Welcome Highlanders

Chris McCord

• Principal

Welcome

• Looking forward to a new year

• New challenges for students in secondary education

• New responsibilities • New opportunities

McCullough Junior High

• TWHS-McC will become McCullough Junior High (7-8) in 2005-2006

• Located at 3800 South Panther Creek Drive

• Staff will be relocating this summer

The current BC Campus

• Beginning in 2005-2006 will be The Woodlands High School Ninth Grade Campus

• Students will attend the campus at 10010 Branch Crossing Drive as freshmen

The Incoming Seventh ClassSchool Progression

• McCullough Campus for seventh grade (2005-2006)

• McCullough Campus for eighth grade (2006-2007)

• TWHS Ninth Grade Campus (2007-2008)

• TWHS Research Forest for 10-12

Transition for our building

• The people that make up our campus will be moving to the building which currently houses TWHS-McC

Our Staff Transition

• We will be moving to the McCullough building in June

• Same staff as now• Many of us have worked

at McC before as a junior high

• Excited about space for kids and teachers

• Will be able to link to our webpage through the district site

Information on Building Transition

• Look for a wealth of information to come home via both children and mailouts– Drop off and Pick Up– Student Orientation– Testing data– Initial placement– Please review all

documentation closely

Our Goals

• Prepare kids academically

• Keep students safe

• Prepare young adults for high school in 360 working days

A Typical Day

• Students can begin arriving at 8:00 • Go to classes at 8:32• Lockers/Backpacks• School Starts – 8:45• Lunch/3rd Period

– 11:40• Students encouraged to eat breakfast

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

– Car ( in front of school)– Bus

The Schedule(No fine arts or athletics)

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

Students have Language Arts and Math everyday

The Schedule(Athletic Schedule)

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

Classroom portion of athletics meet every other day

Come early before school only during season

The Schedule(Seventh Grade Private P.E.)

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

Student will leave at 1:48 each day with parent/guardian for outside of school physical education training

The Schedule(Band, Choir, Orchestra)

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

Each utilizes two elective choices as these electives meet both semesters

Advisement

• Meets each day (1:55 – 2:19)

• Distribute information

• Work on homework

• Tutoring

• Announcements

• Meets each day

Very Important Documents Coming Home

• Course Request Sheets for Elective Classes– Sent home week of January 24– Extras are at Intermediate Campuses– Sheets are due back to intermediate campus

by February 4th

– Course Description Guide• Available online now

• Everything you need to know

Form was sent home January 24th

Elective Information Night

• Occurs on February 1st • Will occur at Branch Crossing• 6:30 until 7:30• Very informal• For parents/guardians and any

interested students• Representatives from each

elective field will be present to answer questions

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 MIS system with the student at each intermediate campus


– Wilkerson February 8th

– Mitchell February 9th

– Collins February 9th

– Coulson Tough February 10th

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 on or before February 4th.

Choosing Classes

• Requested elective courses are initially entered in February at the intermediates, but the deadline to make a change is not until May 6th at 4:00 p.m.

First Mailout to Your Home

• Sent to post office on March 18th

• Delivered to each student’s address as recorded in our MIS system

• Next year information

• Parent newsletter The Pride

• Elective Course request verification sheet

First Mailout

• Please check this sheet very closely to confirm these are the elective courses you wanted your child to request for next year

• Diagnostic testing score sheet

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

Last Mailout

• Sent to post office on April 15th

• Delivered to each student’s address as recorded in our MIS system

• Athletic Information included

• Parent newsletter The Pride

Last Mailout

• Final Elective Course request verification sheet

• Check closely • Indicates assignment of

core classes and elective requests

Factors which affect individual student’s schedule formation

• Staffing (based on enrollment)

• Availability of Course

• Core Course Selection

• Course selection by students

• Seniority

• Specialty Classes– Athletics

– Fine Arts

– Algebra

• Number of electives– 12 unique choices

– Will take 4

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

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

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

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

How are teachers trained?• Each Pre-AP teacher

from McCullough attends a College Board sponsored conference for training and access to the latest AP information before ever teaching a course

• These teachers return to these conferences periodically for updated training.

What AP courses does TWHS offer?

