Belpre High School 612 ThirdSt.

Belpre, OH45714

740-423-3000

Grades 9-12 Course DescriptionBooklet

2017-2018

Table ofContents
General Information
3 / Letter to Parents
4 / Withdrawal Guidelines/Enrollment Suggestions
5 / College Preparation Program
6 / NCAA Eligibility Requirements
6 / Graduation—-General Notes and Minimum Requirements
7 / Grading and Marking
8 / GPA/Rank Calculations
9 / Ohio’s State Tests and Graduation Requirements
10 / College Credit Plus (CCP)
11 / Graduation Awards: AERO Award, President’s Award, Honors Diploma
Course Descriptions
16 / Language Arts
20 / Foreign Language
22 / Mathematics
27 / Science
30 / Social Studies
33 / Health/Physical Education
35 / Art
36 / Music
37 / Technology
37 / Special Education
38 / Online Learning
39 / Summer School
40 / Worksheets

Dear Parents,

Belpre High School

612 Third Street, Belpre, OH 45714

Grades 7-12 (740)423-3000 Fax (740)423-3003

The administration and faculty of Belpre High School believe very strongly that one of our major purposes is to help students prepare for their futures by encouraging them and guiding them toward sound decisions in regard to their educational and career choices. The decision your child makes now can influence the paths that are open to him/her at the time he/she graduates from high school.

We are going to work very closely with each student during the scheduling process in order to map out a tentative course plan for his/her years at Belpre High School. In doing this we hope to provide for the student the high school background he/she needs in order to pursue his/her goals.

For a number of reasons, a few of which are listed below, it is important to try to keep scheduling changes to a minimum and each request will be considered individually. We are asking that each student put thought into his/her schedule with the knowledge that wholesale schedule changes will not be permitted.

1.Classes become very imbalanced if wholesale schedule changes aremade.

2.Textbooks, workbooks, and materials cannot be properly ordered if class numbers are not fairly well established. Departments are on budgets which are set in June and orders are placed for supplies based on thesebudgets.

3.Many class changes are based on unsound reasons such as peer pressure, the easy way out, fear of giving an oral report,etc.

4.We would like to foster good decision-making skills and responsibility in respect to sticking with something even if the going getsrough.

5.If a student withdraws from a class after it begins, it is usually too late for him/her to get into anotherclass.

Scheduling will be done in March-May. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s schedule, please feel free to contact the guidance office.

Sincerely,

Administration and Staff of BHS

Withdrawal Guidelines/Enrollment Suggestions

Withdrawal from classes sometimes becomes necessary. The student should talk to the counselor as a first step in considering a schedule change. The counselor will provide the student with the necessary paperwork for a change. The student must remain in the current schedule, attending all classes, until a schedule change has been completed. Changes will be made according to the following guidelines:

1.Errors made on the part of the school in regard to scheduling will be corrected.

2.As previously mentioned, wholesale scheduling changes will not be permitted, but if a student (or parent) feels a change needs to be made, he/she must make a written request to the principal within the first two weeks of each semester. The decision on whether to grant the schedule change request will be based on thefollowing:

  • It does not interfere with credit/courses needed tograduate.
  • There is a class the same period that isavailable.
  • The class load allows room for a student toenter.
  • The student is moving from an academic course to an academic course or from an elective to an academiccourse.
  • The change does not disturb the focus, purpose, or function of theclass.

3.If a teacher feels a student is misplaced, the teacher will schedule aconference with the principal to determine if a schedule change isneeded.

4.Students will be excused from the physical education requirement only under doctor’s orders. A new doctor’s excuse is needed for each year that a student is not enrolled in PE. Alternatively, students who complete two seasons of sports/marching band may obtain a physical education waiver from the guidance office. The form must be signed by the coach(es) and the athletic director.

**The high school principal has final say on all schedule changes.**

All courses at BHS are graded on a semester basis with credit granted for those passed at the end of each semester. Students also must remember some courses are required for graduation. Any required course which is not passed must be repeated.

Please note that elective courses do not have to be repeated unless the student chooses to do so.

By providing the course description, students have been provided with enough information to help make responsible choices in their class selections. Parents are again encouraged to help their child in the scheduling process. Please call the guidance office if you have questions or concerns.

Parents are encouraged to talk with their child concerning career possibilities. Whether the student plans to further his/her education, attend vocational school, join the military, or enter the world of work, there are certain guidelines which can help him/her choose the courses which are best suited to his/her plan.

