THOMAS DOWNEY HIGH S CHOOL A Modesto City School PROGRAMMING GUIDE & COURSE DESCRIPTION CATALOG TABLE OF CONTENTS MCS Website: mcs4kids.com 2 Administrative Team…………… 2 Counseling Staff………..……….. 2 Round-Up.....……………………. 2 MCS Requirements……………….. 3 How To Choose Classes…………. 3 Changing a Class………………… 4 P.E. Requirements………………… 5 Health Center Information….….. 5 Renaissance……………….…….. 5 Bell Schedule……………………… 6 Club Advisors…………………… 6 Graduation Requirements…………….…..… 7 College Preparation ………………………… 7 University of California & California State University Entrance A-G Requirements…….. 8 CSU Eligibility Index…………………………. 8 Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)……….. 9 UC Entrance Requirements…………………. 9, 10 NCAA Eligibility………………………..……. 10 Extra Curricular Eligibility…………………… 11 A-G Approved Courses Offered 2015-16…. 12 College Planning Calendar …………………. 13 Sample 4-Year Academic Plan ……………… 14 Academic Planning Worksheet…………….. 14 Class Designations ………………………….. 15 Course Descriptions Agriculture………………………... 15 Business…………………………… 16 English…………………………….. 16 Foreign Language………………….. 18 Health…………………………...… 20 Math………………………………. 20 Physical Education………………… 23 Practical Arts……………………... 24 Science………………………….… 26 Social Science…………………….. 27 Visual and Performing Arts………. 28 Other Electives…………………… 31 ROP………………………………. 32 A Modesto City School 1 MODESTO CITY SCHOOLS WEBSITE ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Richard Baum, Principal Justin Krone, Associate Principal Curriculum and Instruction Mary Lomax, Assistant Principal Pupil Services Chris Chilles, Assistant Principal Student Supervision Ossiel Ramirez, Administrator of Student and Family Support Services COUNSELING STAFF Leah Verderame 576-4241 Academic Counselor Christine Hammell 569-2979 College Counselor Michelle Luz 576-4236 Academic Counselor Jana Osgood 576-4245 Academic Counselor Tish Nuno-Traverso 576-4242 Academic Counselor Please see your student’s schedule for their assigned counselor in the fall of 2016. Or for more information please contact the Counseling Office at 576-4245. ROUND-UP An Orientation Day called Round-Up is planned for sometime around the beginning of August at Downey. You should receive a packet in the mail describing it. Administrators, counseling staff, and others will be on hand to provide information about student programs, district, and site procedures. On that day, you will visit a series of stations with the forms you received in your packet. You may purchase your Student Body card, yearbook, PE clothes, etc. at the stations. At the final station, you will pick up your new class schedule and a map of the school. You should visit your classrooms and familiarize yourself with the course at that time. Downey High’s student clubs and organizations will have information and materials available during Round-Up day. DON’T MISS OUT! 2 THOMAS DOWNEY HIGH SCHOOL To Students and Parents: HOW TO CHOOSE CLASSES Please read this Programming Guide carefully. It will help CHOOSE YOUR CLASSES WISELY. THERE IS LITTLE, IF you to select your classes for the next year and the three years following. ANY, OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE YOUR MIND AFTER YOUR BALLOT IS TURNED INTO THE HIGH SCHOOL. IF YOU 1. All ninth grade students must take six (6) classes. Ninth DON’T WANT TO TAKE A CLASS, DO NOT CHOOSE IT ON grade students are required to take a course in: English, YOUR BALLOT. Mathematics, Science, World Geography/Health and Physical Education. Some students will also be assigned When choosing courses to take for your freshman year, a support class in one or more subject areas. In addition, you must consider the following factors: you may select one (1) elective and two (2) alternative electives. Please mark your choices #1, #2, and #3, in Required Courses – All freshmen will have English, Math, order of your preference. Science, Physical Education, and World Geography/ 2. Students will receive an official ballot on which they are Health. (Check the Graduation Sample Programs) to mark selections. Please be sure to print student’s full legal name on the front page and both student and parent should sign the back. College Preparation – If you plan to go to a state college 3. If students are enrolled in an 8th class, they must remain or university, you must have College Prep (CP) classes or in that class for the entire quarter/semester. Classes will higher all four years in high school. If you plan to go to a meet from 7:55 am to 2:55 pm. Late buses are available community college, these courses will be very helpful. at 3:30PM and 5:00PM. 4. To receive credit for activities such as athletics, Additional information: Entering high school is a signifi- students must sign up for an optional period. Students in cant step for both students and parents. Getting started competitive sports must also take a freshman P.E. class. and continuing on the right track is very important. We encourage you to contact your counselor for assistance with any problems or questions you might have. MCS BOARD POLICY Levels of Course Offerings Students are responsible for completing all courses assigned to them