Incoming Freshman Informational Fair

Welcome Class of 2021

FHC Counseling Department 

Mr. Rick Bolhuis

A-D

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Mr. Kyle Perkins

E-K



Ms. Sarah Van’t Hof

L-R



Mrs. Teresa Miller

S-Z

[email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

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FHC Administration Mr. Steve Passinault, Principal  Mr. John DeStefano, Assistant Principal: A-K  Ms. Hillary Baker, Assistant Principal: L-Z  Mr. Clark Udell, Athletic Director 

Our Goals

Our goal is to provide: 

information about the basic freshman schedule and four-year plan, as determined by the Michigan Merit Curriculum and FHPS Graduation Requirements.

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answers to frequently asked questions.

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support for your student in emotional and social health, as well as academic planning as he or she moves through high school.

We will be meeting with your 8th grader on March 23 to discuss the schedule requests in detail. They bring materials home and will have time to discuss with you, his or her teachers, and Mrs. Schwind. We encourage you to start this conversation with your child.

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Michigan Merit Curriculum/FHPS Graduation Requirements

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22.5 credits, including those below, required to graduate English Language Arts (4 years) Mathematics (4 years) Science (3 years) Social Studies (3 years) Phys. Ed. (0.5) / Health (0.5) Visual, Performing, & Applied Arts [VPAA] (1 year) World Languages (1 year of the same language) An additional year of either VPAA or World Language (of the same language) Elective credits (remaining credits needed to get to 22.5) **Testing out, on rare occasions, may be used to fulfill some credits**

World Language Requirement

Option 1:  Visual, Performing, & Applied Arts [VPAA] (1 year)  World Languages (2 years of the same language – also, strongly encouraged for strongest four-year college admission consideration) Note: 90% of Central grads complete two years or more of the same language Option 2:  Visual, Performing, & Applied Arts [VPAA] (2 years)  World Languages (1 year)

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Tentative Freshman Year Schedule

Nearly all freshman schedules are comprised of the following courses. You will be charged with making a choice in each area.  English 9*  Math – placement recommended by 8th grade math teacher  Biology*  Civics/Economics  Two of the three listed below:  World Language [Spanish, French, Chinese, American Sign Language]  VPAA: Music, Art, or Theatre/Communications, Engineering/Industrial Art  PE / Health *Honors classes are available for English 9 and Biology. The rigor is significantly higher and students should carefully consider requesting the honors level course. Students will be required to sign an intent to apply form to request an honors course. Details will be provided to students on March 23.

The Four-Year Plan

Err on the side of completing graduation requirements up-front

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Balancing your schedule for success

When selecting each course – especially an advanced course, these Four Ps of scheduling should be considered.  Prepared – has the student taken appropriate courses?  Passionate – is the student excited about the course(s) and subject matter?  Participant – is the student willing to do all the work necessary for them to be successful in all their courses?  Programming – can the student balance the workload and stress of all their academics and extracurricular involvements? If you have a concern in one or more areas of the four Ps, it is usually a sign your student may not be adequately prepared for that course. It is better to be selfaware and choose wisely than to under-perform in high-level classes. We want students to be challenged at the level appropriate for them.

Course Requests

Master Schedule Built

May adjust with ClassChoice

Students’ Schedules Built

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FAQ

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Q: Is it better to take an Honors/AP Class and get a B or the regular class and get an A? A: The Honors/AP Class and get an A…keep the four Ps in mind. Q: Do I need to take all Honors courses to do AP as a Junior/Senior? A: No, it is not a requirement. Many students who were not ready for Honors as a FR are ready for AP as a Junior/Senior. Our traditional courses do an excellent job preparing students for later success. If a student is ready now, go for it. If a student is not sure, err on the side of the regular course.

FAQ Continued

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Q: How do we test out of a class/graduation requirement? A: Central High offers test out sessions three times a year - June, August, and November. Stay tuned to the ListServ/announcements. Consult with your School Counselor regarding pros/cons for each course. Q: How do I get a “waiver” (Personal Curriculum) for PE and/or Health? A: The best plan is to take the course(s) OR attempt the test out of the course(s). You are only allowed two attempts at the test out exam(s) – prepare appropriately. Personal Curriculums are traditionally not written until the spring of Junior Year.

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The Importance of FR Year

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It is VERY important FR have a strong start to their academic career – for future course work, placement, and post-secondary options. The grades from FR year are one-third of the academic record colleges review to make an admissions decision. 1/3 Rule Example - If you have a 3.0 freshman year (B average), you have to average a 3.9 (almost all straight A grades) for the next two years to get to a 3.6 when you apply to colleges. As an example, three of our most often applied to colleges: **To become a Laker, you will need a 3.1.** **A 3.6 is about what it takes to be a Spartan.** **It takes a 3.9 OR HIGHER to be a Wolverine. ** The goal is to choose classes that best set you up for success NOW and in the future. Your eighth grade teachers know your strengths – lean on them, trust them and your gut. We have more students who over-schedule than under-schedule. We want you to have a successful FR year, please choose wisely.

Upcoming Events – this spring

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Schedule Request Meetings - We will be meeting with your 8th grader on March 23 to discuss the schedule requests in detail. They bring materials home and will have time to discuss with you, his or her teachers, and Mrs. Schwind. We encourage you to start this conversation with your child.

Information on available courses found here: https://goo.gl/UwLw1c Forms will be due to your student’s language arts teacher on March 30.  Connect – transition program for your student. Scheduled for May 31 during the school day.

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Upcoming Events – this summer

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Fall Sports – Football practices begin August 7 – All other fall sports begin August 9 – Make plans to contact the team you are interested in before summer the 2016-17 school year ends – Athletes must have a physical date 4-15-17 OR LATER to participate in athletics during the 2017-18 school year Marching Band – – –

Visit fhcbands.com for details Many summer opportunities Marching season begins well before the academic year begins

Upcoming Events – next fall 

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Freshman Family Night – meets in conjunction with Open House in the fall. Revisits some of this information and provides more information about what to expect during FR year and beyond. Freshman Chats – early fall we will meet with our freshmen in small groups to look at many of items we will work on together over our four years together.

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Find Us Online

CH News

fhps.net/centralhs Scroll to School Information section and select Subscribe to FHPS News Updates Website Facebook Twitter

tinyurl.com/FHCCounseling

facebook.com/fhccounseling twitter.com/fhccounseling

FHC Counseling Department 

Mr. Rick Bolhuis

A-D



Mr. Kyle Perkins

E-K



Ms. Sarah Van’t Hof

L-R



Mrs. Teresa Miller

S-Z

[email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

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