• English Language

• English Literature

• Computer Science A & AB

• Spanish Language

• Calculus AB, BC

• US History

• Chemistry

• Government and Politics

• Macroeconomics

• Latin Literature and Vergil

• Human Geography

• Environmental Science• French Literature• German Language• French Language• Spanish Literature• Music Theory• Statistics• Art History• European History• Studio Art• Physics B, C• World History• Psychology

Why AP?

• Challenges students• Consistent teaching

strategies• Prepares them for college• 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 $$$$

Interpretation of Test Scores

• 5 – Extremely Well Qualified

• 4 – Well Qualified

• 3 – Qualified

• 2 – Possibly Qualified

• 1 – No Recommendation

AP and College Success

29

45

61

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

No APOne APTwo+ AP

Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or less.Source: Camara, Wayne. (2003). College Persistence, Graduation, and Remediation. College Board Research Notes (RN-19). New York, NY: College Board.

So How Well Do TWHS Students Perform on the AP

Tests?

Fact:: In 2003, TWHS administered 1492 tests to 784 studentsFact: The average score was 3.64Fact: 85% of the students passed with a 3 or higherFact. TWHS consistently ranks in the top schools in the world in the number of tests givenFact: TWHS consistently scores well above national and state averages

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.

Is MY Student Capable of Taking These Courses?

• If he/she is willing to put in the time and energy necessary

• Different students have different strengths. Some excel in science, others in art. There’s a place for both students. Capitalize on those strengths.

Grades in Secondary Schools

• Everyone wants As• Grades in Pre-AP

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

Adventure into Academics

Core Subject Information

State Required Courses – 7th grade

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

– Substitutes• Athletics• Private P.E.

• Electives – 4 choices

Science

• Resource Science• Science• Pre-AP Science

– Strongly encourage any student be enrolled in Pre-Algebra

• Math Skills– Science Fair Project– Time– Independent

Language Arts

• Resource Language Arts

• Language Arts• Pre-AP Language

Arts– Need to be self-

motivated reader and writer

– Grade differential

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.

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

• Refer to guide in back of Course Description Guide

Where will I finish in math?

• Dangerous to bypass steps in the math sequence (i.e Pre-Algebra)

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

• Can repeat Pre-Algebra in eighth grade

Math Courses for Seventh Grade

• Resource Math• Math • Pre-Algebra (one year ahead)• Algebra (high school course,

two years ahead)

Math(Regular Progression for TWHS Feeder)

• 7th Grade - 7th Math

• 8th Grade - Pre-Algebra

• 9th Grade - Algebra

• 10th Grade - Geometry

• 11th Grade - Algebra II/Pre-Calculus

• 12th Grade – Calculus

This is also diagrammed in our Course Description Guide

Math(Advanced 1 year, Progression for TWHS

Feeder)

• 7th Grade - Pre-Algebra

• 8th Grade – Algebra (High School)

• 9th Grade - Geometry

• 10th Grade - Algebra II

• 11th Grade - Pre-Calculus

• 12th Grade - Calculus

Math

(Advanced 2 years, for TWHS Feeder)

• 7th Grade – Algebra (High School)• 8th Grade – Geometry (High School)• 9th Grade - Algebra II• 10th Grade – Pre-AP Pre-Calculus/AP

Statistics I • 11th Grade – Pre-AP Pre-Calculus/AP

Statistics II • 12th Grade - Calculus

Math Books

• 7th grade Math uses Passport 2– If your child is in Passport 2 now, it does not

necessarily mean they would automatically go into Pre-Algebra

• Pre-Algebra utilizes Passport to Algebra and Geometry

Math Books

• Algebra utilizes Algebra 1

• I wanted to give this information, but please do not let the issue of the math book used alone decide the math placement for your child

Pre-AP Math Courses

• Pre-Algebra and Algebra are Pre-Advanced Placement Courses in Junior High

– Please do not compare homework expectations or rigors of a level high school Algebra to junior high

– Junior high Algebra much more rigorous as it is an advanced class

How are students initially placed into core academic courses?

• Students are placed in levels of courses based on past overall academic performance and testing data

• Placement is based on TAKS data, past grades, as well as spring 2005 diagnostic testing at the intermediate campuses

• May be missing some data if you recently relocated to The Woodlands

• Data and our initial placement is sent to you in both spring mailings

How are students initially placed into core academic courses?

