Welcome Highlanders
This Online Presentation
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Comprehensive
Honest
Helpful
Contains information slides
from the incoming seventh
information nights minus
student pictures
This Presentation
• Presented from the
perspective that you have
never had a child in
secondary school
• Will answer almost any
question you could have
and I believe you will feel
better when you are done
• All information is located
at our website in the
district Program of
Studies and the
McCullough supplement
Documents Available
Soon on our Website
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District Program of Studies
McCullough Supplement
FAQs
District math flyer
Private P.E. links (April)
Summer School flyer (May)
Welcome
• Looking forward to
a new year
• New challenges for
students in
secondary education
• New responsibilities
• New opportunities
Snapshot Of Our School
• Composed of young
people from around
the country and the
globe
• Wonderful students
• Supportive parents
• Tremendous staff
• All are expected to
be successful
Snapshot of our school
• TAKS Scores 2011
– Reading
– Writing
– Social Studies
– Mathematics
– Science
99%
98%
99%
98%
96%
Snapshot of our school
• TEA Gold
Performance in
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Writing
Science
Reading
Social Studies
Math
Snapshot of our school
• T.E.A. Exemplary Campus
At McCullough
• We do things for a reason
(We have kids here too!)
• Kid-friendly and
preparing for the future
• Grading
• Projects
• Discipline
• Testing
• Procedurally
Goal 1
• Academic
Preparation
• Paradigm Shift
Goal 1A: Safety
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Visitors sign-in and sign-out
Visibility of administrators and police
Building opens at 8:00 a.m.
All outside doors locked at 8:50 a.m. when
school starts in fall of 2012
• Video surveillance system
• Safety letters home
Goal 2: Preparing Students
for High School
• 356 working days over
two years to prepare
students for high school
once they enter our
doors for the first time
• Students are in high
school the day they walk
in the door if they take
Algebra Pre-AP in
seventh grade
• Procedures are ageappropriate and have a
reason
Personal Vision
• Is that we will be the best secondary
school in Texas
Success For Your Child
• Many schools prepare students to
qualify for admittance to a college or
university
• We are preparing students to be
successful when they arrive at college
and to have the tools to stay there
Construction Through August 1st
• Parking lot
• Parking lot lighting
• Fine arts practice areas for band, choir,
and orchestra
• Art classrooms
• Gym floors and stands
• Bathrooms for Commons area
Construction Through August 1st
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Ceiling tiles
Marquee
Additional classrooms
Classrooms renovated
New carpet
New walkways
Summer Front Office
• It is likely our front office will be located
outside in either the field house or a
portable building this summer
• All the phone numbers will remain the
same
Important Dates to be
Determined
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Student Orientation Dates
Football Equipment Issue Day
Semester Exams
First semester exam dates
– Hinges on district adoption of calendar
– Two drafts on website for your review at this time
• Construction due to be completed August 1st
• First day of school tentatively set for August
27th
Student Orientation
• Final date will be announced this spring
– Will publicize through Tartan Tribune
– Dependent on the C.I.S.D. School Calendar
once adopted for 2012-2013
– Also dependent on construction
– Need volunteers to make it happen
– Social event of the summer
– Attendance is not required, but is
enormously beneficial
First Day of School
• Report to Alpha Homerooms until 10:00
a.m.
• Obtain final schedules
• Car line longer first two days
• Buses a little later due to third run and K
• Help everyone get where they need to go
A Typical Day
• Students can enter building at 8:00 a.m.
– Please do not drop your child off prior 8:00
a.m.
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Students wait in Commons
Go to classes at 8:34 a.m.
Lockers/Backpacks
School begins – 8:50 a.m.
A Typical Day
• Lunch/3rd Period
– 11:45 a.m.
• Students encouraged to eat breakfast
• Which lunch you eat depends on the
subject of the class you are in during third
block on that day
• Lunch time can be different on red or
green days
• Advisory – 1:55 p.m. – 2:19 p.m.
• School Ends – 3:50 p.m.
• Pick-up
– Car/Bus
Advisory
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Meets each day (1:55 p.m. – 2:19 p.m.)
Distribute information
Pledges
Moment of silence
Work on completing some homework
Tutoring
SPARKS
Announcements
Free Academic Assistance
• Tutoring- Most days of the week with your academic
teachers (most important)
• PAWS Homework Help– Tuesdays and Thursdays
– Located in room D109
– McCullough teacher
– TWHS Interact students
• SPARKS– Advisory
– Elite eighth grade students
– Ms. Donna Meyer
Information to Help
A Guide to Success
Communication
• E-Mail – Easiest,
quickest, preferred
• Please give us a day or so
as we are with students
as opposed to in front of
a computer
• Teacher e-mail addresses
are listed on the left
green column of our
website
Communication
• McCullough Webpage
– www.conroeisd.net
– Links to teacher webpages
– Important spring
registration documents
– Athletic schedules
– “Tartan Tribune” online
Communication
• Conferences
– Most at 8:05 a.m.
– Try to do a good job of
communicating and
prevent the need for you
to come in
– This is the time normally
that the teacher is tutoring
children
– Important to have your
child present
– Most center around a
young person not turning
in assignments
Communication
• Parent Newsletter “The
Tartan Tribune”
– Sent home through
students
– Online 24 hours a day at
our Parent Services Page
– Available in multiple
languages with Google
Translate
• No promises on accuracy of
Google translate
SchoolMessenger
• System that calls or emails your home
• I try to limit the phone calls to really
important items
– Expect numerous calls in the immediate days
leading up to the start of school
– Do not worry, the 6:30 p.m. phone calls will end
for the most part once school begins
SchoolMessenger
• We will email when breaking news happens or
information becomes available you need to
know
• Helps to have the correct phone number and
email address in our database system
PTA
• Volunteer
• Appreciate the help!
• PTA
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Front Desk
Student Orientation
Socials
Library
Copy Room
Daily Announcements Online
Common Assessments (Tests)
• Tests are high quality and developed
over time to choose the most
accurate/fair questions
• Are now “Common Assessments” in the
district
• Sixty percent of grade for marking
period
Common Assessments (Tests)
• Exams, and exam questions, are now
being utilized as common assessment
exams among teachers in the school and
within departments
• Tests are now developed in the summer
to have questions which are asked at the
rigor level wanted by the state for these
tests and STAAR exams
Common Assessments (Tests)
• Enormous time goes into the
development of each question to ensure
it addresses the TEKS and is at the level
of questioning required
• Exams are used not only among
different teachers in same discipline but
also other CISD junior highs
Common Assessments (Tests)
• Exams are being utilized more
extensively among all CISD campuses to
supplement benchmark testing
throughout the district and inserted into
Eduphoria program to optimize
individual academic support
• As the exams are utilized throughout the
campus and district throughout the
years, they do not go home
Common Assessments (Tests)
• View at school with student and/or
instructor
• Stumble Sheets in class to learn from
mistakes
– Students correct any errors, with the teacher,
in class
Semester Exams
• Last four days of each semester
– Be aware the calendar for next year has not
been adopted yet and there is a possibility
we could end the first semester before
winter break
• Prior week students will complete
review packet and prepare in the
classroom
Semester Exams
• Modified schedule in exams
• Grading percentages
– Junior high finals – 10 percent
– High school finals- 15 percent
• Synthesize learning and practice taking
major exams
• Please do not plan long and exotic
vacations during that time
Student Success Initiative
(SSI)
• Students must pass Reading and Math
STAAR in eighth grade to advance to
high school
Student Success Initiative (SSI)
• Students must pass 13 End of Course
Exams developed by the Texas
Education Agency in order to graduate
from high school.
