TH
8
TH
9
INCOMING
&
GRADE COURSE
SELECTION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2014
The blueprint to your child’s future!
Welcome
-Dr. Sean O’Sullivan
Penndale Middle School
PROGRAM OF STUDIES
8th Graders
Middle School
Program of Studies
 Rising
9th Graders
Grade 9-12 Booklet
 Rising
Incoming
th
8 Grade
Course Selection
Mr. Flynn
 Guidance
Counselor A-R
Ms. Manalo
 Guidance
Counselor S-Z
SUMMER READING
All 8th and 9th grade students will be required to
complete a Summer Reading Program.
 All students will be required to read two books,
one novel selected by the district and one of
their choosing.
 The novel for this summer has not been yet
been chosen but will be listed on the website
(npenn.org) once it has.

COMMONALITIES (8TH & 9TH GRADE)
Bell Schedule
 6-day Cycle
 E3
 Major Subjects


English (Grammar,
Vocabulary, & Writing)

Social Studies
(America in History)

Mathematics (PreAlgebra)

Science (Earth and Space)
MAJOR ELECTIVES
8th Grade
• Business & Banking Concepts
• World Language
 French 1
 German 1
 Latin 1
 Spanish 1
REQUIRED MINOR
ELECTIVES
8th Grade
Quarterly
 Art 2
 Health
 Computer Applications 2
 Family and Consumer Science
2x/cycle
 Exploring Technology
 Physical Education
 Music
(Band, Chorus, Orchestra or Exploring Music)
2014 RISING 8TH GRADE COURSE
SELECTION TIMELINE

January 27 -
Guidance counselor met with students at E3 to discuss
course selection.

February 10-12 Guidance counselors will meet with students to input
electronic course selection.

April 14 -
Verification letters distributed/mailed with 3rd
MP report cards.

April 25-
Verification letters returned to Penndale
ONLY IF changes/corrections need to be made

June 13-
Deadline for schedule changes.
Incoming
th
9 Grade
Course Selection
Mr. Harvey
 Guidance
Counselor A-R
Ms. Manalo
 Guidance
Counselor S-Z
KEYSTONE EXAM
All Algebra students will take the Algebra
Keystone exam during the May 12-16
window.
 Students who do not achieve proficiency on
the Grade 8 Algebra Keystone can attend the
summer intervention course or re-take
Algebra I.

Credits: Graduation Requirements
MINIMUM CREDITS REQUIRED
*
**
***
ENGLISH
4.0
SOCIAL STUDIES
4.0
MATHEMATICS
3.0 or 4.0***
SCIENCE
3.0 or 4.0***
ARTS/HUMANITIES
2.0**
HEALTH
0.9
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
1.2
ELECTIVES
3.9
TOTAL
23.0*
Minimum number necessary for graduation.
Qualifying courses: art, elective English, FCS, technology education, world language,
music, computer science, & fourth year of social studies. One NMTCC credit can be
substituted.
Based upon Keystone proficiency.
Credits: Promotion Requirements
PROMOTION REQUIREMENTS
FOR PROMOTION TO
REQUIRED CRITERIA
GRADE 9
GRADE 10
Students must pass English, Social
Studies, Math, & Science.
4 CREDITS
GRADE 11
11 CREDITS
GRADE 12
16.5 CREDITS
•Students have the potential of earning up to 6.9 credits in their 9th grade year.
•At NPHS, students have the potential to earn up to 6.9 credits per year.
GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)

GPA for graduation is cumulative for grades 9, 10, 11, & 12.

Is calculated using the 5 major courses that would yield the
highest GPA.

There are some courses which are ineligible for exclusion from
GPA calculation (IFE).

Class rank will be calculated at the end of the 9th grade year.

See page 8 in the Program of Studies for calculation procedures.
MAJOR ELECTIVES
9th Grade
World Language
Family Consumer Science Major
Applying Technology Major
Art Major
JROTC-@ NPHS
Introduction to Business
NMTCC (TECH SCHOOL)
WORLD LANGUAGE
SELECTIONS
 French
1, 2
 German 1, 2
 Latin 1, 2
 Spanish 1, 2
Japanese 1 (@ NPHS)
NPHS OPTIONS
Students who attend JROTC &/or Japanese
spend period 1 & 2 @ NPHS, then take a bus
to Penndale for the rest of the day.
 JROTC & Tech School can be taken together.
In this case, the student would spend the
first 3 periods @ NPHS, and 4th & 5th periods
@NMTCC.