• Your student’s scores will be on indicated on the placement sheet mailed home on March 18th

• This sheet will indicate initial placement in history, math, language arts, and science

• A student may very well be initially placed in some Pre-AP classes, but not all

The Matrix

• Listed in Course Description Guide for each core course

• Years of data analysis have been utilized to set the breakpoints for initial placement in core classes– Based on five years of scoring

data which have indicated a student will be successful in the course

– Also takes into account score breakpoints for reasonable homework time to accomplish tasks in each discipline

The Matrix

• Even at the first nine weeks and semester a clear difference exists between students who qualified for Pre-AP courses versus those who waived in– Grades

– Homework Time

Qualifying Students for Pre-AP

• No guarantee it will be easy• Not a guarantee they will

pass• Can choose to opt out of

some or all before May 6th deadline– May want to pick and

choose among strengths and interest

– Just email counselor to be taken out of a core Pre-AP class your child may have qualified for

Gifted and Talented

• GT students will automatically be placed into the Pre-AP program in fields they are identified as GT

• Important to note that just because they are identified as GT is no guarantee they will be successful in these courses

• How these students scored is also included in the information we send you

Gifted and Talented

• Encourage you to also look at their diagnostic testing scores

• Can move them to regular class if you like– Send a hardcopy

(letter, fax, or email)

Success in Pre-AP

• Need to be a doer, and a thinker

Considerations when choosing level of core classes

• Parents have the ultimate choice

• Please involve your child (chief stakeholder)

• Analyze and really think about the homework and project expectations for each class


• How many school and non-school activities is my child involved in

• Might want to think about exactly what advanced classes your child is taking

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


• Students must pass all classes to be eligible for extracurricular activities

• Includes band, choir, orchestra, athletics, drill team, cheerleading, etc


• Marking periods to determine eligibility for the University Interscholastic League (UIL) occur at the six week mark and then each subsequent nine weeks

• Detailed information on this is available on the Parent Services page of our website

Notification of Placement

• Unless your child and you indicate otherwise, your student will be placed in the classes his/her scores indicate they will be successful in

• Chart in Course Description Guide details key course enrollment events and dates of the spring

Waiving up a Level

• Parents/Guardians can waive student up a level of a core class should you choose to do so

• Are some success stories• Many times results in frustrated

students and parents/guardians (Around Nov/Dec)

• May take a lot more time and work to achieve the grade a student and parent/guardian want and expect

• I would suggest approaching with extreme caution, especially in math

• Your choice

Diagnostic Factors In Initial Placement

• TAKS Scores from fifth grade• First Semester Sixth Grade Averages• Writing Sample• Basic Skills Math Test (For 7th grade)• Basic Skills LA Test (For 7th grade)]

All of these are designed to give you information and properly identify current operational levels of incoming students

Placement Sheet Indicates Testing Scores which Determined Initial

Placement• All data we have will be included

• A good indicator of how kid is really doing

• Some data may be missing for students who have moved in from out of district or state– Make our best educated guess on initial

placement for these children

Ultimately Your Call

• We place where years of data shows kids are going to be successful and complete tasks for class in a reasonable amount of time

• A regular education child can be in any level of core class you want them to be

Homework Considerations

• Time varies widely among students• Study effectiveness• Consider projects• Consider activities outside of school

– Dance– Baseball– Equestrian– Swimming– Etc

Homework

• TEKS• State expectations are

very different from when we were in junior high

• Exit – Level TAKS Test• Students need time to

thoroughly establish repetitions to understand material

Homework

• Relevant• Can finish much at end

of class and in advisement if they choose to do so

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

• Will increase greatly in high school and college

Organizational Skills

• Assisting your son/daughter in developing organizational skills would be one of the best gifts you could ever give them

• Planners, Palm Pilots, etc

• Nightly check

Organizational Skills

• Reward system• Leading cause of

parent conferences• If students do not

turn in their work, it is difficult to help them

Semester Exams

• All classes will take a semester and final exam during the course of the year

• The exam will be cumulative

• The exam will count 10% of the student’s semester average

Semester Exams

• The semester and final exams for courses that receive high school credit will count 20% of the semester average

• Will occur the last four days of each semester

• Please plan for your child to be in attendance during semester exams

High School Course Considerations

• Algebra, Geometry, and Spanish• Spanish is a two-year course which takes up

four electives (2- 7th, 2 – 8th)• Semester and final exams count twenty

percent


• 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


• These courses are not a part of your high school G.P.A. when taken at the junior high level

• These courses and the grades your child made in them will appear on your student’s high school transcript (not reflected in G.P.A.)– Courses you take in junior high do directly affect

your high school G.P.A. in that they help determine what courses you will take on the high school campus for G.P.A.