• More information on this at the T.E.A.
website and at our 1/26 P.T.A. meeting.
Parent Access
Student Access
• Free opportunity to view grades,
attendance, discipline, STAAR, etc.
– Supplements planner
• Places you on a school e-mail list to
receive breaking news and routine email communication
• Sign up at www.conroeisd.net each year
Parent Access
Student Access
• Unparalleled communication and access
to data
• This program exists to supplement, not
replace student accountability for grades
and assignments
• Student should have accountability
Parent Access
• This system will literally email you every
time your child receives a grade if you
select it to do so
Dress Code
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Critical
Worth the battle if you are a parent
We will enforce
The way a student dresses affects the
way he/she feels about education and
success
Dress Code
• One of the first steps to caring in any
area of life is to dress like you care
• Always feel free to drop in with food at
lunch to see what they are actually
wearing four hours later
• For the most part, a non-issue with our
students
Transition to
Secondary School
• Kids transition quickly
– Tardies
• 3 free each quarter
• 7 minutes between classes (most around)
• Resets each nine weeks
• First two weeks amnesty
Tardies
• Email notification to your Parent Access
Account
• Normally email comes same day to your
email address in our database
• Being in class for the first five to ten
minutes of instruction/review/plan for
the day is critical to academic success
– Plans for the day
– How it is to be done
– What is on the exam
– When is the review
Discipline
• Follow student handbook
• Use good common sense
• Administrators, teachers, police, and
counselors, are proactive and visible in
building
Discipline
• Expectation meeting with students through
LA classes first week of school
• Classroom expectations are high
• We do everything possible to prevent a
situation before it happens
Ongoing “Make A Difference”
Monthly Anti-Bullying Program
• Bullying- Let the child’s AP know if the
bullying occurred on our campus
– Make A Difference monthly program conducted
through third block classes
– Administrative meetings with students through
language arts class
– Ongoing Interventions
• Full discipline information is available for you
on your child 24 hours a day at Parent Access
Center
How Parents
Make the Difference!
• Talk to your student
• Know where they are in the evenings
and on weekends, who they are with,
and why
• When you have a question, go to the
source and e-mail the teacher
How Parents
Make the Difference!
• Check the P.T.A. Planner nightly and
make sure all homework is complete
• Hold students responsible for their
actions (behaviorally and academically)
• Give your child a chance to work out
some problems on their own
– Studies show students who self-advocate do
better in high school and beyond
Easy Things to do to Help your Child
be Successful at McCullough
• Encourage students to eat breakfast
• Monitor the amount of sleep they really get
– Is the TV, gaming system, iPad, and/or computer in
their bedroom?
Easy Things to do to Help your Child
be Successful at McCullough
Is their cell phone in their room at night (charging??)
when you go to bed?
• Every day more research comes out clearly
articulating the critical aspect of sleep for
adolescent growth and success in school
• The phone never sleeps in 2012
– If the phone does not sleep, neither does the child
Easy Things to do to Help your Child
be Successful at McCullough
• Hold students accountable for a planner
– Positives and Negatives
• Encourage students to be involved in
school organizations
• Attend his/her activities at McCullough
Top 2 Indicators for
Student Success
• Attendance at school
• Involvement in a school activity
School Supplies
• Basic school supply list posted in The Tartan
Tribune this summer
• P.T.A. will sell basic minimal set again online
this year (optional)
• Look for information coming soon
Questions I Really Get
• What is the policy on cell phones and
electronics?
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Off 8:34 a.m. to 3:50 p.m.
Outside of these times, call away!
Please do not call and/or text your child in school
Theft of above devices- What really happens
Name on items is invaluable
• I have enough lost Vera Bradley lunch kits to start our
own store
Questions I Really Get
• Can I wear makeup?
– Yes
Questions I Really Get
• Can I wear flip-flops? Yes
• Where is lost and found? A101 in the
middle of the cafeteria
• Where are the bathrooms? At the ends
of the hallways
Elective Information Night
6:00 p.m until 7:05 p.m.
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February 7th
McCullough Commons
6:00 p.m. until 7:05 p.m.
Athletic Presentation
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Girls 6:00 p.m.
Boys 6:35 p.m.
In Bock Auditorium
A lot of people here
Very optional
Elective Information Night
6:00 p.m until 7:05 p.m.
• Very casual come and go
• Students are welcome
• Seventh grade elective teachers will be
present to answer your questions
• Be aware in advance there will be a lot
of people here
Elective Information Night
6:00 p.m until 7:05 p.m.
• Eighth grade elective teachers
representing high school electives will be
present
• Some activities which are not elective
classes such as Cheerleading, Winter
Guard, and Highland Girls may have a
booth with information
Registration Deadline – May 1
• Final deadline to make any
change, elective request or
core level change, is
May 1st at 4:00 p.m.
• Teachers are hired with
specific teaching
certifications (NCLB Act)
based on requests of
parents on this date
• No changes will be made
after this time
Registration Deadline – May 1
• Master schedule is
constructed based on
parent/guardian
course requests on
• Decisions earlier help
us hire better staff for
your child
The Registration Process
• We will contact you repeatedly in
the spring via SchoolMessenger
with information and reminders
you need to know
• Students receive tentative
schedules at Student Orientation
in August or on the first day of
school if they cannot attend
Orientation
Factors Which Affect an Individual
Student’s Schedule Formation
• Staffing (based on
• Specialty Classes
enrollment)
– Athletics
– Fine Arts
• Availability of Course
– Algebra
• Student’s Core Course
• Number of electives
Selection
– 11 unique choices in
• Elective course requests
seventh grade
by students
– 23 unique choices in eighth
• Seniority
grade
– Will take 4 in 7th grade
– Will take 5 in 8th grade
High School Information
“Mr. McCord, why are
we talking about high
school?”
Looking ahead to high school…
What is the Advanced
Placement (AP)
Program?
What is the Advanced
Placement Program?
• College level courses
taught in high school
• 27 nationwide courses in
19 subject areas (TWHS
offers 26)
• Examinations scores can
lead to college credit
and which validate
program success
• An opportunity for
students to think, read,
and write critically and
analytically.
What AP Courses
Does TWHS Offer?
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English Language
English Literature
Computer Science A
Spanish Language
Calculus AB, BC
US History
Chemistry
Government and Politics
Macroeconomics
Human Geography
Chinese
Japanese
Biology
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Environmental Science
German Language
French Language
Music Theory
Statistics
Art History
European History
Studio Art
Physics C, E, M
World History
Psychology
Art Drawing
Art 2D
Art 3D
Why AP?
• Challenges students
• Consistent teaching
strategies
• Prepares them for
college
Why AP?
