For parents and students who are definitely planning to attend VCHS! Strategies for choosing courses! Maximizing the summer to prepare for high school! Welcome to the Class of Welcome to the Class of 2012 2012 9th Grade Parent’s 9th Grade Parent’s Orientation Orientation
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Transcript
For parents and students who are definitely planning to attend VCHS!
Strategies for choosing courses!
Maximizing the summer to prepare for high school!
Welcome to the Class of 2012Welcome to the Class of 2012
So Here Is A Normal 2 Weeks.So Here Is A Normal 2 Weeks.
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday FridayA
1,3,5,7
B2,4,6,8
A1,3,5,7
A1,3,5,7
B2,4,6,8
Week One:
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday A
1,3,5,7
A1,3,5,7
B2,4,6,8
B2,4,6,8
B2,4,6,8
Week Two:
What Happens With A Holiday?What Happens With A Holiday?
A AB B OFF
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
BA A B
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
A
HighlightsHighlights
Classes are typically 85 minutes long (75 Classes are typically 85 minutes long (75 minutes on chapel days)minutes on chapel days)
4 period days are 7:40 – 2:254 period days are 7:40 – 2:25
3 period days start after 9:00 and end at 3 period days start after 9:00 and end at 2:252:25
Highlights (cont’d)Highlights (cont’d)
We have tutorials in the mornings for We have tutorials in the mornings for those students who have 3 classes that those students who have 3 classes that day.day.
Classes always have at least a 10-minute Classes always have at least a 10-minute break between them.break between them.
Students in carpools may adjust their Students in carpools may adjust their schedules to have the same open period.schedules to have the same open period.
Taking 8 ClassesTaking 8 Classes
Students have the option of taking an 8Students have the option of taking an 8thth class (and pay some extra tuition $$).class (and pay some extra tuition $$).
We generally do not recommend taking an We generally do not recommend taking an 88thth academic class, except for Music academic class, except for Music Conservatory students (COMP program), or Conservatory students (COMP program), or students who would like to take a double students who would like to take a double subject.subject.
The Academic BenefitsThe Academic Benefits
Fewer classes a day allows for more Fewer classes a day allows for more focused and efficient student work:focused and efficient student work:– Fewer subjects each day for students to Fewer subjects each day for students to
studystudy– More flexibility in managing workload More flexibility in managing workload
(always have a day between classes)(always have a day between classes)– Built-in tutorial times allows for greater Built-in tutorial times allows for greater
access to facultyaccess to faculty
Our Schedule Our Schedule
The A Day ScheduleThe A Day Schedule(Periods 1, 3, 5, 7)(Periods 1, 3, 5, 7)
Half our students have 4 A-Day classes and 3 B-Day classes.Half our students have 3 A-Day classes and 4 B-Day classes.Students have Optional Tutorial either period 1 or period 2.
What Is The Optional Tutorial?What Is The Optional Tutorial?
You may come early for extra help.You may come early for extra help.
You may meet other students to work on You may meet other students to work on group projects.group projects.
Tutoring will be in assigned rooms by Tutoring will be in assigned rooms by department (math, science, English, etc.).department (math, science, English, etc.).
There is also the library to which you can There is also the library to which you can go for quiet work, printing documents, etc.go for quiet work, printing documents, etc.
Students who Students who useuse their Optional Tutorial their Optional Tutorial time to their advantage typically:time to their advantage typically:
1. raise their semester GPA by .5 – 1.0 1. raise their semester GPA by .5 – 1.0 points (such as a 2.7 to a 3.5!)points (such as a 2.7 to a 3.5!)
2. have better relationships with their 2. have better relationships with their teachers because their effort is evidentteachers because their effort is evident
Many students typically Many students typically do not usedo not use their their Optional Tutorial time to their advantage Optional Tutorial time to their advantage because:because:
1. They don’t need it in first week or two, 1. They don’t need it in first week or two, then decide it’s not necessary.then decide it’s not necessary.
2. They don’t see some friends not using 2. They don’t see some friends not using it, then decide it’s not necessary.it, then decide it’s not necessary.
Reminder: here is our first week Reminder: here is our first week of school:of school:
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday FridayA
1,3,5,7
B2,4,6,8
A1,3,5,7
A1,3,5,7
B2,4,6,8
First General Principle for First General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9First General Principle for First General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
First General Principle for First General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9First General Principle for First General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
First General Principle for First General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9First General Principle for First General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
First General Principle for First General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9First General Principle for First General Principle for
Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
Every student is unique; your selections don’t have to be the same as others!
Second General Principle for Second General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
Second General Principle for Second General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
Third General Principle for Third General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Third General Principle for Third General Principle for Choosing Courses for Gr. 9Choosing Courses for Gr. 9
a. You have spent years watching your a. You have spent years watching your student struggle, watching them student struggle, watching them succeed—that results in succeed—that results in wisdomwisdom!!
Discuss this schedule with them, check Discuss this schedule with them, check with their current teachers, pray with with their current teachers, pray with them, and trust your wisdom as a them, and trust your wisdom as a starting point!starting point!b. Enter your schedule on the website b. Enter your schedule on the website with your best choices by the due date with your best choices by the due date – you can always make some “tweaks” – you can always make some “tweaks” later on.later on.
For detailed course descriptions, to For detailed course descriptions, to www.vcs.net, “Academics—www.vcs.net, “Academics—
High School—2007-2008 Course Catalog”High School—2007-2008 Course Catalog”
For detailed course descriptions, to For detailed course descriptions, to www.vcs.net, “Academics—www.vcs.net, “Academics—
High School—2007-2008 Course Catalog”High School—2007-2008 Course Catalog”
** Science** Foreign Lang.** Fine Art** Technology** General Elective
5 Required 5 Required Classes…Classes…
5 Required 5 Required Classes…Classes…
1. 1. BibleBible (4 year Grad. Reqr.)(4 year Grad. Reqr.)
Nathan Smith, Bible Department ChairNathan Smith, Bible Department Chair
1. 1. BibleBible (4 year Grad. Reqr.)(4 year Grad. Reqr.)
Nathan Smith, Bible Department ChairNathan Smith, Bible Department Chair
“Christianity In Our Culture” (1st Sem.) and “History of Israel” (2nd Sem.) required for all 9th graders.
Variety of grade 11-12 Bible choices based on Bible grade in previous year and teacher recommendations.
Required
1. 1. BibleBible (4 year Grad. Reqr.)(4 year Grad. Reqr.)
Andy McIntyre, Bible Department ChairAndy McIntyre, Bible Department Chair
1. 1. BibleBible (4 year Grad. Reqr.)(4 year Grad. Reqr.)
Andy McIntyre, Bible Department ChairAndy McIntyre, Bible Department Chair
Two Levels of Bible Education for Grades 9 & 10:
a. “Bible Study”, for those with a strong background in the Bible (Christian schools, etc.).
b. “Bible Survey”, for those with limited Bible study experiences (or in Christian school now with C or less grade). Required
BibleBible: Community Service: Community ServiceBibleBible: Community Service: Community Service 25 hours required during 9th grade, due December & May.
May be served in the summer.
Theme for 9th graders is “Serving the Elderly and the Handicapped”, plus service through a local Christian church.
Hours Verification Form available in your packet, the high school office or at:www.vcs.net--academics--high school.
2. Social Science 2. Social Science (4 year Grad. Reqr.)(4 year Grad. Reqr.)
Gray Judge, History Department ChairGray Judge, History Department Chair2. Social Science 2. Social Science (4 year Grad. Reqr.)(4 year Grad. Reqr.)
Gray Judge, History Department ChairGray Judge, History Department Chair
3 Choices For 9th Graders:
Global Studies I.
Global Studies I – Honors. (based on English/History grades, placement tests)
Music History. Conservatory students only.
Note: Grade at end of the freshman year, teacher recommendation, and 9th grade standardized test scores will determine 10th grade placement: Global Studies 2 or AP European History or AP Human Geography.
Required
3. English (4 year Grad. Reqr.)Judy Marc, English Department Chair
3. English (4 year Grad. Reqr.)Judy Marc, English Department Chair
2 Levels of English for 9th Grade: College Prep English 9 English 9 - Honors
You will notified early summer if we determine a different English placement is needed.
If essay writing needs help, consider our summer seminar!