– A student’s G.P.A. will be reflective of grades attained in more difficult courses

Junior High Course Considerations

• All regular ed classes are college preparatory

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

• Talk to your child

Choices

• Please make your decisions based on data and not teacher recommendations

• 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

Choices

• Please do not let the courses your friends’ children are taking affect choices of what is best for your child

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

ElectivesA Taste of Adventure

Elective Choices (7th Grade)

• Art I• Band• Careers• Choir• Communications I• Exploring Computer

Applications• Explorations in

Technology• Exploring Languages• Health

• Life Management Skills• Music Appreciation• Orchestra• Spanish IA (2 elective

choices)• Teen Leadership• Theater Arts

All of these organizations will be represented on Elective Information Night February 1st (6:30-7:30 in BC Commons)

Number of Elective Requests for Seventh Graders

• All seventh grade students will take four electives (excludes P.E. / Athletics)

• The State of Texas requires all students take P.E.

• Athletics may substitute for P.E.


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

• Seventh grade students who take Private P.E. will still take two electives in seventh grade


• Example A: Student takes Spanish (2 choices), Careers, and Health = 4 classes


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


• Example C: A 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.), Spanish (2 classes), Teen Leadership, and Exploring Computer Applications


• Example E: A student takes Athletics (replaces required P.E), Band (2 choices), and Orchestra (2 choices)

Spanish I (High School Course)

• Two-Year program (must join the program in seventh grade)

• Will take up four elective choices over two years (one per semester over four semesters)


• Will receive an elective high school credit• Will count as a foreign language credit in high

school


• Must qualify for Pre-AP Language Arts to be initially placed in high school Spanish I

• High School Semester Exam criteria ( 20 percent of overall grade)

• Grade attained will appear on the student’s high school transcript

• Any incoming seventh grader can be a part of the program

Elective Requests

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

• Please note that these sheets will indicate your student’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 Green 1st Math Science 2nd Language Arts Math/Writing 3rd PE Elective Advisory Advisory Advisory 4th Elective History

P.E. is included, not taking an elective since it is required in seventh grade

The Schedule(Athletic Schedule)

Period Red Green 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, Orchestra, Spanish)

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

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

The Schedule(Student taking Choir and Orch)

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

Students are welcome to take more than one fine art course

The Schedule(Private P.E.)

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

This student will leave at 1:48 each day

The Schedule(Student in Athletics and Band)

Period Red Green 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. If a student is unsure about which activity to participate in during high school, I encourage doing both

Private P.E.

• Designed to assist students training for Olympic-type activities

• Fifteen or more hours of direct instruction from approved facility per week

• Need to apply for the program

Private P.E.

• Students will be dismissed at 1:48 each day.

• If your student will be in this course, a parent needs to be able to transport their child to his/her destination each day promptly at 1:48.

• Facility must turn in grades each three weeks

Private P.E.

• Bell schedule adjustments (TAKS, Benchmark Testing, etc)

• Student sign-out and delivery of information

• View daily announcements off of website

Private P.E.

• Takes up four elective choices

• Year-long commitment

Ten Team Junior High UIL District

• Compete against– York

– Knox

– Peet

– Washington

– Mance Park in Huntsville

– Bear Branch

– Magnolia

– Willow Wood in Tomball

– Tomball Jr. High

Athletic and Fine Arts Travel

• Tournaments will occur in different places

• As club sports, tennis and golf may compete against different teams

• Participants come and go as a team

Schoolwork

• All participants are responsible for schoolwork, including tests the day after an event

State Eligibility for Participation

• No classes are exempt in junior high

• Pre-AP courses count for eligibility

• Must pass all courses to be eligible to participate in games/contests

7th Grade Athletics

• Physical dated after May 1, 2005• Birth Certificate• Commitment for the year• Boys

– First period red

• Girls– First period white

• Replaces P.E.