• Provides
opportunities for our
young people to
compete post high
school
• Opportunities to
earn college credit in
high school (up to 45
hours)
• Saves parents $$$$
So How Well Do TWHS
Students Perform on the AP
Tests?
Fact:: In 2011, TWHS administered 2058 tests
to 933 students
Fact: TWHS mean score was 3.60
The mean state score was 2.48
The mean national score was 2.84
So How Well Do TWHS
Students Perform on the AP
Tests?
Fact: 82.4% of the students passed with a 3 or higher
Fact: 57% of the students passed with a 4 or higher
Fact: TWHS consistently ranks in the top schools in the
world in the number of tests given
Who Should Take PreAP
or AP Courses?
• The most successful AP
students are willing to
work hard. More than
ability, whether the student
(not just the parent) is
willing to invest the time
and energy to be successful
is most important.
• The earlier the
preparation, the easier the
transition.
Grades in Secondary Schools
• Everyone wants A’s
• Grades in Pre-AP
courses of a B or
high C may very
well indicate
tremendous learning
and hard work by
the student
Grades in Secondary Schools
• In secondary school it takes effort to
make an A.
• It also takes effort to fail.
Adventure into Academics
Core Subject Information
State Required Courses – 7th grade
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Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Texas History
Physical Education
– Can Substitute
• Athletics
• Cheer
• Highland Girls
• Private P.E.
• Electives – 4 choices
Science
• Science
• Pre-AP Science
– Strongly encourage any
student be enrolled in
pre-algebra Pre-AP
• Math Skills
– Science Fair Project
– Time
– Independent
Independent Study Science
Fair Project
• Runs November through February
• All students in Pre-AP Science will complete
the Independent Study Science Fair Project
• This is a research based endeavor
Independent Study
Science Fair Project
• One of the best things we do
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Protocols- 4 hours
Introduction- 5 hours
Materials and Methods- 3 hours
Experimenting- 10 hours
Final Paper- 10 hours
Board- 6 hours
Hours are just averages- can be more or less
Have checkpoints along the way
Fair is over a weekend in February at Lone Star
Convention Center
Pre-AP Science
• Need to make sure you understand the
real rigor and expectations of the
independent study science fair project
prior to making the year-long
commitment to Pre-AP science
Texas History
• Texas History
• Pre-AP Texas
History
– Strong reading
comprehension
and writing skills
are a plus
Language Arts
• Language Arts
• Pre-AP Language Arts
– Need to be selfmotivated reader and
writer
– Grade differential
– Everything starts with
reading
Class Placement of Your Child in LA,
Social Studies, and Science in C.I.S.D.
• Incoming seventh graders will
automatically roll by default to the next
appropriate grade level sequence
– 6th grade regular history to 7th regular
Texas History
– 6th GT Language Arts to 7th Pre-AP
Language Arts
– Etc.
Class Placement of Your Child in LA,
Social Studies, and Science in C.I.S.D.
• Sixth grade students identified as GT
will be automatically rolled initially to
Pre-AP in the area of their GT
identification for language arts, social
studies, or science
– Indicated on form your child has brought
home
– You can move your child from Pre-AP to
level classes by indicating your choice on
the document
Class Placement of Your Child in LA,
Social Studies, and Science in C.I.S.D.
• Ultimately, you can place your regular
education child in any level of class you want
in LA, Social Studies, or Science
– Encourage you to closely read the C.I.S.D.
Program of Studies and the McCullough
supplement in order to fully understand the rigor
and expectations of Pre-AP courses
– Recommend considering taking no more than two
Pre-AP courses
– Need to understand in advance that an A in
secondary Texas education is not the same as an A
in elementary education
Core Placement
Sheet Sent Home
On this sheet you
choose your
child’s level you
want for LA, SS,
and Science.
C.I.S.D. Math Placement
• The advanced math placement
procedures have been in place and
articulated for several years
• Children have been tested to be placed
into advanced math since they were in
fourth grade
Math Success Factors
• Unlike the other disciplines,
hard work alone in math may
not always ensure success
• Involves math knowledge and
mental math maturity
State Math Courses for
Seventh Grade
• Seventh grade math
• Pre-Algebra Pre-AP (one year ahead)
• High School Algebra Pre-AP (high school
course, two years ahead)
District Math Progression
Majority of Students
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6th Grade- Level Math
7th Grade – 7th Math
8th Grade - Pre-Algebra
9th Grade - Algebra
10th Grade - Geometry
11th Grade - Algebra II
12th Grade – Pre-Calculus
Student could still take
Calculus if he/she doubled
up somewhere along the
way
District Math Sequence
(Advanced 1 year) Some Students
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6th Grade- GT Math (7th grade Math)
7th Grade – Pre-Algebra Pre-AP
8th Grade – Algebra Pre-AP (High School)
9th Grade - Geometry
10th Grade - Algebra II
11th Grade - Pre-Calculus
12th Grade – Calculus
District Math Sequence
(Advanced 2 years)
Very Few Students
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7th Grade – Algebra Pre-AP (High School)
8th Grade – Geometry Pre-AP (High School)
9th Grade - Algebra II
10th Grade – Pre-AP Pre-Calculus/AP Statistics I
11th Grade – Pre-AP Pre-Calculus
12th Grade – Calculus AB/BC
District Math Assignments for
Incoming Seventh Graders
• Students will be initially rolled to the
next appropriate level of class in the
progression of their math development
based on the real data
• See Course Description Guide for exact
progression
Upcoming District
Placement Exams
• Placement Exam for entrance into PreAlgebra Pre-AP
– Taken February 1-11 at home intermediate
campus
– Taken by most sixth graders
• Algebra Readiness Exam
– Taken February 14th through February 25th at
home intermediate campus
– Taken by 6th grade GT math students if they make
an 80 or higher on the District Placement Exam for
entrance into Pre-Algebra Pre-AP
– Evaluates current mastery of eighth grade math
concepts
District Math Placement
Testing Details
• District Math Placement Exams will
occur in February at the home
intermediate campus
• The tests are designed to be given in
February and are given only at that time
• There is no continual retesting
District Math Placement
Testing Details
Students in Level Sixth Grade Level Math
• Sixth grade students currently in regular
on level (majority of students) math will
take the C.I.S.D. Placement Exam for
entrance in Pre-Algebra Pre-AP during
the February 1-11 window if they have an
80 average for the current year in sixth
grade level math.
