8th Grade Information Night

Welcome to Palo Alto High School

Welcome Class of 2018!

� Kim Diorio, Principal � Jerry Berkson, Assistant Principal � Vicki Kim, Assistant Principal � Kathie Laurence, Assistant Principal � Craig Tuana, Dean of Students � Matt Hall, Director of Student Activities � Eric Bloom, School Climate TOSA � Charles Taylor, 2014-2015 9th Grade Guidance

Counselor

1.  Student Life - Link Crew, Student Activities, & Athletics

2.  Course Offerings by Department 3.  Paly Guidance Program and

Support Services 4.  Special Programs 5.  Important Dates and Closing

Remarks

Tonight’s Agenda

What Makes Paly Unique? � Students

�  Diverse, original, questioning, fearless

� Faculty and Staff �  Committed, educated, passionate,

collaborative

� Culture �  Student-centered, reflective,

connected, pride

� Community �  devoted, encouraging, mentors, supportive

� Location

Student Life - Paly Spirit

Student Life - More than Academics…

Robotics, Madrigals,

Campanile,..Science Olympiad, Speech and Debate, Mock Trial….Math Club, The PALY VOICE, Thespian Club, Juggling Club,..Cheer & Dance, Chess Club, YCS, ….The Viking, Key Club, Libertarian Club, B-Boy Club….PALY Environmental Initiative, Bhangra Club, Jewish Student Leadership Club, VERDE….PALY ASB Leadership, and Best Buddies….

Student Life – Student Activities:

�  ASB- Associated Student Body �  Over 70 different student clubs

�  Many events during and after school �  Freshman elections take place during

the 2nd week of school, more info during orientation in August

Save the Date!!

Freshman Orientation, Thursday, August 14th, 2014 (4:00 – 7:00 pm)

Daily Bell Schedule

¡  Start time every day – 8:15 am ¡  Block Schedule – 90 minute periods ¡  Embedded time for students to connect

with staff ¡  Advisory ¡  Tutorial

� History & Social Science – Jaclyn Edwards

� English – Shirley Tokheim

� Science – Josh Bloom

� World Languages – Kevin Duffy

� Visual Performing Arts – Michael Najar

� Mathematics – Radu Toma

� Special Education – Laura Marcus Bricca

� Career Tech Ed – Pat O’Hara

� Physical Education – Peter Diepenbrock

Instructional Supervisors

9th Grade – World History

� From the fall of Rome to the fall of the Berlin Wall � Required course aligned to CCSS � Students will understand the basic concepts of

research: locating sources to answer a question, familiarizing themselves with library sources and database collections, writing citations, and writing about major events in history

History & Social Science

� Pending Board of Education Approval,

all students will take English 9A. This course is college preparatory and aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

� Please join us on Tuesday, February 4th at 8:30 am or 6:00 pm in the library (ERC) for a conversation regarding our proposal

English

Typical Science Pathways at Paly

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

•  Lane placement tends to correlate with math level. •  Lane placement can change from year to year.

Typical Science Pathways at Paly •  All course options earn UC(d) lab science •  All pathways provide opportunity for an AP class

� Ninth Grade Courses: � Chinese Mandarin 1 � French 1, 2 � Japanese 1, 2 � Spanish 1, 2 � Spanish for Spanish Speakers � American Sign Language 1

World Languages

Courses Offered: �  Visual Arts - Art Spectrum, Photography, Graphic Design and Video Production (Film) �  Performing Arts - Choir, Orchestra, Concert Band and Theater I

• 3-4 Year Pathways, except Film & Graphic Design • CTE credit in all Visual Arts and Theater Pathways Please see catalog on www.paly.net

Visual and Performing Arts

� Ninth Grade Courses:

� Algebra 1.1

� Algebra 1

� Algebra 1A

� Geometry A

� Geometry H

� Algebra 2/Trig H- students who took Geo/Alg2A in 8th grade

� Problem Solving 1-2 (elective)

Mathematics

SPECIAL EDUCATION

8th Grade Parent Night

Where: Palo Alto High School Library, ERC

When: Wednesday, February 19, 2014 6-8 pm

Come learn all about Special Education at PALY!  

Career Technical Education

Courses Offered for 9th Graders:

�  Computer Applications

�  Computer Aided Design (CAD)

�  Animation & Gaming

�  Computer Science Principles

�  Business Law �  Foods �  Sports Nutrition �  Interior Design �  Sports Medicine �  Intro to Auto

� “0” period P.E. is 4 days a week, from

(7:10-8:00)

� If students opt for “0” period PE, they

must take a prep during the day

� 2 year PE graduation requirement

Physical Education

Athletics

� Fall Sport �  Cross-Country �  Football �  Volleyball - Women's �  Tennis - Women's �  Water Polo �  Golf – Women’s

� Winter Sports �  Basketball �  Soccer �  Wrestling

� Spring Sports �  Badminton �  Baseball �  Golf – Men’s �  Softball �  Swimming and Diving �  Track & Field �  Tennis - Men's �  Lacrosse

� Athletics page is www.palysports.com

� Questions about Athletics? Please email Athletic Director Earl Hansen at

ehansen@pausd.org

Athletics

Paly Guidance Program

� Nationally Renowned Comprehensive Counseling Program

� 3 Tiered Model

for Guidance Services

� AVID and FOS �  Link Crew �  Academic Resource Center (ARC) �  Math Resource Center (MRC) �  Adolescent Counseling Services

(ACS)

Support Services

TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves More!

Want to Learn more about TEAM? � TODAY: For further questions meet Mr.

Sabbag and TEAM student leaders on the steps outside of auditorium

� FEB 5th: TEAM teachers and students will be

at the course selection workshop.

� ANYTIME: our website, team.paly.net

� Expertise & Resources-Print & Digital-Overdrive

� Facilities-Including drop-in computer lab

� Hours: M-Th 7:50-5:00; Friday 4:00pm

� Virtual Branch: Students enrolled in Schoology “Library Class” for easy access to databases

� Check out the Library Website

The Paly Library Knows How to Support All Students With…

Mark Your Calendars

Parent Course Selection Workshop: � February 5th , 7-8 pm in the library

Freshman Orientation (Link Crew) � August 14th, 2014, 4:00 – 7:00 pm

Picture Day (Soph/Jr/Sr) � August 15th, 2014

First day of school � August 18, 2014

Thank You

Important note - Online course selection will be discussed when Paly counselors visit the middle schools Powerpoint along with FAQ’s will be posted at paly.net/guidance