COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

NORTH SYRACUSE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Counselor BreakdownA-DAY Mr. ScullionDAZ-HOU Mr. Whittico HOV-MAO Mrs. MurphyMAP-ROB Mrs. AschROC-Z Mr. Kulakowski

The students must pass four out of five 40-week Units of Study (full year courses)

40-week Units of Study English Mathematics Social Studies Science German, French, or Spanish

Eighth Grade Promotion Policy

Requirement Regents Advanced Regents

English 4 4

Social Studies 4 4

Math 3 3

Science 3 3

Second Language 1 3**

Health ½ ½

Art and/or Music 1 1

Physical Education 2 2

A total of 22 units are required to graduate from CNS High School

o Many colleges prefer students to have 3 or more credits of Foreign Language.

o The most important aspect colleges look for in applicants is a high school curriculum that challenges the student. This curriculum is equivalent to a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation which includes at least 3 credits in LOTE.

o If a student intends to pursue a college education, 3 credits in LOTE is highly recommended.

ARE YOU REALLY CONSIDERING DROPPING FOREIGN LANGUAGE IN HIGH SCHOOL?

REGENTS DIPLOMA

Students must pass the following Regents exams with a score of 65 or above:

5 Exams in total 1 Regents Exam in English (11th Grade) 1 Regents Exam in Science 1 Regents Exam in Math 2 Regents Exams in Social Studies (10th

& 11th Grade)

REGENTS DIPLOMA WITH ADVANCED DESIGNATION

Students must pass the following Regents exams with a score of 65 or above:

9 Exams in total 1 Additional Regents Exam in Science 2 Additional Regents Exams in Math State Comprehensive Exam in a Second

Language

In Summary…To Graduate, a student must:1) Earn a total of 22 credits2) Pass all required courses3) Pass all required regents exams (varies depending

on type of diploma)

Special Note=============

Students may achieve the Regents Diploma

with Advanced Designation by completing a 5

credit sequence in either Art, Music, or

Occupational Education (Business, Technology,

Family and Consumer Science, or Career-

Technical Prep at OCM BOCES).

Students pursuing a 5 credit sequence in one

of these areas still need 1 LOTE credit to

graduate.

English 8th grade teacher recommendation. Should have a final overall average of 90 or above in

8th grade English. Must pass the 8th grade English final exam with a

minimum score of 90.Social Studies

8th grade teacher recommendation and placement in English 9H.

Should have a final overall average of 90 or above in 8th grade Social Studies.

Must pass the 8th grade Social Studies final exam with a minimum score of 90.

Science Must have a final average of 90 or better in 8 th grade

science.

REQUIREMENTS FOR HONORS LEVEL COURSES IN 9TH GRADE:

Students who receive special education services will each have an individualized program that is determined by their IEP.

If you have any questions regarding your child’s course placements, please see his or her academic support teacher.

SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS

COURSE DESCRIPTION SHEET

Last3 pages of your handout

Art

Elective

s

Studio in Art 1

40 weeks = 1 credit Fee: $15 Learn about various techniques and skills, as well as current trends in art.

Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Cartooning, Art History, Sculpture, Collages, Ceramics & Clay, Design, Art Careers.

Fulfills the Graduation Requirement in Art/Music.

Media Arts 40 weeks = 1 credit Fee: $25 Exploring art through the use of traditional, digital, & video photography; learn how to use photographic, digital, and computer equipment; create your own digital portfolio.

Must own or have access to a 35mm camera.

Fulfills the Graduation Requirement in Art/Music.

Creative Crafts 40 weeks = 1 credit Fee: $15 A fine arts craft class that

concentrates on creating original works of art that are handmade and exceptionally well crafted.

Polymer clay, Handmade Book, Silk Painting, Ceramic Vessel, Beadwork Bracelet, Metal Bracelet, Wire Jewelry.

Fulfills the Graduation Requirement in Art/Music.

Design & Drawing for Production A

40 weeks = 1 Credit Fee: $15 Architectural based class. Develop

free hand sketching and technical drafting techniques to analyze and describe constructible objects and shapes (blue prints).

AUTOCAD software will be used. A Technology Elective that will Fulfill

the Graduation Requirement in Art/Music

Design & Drawing for Production B

40 weeks = 1 Credit Fee: $15 Exploring various engineering

systems and manufacturing processes. Gaining experience through theory as well as hands-on, problem-solving activities.

1st Course in Project Lead the Way.

Possible R.I.T. College Credit available.

A Technology Elective that will Fulfill the Graduation Requirement in Art/Music

The following 2 half year FACS courses will fulfill the Graduation Requirement

in Art/Music when taken together:

Fashion in Our Lives 20 Week Course = ½ Credit Fee: $7.50 Creating Fashions (sewing

projects).

