Welcome

Gateway Regional High School

8th Grade Orientation

Night

State Testing

• April 29th-May 2nd

• NJ ASK 7 and 8

• Minimal Level of Proficiency (200)

Instructional Levels

• LevelingGeneralCollege PrepHonors

EXAMPLE: Algebra I, Algebra I-CP, Honors Algebra I

Advanced Placement

Guidance

REQUIRED COURSES CREDITS English (4 yr.) 20 Mathematics (3 yr.) 15 Science (3 yr.) 15 World History 5 U.S. History I, II 10 Physical Education (4 yr.) 12 Health (4 yr.) 4 21st Century Skills 5(Computers, Family & Consumer Science)

Guidance

Visual, Fine, & Performing Arts 5 (Music, Art, Theater)

Financial Literacy 2.5 World Language 5

Total Required Credits 98.5

+ ELECTIVE COURSES 26.5

__________________________________________

TOTAL CREDITS NEEDED

 TO GRADUATE 125

Course Options

Each Department has numerous required courses needed towards graduation as well as ELECTIVE

OPTIONS

Language Arts

• English I, II, III, IV

• Shakespeare/Shakespeare Made Relevant

• Creative Writing

• Cinema/Film Studies

• SAT Prep

Science

• Physics or Honors Physics (new sequence for 9th grade)

• Chemistry (new for 10th)• Biology (new for 11th)

• AP Biology or Chemistry

• Human Anatomy and Physiology

Math

• Geometry, Geometry CP, Geometry Honors• Algebra I – CP (for anyone unsuccessful

in 8th grade)• Algebra II, Algebra II CP Algebra II (Honors)• Precalculus, H. Precalculus,

H. Calculus, AP Calculus• SAT Prep

Social StudiesSocial Studies

• Grade 9 – World History Grade 9 – World History • Grades 10 and 11 –Grades 10 and 11 – US History 1 and 2US History 1 and 2• Personal Finance/Civics Personal Finance/Civics

are required courses for are required courses for 1111thth grade grade

• Success in the WorkforceSuccess in the Workforce

Physical Education/Health

• All students must take and pass 4 years of Physical Education and Health in order to graduate.

• PE Option II is an opportunity for 3 sport athletes or year round athletes to have their activity counted as a Physical Education course at Gateway. This allows students the opportunity to take a study hall or another course in its place. SEE A GUIDANCE COUNSELOR IF INTERESTED! Example: Student plays varsity Football, Basketball, Baseball. This

could replace 11th grade Physical Education. Student could choose to take Health at Gateway or in the community.

More Elective Options

While in high school students have a variety of options they can

explore!

Education Academy

• For students interesting in the field of education.

• Open to all 11-12th grade students who feel they would be successful in this program.

• In school and out of school experiences. Field experiences can be at Gateway or

elementary schools depending upon grade level.

• Partnership with Rowan University.• Teacher Cadet 1 and 2

Technology Education

• Foundations of Technology Literacy

• Technology, Design and Engineering I and II

• Capstone (senior only

course)

Music

• Concert Choir • Senior High Band• Musical Theater• Technology &

Fundamentals of Music• Guitar I

World Language

• Latin

• German

• Spanish

• French

• Exploratory Spanish

• Exploratory FrenchStudents exiting 8th grade world languages

and continuing in the same language will take level 2 in 9th grade.

Business

• Microsoft Office*

• Accounting I

• Personal Finance/Marketing with Social Media (option to take in

11th grade in lieu of Civics)

• Multimedia Design*

* Count towards Practical Arts Requirements

Family and Consumer Science

• Life Skills

• Independent Living

• Gourmet Cooking I & II

• American/International Foods

• Creative Sewing

• Fashion Design I & II

Art

Art Course Offerings•Creative Design I and II

•Computer Graphics & Introduction to Photography

•Introduction to Filmmaking

•Advanced Photography

•Art I, II, III, IV, AP

How will students Schedule?

• Mrs. Joniec provided students with information regarding scheduling online. Directions were also sent home in a letter earlier this month.

• Students will need to log into their Powerschool accounts.

• Click on “Class Registrations”• Students can view courses they have been

registered for and teacher recommendations.

