RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
RISING FRESHMAN PARENT /STUDENT
COURSE REGISTRATION ORIENTATION
2015-16
WELCOME TO HIGH SCHOOL!!
AGENDA FOR THE EVENING
Rising 9th Grade Program
Scheduling Overview/Orientation
Auditorium
6:45 – 7:20 pm
Presenters:
Doug Anderson, Principal, Rob Yarborough, Director of School Counseling
Curriculum Fair
Cafeteria
7:20 – 8:20 pm
Presenters: All Subject Department Chairs
WE ARE RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
Mr. Doug Anderson – Principal
 Mr. Rob Yarborough – Director of School
Counseling
 Mr. Matt Oblas – Athletic Director
 Ms. Charlene Mosesso - Bookkeeper

WE ARE RIVERSIDE HIGH SCHOOL
AJ Talboo- Science
Bram Smith- Music
James FettermanWorld Language
Carole BelkinLearning Resources
Kira Kristan–
English
Cheryl DaleyCareer & Technical Ed
Lynn Davies –
Social Sciences
Dawn Blubaugh- Math
Nick WorekHealth & PE
WHERE DO WE START?
“Begin
with
the
end
in
mind.”
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
by Stephen R. Covey
HELPING YOUR YOUNG ADULT
PLAN FOR THE FUTURE:
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTIONS
HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OPTIONS
In Virginia, diploma options available to all
students student’s in the class of 2019:
Advanced Studies Diploma
 26 Credits/9 Verified Credits
 Standard Diploma
 22 credits/6 Verified Credits
 Standard Diploma w/Credit Accommodations
 22 Credits/6 Verified Credits
 Only students receiving learning services
and have IEP’s can qualify for this diploma

Credits
Students earn units of credit
in high school by successfully
completing all of the course
requirements with a passing
mark.
Year-long classes earn 1
unit of credit – 140 seat
hours.
Semester courses earn ½ unit
of credit – 70 seat hours.
Verified Credits
A verified credit is earned by
successfully earning a credit, and
passing the associated Standard of
Learning (SOL) test for a subject.
Students must earn a specified
number of verified credits to earn a
diploma in Virginia, depending on the
diploma type.
High School Courses with an SOL
World Hist/Geog 1; World Hist/Geog 2; US History
Algebra 1; Geometry; Algebra 2
Earth Science; Biology; Chemistry
English Reading; English Writing (during Eng. 11)
ADVANCED STUDIES DIPLOMA
Academic Areas
Credits
SOL Verified Credits
English
4
2
Social Science
4
2
4
2
4
2
3 or 4
0
Health/Physical Education
2
0
Fine Arts or Career & Technical Education
1
0
Economics & Personal Finance
1
0
Electives
3
0
Student Selected Verified Credit
0
1
Total (depends on foreign language option)
26
9
(World Studies (2), US/VA Government, and US/VA History)
Mathematics
(Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II)
Science
(From 3 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth)
World Language (3 years of one language or 2 years each
of two different languages)
STANDARD DIPLOMA
Academic Areas
Credits
SOL Verified Credits
English
4
2
Social Science
3
1
3
1
3
1
Health/Family Life/Physical Education
2
0
World Language, Fine Arts, or CTE
2
0
Economics and Personal Finance
1
0
Electives (Must include 2 sequential electives)
4
0
Student Selected Verified Credit
0
1
Total
22
6
(World Studies, US/VA Government, and US/VA History)
Mathematics
(Algebra I, Geometry, Functions, Algebra II or above level of Algebra II)
Science
(From 2 of the 4 disciplines: Biological, Chemical, Physical, Earth)
HOW DOES YOUR STUDENT DECIDE
ON WHICH DIPLOMA?

Choose the most challenging courses in which you can
get mostly A’s and B’s.
(This gives you a strong high school transcript and a solid grade point average)

Aim for the highest diploma you think you can achieve.
(You can always “back off” later, but it’s difficult to catch up once you are behind in
course work)

Take “core classes” every year.
(English, social studies, math, science; and for competitive college admissions,
foreign language)

Consider your previous academic and SOL test
performance.
(If you are having trouble passing the required number of courses or SOL tests, you
may need to choose a different diploma. Your counselor can help you make that
decision.)
HMMM…WHAT CLASSES DOES YOUR
STUDENT SIGN UP FOR NEXT YEAR?
COURSE REGISTRATION PROCESS 2015-16
Students initial course registration will happen
at each receiving high school.
 Course registration info. will be forwarded to
Riverside HS to process.
 Feel free to consult with your students current
counselor or call Rob Yarborough with
questions.
 Course change deadline is June 16! The last
day of school.

