Scheduling for Incoming Freshmen 2019-2020 An orientation and overview of scheduling for the 2019-2020 school year for current 8 th grade students by the Guidance & Counseling Department at QRHS. Find us on Facebook @QuabbinGuidance 1
Welcome to The QRHS Guidance & Counseling Department Phone (978) 355-4651 Guidance Counselors: Donna Hubbard x2111 Last Names A-GL dhubbard@qrsd.org Katie Gaspar x2109 Last Names Go-N kgaspar@qrsd.org Ashley Januszewski x2110 Last Names O-Z ajanuszewski@qrsd.org Office Manager Margaret Cooley x2112 mcooley@qrsd.org Adjustment Counselor Jennifer Cutler x1110 jcutler@qrsd.org Director of Guidance Meg Cloutier x2114 mcloutier@qrsd.org 2
Opportunities for Everyone Senior Capstone International Baccalaureate (IB) Courses/Full Diploma Programme Advanced Placement (AP) Courses Dual Enrollment Music & Art Programs, including Digital Arts Senior Internship A wide array of elective offerings Trimester scheduling that provides many opportunities to take various electives Club and Activity meetings during the day so everyone can participate 3
The High School Trimester Trimester One Trimester Two Trimester Three August November November-March March-June Components of Trimester Scheduling: The Year is comprised of 3 terms, or trimesters Trimesters are 60 days, an average of 14 weeks long Courses are stand alone in each trimester Students take 5 courses each trimester; 15 courses each year Every course is 2.5 credits (15 classes X 2.5 credits =37.5 total credits in a year) Students earn Final Grades in all five courses at the end of each trimester 4
Structure of Courses For The Year August - November November- March March - June Trimester One Trimester Two Trimester Three Flex Block Flex Block Flex Block Flex Block Block 1 2.5 Credit Course 2.5 Credit Course 2.5 Credit Course Block 2 2.5 Credit Course 2.5 Credit Course 2.5 Credit Course Block 3 2.5 Credit Course 2.5 Credit Course 2.5 Credit Course Block 4 2.5 Credit Course 2.5 Credit Course 2.5 Credit Course Block 5 2.5 Credit Course 2.5 Credit Course 2.5 Credit Course Credit Totals Total Credits 12.5 Total Credits 12.5 Total Credits 12.5 5 Total of 37.5 Credits for the School Year
Sample Freshman Schedule For the Year Trimester One August- November Trimester Two November March Trimester Three March - June Flex Block Flex Block Flex Block Flex Block Block 1 English 9: Elements of Fiction Biology: Molecules Algebra I: Part 3 Block 2 NJROTC I: Part 1 Art I NJROTC I: Part 2 Block 3 Algebra I: Part 1 English 9: Block 4 World History: A Changing World Studies in Genre Algebra I: Part 2 Block 5 Spanish ab initio 1 Health I: Strategies for Wellness Spanish ab initio 2 Biology: Genetics World History: World in Conflict Credit Totals Total Credits 12.5 Total Credits 12.5 Total Credits 12.5 6 Total of 37.5 Credits for the School Year
Sample Schedule for the Week - Single Trimester Flex Block 7:30-8:10 Block 1 8:14-9:15 Block 2 9:19-10:20 Block 3 10:24-11:55 Block 4 11:59-1:00 Block 5 1:04-2:05 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Flex Block Flex Block Flex Block Flex Block Flex Block A- English 9: Elements of Fiction B - NJROTC I: Part 1 C - Algebra I: Part 1 D - World History: Changing World E - Spanish ab initio 1 A -English 9: Elements of Fiction C- Algebra I: Part 1 D - World History: Changing World E - Spanish ab initio 1 B- NJROTC I: Part 1 A - English 9: Elements of Fiction D - World History: Changing World E - Spanish ab initio 1 B - NJROTC I: Part 1 C - Algebra I: Part 1 A - English 9: Elements of Fiction E - Spanish ab initio 1 B- NJROTC I: Part 1 C - Algebra I: Part 1 D - World History: Changing World A - English 9: Elements of Fiction B- NJROTC I: Part 1 C - Algebra I: Part 1 D - World History: Changing World E - Spanish ab initio 1 7
Academic Challenge Advanced Placement through The CollegeBoard in New York, NY Courses are one level AP-Phase 6 External Exam is scored 1-5 College Credit is possible AP Courses tend to focus intensely in one subject area. Breadth of learning is the focus. Courses move at a fast pace. Students can become an AP Scholar if they score a 3 or higher on 3 or more AP Exams. International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in Cardiff, Wales Courses are offered at Standard Level (SL) Phase 5 or Higher Level (HL) Phase 6 External Exam is scored 1-7 College Credit and/or Advanced standing are possible IB courses take a more holistic approach. Courses are inquiry based, where learning is viewed as a journey. Depth of knowledge and independent thought, as well as critical thinking are all key to the learning process. Students can earn an IB Diploma 8
-3 Standard Level (SL) Courses & 3 Higher Level (HL) Courses -CAS (Community, Action, Service) -Extended Essay & Theory of Knowledge (TOK) -External Exam Scores Are Tallied -Taken in Junior & Senior years -Sets students apart in the college admissions process -Globally recognized rigorous academic program -Fulfils Senior Capstone -Prepares students for the academic challenge of college -May qualify for advanced standing, college credit or merit scholarships at college IB Diploma Program (DP) 9
GPA & Rank are based on a 4.0 Weighted Scale 10 See the Course Catalog 2019-2020 for more information on Phase Level for Courses, Four Year Planning, and more information about GPA.
