Decatur High SchoolDecatur High School

Presentation to Parents and Presentation to Parents and Students of the Class of 2018Students of the Class of 2018

March 31, 2014March 31, 2014

Decatur High School Decatur High School ContactsContacts

Jason Cochran—PrincipalJason Cochran—PrincipalSheila McCollum—Assistant Principal, Students A-G Sheila McCollum—Assistant Principal, Students A-G Steven Valkenaar—Assistant Principal, Students H-NSteven Valkenaar—Assistant Principal, Students H-NCindy Bauter—Assistant Principal, Students O-ZCindy Bauter—Assistant Principal, Students O-ZNeal Hall—Counselor, Students A-L Neal Hall—Counselor, Students A-L Paige Liggett—Counselor, Students M-ZPaige Liggett—Counselor, Students M-ZRene’ Fuller—STAAR/ACT/SAT, College & Career Readiness Rene’ Fuller—STAAR/ACT/SAT, College & Career Readiness

High School Bell ScheduleHigh School Bell ScheduleThursdayThursdayTutorials—7:30Tutorials—7:30

22ndnd 8:00-9:30 8:00-9:3044thth 9:35-11:10 9:35-11:1066thth 11:15-12:45 11:15-12:45Lunch 12:45-1:30Lunch 12:45-1:3088thth 1:35-3:05 1:35-3:05

FridayFridayTutorials—7:30Tutorials—7:30

11stst 8:00-9:30 8:00-9:3033rdrd 9:35-11:10 9:35-11:1055thth 11:15-12:45 11:15-12:45Lunch 12:45-1:30Lunch 12:45-1:3077thth 1:35-3:05 1:35-3:05

Students will be able to earn 8 credits each year.

Mon/Tues/WedMon/Tues/WedTutorials—7:30Tutorials—7:30

11stst 8:00-8:48 8:00-8:4822ndnd 8:52-9:40 8:52-9:4033rdrd 9:44-10:32 9:44-10:3244thth 10:36-11:27 10:36-11:2755thth 11:31-12:19 11:31-12:19Lunch 12:19-12:58Lunch 12:19-12:58

66thth 1:03-1:52 1:03-1:5277thth 1:56-2:44 1:56-2:4488thth 2:48-3:35 2:48-3:35

Legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature Legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature that relates to high school graduationthat relates to high school graduation

Contains new graduation requirements Contains new graduation requirements and expectations for studentsand expectations for students

Reduces the number of state end of Reduces the number of state end of course assessments required for high course assessments required for high school students to graduateschool students to graduate

What is House Bill 5?What is House Bill 5?

The Plan for the Class of 2018The Plan for the Class of 2018

All students will begin on the Multidisciplinary Endorsement All students will begin on the Multidisciplinary Endorsement with a generic 4-year plan. with a generic 4-year plan.

During student’s freshman year, counselors will have a During student’s freshman year, counselors will have a mandatory meeting with student and parent to finalize mandatory meeting with student and parent to finalize student’s graduation plan and anticipated courses. Parent student’s graduation plan and anticipated courses. Parent signature will be obtained at this meeting to comply with state signature will be obtained at this meeting to comply with state law. law.

We recommend that all students complete requirements for We recommend that all students complete requirements for the Distinguished Level of Achievement (qualifies student for the Distinguished Level of Achievement (qualifies student for Top 10% and automatic admission), which includes earning Top 10% and automatic admission), which includes earning at least one endorsement and successful completion of at least one endorsement and successful completion of Algebra 2. Algebra 2.

DHS Requirements for DHS Requirements for Multidisciplinary Endorsement with Multidisciplinary Endorsement with Distinguished Level of AchievementDistinguished Level of Achievement

2626 Total CreditsTotal Credits

English 1, 2, 3, & 4English 1, 2, 3, & 4

Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, 4Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, 4 thth Math Math

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 4Biology, Chemistry, Physics, 4thth Science Science

World Geography, World History, US History, World Geography, World History, US History, Government/EconomicsGovernment/Economics

2 credits of Spanish2 credits of Spanish

1 PE credit1 PE credit

1 Fine Art credit1 Fine Art credit

6 elective credits6 elective credits

Performance Performance AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Students may earn Performance Acknowledgements Students may earn Performance Acknowledgements for outstanding performance in the following areas:for outstanding performance in the following areas:

AP, PSAT, ACT-Plan, SAT, ACT ExamsAP, PSAT, ACT-Plan, SAT, ACT Exams

Bilingualism and BiliteracyBilingualism and Biliteracy

Dual Credit CoursesDual Credit Courses

Nationally or internationally recognized business or industry Nationally or internationally recognized business or industry certification or licensecertification or license

Performance Acknowledgements are like Advanced Performance Acknowledgements are like Advanced Measures from the previous Distinguished Plan, and Measures from the previous Distinguished Plan, and students will be required to submit documentation to students will be required to submit documentation to have them included on transcript and diploma.have them included on transcript and diploma.

