Frequently asked questions for incoming 9th grade parents

Frequently asked questions for incoming 9 th grade parents
When is the first day of school?
The first day of school is August 16 th . For a calendar of the 2010-11 school year, please click here:
2010-11 School Year Calendar
How will my student know which classes he/she will have, including the teacher’s names?
All students will obtain their schedule on the first day of school. There is a special bell schedule, and
students will report to a specific class based on their grade and last name. We will have adults
throughout the campus directing students to the right class. At this class, they will receive their
schedule. We will have information posted throughout campus so your student will know where to
report.
Who will be my student’s counselor?
There is a counselor designated for the 9 th graders, another one for 9 th graders that will be part of the
AVID program, and another one for new English learner students. For grades 10-12, counselors are
designated based on the student’s last name. Counselor distribution is designated over the summer
after our enrollment numbers have been established.
When do I come back to SPHS?
You will come back to SPHS for packet pick-up and packet drop-off. The dates for packet pick up and
drop off are July 19-21 (packet pick-up) and July 26-28 (registration). You will receive additional
information in the mail.
What is in the summer registration packet?
The summer registration packet is required paperwork that we need to have filled out prior to your
student starting the school year. It also contains other relevant information to prepare for the beginning
of the year.
Is there summer school for my student?
Summer school is extremely limited this year. Summer school for Freshman is limited to students that
are in the early stages of English Language Development (ELD) or those that need a remedial reading
program (students enrolling in Read 180 for next school year). There is a list on our guidance center
website of summer enrichment programs if you’re interested on those types of opportunities.
When will my student obtain the ID, books, PE uniform and locker?
Freshman students will have that taken care of during the first week of school through one of their
core classes. PE uniforms may be purchased during packet-drop off dates.
My student wants to participate in high school sports. How do we do that?
All students who are planning to participate in a sport need to obtain a physical exam from their doctor
and be cleared prior to trying out for a high school sport. An athletic packet may be picked up from
the cashier’s window or downloaded from our website after June 23 for Fall sports. For more
information, please refer to the athletic section of our school website.
What is the Freshman Academy?
The Freshman academy is a program designed to help students transition successfully into high school.
For more information on the Freshman academy, please download the flyer under the guidance center
home page.

What is the MAP program?
The MAP program is a college preparatory program that guarantees qualified students admission to
CSU San Marcos. Students must meet requirements to be eligible for the MAP program. For more
information on the MAP program, please click here.
My student has a medical condition. How do I report that to the school nurse?
One of the forms that you will fill out after packet pick-up is a health history card. If your student
requires that medication be dispensed on campus, you may pick up a form specifically for that during
packet pick-up or download it from our website under the health office link.
How were my student’s Math and English recommendations made?
Our district works closely with EUSD staff to inform them of our curriculum, and we co-create a
placement matrix to help EUSD Math and English teachers make recommendations. Additionally,
our SPHS counselors, Math and English teachers meet as teams prior to course selection nights and
review all the students and made our own recommendations when necessary.
What is the difference between college prep course and honors?
All college preparatory courses count towards college admission requirements. Honors courses also
count, but tend to require students to think and perform at a higher level. Honors courses tend to be
more rigorous courses and work toward preparing students for AP (college level) courses.
What is AVID? How does my student get into that program?
AVID stands for Advancement Via Individual Determination, and it is designed to give students that
are first-generation college bound or students from traditionally underrepresented groups support to
attend a four-year college or University. SPHS AVID teachers visit our feeder schools in the early
Spring. Students are notified of their acceptance status prior to 8 th grade registration nights. If you
would still like for your student to participate in this program, please contact Erin Duran at
eduran@euhsd.k12.ca.us or 760-291-6000 X 6109.
We missed 8 th grade registration nights. How can the course selection sheet be submitted?
Please come by and drop off your course selection form in the counseling office with one of our
counseling office secretaries as soon as possible. Our counseling office hours are from 7:00 am-3:30
pm.
How do I find out about graduation requirements and college admission?
The counseling department has parent nights that cover these topics. Information of what is covered is
provided on the first pages of the course description book and on our counseling website.
How can my student participate in the Algebra Academy over the summer?
Please contact your student’s middle school counselor for that information. The applications were
disbursed in the middle schools. The applications can also be picked up from our District Service
Center at 302 North Midway Drive. You may also contact Lisa Grant at (760) 291-3003.
Will my student be able to make changes to the class schedule in the fall?
Course changes are limited to students that are misplaced in a class and need to be placed into a
different level, or students that took an equivalent course over the summer. We are unable to change
schedules to accommodate period or teacher requests or to pick a different elective. We will also be
transitioning to a new computer system over the summer, and our time frame to make schedule
changes will be more limited than it has been in the past.