College Preparation Program

The Ohio Board of Regents and the Ohio State Board of Education have prepared a report which proposes a recommended college preparatory curriculum. This curriculum includes:

  • 4 units ofEnglish
  • 3 units of SocialStudies
  • 4 units of Math—These need to be high level math starting with Algebra 1. One course needs to be in the senior year if possible. Algebra 2 or an equivalent is required.
  • 3 units of Science, includingChemistry
  • 2 units of Foreign Language—Most colleges prefer 3-4units.
  • 1 unit of Arts—Colleges are becoming increasingly particular about what constitutes thearts.

Many colleges like 1-2 units from arts/drama, speech, art history, music theory, etc. Schools vary on this so check with your preferred institution of higher learning.

In regard to mathematics, students may not know what their in- tended majors will be, therefore, they should take enough high school mathematics to keep their “options open.” Their college program will be affected as much by the mathematics not taken as by the mathematics taken.

Students planning to enter a four-year college should know the requirements of the college to which they apply. Student athletes should also beware of the NCAA eligibility requirements for Division I and II institutions. Please check with your coaches, the Athletic Director, or the guidance office for the core curriculum and test score requirements. For the most up to date information, check the NCAA website at Also, please be aware that individual colleges/institutions could have requirements more demanding than the NCAA requirements. Accordingly, you should contact the college directly (possibly the director of athletics) to get an interpretation of the school’s requirements.

NCAA Clearinghouse Information for the College-Bound Athlete

To participate in athletics in a Division I or Division II college or university, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse after your junior year in high school. There is no deadline for registering; however, you must be certified before receiving an athletic scholarship or practicing or competing at a Division I or II institution. The Clearinghouse will determine your eligibility by examining whether you have taken a core (academic) curriculum, your ACT or SAT scores and your core GPA.

You must register using the NCAA website at The website also explains academic eligibility requirements for both Division I and Division II.

Please note: The requirements currently do not apply to Division III colleges.

Graduation Requirements General Notes

  • Electives for WCCC students can be earned through the vocational program.
  • SocialStudies

9th World Studies 1750 to Present

10th United States Studies 1877 to Present

11th BHS: American Government (1 semester State and Local and 1 semester American National) WCCC: American Government 12th Financial Literacy

  • Students are required to have a component of financial literacy. This will be part of the Financial Literacy class taught at the 12th grade level for BHS students and in the government classes for 11th grade WCCC students.

Minimum Graduation Requirements Classes of 2017 and Beyond

BHS / WCCC
English / 4.0 / 4.0
Mathematics / 4.0 / 4.0
Social Studies / 3.5 / 3.0
Health / 0.5 / 0.5
Physical Ed. / 0.5 / 0.5
Science / 3.0 / 3.0
Fine Arts / 1.0
Electives / 6.0 / 7.5
Total / 22.5 / 22.5

Grading and Marking

Report cards will be issued at nine-week intervals using the point value scale in the table. It is a very good idea for students to keep a running account of their marks. A student should be able to tell parents/guardians the grade that would appear on his/her report card. Infinite Campus is an online grading program used by Belpre City Schools which aids students and parents in keeping track of grades. Parents andstudents

may acquire a username and password by contacting the main school office. All courses will be graded using the 4.0 scale with the exception of AP courses which will use a 5.0 scale and pending board approval for Class of 2016+ Honors classes on a 4.5 scale. College Credit Plus courses are on the highest scale available to the course’s corresponding department (Example: The highest weight a non-CCP science course carries at BHS is a 4.5, so any offered CCP science classes will also be weighted at 4.5).

Incomplete Grades

An incomplete grade (I) may be earned by a student for failure to complete significant work in a course or for excessive absences from a course. If the incomplete is not made up, within ten days after the nine-week grading period, the grade may be converted to an F at the discretion of the school staff/principal. If an incomplete grade (I) is present for the last marking period of a course, a final grade of F will be issued for the course. Student athletes need reminded that the Ohio Athletic Association considers a grade of incomplete (I) to be equivalent to an F when calculating eligibility for extracurricular activities.