End of Course ExamsEnd of Course ExamsIn addition to completing required courses, In addition to completing required courses, students must also meet passing standards for students must also meet passing standards for the following state assessments:the following state assessments:

English I (Reading/Writing combined)English I (Reading/Writing combined)

English II (Reading/Writing combined)English II (Reading/Writing combined)

Algebra IAlgebra I

BiologyBiology

US HistoryUS History

Notes on Graduation Notes on Graduation RequirementsRequirements

The Texas Education Agency is in The Texas Education Agency is in the process of publishing the new the process of publishing the new

graduation requirements. graduation requirements.

To access the latest information, To access the latest information, please visit the TEA website at please visit the TEA website at

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/graduation.aspxhttp://www.tea.state.tx.us/graduation.aspx..

Scheduling ProceduresScheduling Procedures88thth graders will complete freshman year course graders will complete freshman year course requests with guidance from counselors on requests with guidance from counselors on April April 33rdrd, 4, 4thth, 10, 10thth, and 11, and 11thth. . The courses you write down that day will be The courses you write down that day will be entered in Skyward by counselors, so entered in Skyward by counselors, so PLEASE PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLYTAKE THIS SERIOUSLY..The master schedule is generated from these The master schedule is generated from these requests, so changes to your schedule after requests, so changes to your schedule after requests have been processed are seldom requests have been processed are seldom approved. approved. IN OTHER WORDS, THE COURSES YOU IN OTHER WORDS, THE COURSES YOU WRITE DOWN ON THAT DAY ARE THE WRITE DOWN ON THAT DAY ARE THE COURSES YOU WILL BE TAKING YOUR COURSES YOU WILL BE TAKING YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR. FRESHMAN YEAR.

When scheduling has been completed, you will be When scheduling has been completed, you will be able to view your schedule on Skyward Family able to view your schedule on Skyward Family Access.Access.

All requests to change your schedule must be All requests to change your schedule must be

made by made by Thursday, August 7Thursday, August 7thth..Only LEGITIMATE requests will be considered. Only LEGITIMATE requests will be considered. (Requests from students and/or parents for a (Requests from students and/or parents for a specific teacher will NOT be considered.)specific teacher will NOT be considered.)Administrative changes to schedules may occur up Administrative changes to schedules may occur up until the first day of school, so please check until the first day of school, so please check Skyward for the most current schedule.Skyward for the most current schedule.All changes are subject to review/approval by All changes are subject to review/approval by principals and are dependent upon class size and principals and are dependent upon class size and other factors.other factors.

Freshman ElectivesFreshman ElectivesBIM BIM (Business Information (Business Information Management)Management)

DIM DIM (Digital and Interactive (Digital and Interactive Media)Media)

Art 1Art 1

Theater 1Theater 1

Journalism Journalism (pre-req for (pre-req for Newspaper and Yearbook)Newspaper and Yearbook)

BandBand

Jazz Band Jazz Band (must also be in (must also be in Band and approved by Band Band and approved by Band Director)Director)

ChoirChoir

Show Choir Show Choir (must also be (must also be in Choir and approved by in Choir and approved by Choir Director)Choir Director)

ENRT ENRT (Energy and Natural (Energy and Natural Resources Technology—intro Resources Technology—intro to Ag and Auto Tech)to Ag and Auto Tech)

Drill Team Drill Team (must be on (must be on team)team)

CheerleadingCheerleading (must be (must be on team)on team)

PE or AthleticsPE or Athletics

AthleticsAthleticsThe following sports currently have an The following sports currently have an athletic period during the school day:athletic period during the school day:

FootballFootball SoftballSoftball

VolleyballVolleyball BaseballBaseballBasketballBasketball SwimmingSwimmingCross CountryCross Country

All other sports are offered outside the All other sports are offered outside the school day. Talk to your coach prior to the school day. Talk to your coach prior to the start of the season if you plan to earn PE start of the season if you plan to earn PE credit through an outside sport.credit through an outside sport.

Designation of Courses Designation of Courses for Class Rankingfor Class Ranking

Beginning with the freshman class of 2014-15, the only courses that count in GPA are Beginning with the freshman class of 2014-15, the only courses that count in GPA are core academic courses and Spanishcore academic courses and Spanish, which are listed in the Course Description , which are listed in the Course Description Handbook.Handbook.

If a course is not listed in the 4 or 5 point chart, it does not factor into GPA. If a course is not listed in the 4 or 5 point chart, it does not factor into GPA.

For the freshman class of 2014-15 For the freshman class of 2014-15 onlyonly, Algebra 1 and Spanish 1 will NOT count in GPA , Algebra 1 and Spanish 1 will NOT count in GPA whether taken in middle school or high school. whether taken in middle school or high school.

