welcome highlanders. this presentation comprehensive honest helpful

Welcome Highlanders

This Presentation

• Comprehensive• Honest• Helpful

This Presentation

• From the perspective that you have never had a child in secondary school

• Will answer almost any question you could have and I believe you will feel better when you depart

• All information will be located at our website in the district Program of Studies and the McCullough supplement

Documents Available Either Now or Soon on our Website

• District Program of Studies• McCullough Supplement • District math flyer• Private P.E. links (April 16)• Summer School flyer (May)• This presentation in:

– English

– Spanish

Welcome

• Looking forward to a new year

• New challenges for students in secondary education

• New responsibilities • New opportunities

Snapshot Of Our School

• Composed of young people literally from around the country and the globe

• Wonderful students• Supportive parents• Tremendous staff• All are expected to

be successful

Snapshot of our school

• T.E.A. Exemplary Campus

At McCullough

• We do things for a reason (We have kids here too!)

• Kid-friendly and preparing for the future

• Grading

• Projects

• Discipline

• Testing

• Procedurally

Goal 1

• Academic Preparation

• Paradigm Shift

Goal 1A: Safety

• Visitors sign-in and sign-out• Full-time officer for our campus• Visibility of administrators and police • Building opens at 8:00 a.m. • Monitored video surveillance system• Safety letters home

Goal 2: Preparing Students for High School

• 356 working days over two years to prepare students for high school once they enter our doors for the first time

• Students are in high school the day they walk in the door if they take Algebra Pre-AP in seventh grade

• Procedures are age-appropriate and have a reason

Personal Vision

• Is that we will be the best secondary school in Texas

Success For Your Child

• Many schools prepare students to qualify for admittance to a college or university

• We are preparing students to be successful when they arrive at college and to have the tools to stay there

Important Dates to be Determined

• Student Orientation Dates• Football Equipment Issue Day• Semester Exams• First semester exam dates

– Hinges on district adoption of district calendar

– Two drafts of the district calendar on website for your review and feedback at this time

Student Orientation

• Final date will be announced this spring– Will publicize through Tartan Tribune – Dependent on the C.I.S.D. School Calendar

once adopted for 2013-2014– Need volunteers to make it happen– Social event of the summer– Attendance is not required, but is

enormously beneficial

First Day of School

• Report to Alpha Homerooms until 10:00 a.m.• Obtain final schedules• Car line longer first two days• Buses a little later due to third run and K• Help everyone get where they need to go

A Typical Day

• Students can enter building at 8:00 a.m. – Please do not drop your child off prior to

8:00 a.m. • Students wait in Commons• Go to classes at 8:34 a.m.• Lockers/Backpacks

• School begins – 8:50 a.m.

A Typical Day

• Lunch/3rd Period– 11:45 a.m.

• Students encouraged to eat breakfast• Which lunch you eat depends on the

subject of the class you are in during third block on that day

• Lunch time can be different on red or green days depending on your class

• Advisory – 1:55 p.m. – 2:19 p.m.• School Ends – 3:50 p.m.• Pick-up

– Car/Bus

Advisory

• Meets each day (1:55 p.m. – 2:19 p.m.)

• Distribute information

• Pledges

• Moment of silence

Advisory • Work on completing homework• Tutoring• STAAR remediation interventions• SPARKS Homework Help• Make A Difference Anti-Bullying Campaign

monthly activities• Red Ribbon Week• Generation Texas career activities• Announcements

Free Academic Assistance

• Tutoring- Most days of the week with your academic teachers (most important)


• PAWS Homework Help- – Tuesdays and Thursdays– 4:00 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. – Located in downstairs library– McCullough teacher– TWHS Interact students


• SPARKS-– Advisory– Elite eighth grade students– Ms. Donna Meyer

Information to Help

A Guide to Success

Communication

• E-Mail – Easiest, quickest, preferred

• Please give us a day or so as we are with students as opposed to in front of a computer

• Teacher e-mail addresses are listed on the left green column of our website

• If you have a question about the classroom please email the teacher first

Communication

• McCullough Webpage– www.conroeisd.net

– Links to teacher webpages

– Important spring registration documents

– Athletic schedules

– “Tartan Tribune” online

– Constantly updated

Communication

• Conferences – Most at 8:05 a.m.– Try to do a good job of

communicating and prevent the need for you to come in

– This is the time normally that the teacher is tutoring children

– Important to have your child present

– Most center around a young person not turning in assignments

Communication

• Parent Newsletter “The Tartan Tribune”– Sent home through

students

– Online 24 hours a day at our Parent Services Page

SchoolMessenger

• System that calls your phone or emails you• I try to limit the phone calls to really

important items– Expect numerous calls in the immediate days

leading up to the start of school

– Do not worry, the 6:30 p.m. phone calls will end for the most part once school begins

– You can opt out at any time if you want by clicking at the link at the lower portion of the email

SchoolMessenger

• We will email when breaking news happens or information becomes available you need to know

• Important to have the correct phone number and email address in our database system

Remind 101 Text Message Alert System for Students

• A system that allows me to text students, or anyone who signs up, immediately in the case of:– School cancellation due to weather– STAAR testing reminders– Any situation needing immediate and accurate

contact– Never has been used but there if needed– Information on how to sign up appears periodically

in the Tartan Tribune has been used but there when needed

PTO

• Volunteer• Appreciate the help!• Campus Enhancement• PTO

– Front Desk

– Student Orientation

– Socials

– Library

– Copy Room

Daily Announcements Online

Common Assessments (Tests)

• Tests are high quality and developed over time to choose the most accurate/fair questions

• Not the type of tests we took years ago with random questions, purple ink, and an odor that would make you nauseous

• Are now “Common Assessments” in the district developed in the summer to address the specific TEKS of STAAR

• Sixty percent of grade for marking period


• Exams, and exam questions, are now being utilized as common assessment exams among teachers in the district, school, and within departments

• Tests are now developed in the summer to have questions which are asked at the rigor level wanted by the state for these tests and STAAR exams


• Enormous time goes into the development of each question to ensure it addresses the TEKS and is at the level of questioning required

• Exams are used not only among different teachers in same discipline but also other CISD junior highs


• Exams are being utilized more extensively among all CISD campuses to supplement benchmark testing throughout the district and inserted into Eduphoria program to optimize individual academic support

• As the exams are utilized throughout the campus and district throughout the years, they do not go home


• View at school with student and/or instructor

• Stumble Sheets in class to learn from mistakes– Students correct any errors, with the teacher,

in class

Semester Exams

• Last four days of each semester– Two options of calendars at our district website– One has the semester ending before the holidays

and another after– Feel free to go to district website and email your

thoughts on the calendar options– Please do not plan vacations during this time so

that students have every chance to do his/her best on the exams

• Prior week students will complete review packet and prepare in the classroom

Semester Exams

• Modified schedule in exams

• Grading percentages– Junior high finals – 10 percent– High school finals- 15 percent

• Synthesize learning and practice taking major exams as they will in the future

Student Success Initiative (SSI)

• Students must pass Reading and Math STAAR in eighth grade to advance to high school

