Welcome to Eighth Grade Parent Night

January 29, 2014

Welcome to Westwood High School

Ms. Kathryn Ricard, Dean of Students Welcome

Ninth Grade Programs & Services

Ninth Grade Handbook Mailed in the summer

First Day of School Study Skills

PTO Ninth Grade Parent Night Panel of high school teachers & administrators

Ninth Grade Seminars Taught by Guidance Counselors

9th Grade Course Selection

Ms. Lynne Medsker, Director of Guidance

Course SelectionHigh School Guidance Counselors will meet

with middle school students on February 7th to distribute course selection sheets (green)

• Due back on February 12th

• Students choose electives only

Ninth Grade Course Options• Focus for tonight is ninth grade

9th Grade Courses

EnglishSocial StudiesMathScienceForeign LanguageWellness IElective

Learning Center for some students

High School Schedule

Eight-Day Rotating Schedule Total of 8 Blocks

7 Blocks meet each day

1 Block drops out

WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULE

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

7:25-7:30

HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR

734-8:21

A H G F E D C B

8:25-9:12

B A H G F E D C

9:16-10:03

C B A H G F E D

10:07-10:54

D C B A H G F E

10:54- 12:19

(Lunch)

E D C B A H G F

12:23-1:10

F E D C B A H G

1:14-2:02

G F E D C B A H

Drop H G F E D C B A

Sample of 9th Grade Courses

1. Freshman Comp. & Lit.2. World Civilizations3. Biology4. Biology Lab/R & R5. Algebra I6. Spanish II7. Chorus8. Wellness

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

7:25-7:30

HR HR HR HR HR HR HR HR

7:34-8:21

AAlgebra I

HEnglish

GSpanish II

FR & R

EBiology

DChorus

CWellness I

BWorld Civ.

8:25-9:12

BWorld Civ.

AAlgebra I

HEnglish

GSpanish II

FBiology Lab

EBiology

DChorus

CWellness I

9:16-10:03

CWellness I

BWorld Civ.

AAlgebra I

HEnglish

GSpanish II

FR & R

EBiology

DChorus

10:07-10:54

DChorus

CWellness I

BWorld Civ.

AAlgebra I

HEnglish

GSpanish II

FBiology Lab

EBiology

10:54- 12:19

(Lunch)

EBiology

DChorus

CWellness I

BWorld Civ.

AAlgebra I

HEnglish

GSpanish II

FR & R

12:23-1:10

FR & R

EBiology

DChorus

CWellness I

BWorld Civ.

AAlgebra I

HEnglish

GSpanish II

1:14-2:02

GSpanish II

FBiology

Lab

EBiology

DChorus

CWellness I

BWorld Civ

AAlgebra I

HEnglish

Drop H G F E D C B A

Recommendation Process

H.S. Department Chairs collaborate with middle school teachers in course selection process for incoming ninth grade students 8th grade performance placement test results

Determine appropriate levelsHonors (level 1) or College Prep (level 2 or

3)

Recommendation Process

Additional Criteria: Organizational and study skills Ability to work independently Homework completion Reading comprehension Writing ability Motivation

Recommendation Process

Specific Criteria for Math and Science: Number sense and Algebra skills Ability to process new information Problem-solving skills Ability to draw conclusions and make deductions Abstract thinking capability

Math Recommendation

Most ninth grade students are recommended for Algebra I (70%)

Ninth grade students recommended for Geometry have demonstrated a solid foundation in Algebra, one that will prepare them for success in all future math courses

Science Recommendation

Most ninth grade students are recommended for Physical Science (65%)

Ninth grade students recommended for Biology have demonstrated the skills necessary for success in upper level science courses (unit conversions, basic chemistry & physics concepts, and the ability to independently manage many aspects of learning)

French II and Spanish II

Most middle school students have completed a two-year sequence of foreign language in 7th & 8th grade (equivalent of one year of high school foreign language)

Their ninth grade foreign language will be: Spanish II French II

First Year of Foreign Language

For students who want to change languages, or for those who did not successfully complete 7th & 8th grade French or Spanish, their options are: Spanish I Mandarin I

Mandarin

Offered Mandarin I in 2013-2014 school year

Will offer Mandarin I and II in 2014-2015 school year

Hope is to have Mandarin grow into a four-year program

Mandarin will satisfy foreign language graduation requirement

Foreign Language Elective Options

Mandarin can be taken as an elective course in addition to French or Spanish

Latin is an elective option, can be taken in addition to French, Spanish or Mandarin

Both would be a sixth academic class

Please Remember . . .

Collaborative recommendation processCall H.S. Dept. Head w/ placement questionsCourse confirmation letters mailed March 31st

Must contact department heads by April 11th with concerns regarding academic placements

Overrides should be made with caution

Lists your child’s top three elective choicesNot guaranteed to get those electives

Elective Courses

Fine & Performing Arts Art

Studio Art I, Ceramics I, 3-D Design

TheaterDrama I: Intro to Theater

MusicChorus, Concert Band, Orchestra, Music Theory

Special Education Department

Learning Center Learning Center is a class taken in

addition to all other courses Learning Center teachers serve as

liaisons, consult with regular education teachers

Evaluations

Athletic Department

All available sports are listed on website Registration & fees required for each sport

Online processStudents must have an up to date physical

for the entire season to participate Will be ineligible if it expires during the season

Fall sports begin third week of August

Co-curricular Activities

All co-curricular activities are listed on h.s. website Academic Clubs

Mathematics Team, Science Team, Academic Decathlon, Robotics Club

Shared Interest Clubs Chess Club, Debate Club, Photography Club

Student Government Legislative Council, Student Council

Service/Activist Organizations Key Club, Amnesty International

Honor Societies National Honor Society

Performing Arts Drama Club, Jazz Band, Passing Notes

1:1 Computing

Google Chromebooks are provided to all high school students free of charge Recommend purchasing insurance for

$30Students can use them in school, at

homeLaptops will be distributed end of

August

1:1 Computing - Benefits

College and Career Readiness Shift from teacher-centered to student-

centered Productivity and organization Spontaneity Authentic learning experiences Personalized learning Standardized assessments going online

What’s Next

Spring & Summer 8th grade students visit high school in June Summer Mailings

Ninth Grade HandbookCourse Schedule

• National Honor Society students will offer high school tours after schedules are mailed home

First Day of SchoolNinth grade students begin before

upperclassmen

Additional Information

www.westwood.k12.ma.us Click on Westwood High School

To view course descriptions Click on “Curriculum” then “Program of Studies”

For questions regarding course placement Click on “Our Staff” then “Faculty”

Contact appropriate department head

Contact Information

Contact info for Sean Bevan: sbevan@westwood.k12.ma.us (781) 326-7500 x3355

Stay updated on WHS news and events: Twitter: @WestwoodHS Facebook:

facebook.com/WestwoodHighSchool

Although it may be hard to believe your child will be starting high school in September . . . .

June 3, 2018 will be here before you know it . . .