2020-2021 CourseSelection Process

Wissahickon High School

Welcome to Program of Studies Night

Administrative Team

Dr. Lynne Blair, Principal

Mr. Tom Andrzejewski, Associate Principal

Ms. Karen Gebhardt, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Lisa Kelly, Assistant Principal

Mr. Jim Cairnes, Athletic Director

Mr. Gary Abbamont, Assistant Superintendent

Ms. Jennifer Schmidt, Director of Secondary Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

Course Selection Timeline• January 2020

• Students receive course information• Grade 8: Handed out to students in Guidance Lessons Jan 7-9

• Grade 9-11: Handed out to students in HR on Jan 2

• Teachers make recommendations/have conversations with students

• Course selection sheets due• To WMS Guidance Counselors by Friday, January 24 (for Grade 8)

• Hand in to HR Teacher by Tuesday, January 22 (for Grades 9-11)

• February-March – Counselors meet with students

• Week of March 16, 2020: Course verification sheets sent home

• March 30, 2020: Deadline to return Course Verification sheets with corrections and Parental Waiver of Recommendations or elective changes

Changes in Courses/Levels

• Until March 30, 2020 students and parents can make requests for changes in course levels or elective courses. Changes after this time are for corrections only.

• Parent/Student Initiated Change in Course - Moving down a level: Level changes will only be considered at the midpoint of the first marking period if:• The student is failing

• The student has documented that he/she has received additional supports offered by the district such as: after school tutoring, IE Period, during study halls, support classes, etc.

• The student has made an appointment with his/her guidance counselor to discuss the change, the impact on his/her future and the impact on his/her schedule

• The teacher has been consulted

• The parent has made the request in writing. This change will be done with an Administrator's approval and a grade of “W” will appear on the transcript

Graduation Requirements

• Graduation requirements1. Credits (needed for promotion)

• Grade 9 to Grade 10 -minimum of 6 Credits

• Grade 10 to Grade 11 -minimum of 12.50 Credits

• Grade 11 to Grade 12 -minimum of 19.00 Credits

2. Graduation Project3. Demonstrated Proficiency on

Keystone Exams (class of 2022 –PDE Req.)

• *Total of 7 math/science required • *1 math/science credit can be earned in

Comp Sci• **2 Credits of WL strongly rec.

• Credit Requirements for Graduation• English 4.00• Social Studies 4.00• Mathematics* 3.00• Science* 3.00• Wellness (9th health) 1.00• Physical Education 1.00• Health .50• Graduation Project .80• World Language** 2.00• Electives 7.50• Total 26.80

• Full Program Schedule: Students must have a full program schedule that includes 8 scheduled course blocks, with no more than one of the 8 blocks scheduled as a study hall.

Importance of Proficiency

•Students will need to demonstrate proficiency in Algebra 1, Biology, and Literature (as measured by the Keystone) for the class of 2022 and beyond

•Alternate ways to demonstrate proficiency

•Possible assistance with remediation• Support during Intervention/Enrichment (I/E) period• Students can make multiple attempts to attain proficiency

on the Keystone• Support through an online remediation program

9th Grade Academy

Ms. Gebhardt•Course selection process is the same (no scheduling

restrictions)

•Three teams of core teachers meet 2x/cycle

•Every student will have a core team of teachers

•Allows common planning team for weekly meetings

•Facilitates communication and conferences

•Purpose is to ease transition into high school

Sample Student Schedule• Six day cycle• Homeroom on first four days• Attendance taken in class on Days

5/6

• Courses rotate depending on day• Longer classes on Days 5/6• I/E period on Days 5/6

WHS Transition

WHS Ambassadors Club

Who are we? - The Ambassadors Club works to make new students feel welcome and comfortable in Wissahickon High School. We also strive to establish relationships with fellow students and foster a sense of community.