Student Success Initiative (SSI)

• As of now, students must pass 12 End of Course Exams developed by the Texas Education Agency in order to graduate from high school

Parent Access Student Access

• Free opportunity to view grades, attendance, discipline, STAAR, etc.– Supplements planner

• Places you on a school e-mail list to receive breaking news and routine e-mail communication

• View on computer, droid, iPhone, iPad, tablet, etc…

Parent Access Student Access

• Unparalleled and unprecedented communication and access to data

• This program exists to supplement, not replace student accountability for grades and assignments

• Student should have accountability

• Sign up at www.conroeisd.net

Parent Access

• This system will literally email you every time your child receives a grade in the gradebook if you select for it to do so

Dress Code

• Critical

• Worth the battle if you are a parent

• Cannot battle everything

• We have to and will enforce

• The way a student dresses affects the way he/she feels about education and success

Dress Code

• One of the first steps to caring in any area of life is to dress like you care

• Always feel free to drop in with food at lunch to see what they are actually wearing four hours later after leaving your house

• We are a junior high, not a nightclub• For the most part, a non-issue with our

students

Transition to Secondary School

• Kids transition quickly– Tardies

• 3 free each quarter• 7 minutes between classes (most around)• Resets each nine weeks• First two weeks amnesty

Tardies

• Email notification to your Parent Access Account when processed

• Normally email comes same day to your email address in our database

• Being in class for the first five to ten minutes of instruction/review/plan for the day is critical to academic success

– Plans for the day– How it is to be done– What is on the exam– When is the review

Discipline

• Follow student handbook• Use good common sense• Administrators, teachers, police, and

counselors, are proactive and visible in building

Discipline

• Expectation meeting with students through LA classes first week of school

• Classroom expectations are high so that all children can be successful

• We do everything humanly possible to prevent a situation before it happens

Ongoing “Make A Difference” Monthly Anti-Bullying Program

• Bullying- Let the child’s AP know– Make A Difference monthly program

– Administrative meetings

– Ongoing intervention activities through Advisory

– Access to Facebook or PDAs with video ability

• Full discipline information is available for you on your child 24 hours a day at Parent Access Center

How Parents Make the Difference!

• Talk to your student

• Know where they are in the evenings and on weekends, who they are with, and why

• When you have a question, go to the source and e-mail the teacher

How Parents Make the Difference!

• Check the P.T.O. Planner nightly and make sure all homework is complete

• Hold students responsible for their actions (behaviorally and academically)

• Give your child a chance to work out some problems on their own– Studies show students who self-advocate do

better in high school and beyond

Easy Things to do to Help your Child be Successful at McCullough

• Encourage students to eat breakfast

• Monitor the amount of sleep they really get

– Is the TV, gaming system, iPad, and/or computer in their bedroom?

– Recent dangers of children and energy drinks• Lack of sleep

• Heart issues


Is their cell phone in their room at night (charging??) when you go to bed?

• Every day more research comes out clearly articulating the critical aspect of sleep for adolescent growth and success in school

• The phone never sleeps in 2013– If the phone does not sleep, neither does the child


• Hold students accountable for a planner– Positives and Negatives

• Encourage students to be involved in school organizations

• Attend his/her activities at McCullough

Top 2 Indicators forStudent Success

• Attendance at school

• Involvement in a school activity

School Supplies

• Basic school supply list posted in The Tartan Tribune this summer

• P.T.O. will sell basic minimal set again online this year (optional)

• Look for information coming soon

Questions I Really Get

• What is the policy on cell phones and electronics?– Off 8:50 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.– Outside of these times, call away!– Please do not call and/or text your child in

school


– Lost and Found– Theft of above devices- What really happens

• Kids leave locker open and/or rigged

• Phone on the floor or bench

– Name on items is invaluable• I have enough lost Vera Bradley lunch kits to

start our own store


• Can I wear makeup?– Yes


• Can I wear flip-flops? Yes

• Where are the bathrooms? At the ends of the hallways and in the cafeteria

Cell PhonesWhat You Need to Know from Our Perspective

• Best and worst thing to happen to parents/guardians

• Great for contacting and staying in touch with children

• Negative is that smartphones give children access to texting and the entire internet when they are least ready for this responsibility


• Instagram is quickly replacing Facebook with your children

• SnapChat is the new big thing coming online with American youth– You might want to research this and you might not

like what you find

• Sexting is an issue with teens across the nation– Equal opportunity offense


• Rarely, if ever, has there been any case on our campus of sexting happening

• Do realize that when this happens outside of school and this is brought to our attention we are required to investigate and report to authorities

• Montgomery County D.A. may take the phones and prosecute

• Usually no school consequences as this is not a school issue unless it was to occur here

Social Networking SitesWhat You Need to Know from Our Perspective

• Social networking sites are the root of most of the issues we face

• They are a great idea, in theory• A very large percentage of harassment issues

we deal with originate here off campus• Please think carefully before allowing your

child to access and then be diligent in following whether they are showing you the social networking page they actually use

Elective Information Night6:00 p.m until 7:05 p.m.

• February 12th

• McCullough Commons

• 6:00 p.m. until 7:05 p.m.

• Carpooling is recommended, and will help

• Convention-style setup in the cafeteria (Commons)

• Students and parents can meet and speak to the elective teaching staff


• Special presentations this evening– Girls athletics 6:00 p.m. in the auditorium

– Boys athletics 6:35 p.m. in the auditorium


• Counselors in the Commons LGI area– Optional assistance if needed in completing the

Elective Course Request Sheets• 6:00 p.m.

• 6:35 p.m.


• Very casual come and go

• Students are welcome

• Seventh grade elective teachers will be present to answer your questions

• Be aware in advance there will be a lot of people here


• Eighth grade elective teachers representing high school electives will be present

• Some activities which are not elective classes such as Cheerleading, Color Guard, and Highland Girls may have a booth with information

Registration Deadline – May 1

• Final deadline to make any change, elective request or core level change, is May 1st at 4:00 p.m.

• Teachers are hired with specific teaching certifications (NCLB Act) based on requests of parents on this date

• No changes will be made after this time

Registration Deadline – May 1

• Master schedule is constructed based on parent/guardian course requests on

• Decisions earlier help us hire better staff for your child

The Registration Process

• We will contact you repeatedly in the spring via SchoolMessenger with information and reminders you need to know

• Students receive tentative schedules at Student Orientation in August or on the first day of school if they cannot attend Orientation

Factors Which Affect an Individual Student’s Schedule Formation

• Staffing (based on enrollment)

• Availability of Course• Student’s Core Course

Selection• Elective course requests

by students• Seniority

• Specialty Classes– Athletics– Fine Arts– Algebra

• Number of electives– 11 unique choices in

seventh grade– 23 unique choices in eighth

grade– Will take 4 in 7th grade– Will take 5 in 8th grade

High School Information

“Mr. McCord, why are we talking about high

school?”

Looking ahead to high school…

What is the Advanced Placement (AP)

Program?

What is the Advanced Placement Program?

• College level courses taught in high school

• 27 nationwide courses in 19 subject areas (TWHS offers 26)

• Examinations scores can lead to college credit and which validate program success

• An opportunity for students to think, read, and write critically and analytically.

