Warren Hills Regional School District

Warren Hills Regional Middle School
Course of Study 2008-09

Additional Information

a. General Academic Information

i. Course Change Procedures

Warren Hills Regional students are requested to choose their courses with great care, as the dropping of courses for any reason is strongly discouraged. Should a student find it necessary to drop a course, the following guidelines and conditions must be met.

No scheduled course can be dropped without the written recommendation of the student' s teachers and/or administrator, guidance counselor, and parent. Students will only be allowed to drop classes within a three cycle rotation beginning the first day of classes for any course. No changes will be made after the third cycle of classes is completed.
A student removed from any course for disciplinary reasons will receive a grade of DW (Disciplinary Withdrawal) or DWF (Disciplinary Withdrawal-Failure) if the student was failing the course at the time of such removal.

ii. Explanation of Grades

93-100 - Excellent
85- 92 - Above Average I or IC - Incomplete
76- 84 - Average DW - Disciplinary Withdrawal
68- 75 - Below Average, Passing DWF - Disciplinary Withdrawal, Failure
0 - 67 - Failing

iii. Summer Reading
The Warren Hills Regional School District believes the development of critical reading skills is a crucial ingredient to future success. To encourage lifelong learning and to support academic skills, we have instituted summer reading requirements for eighth grade students for reading, and civics classes. Summer reading selections are currently under review and will be published Spring 2008. All lists and directions will be posted on the district website.

iv. Students Entering From Home School
Students who are entering/enrolling in the high school from home schooling will be required to successfully pass placement exams to determine their grade and class placement.

b. Student Information

i. Student Records
The Warren Hills Regional Board of Education has adopted a policy in compliance with the New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 6, as it relates to the compilation, maintenance, security, and access of pupil records. Copies of this policy and copies of the state and federal laws regarding pupil records of public school children may be obtained upon request from the principal of the building in which your child is enrolled

These rules and regulations guarantee parents the right to see their child's records upon written request and under procedures outlined in the state code. Pupils who are 18 years of age or older who are enrolled in a public school may exercise the same rights in their own behalf. Upon graduation or permanent departure of a pupil from the school system, the parent or adult pupil will be provided with a copy of the pupil record upon written request.

ii. Report Cards
Report cards are issued four times a year. Final averages for the year are based on the four marking periods and final examination grades.

iii. Honor Roll Criteria
Principal's Honor Roll - To be placed on the Principal's honor roll a student must attain an average of at least 93 with no grade lower than 93.
High Honors - To earn high honors distinction a student must obtain an average of at least 93 with no grade lower than 85.
Honor Roll - To earn honor roll distinction a student must attain an average of at least 85 with no grade lower than 85.
Note: Two comments, uncooperative attitude/disruptive behavior, eliminate a student from honors designation.

c. Clubs and Other Activities

i. Horizons Program (grades 7-8)
The Horizons (Gifted and Talented) Program of Warren Hills is available to students who have demonstrated highly refined academic skills and/or exceptional ability in developing original ideas, especially as solutions to problems. Students who were members of their elementary school gifted programs are invited to participate at the middle school. Warren Hills is a member of the Warren County Consortium for Student Enrichment, which sponsors many opportunities for middle school students. In addition to the consortium activities, the Horizons Program sponsors extra-curricular opportunities such as, writing conferences and an arts symposium. All the activities are designed to stimulate high levels of thinking, promote creative and critical problem solving, and develop leadership skills.

ii. Clubs and Activities (grades 7-8)
Students are encouraged to consider joining one or more of the following available clubs and activities.

Battle of the Minds
Blue Streaks Highlights
Builders’ Club
Chess Club
Chorus Club
Cognetics
Computer Club
Drama Club
Forensics
Future Educators Club
Jazz Ensemble
Intramurals
Ski Club
Student Council
World Languages Club
Yearbook

iii. Athletics

As per NJSIAA rules, students in grades seven and eight are not eligible for high school interscholastic competition, unless their age will preclude them from participation during their senior year at the the high school. Seventh and eighth grade sports include field hockey and soccer in the fall, girls’ and boys’ basketball, wrestling and cheerleading in the winter and track, baseball, and softball in the the spring.

Athletic Eligibility

Students and parents are reminded that New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) regulations require a student entering the tenth grade or higher to have earned a minimum of twenty-five percent of the state required credits* for graduation during the immediately preceding academic year. Students who are ninth graders are automatically eligible for Fall sports, but must pass 13.75 credits in the Fall in order to be eligible for Spring sports. This means that a student entering grades 10 through 12, must have passed at least 27.5 credits during the preceding school year in order to be eligible for interscholastic athletics during the fall and winter seasons.
*110 state required credits

NCAA Initial-Eligibility
The NCAA has increased the number of required core courses a student must complete in high school to be eligible to participate in college athletics.

All Division I student athletes must complete 16 core courses in high school to be eligible to participate. This represents an increase from the previous requirement of 14 courses. At least one of the additional courses must be in mathematics. The other course may be chosen from any of the following: English, mathematics, material/physical science, social studies, foreign language, philosophy, or nondoctrinal religion .

The Division II eligibility requirement remains at 14 core courses in high school. (No change from the previous requirement.

Additional Information on Initial-Eligibility
www.ncaa.org
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net