7th Grade Athletics Off-SeasonBoys and Girls

• All students assigned to athletics will be in off-season conditioning when their sport is not actively in interschool competition

• This involves much more rigorous training than in a regular physical education course

7th Grade Athletics Off-SeasonBoys and Girls

• Strength and speed training are the primary focus

• Also work to increase specific sports skills for each particular sport

• In other words, students choosing athletics remain in athletics all year

Athletics

• Everyone will play who is on a team• Learn valuable life lessons which just cannot

easily be duplicated anywhere else

Physicals

• Need to be dated May 1, 2005 or later to be good for next year

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

• We have a physical night in May

Volleyball

• Tryouts are the first week of school• If students make the team, their schedule may

change• Meets as a class during the school day

Volleyball

• After volleyball is over athletes will remain in off-season volleyball class throughout the year to receive P.E. credit

Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Off-season Class

• Tryouts for off-season class are the first week of school

• This is for the class, not the team

• If students make the off-season class, his/her schedule will change

Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Off-season Class

• If a student does not make the basketball team at tryouts, he/she will remain in regular athletics off-season class throughout the year

• Student will not be in P.E.

Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball Teams

• Tryouts for the team are in late October or early November

• Commitment for the year

Football

• Equipment handed out in August

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

Football

• Hard Work• August• Boy/Girl needs to

want to play • Sign up for class on

elective request sheet

Football

• Students are expected to arrive at 6:30 a.m. during the season

• Seventh grade practice begins at 7:00 a.m. during season

• Practice starts the second day of school

Football

• Once games have begun, students normally do not come in early on Mondays and Tuesdays

• Normally around 200 + players

Football

• Four seventh teams if the numbers allow• Split squad games

Football

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

• Becomes much easier once the games begin• Need to remind your child of this once

practices begin in August

Cross-Country

• Season is in the fall• Most meets are on Friday evening• Will be a class in the school day for the first time

(if it makes)• Athletic Class• Replaces P.E. • Sign up for class on elective request sheet

Cross-Country

• Everyone who wants to be is on the team• Serious running and commitment is required• 15-30 miles a week• Competitive

Cross-Country

• Fantastic place for students who want to be involved in athletics, but may not feel led to be in the other sports

• Will be in regular off-season with all athletes once the fall cross country season is over

• Commitment for the year• Would not join just because your friend is

joining

Boys’ and Girls’ Track

• Begins in February• Everyone makes the

team• Practice

– Boys• 4:00 p.m.

– Girls• 7:00 a.m.

Boys’ and Girls’ Track

• No tryouts• Try to take as many to

meets as we can

Club Golf

• Spring sport• Tryouts

Club Tennis

• Spring sport• Tryouts• Meets before and after

school

Questions regarding Athletics

• Please contact Lance Skinner– Girls’ and Boys’ Athletic Coordinator

– [email protected]

– Will have a presentation and be available for questions at our February 1st Elective Information Night Meeting (6:30, BC Campus)

Signing up for Fine Arts

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

• Which particular class you are in depends on your tryout

• Encouraged to do multiple fine arts if you are interested

Band

• Beginner

• Percussion Class

• Varsity Red

• Varsity Green

• Symphonic

• Wind Ensemble


Band

• May practice before or after school

• Sectionals• Concerts• Pep Rallies

Band

• Games– McCullough

– TWHS

– Playoffs

• Competitions• Super-Halftime

For more information on band contact

• Mike Flake• [email protected]

For more information on band contact

• Andrea Templet• [email protected]

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


For more information on Orchestra contact

• Michelle Reinhardt– [email protected]

Choir

• All students can participate in choir

• Most practices are during the school day

• Some specialized activities such as region choir occur before or after school

Choir

• Need to purchase a uniform

• Girls have Treble, Concert, and Chamber Choirs

• Boys have the Boys Choir

Choir

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


For more information on choir contact

• Keith Brumfield– [email protected]

