2014-2015 8th Grade Course Information Sheet Holman Middle School Understanding the scheduling process is one of the most important steps you can make to ensure a smooth transition to Holman Middle School. The Holman Middle School staff, along with your current teachers and counselor, will assist you every step of the way.  Course selections will be done online for next school year via a new student information system known as PowerSchool. This form explains the 8th grade required courses and available elective options. Please refer to the “Important Scheduling Information and Dates” form to view the time-frame of the scheduling process and read the information concerning the parent online process.  Eighth grade students will take a total of 7 classes. There will be five REQUIRED classes: English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Health and PE.  Each student will also take TWO elective classes. Students will choose TWO elective options and one alternate, in case the first or second choice is dropped, full, or presents a scheduling conflict with a required course. REQUIRED COURSES: Course numbers are in parenthesis. Italicized courses award high school credit. 1) English/Language Arts – One course level will be recommended by current teacher.  English 8 (1120)  English 8 Advanced (1120V) – summer reading requirement for this course  English 8 Collaborative – IEP (1120I)  Functional English for MS Students – IEP (7801) 2) Math – One course level will be recommended by current teacher.  Math Course 3 (3112)  Algebra I (3130MS)  PSC Geometry (3143MS)  Math Course 3 Collaborative – IEP (3112I)  Functional Students for MS Students – IEP (7802) 3) Social Studies - One course level will be recommended by current teacher.  Social Studies 8: Civics/Economics (2220)  World History & Geography I (2215MS)  Social Studies 8: Civics/Economics Collaborative – IEP (2220I)  Functional Social Studies for MS Students – IEP (7803) 4) Science - One course level will be recommended by current teacher.  Physical Science 8 (4125)  Earth Science (4210MS)  Physical Science 8 Collaborative – IEP (4125I)  Functional Science for MS Students – IEP (7804) 5) Health and Physical Education - One course level will be recommended by current teacher.  Health & PE 8 (7200)  *Adapted Health & PE 8 (7205) Date Revised 1/27/14 kwj 6) ELECTIVES: In addition to the required courses, students will choose two elective courses from the list below. Students may choose two full year courses, or one full year course and one combination of semester courses. Students will also choose one alternate in case of conflict. An asterisk (*) means that a teacher recommendation or application is required for the course.                          Art 8 (9115)- May not be taken with semester art courses *Art I, Discovering Art (9120MS)- Application due 2/14 to Mrs. Kolar, Room 1505 *MS Intermediate Band (Brass/Percussion) (9230P) *MS Intermediate Band (Woodwinds) (9230W) *MS Advanced Band (9247) MS Advanced Chorus (9275C) *MS Small Vocal Ensemble (9276)- Audition weeks of 2/18 and 2/25 with Mrs. Williamson, Room 1401 *Intermediate Strings (9253MS) *Advanced Strings (9254MS) Foundations of French Pt. B (5115) – Must currently be in Foundations French Pt. A Spanish I (5510MS) Foundations of Spanish Pt. B (5515) – Must currently be in Foundations Spanish Pt. A Independent Living (8219MS) Tech. Systems/Manu. (8462) Technology Foundations (8403MSC) Information Technology Fundamentals (6670MS) Theatre Arts (1409) Speech and Dramatics (1389) *Yearbook (1199U) - Application due 2/14 to Mr. Mullins, Room 1512 *Intro to Journalism (Nwsp.) (1199) - Application due 2/14 to Mrs. Harris, Room 1611 *Academic Enrich TAG (9843M) - For identified Gifted Learners only *Earth Science (4210MS) Strategies for Comprehension Success (1186M) – Will be based on spring assessment data *MS Reading 8 (IEP) (1179) *English as a Second Language (5705) – For identified students only Semester Courses: Note: Each selection counts as one elective.  Intro to Computer Art (9107M) AND Intro to Crafts (9109M)  Computer Applications (6617MSG) AND Digital Input Technologies (6160MSH) If you have questions about the recommended courses, please consult with your child’s current teacher(s) or counselor Date Revised 1/27/14 kwj Important Scheduling Information and Dates Holman Middle School/Rising 8th Grade Students  Welcome To A New Phase in Your Education! Our Faculty and Staff are looking forward to you joining our school family! You, with the help of your teachers, will plan a course of study for the sixth grade.  Getting Started: Review the Course Information Sheet and the Planning Guide for Students and Parents, 2014-15. Course descriptions can be found in the guide. The Planning Guide is available online. • • • • Teachers will make recommendations for the next school year in PowerSchool. Parents will be required to create a login using their student’s 11 digit identification number to access the parent portal in PowerSchool. Once successfully logged into PowerSchool, parents will be expected to accept the recommended core courses and select elective courses through the parent portal. The website address for Parent Portal is https://sis.henrico.k12.va.us/public/home.html. Directions, to include videos and handouts, will be made available closer to the parent window, which will officially begin on February 12th. Important Dates to Remember:  January 27 - 29: Current academic and some elective teachers will make course recommendations in PowerSchool.  February 3: Counselors will meet with current 6th and 7th grade students to discuss course options for next school year  February 5: Rising 6th & 7th Grade Parent Meeting @ 6:00 PM in Auditorium Annual Curriculum Fair (6:30 – 8:00 PM); Parents are encouraged to walk around freely. All academics and electives will be showcased.  February 10: Power School instructions will be distributed to students via 1st period  February 12-17: Parents will review/accept teacher recommendations and select electives online, using PowerSchool. Visit  February 18 – March 14: School counselors to follow up with students who did not complete requests online and address parent questions.  Mid-May: Course Request Verification Sheets will be distributed to students  June 13: Deadline to request schedule change. Changes will only be honored if space is available in the course being requested. Date Revised 1/27/14 kwj