Welcome Parents!The 8th Grade Experience and the

High School Transition Process

Mrs. Lakomy ~ A-K last namesMrs. Levrault ~ L-Z last names

The Road to High School!

13/14 YEAR OLDS: SOCIAL & LANGUAGE• Neatness an issue with appearance, not environment• Feelings easily hurt• Hang out in large groups, but starting to form more intimate relationships• Phone, computer, video games are major distractions• Like to do as much as possible and cram a lot into a day• More of their own adult personality evident• Embarrassed to be seen with parents• Don’t respond well to adult lectures; “know it all” stage• Can withdraw in the home setting• Worry about school work• Can be difficult at home and a star in school• One word answers• Like to challenge intellectual and social authority• Aware of problems in larger world and invested in finding solution• Abstract reasoning begins to develop

What to Expect: Academically• Higher academic demands

• Individual responsibility emphasized

• More independence expected

• Organizational skills are necessary

• Self-advocacy skills essential

How parents can help students build self advocacy skills:

*Student to communicate with teacher:Ask questions during class Discuss problems or concerns with teachers before or after class, in the morning or after schoolParticipate in after school help Email teacher

*Clarification of homework assignments:Student to use planner consistently to write down assignmentsStudent to use team homework page on the school website Student to call a peerStudent to ask parents for assistance

*Student and Parents review Parent Portal together: Student follows up with teacher on missing assignments, low scores

*Student comes to guidance regarding academic, social, or personal concerns

Timeline to High SchoolFall 2013

•October: All students established Power School accounts Letter sent home from SWHS to all families

regarding transition information

•October 24th: Rockville Vo-Ag Open House ~ 6 PM

•October 29th: Cheney Tech Open House ~ 6 PM

•Nov. 3rd : SWHS Family Curriculum Night ~ 6:30 PM

•Nov. 20th: Prince Tech Open House ~ 5:30 PM

Timeline to High School:December 2014 – January 2015

• December: Private high school applications due to TE counselors

• January 14th: Parent presentation at SWHS ~ 9th grade course selection process~ 6:30 PM

• Mid January: SWHS 9th grade counselor visits all 8th grade classes to distribute and explain course selection materials

February - March 2015• First week of February: Level recommendations mailed home

with course selection worksheet and permission slip for SWHS tour ~

MUST BE COMPLETED, SIGNED, & RETURNED!

• February 23rd, 24th & 25th: Students tour SWHS and enter course requests in Power School during visits (one team per day)

• March 20th: Last day for level change requests

May – June 2015

• May: Preliminary schedules will be mailed to students from SWHS

• June 12th: Final date for students to change elective courses

• August: Freshman Orientation at SWHS

Levels at SWHSGoal is to place students where they can be most successful!

• Levels at SWHS follow New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) standards.

• Courses are divided into levels based on difficulty of curricular content, academic requirements, sophistication of analysis required

• College Prep• Honors• Advanced Placement (AP) : Offered for

sophomores, juniors, and seniors

How Levels are Determined• 1st trimester grades• Reading ability• Ability to work independently• Ability to analyze information and think abstractly • Writing skills• CMTs, benchmark assessments, and teacher generated tests• Study habits• Overall quality of work• Responsibility in meeting deadlines

*Any questions should be addressed to the teacher as a first step*

9th Grade Course Requirements

All students must take the following classes:

• 1st year English or Humanities (by recommendation)• Math • Physical Science• Modern World History or Humanities (by recommendation)• PE (1/2 year = .5 credit)• Computer Applications (1/2 year = .5 credit)

*These required classes total five credits.

*Students will need to choose up to two more credits in elective courses. If students require math, reading, or resource support, those are considered elective courses.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

• 24 credits minimum• Students must pass 6 credits to become sophomores

• To graduate from SWHS, students will need: 4 credits of English 4 credits of math 3 credits of science 3 credits of social studies 1 credit of PE ½ credit of health 2 credits of career and technology 1 credit of world language 1 credit of fine arts 4 ½ credits of electives

Additional questions?Thank you for coming ~

Please complete the evaluation and enjoy this exciting year

with your 8th grader!