on their official schedule of classes. Students can PRE–ADVANCED PLACEMENT (Pre-AP) – Students enrolled in be removed from assigned classes only by the principal or Pre-AP classes should have an excellent ability in reading his designee. comprehension and writing. The wide range and complexity of materials and concepts offers the more able student the Students who do not pick up their schedules in August or opportunity to understand the rich history of the various attend the first day of school will be dropped from their disciplines. Students in advanced courses will be expected to assigned courses and must re-enroll on the first day they read assigned literature, complete research papers, make oral return to school. presentations, design special projects, and work independently and in groups. The level is approved by the University of Unless specifically designated as quarter or semester classes, California for entrance upon graduation. all courses are a full year long. COLLEGE PREPARATORY (CP) – Students enrolled in college MCS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS prep classes should have a strong ability in reading comprehen- sion and writing. It is highly recommended that the students in these classes have better than average study and organizational In order to receive a diploma of graduation, a student must skills. The students in college prep classes will be expected to complete the following graduation requirements: read assigned literature, complete written reports, and make oral presentations, design special projects, work independently Pass 230 units and in groups. (College Prep classes are approved by the University of California for entrance upon graduation.) Pass required courses A Modesto City School 3 MODESTO CITY SCHOOL’S REGISTRATION PROCEDURES FOR CHANGING ASSIGNED COURSES – GRADES 9 - 12 Students are responsible for completing every course assigned to their official schedule of classes. Courses chosen at the time of registration will be assigned to the student’s official schedule of classes. CLASS CHANGE PROCEDURES All requests for class change will be made using the ‘Petition for Class Change’ form. Parents, students or teachers can initiate changes. However, unless all information, including signatures is complete, forms will not be processed. Semester Class: A student may request to change one class for a dissimilar class ( example: from Algebra to Art or from Algebra to General Math, but not from Algebra to Algebra) with no penalty or restriction within the first 20 instructional days of a semester provided: 1. The student submits compelling reasons for the change. 2. The counselor approves the change into a new class. 3. The student shall be required to obtain the approval of a parent and the Associate Principal, Curriculum and Instruction or Assistant Principal, Pupil Personnel Services. 4. Students going from one class to a dissimilar class will not transfer a grade from previous class (example: a student going from Algebra to Art will start Art class without a previous grade). After the deadline date to drop a course: 1. Students shall not drop courses unless, in the judgment of the Assistant Principal, Pupil Personnel Services, or the Associate Principal, Curriculum and Instruction, there are serious extenuating circumstances. 2. Students shall obtain parent approval. 3. Drops after the 20th day will result in a semester grade of “F”. Quarter Classes (e.g. PE): 1. A student may change one class for a dissimilar class within the first 10 days of a quarter under the same provisions as listed under #1 of the semester class. 2. A student may not change a quarter class after the 10th school day. 3. Drops after the 10th day will result in a quarter grade of “F”. Appeal Procedures: Students may be allowed to appeal the decision of the Associate Principal, Curriculum and Instruction and/or Assistant Principal, Pupil Personnel Services. 4 THOMAS DOWNEY HIGH SCHOOL receive prescription or over-the-counter medication during HYSICAL DUCATION RESS REQUIREMENTS P E D school hours. This includes asthma inhalers and Epipens. Medications must be sent to school in the original 1. All students are expected to provide neat and clean prescription container. Medication cannot be brought to gym clothes at the beginning of each week. school and kept in lockers, purses or pockets. Also, medication must be checked in at the nurse’s office. 2. All students are expected to wear gym clothes for all Students may carry asthma inhalers or Epipens on their activity classes, unless other arrangements are person if their parent/guardian has completed the “School specified. Inhaler Procedures” or “Epipen Procedures” form and the 3. Recommended dress for physical education classes will student has demonstrated to the school nurse the ability to consist of the following items: properly use the inhaler or Epipen. a. Trunk-type gym shorts (the school color is Sports Physical recommended) A physical examination is strongly recommended for each b. A standard white crew T-shirt with sleeves. freshman prior to the beginning of the school year. Any c. White athletic socks (stripes are permissible).