Wiss Link

Program to help facilitate 9th grade transition

Small homerooms with upper-class students who will check-in with 9th

graders

Academic follow-up activities (Making Choices)

Social follow-up activities (Cocoa and Cram)

Link Fly-Over Day: May 21 (during lunches and Academic)

9th Grade Orientation: Friday, August 28, 2020

North Montco Technical Career CenterMrs. Novicki

• Construction Trades: Construction Carpentry, HVAC, Electrical Trades

• Cosmetology

• Culinary Arts/Baking

• Eng/Manufacturing: Computer-Integrated Machining, Drafting & Design, Mechatronics, Welding & Fabrication

• Health & Human Services: Allied Health, Biotechnology, Health Sciences, Protective Services

• Horticulture

• Power & Trans: Auto Collision Repair, Automotive Technology, Diesel Truck Technology, Recreation Power Equipment

• Visual Communications: Advertising Design, Graphic Arts, Internet Tech

ENROLLMENT FORMS DUE TO NMTCC ON MARCH 5, 2020

College and Career Counseling

• Ms. Anderson, College and Career Counselor

• Meets primarily with seniors and juniors, but freshmen and sophomores are welcome to make appointments

• Establishes relationships with college admission officers when they visit WHS or when Ms. Anderson visits colleges

• Runs the College Series Night Programs – look for schedule in the beginning of the year

• NAVIANCE is a college and career search website available to all 9th-12th students AND parents. Go to the guidance website for more information.

Co-Curricular Activities• Law Club• Math Club• Marching Unit/Orch/Jazz Band• Model UN• Musical/Pit Orchestra• NAMI• National Honor Society

• Open to 11th & 12 grade students but begin developing credentials in 9th grade.

• Poetry Club• Pop Culture Club• Project Lit• Robotics• SADD• Science Club• Self-Defense• STARS• Trojan Times• Warhammer Club• Wildlife Club• WISSPALS• World Education Club• WTV• Wissahickon Academic Quiz Team• Wiss LINK• Wissahickon Youth Political Learning Club• Yearbook

• A-Capella Club• Ambassador Club• Art Club• Asian Studies• Bullet Journaling• Camerata/Chorus• CASA• Class Committees/Student Council• Comic Book Club• Computer• Concert & Jazz Bands• Culinary Explorations Club• Debate/Speech• Drama• Dungeons and Dragons• Environmental Protection Club• FANS• Feminist Club• Future Business Leaders of America• Future Teachers of America• GSA• Global Minds• Health Careers• High School Democrats of America• Interact• Jewish Student Union• Key Club

Athletic Programs

FALL SPORTS• Football-V, JV& 9th

• Field Hockey-V, JV& 9th

• Girl’s Cross Country-V & JV

• Boy’s Cross Country-V & JV

• Girl’s Tennis-V & JV

• Girl’s Soccer-V & JV

• Boy’s Soccer-V, JV & 9th

• Coed Golf- V & JV

• Water Polo Girls and Boys-V & JV

• Cheerleading-V

• Girl’s Volleyball-V & JV

WINTER SPORTS• Girl’s Basketball-V,

JV& 9th

• Boy’s Basketball-V, JV& 9th

• Girl’s Swimming-V• Boy’s Swimming-V• Wrestling-V & JV• Cheerleading-V• Girl’s Indoor Track-V• Boy’s Indoor Track-V• Competition Cheer

Team- V

SPRING SPORTS• Baseball-V & JV• Softball-V & JV• Boys Lacrosse-V & JV• Girls Lacrosse-V, JV&

9th

• Girls Track-V• Boys Track-V• Boys Tennis-V & JV

Changes for 2020-2021PROGRAM DESCRIPTION UPDATES AND ADDITIONS

• HS Program Requirement Updates:

• Graduation Project – Revising the Graduation Project to support career and college readiness endeavours; students will now begin the Graduation Project in grade 11

• Keystone Exams – Revised graduation requirements per Act 158 to be in effect for Class of 2022

• Course Updates:• Art – Adding AP 3-D Art and Design; aligning Art, Ceramics, and Photography course

sequences

• Math – Revising Senior Math to Math Applications

• Health/Physical Education – SHAPE being renamed to Fitness

• Science – Adding Medical Interventions

• Social Studies – Revising U.S. History to integrate requirements of Act 35 Civics Education

• Technology Education – Adding Computer Integrated Manufacturing