• This is to see if they qualify to move to
Pre-Algebra Pre-AP
District Math Placement
Testing Details
Students Currently in Level Sixth Grade Level Math
• If a student in level sixth grade math
takes the Placement Exam for entrance in
to Pre-Algebra Pre-AP and qualifies to
skip seventh grade math parents can still
ask to have their child take seventh math
• Many make this request so that their
child does not miss key math concepts
and the class
• An 80 or higher is required on the test to
accelerate and bypass seventh math
District Math Placement
Testing Details
Students Currently in Sixth Grade Level Math
• Students are not allowed to bypass and
skip two years of math instruction
• For example, students cannot go from
level sixth grade math to high school
Algebra
District Math Placement
Testing Details for Students Currently in GT/Advanced
Sixth Grade Math
• Remember, students in the GT/Advanced
math in sixth grade are in seventh math
now and are going to Pre-Algebra PreAP, the next course in sequence
District Math Placement
Testing Details for Students Currently in GT/Advanced
Sixth Grade Math
• All students who are currently enrolled in
the GT/Advanced Sixth Grade Math class
will take the C.I.S.D. Placement Exam for
entrance into Pre-Algebra Pre-AP
District Math Placement
Testing Details for Students Currently in GT/Advanced
Sixth Grade Math
• GT/Advanced Math students are taking
the C.I.S.D. Placement Exam for entrance
into Pre-Algebra Pre-AP only to see if
they qualify with the needed skills to then
take the Algebra Readiness Exam
District Math Placement
Testing Details for Students Currently in GT/Advanced
Sixth Grade Math
• This window is February 14th through
February 25th for qualifying students in
advanced math to take the Algebra
Readiness Test
• 80 percent is required for passing on this
accelerated exam
District Math Placement
Testing Details
• Both placement tests are designed to be
administered in February based on TEKS
covered during that time
• Intermediate campuses will attempt to
makeup test any student who misses on
the day of testing at his/her campus in
February
District Math Placement
Testing Details
• There is no later testing or additional
retake of the tests which were designed
for February administration
• Important for students to do his/her best
• 80 is the percentage required for passing
on the C.I.S.D. Placement Exam for
entrance into Pre-Algebra Pre-AP and
the Algebra Readiness Test.
District Math Assignments for
Incoming Seventh Graders
• CISD students in regular sixth grade math
will be initially enrolled in regular on level
seventh grade math which is the next
appropriate course in the math sequence.
• Majority of our students
• Will receive the appropriate next level of math
instruction in proper sequence necessary, as
we all received, for the student to be
successful in all following math courses at
McCullough, the high school, and beyond
2012-2013 District Math
Placement Standards for Incoming
Seventh Graders (Recap)
For a student to move from Sixth Grade Math to
Pre-Algebra Pre-AP, students must meet all of
the following criteria:
* 80 average in 6th grade Math
* Minimum score of 80% on the C.I.S.D.
Placement Exam for entrance into
Pre-Algebra Pre-AP
2012-2013 District Math
Placement Standards for Incoming
Seventh Graders (Recap)
For a student to move from sixth grade Gifted
and Talented/Advanced Math to Algebra 1
(HS), students must meet all of the following
criteria:
* 80 average in sixth grade Gifted and
Talented/Advanced Math
* Minimum of 80% on the C.I.S.D.
Placement Exam for entrance into PreAlgebra Pre-AP
* Minimum score of 80% on the C.I.S.D.
Algebra Readiness Exam
What if My Child Qualifies for
High School Algebra Pre-AP?
• If your child qualifies for High School Algebra
Pre-AP we will contact you via phone and/or
email before placing them into this math class
which is operating two years ahead of grade
level
• Student would be bypassing TEKS and math
instruction presented in Pre-Algebra
• You will need to opt your child “in” to the
advanced class once they qualify
• Otherwise, student will remain in Pre-Algebra
Pre-AP
District Math Assignments for
Incoming Seventh Graders
• A C.I.S.D. sixth grade Gifted and
Talented/Advanced math student who
successfully passes the C.I.S.D.
Placement for Pre-Algebra Pre-AP but
does not pass the Algebra Readiness
Test will be placed in Pre-Algebra PreAP
District Math Assignments for
Incoming Seventh Graders
• Students currently in Gifted and
Talented/Advanced sixth grade math are
completing the seventh grade junior high
math course and the State of Texas
Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
for this level of instruction at this current
time in sixth grade
Question
What if I want my child in regular sixth
grade math to bypass seventh grade
math course and go from sixth grade
regular math to Pre-Algebra Pre-AP in
seventh grade in CISD and he/she did
not demonstrate success on the
placement examinations?
Option I
– Enroll and successfully complete with a grade of 85
or higher the C.I.S.D. summer school offering of
Seventh Grade Math for first time takers
– Details will be available when the summer school
information packet is published in April or May
– Must meet summer school for acceleration
attendance requirements
– The class is dependent on enough students signing
up for the course to make
– Far and away the best option if you did not qualify
Option II
• Enroll to take the Texas Tech Credit by Exam
• No seat time, just a one time test
• Must notify your child’s counselor in advance
you wish for your child to take this test for
acceleration so that we can order the exam
• Information is available at the district website
• Students need to obtain a score of 90 or better
on parts A and B since the Texas Tech exam is
being taken for acceleration
• There is a deadline
Advantages and Disadvantages of taking
Pre-Algebra Pre-AP or High School
Algebra Pre-AP in Seventh Grade
• May allow more
flexibility in choice of
level of science class in
high school
• Much more rigorous
Advantages and Disadvantages of taking
Pre-AP Pre-Algebra or Pre-AP Algebra in
Seventh Grade
• First few weeks of Pre-Algebra Pre-AP
are review of seventh grade math
• Around November the accelerated
course takes off with rigorous state
expectations
• It is not the same math course we took in
junior high
Advantages and Disadvantages of taking
Pre-Algebra Pre-AP or Algebra Pre-AP in
Seventh Grade
• Students are generally not successful in
subsequent math courses if they skip a major
core building block component of math
knowledge by missing the seventh grade math
course
• We all likely took seventh grade math at some
point
• This missing information, in the form of the
missing course, usually manifests itself in
eighth grade in High School Algebra around
November 1st, and beyond
Advantages and Disadvantages of taking
Pre-AP Pre-Algebra or
Pre-AP Algebra in Seventh Grade
• In short, missing the seventh grade math
course and the State of Texas Essential
Knowledge and Skills it covers can be like
credit card debt
• It may take awhile for the debt to accrue and
the pain to hit, but sooner or later, it may
occur if you miss the course
• U.I.L. Eligibility is subject to all courses,
including advanced math classes
How Does My Child’s Math Placement
affect the STAAR Exam for which he/she
is responsible?
• 7th Graders in pre-algebra pre-AP are
responsible for taking the 8th grade Math
STAAR examination
• 7th graders in high school algebra are
responsible for the STAAR high school end of
course exams (EOCs) for that high school
subject area
• The state-required high school algebra EOC
exam by law counts for 15 percent of the
students total grade
High School Math Notes
• Students are required to take four years of
math and science in high school
• For math, four high school courses can include
high school math courses taken in junior high
school
• Three math courses must be taken on the high
school campus
Considerations for
High School G.P.A.
• If accelerating by taking high school courses
in junior high, your grade point average in
high school will be based on more difficult
classes at TWHS
Considerations for
High School G.P.A.
• The flip side is taking accelerated math
courses in junior high will also allow you to
have more opportunities in your schedule to
take rigorous classes in high school which are
weighted higher for G.P.A. (consider
reviewing the district G.P.A. information for
high school in the C.I.S.D. Program of Studies
available at our website
Pre-AP Class Considerations
• No guarantee it will be
easy
• No guarantee your child
will make an A or B
• Not a guarantee they
will pass
• Class the
parent/guardian has
chosen on the
deadline will be the
course the student is in
for the year
Qualifying Students for Pre-AP
• Can choose to opt out of some or all before
May 1st deadline at 4:00 p.m.
