Guide to Academic Programs
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Penncrest High School Guide to Academic Programs 2019-2020 Mr. N. Ralph Harrison Principal Mrs. Sharon A. D. Sweeney Assistant Principal, Academic Affairs Mr. Joseph Fuhr Assistant Principal, 10th/12th Grades Mr. David Stango Assistant Principal, 9th/11th Grades Ms. Lauren Newman RTMSYA Principal Mr. Charles Olinger Athletic Director 2019-2020 Guide to Academic Programs The Guide to Academic Programs offers an overview of academic life at Penncrest High School. We have included information about academic programs, practices, and procedures, as well as information about our departmental course offerings and the course selection process. It is now time for students who will attend Penncrest next year to choose their courses for 2019-2020. The Guide has been designed to assist students in this process. We urge all students to refer to the Guide when selecting their courses and to consult with their counselors, teachers, and families. Our high school program permits a variety of course choices. We cannot overstate the importance of students’ taking the time to choose their courses carefully and choose course alternates with care. Scheduling (including staffing, course placement, and section numbers) are based on pupils’ course selections. As a result, we cannot be optimistic about honoring significant change requests once the selections have been submitted and tallied. It is, therefore, in each student’s best interests that decisions regarding course options be thoughtful and firm. Selecting your courses wisely will make next year a productive one for you at Penncrest! Table of Contents World Languages ............................................................... 59 Important Dates ....................................................................1 Important Dates The Course Selection Process .............................................2 Schedule Changes ...............................................................2 February 1 Academic Information ........................................................3-4 Counselors hold grade-level assemblies to distribute Course Graduation Requirements ....................................................5 Selection materials. Guidelines for School & Community Service .......................6 Academic Integrity at Penncrest...........................................7 Teacher recommendations available via HAC with the Guidelines for Homework..................................................8-9 second quarter report card. Honor Societies.............................................................10-11 Classroom teachers begin review of recommendations and AP Tests & Courses ............................................................12 discuss department offerings and course requirements. Special Programs: • AP Capstone Diploma Program...................................13 February 7 • Dual Enrollment Program.............................................14 Course Selection Evening - 7 P.M. • Gifted Program ............................................................14 (snow date February 13) • Independent Study for Credit .......................................14 • Work Release ..............................................................14 New students and/or their families begin in the Auditorium. • Career & Technical Education .....................................15 Academic Support ..............................................................16 Current students in grades 9 through 11 and/or their families begin in the Cafeteria. Summer School...................................................................16 *New For 2019-2020*.............................................................16 February 12 - February 25 What Colleges Expect ........................................................17 Counselors visit English classrooms to supervise course Requirements to Play Division I or II NCAA Athletics ....18-19 selection. Guidance and Administration Contac Students enter and view selections through March 1. ts................................65 February - March Students meet with counselors about individual concerns. GRADE-LEVEL LISTING OF COURSES Grade 9..............................................................................20 Students submit Placement Waivers. Grade 10.............................................................................21 Grade 11 .............................................................................22 Students notify their counselors of any course change Grade 12.............................................................................23 requests. March 6 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Recommendations and selection verifications mailed to Art .......................................................................................23 parents this week. Business Education ............................................................27 English ................................................................................29 March 29 English for Speakers of Other Languages..........................34 Course Selection closes. Final date for Placement Waivers. Family & Consumer Sciences ............................................35 August 19 Mathematics .......................................................................36 Final schedules available when HAC opens. Music ..................................................................................41 Physical Education & Health ..............................................44 Science ...............................................................................47 *** Please review The Course Selection Process on page Social Studies .....................................................................51 2 for more information*** Special Education ...............................................................55 Technology & Engineering Education .................................56 Penncrest High School, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations governing affirmative action and non-discrimination, does not discriminate in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities as defined by law. Nothing in this publication should be viewed as directly or indirectly expressing any limitation, specification, or discrimination as to race, religion, color, or national origin; or to handicap or to sex, except as provided by law. Page 1 Penncrest High School THE COURSE SELECTION PROCESS The course selection process provides students with an opportunity to make informed decisions regarding their courses of study for the following year. Choices related to the level of core courses and elective courses should be made carefully and in consultation with teachers, counselors, and parents. It is important that you review the information listed below: 1. Families can view teacher recommendations for core courses in HAC in February (with the publication of the second quarter report card). Students can begin planning their selections at that time. Refer to the grade level pages of this Guide for a list of required courses and elective options. Students should carefully read the descriptions of specific courses in each department’s section of the Guide. 2. Counselors will meet with students to supervise the request entry process in HAC in mid-February. 3. Course Selection Night is on February 7 (snow date February 13). There will be information for new students as well as information about Special Programs (e.g. Dual-Enrollment, AP Capstone program, POWR programming, travel abroad, Vo-Tech programming) for upperclassmen and returning students. 4. Any student who has difficulty or questions in planning course selections should make an appointment to see his/her counselor or the appropriate teachers. 5. To keep on pace for promotion to the next grade and for graduation, most students will need to schedule at least 6.5 courses each year. Rising ninth graders must select six major courses plus Physical Education/Study Hall. 6. Students are required to select alternatives for all electives, including non-required core subject courses. These will be considered if it becomes necessary to roster alternative selections. Same-level courses within a subject will be considered viable alternates. 7. Students may enter and view selections through March 1, 2019. Any student who wishes to change a selection after that date must do so through the Guidance office. ALL requests for any changes must be received by March 29, 2019. Requests received after this deadline will be subject to enrollment availability in the selected class. 8. Families will receive a mailed verification in early March confirming student choices and teacher recommendations. This is not a schedule. Alert your counselor if the information is incorrect. 9. Students who wish to take a course at a higher challenge level than the one recommended may file a Placement Waiver Request with their guidance counselors. Forms are available online and in the Guidance office. All requests must be submitted by the end of Course Selection (March 29, 2019). Students who waiver are expected to commit to taking the course. Students who do not submit waivers by March 29 will be placed in the recommended classes. 10. If difficulties arise that make it impossible for us to complete a student’s roster, we will attempt to contact the student before the close of school this year, during the summer, or when school begins. 11. If a student fails a sequential subject and does not attend Summer School to make up the deficiency, that roster will be adjusted to accommodate