Somerville High School 222 Davenport street

Program of Studies

2012-2013
Somerville High School

222 Davenport street

somerville, nj 08876
www.somervillenjk12.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Graduation Requirements 2-3

Course Levels 4

Sample Program Guidelines 4

Visual and Practical Art 5

Administrative Course Guidelines 6

Honors Program 6

Schedule Changes 7

Vocational & Technical – Shared Time Programs 8

Online Learning 8

Physical Education Make Up Procedure 8

Early Work Release 9

Senior Options 10

Peer Leadership 10

Independent Study 11

Special Services 11

Testing 12

High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA) 12

Summer School 13

Attendance 14-18

Art Department Course Offerings 19-21

Business Education Department Course Offerings 22-25

Computer Science Department Course Offerings 26

Education Course Offerings 27

English Department Course Offerings 28-32

Mathematics Department Course Offerings 33-36

Music Department Course Offerings 37-40

Physical Education/Health Department Course Offerings 41-42

Science Department Course Offerings 43-46

Social Studies Department Course Offerings 47-51

Technology Education Course Offerings 52-54

World Language Department Course Offerings 55-60

Application for Independent Study 62

Early Release Work Program Student Application 63-64

Vocational Education Training Agreement 65

Student Information/Image Release Form 66

2011 College Acceptance List 67

Notes 68

Graduation Requirements
Somerville High School is a comprehensive high school with a single curriculum. This means that while there are certain courses required for graduation for all students, many of the subjects are elected by the student. To a large extent the courses selected determine the type of post-high school opportunities available to the student. The Somerville Board of Education mandates a minimum of 120 credits for graduation. Each student is required to carry a minimum of 35 credits per year to maximize his/her educational program.

World Language World Language

Biology Chemistry

World Studies US History I

Physical Education/Health Physical Education/Health

Electives (Minimum of 1) Electives (Minimum of 1)

Algebra II or Pre-Calculus and Statistics

World Language World Language

Physics Physical Education/Health

Physical Education/Health Electives (Minimum of 3)

Elective (Minimum of 1)

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  Preference will be given to seniors and juniors when enrollment in any subject is too high.
  
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  The right is reserved to withdraw any course if enrollment is insufficient.
  
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  A minimum grade of “65%” for the year is necessary in a subject in order to be granted a diploma credit for that subject.
  
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  The master schedule for the school, including the number of sections of each course and, ultimately, the number of teachers in each department, is set in accordance with the subject requests made by students. With this in mind, students are encouraged to give careful consideration to their course selections. In addition, certain courses may not be scheduled due to insufficient enrollment.
  
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  Schedule changes will only be made as a result of summer school sign-up, placement level change, or computer error.
  

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  90% average in subject area at mid-year of grade 8
  
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  Student Self-Assessment Questionnaire
  
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  Signed parent (guardian)/student honors program agreement form
  

Students in grade 9-11 may petition for admission to the honors program based on the following criteria:

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  90% average in subject area at the end of the school year
  
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  Student Self-Assessment Questionnaire
  
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  Signed parent (guardian)/student honors program agreement form
  

It is important for honors students to realize that the level of work expected in these courses is exceptionally high. Because the difficulty of the course will increase each year, it has been determined by Board of Education Policy that any student who does not maintain an 80% or higher average in an honors course will not be permitted to continue in the honors sequence.

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  Schedule adjustment ends on September 24, 2012.
  
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  Criteria after cutoff date:
  

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  Teacher input
  
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  Conference with parent and guidance counselor
  
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  Student:
  

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  participated in extra help session
  
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  completed homework
  
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  managed time for study and other activities
  
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  demonstrated personal effort
  
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  committed to independent work
  
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  proven history of student achievement as applicable
  

1. 
   There will be no transcript notation for students who withdraw during the approved schedule adjustment period.
   
2. 
   Students who withdraw after the schedule adjustment period (last school day of September) will receive:
   

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  W = withdraw reflected on final transcript
  

Enrollment in an online course is a unique opportunity for qualifying students.  Courses are offered in the Arts, Business, English Language Arts, Foreign Language, Life Skills, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Technology.  A candidate for this option is curious, hard working, self reliant and computer savvy.  Candidates are granted admission through administrative approval.  Seating is limited: seniors will be granted preference in scheduling. (See your counselor for a list of course offerings or visit www.educere.net.)

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  Submission of documentation substantiating medical condition to the Somerville High School Health Office
  
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  Issuance of excused status to student by Health Office
  
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  Communication by student to physical education teacher to schedule appropriate work requirements and time frame for completion
  

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  Students must be in school for four instructional hours each day.
  
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  The employer must adhere to all federal and state regulations regarding employment, including the Fair Labor Standards act, insurance, safety, child labor laws, state and federal civil rights laws, minimum wage and nondiscrimination, and other applicable regulations, as stated in the Vocational Education Training Agreement.
  
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  If a student is absent from school he/she may not go to work.
  
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  Any student who does not abide by all of the stipulations in the Cooperative Vocational Education Training Agreement will face disciplinary action, which might include dismissal from the program.
  
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  The school administration must approve all work sites.
  
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  Students who choose to drop out of the Early Work Release program will be enrolled in a class or classes, or study halls.
  
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  Students who drop Early Work Release in the fourth marking period will be assigned to a study hall(s) during Senior Privileges period. Senior Privileges will not apply and the students must attend the study hall(s).
  
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  Students who experience academic difficulties may be removed from the Early Work Release program and be assigned to a study hall(s).
  
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  The school administration reserves the right to give special consideration to any student.
  

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  All students must complete an Early Work Release Student Application. This application will require them to explain, in detail, their post secondary goals, why they want to participate in the work release program, and a description of their job responsibilities. The application deadline is September 30th of the students' senior year.
  
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  All students must abide by all of the stipulations of the Cooperative Vocational Education Training Agreement. In addition, all employers must complete the Cooperative Vocational Education Training Agreement (State of New Jersey, Department of Education, Division of Vocational Education and Career Preparation).
  
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  The student's guidance counselor will verify that the student has sufficient credit in order to be admitted into the program.
  
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  Students must submit a copy of their pay stubs to the guidance office on or about the 15th and 30th of each month.
  

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  Dual enrollment in college courses
  
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  Participation in structured learning experiences
  
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  Participation in mentorship with teachers
  
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  Capstone projects involved with in-depth research projects designed for mastery learning culminating with a detailed performance assessment and exhibition that demonstrates research, learning and involvement
  

The Raritan Valley Community College Senior Year Option Enrollment Program is a partnership program linking high schools and the College to provide qualified high school seniors the opportunity to enroll in challenging courses normally taken by College freshman. Seniors may take day, evening, weekend or online courses at any RVCC location.

This program will provide an opportunity for qualified seniors to receive college credit and college experience prior to high school graduation. Students who successfully complete course work taken through the Senior Year Option Dual Enrollment Program will have their earned college credits documented on a regular RVCC transcript. These credits can either be applied to RVCC degree programs or transferred to other colleges and universities across the nation. Equal high school credit will be awarded for the college course. Credit will be noted as pass/fail and will not be included in the student’s GPA.