COURSE CHANGES





Deadline is June 16 to make course changes for next
year.
Due to staffing projections it is imperative that we have
student schedules in place.
Please plan accordingly with this deadline.
Requests to change courses after this date will be only
be made if there was error in course level/placement or
a students does not meet a course prerequisite
Once school starts we will expect students to remain in
their selected course unless there are extenuating
circumstances. There will be a process established to
work through the concerns.
7 CREDIT COURSES IN GRADE 9
English 9
 World History/Geography I
 Earth Science (a few may elect Biology Honors)
 Math
 Health/PE 9
 World Language or Elective
 Elective
 Study Hall (Not for Credit)

“BLOCK” SCHEDULING
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
“A” Day
1 – English 9/H
“B” Day
5 – World History I/A
Flex Period – 20 Minutes Flex Period – 20 Minutes
2 – Health/PE 9
6 – Study Hall
3 – Theater Arts 1
7 – German I
4 – Earth Science/H
8 – Algebra 1
THINK ABOUT YOUR STUDENTS ABILITIES.



Consider their
academic strengths
and challenges.
Consider previous
grades and test
scores.
What is THEIR
academic
motivation?? Goals??
CONSIDER YOUR INTERESTS





What is your students
favorite subject?
In what subject(s) does
your student do well
in?
In what subject(s) does
your student not do
well in?
What are your students
hobbies?
What career(s) is your
student considering?
ENGLISH, SOCIAL STUDIES, &
SCIENCE OPTIONS:
 Most
9th grade courses are offered at
two levels:
 Academic
 Honors or Pre-AP


Reading level and work ethic are a key factors in
deciding which level of courses a student should take
in grade 9.
Strongly consider teacher and counselor
recommendations.
SCIENCE – EARTH SCIENCE OR BIOLOGY




A small number of 9th grade
students elect to take
Research Biology Honors
instead of Earth Science
Honors.
It is still recommended to take
Earth Science as the normal
9th grade science sequence.
Both Earth Science and
Biology are taught at the
Academic and Honors Level.
However, Biology can only be
taken at the Honors level for
9th grade students.
MATH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 9TH GRADE
Grade &
SOL for
current
class
2013-2014
Math 8
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra 2/Trig
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra 2
Advanced Algebra/Precalculus
or
Mathematical Analysis
Algebra
1
Expunge MS course
Expunge MS course
Expunge MS course
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra 2/Trig
or
Algebra 2
N/A
N/A
Algebra 2
or
Algebra 2/
Trig
N/A

“A” or “B”
AND
Passed
SOL
“C” or “D”
OR
Failed SOL
“A” in
Algebra I &
Geometry
AND
Pass both
SOLs
WORLD LANGUAGE
Most four-year colleges prefer that you have a minimum of
three (3) years of a World Language. Very competitive
colleges will want 4 or 5 years.
Spanish, French, German, and Latin are
offered through the Advanced Placement
(AP) level in Loudoun County.
American Sign Language is offered for 3
years
ART 1
9th Grade Elective Course Options
INTRO TO BUSINESS & MARKETING
COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS
THEATER ARTS 1
TECHNICAL THEATER 1
JOURNALISM
NEWSPAPER JOURNALISM 1
PHOTOJOURNALISM 1
FASHION DESIGN & MERCHANDISING
GOURMET FOODS
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
HOUSING/INTERIOR DESIGN
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE 1
FRENCH 1, 2 & 3
GERMAN 1, 2, & 3
LATIN 1, 2, & 3
SPANISH 1, 2, 3
MUSIC APPRECIATION
MUSIC THEORY
BAND
CHORUS
ORCHESTRA
GUITAR
TECHNICAL DRAWING AND DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATIONS 1
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR THE
FUTURE AS YOU HELP PLAN FOR
BEYOND NINTH GRADE…