Required
English: Summer ReadingEnglish: Summer ReadingEnglish: Summer ReadingEnglish: Summer Reading 1 Book (The Princess
Bride, William Golden) for all 9th grade students.
No book report, but there will be a test on content and themes of Summer Reading takes place the first week of school.
4. Math 4. Math (3 year Grad. Reqr.)(3 year Grad. Reqr.)
Cathy Gengl, Math Department ChairCathy Gengl, Math Department Chair
4. Math 4. Math (3 year Grad. Reqr.)(3 year Grad. Reqr.)
Cathy Gengl, Math Department ChairCathy Gengl, Math Department Chair
7 Levels of Math for 9th Grade:
Algebra 1A (Pre-Alg/Alg A), then 1B (Alg. B) in 10th grade
Algebra 1
Geometry, Geometry Honors
Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2
Math Placement Test. (VCJH will take their test April 28 & 29)
Required
4. Math 4. Math (3 year Grad. Reqr.)(3 year Grad. Reqr.)
Cathy Gengl, Math Department ChairCathy Gengl, Math Department Chair
4. Math 4. Math (3 year Grad. Reqr.)(3 year Grad. Reqr.)
Cathy Gengl, Math Department ChairCathy Gengl, Math Department Chair
Special math placement questions, summer on-line math options, etc. should be directed to:
2 Elective Choices…2 Elective Choices…2 Elective Choices…2 Elective Choices…Choose from the following:** Science** Foreign Lang.** Fine Art** Technology** General Elective** Study Hall (no credit)
3 Levels of Science for 9th Grade: Physical Science, which is an
intro to chemistry & physics, Biology, Honors Biology
Science Science (2 year Grad. Reqr.)(2 year Grad. Reqr.)
Scott Vander Veen, Science Department ChairScott Vander Veen, Science Department Chair
Science Science (2 year Grad. Reqr.)(2 year Grad. Reqr.)
Scott Vander Veen, Science Department ChairScott Vander Veen, Science Department Chair
o Biology and Chemistry Placement Test. (VCJH students will take their test May 19 - 22)
Elective
Foreign Language Foreign Language (No Grad. Reqr.)(No Grad. Reqr.)
Mary Riley, Foreign Language Department ChairMary Riley, Foreign Language Department Chair
Foreign Language Foreign Language (No Grad. Reqr.)(No Grad. Reqr.)
Mary Riley, Foreign Language Department ChairMary Riley, Foreign Language Department Chair
Spanish I, II, etc.
French I, II, etc.
Japanese I, II, etc.
Mandarin I, II, etc.
Latin I, II, etc.
Sign Language I, II, etc.
!!
Elective
Foreign Language Foreign Language (No Grad. Reqr.)(No Grad. Reqr.)
Mary Riley, For. Lang. Department ChairMary Riley, For. Lang. Department Chair
Foreign Language Foreign Language (No Grad. Reqr.)(No Grad. Reqr.)
Mary Riley, For. Lang. Department ChairMary Riley, For. Lang. Department Chair
2 years minimum for most 4 year colleges and universities.
Rule of Thumb: 2 yrs JH (every day!) = 1 year HS.
!!
Elective
2 years need phrase-strong English grammar skills, good memory skills and work ethic to succeed in our foreign language classes in 9th grade. About 15 - 20% of freshman drop Foreign Language in 9th grade due to low grades!
Fine Arts Fine Arts (1 year Grad. Reqr.)(1 year Grad. Reqr.)
Corel, Macromedia products). Includes web design tools. This ON-LINE course is required for graduation, unless a student--a. has taken Computer 1 at VCJH, orb. passes the MS Office Challenge Test, orc. takes an MS Office summer course.
-------------------- Server Scripting/Beginning Progamming.
(prerequisite: Computer Software).
Robotics.
Elective
Technology Technology (2 year Grad. Reqr.)(2 year Grad. Reqr.)
Chairs: D. Fugate, T. McElhatton, J. WiebeChairs: D. Fugate, T. McElhatton, J. Wiebe
Technology Technology (2 year Grad. Reqr.)(2 year Grad. Reqr.)
Chairs: D. Fugate, T. McElhatton, J. WiebeChairs: D. Fugate, T. McElhatton, J. Wiebe