Greenwich High School
Activities to Support 8th to 9th Grade Transition
Spring 2015
Dear Parents of 8th Graders,
Following are the details about the Greenwich Public Schools’ 8th to 9th grade transition process for students in
the Class of 2019.
The 8th Grade Counselors have provided information to students about the three regional public high school
options that offer alternatives to Greenwich High School. These options are the Academy of Information
Technology and Engineering, the Agriscience program at Westhill High School, and J.M. Wright Technical
High School. If you have questions or would like help with an application, please contact your school
counselor. A chart comparing all public high school offerings is available on the GHS Guidance website’s
homepage.
Even if your son or daughter is considering one of these programs, course planning materials for Greenwich
High School will be sent home with all of the 8th graders in late January. These materials will contain the core
academic course recommendations made by the 8th grade team and a link to the 2015-16 GHS Course of
Study Guide. The COSG contains information about the pre-requisites and placement criteria for each course
offered at Greenwich High School. You will also receive a four-year course planning chart and an explanation
of a typical freshman schedule, plus the core academic course sequence guides to assist you with course
selection.
There is an orientation assembly for 8th grade students about the GHS Elective Programs on Tuesday 1/27/15,
9:36-11:33 in the GHS Auditorium (snowdate 1/28). Students and staff will be provided with bus transportation
to and from each of the middle schools. There is also an 8th Grade Parent Orientation at GHS on Tuesday
2/24/15 at 7pm to assist with course selection. We begin with an overview of the academic programs in the
auditorium, and following the presentation the academic and elective program leaders will be available in the
foyer for Q & A. The 8th grade Counselors and Coordinator of Guidance will be available to answer questions
about course planning and the course registration process. A Counselor will be available to assist speakersof-Spanish. We will distribute handouts such as the four-year planning chart and elective courses in a variety
of Career Pathways. All course requests must be finalized by the end of March.
Students receiving special education services will be scheduled for an “Articulation PPT” at Greenwich High
School during the month of April. The special education teachers and support staff in the middle schools will
share information with the GHS special education teachers and support staff at GHS in preparation for these
PPTs. Any course requests that need to be revised as a result of the PPT process will be adjusted by the GHS
counselor.
House Placements will be announced to incoming students and parents in mid-April. There is a House
Orientation for Parents of incoming 9th graders on Tuesday April 28th at 7pm, where you will meet the house
administrator, school counselor and mental health support staff. The staff at the middle schools will process
any student who decides to withdraw from the Greenwich Public Schools through the month of August.
In May, the 8th grade counselors and 8th grade administrators will share information about the incoming
students with the team in each house at Greenwich High School in order to support a successful transition for
each freshman. In June, the GHS Counselors will meet briefly with each of their counselees at the middle
schools to distribute information about life at GHS, and discuss their courses. There is also a short house
meeting, and photos will be taken for GHS ID cards. Also in June, 8th graders interested in participating in Fall
Sports at GHS are invited to attend an after school orientation organized by the athletic program. Bus
transportation will be provided to and from GHS in time for the late bus run back at the middle schools.