WELCOME TO WHEATON HIGH SCHOOL

9th Grade Parent Meeting August 31, 2017

“We Are Wheaton”

WELCOME TO THE WHEATON HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Dr. Debra Mugge, Principal

• VISION: The diverse community of WHS will be a top performing school where students are confident, high achieving, and demonstrate 21st century skills in a caring environment that is collaborative, equitable, and engaging.

• MISSION: WHS will provide all students access to a quality project-based learning education that will prepare them to go to college and be career ready.

9TH GRADE GOALS FOR SY 17-18

100% of the Class of 2021 will progress to 10th grade

• Identity “We are Wheaton”

• Relevancy in the Rigor

• Skill building (PBL)

• Relationship Building

Eligibility achievement (2.0 GPA with no more than 1E)

Honor Roll achievement (3.0 GPA with no more that 1C)

Grade 9 English and Math final course grade of C or higher

MAKING DECISIONS THAT POSITIVELY IMPACT ACADEMIC SUCCESS…• Maximize learning by being present in class.

• While in class use positive language when interacting with peers and teacher. Build positive relationships!

• Dress appropriately!

• No midriff tops, tube tops, or extreme shorts

• Clothing with obscene language, images, pictures of uncontrolled substances or weapons will not be tolerated.

MAKING DECISIONS THAT PROMOTE THE SAFETY OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS…

• Use technology productively; once something is posted, it is out there and can’t truly be taken back!

• Don’t leave property unattended (ie. cell phones charging, etc.)

• If you see something, say something!

AGENDA FOR THE EVENINGMeeting Objectives: Parents will be able to…1) Monitor and support student progress to graduation.2) Identify ways in which the Ninth Grade Academy (NGA) supports student

learning and achievement.3) Better understand Project Based Learning.4) Navigate information important to freshman survival.5) Ask questions of WHS teachers, students, coordinators, counselor and partners.

What’s Important for 9th Grade Parent to know about WHS?

Goals

Positive Habits

Monitoring Progress

Ninth Grade Academy

Credit, GPA, Eligibility

Project Based Learning

Freshman Survival

How can parents get answers?

Introduction of Panel Members

Questions from Parents and Answers from Panel

Measures of Success?

No Z’s

No Zeos

GPA

Credits

Advancement to Grade 10

SAMPLE GRADE REPORT AND HOW TO READ IT it!

MISSING ASSIGNMENTS• Zs mean that the

assignment is missing.

• Missing assignments need to be completed as soon as possibleand turned in for a grade.

• Os mean that the deadline has passed as the unit of study has ended.

DOING ASSIGNMENTS OVER FOR A HIGHER GRADE grade • Formatives can usually

be redone for a higher grade. It is important to have your child see the teacher to determine what can be done to receive a higher grade.

• If an assignment has Summative in the column it is an assignment that cannot be attempted again for a higher grade.

HOW DOES EFFORT AFFECT MY GRADE?

#1 #2 #3 #4 Total Grade

Points Earned

10 0 Z 10 20 50%EPossible

Points10 10 10 10 40

#1 #2 #3 #4 Total Grade

Points Earned

10 5 5 10 30 75%CPossible

Points10 10 10 10 40

Ninth Grade AcademyPurpose- To help you transition from middle school to high school.

How we help:• Students who need help in ANY

subject can get an upperclassman tutor (Find me in room 2017 to request a mentor!)

• Mandatory lunchtime support for D and E students

• student/teacher and parent/student/teacher conferences

• Informational meetings about enrolling in Edison

LUNCH TIME SUPPORT

• Lunchtime Support will be Wednesdays and Thursdays starting week of Sept. 18th

• 9th Grade House Leader will identify a focus group of students each week that will meet with teachers in English, Math, Social Studies, Science on alternating weeks. These students will be picked-up from 5th period and taken to teachers at lunch.

• If your child has lunch time support, you can expect…• A Connect-ed phone call from Ms. Williams on Tuesday evening. • Your child will receive a pass on Wednesday stating the plan for the week.

WHAT IS A GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)?

• Each report card grade has a point value

A = 4 points

B = 3 points

C = 2 points

D = 1 point

E = 0 points

• Total points ÷ number of classes equal GPA.