– May want to pick and choose among
strengths and interest
– Normal recommendation is a maximum of
two Pre-AP courses
– Email your child’s counselor to be taken
out of a core Pre-AP class your for which
your child may have qualified
Analogy
• Just because someone qualifies for a
million dollar home does not always
make it a great idea to purchase the
house
• Qualifying for four Pre-AP core classes
does not necessarily make it the best of
idea to take them all
Student Success in Pre-AP
• Need to be a doer, and
a thinker
• Just as in real-life
• Just as in the job place
Considerations When Choosing Level of
LA, Social Studies, and Science class
• Where do you want
them to be at the finish
line (12th grade)
Homework Considerations
• Time varies widely among students to
complete assignments
– Think about your workplace and how much range
occurs for your coworkers to complete the same
task
• Effectiveness of your child’s study strategies
• Where the student completes homework
matters
Homework Considerations
• Despite what your child may say, research
shows any type of media or technology
distraction makes a difference in delaying the
time for successful student homework
completion
– TV
– iPad
– PDA
Homework Considerations
• Consider projects included in each class
– We try to limit the number of projects and 8:45
p.m. emergency trips to the craft store you must
make (I have been there and done that also)
Homework Considerations
• How much time is it going to take for your
child to complete work outside of school for
him/her to achieve the grade you want them to
achieve in the course
• Consider activities outside of school
–
–
–
–
–
–
Dance
Gymnastics
Baseball
Equestrian
Swimming
Etc.
Homework
• TEKS
• State expectations are
very different from
when we were in junior
high
• The nation and world
job competition is very
different from when we
were young
Homework
• Much more extensive
preparation required by the
Texas Education Agency for
students to be successful on the
new STAAR exams required to
be passed by students in order to
advance to ninth grade
– In your downtime it would be
worthwhile to visit the T.E.A.
website to see the example STAAR
questions
– You may be shocked
• Repetitions lead to
understanding
Homework
• Relevant
• A limited amount of
homework can be
finished in Advisory
Homework
• There is homework
in our regular
classes, albeit
considerably less
than Pre-AP classes
• Will increase greatly
in high school and
college
Homework Scenarios
• Scenarios we see
– Student who gets it done
– Students who struggle to physically get the
assignment from home to the classroom but
did actually do the work at some point
– Student who obsesses and needs to know
when to say when and go to bed
Major Homework Point for
Junior High and Beyond
– Our society evaluates students, and us, on what we
demonstrate that we know
• Just like your job place
• That is why schools still give grades and we are evaluated
in the workplace
– Turning and completing work has to be a top
priority for students in junior high and into
regular life, even if it is not perfect
• As a sidenote to this, the student will do well gradewise
and actually learn the material if he/she does it and turns
it in
Organizational Skills
• Assisting your
son/daughter in
developing
organizational skills
would be one of the best
gifts you could ever give
them
– Better gift than an X Box
360, PS3, iPhone, or Dr.
Dre Beats headphones
• Planners
– Free
– Check nightly
– Designed to help
Organizational Skills
• Leading cause of
parent conferences
• If students do not
turn in their work, it
is difficult to help
them
• Reward system at
home is a positive
Planner
• Provided by the
P.T.A.
• Idea originated from
site-based by parents
for parents
Planner
• Parents view each
night
• Teaches critical
organizational skills
• Quizzes
• Ad Purchase?
High School Course Considerations
for Seventh Graders
• High School Algebra
• Semester and final
exams count 15 percent
• EOC Exams
High School Course
Considerations
• Once you enter into
these classes you are on
an established track
• As a high school class,
they are much more
challenging
• It is not necessary to get
your student on the fast
track to get all the
courses in the four years
at TWHS
High School Course
Considerations in Junior High
• Grades achieved do
not figure in high
school class rank or
G.P.A.
Junior High Course
Considerations
• All general ed
classes, Level and
Pre-AP, are college
preparatory
• Most students taking
Pre-AP courses just
take two at the most
Choices
• Please make your
decisions based on
what is right for
your child, not your
friend’s child from
Bunco
Choices
• The ultimate choice
on which core course
you wish your child
to be in lies with you,
as long as it is made
before the final
deadline on May 1st
Choices
• I would not advise
letting grades from
intermediate school
be the only
determining factor in
my decision
Physical Education Requirements
• The State of Texas requires all students take P.E. for
one year (2 semesters) in seventh grade
• Physical education is not considered one of a seventh
grade student’s four elective choices as this course is a
requirement
Physical Education Requirements
• Athletics may substitute for P.E.
– Athletics substitutions include:
• Girls or Boys Basketball
• Girls Volleyball
• Girls or Boys Cross Country
• Girls/Boys Football
• Cheerleading
• Highland Girls Drill Team
Electives
A Taste of Adventure
Very Important Documents
Coming Home
• Course Request Sheets for Elective and
Core Classes
– Coming home through students at
intermediate campuses
– Extras are at Intermediate
Campuses
– Please read the asterisks, bullets,
etc.
– Writing in pencil is a good plan
Available Online Now
at Our Website
• C.I.S.D. Program of Studies
• McCullough Supplement
Elective Request Sheet
• Please try to make the
sheet as accurate as
possible
Elective Request Sheet
• Have until the May 1st
deadline to change
• Accuracy early would
really help us out
– Recruiting teachers
– Job fairs
– Etc
Elective Course Request Sheet
• Student needs to request four electives in
seventh grade
– Two electives in the fall
– Two potentially different electives in the
spring
– All available seventh grade options as
electives are listed on the Elective Course
Request Sheet
Elective Course Request Sheet
• Two semester courses occupy two blanks
• Fine Arts classes (Band, Choir, or
Orchestra) should be listed first if taken
and should not be listed as an alternate
selection as they are a serious commitment
which last all year
Elective Course Request Sheet
• Need to choose a P.E class (two semesters
required in seventh grade)
– Choose initially on Elective Course Request Sheet
either P.E., Football, or Cross Country
– Other athletic endeavors which have tryouts would
replace the P.E. selection should the student make
the squad
• Classes will change from initial August schedule for most
students if they are moved into an Athletics class
Elective Course Request Sheet
Private P.E.
– Private P.E. will be an option around mid-April
when the district publishes the 2012-2013 list of
approved Private P.E facilities
– Students who want to take Private P.E. can
indicate their choice on the sheet
• They will not be in Private P.E. until they have
successfully completed and turned in all required forms
with signatures prior to the May 1st deadline.
– Private P.E Application forms for students will
then, in mid-April, be online at our district website
– We will link to the Private P.E. list of facilities and
the application form at the front page of our
website
The Elective Course
Registration Process
• Our administration and
counselors will sit down
individually at the
intermediate campuses
with each incoming
seventh grade student to
discuss his/her elective
requests
The Elective Course
Registration Process
• We will review the
Elective Request Sheet
with the child for
accuracy
• Answer any questions
the student may have
The Elective Course
Registration Process
• The request will be
entered into our
computer system with
the student at each
intermediate campus
McCullough Informational
Meetings with Students
–
–
–
–
Wilkerson
Mitchell
Deretchin
Coulson Tough
–
All dates are tentative
January 19
January 23
January 31
February 1
The Elective Course Registration
Entry Process with Students
–
–
–
–
Wilkerson
Deretchin
Coulson Tough
Mitchell
–
All dates tentative
February 21
February 22
February 23
February 24
We will be on these campuses on the dates listed
above to meet with students. If a student is absent,
we will enter his/her requests based on sheets
turned in to his/her intermediate teacher.
