2010- 2011 Course Description Guide - Midland Independent ...

4WELCOME TO JUNIOR HIGHBeginning a new school year is always an exciting experience. Junior high school is a new situation that may seem strange atfirst. It is the strangeness of new faces, new classrooms and new teachers that can be confusing and also exciting. There will benew things to do and new ways of doing some of the familiar things. Most of you will feel a little awkward and mixed-up in thisnew situation called junior high! Here are some things you can do to help:• Give yourself time to learn your way around;• Start finding out about things you don’t know;• Don’t be afraid to ask questions;• Get to know your counselor, principal, attendance clerk, and school secretaryEach junior high holds an orientation for students at the beginning of school. You will receive notification of the datethrough the mail.Seventh Grade Courses:All seventh grade students take a common block of required courses. These required courses are English, Texas History,Science, and mathematics. Students will be placed in reading or Read 180 according to TAKS scores.Students will also take electives. Physical education and athletics are considered elective classes.ELECTIVES:Students will choose 2 electives, first and second choice. Placement in selected electives will be on a space available basis. Ifmore students select an elective than seats available, a lottery drawing will take place. If a student’s first choice is not available,the student will be placed in another elective. See Page 6 for electives.High School Courses:High school courses available are Spanish I, II and III, and GT/PreAP Algebra I, Geometry, Art I, Touch System Data Entry, andPrinciples of Human Services.COURSE REQUEST LIST:Sometime in early June, course requests will be mailed to all incoming students. This is a list of the classes each student will betaking. Parents and students should review this list carefully. If corrections need to be made call your student’s schoolcounselor by JUNE 17, 2010. THERE WILL BE NO SCHEDULE CHANGES AFTER THIS DATE.PEP SQUAD/CHEERLEADING:Pep Squad is a school spirit group that is responsible for helping the 8 th grade cheerleaders support athletics. Any 7 th or 8 th gradestudent who is interested and willing to attend practices and games may be a member of Pep Squad. All students who wish to tryout for 8 th grade cheerleading must maintain passing grades during their 7 th grade year. Members have a great time learningcheers, chants and dance routines.CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS:Clubs and organizations differ at each junior high school. Some of the clubs are Spirit Boosters, Math Club, Chess Club,Spanish Club, National Jr. Honor Society and Student Council.PUPIL AWARDS:Awards recognizing academic achievement, pupil participation, attendance and excellence of performance in each subject willbe presented at an awards ceremony in the spring at each junior high school. The MISD academic achievement award is basedon a 90 cumulative average earned in all core courses for two consecutive semesters in Midland ISD schools. This award will bepresented in the eighth grade. The Presidential Academic Achievement award is given to eighth graders who meet a criteria setby the U.S. Department of Education. The Duke University Talent Identification Award is given only to seventh graders whomeet set standards.