Cheerleading, Dance, and Red Hotts

• Meet outside of the school day

Cheerleading

• Meets before school• This programs entails a large commitment

of time outside of school during the summer and the school year

• Tryout process

Cheerleading

• Information Meeting- Feb 17• Packets available early February• Packets due March 4th• Mandatory Clinic- March 14-16• Tryouts- March 17• Results posted- March 18 or 19

Responsibilities

• Summer Camp• Practices• Cheer

– Games– Pep Rallies– Parades– Open House– Other as needed

For more information on cheerleading contact

• Bree Wristers– [email protected]

For more information on cheerleading contact

• Shana Hamilton– [email protected]

Highland Girls

• Meets after school– Requires significant time after school and

on some weekends– Runs all year– Serious dance troop– Preparation for TWHS Highsteppers– Discipline

Highland Girls

• Information Meeting- March 15• Packets available February 1st• Packets due March 28th• Required clinic- March 29-April 8• Team tryouts- April 9 • Officer tryouts- April 9 • Results posted- April 10

Highland Girl Commitments Include

• Practice• Performances• Football Games• Basketball Games• Pep Rallies• Super-Halftime• Competitions

For more information on Highland Girls contact

• Michelle Wiggins– [email protected]

Red Hotts

• Spirit Squad• No tryouts• Boys and Girls• Cheer at games• Perform skit at pep

rallies• Create signs• Have a blast

For more information on Red Hotts contact

• Lisa Holtin– [email protected]

Activities

• Band*• Choir*• Orchestra*• Cheerleaders• Highland Girls• Chess • Cross Country • Golf• Tennis• Writing Club• Spanish Club

• Speech and Theater Company

• Science Club• Campus Watch• Student Council• MathCounts• Scrapbooking• Yearbook• Destination Imagination• Intramurals• Art Club

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 parent services page of our website

Communication

• Planners – Holds students responsible

• Student led• Positive and negative

consequences help

Communication

• McCullough Webpage– www.conroeisd.net

– Links to teacher webpages

– Athletic schedules

– Parent View-It

– “The Pride” online

Communication

• Conferences – Most at 8:00 a.m.

– Try to do a good job of communicating and prevent the need

– Important to have your child present

– Most center around a young person not turning in assignments

Communication

• Parent Newsletter “The Pride”– Sent home through

students– Report card mailings– Online 24 hours a day at

our Parent Services Page– Required free Adobe

Acrobat Reader which is available at our website

• Volunteer

Communication

• Volunteer• PTA

– Front Desk

– Life Management Skills

– Dances

– Library

– Copy Room

Daily Announcements Online

Course Description and School Information Guide

• General Information• Course Descriptions• Placement Criteria• Welcome to

McCullough• Athletic Information• Basic Calendar• Accessible via Adobe

pdf file at McCullough Website

• Gray Color

View-It Parent Access

• CISD Homepage

• www.conroeisd.net

• Information about academics, discipline, attendance, TAKS, grades, etc.

• Newsletters e-mailed home when you join

• Automatically added to our emailing list when you acquire the account

Progress Reports

• Issued every three weeks except when report cards are given

• A page will indicate your child’s scores in all classes

• If the child has a 74 or below in a class they receive a detailed progress report for that class

Progress Reports

• These will be given out during Advisement

• Also available on Parent View-It

• Private P.E. grades not reflected

• Please look for these from your child on the dates listed in “The Pride”

Additional Email for newsletter

• From our Parent Services Page you can sign up for an additional e-mail account to receive breaking McCullough news– Major events– Open House– Athletic contest cancellations or updates– Other

How Parents Make the Difference!

• Talk to your student• Know where they are and why• Be aware of what they should be doing

academically• Talk with or e-mail teachers if you have a

question or concern• Look for progress reports• When you have a question, go to the source

and e-mail the teacher

How Parents Make the Difference!

• Check 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

• Encourage your child to be involved

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

• Encourage students to eat breakfast

• Hold students accountable for a planner– Positives and Negatives

• Encourage students to be involved in the school

• Attend his/her activities at McCullough

School Supplies

• School supply list posted in The Pride this summer

• TI-83 Plus Calculator strongly recommended for Algebra and Geometry– Expensive (not required)– No guarantee it will not be stolen– Engrave name and get serial number– Teachers keep serial numbers

• “Flexible” backpack will help

Welcome Highlanders

Documents

Transcript of Welcome Highlanders