• Additional weight of 1.0 is added to the GPA for taking Honors and AP courses with C or better

MARKING PERIOD REPORT CARD EXAMPLE

7 classes Science - A 4 pointsAP US History - A 5 pointsHon. Geometry - C 3 pointsP.E. - B 3 pointsMusic - C 2 pointsHon. English - B 4 pointsArt - B 3 pointsTOTAL 24 points ÷ 7 = 3.43 GPA

Eligible - YESHonor Roll - NO

WHAT ARE COURSE CREDITS?

• A credit is the value you earn each semester by passing a class with a grade of “D” or BETTER.

• ½ credit may be earned for each class in each semester

• 7 credits can be earned each school year

• Credits are needed to be promoted to the next grade level and to graduate from high school

HOW DO STUDENTS GET PROMOTED TO THE NEXT GRADE?

To be promoted the 10th grade▪ Earn at least 5 credits, including:

▪ 1 English credit

▪ 1 Math credit

To be promoted to the 11th & 12th grade▪ Earn at least 5 credits each year, including:

▪ 1 English credit

▪ 1 Math credit

▪ 1 Science Credit

▪ 1 Social Studies Credit

HOW DO STUDENTS EARN A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA?

1. Earn 22 credits2. Pass Maryland High School Assessments

3. Complete 75 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours

WHAT EXAMS WILL THE CLASS OF 2021 TAKE THIS YEAR?

Mock (practice) PSAT• Wednesday, October 11th

• This test will be in the new redesigned SAT format

PARCC Exams• The window is April 2- June 8• Only if you are enrolled in Algebra 1

HSA Exams• The week of May 21- June 8 for Biology and NSL Government • The Biology test is currently being rewritten and updates will be sent home

AP Exams• May 7-18• Only if you are taking an AP class

Common Writing Tasks and/or Progress Checks • Vary by subject area please see course syllabi WIDA

• Any student in ESOL classes or who is getting ESOL services will take this test in January

PROJECT BASED LEARNING

PROJECT BASED LEARNING SKILLS -COLLABORATION

As collaborative team members, students need to develop confidence in their perspective, with a willingness to communicate their insights with others.

9TH GRADE SPONSOR

• Want to get involved? Want to raise money for your class so you can have the best of the best when you’re a Senior?

• Join the Class of 2021 Board!

• Increasing school spirit.

• Supporting your graduating class is necessary for A LOT of reasons. • The money you raise this year will STAY WITH YOU all 4 years! That means when you’re a

Senior you can have a better prom, better Senior class activities and perks and more money to accomplish all of that with.

• YOU are in charge and YOU get to choose what you want—being on the board for the Freshmen class will start your journey to accomplishing that.

• The board is responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing all aspects of freshman class functions, including, but not limited to, selected school wide and class projects, fundraising for their graduating class and, most importantly, assisting with homecoming activities as needed.

Be present! Everyday, on-time!

• Attendance (page 5)

Get Involved!

• Sports (pages 6-7)

• Clubs (page 8)

Need Support?

• Counselor (page 10)

• Wellness Center (page 10)

• Academic (page 11)

Be ready to graduate in 2021!

• Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours (page 12)

• Credits (paged 13-15)

Meet the Question and Answer Panel here to answer them…• Lauren Zolkiewicz, Ninth Grade Academy Leader• Cynthia Hammond-Davis, College and Career Center• Ellisa Earley-Hidalgo, Magnet and Academy Coordinator• Jeanne Salvado, Advanced Placement Coordinator• Sue O’Connell, Project-based Learning Coordinator• Mirna Newman, Site Manager of Wheaton High School Wellness

Center Identity, Inc.• Godfrey Maynor, PTSA President• Pat Price, NAACP Parent Council Representative• Oscar Amaguana, Athletic Director• Nicole Marville, Athletic Booster Club• Wheaton Students

YOU PROBABLY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS….

What’s Important for 9th Grade Parent to know about WHS?

Goals

Monitoring Progress

Ninth Grade Academy

Credits, GPA, Eligibility

Project Based Learning

Freshman Survival

How can parents get answers?

Introduction of Panel Members

Questions from Parents and Answers from Panel

Measures of Success?

No Zs No zeros

GPA

Credits

Advancement to Grade 10

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING