LDHS LDHS Freshman Freshman AcademyAcademy

CLASS OF 2016CLASS OF 2016

Why the Buzz? Why the Buzz?

Why is everyone so concerned Why is everyone so concerned about 9th graders?about 9th graders?

The average failure rate among high school The average failure rate among high school freshmen is 20%. Research shows that when a freshmen is 20%. Research shows that when a student fails 9student fails 9thth grade, he/she has only a 5% grade, he/she has only a 5%

chance of graduating from high school.chance of graduating from high school.

SourceSource: Southern Regional Education Board: Southern Regional Education Board

LDHS LDHS Freshman Academy Freshman Academy

GoalsGoals To increase our performance on state To increase our performance on state

assessments.  assessments.   To decrease our drop-out rate.To decrease our drop-out rate. To provide structure for freshmen as they To provide structure for freshmen as they

adjust to new surroundings.adjust to new surroundings. To strengthen parent/teacher/student To strengthen parent/teacher/student

relationships.relationships.

How to be a successful How to be a successful academy student at academy student at LDHSLDHS::

Attend class regularly.Attend class regularly. Know your grades/Ask for help.Know your grades/Ask for help. Know the rules.Know the rules. Get involved in extra curricular activities.Get involved in extra curricular activities. Stay organized.Stay organized. Maintain a positive attitude.Maintain a positive attitude.

AttendanceAttendance In each class where school credit may be In each class where school credit may be

awarded, a student is allowed to miss no awarded, a student is allowed to miss no more than 5 classes and still receive a unit more than 5 classes and still receive a unit of credit for a 1 unit course. of credit for a 1 unit course.

If the absences exceed 5 for a 1 unit If the absences exceed 5 for a 1 unit course, a student must, within 5 days of his course, a student must, within 5 days of his absence, present a statement from a absence, present a statement from a physician or complete attendance recovery physician or complete attendance recovery requirements.requirements.

AttendanceAttendance Students must be present in a class for a Students must be present in a class for a

minimum of minimum of one hourone hour in order to be in order to be counted present for the class.counted present for the class.

Students who exceed the approved limits Students who exceed the approved limits for unexcused absences for unexcused absences do notdo not receive receive credit in the course credit in the course regardlessregardless of final of final grade average.grade average.

TardiesTardies

Not being in the classroom when the Not being in the classroom when the tardy bell rings.tardy bell rings.

Find the quickest route to and from Find the quickest route to and from classes and plan accordingly.classes and plan accordingly.

Using the bathroom and being at lockers Using the bathroom and being at lockers is not an excuse for being tardy.is not an excuse for being tardy.

CreditsCredits

To be promoted to the 10To be promoted to the 10thth grade, 9 grade, 9thth graders need 5 Carnegie units which graders need 5 Carnegie units which include one English and one math unit. include one English and one math unit.

Of the 8 classes your child will have this Of the 8 classes your child will have this year, he/she MUST pass at least year, he/she MUST pass at least fivefive classes to be promoted to the 10classes to be promoted to the 10thth grade. grade.

Parent InvolvementParent Involvement

Interims will be sent home from all core Interims will be sent home from all core ninth grade academy teachers every two ninth grade academy teachers every two to three weeks. to three weeks.

School interims and report cards will be School interims and report cards will be sent home 4 times a year. These will sent home 4 times a year. These will include core classes plus electives.include core classes plus electives.

Why Extracurricular Activities?

One study on adolescents and extracurricular activities found that adolescents who participated in extracurricular activities reported higher grades, more positive attitudes toward school, and higher academic aspirations (Darling, Caldwell and Smith, 2005).

Get InvolvedGet Involved

DramaDrama FCAFCA FFAFFA Gospel ChoirGospel Choir HOSAHOSA Interact ClubInteract Club International ClubInternational Club Science ClubScience Club

Various Sports TeamVarious Sports Team Beta ClubBeta Club Honor SocietyHonor Society Student CouncilStudent Council

EventsEvents

Freshmen NightFreshmen Night Sporting EventsSporting Events Mr. and Miss LDHSMr. and Miss LDHS Winter FormalWinter Formal Drama ProductionsDrama Productions Band/ Orchestra/Chorus Band/ Orchestra/Chorus

ProductionsProductions

Seek Help if Needed!Seek Help if Needed!

L-103 3:35-4:35 P.M. L-103 3:35-4:35 P.M.

MondaysMondays English 1 and Geography English 1 and Geography

TuesdaysTuesdays Math (Math Tech 1 and Alg. 1)Math (Math Tech 1 and Alg. 1)

Wednesdays Wednesdays Biology 1Biology 1

ThursdaysThursdaysMath (Math Tech 1 and Alg. 1)Math (Math Tech 1 and Alg. 1)

The Homework Center is also used for students to make-up The Homework Center is also used for students to make-up tests and quizzes and complete test corrections.tests and quizzes and complete test corrections.

The Student AgendaThe Student Agenda

Only 9Only 9thth grade students receive agendas. grade students receive agendas. Use your agenda as an organizational Use your agenda as an organizational

tool. tool. Record ALL class assignments and Record ALL class assignments and

important dates in your agenda.important dates in your agenda. Keep your agenda with you at ALL times.Keep your agenda with you at ALL times. Do not allow other students to use your Do not allow other students to use your

agenda.agenda.

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99thth Grade Student Grade Student Agenda/PlannerAgenda/Planner

Daily homework assignmentsDaily homework assignments Project and other assignment due Project and other assignment due

datesdates Quiz, test, exam and presentation datesQuiz, test, exam and presentation dates Beginning and ending of marking Beginning and ending of marking

periodsperiods Reminders to bring special materialsReminders to bring special materials Locker combinations Locker combinations Medical and dental appointmentsMedical and dental appointments School holidaysSchool holidays Dates of tryouts, auditions, athletic Dates of tryouts, auditions, athletic

events and performancesevents and performances

Dress for Success Dress for Success

Plan your wardrobe accordingly and make a good first Plan your wardrobe accordingly and make a good first impression.impression.

Students must wear appropriate clothing that will not in Students must wear appropriate clothing that will not in any way impede or distract (either physically or mentally) any way impede or distract (either physically or mentally) the learning of other students. the learning of other students.

A dress code has been implemented as part of the A dress code has been implemented as part of the administration’s attempt to ensure a positive school administration’s attempt to ensure a positive school climate. climate.

Students are encouraged to develop good habits Students are encouraged to develop good habits (including appropriate dress) which will serve them well (including appropriate dress) which will serve them well after their high school careers have ended.after their high school careers have ended.

First Day of SchoolFirst Day of School

ALL ninth graders should report to the GYM ALL ninth graders should report to the GYM when arriving to school each morning. when arriving to school each morning. Breakfast is served daily.Breakfast is served daily.

Students will report to homeroom at 8:15 the Students will report to homeroom at 8:15 the first two days of school. first two days of school.

Students who think something is wrong with Students who think something is wrong with their schedule or were assigned to a course their schedule or were assigned to a course that they think they did not sign up for should that they think they did not sign up for should complete a guidance appointment request complete a guidance appointment request form. form.

SupportSupport

We are here for you!We are here for you! If your student has any problems or If your student has any problems or

concerns during the school year, please concerns during the school year, please seek out a teacher, administrator, or seek out a teacher, administrator, or guidance counselor.guidance counselor.

Our mission at LDHS is to Our mission at LDHS is to develop productive citizens develop productive citizens

for our society.for our society.

This is our This is our MISSIONMISSION; this is our ; this is our GOALGOAL!!