Information Coming Home
Later in the spring
• Please check the request
sheet very closely to
confirm these are the
elective and core courses
(LA, Math, and Social
Studies) you want to
request for your child next
year
• This sheet will also indicate
core courses which your
child has been initially
placed in based on testing
Elective Choices (7th Grade)
• Orchestra (counts as 2 choices)
• Art I
• Teen Leadership
• Band (counts as 2 choices)
• Theater Arts
• Exploring Career
Connections
• Career Portals: Computer
Applications
• Career Portals: Human
Services
• Career Portals: Technology
• Choir (counts as 2 choices)
• Exploring Languages
High School Elective Choices
Available in Eighth Grade for CISD
• High School Health
• High School Communications
• High School Spanish I (taught over two
semesters in eighth grade)
• High School Spanish II for Native
Speakers (must qualify)
• Plus all the electives listed on the
previous slide
Private P.E.
• The facility you wish for your child to
attend must be an approved facility for
2012-2013
– If your facility is not on the list, I encourage
you to contact the facility and have them to
properly apply in a timely fashion before the
district deadlines
– The facility must apply for membership
Private P.E.
• Individual Olympic event preparations
only
– Team sports, such as baseball, are not a part
of Private P.E. for the Texas Education
Agency
• Fully completed application and required
form available online at district website
around mid-April
Private P.E.
• Completed form will be due by formal
deadline on May 1st
• Students with approved applications
turned in by the May 1st deadline will be
enrolled in Private P.E. for the entire
2012-2013 school year
Private P.E.
• Please make sure as a parent/guardian
you are certain you can pick your child
up every day at 2:50 p.m. and have a
firm transportation plan for the entire
year prior to requesting Private P.E. for
your child
Private P.E.
• Approved students can change a facility
only at semester
• Make sure you will like your facility and
instructor for the long haul prior to
submitting the application
Private P.E.
• Students who are not picked up daily at the
designated time (2:50 p.m.) will be removed
and placed into a physical education class
• Students will be in a fourth period class on
campus from 2:26 p.m. until 2:50 p.m.
• The Texas Education Agency allows us to
dismiss approved Private P.E. students one
hour early each day (2:50 p.m)
Private P.E.
• Does not work with sports which have an athletic
period such as cross country, volleyball, basketball,
drill team, cheerleading, and football
– A student cannot have two physical education and/or athletic
periods in the school day in Texas
• Students in Private P.E. can participate in school
sports which are a club activity such as golf, tennis,
track, and soccer.
• Choosing to be in Private P.E. is a commitment for the
entire year
– This includes both the fall and spring consecutively
– There is no mid-year joining of Private P.E.
– Pros and cons
Private P.E.
• If choosing this option, parents/guardians
must be flexible on the pickup schedule as it
will change periodically due to pep rallies,
STAAR testing, semester exams, etc.
• Every three weeks the facility submits a grade
and attendance report directly to the
Counseling Center.
• Grade forms are available in the Counseling
Center and at our website
Private P.E.
• A seventh grade student in Private P.E.
will still receive two elective choices (one
class per semester)
• The aspiring Private P.E. student should
still make all of his/her elective requests
Level 2 Private P.E.
• Level 2 Private P.E. is for students who
attend five hours or more weekly of
physical education activity at an
approved facility.
• These students do not leave early each
day.
Level 2 Private P.E.
• They receive two additional classroom
courses above and beyond.
• For participation in this program, the
student must be in band, choir, or
orchestra so that space is available for
the extra classes to be accommodated in
the student schedule in lieu of them
being in the physical education
classroom.
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• All seventh grade
students will take four
electives
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Example A: Student takes Choir (2
choices), Careers, and Exploring
Technology = 4 classes
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Example B:
Student takes
Choir (2 choices)
and Band (2
choices) = 4 classes
• Yes, you can take
two fine arts
classes
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Example C: Student takes Athletics
(does not count since it replaces
P.E.), Exploring Technology,
Careers, Exploring Computer
Applications, and Exploring
Languages = 4 classes
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Example D:
Student takes
Athletics (replaces
P.E.), Band (2
classes), Teen
Leadership, and
Exploring
Computer
Applications
Number of Elective Requests
for Seventh Graders
• Example E: Student takes Athletics ,
Band (2 choices), and Orchestra (2
choices)
Elective Requests
• Please note that during the spring you will
receive information on elective choices for your
child
• Please note that these sheets will indicate your
child’s request, not an assignment to that class
• Eighth grade student requests will be filled
first
Elective Requests
• Students will include regular and alternate
requests
• It is possible a student may receive an elective
in seventh grade he/she did not request to
complete his/her schedule
• By the time a student completes eighth grade at
McCullough, it is highly likely your student
will have been enrolled in any particular
elective class he/she would like to take
The Schedule
(No fine arts or athletics)
Period
Red Day
Green Day
1
Math
Science
2
Language Arts Math/Writing
3
PE
Elective
Advisory
Advisory
Advisory
4
Elective
History
P.E. is included in schedule, not counting as
an elective choice since a full year is
required in seventh grade.
st
nd
rd
th
The Schedule
(Athletic Schedule)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red Day
Athletics
Math
Language Arts
Advisory
Elective
Green Day
Science
History
Math/Writing
Advisory
Elective
Athletics simply replaces required P.E.
The Schedule
(Band, Choir, or Orchestra)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red Day
Math
PE
Language Arts
Advisory
Choir
Green Day
Elective
History
Writing/Math
Advisory
Science
Please note Fine Arts electives last all year, and
thus count as two selections each.
The Schedule
(Student taking Choir and Orch)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red Day
Math
PE
Language Arts
Advisory
Choir
Green Day
Orchestra
History
Writing/Math
Advisory
Science
Many students take more than one fine arts course
and they are encouraged to do so.
The Schedule
(Student in Athletics and Band)
Period
1st
2nd
3rd
Advisory
4th
Red Day
Athletics
Math
Language Arts
Advisory
Elective
Green Day
Science
History
Math/Writing
Advisory
Band
Many students have this schedule. There are very few conflicts, and we work
hard to resolve them when they do occur. If a student is unsure about which
activity to participate in during high school, I encourage doing both.