QRHS Graduation Requirements High School Graduation Requirements Credits Competency Testing Community Service Capstone Subjects Students must earn a minimum of 125 credits total -This includes earning at least 32.5 credits in senior year Students must meet the qualifying benchmark for state standardized testing required for graduation, currently MCAS in Math, English, and Science Students must earn 45 hours of community service Students must complete a Senior Capstone Students must take a minimum number of core courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Language, Wellness, and the Arts 11
Subject Requirements for Graduation QRHS Core Subject Requirements for Graduation Students must take and pass the following subjects English Math Science Social Studies World Language Arts Wellness 20 credits of English, with a minimum of 5 credits each year of high school 20 credits of Math, with a minimum of 5 credits each year of high school 15 credits of Lab Science -Biology and either Chemistry or Physics 15 credits of Social Studies -World History, US History I & II 10 credits of the same World Language 2 courses or 5 total credits in the Arts or Music 10 credits of Wellness -Beginning with the Class of 2021, students must pass Health I Students can fulfil some Wellness by participating in Quabbin Athletics 12
Why Make a Four-Year Plan? You do not want to get hung up on prerequisites For Example: Students must take Algebra II before they can take Chemistry Honors Biology and Chemistry before taking AP Biology or AP Chemistry Include post-graduate career and college goals Having many choices can be overwhelming Having a four year plan helps make those small choices add up to opportunity Biggest Reason: Balancing your student s schedule Planning out advanced level courses to ensure your student doesn t get in over their head while making sure they are challenging themselves 13
What Are Prerequisites? The course you have to take BEFORE you are able to take a certain course. Ensures you are prepared with both content and skills For Example: Algebra II must be taken Before Chemistry Honors Algebra II must be taken Before or in the same year as Chemistry CP Art I Before Painting I, Drawing I, Ceramics I, etc. Computer Programming I Before AP Computer Science PreCalculus and Trig Before IB Physics SL or HL Biology and Chemistry Before AP Chemistry or AP Biology Keep Track of the Math you take in Sophomore Year as this plays a key role in future science and math course options. Those students thinking about taking AP or IB math or science should consider completing Algebra II and Geometry in 10 th grade. 14
Tools & Resources Available for Scheduling Current Teachers & HS Academic Coordinators School Counselors at Middle School & High School College & Career websites/resources The Following Items are on the Guidance & Counseling Website The Course Catalog for 2019-2020 Course Pathway Charts for Core Subjects Course Selection Worksheets for each grade level 15
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Newer Electives INTRODUCTION TO ANIMATION Grades 10, 11, 12 Course No. 4011 (Prerequisites: Digital Imaging I and one of the following Digital Imaging II, Digital Illustration or Intro to Graphic Design) DIGITAL DESIGN LAB Course No. 4012 (Prerequisites: Students must take Digital Imaging I AND at least one of the following courses: Digital Imaging II or Intro to Graphic Design. ) Grades 10, 11, 12 THEATRIC LIGHTING, AUDIO & DESIGN Grade 10, 11, 12 Course No. 4163 (Prerequisites: None) MAKERSPACE I & II Grade 9, 10, 11, 12 Course No. 3531 & 3532 (Prerequisites: None) TECHNICAL MATH FOR INDUSTRY Interdisciplinary Science Course with the Math Department Course No. 3463 (Prerequisites: Geometry, Algebra I ) Grades 11, 12 PRECISE MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS (PMI) Course No. 3543 (Prerequisites: None) Grade 10, 11, 12 -This course is required for any senior who would like to apply for a paid internship intern at Starrett Tools in Athol, MA. AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES Phase 6 Full Year Course Course No. 3577, 3578, 3579 (Prerequisites: None) Grades 10, 11, 12 -This is a multidisciplinary project based course where students will learn how to create their own mobile app. AP exam required. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) INTERNSHIP AT QUABBIN Grades 11, 12 Course No. 4723, 4724, 4725 (Prerequisites: Must Complete Internship Application & Approval of Administration) -Will fulfill Capstone graduation requirement for students who successfully complete this internship in senior year. 17
How Do Students Actually Request Their Classes? Log in to the Aspen Student Portal Choose My Info - Top Tab Select Requests - Left Side Menu Scheduling Window is OPEN January 22 nd for students to enter their requests Window closes February 15 th 18
When You First Log In 19
The Request Screen is set up as follows: TOP BOX: Primary Course Requests at the top -Must Choose 15 (37.5 Credits) of Core Courses and Electives Can add a Direct Alternate BOTTOM BOX: Alternate Course Requests at the bottom -All Courses are listed in one long list -Must choose at least 5 Alternate Courses (12.5 Credits)h ounselor NO Need to Save What is in Aspen when the Window closes is what will be used to create the master schedule and individual student schedules. 20
TOP BOX BOTTOM BOX NOTES 21
Core Subjects Choose These First Electives - Choose These Primary Requests Students must choose 15 courses or 37.5 total credits Second 22
Just click the box to choose the course you would like All sections of a course will prepopulate when you choose the course 23
Direct Alternates are associated with one single course Shows courses you have completed and/or that are In Progress 24
-After choosing your Primary Courses you must choose at least 5 Alternates. (Bottom Box) -One Long List -You can rank the Alternates in order of Priority. 25
DOUBLE CHECK & DONE! -Scroll up to the top and make sure you have 37.5 credits -Make sure a primary course request is not listed as an alternate also -Courses are requested in real time and so what is on the screen when you log out will be there when you log back in -What is on the screen when the window closes will be used to create the master schedule and student individual schedules No need to save when you log-out of the Request Screen 26