Welcome to Sparkman Ninth Grade School! Senator Nation!

Welcome to Sparkman Ninth Grade School! Senator Nation!

Alabama High School Diploma Need 24 credits to graduate 16 required core courses 8 required electives Earn 8 credits each year. 4 credits per semester Every class taken in grades 9-12 is for credit. 24 credits is the minimum not the goal!

Credit Requirements A grade of 60 or above earns you a credit. Sophomore To get from S9 to SHS, you must earn at least 6 credits!

Final Exams Final Exams are important!!! They count 20% of the total grade for a class! 2018-2019 Final Exam days: December 18 th and 19 th May 21 st and 22 nd Final exams are the last 2 days of each semester. Do not be absent! No early exams.

Forms Demographic Update Health Form Course Selection Form

What Is In Your Future? Where do you want to be 4 years from now? What type of classes should you take? What type of training will you need?

Course Request Form Pre-AP or Standard Courses? Pre-AP are the most rigorous 5 extra points will be added to your final average More challenging curriculum Preparation for college and ACT Take PreAP classes for subjects that you are strong in. It is suggested that you only take PreAP for classes that were 80 or above the previous year.

Core Courses English 9 or Pre-AP English 9 Algebra IA/IB for those who struggle Algebra I average students PreAP Geometry for those who had Algebra in 8 th grade PreAP Geometry/ PreAP Algebra II with Trig Biology or PreAP Biology Human Anatomy and Physiology (can be taken in addition to Biology in place of an elective) World History or PreAP World History or AP World History

AP World History This year will be the first time we offer AP World History. AP= Advanced Placement This college level world history course follows the curriculum established by the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Program for world history. In order to receive a weighted grade for this course the student must complete the course and take the AP Exam. To earn college credit for this course, the student must take the AP Exam and achieve a qualifying score determined by the college. Summer reading may be required. Fee: Cost of AP Exam ($94) 10 points added to final grade

Required Electives Career Preparedness is required in 9 th grade (JROTC takes the place of this.) LIFE PE is a requirement for graduation. Band, JROTC and some sports take the place of LIFE PE. Health is required, but can be taken in any grade. It is a half credit course and must be paired. (192 slots)

Half Credit Electives Driver Education: You MUST be 15 by October 1, 2018. You MUST have a permit. It will be given on a first come, first serve basis based on age. (72 slots) Fee: $60 Computer Applications: This course includes basic concepts and operations; technology problem-solving and decision-making tools; technology research tools; social, ethical, and human issues; technology communication tools; and technology productivity tools. (120 slots) Fee: $20

Electives Visual Arts-principles of design, two and three dimensional techniques, art history, art vocabulary, etc. (1 credit) Fee: $25 Mixed Chorus I: Choir-singing, sight sing unison literature, performance, elements of music, etc. (1credit and 2 credit option) Fee: $25 Theatre-theatrical training, dramatic structure, acting process, theatre vocabulary, production and production staff (1 credit) Fee: $25

Human Anatomy and Physiology This class covers the ten systems of the human body with emphasis on diseases and disorders. Excellent course for those wishing to go in to the medical field.

Fee Waiver Students who are not financially able to pay fees may apply for a fee waiver. Fee waivers are available in the front office at S9.

Literature Novels Novels is designed for students who love reading Young Adult fiction. In this class, we read. We talk about books. We compare what current authors do that mimic what the celebrated authors of the past do in their writing. We watch movies based on classic novels, and we read. This class uses project based learning. If you love reading, enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, like to talk about YA fiction, and just need to have a break from your busy schedule, this is the class or you.

Spanish I Foreign language is not a high school graduation requirement, but many colleges do require 1 to 2 years of a foreign language.

Yearbook This course includes producing a publication: format, layout, photographs, and yearbook design. *Application Based

Founding Fathers Founding Fathers offers an in depth look at the events and people who shaped America in a hands on manner.

Sports Sports should be listed next to Life PE Most sports will take up 2 credit blocks Students cannot be placed in a sport PE until we have received a list of players from the coach Sports with blocks during the day: basketball(2), baseball (2), cheer varsity (2), cheer 9 th grade (1), football (2), golf (1), softball (2), volleyball (2) All other sports are after school activities and do not count as a Life PE credit.

Course Request Form Choose 8 total credits Choose only 1 of each core course Choose Pre-AP classes very carefully and only in your strongest subjects (B or better). Schedules cannot be changed once you have begun these classes. You MUST choose Career Prep as one of your electives unless taking JROTC. Make sure you choose an alternate elective

English Summer Reading All students entering S9GS must read To Kill a Mockingbird prior to the first day of school. You will have multiple assessments on this book during the first few weeks of school.***preap students have a second assignment. You can find all summer reading information at: https://www.smore.com/71xtt

Attendance Information Attendance is taken per block. In high school you aren t counted present half day at a certain time. You need to provide an excuse note even if you check your child out. jparrish@mcssk12.org You are allowed 4 parent notes per semester; 8 per year. After the 4 parent notes you will need doctor s notes for any further absences. You have 3 days to turn in an excuse.

Address/Phone Number Changes If you move during the school year please inform the school. You must provide 2 proof of residence. Please inform the school if you have a phone number change.

Freshman Night Freshman Night with parents and students will be March 8 th at 6 PM.

Registration I will be at Monrovia Middle March 14 th - 16 th to meet with your student and collect registration paperwork. I will be at Sparkman Middle March 20 th - 22 nd to meet with your student and collect registration paperwork.

Questions Trina McCulley- tmcculley@mcssk12.org Savannah Parker- sparker@mcssk12.org