Fine Arts and Athletics
• Can be involved in both
• Many are involved in a
fine art and athletics
• Many are involved in two
fine arts
• Encourage you to do
more than one
• Very few, if any conflicts
Fine Arts and Athletics
• Fall under the C.I.S.D. secondary code of
conduct
• Expectations are greater of the students as they
represent the organization
– Be wise about allowing your child to use Facebook
or PDAs but especially if they represent an
organization
• Understand in advance that classroom
teachers will visit with sponsors/coaches
regarding encouragement, concerns, and ways
to help the child
State Eligibility for Participation in Fine Arts,
Athletics, and Organizations
• No classes are exempt
in junior high from
U.I.L. Eligibility
• Pre-AP and high
school courses all
count for eligibility to
participate
– Consider this when
choosing your child’s
schedule
Fine Arts and Athletics
• Learn invaluable life
lessons which are
difficult to teach
anywhere else
• Not about the sport
– About the:
•
•
•
•
Teamwork
Fellowship
Friends
Stories you embellish
twenty years later
Signing up for Band, Choir, or
Orchestra
• Unlike other electives, if you sign up for a
muscial fine art elective you are automatically
enrolled
• Tryouts are held for placement which then
determines your exact class period
– Schedule would be built around this time block
– Placements announced on schedule in August
– Occupies two slots on request sheet as it runs all
year
Signing up for Band, Choir, or
Orchestra
• Encouraged to do multiple musical fine arts if
you are interested
• Step up in commitment from intermediate
campus
• Prepares students for participation in these
activities at TWHS
Bands
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Beginner
Concert III
Concert II
Concert I
Symphonic
Wind Ensemble
Commitment for the year
Percussion Class
• Year long class on percussion skills
• Course is for advanced percussionists
who will have Percussion Class only the
first semester and band the second
semester
Percussion Class
• Prerequisite- Students must have played
and participated school percussion at
their intermediate campus
• Class is exploding (figuratively)- kids
like to bang on things and get school
credit for it!
Band
• May practice before or
after school
• Big step up from the
opportunity and
responsibility aspects
from elementary band
programs
Band
• Sectionals
• Competitions
• Honor Band
Band
• Football games
– McCullough
– High School events
•
•
•
•
Concerts
Pep Rallies
Spring contests
Over 400 students
For more information on
band contact
• Susan Meyer Patterson
• sbmeyer@conroeisd.net
For more information on
band contact
• Ms. Liebst
• pliebst@conroeisd.net
For more information on
band contact
• Ms. Maher
• amaher@conroeisd.net
Band
• 236 students are in
band and a
combination of:
–
–
–
–
–
Athletics
Choir
Theatre
Drill Team
Other
Orchestra
• All students can participate in
orchestra
• Five orchestras including Beginner,
Philharmonic, Symphony, Concert,
and Chamber
Orchestra
• Concert and
Chamber orchestras
have before and/or
after school
practices
• Need to purchase
tuxedo shirts
• Commitment for the
year
For more information on
Orchestra contact
• Michelle Reinhardt
– mreinhardt@conroeisd.net
Choir
• Most, but not all, practices are during
the school day
• Some specialized activities such as region
choir and preparation for solo contests
occur before or after school
Choir
• All students can participate in choir
• Performs 4-5 concerts a year
• Good musical fine art to double with
another Fine Art or Athletics as choir
has far less outside of the regular school
day requirements
Choir
• Purchase of a uniform is
required
• Girls have Treble,
Concert, Advanced
Girls, Acappella, and
Chamber Choirs
• Boys have the Boys
Choir
• Mixed Choir
– Composed of Boys and
Mixed Choirs
Choir
• Students can
audition for Solo
and Ensemble
Contests, Region
Choir, and the
spring Pop Concert
• Commitment for the
year
For more information
on choir contact
• Keith Brumfield
– kbrumfield@conroeisd.net
For more information
on choir contact
• Connie Horton
• chorton@conroeisd.net
Fine Arts Commitment
• Band, choir, and orchestra commitments in
junior high far exceed the workings of
elementary school organizations in these areas
• Make sure everyone is aware of what is
expected for the year in band, choir, or
orchestra before signing up on May 1st
• The commitment made for these organizations
is firm for the entire 2012-2013 school year
– Websites gives give a good indication of
expectations
– A student who request these courses for 2012-2013
will have his/her schedule built around this course
Cheerleading
•
•
•
•
Meets during the school day
Replaces P.E. credit
Practice does also occur after school
Not an elective class (do not sign up on sheet)
Cheerleading
• Purchase of clothing
• Tryout process
• Need to be
completely
committed to the
McCullough team if
you plan to tryout
Cheerleading
• This programs entails a large commitment of
time outside of school during the spring of this
year, summer, and the regular school year
• Video located at a booth during Elective
Information night will give you an idea of what
athletic skills are involved in cheerleading.
Cheerleader Spring
Tryout Information
Tentative Dates
• February 6- Tryout Info Meeting @ 6:00
p.m. in the Bock Auditorium (packets will
be available for pick up at the meeting
only)
• February 21 - Packets due to
McCullough office by 4:00 p.m.
• March 6 - Tryout Clinic begins 4:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.
Cheerleader Spring
Tryout Information
• March 9- Tryouts approximately @
4:30 p.m.
• March 10 - Results posted
• March TBA - New member info meeting
@ 6:00 p.m. in the Commons LGI
• All dates and times are subject to change.
Cheerleader Responsibilities
• Summer Camp
• Spring Practice after
tryouts
• After school practices
during the year
• Student Orientation
• Competitions
Cheerleader Responsibilities
• Commitment to the team and your
teammates
• Cheer
– Games
– Pep Rallies
– Parades
– Open Houses
– Others as needed
For more information on
cheerleading contact
• Shelly Newitt
• snewitt@conroeisd.net
For more information on
cheerleading contact
• Lindsay Nichols
– lnichols@conroeisd.net
Color Guard
• Preparation for TWHS Color Guard
and Winter Guard
• Most practices are inside
• Occasionally practices are outside
• Tryouts- try to keep everyone
• Competitive
Color Guard
• Limited practices through the end of football
season
• Ramp up practices beginning in December for
performance season in January
• Performance season is from January until
April
• May perform live toward the end of basketball
season
Color Guard
• Sponsor Kellie Martin
•
kmmartin@conroeisd.net
Highland Girls
– Requires significant time before and after
school
– Practice times are subject to change
– Contests are on weekends
– Meets as a class during the school day and
practices also outside of the regular day
– Do not sign up for on elective request sheet
– Receive P.E. credit
Highland Girls
–
–
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–
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Runs all year
Practice times do vary
Serious dance troop
Preparation for TWHS Highsteppers
Discipline
• Need to be able to take direction and enjoy
being part of a team
Highland Girls
• Highland Girl Spring Tryout Information
tentative dates:
• 3/20 - Tryout information meeting
• 4/2- Tryout clinic begins
• 4/14 - Team tryouts
• 4/15 - Results posted
• All dates and times are subject to change.
Highland Girl
Commitments Include
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Practice
Performances
Parades
Football Games
Playoff Games
Basketball Games
Pep Rallies
Competitions
For more information on
Highland Girls contact
• Ms. Talley
• ctalley@conroeisd.net
Schoolwork Responsibilities
• All fine arts
students, athletes,
and any other
student involved in a
school organization
is responsible for
schoolwork,
homework, and
tests the day after an
event
7th Grade Athletics
• Birth Certificate
• Commitment for the
year
• Replaces P.E.
Elective Night Presentations On Athletics in
the Bock Auditorium February 7th
• Girls’ Presentation
6:00 p.m.