REQUIRED MINOR
ELECTIVES
9th Grade
2x/cycle
Health
Physical Education
Computer Applications 3
MINOR ELECTIVES
2x/cycle
 Art
 Family Consumer Science
 Applying Technology
 Tech Drawing
 Exploratory Business
 Theatre Arts
 Related Fine Arts or Music Theory & Technology
2-4x/cycle
 Band, Chorus, Orchestra (2-4x/cycle)
2014 RISING 9TH GRADE COURSE
SELECTION TIMELINE

January 13 - Met with 8th grade students to discuss the course
selection process.

February 11-13 - Guidance counselors will meet with students
to input electronic course selection.

April 14 -
Verification letters distributed/mailed with 3rd MP
report cards.

April 25-
Verification letters returned to Penndale ONLY IF
changes/corrections need to be made

June 13 -
Deadline for schedule changes.
North Montco Technical Career Center offers 22
programs grouped in 8 career clusters
Construction Trades Technology Cluster
Floral Design & Landscape Cluster
Construction Carpentry
Floral Design & Landscape
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) Engineering/Manufacturing Design Cluster
Drafting & Design
Industrial Electrical
Mechatronics
Health & Human Services Technology Cluster
Precision Machining
Allied Health (12th grade only)
Welding & Fabrication
Biotechnology (11th & 12th grades only)
Power & Transportation Cluster
Automotive Collision Repair
Health Occupations
Automotive
Protective Services
Diesel & Heavy Equipment
Cosmetology Cluster
Recreational Power Equipment
Retail & Distribution
Cosmetology
Culinary Arts Cluster
Culinary Arts
Visual Communications
Commercial Art
Internet Technologies
Graphic Arts
If you would like more information about the
opportunities at
North Montco Technical Career Center
see Mrs. Kloss in the lobby after this presentation
or call North Montco,
during school hours, at
215-368-1177
and speak to one of the counselors.
JROTC Program
What is Air Force Junior ROTC all about?
• Creating a Great Group of Friends
• Giving Back to the Community
Did you Know?
• Exploring Aviation and Space Flight
• There is NO commitment to the military – NONE!
• Wearing the uniform is YOUR OPTION -- so keep
your hair as long & multi-colored as YOU like
• All of the JROTC courses count as Science
Electives
• As a 9th grader YOU can take classes at the High
School – get a jump compared to your Middle
School peers!
• JROTC participation looks great on college
applications and opens windows for potential
college scholarships and also admission to
America’s Service Academies
JROTC Curriculum
• Aerospace Science:
–
–
–
–
Science of Flight (3915)
History of Aviation (3903)
The Exploration of Space (3925)
Global Studies (1935)
Class Flight Simulators
• Leadership Education
–
–
–
–
Intercommunication Skills
Life Skills
Principles of Management
Summer Leadership School
• Graduation Project
History of Aviation
Spacecraft Design/Flight
YOU CAN EARN…
College Credit
Adams State College, Alamosa, Colorado
• $180 per course ($60 per course credit)
• “B” Grade Required
• 3 Elective College Credits/Class, which equals
10-12College Credits while attending High School
Global Studies
Summer Leadership School
• Offered at the end of June or beginning of July:
Open to all 8th-12th grade students
–
–
–
–
Leadership Exercises and Challenges
McGuire Air Force Base Trip (Aircraft, Battlefield Simulators)
Extreme Water Adventure park
Obstacle Courses with the Pennsylvania National Guard at their
Training Complex
– Laser Quest
• More details to come- sign-ups are in March.
HOME ACCESS CENTER
www.npenn.org
For Families
Home Access Center
MORE INFORMATION
AVAILABLE IN THE LOBBY
Personnel from various departments of
the school will be in the lobby to
answer any specific questions
The Penndale Administrative
and Guidance Team would like
to thank you for your support
and participation in helping our
students create the blueprint
for their futures!
Penndale Middle School