Presented by FM9 Counseling Staff

Administration Principal Will Skelton Students Last Names (A K) Assistant Principal Jan Murphy Counselor Alisha Roach Attendance Dawn Snoddy Students Last Names (L Z) Assistant Principal Amy Fox Counselor Cary Gifford Attendance Kathie Fouche

School Hours 8:15 3:30 High School Schedule in LISD Accelerated Block Schedule 4 Classes in the Fall 4 Classes in the Spring

Students can earn up to 8 credits per school year at FM9 Each 18 week class earns 1 Credit Each 9 week class earns a ½ Credit If a student decides to choose a 9- week elective they must choose 2 9- week electives in order for the schedule to make All Year 36 Week Courses Humanities 2 Credits English & Social Studies AB Algebra 1 Math Credit & 1 Local Credit

Period Fall 18 Weeks(Aug Jan) Spring 18 Weeks (Jan June) 1 English 1 Biology 2 Algebra 1 World Geography 3 Theater Arts 1 Elective 9 Week / Elective 9 Week 4 Athletics Athletics

Getting involved at FM9 is one of the most important things you can do to make sure you have a successful transition to High School Athletics Fine Arts Academics Clubs Organizations There is a place for every student at FM9! A complete list of organizations is available on the FMHS website

Athletic Director Dane Johnson Band Director Brent Biskup Rosette Director Hannah Elmore Choir Director Mark Rohwer Orchestra Director Ann Smith Drama Director Scott Taylor Cheerleader Coach Amanda Smith

English: I, II, III, and Advanced English (4Credits) Math: Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and one additional math course (4 Credits) Science: Biological and Physical Sciences (4 Credits) Biology (1) Integrated Physics/Chemistry or other science (1) Third Science Fourth Science Social Studies: (3 Credits) World Geography or World History (1) U.S. History (1) Government (.5) and Economics (.5)

Physical Education or Substitution (1 Credit) LOTE/World Languages (2 Credits) Any two levels in the same language Fine Arts (1 Credit) Electives/Endorsements (7 Credits) TOTAL of 26 STATE Credits

All students must also pass the EOC s for the following courses: Algebra 1 English 1 Biology English 2 U.S. History

n Official transcripts must indicate courses taken and grade/credit earned n If you took a class in middle school that counts towards high school credit, you cannot take that class again in High School.

Every student in HS is ranked according to a numerical GPA based on the following courses: English, Math, Science, Social Studies, LOTE & Academic Decathlon GPA Scale More info on page 23 of the CDG Courses taken in middle school for HS credit do not count in GPA calculation unless the course was taken on a High School Campus

You should have the following information: FM9 Welcome Letter LISD Course Description Guide w/addendum FM9 9 th Grade Course Preference Card LISD Endorsement Declaration Page PAP/AP Contract FM9 Contact Information Orientation Letter LISD 1:x Initiative ipad Info

This page indicates all of the courses currently available to 9 th grade students at FM9. Students should choose 8 total credits for 9 th grade, and in addition, 4 total alternate credits must be selected.

The LISD Course Description Guide (CDG) is your manual to all course offerings at FM9 and the Career Center. If you see a course in the CDG and you do not see it on your Course Preference Card, that means the course is not offered on your grade level or is not offered at FMHS. The CDG also gives you important information on the Foundation High School Program. On pages 15-21 the FHSP is outlined.

Remember you can only choose courses from the FM9 9 th Grade Course Preference Card. Courses with bold, all caps, and an * do count in the GPA. LC (local credit) means it does not count towards your 26 required graduation credits. 9- week courses are listed separately from 18- week courses. TWO 9- week courses are needed to equal one full credit. Please REMEMBER to count to 8 total credits & 4 alternate credits You cannot take both athletics and PE at the same time. This includes Outdoor Education.

Foreign Language should be taken back to back. (Foreign Languages DO count in your GPA). PAP, AP English and some other PAP/AP classes require a summer project. It is not possible to choose between fall/spring classes. It is not possible to request a teacher. The following class REQUIRES AN APPLICATION (FM9 Counseling Website/9 th Grade Registration): Yearbook

Is it possible to take four years of athletics and have enough state credits to graduate? Absolutely! The state allows 1 state PE credit per year. 4 years of athletics produces 4 state credits. As a result, student athletes have the potential to earn 7 credits per year for a total of 28 state credits. 26 state credits required for graduation!

With the new Foundation High School Program there are many options Options are a great thing in education, but they can also be overwhelming and difficult to grasp We want to cover the essentials for navigating the FHSP First let s take a look at some of the lingo we will be using the next few years.

HB5: House Bill 5 FHSP: Foundation High School Program Endorsement DLA: Distinguished Level of Achievement Performance Acknowledgements CTE: Career & Technology Education Non CTE: Non Career & Technology

First we must consider: The default plan in LISD for all students on the Foundation High School Program is the Foundation Distinguished Level of Achievement. This is the highest graduation plan in the State of Texas! Students will earn an Endorsement on this plan Your student is on a path to postsecondary success in LISD! Let s take a look at what we know your child must have to graduate, then work from there..

Physical Education or Substitution (1 Credit) LOTE/World Languages (2 Credits) Any two levels in the same language Fine Arts (1 Credit) Electives/Endorsements (7 Credits) TOTAL of 26 STATE Credits

Now that we know the 26 required credits to graduate, let s review the options we have for Endorsements STEM (Science, Tech, Engineering & Math) Multidisciplinary Arts & Humanities Business & Industry Public Services

Keep in mind that students can change their Endorsement after 9 th grade. What you submit now is your best selection at this time! We understand that this may change. Some students will be able to achieve multiple endorsements. Focus on one Primary Endorsement. Any additional Endorsement can be considered a bonus.