What AP Courses Does TWHS Offer?

• English Language• English Literature• Computer Science A • Spanish Language• Calculus AB, BC• US History• Chemistry• Government and Politics• Macroeconomics• Human Geography• Chinese• Japanese• Biology

• Environmental Science• German Language• French Language• Music Theory• Statistics• Art History• European History• Studio Art• Physics C, E, M• World History• Psychology• Art Drawing• Art 2D• Art 3D

Why AP?

• Challenges students• Consistent teaching

strategies• Prepares them for

college

Why AP?

• Provides opportunities for our young people to compete post high school

• Opportunities to earn college credit in high school (up to 45 hours)

• Saves parents $$$$

So How Well Do TWHS Students Perform on the AP

Tests?

Fact:: In 2011, TWHS administered 2058 tests to 933 students

Fact: TWHS mean score was 3.60 The mean state score was 2.48 The mean national score was 2.84

So How Well Do TWHS Students Perform on the AP

Tests?

Fact: 82.4% of the students passed with a 3 or higher

Fact: 57% of the students passed with a 4 or higher

Fact: TWHS consistently ranks in the top schools in the world in the number of tests given

Who Should Take PreAP or AP Courses?

• The most successful AP students are willing to work hard. More than ability, whether the student (not just the parent) is willing to invest the time and energy to be successful is most important.

• The earlier the preparation, the easier the transition.

Grades in Secondary Schools

• Everyone wants A’s• Grades in Pre-AP

courses of a B or high C may very well indicate tremendous learning and hard work by the student

Grades in Secondary Schools

• In secondary school it takes effort to make an A.

• It also takes effort to fail.

Adventure into Academics

Core Subject Information

State Required Courses – 7th grade

• Language Arts• Mathematics• Science• Texas History• Physical Education

– Can Substitute• Athletics• Cheer• Highland Girls• Private P.E.

• Electives – 4 choices

Science

• Science

• Pre-AP Science

– Strongly encourage any student be enrolled in pre-algebra Pre-AP

• Math Skills

– Science Fair Project

– Time

– Independent

Independent Study Science Fair Project

• Runs November through February• All students in Pre-AP Science will complete

the Independent Study Science Fair Project• This is a research based endeavor

Independent Study Science Fair Project- Approximate Hours

• One of the best things we do– Protocols- 4 hours– Introduction- 5 hours– Materials and Methods- 3 hours– Experimenting- 10 hours– Final Paper- 10 hours– Board- 6 hours– Hours are just averages- can be more or less– Have checkpoints along the way– Fair is over a weekend in February at Lone Star

Convention Center

Pre-AP Science

• Need to make sure you understand the real rigor and expectations of the independent study science fair project prior to making the year-long commitment to Pre-AP science

Texas History

• Texas History• Pre-AP Texas

History– Strong reading

comprehension and writing skills are a plus

Language Arts

• Language Arts• Pre-AP Language Arts

– Need to be self-motivated reader and writer

– Grade differential

– Everything starts with reading

Class Placement of Your Child in LA, Social Studies, and Science in C.I.S.D.

• Incoming seventh graders will automatically roll by default to the next appropriate grade level sequence– 6th grade regular history to 7th regular Texas

History– 6th GT Language Arts to 7th Pre-AP

Language Arts– Etc.


• Sixth grade students identified as GT will be automatically rolled initially to Pre-AP in the area of their GT identification for language arts, social studies, or science– Indicated on form your child has brought

home– You can move your child from Pre-AP to

level classes by indicating your choice on the document


• Ultimately, you can place your regular education child in any level of class you want in LA, Social Studies, or Science– Encourage you to closely read the C.I.S.D.

Program of Studies and the McCullough supplement in order to fully understand the rigor and expectations of Pre-AP courses

– Recommend considering taking no more than two Pre-AP courses

– Need to understand in advance that an A in secondary Texas education is not the same as an A in elementary education

Core Placement Sheet Sent Home

On this sheet you choose your child’s level you want for LA, SS, and Science.

In order to properly choose classes for seventh grade students, it is extremely helpful to know where you would like for your child to finish his/her senior year. This applies most directly to the math progression.

Math Placement History

• The advanced math placement procedures have been in place and articulated for several years

• Children have been tested to be placed into advanced math since they were in fourth grade

Where Will I Finish in Math?

• To make good choices for placement in seventh grade, it is critical to know where you as a parent, as well as your child, want to finish his/her senior year

• Applies most directly to math due to its linear nature

Where Will I Finish in Math?

• Unlike the other disciplines, hard work alone in math may not always ensure success

• Involves math knowledge and mental math maturity

State Math Courses for Seventh Grade

• Seventh grade math • Pre-Algebra Pre-AP (one year ahead)• High School Algebra Pre-AP (high school

course, two years ahead)

District Math ProgressionMajority of Students

• 6th Grade- Level Math• 7th Grade – 7th Math• 8th Grade - Pre-Algebra• 9th Grade - Algebra• 10th Grade - Geometry• 11th Grade - Algebra II• 12th Grade – Pre-Calculus

Student could still take Calculus if he/she doubled up somewhere along the way

District Math Sequence(Advanced 1 year) Some Students

• 6th Grade- Advanced Math• 7th Grade – Pre-Algebra Pre-AP • 8th Grade – Algebra Pre-AP (High School)• 9th Grade - Geometry• 10th Grade - Algebra II• 11th Grade - Pre-Calculus• 12th Grade – Calculus

District Math Sequence(Advanced 2 years) Very Few Students

• 7th Grade – Algebra Pre-AP (High School)

• 8th Grade – Geometry Pre-AP (High School)

• 9th Grade - Algebra II

• 10th Grade – Pre-AP Pre-Calculus/AP Statistics I

• 11th Grade – Pre-AP Pre-Calculus

• 12th Grade – Calculus AB/BC

District Math Assignments for Incoming Seventh Graders

• Students will be initially rolled to the next appropriate level of class in the progression of their math development based on the real data

• See Course Description Guide for exact progression

Upcoming District Placement Exams

• Placement Exam for entrance into Pre-Algebra Pre-AP– Taken February 1-11 at home intermediate campus

• Algebra Readiness Exam– Taken February 14th through February 25th at

home intermediate campus– Taken by 6th grade advanced math students if they

make an 80 or higher on the District Placement Exam for entrance into Pre-Algebra Pre-AP

– Evaluates current mastery of eighth grade math concepts

District Math Placement Testing Details

• District Math Placement Exams will occur in February at the home intermediate campus

• The tests are designed to be given in February and are given only at that time

• There is no continual retesting


Students in Level Sixth Grade Level Math

• Sixth grade students currently in regular on level (majority of students) math will take the C.I.S.D. Placement Exam for entrance in Pre-Algebra Pre-AP during the February 1-11 window if they have an 80 average for the current year in sixth grade level math.

