POTOMAC FALLS
HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS
WELCOME!
Class of 2018!
Introduction, Graduation
Requirements,
Scheduling
The PFHS Administration
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Dr. Elizabeth Noto (Principal)
Ms. Kelly Hayes (9th Grade)
Mr. Jarvis Weeks (10th and 11th Grade, ELL)
Mr. Kirk Dolson (12th Grade, IEP)
Mrs. Rae Ann Paolozzi (Director of School
Counseling)
• Mr. Mike Sipe (Athletics Director)
• Mrs. Bonnie Robertson (Special Education Dean)
Welcome to the
Class of 2018
from Dr. Noto,
your principal
*Terms to Delete*
A “Good” School or a “Good” College
*Terms to Delete*
A “Good” School or a “Good” College
for my child.
It looks good on the transcript.
*Terms to Delete*
A “Good” School or a “Good” College
for my child.
It looks good on the transcript.
Balance
*Terms to Delete*
KEEP!
A “Good” School or a “Good” College
for my child.
It looks good on the transcript.
Balance
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9
Upcoming Events for Rising
Grade Students and Parents
• March 3-7 – Rising Freshman Scheduling
• April 11 -Activities Fair for Rising Freshman
• Freshman Summer Institutes
– Option A: Thursday, July 24, 9:00 – 1:30
– Option B: Thursday, July 31, 9:00 – 1:30
• Late August (check website for dates) 6:30 p.m.Freshman Parent Orientation
• Late August 9:00 a.m.-1 p.m.Freshman/Transfer orientation
The PFHS School Counseling Department
The Counselors:
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Dr. Deborah Brom (9th grade)
Mr. Richard Bader (10-12 D-I, CAMPUS
Mrs. Teresa Bennett (10-12 A-C and ELL)
Ms. Stefanie Weiss (10-12 J-Ra)
Mrs. Amy Burgess (10-12 Re-Z)
Support Staff:
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Ms. Lisa Torick
Mrs. Toni Cicirelli
Mrs. Stacey Thomas, Career Center Assistant
Mr. Peter Kim, Testing Coordinator (SOL testing)
DIPLOMA TYPES
Read the 2014 Program of Studies!
Available Online
• Advanced Studies
• Standard
• Others as determined through
Individualized Educational Plan (Mr.
Dolson, Mrs. Robertson or Ms. Coyne can
answer IEP questions)
Advanced Studies Diploma
Each unit is 140 clock hours of instruction
(LCPS Program of Studies)
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Four units of English
Four units of Math
Four units of Lab Science
Four units of Social Science
One unit of Economics (.5) and Personal Finance (.5)
(taken in 11th grade)
One unit of Fine Arts or Career and Technical
Three or Four units of Foreign Language
Two units of Health and PE (PE 9 and 10)
Three or more units of Electives
One Virtual Course – currently met through successful
completion of personal finance.
Standard Diploma
Each unit is 140 Clock Hours of Instruction
(LCPS Program of Studies)
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Four units of English
Three units of Math
Three units of Lab Science
Three units of Social Science
Two units of Health and PE (PE 9 and 10)
One unit of Economics (.5) and Personal Finance (.5)
(taken in 11th grade)
• One Fine Art, CTE or World Language
• 4 Electives – 2 must be sequential
• One Virtual Course – currently met through successful
completion of personal finance.
2 must be sequential
(Information available in LCPS Program of Studies)
VERIFIED UNITS OF
CREDIT REQUIREMENTS
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A VERIFIED UNIT OF CREDIT IS A PASSED COURSE WITH THE
CORRESPONDING PASSED STANDARDS OF LEARNING TEST
Advanced
Studies Diploma
Standard
Diploma
English
2
2
Math
2
1
Laboratory
Science
2
1
History & Social
Science
2
1
Student Select
1
1
Total
9
6
(Information available in LCPS Program of Studies)
A TYPICAL FRESHMAN SCHEDULE!