More detailed information can be accessed from the Course Description Handbook posted on the More detailed information can be accessed from the Course Description Handbook posted on the DHS website under “Campus Information” and “Counseling Center.”DHS website under “Campus Information” and “Counseling Center.”

5 Point Classes5 Point ClassesAlgebra II Honors English III & IV AP US Government AP

Biology Pre-AP English III & IV (Dual) US Government (Dual)

Biology AP Geometry Honors US History AP (Dual)

Calculus AB AP Physics Pre-AP W. Geography Honors

Chemistry Honors Physics 1 AP W. History Honors

College Algebra (Dual) Pre Calculus Pre-AP Any other courses designated in Course Description Book

Economics Honors Spanish 3, 4, 5 Honors

English I & II Pre-AP Trigonometry (Dual)

Advanced CoursesAdvanced CoursesHonors and Pre-AP courses are extremely Honors and Pre-AP courses are extremely rigorous and require additional work both in and rigorous and require additional work both in and out of class. out of class. Do notDo not sign up for these courses unless you sign up for these courses unless you are highly committed and motivated to are highly committed and motivated to complete the additional work at an advanced complete the additional work at an advanced level.level.If your grade is less than 70 at 3 weeks or 6 If your grade is less than 70 at 3 weeks or 6 weeks, you will be moved to a regular class. weeks, you will be moved to a regular class. If your grade is less than 75 at semester, you If your grade is less than 75 at semester, you will be moved to a regular class.will be moved to a regular class.

4 Point Classes4 Point ClassesAcademic Core Courses – Mod/Alt

English I, II, III, IV Pre-Calculus

Algebra I & II Geometry Spanish I, IIAnatomy and Physiology Integrated Physics &

ChemistryStatistics & Risk Management

Environmental Systems Math Models US History

Biology Physics W. Geography (required elective)

Chemistry W. HistoryEconomics/US Government Beginning with the 2014-15

8th grade class, ANY Course that counts in GPA at HS will count in GPA no matter where/how/when it was taken (CBE, correspondence, summer school, middle school, etc.)

Any Other Courses Designated to Be Used as Core Academic Courses (will be updated yearly in Course Description Book)

Weighted GPA SystemWeighted GPA SystemSCALE AP, Dual, Honors &

PAPRegular

98-100 A+ 5.00 4.0094-97 A 4.75 3.7590-93 A- 4.50 3.5088-89 B+ 4.25 3.2584-87 B 4.00 3.0080-83 B- 3.75 2.7578-79 C+ 3.50 2.5075-77 C 3.25 2.2570-74 C- 3.00 2.00*0-69 F 0.00 0.00

Fish CampFish Camp

Will be held in August just prior to Will be held in August just prior to beginning of the 2014-2015 school year. beginning of the 2014-2015 school year.

Detailed information will be disseminated Detailed information will be disseminated to parents in July.to parents in July.

Accessing InformationAccessing Information

Skyward Family AccessSkyward Family Access

Student Gaggle emailStudent Gaggle email

AnnouncementsAnnouncements are updated daily on are updated daily on the Decatur High School website the Decatur High School website (accessed via drop down menu from the (accessed via drop down menu from the DISD main website).DISD main website).

Contact InformationContact Information

A-L:A-L: neal.hall@decatur.esc11.net neal.hall@decatur.esc11.net 393-7209393-7209

M-Z:M-Z: paige.liggett@decatur.esc11.net paige.liggett@decatur.esc11.net 393-7207393-7207

STAAR/ACT/SAT, College/Career:STAAR/ACT/SAT, College/Career:

rene.fuller@decatur.esc11.netrene.fuller@decatur.esc11.net 393-7208393-7208

Main campus number:Main campus number: 393-7200 393-7200

All information can be accessed on All information can be accessed on our website: our website:

www.decaturisd.us.www.decaturisd.us.

Select a School: Decatur High SchoolSelect a School: Decatur High School

Campus InformationCampus Information

Counseling CenterCounseling Center

All information can be accessed on All information can be accessed on our website: our website:

www.decaturisd.us.www.decaturisd.us.

Select a School: Decatur High SchoolSelect a School: Decatur High School

Campus InformationCampus Information

What should I do now?What should I do now?

Talk with your student about what courses Talk with your student about what courses he/she should take next yearhe/she should take next year

Regular or Honors?Regular or Honors?

Choose electivesChoose electives

Choose at least one alternateChoose at least one alternate

Check requests in Skyward and inform Check requests in Skyward and inform counselor if there is a mistake counselor if there is a mistake (announcement (announcement will be made when requests are ready to view)will be made when requests are ready to view)

Attend meeting with counselor during Attend meeting with counselor during student’s freshman yearstudent’s freshman year