Additional Information

• Dual Credit Program• Students enrolled in the following courses are eligible to receive

college credits for those courses IF they adhere to the rules set forth by the community college sponsoring their class. If your student does this, they will be considered a dual student of both Gateway and the community college. AP BIOLOGY, AP CALCULUS, AP CHEMISTRY, AP ENGLISH IV,

AP ART, AP US I AND II, FRENCH III-IV, GERMAN III-IV, SPANISH III-IV, and Latin III-IV

• Requirements: Fill out application in October and pay the small fee. Receive a “B” or better in that class.

• After you have graduated, ask for a transcript from the sponsoring college (GCC or CCC).

• The OTHER way to receive Dual Credit is to have your student take an AP class and then the appropriate AP test in May. They must have a certain score to receive college credit.

Additional Information

• Option II is a way for students to gain high school credit outside the traditional classroom. Examples include: Senior Option (going

to GCC and Gateway as seniors), School to Work, Practical Art credit for community music lessons, Health credits for a community based First Aid course.

Waivers

• Waiver Information Students are able to waive into a level 3,

Honors, or AP course. Students must understand that they may not have had the recommended grade and/or teacher recommendation.

Parents must submit a waiver letter to the Director of Guidance by the last day in June.

See your counselor for more specific information.

The Extras

• Extracurricular activities are essential. It is just as important to be involved outside the classroom as in it!

• Volunteering is a very important way to obtain scholarships for college.

• Always keep future goals in mind because it is essential to align your current classes to potential future career goals.

Looking Ahead

NHS Requirements

• Four-part procedure for selection into the National Honor Society at Gateway, which corresponds to national NHS guidelines.

•  The guidance department issues an adjusted grade point average list that identifies students with a cumulative average of 93.0 or higher.

•  Those students who meet the proper GPA requirement are given an application that they must complete in order to go through the selection procedure.

•  Each member of the faculty is given a list of nominees. They are asked to rate them in the areas of character, leadership and service. They are also asked to make appropriate comments about the students regarding the three areas.

•  The advisor(s) will assemble a committee representing five academic departments of the faculty. This committee will meet to discuss the findings of the faculty survey and of the student application. A student will be accepted in the NHS if he or she receives a majority of the five votes.

NHS

• Current Advisors are Dana Layng and Christina Gailliout

• Sampling of NHS activities include: Gator Day events Unicef Coin Collection Food Drive that benefits residents in the

Gateway communities Clean Communities Program

Linking it all Together

It will be essential to link past, current, and future goals together will in high

school.

College-Academic Requirements

• 4 year colleges Most require at least 16 academic credits

English (4 yr), Algebra I, II, Geometry, W. History, 2 more years of History, 3 years of science (Environmental, Chemistry, Physics, or Biology), 2 years of world language, 1 year of an elective

• 2 year colleges Most require high school diploma

College and Athletics

• Students interested in playing college athletics need to let their high school coaches and guidance counselors know.

• Parents and Students can begin to review NCAA Eligibility Center information.

www.eligibilitycenter.org

NJ STARS

• When thinking of college remember the NJ STARS program.

• NJ STARS is a scholarship program exclusively for New Jersey residents that covers the cost of tuition at New Jersey's 19 community colleges.

• Students who graduate in the top 15 percent of their high school class may be eligible.

• Students must complete a rigorous series of high school courses as a first step toward eligibility, as determined by the NJ Commission on Higher Education in consultation with the NJ Commissioner of Education.

Additional Financial Aid

• There are additional financial aid opportunities for students who meet free and reduced lunch criteria when applying to colleges or taking the SAT’s.

• If this applies to you, speak with the guidance department during 10th grade.

Naviance

Do you know what it is?•It is a comprehensive online tool for students to better understand who they are and where they want to go•It also provides a means for parents and counselors to track a student’s progress in these areas•You may hear us use these terms interchangeably...

Naviance Succeed is what educators see Family Connection is for students and parents

Naviance (Continued)

• Constant email correspondence with counselors.

• Counselors can email news and tips through Family Connection as well as emails you supply.

• Allows for parents to view what student is working on in school for careers.

• Provides comprehensive 7-12 career and college structure for parents and students to explore together.

Naviance (Continued)

• Students will complete resumes through their accounts which can also be sent to colleges.

• Gateway will be requiring all students to request transcripts through Naviance. These transcripts will then be able to be sent electronically or hardcopy to colleges, scholarships, etc. as appropriate.

Thank you

Guidance Department Philosophy – Decide where you want to end up and take the steps needed to get there.

Start TODAY!

Thank you for coming out this evening. Please feel free to speak more

specifically with any of us.