on h.s. website • Academic Clubs • Mathematics Team, Science Team, Academic Decathlon, Robotics Club • Shared Interest Clubs • Chess Club, Debate Club, Photography Club • Student Government • Legislative Council, Student Council • Service/Activist Organizations • Key Club, Amnesty International • Honor Societies • National Honor Society • Performing Arts • Drama Club, Jazz Band, Passing Notes

24. 1:1 Computing • Google Chromebooks are provided to all high school students free of charge • Recommend purchasing insurance for $30 • Students can use them in school, at home • Laptops will be distributed end of August

25. 1:1 Computing - Benefits • College and Career Readiness • Shift from teacher-centered to student-centered • Productivity and organization • Spontaneity • Authentic learning experiences • Personalized learning • Standardized assessments going online

26. What’s Next • Spring & Summer • 8th grade students visit high school in June • Summer Mailings • Ninth Grade Handbook • Course Schedule • National Honor Society students will offer high school tours after schedules are mailed home • First Day of School • Ninth grade students begin before upperclassmen

27. Additional Information • www.westwood.k12.ma.us • Click on Westwood High School • To view course descriptions • Click on “Curriculum” then “Program of Studies” • For questions regarding course placement • Click on “Our Staff” then “Faculty” • Contact appropriate department head

28. Contact Information • Contact info for Sean Bevan: • sbevan@westwood.k12.ma.us • (781) 326-7500 x3355 • Stay updated on WHS news and events: • Twitter: @WestwoodHS • Facebook: facebook.com/WestwoodHighSchool

29. Although it may be hard to believe your child will be starting high school in September . . . .

31. June 3, 2018 will be here before you know it . . .