• This is to see if they qualify to move to Pre-Algebra Pre-AP


Students Currently in Level Sixth Grade Level Math

• If a student in level sixth grade math takes the Placement Exam for entrance in to Pre-Algebra Pre-AP and qualifies to skip seventh grade math parents can still ask to have their child take seventh math

• Many make this request so that their child does not miss key math concepts and skip seventh math

• An 80 or higher is required on the test to accelerate and bypass seventh math and thus enter into Pre-Algebra Pre-AP


Students Currently in Sixth Grade Level Math

• Students are not allowed to bypass and skip two years of math instruction

• For example, students cannot go from level sixth grade math to high school Algebra in seventh grade

District Math Placement Testing Details for Students Currently in

Advanced Sixth Grade Math

• Remember, students in the GT/Advanced math in sixth grade are in seventh math now and are going to Pre-Algebra Pre-AP, the next course in sequence

District Math Placement Testing Details for Students Currently in GT/Advanced

Sixth Grade Math

• All students who are currently enrolled in the GT/Advanced Sixth Grade Math class will take the C.I.S.D. Placement Exam for entrance into Pre-Algebra Pre-AP

• They are taking the C.I.S.D. Placement Exam for entrance into Pre-Algebra Pre-

AP only to see if they qualify with the needed skills to then later take the Algebra Readiness Exam

District Math Placement Testing Details for Students Currently in GT/Advanced

Sixth Grade Math

• This window is February 14th through February 25th for qualifying students in advanced math to take the Algebra Readiness Test

• 80 percent is required for passing on this accelerated exam


• Both placement tests are designed to be administered in February based on TEKS covered during that time

• Intermediate campuses will attempt to makeup test any student who misses on the day of testing at his/her campus in February


• There is no later testing or additional retake of the tests which were designed for February administration

• Important for students to do his/her best

• 80 is the percentage required for passing on the C.I.S.D. Placement Exam for entrance into Pre-Algebra Pre-AP and the Algebra Readiness Test.


• CISD students in regular sixth grade math will be initially enrolled in regular on level seventh grade math which is the next appropriate course in the math sequence.

• Majority of our students• Will receive the appropriate next level of math

instruction in proper sequence necessary, as we all received, for the student to be successful in all following math courses at McCullough, the high school, and beyond

Looking at Math Placement a Different Way

District Math Placement Standards for Incoming

Seventh Graders

For a student to move from Sixth Grade Math to Pre-Algebra Pre-AP, students must meet all of the following criteria:

* 80 average in 6th grade Math

* Minimum score of 80% on the C.I.S.D. Placement Exam for entrance into Pre-Algebra Pre-AP

District Math Placement Standards for Incoming

Seventh GradersFor a student to move from sixth grade

Advanced Math to Algebra 1 (HS), students must meet all of the following criteria:

* 80 average in sixth grade Gifted andTalented/Advanced Math

* Minimum of 80% on the C.I.S.D. Placement Exam for entrance into

Pre- Algebra Pre-AP* Minimum score of 80% on the C.I.S.D.

Algebra Readiness Exam

What if My Child Qualifies for High School Algebra Pre-AP?

• If your child qualifies for High School Algebra Pre-AP we will contact you via phone and/or email before placing them into this math class which is operating two years ahead of grade level

• Student would be bypassing TEKS and math instruction presented in Pre-Algebra

• You will need to opt your child “in” to the advanced class once they qualify

• Otherwise, student will remain in Pre-Algebra Pre-AP


• A C.I.S.D. sixth grade Gifted and Talented/Advanced math student who successfully passes the C.I.S.D. Placement for Pre-Algebra Pre-AP but does not pass the Algebra Readiness Test will be placed in Pre-Algebra Pre-AP


• Students currently in Advanced sixth grade math are completing much of the state seventh grade math instruction and the State of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for this level at this current time in sixth grade

Question

What if I want my child in regular sixth grade math to bypass seventh grade math course and go from sixth grade regular math to Pre-Algebra Pre-AP in seventh grade in CISD and he/she did not demonstrate success on the placement examinations?

Option I

– Enroll and successfully complete with a grade of 85 or higher the C.I.S.D. spring class offering of Seventh Grade Math for first time takers

– Details will be available soon

– Starts in April and runs through July

– Class is the full course

– Hybrid online and classroom instruction

– Must meet summer school for acceleration attendance requirements

– The class is dependent on enough students signing up for the course to make

– Far and away the best option if you did not qualify and this is what you want them to do

Option II

• Enroll to take the Texas Tech Credit by Exam• No seat time, just a one time test • Must notify your child’s counselor in advance

you wish for your child to take this test for acceleration so that we can order the exam

• Information is available at the district website • Students need to obtain a score of 90 or better

on both parts A and B since the Texas Tech exam is being taken for acceleration

• There is a deadline

Advantages and Disadvantages of taking Pre-Algebra Pre-AP or High School Algebra Pre-AP in Seventh Grade

• May allow more flexibility in choice of level of science class in high school

• Much more rigorous

Advantages and Disadvantages of taking Pre-AP Pre-Algebra or Pre-AP Algebra in

Seventh Grade

• First few weeks of Pre-Algebra Pre-AP are review of seventh grade math

• Around November the accelerated course takes off with rigorous state expectations

• It is not the same math course we took in junior high

Advantages and Disadvantages of taking Pre-Algebra Pre-AP or Algebra Pre-AP in

Seventh Grade• Students are generally not successful in

subsequent math courses if they skip a major core building block component of math knowledge by missing the seventh grade math course

• We all likely took seventh grade math at some point

• This missing information, in the form of the missing course, usually manifests itself in eighth grade in High School Algebra around November 1st, and beyond

Advantages and Disadvantages of taking Pre-AP Pre-Algebra or

Pre-AP Algebra in Seventh Grade• In short, missing the seventh grade math

course and the State of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills it covers can be like credit card debt

• It may take awhile for the debt to accrue and the pain to hit, but sooner or later, it may occur if you miss the course

• U.I.L. Eligibility is subject to all courses, including advanced math classes

How Does My Child’s Math Placement affect the STAAR Exam for which he/she

is responsible?• 7th Graders in pre-algebra pre-AP are

responsible for taking the 8th grade math STAAR examination

• 7th graders in high school algebra are responsible for the STAAR high school end of course exams (EOCs) for that high school subject area

• The state-required high school algebra EOC exam by may count for 15 percent of the students total grade

High School Math Notes

• Students are required to take four years of math and science in high school

• For math, four high school courses can include high school math courses taken in junior high school

• At least three math courses must be taken on the high school campus beginning with Algebra 1

Considerations for High School G.P.A.

• If accelerating by taking high school courses in junior high, your grade point average in high school will be based on more difficult classes at TWHS

Considerations for High School G.P.A.

