8th Grade Families

• What are the requirements for enrollment in Spanish 1 CP (a high school level class)?
• Can I be an Office Aide, Cross Age Tutor, or Library Aide instead of an Elective?
• Can I be a Cross Age Tutor, Office Aide, or a Library Aide and take a second elective?
• Can I leave early if I enroll in an “A” period class?
• Can I take both Band or Strings and Chorus?
• I already know how to play an instrument. Can I sign up for advanced band?
• Can I take Band or Strings if I have never played an instrument?
• Do I have to own an instrument to take band/strings?
• How will I choose which instrument to play?
• Who qualifies for automatic placement into honors courses?
• If I choose an elective and I want to change it mid-year, can I?
• What is the 8th Grade Contract? How does the process work to register for high school classes?

What are the requirements for enrollment in Spanish 1 CP (a high school level class)?

• You must have A’s or B’s in English 7CP or English 7H semester 1 and quarter 3 and no grade lower than a C in all other classes. High School credit is earned and will be reflected in your high school GPA. Last date to drop is mid-November.  This class may fill, so students are ranked highest to lowest grades in English for placement purposes.

Can I be an Office Aide, Cross Age Tutor, or Library Aide instead of an Elective?

• Yes.  You must fill out a TA/CAT form in the front office.

Can I be a Cross Age Tutor, Office Aide, or a Library Aide and take a second elective?

• No.  We are a small school, so that is not a possibility.

Can I leave early if I enroll in an “A” period class?

• No.

Can I take both Band or Strings and Chorus?

• Yes- only if the master schedule permits. If you choose this option, you must take A period PE.

I already know how to play an instrument. Can I sign up for advanced band?

• Students in 6th grade must sign up for beginning band regardless of their previous music history. Students in 7th or 8th grade who have not taken beginning band but would like to be in advanced band must get the music instructors approval.

Can I take Band or Strings if I have never played an instrument?

• Yes!

Do I have to own an instrument to take band/strings?

• No. The music instructor will notify you where to rent an instrument if you do not wish to purchase one.

How will I choose which instrument to play?

• The music instructor will help you choose the best fit instrument during the first week of school.

Who qualifies for automatic placement into honors courses?

• All 8th grade students must complete a petition form if they were in 7^th grade English CP and Social Science CP classes. . Students are not automatically placed in 8th grade. Your counselor will automatically place you in Physical Science Honors if you had A’s semester 1 and quarter 3 grades in 7^th grade Life Science.  All others will have to petition.

If I choose an elective and I want to change it mid-year, can I?

• These courses are all full year courses and you are expected to commit for the full year.  Only under special circumstances is this granted.

What is the 8th Grade Contract? How does the process work to register for high school classes?

• Yes. The 8^th grade contract is something each student and parent will sign.  It is an agreement that you will pass 5:6 classes each semester, you will pass English and Math both semesters, and that your behavior will not fall into the Unsatisfactory range.  End of Year promotion activities are contingent on these expectations.
• Mrs. Vitto will guide you along the way.  Mrs. Vitto will teach a lesson called “Begin with the End in Mind” which will teach you common high school and college language.  Then the Newbury Park high school counselors will come and present.  You will be given course request forms at that point.  You will then meet with your high school counselor 1:1.  There is also a parent presentation, Panther Preview Night, and IB presentation.  Newbury Park’s counselor’s link is chalked full of very helpful information.