Essential Information for Incoming High School Freshmen

+ EHS Freshman Orientation

+Welcome to EHS! We are so excited to have you at the high school in the fall! Growing Together, Pursuing Purpose, Finding You

+Freshman Academy A program that helps to promote student success through a variety of lessons throughout the year: Accountability Character Responsibility Future Readiness Mentor Program

+What is the biggest academic change from Middle School to High School? High School Middle School You move a grade level or to the next class in the sequence and graduate only after you earn enough credits by passing individual classes AND meeting all graduation requirements by both Illinois School Code and ECUSD standards. You are promoted to the next grade or to high school if you pass most of your classes.

+What is a credit? A unit of measurement for a class taken daily for a semester or all year long. 1 credit for a year long course/ one period English Courses Math Courses Science Courses PE credit for a semester course/ one period Most elective classes are 1 semester long/ a credit credit for 9-week courses Driver s Education Freshman Academy Career Page to Podium

+How many & which credits do I need to earn English Four (4) years of English Mathematics Three (3) years of Math All students must pass Algebra I and a Geometry course Science- Three (3) years of Sciences All students will start in Survey of Science and must pass Survey of Science and Biology I

+Credits, cont. Social Studies- Three (3) years of Social Studies All students must pass Social Studies, American History I, American History II, American History III, and Government (and pass the Constitution test of the U.S. and Illinois) Physical Education- Every semester of HS, unless waived for medical, WACC courses, varsity sport in 11thor 12thgrade or other valid reason Health- One (1) semester, usually 10thgrade Consumer Education- One (1) semester; usually grades 11 or 12

+Credits, cont. Miscellaneous- Freshman Academy, Page to Podium, Careers, and Drivers Education All students must pass one (1) quarter of each course Date of birth determines when Drivers Ed will be taken One credit in computers, foreign language, music, art or vocational classes Need 24 credits to graduate.

+Drivers Education Special Note Students may miss up to three (3) class periods If a student misses more than three (3) class periods, that student will NOT pass Drivers Education The student will still be required to finish the Drivers Ed class If a student does not pass Drivers Ed as a result of missed classes, that student will be re-enrolled in Drivers Ed THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE STUDENT WILL BE ENROLLED IN THE FOLLOWING SEMESTER OF DRIVERS ED Example: If a student failed 3rdquarter freshman year, that student would next be eligible (but not guaranteed) to be enrolled in 1st quarter sophomore year

+Cumulative GPA GPA= Grade Point Average Calculated by assigning quality points for each semester grade and dividing by the number of courses attempted. Example: English I Survey of Science Algebra I Social Studies A- B B+ A (3.66) (3.00) (3.33) (4.00) 13.99/4 = 3.498 GPA

+Weighted Classes Classes Honors English 12th Pre-Calculus Calculus Spanish III Spanish IV Chemistry I Chemistry II Physics BHC Dual Credit Classes *** you must obtain a C- or higher to get a weighted point What is a weighted class? Classes are based on a 5.000 GPA scale A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- 5.00 4.66 4.33 4.00 3.66 3.33 3.00 2.66

+ WACC & BHC Whiteside Area Career Center Black Hawk College Dual Credit Enroll concurrently at EHS and BHC Must be in 11thor 12thgrade Most courses require passing a placement test for enrollment Apply through the Counseling Office Payment A 75% Reimbursement B/C 50% Reimbursement D/F 0% Reimbursement Grades 11 & 12 may attend-no guarantee on attending, as we are only given a certain amount of spots Sign-up end of 10thgrade See options in Panther Pathway Such as Allied Health Welding Fabrication I/II Early Childhood Education

+Freshman Year Schedule Not in order! 8 class periods 1. English 2. Math 3. Science 4. Social Studies 5. Quarter classes (PTP, Fresh Academy, Drivers Ed, Careers) 6. P.E. 7. Elective of your choice (Spanish, Band, etc.) 8. Study Hall

+Available Electives All courses are listed online in the Panther Pathway at ecusd.info. Click on the High School page and then the Important Resources tab. Year Long Classes Semester Long General Band Current Issues Vocal Choir Art Music (Band & Choir) Sewing and Crafts I/II Child Care/Parenting (year) Intro to Foods/II Industrial Tech Orientation (year) Web Page Design Computer Graphics Art Video Gaming Publications Social Media Spanish I Photography Ceramics

+Course Selection On your packet you will find directions to access the Panther Pathway online. Please look over the descriptions for elective classes, discuss options with your parents and have a class in mind. Mrs. Ramos and Mr. Winckler will be coming over to the Middle School on March 17-19 to meet with each 8thgrader to finalize their registration for classes. If you want to take Band/Choir and Spanish I, Social Studies will be waived until your sophomore year. Parents- if you want to discuss your student s class selection, please call the high school and set up an appointment with Mrs. Ramos.

+UNPACK YOUR FUTURE NIGHT!! When: August 12, 2021 Where: EHS Commons Who: All Freshman Students & Parents What: Students will complete a dry-run of class schedule, meet teachers and learn about the expectations/curriculum of each class. You will also get to meet your senior mentor, find your locker, and get ready for an exciting school year!!! Why: Start the school year off strong and confident by getting rid of any first-day jitters.