• Boys’ Presentation
6:35 p.m.
• Please give us an
opportunity to have
the girls’
parents/guardians
exit before boys’
parents enter
Athletics
• Competitive
interschool UIL
State of Texas
competition
• Play to win
• Has been very
successful
Physicals
• Has to be dated after
April 15, 2012 or
later to be good for
next year
• Please note that
doctors do not have
many slots open in
the summer for
physicals
What Sports Can I Play
• Fall Sports
–
–
–
–
Girls Cross Country
Boys Cross Country
Boys/Girls Football
Volleyball
• Winter Sports
– Girls Basketball
– Boys Basketball
• Early spring
– Boys Club Track
– Girls Club Track
• Late spring
– Club Soccer
– Club Tennis
– Club Golf
One season of
sports ends before
the next groups of
seasons begins
What Sports Can I Play
• Fall Sports
–
–
–
–
Girls Cross Country
Boys Cross Country
Boys/Girls Football
Volleyball
• Winter Sports
– Girls Basketball
– Boys Basketball
• Early spring
– Boys Club Track
– Girls Club Track
• Late spring
– Club Soccer
– Club Tennis
– Club Golf
For example:
Most athletes who play
basketball also play
volleyball, cross country, or
football
Cross Country
• Season is in the fall
• Student remains in
cross country
throughout the year
• Most meets (6) are
on Friday evening
Cross Country
• P.E. Substitute
• Sign up for class on
elective request sheet
Cross Country
• Serious running and
commitment is
required
Cross Country
• Runs in the Houston heat and humidity
from the second day of school
• Summer preparation is critical so that
the athlete is acclimatized to the
Houston weather on August 28th
Cross Country
• Athletes normally
run 15-30 miles a
week with the class
• These athletes
usually run more
outside of the school
day on their own
Cross Country
• Competitive
• 300 plus students
What if I Am Not Positive My Child
Should Run Cross Country
• If your student is not positive he/she wants to
make the year long commitment to this
endeavor, have him/her sign up for regular
physical education and he/she can run before
or after school with the team
• The student would need to make an
arrangement with the cross country coaches
and run before or after school with the team
– This student could later choose to run cross
country in eighth grade if he/she chooses
Cross Country
• It is critical that the student, and not just
mom/dad/guardian, wants to take on
this endeavor
Coach Collins
Girls Cross Country
Contact at
kcollins@conroeisd.net
Coach Cantu
Boys Cross Country
Contact at
ecantu@conroeisd.net
Cross Country Class
• Will remain in the
cross country
class once the
competitive
season is over
• Year-long
commitment
• Replaces P.E.
credit
Cross Country
• Required that students
participate and dress
out on a daily basis
• Would not join just
because your friend is in
the class
• Be sure this is what your
child wants to do before
you make this selection
which is a commitment
for the school year
Cross Country Frequently
Asked Questions Answered
• A student running cross country needs
to be able to run one mile in less than 10
minutes
– Meets start races approximately every 20
minutes due to a limited amount of daylight
Cross Country Frequently
Asked Questions Answered
• For perspective, the winning boys time is
generally around 11 minutes for two
miles and the girls slightly under 12
minutes for two miles
• Students optimally need to train
rigorously in the summer and become
acclimatized to the heat and humidity
prior to school beginning
Volleyball
• Tryouts are the first
week of school
• If students make the
team, their schedule
will change
Volleyball
• Meets as an athletics
class during the
school day
• Must attend all three
days of tryouts
Volleyball
• After volleyball is over,
athletes will remain in
the volleyball class
where they will continue
to work on skills,
condition, and lift
weights
• Students wishing to play
volleyball should
initially sign up for
physical education
Girls and Boys Offseason
Basketball
• Will replace physical
education and
students will be in
athletics throughout
the school year if
they make the
offseason class
Girls and Boys Offseason
Basketball
• Tryouts are during the school day for the offseason basketball class.
• A student who does not make the offseason
basketball class will be in a physical
education class which occurs at the same
time.
Girls and Boys Offseason
Basketball
• Students will tryout for the basketball
“team” in November at the conclusion of the
volleyball/football seasons.
• Students can tryout for the basketball team
whether they made the basketball offseason
class or not.
Girls and Boys Basketball Teams
• Commitment for the year
• Student will go through
offseason at the conclusion of
basketball competition season
Football
• Equipment handed out in August
• If a student cannot attend on this date,
he/she will receive equipment the first
week of school
Football
• Hard Work
• Houston hot and
humid
• Almost a quarter of
campus population
plays football
• August
Football
• Boy/Girl needs to
want to play, not just
the parent/guardian
• Sign up for yearlong
commitment on
elective request sheet
– Replaces P.E.
Football
• Doors open for
athletes at 6:30 a.m.
in the morning
• Athletes must be
dressed and on the
field at 7:00 a.m.
• Practice starts the
second day of school
Football
• Once games have
begun, students
normally do not
come in early on
Mondays (day of
most games) and
Tuesdays (morning
after most games)
• This year 505
football players
Football
• A lot of work, especially
the first two weeks of
school
• Becomes much easier
for everyone once the
games begin and
athletes come in early
only three days a week
• Need to remind your
child of this once
practices begin in
August
• Child and parent need to
understand this in
advance
Fall Athletic Class
Morning Car Line Drop Off (6:30-7:00)
• Please understand in advance that there will
be days in the fall when drop off is occurring
simultaneously for volleyball, football, and
Highland Girls.
• On these days traffic will be much heavier.
• Please be patient, stay in the car line, pull up
as far as possible, do not ask your student to
walk across traffic, and refrain from using
your phone in the lot during this time.
Club Sports
• Fun opportunities we provide
• Do not replace physical education credit
• These activities supplement other
organizations of which your child may
be involved
Club Sports
• Students who chose to be in Private P.E.
can participate in these sports
• Please do not plan your child’s entire
year around these club sports as they
have brief seasons
Boys and Girls Club Track
• Begins in January
• Club sport
• Everyone makes the
team
• Tryouts occur within
the team each week for
the opportunity to
participate in the meets
• Practice
– Boys- morning
– Girls- afternoon
Boys and Girls Club Track
• No tryouts
• Try to take as many to meets as
we can
• We are limited by rules on how
many athletes we can take to
each meet
• Student does not need to be in
athletics class to participate in
track and field
• Practice does not occur during
an athletics class
Boys and Girls Club Golf
•
•
•
•
Spring sport
Tryouts
No formal team practice
For more information
contact Coach Lilley at
jlilley@conroeisd.net
Boys and Girls Club Tennis
•
•
•
•
Spring sport
Tryouts
Meets before and after school
Play home matches at
McCullough and Creekwood
Park
• For more information contact
Coach Wildman at
rwildman@conroeisd.net
Boys and Girls Club Soccer
• Club sport after track
• Most soccer players
participate in track and
field
• Complete information is
available at our website
• Coach Texidor- Boys
• Coach McGuire - Girls
General Questions
Regarding Athletics
• Please contact Lance
Skinner
– Girls’ and Boys Athletic
Coordinator
– cskinner@conroeisd.net