FRESHMAN NEWSLETTER
Class of 2019
Welcome Class of 2019! A note from Mrs. Rankin
What an outstanding start to the 2015-2016 school year we have had! The Class of 2019 is showing great school spirit, character, and dedication to doing well in all facets of life in high school! I know that there have been a few “glitches” with the changed schedule to the A/B Block, but at this point, all of the conflicts and missing classes/lunches should have been resolved. Thank you so much for your patience as we all worked through that process!
One of my favorite “tasks” each six weeks is publishing the Freshman Honor Rolls! Those will be pub-lished on the CHS website the Friday following grade reporting, to allow for any grade changes that may be posted. Both an ‘A’ Honor Roll and an ‘A/B’ Honor Roll will be published. To be on the ‘A’ Honor Roll, students must have earned a grade of 90 or better in every class during that six weeks. The ‘A/B’ Honor Roll will include all students who made a grade of 80 or better in every class during that six weeks, excluding the students with all A’s. There also will be semester honor rolls at the end of each semester. This is just one of the ways we attempt to recognize the accomplishments of our freshmen, and encourage them to set high academic standards for themselves. The honor rolls are posted on the “We Are Central” bulletin board located on the 1st floor Central staircase and on the Freshman Focus link of the CHS website.
I would also like to take a moment to thank our Charger Champions, led by Mrs. Wang and Mr. Powers, for all they have done for the Class of 2019! They planned and executed a fantastic “Fish Camp” and have been visible constant support for the freshman class as they adjust to CHS! Thank you, Champions!! A focus this year is for the Champions to be in closer contact with their freshmen than in previous years. Your freshman’s Champion should be regularly communicating with them.
Finally, I would like to tell you about a program for freshmen not taking the PSAT that will be held on Wednesday, October 14. I will be showing the movie “We Are Marshall” to the students, following the viewing with a presentation on setting high personal standards and persevering through the obstacles that can sometimes get in the way of our goals! Because the movie is rated PG-13, you have the opportunity to “opt out” for your freshman by completing the attached form and returning it to the Administrative Office by Monday, October 13. I was a senior at Marshall University at the time of this tragic plane crash, and experienced first-hand the dedication, perseverance, and passion of many people in the Marshall community during the months that followed and it is my hope to convey to our freshmen the power of the expression “I Am One….WE Are Central” through this presentation.
As always, if you have any questions/concerns, please feel free to contact me.
If you would prefer your student not view 'We are Marshall' on October 14, please send an email to carol.rankin@kellerisd.net and include the name and ID of your student, along with the statement 'I prefer my freshman not participate in the activity planned for October 14 that includes showing the movie 'We are Marshall.'
ALGEBRA 1
Unit 1: Developing the Skill of Solving Linear Equations in one variable (2.5 weeks)
Unit 1: Test Sept 10-11
Unit 2: Relations and Functions (2 weeks)
Unit 2: Test Sept 24-25
Skill Quiz is every week: Student is assessed on various skills per six weeks.
The first 6 Weeks skill is order of operations.
BIOLOGY
Unit 1 (14 days): Nature of Science - Interdependence
1. Scientific Investigation
-a. Lab Safety
-b. Experimental Design
2. Levels of Organization
-a. Levels of Organion
-b. Body Systems
3. Characteristics of Life & Classification
-a. Characteristics of Life - living vs. nonliving
-b. Binomial Nomenclature - (scientific naming)
-c. Dichotomous Keys
-d. Taxonomy
-e. Characteristics of Kingdoms
-f. Bacteria
-g. Viruses
-h. Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic
ENGLISH
During the first six weeks, English I classes will discover, develop, and demonstrate how reading and writing workshops take place at the high school level. Besides reading several assigned short stories, students will have many opportunities to read books of their choice and to share some of their great writing. We can’t wait to hear their book talks where they get to “sell” their book! Should be fun!
GEOMETRY
Chapter 1: Algebra Review and Intro to Geometry
Chapter 1 Test: End of 3rd week of school (September 10th/11th)
Chapter 2: Reasoning and Proof
Chapter 2 Test: End of 5th week of school (September 24th/25th)
*Students’ grades will come from weekly Quizzes and Unit Tests/Projects. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up with homework, as it will not be collected for a grade. Note: A student is only eligible for a retest if they complete all homework assignments.
HISTORY
Unit IA- Chapters 1-3: Basics of geography, geographer’s tools, forces of the earth and physical geography
Unit IB- Chapter 4: Basics of human geography, economics, political systems, culture and demographics
Summative grades- World map, Chapters 1-3 Test
PE
PE-Shirts, locks and lockers will be given out for PE. Students need to get black athletic shorts or pants, tennis shoes and socks. Students must dress out every day.
AVID
Pictures and Mini-School
Mini-School is @ 6:30 pm on September 14.