Monroe Technology
Center and the
Loudoun Governor’s
Career & Technical
Academy

Advanced
Placement (AP)
Classes
MONROE TECHNOLOGY CENTER AND
LOUDOUN GOVERNOR’S CAREER & TECHNICAL
ACADEMY
•Administration of Justice
•Culinary Arts
Students seeking •Auto Collision Repair
Technology
•EMT
highly technical and
•Building Construction
•Firefighter
industry-level
•Computer Integrated
•Graphic
certification and/or Engineering & Design
Communications
(CIED)
licensure will want to
•Heating, Ventilation, &
•Computer Network
Air Conditioning
explore the programs Administration (CNA)
(HVAC)
•Advanced Computer
Networking
offered at Monroe
•Masonry
•Computer Systems
Technology Center
•Nail Design Technology
Technology (CST)
•Cosmetology
•Television Production
•Welding
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) COURSES




Advanced Placement (AP) courses are college-level courses
that students complete while in high school.
These courses allow students to develop the reading, writing,
critical thinking, organizational, and analytical skills needed
for college. They also require a substantial investment of
student effort and time.
In May of each year, students take AP exams for these
courses. Colleges may award college credit for completion of
these AP courses if students earn a qualifying score on the
exam.
The first AP course students are eligible to take is AP World
History in grade 10. We highly recommend that students
hoping to pursue this course take Pre-AP World
History/Geography 1 in grade 9 so that they will have the
skills necessary to be successful in a college-level course in
their sophomore year.
BENEFITS OF AN AP COURSE
Gain invaluable academic skills
 Experience a college-level course and test
 Be more competitive in college admissions
 Study topics at greater depth
 Earn college credit or placement
 Save $$$ on college tuition
 Earn an additional 1.0 in your quality points for
your grade point average

OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
 Expunging
high school credits and
grades taken in middle school
EXPUNGING HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES FROM
MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS…


Students entering the ninth grade for the first
time have a one-time chance to remove high
school classes/credits that are earned in middle
school.
Students/parents will be given a form later this
year to complete if they want to take advantage
of this opportunity. Forms must be completed
and returned no later than mid August 2015.
Once high school begins, this opportunity ends.
CAMPUS PROGRAM




Rising freshmen apply
Focus on students historically
underrepresented in higher
education and first-generation
students
Provide enrichment opportunities
throughout high school for
students to learn about postsecondary educational and
scholarship opportunities---such
as college campus visits, special
presentations on careers,
colleges, and scholarships, etc.
Students begin building a
portfolio in ninth grade to
prepare them for life after high
school
EXTRACURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT
THERE WILL BE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
Choral Groups
Drama Club
Environmental Club
Japanese Manga &Anime Club
Knitting Club
PEER
Model UN
Future Educators of America (FEA)
French Club
Art Club
DECA
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)
Art & Literary Magazine Club
Step Team
Spanish Club
Latin Club
Debate Team
Marching Band
Chess Club
Academic Team
Muslim Student Association
Color Guard
Newspaper
Jazz Ensemble
FCCLA
Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
Student Council Association (SCA)
Dance Team
German Club
Fishing Club
Technology Student Association
Battle of the Books
Walking Club
Field Hockey Club
ATHLETIC INVOLVEMENT
Fall
Winter
Spring
Football
Basketball
Baseball
Golf
Wrestling
Softball
Cross-Country
Swimming
Soccer
Volleyball
Gymnastics
Lacrosse
Cheerleading
Cheerleading
Tennis
Track & Field
Important Dates for Rising 9th Graders
FEBRUARY 9 & 10 - MR. YARBOROUGH TO
BELMONT RIDGE MS
FEBRUARY 12 – CURRICULUM FAIR/OPEN
HOUSE AT BELMONT RIDGE AT 6:45PM
MARCH ? – EXPO/ACTIVITIES FAIR
JUNE 16 – LAST DAY TO MAKE CHANGES
TO SCHEDULES
ANYONE FEELING OVERWHELMED?

Everything will be okay.

We are here to help you.

The Program of Studies
has all of this information
and more!

See the Index of Courses
in the back of the POS

You will have four years
to become an “expert”
on all of this information.
BEFORE YOU KNOW IT….