GHS Course Requests

2020-2021

Before we get started

● Google Classroom Codes:

○ Class of 2021- 0jgox4c

○ Class of 2022- cfpbl0t

○ Class of 2023 - aye40w

Today we will review:

● Graduation requirements

● Where to find transcripts

● Course requests and online arena scheduling processes

● And finally, add course requests in Skyward

Transcripts:● Include all courses taken for HS credit

● Need to be checked for thoroughness

● Are legal and confidential

● Contain GPA only- no rank

● Students in the top 10% of each class-- rank letter will be uploaded to Parchment.

● Ranking Timelines:Juniors/Seniors- ranked at end of each semester.Freshmen and Sophomores- ranked at end of the Spring semester only.

Transcripts:● Transcripts can be viewed...

○ In Skyward under “Progress/Report Card & Letters” tab

○ In your Parchment account■ See GHS Counseling webpage for more

information● Let your counselor know ASAP if you find an error!

Graduation Credit Requirements4 - English4 - Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th math)

4 - Science (Biology, Chemistry, 2 advanced sciences --Physics recommended)

4 - Social Studies2 - Languages Other Than English in the same language1 - Technology (class of 2021 only)

1 - Fine Arts1 - Physical Education0.5 - Health0.5 - Speech (professional communication) 4 - Electives (5 for class of 2022 and beyond)

26 Total Credits

Online Arena Scheduling

Step 1: Course Request - request courses January 22nd- February 7th

Step 2: Master Schedule - built based on selections

Step 3: Online Arena Scheduling - students create their preferred order of classes in Skyward, March through April (dates assigned by grade level)

Choosing Courses● Resources: transcript, Course Selection Guide,

Course Videos, teacher recommendations, counselors, and parents

● Courses requested NOW will be the ONLY classes available to schedule during online arena scheduling.

● Alternates are important!

If you do not request courses, counselors will select them for you!

Core Recommendations● Enter your core teacher recommended courses in

Skyward during the course request window.

● Submit the Override form to the counseling office by Feb 7th if you want to request a level above your teacher’s recommendation.

● Need another form? Stop by the counseling office or print one from your Google Classroom.

● When choosing courses, be sure to challenge yourself but NOT overwhelm yourself!

● Request electives based on your post-secondary goals and interests, NOT what your friends are choosing.

● Gains in GPA and class rank come from a combination of challenging courses AND good grades.

Tips for course selection

GCISD GPA Scale

See the GHS counseling website for more information on GPA.

Requesting Courses

• Request enough courses for a full 8 period schedule.

• For full year classes you will need to enter both semesters in Skyward (ex. LA1A and LA1B)

• You may work on entering requests through Feb 7th.

• Skyward will close at 11:59 pm CST on February 7th and no further changes can be made!

• Show your parents your requests.

Alternate Courses

• Enter up to 8 elective courses (4.0 credits) in Skyward for alternates.

• The ONLY classes you will have access to schedule during Online Arena Scheduling are your requested courses and alternates. Choose wisely!

• If you don’t select enough courses/alternates and are unable to complete your schedule, your counselor will complete your schedule for you.

Dual Credit● Current Sophomores or Juniors who are interested in taking a Dual course

next year, you MUST attend 1 of the MANDATORY meetings to find out if Dual is right for you.

Mandatory meeting dates: Jan 15th - 6:45 pm @ GHS; Feb 3rd - 6 pm @ CHHS

● Parents/Guardians are also REQUIRED to attend.● Current students in Dual do NOT need to attend mandatory meeting.● Dual = Pre-AP weight. Course options and periods will be shared at the

mandatory meeting● See the course selection sheet/Course Selection Guide for dual credit offerings!● If you are taking Dual for the 1st time, enter GHS classes for course requests.

Counselors will add Dual courses to your requests when you qualify.● Current Dual students can request Dual courses in course requests*

(*except for Dual Pre-Cal and Calc -- students will need to take an additional placement test at TCC)

Correspondence Courses

● Students can take a maximum of 2.0 credits through correspondence.

● If you are interested in correspondence courses, you MUST complete a request form that is found on the GHS Counseling webpage PRIOR to enrolling.

● All correspondence courses must be completed prior to the start of a student’s senior year.

Release Periods

● The periods below are the ONLY release options. No other combination will be granted.

● Seniors- 1, 8, 1/8, 1 /2, 1/5, 4/8, 7/8, 1/2/5, 4/7/8● Juniors- 1 OR 8● You must be on track for graduation to earn a release

period

Schedule Change Policy● February 7th - Course request window closes at

11:59 p.m.

● May 11-13 - schedule adjustment window

● August 3-5 - schedule adjustment window to fix errors only

● Adjustments are based on course and space availability. The order of a student’s schedule may change to accommodate those requests.

Changing LevelsLeveling Up:

● First 10 days of fall semester only

Leveling Down:● Fall semester ONLY● 4 weeks● 9 weeks● Semester

Skyward Family Access● Use YOUR Skyward login/password- not

your parents’!

● During Online Arena Scheduling, counselors will be available to assist students in the lecture hall ○ 7:30 am on Monday of each window○ During all lunches

Next Steps● Students will create their preferred order of

classes during the Online Arena Scheduling windows listed below. All windows open at 7:30 am.

● Current Juniors March 23-25 ● Current Sophomores April 6-8● Current Freshmen April 20-22

Let’s Begin!

Please use the rest of our time this period to enter course requests into Skyward.

(request window closes 2/7/2020 at 11:59pm CST)

Step 1: Click on the course you want to select on the left side of the screen, click on “Add Course” in the center to add course to your selections.

Step 2: Click on “Request Alternates” to add alternate selections.

Scheduling ResourcesOnline Arena Scheduling- dates, windows, instructional video

District Course Selection Guide (New format!)- course descriptions

GHS Course Videos- short videos from teachers and students explaining courses

GHS Counseling webpage (Scheduling Resources)- course offering sheets, mock schedule planning sheet,