Question: I m taking Algebra 1 in 8 th grade. What Endorsement makes sense for me?

Answer: STEM Endorsement. Students in this scenario (approx 50 % of students at FM9) are on track to earn a STEM Endorsement. The most common path to earn this Endorsement is to take 5 Math Courses including Algebra 2. Students can also earn a STEM Endorsement by taking 5 Science Courses (Bio/Chem/Physics & 2 additional credits) There are also CTE Pathways to earning a STEM Endorsement *Please note that there are multiple ways to earn a STEM Endorsement. See the Parent/Student Guide to the Foundations High School Program for more information

Question: I plan on taking 4 core classes each year of high school, what Endorsement would I earn?

Answer: Multidisciplinary. The FHSP requires students to earn 3 Social Studies Credits. By taking one additional Social Studies Credit a student will earn a Multidisciplinary Endorsement as long as the student takes English 4, and Chemistry or Physics as part of the core courses. We recommend that if you are unsure what Endorsement to declare, choose Multidisciplinary. This is a college/post- secondary ready graduation plan and very similar to the Recommended Plan that current upperclassmen are on. *Please note that there are multiple ways to earn a Multidisciplinary Endorsement. See the Parent/Student Guide to the Foundations High School Program for more information

Question I plan on participating in one of the Fine Arts (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater, Dance) areas in High School. What Endorsement would Fine Arts fall under?

Answer: Arts & Humanities Students who earn 4 credits in the Fine Arts will earn this Endorsement. Students can also earn the Arts & Humanities Endorsement with: 4 Foreign Language Credits Combination of 5 Social Studies Credits *Please note that there are multiple ways to earn an Arts & Humanities Endorsement. See the Parent/Student Guide to the Foundations High School Program for more information

ROTC is something I plan to take in High School. What Endorsement would ROTC fall under?

Answer: Public Services A student who earns 4 credits in JROTC will earn a Public Service Endorsement. A student can also earn a Public Service Endorsement through the CTE Pathway in the following areas: Education & Training Human Services Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security Health Sciences *Please note that there are multiple ways to earn a Public Services Endorsement. See the Parent/Student Guide to the Foundations High School Program for more information

I m interested in the area of Journalism, Yearbook, or Debate. Which Endorsement is a good option for me?

Answer: Business & Industry Endorsement Students that take 3 levels in areas such as Debate, Yearbook, Journalism, and Public Speaking plus an additional English Elective Credit will earn a Business & Industry Endorsement. Example: A student will earn this Endorsement by taking Debate I, II, III and Creative Writing (.5 credit)/literary Genre (.5 credit). There are also CTE Pathways to earning a Business & Industry Endorsement *Please note that there are multiple ways to earn a Business & Industry Endorsement. See the Parent/Student Guide to the Foundations High School Program for more information

DECLARATION OF ENDORSEMENT Foundation High School Graduation Program NAME: ID#: GRADE: CURRENT COUNSELOR: The LISD Default Graduation Plan for all students entering high school 2014-2015 and beyond is the Foundation Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA). Students may be allowed to change to a different graduation plan AFTER completion of the 10 th grade year, if appropriate. STUDENTS PLANNING TO ENTER TEXAS PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES UNDER THE TOP 10% AUTOMATIC ADMISSION LAW ARE REQUIRED BY STATE MANDATE TO GRADUATE WITH THE DISTINGUISHED LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT DIPLOMA. This form must be turned in during high school registration to complete the registration process. Students are allowed to change their endorsement at any time during their high school career after filing appropriate documentation with the counselor. Although students may graduate with multiple endorsements, they are only REQUIRED to select ONE at this time. Selecting only one endorsement will NOT preclude students from attaining additional endorsements. SELECT AN ENDORSEMENT Select one of the endorsements below. Arts & Humanities Business & Industry Multidisciplinary Public Services STEM Student Signature Date Parent Signature Date Counselor/Administrator Signature Date Received

Remember, every student starts on the highest graduation plan in Texas! Endorsements should reflect an area of interest Endorsements are not going to determine what college you are accepted to Colleges still have their own unique requirements and will look at multiple criteria

Students will work with the counselors in September to gain access to Career Cruising and complete 4- Year Plans Today we will only focus on 9 th grade selections

Please turn in the following items before you leave: Course Preference Card Declaration of Endorsement PAP Contract if applicable

Orientation (Students and Parents) August 12 th A- K @ 9:00 AM L- Z @ 1:00 PM For those unable to attend during the day, FM9 will be open from 7:00 8:30 pm for schedule pickup and self guided tours First Day of School Monday, August 24th New Student Mixer Tuesday, August 25 th

LISD Parent/Student Guide to the Foundation High School Program http://www.lisd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp? urec_id=241292&type=d&prec_id=559526 LISD 9 th 10 th Grade Handbook http://www.lisd.net/ourpages/auto/2014/4/10/50735974/9th- 10th %20Handbook%2014-15.pdf LISD Course Description Guide http://www.lisd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp? urec_id=241292&type=d&prec_id=559526 LISD Foundation Plan Website & Resources http://www.lisd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp? urec_id=241292&type=d&prec_id=559520