• The flip side is taking accelerated math courses in junior high will also allow you to have more opportunities in your schedule to take rigorous classes in high school which are weighted higher for G.P.A. (consider reviewing the district G.P.A. information for high school in the C.I.S.D. Program of Studies available at our website

Pre-AP Class Considerations

• No guarantee it will be easy

• No guarantee your child will make an A or B

• Not a guarantee they will pass

• Class the parent/guardian has chosen on the deadline will be the course the student is in for the year

Qualifying Students for Pre-AP

• Can choose to opt out of some or all before May 1st deadline at 4:00 p.m.– May want to pick and choose among

strengths and interest– Normal recommendation is a maximum of

two Pre-AP courses– Email your child’s counselor to be taken out

of a core Pre-AP class your for which your child may have qualified

Analogy

• Just because someone qualifies for a million dollar home does not always make it a great idea to purchase the house

• Qualifying for four Pre-AP core classes does not necessarily make it the best of idea to take them all

Student Success in Pre-AP

• Need to be a doer, and a thinker

• Just as in real-life• Just as in the job place

Considerations When Choosing Level of LA, Social Studies, and Science class

• Where do you want them to be at the finish line (12th grade)

Homework Considerations

• Time varies widely among students to complete assignments– Think about your workplace and how much range

occurs for your coworkers to complete the same task

• Effectiveness of your child’s study strategies• Where the student completes homework

matters most– Kitchen– Study– Away from electronics


• Any type of media or technology distraction makes a difference in delaying the time for successful student homework completion– TV– iPad– PDA

• Consider projects included in each class– We try to limit the number of projects and 8:45

p.m. emergency trips to the craft store you must make (I have been there and done that also)


• How much time is it going to take for your child to complete work outside of school for him/her to achieve the grade you want them to achieve in the course

• Consider activities outside of school– Dance– Gymnastics– Baseball– Equestrian– Swimming– Etc.

Homework

• TEKS• State expectations are

very different from when we were in junior high

• The nation and world job competition is very different from when we were young

Homework

• Much more extensive preparation required by the Texas Education Agency for students to be successful on the new STAAR exams required to be passed by students in order to advance to ninth grade– In your downtime it would be

worthwhile to visit the T.E.A. website to see the example STAAR questions

– You may be shocked

• Repetitions lead to understanding

Homework

• Relevant• A limited amount of

homework can be finished in Advisory

Homework

• There is homework in our regular classes, albeit considerably less than Pre-AP classes

• Will increase greatly in high school and college

Homework Scenarios

• Scenarios we see– Student who gets it done– Students who struggle to physically get the

assignment from home to the classroom but did actually do the work at some point

– Student who obsesses and needs to know when to say when and go to bed

Major Homework Point for Junior High and Beyond

– Our society evaluates students, and us, on what we demonstrate that we know

• Just like your job place

• That is why schools still give grades and we are evaluated in the workplace

– Turning and completing work has to be a top priority for students in junior high and into regular life, even if it is not perfect

• As a sidenote to this, the student will do well gradewise and actually learn the material if he/she does it and turns it in

Organizational Skills• Assisting your

son/daughter in developing organizational skills would be one of the best gifts you could ever give them– Better gift than an X Box

360, iPhone, or Dr. Dre Beats headphones

• Planners– Free– Check nightly– Designed to help

Organizational Skills

• Leading cause of parent conferences

• If students do not turn in their work, it is difficult to help them

• Reward system at home is a positive

Planner

• Provided by the P.T.O.

• Idea originated from site-based by parents for parents

Planner

• Parents view each night

• Teaches critical organizational skills

• Quizzes• Ad Purchase?

High School Course Considerations

• Once you enter into these classes you are on an established track

• As a high school class, they are much more challenging

• It is not necessary to get your student on the fast track to get all the courses in the four years at TWHS

High School Course Considerations in Junior High

• Grades achieved do not figure in high school class rank or G.P.A.

Junior High Course Considerations

• All general ed classes, Level and Pre-AP, are college preparatory

• Most students taking Pre-AP courses just take two at the most

Choices• Please make your

decisions based on what is right for your child, not your friend’s child from Bunco or down the street

Choices

• The ultimate choice on which core course you wish your child to be in lies with you, as long as it is made before the final deadline on May 1st

Choices

• I would not advise letting grades from intermediate school be the only determining factor in my decision

Physical Education Requirements

• The State of Texas requires all students take P.E. for one year (2 semesters) in seventh grade

• Physical education is not considered one of a seventh grade student’s four elective choices as this course is a requirement

Physical Education Requirements

• Athletics may substitute for P.E. – Athletics substitutions include:

• Girls or Boys Basketball• Girls Volleyball• Girls or Boys Cross Country• Girls/Boys Football• Cheerleading• Highland Girls Drill Team

ElectivesA Taste of Adventure

Very Important Documents Coming Home

• Course Request Sheets for Elective and Core Classes

– Coming home through students at intermediate campuses

– Extras are at Intermediate Campuses

– Please read the asterisks, bullets, etc.

– Writing in pencil is a good plan

Elective Request Sheet

• Please try to make the sheet as accurate as possible

Elective Request Sheet

• Have until the May 1st deadline to change

• Accuracy early would really help us out– Recruiting teachers

– Job fairs

– Etc

Elective Course Request Sheet

• Student needs to request four electives in seventh grade– Two electives in the fall– Two potentially different electives in the

spring– All available seventh grade options as

electives are listed on the Elective Course Request Sheet


• Two semester courses occupy two blanks

• Fine Arts classes (Band, Choir, or Orchestra) should be listed first if taken and should not be listed as an alternate selection as they are a serious commitment which last all year


• Need to choose a P.E class (two semesters required in seventh grade)– Choose initially on Elective Course Request Sheet

either P.E., Football, or Cross Country

– Other athletic endeavors which have tryouts would replace the P.E. selection should the student make the squad

• Classes will change from initial August schedule for most students if they are moved into an Athletics class

Elective Course Request SheetPrivate P.E.

– Private P.E. will be an option around mid-April when the district publishes the 2013-2014 list of approved Private P.E facilities

– Students who want to take Private P.E. can indicate their choice on the sheet

• They will not be in Private P.E. until they have successfully completed and turned in all required forms with signatures prior to the May 1st deadline.

– Private P.E Application forms for students will then, in mid-April, be online at our district website

– We will link to the Private P.E. list of facilities and the application form at the front page of our website

The Elective Course Registration Process

• Our administration and counselors will sit down individually at the intermediate campuses with each incoming seventh grade student to discuss his/her elective requests


• We will review the Elective Request Sheet with the child for accuracy

• Answer any questions the student may have


• The request will be entered into our computer system with the student at each intermediate campus

McCullough Informational Meetings with Students

– Mitchell January 25– Deretchin January 29– Coulson Tough January 30– Wilkerson January 31

– All dates are tentative

The Elective Course Registration Entry Process with Students

– Wilkerson February 19– Deretchin February 21– Coulson Tough February 22– Mitchell February 26

– All dates tentative

We will be on these campuses on the dates listed above to meet with students. If a student is absent, we will enter his/her requests based on sheets turned in to his/her intermediate teacher.

Information Coming Home Later in the spring

• Please check the Course Request sheet very closely to confirm these are the elective and core courses (LA, Math, and Social Studies) you want to request for your child next year

• This sheet will also indicate core courses which your child has been initially placed in based on testing

Elective Choices (7th Grade)

• Art I• Band (counts as 2 choices)• Exploring Career

Connections• Career Portals: Computer

Applications• Career Portals: Human

Services• Career Portals: Technology• Choir (counts as 2 choices)• Exploring Languages

• Orchestra (counts as 2 choices)• Teen Leadership• Theater Arts

High School Elective Choices Available in Eighth Grade for CISD

• High School Health• High School Communications• High School Spanish I (taught over two

semesters in eighth grade)• High School Spanish II for Native

Speakers (must qualify)• Plus all the electives listed on the

previous slide

Private P.E.

