Welcome New Vikings Incoming 9th Grade Orientation March 12, 2020

I VISION AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Student Learning Outcomes

● Effective Communicators and Collaborators

● Positive contributors to the community

● Individuals that are healthy, self-reliant and responsible

● Critical Problem Solvers and Creative Thinkers San Mateo Union High School District Mills High School Graduation Requirements

Social Science/History 3.5 years

English 4 years

Math 3 years

Science 2 years (1 biological, 1 physical)

World Language 1 year (2 years required for college)

Visual & Performing Arts (VAPA) 1 year

Health 1 semester

Physical Education 2 years

Career/Technical Education 1 year

Electives 4 years 220 Credits for Graduation (1 semester class = 5 credits) MHS STUDENT SUPPORT TEAM

Rachel Mack

Lisa Laux

Kalani Vasquez

Alex Stillman

College & Career: Sandy Murtagh, Nina Woolsey Wellness Counselors: Staysha Veal, Laura Hahn, Lisa Windes Staff Assistant: Andrea Crowley Student Data Analyst: Karl Steinbrecher English Learner Specialist: Stefany Peng Parent Involvement Coordinator (PIC): Vilma Olivera PYRAMID OF INTERVENTIONS AT MILLS

Quality Core Instruction

All Drop-In After-School Tutoring Students Subject-Based Tutoring Flex Time Less

English Language Development (ELD) Intensive

English & Math Support Classes

Guided Studies Classes Some Mandated After-School Tutoring Students OSCR (Credit Recovery)

Mentoring Program Group Counseling More

Intensive Study Study Team (SST’s) Individual Counseling Parent meetings Individual 504 Plans Students IEP’s SUPPORTING ALL STUDENTS

❖ Algebra Support ❖Flex Time ❖ Geometry Support ❖ Strategic English ❖FREE After-school tutoring Support ❖Subject based tutoring ❖ Guided Studies ❖ Directed Studies ❖School Counselors (students with IEPs) ❖College & Career Advisor ❖ English Language ❖ Development Wellness Counselors MATH AND READING PLACEMENT TESTS

❖ All incoming freshmen must take Math and English placement exams. ❖ Make-up testing: ➢ Sign up on the district webpage: ■ https://www.smuhsd.org

❖ Placement exam data, middle school transcripts, and 7th grade CAASPP scores are used to place students in appropriate classes and support classes as needed. SPECIAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

If your student has an IEP, the Mills High School Case Manager will contact you to set up an appointment for course request and articulation.

Department Members: Yvette Gonzalez, Erik Anderson, Andrew Batman, Olivia Krakower, Tim Young, Laura Hansen, Jacqueline Falco, Kalpana Galagali, AnneMarie Montani, Tatiana Martinez, Michelle Myers, Matt Rossillon

Director of SPED: Carolyn Schwartzbord FEDERAL FREE OR REDUCED LUNCH PROGRAM ❖ Option during InfoSnap process ❖ Go to “Families”, then “Student Nutrition” on SMUHSD.org ❖ 100% Confidential ❖ Online Enrollment ❖ Benefits: ➢ Free or reduced costs for SAT, PSAT, AP, and ACT exams ➢ At-home Comcast Wi-Fi for $10/month ➢ Qualify for various scholarships ➢ Discounted school events ➢ Free or Reduced cost lunch ❖ Required in some districts; some families qualify and don’t know it RESOURCES @ MHS

Our recommendations: ❖ Familiarize yourself with our support resources on campus ❖ If your student is struggling, talk to the teachers first! ❖ Take advantage of our FREE tutoring services Mills Wellness Program

❖ Prevention and short-term intervention for social/emotional challenges impacting academics, attendance and school behavior Services Provided: • Group counseling • Drop-in & crisis support • Mental health assessments • Short-term individual counseling (limited basis - for qualifying students only) • Referrals to community partners for more intensive mental health needs

STAFF: • STAYSHA VEAL, MFT/Wellness Lead • LISA WINDES & LAURA HAHN Wellness Counselors COURSE REQUEST FORM

❖ For details on how to complete the form, including elective course descriptions, refer to the 9th Grade Course Selection Guide which was emailed. Also available on the website (smuhsd.org/millshigh) SCIENCE & P.E.