Housing and Environment 20 Week Course = ½ Credit Fee: $7.50 Architecture & Interior

Design/Decorating.

Music

Electives

All of these courses will fulfill the Art/Music Graduation Requirement:

Band Orchestra Chorus Music in Our Lives

Listen to all genres of music; perform on instruments; compose and arrange a musical selection; utilize recording and other types of electronic musical equipment.

All 20 Week Courses Worth ½ Credit Each

• Career and Financial Management– Learning skills employers are looking for such as time

management, personal budgeting, etc.• Introduction to Business Marketing

– Describes the role of workers and consumers in our economic society; provides an overview of the business world.

• Microsoft Word 1– Developing skills in keyboarding and formatting documents.

• Digital Communications 2– Designed to enhance business communication and presentation

skills using Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint.

FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCE ELECTIVES

All 20 Week Courses Worth ½ Credit EachFood and Nutrition for Life

Basic food preparation skills and nutrition awareness. ($10 fee)

Culture and FoodsExperience preparing and tasting foods from other countries.

($10 fee)

Personal RelationshipsExplore the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual

development that occurs over a lifespan.

Fashion in Our LivesSelect and construct a garment and several accessories. ($7.50 fee)

Housing and EnvironmentExplore interior design/decorating and architecture. ($7.50 fee)

Technology Electives Production

Design and construct a product. (20 week course, $9.50 fee)

Communication Various communication technologies. (20 week course, $9.50 fee)

Transportation Working with small engines. (20 week course, $9.50 fee)

Computer Aided Technologies Computers and the technology field. (20 week course, $9.50 fee)

Design and Drawing for Production A Architectural based course. (40 week course, $15 fee)

Design and Drawing for Production B Pre-engineering course. (40 week course, $15 fee)

NSCSD PRE-ENGINEERING COURSES OFFERED 9TH THROUGH 12TH DEVELOPED BY THE ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (RIT)

· Introduction to Engineering Design (Design and Drawing for Production B)

· Digital Electronics

· Principles of Engineering

· Computer Integrated Manufacturing

· Civil Engineering

· Engineering Design and Development· - A Capstone Technology Research Experience

Recommendations for 9th Grade

EnglishGlobal HistoryMathScience

Teacher Recommendation Period: January 5th to January 16th

Course Selection Sheet Prepared in school by student and School Counselor

Sent home WITH STUDENT

Look form over if you approve, please sign and return the form if you do not approve, please write comments on the comment

line and return form to school, or call your child’s school counselor

If we do not receive the signed form back from students, we will use what we have.

Student schedules will arrive home at the end of summer

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE NOW!

• DO take challenging courses, including electives.• DO continue to take a foreign language.• DO get involved in school or community-based

activities. Remember, its quality not quantity.• DO ask your counselor which Advanced Placement

(AP) courses are available and whether you are eligible.

• DO take the career project in Home and Careers seriously, it is a great opportunity to find out more about careers you may be interested in.

• DO create a dedicated study time & turn off your phone.

• DO keep a list of your awards, honors, volunteer work and extracurricular activities. Update it throughout high school. This will be helpful when you apply for colleges.

Scheduling Timeline•October 20th-23rd

Counselors meet with 8th grade students in large groups to discuss High School and scheduling information.•October 27th-December 19th

Counselors meet with students individually to plan their 9th grade courses and discuss the four year plan.•January 5th-16th

Teacher recommendation period.•On or About February 27th

8th grade students receive course selection sheets in homeroom to be brought home for parent approval.•On or About March 6th

Deadline for 8th grade students to return signed course selection sheet to counselors.

8TH GRADE STATE EXAMS

English Language Arts April 14th – 16th

MathApril 22nd – April 24th

SciencePerformance Test – May 20th – May 29th Written Test – June 1st

Clubs and Activities at NSJHS

Broadcast Team Tech Crew Builders Club Class of 2018 Drama Club Family Career &

Community Leaders of America (FCCLA)

Media Arts Club National Junior Honor

Society

Student Ambassadors Student Government Science Olympiad Spelling Bee Tech Crew Yearbook

Music Organizations

CNS Field Band Northstars JV Winterguard Jazz Ensemble NSJHS Musical

Vocal Jazz Select Band Chamber Orchestra Informal Small Ensembles

Sports Fall Winter Spring___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Football Basketball BaseballSwimming Bowling SoftballTennis Cheerleading GolfVolleyball Indoor Track TrackCheerleading Volleyball LacrosseSoccer Wrestling Field Hockey SwimmingCross Country Ice HockeyGolf Winterguard

The NSJHS Counseling Department thanks you for coming!!!!