• ENGLISH 9 (Academic, Honors)
• WORLD GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY 1 (Academic, PreAdvanced Placement)
• **MATH (Algebra 1, Geometry, Functions, Algebra 2 or
higher)
• EARTH SCIENCE (Academic, Honors)*
• HEALTH/PE 9
• **FOREIGN LANGUAGE
• ELECTIVE (Review diploma type)_
• FLEX (8TH PERIOD)
*CHECK TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
**Expunging 6th, 7th or 8th grade courses?
Science Course Progressions
Potomac Falls High School
2014-2015
Earth
Science
Biology
Conceptual
Physics
Environmental
Explorations
AP
Chemistry
Chemistry
Physics
Honors
Earth
Science
(Research)
Honors
Biology
(Research)
AP
Biology
AP
Physics
Independent
Science
Research
General Elective:
Geospatial
Science
Illustration of some of the many different pathways students take in PFHS Science.
Freshmen may start in Earth Science, Honors Earth Science, or Honors Biology.
Science Course Selection Guidelines
Potomac Falls High School
2014-2015 Edition
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Honors Earth Science
– Requires advanced academic
skills.
– Good writing skills are
necessary. Students will
complete lengthy research
papers with references.
– Students will perform some
numerical analysis, and
preferably have completed
Algebra I before enrolling.
– Honors students should have
already shown a strong interest
in science.
– The successful honors student
will be a self-starter that requires
little prompting to complete
assignments.
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Honors Biology
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Recommended only for students who
can schedule long-term project work
around their busy lives.
Recommend that student earn at least a
“B” in Honors Earth Science and score
at least 450 on the SOL if taken.
Good writing skills are necessary.
Students will complete lengthy research
papers with references.
Students should be able to comprehend
abstract concepts, analyze data, and
draw conclusions.
Student must be able to work
independently.
Honors students should have already
shown a strong interest in science.
Highly recommended that student be
enrolled in Algebra II. Strong math skills
necessary to complete statistical
analyses of data.
ELECTIVE CHOICES
• ART 1
• ENSEMBLE (BAND), GUITAR, CHORUS
• THEATER ARTS 1, TECHNICAL
THEATER 1, AND JOURNALISM 1
• CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
COURSES
• BUSINESS COURSES
ART DEPARTMENT PICTURES FOR YOUR VIEWING ENJOYMENT!
FRESHMAN MAY TAKE ART 1 ONLY:
The course includes drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, graphic
design, ceramics, and textiles, photography, and computer graphics.
ENSEMBLE, CHORUS AND GUITAR
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BAND-ENSEMBLE 1 OR 2 (BASED ON
AUDITION)
CHORUS, MEN’S, WOMEN’S SHOW CHOIR,
PANTHERA (BASED ON AUDITION)
BEGINNING, INTERMEDIATE AND
ADVANCED LEVELS OFFERED (BASED ON
AUDITION AND TEACHER
RECOMMENDATION)
STRINGS (AUDITION)
MUSIC APPRECATION: Students will explore
music throughout the ages and how it relates to
history.
MUSIC THEORY: Students will learn about the
language of music. This course is designed for
students who are planning on pursuing music in
college. No performance is required. Students
may opt to take AP Music Theory later on.
THEATER ARTS 1, TECHNICAL THEATER 1
AND JOURNALISM 1
• All are intro courses and required
for higher levels
• Journalism 1 prepares you for
newspaper and yearbook classes
and how to write objectively
• Theater Arts I: Students survey
the technical and performing art
of theater, including
improvisation, mime, basic acting,
the history of the theater, stage
settings, costuming, make up,
and lighting
• Technical Theater I: Behind the
scenes, lighting, sound, computer
technology, stage set up, etc.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL ELECTIVES
Semester courses (must be taken with another .5 credit course):
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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT—public speaking, community
leadership, politics! (.5 credits)
FASHION DESIGN—wardrobe, color analysis, and the business of
designing fashions! (.5 credits)
CHOICES—exploring the stuff teens deal with daily! (.5 credits)
GOURMET FOODS—learn to cook, clean, measure and impress! (.5
credits)
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT—what do small children need now to be
productive healthy teens later? (.5 credits)
INTRO TO HOUSING AND INTERIOR DESIGN—how to design room
settings, lay out, paint and wall paper colors, etc.,
Full year courses 1.0 Credits Each)
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APPLIED TECHNOLOGY 1—tools of the trade and how to use them!
INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS AND MARKETING—marketing,
advertising and fun!
BUSINESS ELECTIVES
.5 Credit Courses (Semester Courses):
• KEYBOARDING (.5 credits)
• ADVANCED KEYBOARDING (.5 credits)
(must have taken 6th grade keyboarding to
qualify for this course)
1.0 Credit Courses (Full Year):
• COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
(If you took keyboarding in 6th grade you
qualify for this course)
WHAT IS CAMPUS?
• An academic and college preparation program designed to
meet the specific needs of students from historically underrepresented populations in higher education and prospective
first-generation college students attending LCPS high schools
• Seeks to support and encourage students who demonstrate
ability to achieve academic success and college admission
• Serves over 500 students countywide
• Admission to and success in college are among the goals of
the program.
How CAMPUS Supports You!
• Academic enrichment and support (Mandatory
CAMPUS class and/or meetings)
• 2-Day Summer Seminar
• College and university visits
• College and scholarship preparation
• Community service projects and activities
• Leadership development
• Mr. Chris Clarke, CAMPUS Program Manager at the
LCPS Pupil Services Office
• Mr. Richard Bader, PFHS CAMPUS Counselor
Academic Enrichment and Support
• Mandatory CAMPUS classes and/or
meetings
• Structured curriculum
college preparation
application & admissions process
financial aid & scholarship preparation
time management
study skills
self-advocacy skills
leadership development
Parental Involvement
• Important part of CAMPUS and its success
• Asked to participate in CAMPUS initiatives
• Asked to support their children in college
search and application process
• Asked to attend bi-monthly parent meetings
• Asked to serve as chaperones for college visits
Application Process
• Majority of applicants are selected from Rising
9th grade applicant pool.
• If spaces are available, upper-class students in
grades 10-11 can apply during late spring or
early in the fall semester.
• On-line CAMPUS applications are available
through the LCPS website; located under the
Services tab and then under the CAMPUS
tab.
EXPUNGING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITED
COURSES TAKEN IN MIDDLE SCHOOL…
• REVIEW all materials sent home with the final
report card.
• COMPLETE the expungement form and
RETURN to PFHS Counseling
• SUMMER before your freshman year is the
ONLY opportunity to EXPUNGE!
• REVIEW all 8TH grade high school credit courses
and grades.
COURSE CHANGES
• 3RD Quarter report cards will include course request
letter with teacher recommended courses.
• FINAL COURSE REQUESTS will go home in FINAL
REPORT CARDS.
• Any change request MUST be received with PARENT
SIGNATURE.
• NO CHANGES WILL BE GRANTED AFTER JUNE 24,
2014!
• REVIEW COURSE REQUESTS AND THE PROGRAM
OF STUDIES ONLINE CAREFULLY!
ONLINE 2014-2015 LCPS PROGRAM
OF STUDIES
WORDS OF WISDOM FOR
INCOMING FRESHMAN AND THEIR
PARENTS…
• COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHERS AND
OTHER SUPPORT STAFF (COUNSELORS
AND ADMINISTRATORS)!
• DESIGN A SCHEDULE AROUND YOUR
STUDENT’S INTEREST AND ABILITIES.
• GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOL!
• GET TO KNOW THE MAIN OFFICE AND
COUNSELING STAFF!
• READ THE NEWSLETTER AND REVIEW THE
PFHS WEBSITE OFTEN
• CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS!
FIND OUT MORE IN THE
CAFÉ!
• Talk to department chairs
• If you run out of time, feel free to e-mail
with questions or concerns.
• Thank you for coming!