Pre-selected: ❖ Biology ❖ Physical Education 1

PE Department Members: Science Department Members: Grant Paul, Max von Caroline Tiziani, Packy Moss, Euw, Aiko Michot, Charles Olson, Anjali Abraham, Lena Mughannam Melonie Cotter, Mary Rustia, Steven Wang ENGLISH

❖ Pre-selected: ➢ English 1

❖ Some students may also be assigned to an English Support class ❖ English Learners who need English Language Development (ELD 3) will be Department Members: Anthony Pretto, Patricia notified during scheduling Petersen, Kelly Hensley, Rebecca Leung, Hope Price, Kelly Alberta, Steve Dwyer, Isabel Dominguez, Joe Hudelson ENGLISH 1

❖ All 9th graders will start off in English 1 ❖ After the first few weeks of class, students will have the option to take the Advanced Standing (AS) version of the course ❖ Students who choose to take the AS version will remain in the same period, but will be assigned more challenging curriculum ❖ The AS course title will later be reflected on their transcript SOCIAL SCIENCE & HEALTH

Pre-selected: ❖ Health (1 semester) ❖ Ethnic Studies (1 semester)

SS Department Members: Kathleen Louie, Wayne Phillips, Alexandra Dove, Cristina Tutaj, Barbara Campbell, Alex Lira, Tim Keller, Donald Burdette, Angela Zink Health Department: Ms. Lighty, Rebecca Reinhardt-Mullins, Caroline Tiziani MATHEMATICS OFFERINGS

Select one (based on placement guidelines):

❏ Algebra 1 ❏ Geometry

Department Members: Nils Headley, Lidia Battaglini, Denise Dreyer, Ivette Zaldivar, Bob Williams, Peggy Peel, Jeff Petersen, Lai Bui, Stephanie Loi, Molly Kovacs, Jane Spencer-Mills Summer Bridge to Algebra Success Who? This class is specifically for students who have previously not been successful in math What? Summer Bridge to Algebra is a program designed to get students familiar with Mills, excited about math, and prepared for Algebra 1 When? June 22nd to July 17th, Mon-Fri, 8:30-12:30 Where? The class will be here on the Mills campus Why? We believe that everyone can be successful at Algebra 1, with the right tools and attitude! [email protected] & [email protected] Summer Bridge to Algebra Success

More information: ● Offers 5 units of elective credit toward graduation ● Two teachers (one math teacher, one education specialist) to support students of ALL ability levels ● Includes field-trips, outdoor activities, and other fun to keep students engaged ● Most students who took this class last year passed Algebra 1, even if they previously struggled in math ● Max = 28 students (first come first serve) [email protected] & [email protected] MATH PLACEMENT

Algebra: ● Most 9th graders will be enrolled in Algebra 1 ● Some students may be assigned an additional period of Math Support

Geometry: ● Students currently taking Common Core Accelerated Math at Taylor will automatically be enrolled in Geometry ● Any other students wishing to enroll in Geometry must produce a transcript from the middle school listing either “Algebra 1” or “Common Core Accelerated Math” ● For private school transcripts that do not list Algebra 1, students must provide a math syllabus listing topics that were covered (for approval)

MATH PLACEMENT

❖ All students are automatically placed into the math course that would naturally follow their last full-year math course unless they provide proof of successful completion of approved summer work ❖ It is strongly recommended that all math courses be taken within our district. ❖ Summer Bridge to Algebra for (some) 9th graders from June 22nd to July 17th

MATH ACCELERATION

❖ Qualifying freshmen in Algebra 1 may be able to take Geometry Acceleration the summer after 9th grade, and then advance to Algebra 2 in 10th grade ❖ Qualifying students may also be able to take Geometry & Algebra 2 concurrently in 10th grade ❖ We DO NOT recommend taking Algebra this summer in order to accelerate. ❖ For details about the SMUHSD Math Placement Criteria, please refer to the Course Selection guide WORLD LANGUAGE OFFERINGS

Select a World Language: ❏ Chinese 1 or 2 ❏ Japanese 1 or 2 ❏ Spanish 1 or 2

❖ Students wishing to delay World Language until 10th grade should speak with a counselor Department Members: Luis Galdona, Carmel Turek, Narcissa Wang, Akiko Soda, Valerie Bolante WORLD LANGUAGE ❖ Students requesting Chinese/Spanish/Japanese 2 need 2 years of that language on their middle school transcript ❖ Native speakers (or students who took classes outside of school) who wish to place into a higher level may be asked to take a placement test in April/May ❖ Spanish Placement Test: ➢ Tuesday, May 12, 3:30 – 4:30 pm ➢ Or Wednesday, May 13, 3:30 – 4:30 pm ➢ Report to room 166 ❖ Chinese Placement Test: ➢ Tuesday, May 5, 3:30 - 4:30 pm ➢ Or Wednesday, May 6, 3:30 – 4:30 pm ➢ Report to room 165

STUDENT PLACEMENT (SPANISH)

If you have this situation…. Place- You will be placed here... ment Test?