• Option for students engaged in 15 or more hours of individual Olympic-type athletic instruction outside of the school day– Team sports, such as baseball, are not a part of

Private P.E. for the Texas Education Agency

– Most do golf, swimming, tennis, and equestrian

– Replaces regular physical education on the schedule

– Leave at 2:50 p.m. on both red and green days

Private P.E.

• The facility you wish for your child to attend must be an approved facility for 2013-2014– If your facility is not on the list, I encourage

you to contact the facility and have them to properly apply in a timely fashion before the district deadlines

– The facilities can apply with C.I.S.D. between April 1 and April 15

– The facility must apply for membership

Private P.E.

• All completed and signed Private P.E. paperwork is due to the McCullough front office by Wednesday, May 1st, at 4:00 p.m.

• Applications and all needed paperwork will be online at the district and McCullough website on April 16th

• Applications must be original copies

Private P.E.

• Please make sure as a parent/guardian you are certain you can pick your child up every day at 2:50 p.m. and have a firm transportation plan for the entire year prior to requesting Private P.E. for your child

Private P.E.

• Approved students can change a facility only at semester

• Private P.E. is a commitment for both the fall and spring semesters– Schedules are created over the entire year

• Make sure you will like your facility and instructor for the long haul prior to submitting the application

Private P.E.

• Students who are not picked up daily at the designated time (2:50 p.m.) will be removed and placed into a physical education class

• Students will be in a fourth period class on campus from 2:26 p.m. until 2:50 p.m.

• The Texas Education Agency allows us to dismiss approved Private P.E. students one hour early each day (2:50 p.m)

Private P.E.

• Does not work with sports which have an athletic period such as cross country, volleyball, basketball, drill team, cheerleading, and football

• Texas students are not allowed by law to have two athletic or physical education classes in their schedules

• Students in Private P.E. can participate in school sports which are a club activity such as golf, tennis, track, and soccer which do not meet as an athletic class during the school day

Private P.E.

• If choosing this option, parents/guardians must be flexible on the pickup schedule as it will change periodically due to pep rallies, STAAR testing, semester exams, etc.

• Every three weeks the facility submits a grade and attendance report directly to the Counseling Center

• Grade forms are available in the Counseling Center and at our website

Private P.E.

• A seventh grade student in Private P.E. will still receive two elective choices (one class per semester)

• The aspiring Private P.E. student should still make all of his/her elective requests on the Course Request Sheet

Level 2 Private P.E.

• Level 2 Private P.E. is for students who attend five hours or more weekly of physical education activity at an approved facility

• These students do not leave early each day and would not be in regular physical education

Level 2 Private P.E.

• They receive two additional classroom courses above and beyond

• For participation in this program, the student must be in band, choir, or orchestra so that space is available for the extra classes to be accommodated in the student schedule in lieu of them being in the physical education classroom

Number of Elective Requests for Seventh Graders

• All seventh grade students will take four electives


• Band, Choir, or Orchestra, each take up two elective slots (class lasts entire year)

• Two blanks on elective course request sheet

• Fine Arts


• Example A: Student takes Choir (2 choices), Careers, and Exploring Technology = 4 classes


• Example B: Student takes Choir (2 choices) and Band (2 choices) = 4 classes

• Yes, you can take two fine arts classes


• Example C: Student takes Athletics (does not count since it replaces P.E.), Exploring Technology, Careers, Exploring Computer Applications, and Exploring Languages = 4 classes


• Example D: Student takes Athletics (replaces P.E.), Band (2 classes), Teen Leadership, and Exploring Computer Applications


• Example E: Student takes Athletics , Band (2 choices), and Orchestra (2 choices)

Elective Requests

• Please note that during the spring you will receive information on elective choices for your child

• Please note that these sheets will indicate your child’s request, not an assignment to that class

• Eighth grade student requests will be filled first

Elective Requests

• Students will include regular and alternate requests

• It is possible a student may receive an elective in seventh grade he/she did not request to complete his/her schedule

• By the time a student completes eighth grade at McCullough, it is highly likely your student will have been enrolled in any particular elective class he/she would like to take

The Schedule(No fine arts or athletics)

Period Red Day Green Day 1st Math Science 2nd Language Arts Math/Writing 3rd PE Elective Advisory Advisory Advisory 4th Elective History

P.E. is included in schedule, not counting as an elective choice since a full year is required in seventh grade.

The Schedule(Athletic Schedule)

Period Red Day Green Day 1st Athletics Science 2nd Math History 3rd Language Arts Math/Writing Advisory Advisory Advisory 4th Elective Elective

Athletics simply replaces required P.E.

The Schedule(Band, Choir, or Orchestra)

Period Red Day Green Day 1st Math Elective 2nd PE History 3rd Language Arts Writing/Math Advisory Advisory Advisory 4th Choir Science

Please note Fine Arts electives last all year, and thus count as two selections each.

The Schedule(Student taking Choir and Orch)

Period Red Day Green Day 1st Math Orchestra 2nd PE History 3rd Language Arts Writing/Math Advisory Advisory Advisory 4th Choir Science

Many students take more than one fine arts course and they are encouraged to do so.

The Schedule(Student in Athletics and Band)

Period Red Day Green Day 1st Athletics Science 2nd Math History 3rd Language Arts Math/Writing Advisory Advisory Advisory 4th Elective Band

Many students have this schedule. There are very few conflicts, and we work hard to resolve them when they do occur. If a student is unsure about which activity to participate in during high school, I encourage doing both.

Fine Arts and Athletics

• Can be involved in both• Many are involved in a

fine art and athletics• Many are involved in two

fine arts• Encourage you to do

more than one• Very few, if any conflicts


• Fall under the C.I.S.D. secondary code of conduct

• Expectations are greater of the students as they represent the organization– Be wise about allowing your child to use Facebook

or PDAs but especially if they represent an organization

• Understand in advance that classroom teachers will visit with sponsors/coaches regarding encouragement, concerns, and ways to help the child


• Learn invaluable life lessons which are difficult to teach anywhere else

• Not about the sport– About the:

• Teamwork• Fellowship• Friends• Stories you embellish

twenty years later

Signing up for Band, Choir, or Orchestra

• Unlike other electives, if you sign up for a muscial fine art elective you are automatically enrolled

• Tryouts are held for placement which then determines your exact class period– Schedule would be built around this time block – Placements announced on schedule in August– Occupies two slots on request sheet as it runs all

year

Signing up for Band, Choir, or Orchestra

• Encouraged to do multiple musical fine arts if you are interested

• Step up in commitment from intermediate campus

• Prepares students for participation in these activities at TWHS

Bands

• Concert IV• Concert III• Concert II• Concert I• Symphonic• Wind Ensemble• Commitment for

the year

Percussion Class

• Year long class on percussion skills• Course is for advanced percussionists

who will have Percussion Class only the first semester and band the second semester

Percussion Class

• Prerequisite- Students must have played and participated school percussion at their intermediate campus

• Class is exploding (figuratively)- kids like to bang on things and get school credit for it!

Band

• May practice before or after school

• Big step up from the opportunity and responsibility aspects from elementary band programs

Band

• Sectionals• Competitions• Honor Band

Band

• Football games– McCullough

– High School events

• Concerts• Pep Rallies• Spring contests• Currently 422 students

For more information on band contact

• Ms. Meyer-Patterson• [email protected]


• Ms. Liebst

• [email protected]


• Ms. Maher


Band

• Over a 200 students are in band and a combination of:– Athletics

– Choir

– Theatre

– Drill Team

– Other

Orchestra

• All students can participate in orchestra

• Five orchestras including Beginner, Philharmonic, Symphony, Concert, and Chamber

Orchestra

• Concert and Chamber orchestras have before and/or after school practices

• Need to purchase tuxedo shirts

• Commitment for the year

For more information on Orchestra contact

• Michelle Reinhardt– [email protected]

Choir

• Most, but not all, practices are during the school day

• Some specialized activities such as region choir and preparation for solo contests occur before or after school

Choir

• All students can participate in choir

• Performs 4-5 concerts a year

• Good musical fine art to double with another Fine Art or Athletics as choir has far less outside of the regular school day requirements

Choir

• Purchase of a uniform is required

• Girls have Treble, Concert, Advanced Girls, Acappella, and Chamber Choirs

• Boys have the Boys Choir

• Mixed Choir– Composed of Boys and

Mixed Choirs

Choir

• Students can audition for Solo and Ensemble Contests, Region Choir, and the spring Pop Concert


For more information on choir contact

• Connie Horton


Fine Arts Commitment

• Band, choir, and orchestra commitments in junior high far exceed the expectations of elementary school organizations in these areas

• Make sure everyone is aware of what is expected for the year in band, choir, or orchestra before signing up on May 1st

• The commitment made for these organizations is firm for the entire 2013-2014 school year– Websites gives give a good indication of expectations– A student who request these courses for 2013-2014 will have

his/her schedule built around this course– Final class assignment announced at Student Orientation in

August

Cheerleading

• Meets during the school day• Replaces P.E. credit• Practice does also occur after school• Not an elective class (do not sign up on sheet)

Cheerleading

• Purchase of clothing• Tryout process• Need to be

completely committed to the McCullough team if you plan to tryout

Cheerleading

• This programs entails a large commitment of time outside of school during the spring of this year, summer, and the regular school year

• Video located at a booth during Elective Information night will give you an idea of what athletic skills are involved in cheerleading.

Cheerleader Spring Tryout Information

Tentative Dates

• February 4- Tryout Info Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. in the Bock Auditorium (packets will be available for pick up at the meeting only)

• February 19 - Packets due to McCullough office by 4:00 p.m.

• March 5 - Tryout Clinic begins 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Cheerleader Spring Tryout Information

• March 8- Tryouts approximately @ 4:30 p.m.

• March 9 - Results posted• March 19 - New member info meeting @

6:00 p.m. in the Commons LGI• March 21st- Fitting at 5:30 p.m. in the

Commons LGI• All dates and times are subject to change.

Cheerleader Responsibilities

• Summer Camp• Spring Practice after

tryouts• After school practices

during the year• Student Orientation• Competitions

Cheerleader Responsibilities

• Commitment to the team and your teammates

• Cheer

– Games

– Pep Rallies

– Parades

– Open Houses

– Others as needed

For more information on cheerleading contact

• Shelly Newitt• [email protected]

For more information on cheerleading contact

• Lindsay Nichols– [email protected]

Color Guard

• Preparation for TWHS Color Guard and Winter Guard

• Most practices are inside• Occasionally practices are outside• Tryouts- try to keep everyone• Everyone is generally starting from the same

place- the beginning• Competitive

Color Guard

• Limited practices through the end of football season

• Ramp up practices beginning in December for performance season in January

• Performance season is from January until April

• May perform live toward the end of basketball season

Color Guard

• Sponsor Kellie Martin• [email protected]

Highland Girls

– Requires significant time before and after school

– Practice times are subject to change– Contests are on weekends– Meets as a class during the school day and

practices also outside of the regular day– Do not sign up for on elective request sheet– Receive P.E. credit

Highland Girls

– Runs all year– Practice times do vary– Serious dance troop– Preparation for TWHS Highsteppers– Discipline

• Need to be able to take direction and enjoy being part of a team

Highland Girls

• Highland Girl Spring Tryout Information tentative dates:

• 3/19 - Tryout information meeting• 3/28- Tryout packets due• 4/1- Tryout clinic begins• 4/13 - Team tryouts • 4/14 - Results posted• All dates and times are subject to change.

Highland Girl Commitments Include

• Practice• Performances• Parades• Football Games• Playoff Games• Basketball Games• Pep Rallies• Competitions

For more information on Highland Girls contact

• Ms. Talley• [email protected]

Athletics

Schoolwork Responsibilities

• All fine arts students, athletes, and any other student involved in a school organization is responsible for schoolwork, homework, and tests the day after an event

State Eligibility for Participation in Fine Arts, Athletics, and Organizations

• No classes are exempt in junior high from U.I.L. Eligibility

• Pre-AP and high school courses all count for eligibility to participate– Consider this when

choosing your child’s schedule

7th Grade Athletics

• Birth Certificate• Commitment for the

year• Replaces P.E.

Elective Night Presentations On Athletics in the Bock Auditorium February 12th

• Girls’ Presentation 6:00 p.m.

• Boys’ Presentation 6:35 p.m.

• Please give us an opportunity to have the girls’ parents/guardians exit before boys’ parents enter

Athletics

• Competitive interschool UIL State of Texas competition

• Play to win• Has been very

successful

Physicals

• Has to be dated after April 15, 2013 or later to be good for next year

• Please note that doctors do not have many slots open in the summer for physicals

What Sports Can I Play

• Fall Sports– Girls Cross Country– Boys Cross Country– Boys/Girls Football– Volleyball

• Winter Sports– Girls Basketball– Boys Basketball

• Early spring– Boys Club Track– Girls Club Track

• Late spring– Club Soccer– Club Tennis– Club Golf

One season of sports ends before the next groups of seasons begins

What Sports Can I Play

• Fall Sports– Girls Cross Country– Boys Cross Country– Boys/Girls Football– Volleyball

• Winter Sports– Girls Basketball– Boys Basketball

• Early spring– Boys Club Track– Girls Club Track

• Late spring– Club Soccer– Club Tennis– Club Golf

For example:

Many athletes who play basketball also play volleyball, cross country, or football