Native speaker (freshman): Been speaking Yes Options: Spanish their entire life, may have been born ● Spanish 2 in US, but Spanish is their first language ● Option to wait 1 year

Spanish (Heritage) Speaker: Hears Yes Options: Spanish at home, may not respond to family ● Spanish 1 members in Spanish, they do not speak ● Spanish 2 Spanish all the time, but they understand spoken Spanish

Two years of Spanish in middle school No Spanish 2

Non-native speaker: No Spanish 1 Never taken Spanish or may have taken a semester or two (or enrichment class) 6-PERIOD VS. 7-PERIOD DAY

❖ Students must take a minimum of 6 classes, but may request an elective for a total of 7 classes

❖ Students who take 6 classes either start later (1st period off) or get out earlier (7th period off)

❖ A 6-period day is sufficient for most students -- They do not need to take 7 classes in order to meet graduation or college requirements!

❖ The 6-period day is recommended for students with busy extracurricular commitments (e.g. athletics), or who would benefit from more time to complete homework 6-PERIOD VS. 7-PERIOD DAY

Who should consider taking 7 classes? ❖ Students who need support classes (English Support, Math Support, Directed Studies, & ELD) SAMPLE FRESHMAN YEAR SCHEDULES

Per. STUDENT A STUDENT B STUDENT C 1-7 Schedule 1-6 Schedule 2-7 Schedule 1 Algebra 1 Algebra 1 No Class

2 English 1 English 1 English 1

3 PE 1 PE 1 PE 1

4 Biology Biology Biology

5 Ethn/Health Ethn/Health Ethn/Health

6 Algebra Support Spanish 2 Geometry

7 Chinese 1 No Class Japanese 1 RECOMMENDED: 1st PERIOD OFF

Research shows that a later start time:

❖ Increases how much sleep students get (since adolescent sleep cycles run later than adults)

❖ Improves students’ mood and mental health

❖ Improves grades

If interested, select “Yes” on your Course Request Form where it asks if you would prefer 1st period off. 7th PERIOD OFF

❖ Student athletes often miss 7th period classes for games

❖ Only student athletes may request 7th period off

❖ If interested, you must list which sport on the Course Request Form SAIL ADVISORY CLASS Student Achievement via Interdisciplinary Learning

Our Strategies: ● Provide college and career curriculum early during the high

school career ● Facilitate connections ● Prioritize social to peers, teachers, emotional learning and school ● Ensure better ● Team of students Transition from MS to share a team of HS Cross-curricular Mrs. Laux-- Library Teacher collaboration Mr. Pretto--Room 126 time (common prep) VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS ❖ Art, Ceramics ❖ Art & Multimedia ❖ Drama ❖

Department Members: Pat Jackson, Rebecca Leung, David Gregoric, Serena Arge, Mark Nichols, Harry Morrow VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

❖ Choir ❖ Symphonic Band ❖ Jazz Band ❖ Orchestra CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) OFFERINGS

❖ Architectural Design I, II ❖ Foods & Nutrition ❖ Art of Video (Adv) ❖ Culinary Arts ❖ Journalism ❖ Woodworking ❖ Publications ❖ Media Arts ❖ Principles of Computer Science

● 1 year required for graduation ● 2 years recommended for completion of CTE Pathway (May be taken in 10th thru 12th grade)

CTE Department Members: Mark Nichols, Jan Tuttle, Not Pictured: Serena Arge, Kelly Hensley, Charles Olson, Denise Dreyer, Alexandra Dove Woodworking Principles of Computer Science Architectural Design I,II

Foods & Nutrition Culinary Arts STEAM AT MILLS

❖ STEAM is a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math in both course offerings, in the general education curriculum, and through extra-curricular activities

. STEAM CLASSES

■ Architectural Design ■ Media Arts ■ Art of Video ■ Biotechnology ■ Engineering Technology ■ Principles of Computer Science ■ AP Computer Science ■ AP Statistics ■ AP Calculus AB and BC ■ AP Biology ■ AP Chemistry ■ AP Environmental Science ■ AP Physics ■ Art, Advanced Art, AP Studio Art 7-PERIOD DAY & ELECTIVE REQUESTS

We cannot guarantee placement into a 7-period day or elective. If requesting an elective, please rank order up to 4 choices on the course request form. If your top choice(s) are full, your student will be placed into a 6-period day. 9TH GRADE COURSE SELECTION

● An electronic version of the Course Request Form can be found on the Mills website: www.smuhsd.org/millshigh → “Our School” tab → New Students and Families

● Course request forms are due by March 18th ● Course placement is NOT based on a “first-come, first-served” basis… every student will have equal access to classes! IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

❖ Course Request Form due by March 18th ❖ Parent/Student Handbook: Available Online Early August ❖ All Day Freshman Orientation/Registration Friday, August 7, 9am-3pm (Health forms due)

First Day of School: Wednesday, August 12th, 2020