Cross Country

• Season is in the fall• Student remains in

cross country throughout the year

• Most meets (6) are on Friday evening

Cross Country

• P.E. Substitute • Sign up for class on

elective request sheet

Cross Country

• Serious running and commitment is

required

Cross Country

• Runs in the Houston heat and humidity from the second day of school

• Summer preparation is critical

Cross Country

• Athletes normally run 15-30 miles a week with the class

• These athletes may run more outside of the school day on their own

Cross Country

• Competitive• Four district

championships this year

• 300 plus students

Cross Country

• If your student is not positive he/she wants to make the year long commitment to this endeavor, have him/her sign up for regular physical education and he/she can run before or after school with the team

• The student would need to make an arrangement with the cross country coaches and run before or after school with the team– This student could later choose to run cross

country in eighth grade if he/she wanted

Cross Country

• It is critical that the student, and not just mom/dad/guardian, wants to take on this endeavor

Coach Collins

Girls Cross Country

Contact at [email protected]

Coach Cantu

Boys Cross Country

Contact at [email protected]

Cross Country Class

• Will remain in the cross country class once the competitive season is over

• Year-long commitment

• Replaces P.E. credit

Cross Country

• Required that students participate and dress out on a daily basis

• Would not join just because your friend is in the class

• Be sure this is what your child wants to do before you make this selection which is a commitment for the school year

Cross Country Frequently Asked Questions Answered

• To be in the classroom portion of Cross Country, a student needs to be able to run one mile in less than 10 minutes– Meets start races approximately every 20

minutes due to a limited amount of daylight

Cross Country Frequently Asked Questions Answered

• For perspective, the winning boys time is generally around 11 minutes for two miles and the girls slightly under 12 minutes for two miles

• Students optimally need to train rigorously in the summer and become acclimatized to the heat and humidity prior to school beginning

Volleyball

• Tryouts are the first week of school

• If students make the team, their schedule will change

Volleyball

• Meets as an athletics class during the school day

• Must attend all three days of tryouts

Volleyball

• After volleyball is over, athletes will remain in the volleyball class where they will continue to work on skills, condition, and lift weights

• Students wishing to play volleyball should initially sign up for physical education

Girls and Boys Offseason Basketball

• Will replace physical education and students will be in athletics throughout the school year if they make the offseason class


• Tryouts are during the school day for the off-season basketball class.

• A student who does not make the offseason basketball class will be in a physical education class which occurs at the same time.


• Students will tryout for the basketball “team” in November at the conclusion of the volleyball/football seasons.

• Students can tryout for the basketball team whether they made the basketball offseason class or not.

Girls and Boys Basketball Teams


• Student will go through offseason at the conclusion of basketball competition season

Boys and Girls Football

• Equipment handed out in August

• If a student cannot attend on this date, he/she will receive equipment the first week of school


• Hard Work• 577 athletes this year• Houston hot and

humid• Over a quarter of

campus population plays football

• August


• Boy/Girl needs to want to play, not just the parent/guardian

• Sign up for yearlong commitment on elective request sheet– Replaces P.E.


• Doors open for athletes at 6:30 a.m. in the morning

• Athletes must be dressed and on the field at 7:00 a.m.

• Practice starts the second day of school


• Once games have begun, students normally do not come in early on Mondays (day of most games) and Tuesdays (morning after most games)


• A lot of work, especially the first two weeks of school

• Becomes much easier for everyone once the games begin and athletes come in early only three days a week

• Need to remind your child of this once practices begin in August

• Child and parent need to understand this in advance

Fall Athletic Class Morning Car Line Drop Off (6:30-7:00)

• Please understand in advance that there will be days in the fall when drop off is occurring simultaneously for volleyball, football, and Highland Girls.

• On these days traffic will be much heavier.• Please be patient, stay in the car line, pull up

as far as possible, do not ask your student to walk across traffic, and refrain from using your phone in the lot during this time.

Club Sports

• Fun opportunities we provide

• Do not replace physical education credit

• These activities supplement other organizations of which your child may be involved

Club Sports

• Students who chose to be in Private P.E. can participate in these sports

• Please do not plan your child’s entire year around these club sports as they have brief seasons

Boys and Girls Club Track

• Begins in January• Club sport• Everyone makes the

team• Tryouts occur within the

team each week for the opportunity to participate in the meets

• Practice– Boys- morning– Girls- afternoon

Boys and Girls Club Track

• No tryouts

• Try to take as many to meets as we can

• We are limited by rules on how many athletes we can take to each meet

• Student does not need to be in athletics class to participate in track and field

• Practice does not occur during an athletics class

Boys and Girls Club Golf

• Spring sport• Tryouts• No formal team practice• For more information

contact Coach Lilley at [email protected]

Boys and Girls Club Tennis

• Spring sport

• Tryouts

• Meets before and after school

• Play home matches at McCullough and Creekwood Park

• For more information contact Coach Wildman at [email protected]

Boys and Girls Club Soccer

• Club sport after track• Most soccer players

participate in track and field

• Complete information is available at our website

• Coach Redmon-Boys• Coach Brown - Girls

General Questions Regarding Athletics

• Please contact Lance Skinner– Girls’ and Boys Athletic

Coordinator– [email protected]

People to Help if You Have Questions

• The following slides contain pictures of:– Counselors– Administrators– Department Heads

• These individuals will be located in the Cafeteria (Commons) on your way out if you have questions

P.TO. Gear

• P.T.O. gear will also be available in the Commons (Cafeteria) on the way out– Hoodies– T-shirts– Car decals– Bags

Jerry Horan

• Assistant Principal 2013-2014 Seventh Grade A-K

• Located in A100• Administrative

Duties • Textbooks

Wes Henson

• Assistant Principal 2013-2014 Seventh Grade L-Z

• Located in A100• 504

Steve Skidmore

• Assistant Principal 2013-2014 Eighth Grade A-K

• Located in A101 • Scheduling

Shannon York

• Assistant Principal 2013-2014 Eighth Grade L-Z

• Located in A101• Technology

Counselors

Marti Meerscheidt

• 2013-2014 Seventh Grade Grade A-K


Steve Jessen

• 2013-2014 Seventh Grade L-Z• [email protected]

Lindsay Hollomon

• 2013-2014 Eighth Grade A-K• [email protected]

Jana Shriver

• 2012-2013 Eighth Grade L-Z


Tanya Gorka• Math Department Head• [email protected]• Please see at the conclusion of our presentation if you have questions regarding math

• Language Arts Department Head


• Please see at the conclusion of our presentation if you have questions regarding language arts

Jeff Murrin

April Phillips

• Social Studies Department Head

• [email protected]• Please see at the

conclusion of our presentation if you have questions regarding social studies

Charles Roberts

• Special Education Department Head• [email protected]• Please see at the conclusion of our

presentation if you have questions regarding special education

Lynne Archer

• Special Education Department Head• [email protected]• Please see at the conclusion of our

presentation if you have questions regarding special education

Janene Fowler• Science Department Head• [email protected]• Please see at the conclusion of our presentation if you have questions regarding science• Will have some example science fair boards

Questions

• Department Heads– Questions about

Math, LA, Texas History, Science

• Counselors– Program questions

• Administrators– General

Rev 1/22/13

welcome highlanders. this presentation comprehensive honest helpful

Documents

important slide

time slide

texas slide

success slide

reason slide

successful slide

updated slide

beneficial slide