Final Grades

Grades in each subject are cumulative and are averaged for the final grade that determines whether the student has passed (earned credit), provided the student:

1.Does not have an incomplete (I) in any final grading period;and

2.Has a final rounded point of at least 1, using the point values from the above scale. Final grades are calculated by the computer grading program. All 0.5 grade point values will be rounded up by the computer (0.5,1.5,2.5,3.5). However, the teacher may use his/her own best judgment in assigning either the higher or lower grade for any 0.5 situations and override the computer. Factors other than academic achievement should be marked with Comment Codes. At least one Comment Code should be given for each of your students in each course for every grading period. Academic achievement grades may not be altered for disciplinary reasons;and

3.Has made up all unexcused absencedays

Reported Grades

Four grades will be reported on the report card for each course

  • 2 nine weeks grades (each worth 2/5 of the finalgrade)
  • 1 semester exam grade (except for those exempted from exams as stated in course syllabus; worth 1/5 of the finalgrade)
  • 1 finalgrade

Interim Reports/Mid-terms

State school law sates “If progress is unsatisfactory, interim reports are required, and parents must be notified of any attendance or deportment problems.” Parents are encouraged to talk with the teacher or administrator when any problems arise or unsatisfactory progress reports are sent home.

GPA/Rank Calculation

Cumulative Grade Point Average and Rank are calculated at the end of each semester and are done only on semester averages. +’s and -’s are not used in calculating GPA’s. Each course is worth 1/2 credit per semester except for Physical Education, which is worth 1/4 credit each semester. GPA is figured on the following formula: quality points earned divided by credits attempted.

All courses are considered in cumulative GPA and rank. Current GPA reflects the 9 weeks marking period only. It appears on the report card and is used for eligibility purposes in regards to sports. Cumulative GPA is used for most awards, scholarships, applications, etc.

Quality Points for 1/2 Credit Courses / Quality Points for 1 Credit Courses
A = 2 points / A = 4 points
B = 1.5 points / B = 3 points
C = 1 point / C = 2 point
D = 0.5 point / D = 1 point
F = 0 point / F = 0 point

NEW Graduation Test Options for 2018 and Beyond

The Ohio Department of Education has replaced the Ohio Graduation test and now offers three different ways to meet graduation test requirements.

Ohio’s State TestsStudentsearn a cumulative passing score of 18 points, using seven end-of-course state tests. To ensure students are well rounded, they must earn a minimum of four points in math, four points in English and six points across science and social studies.

End-of-course exams are:• Algebra Iand Geometry •Biology• American History and American Government•English I and English II

Students studying Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in biology, American history or American government may take and substitute test scores for end-of-course state exams to avoid double testing. Students also may substitute grades from College Credit Plus courses in these science and social studies subjects for end-of-course state exams.

Industry credential and workforce readinessStudents earn 12 points through a State Board of Education-approved,industry-recognized credential or group of credentialsin a single career field and achieve aworkforcereadiness scoreof 13 (classes of 2017 & 2018) on theWorkKeysassessment. The state of Ohio will pay one time for those who take the WorkKeys assessment.

College and career readiness testsStudents earn “remediation-free” scores in English language arts and mathematicson the ACT (18 English, 22 Math and Reading). The state of Ohio will pay one time for all 11th grade students in the classes of 2018 and beyond to take the exam free of charge.

If you are not meeting one of these three options, you must meet with the counselor to discuss further options

College Credit Plus (Formerly PSEO)

If they meet the eligibility requirements for the program for individual colleges, students may get college credit during their freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year in high school. Letters regarding the CCP program are sent home each February that your child is in high school. If he/she wishes to participate, please follow the directions outlined in the letter.

Any student who wishes to be considered for this program must write a letter (also signed by parent) to the Belpre High School Guidance Office before March 30th preceding the school year he/she wishes to participate. The student, accompanied by a parent, must attend a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED counseling session in Februaryprior to the school year he/ she wishes to participate.

Please note: Once a student is involved in this program, if he/she decides to stop attending college or even a class without completing the course, or if he/she fails the course, the financial responsibility will be charged to the parents and they will be billed for the cost of the course(s). This academic and/or financial responsibility could inhibit graduation.For more information on this program please contact the BHS guidance office.

Graduation Awards—AERO, President’s, and Honors Diploma

Academic Excellence Recognition Organization (AERO) Award

This is a local award given to graduating seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.6+ maintained up through last semester. Students will be given a certificate and a monetary award as well as a medallion to wear during the graduation ceremony.

President’s Award for Educational Achievement

The purpose of this award is to recognize students that show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development in their academic subjects but do not meet the criteria for the President's Award for Educational Excellence. This award should not be compared to the President's Award for Educational Excellence or be seen as a second tier award, for it recognizes a very different type of academic achievement. It is meant to encourage and reward students who work hard and give their best effort in school, often in the face of special obstacles to their learning. This award is given at the principal's discretion based on the criteria developed at the school. The criteria should reflect the purpose of the award and must be applied fairly to all students.

President’s Award for Educational Excellence

The purpose of this award is to recognize academic success in the classroom. To be eligible for the President's Award for Educational Excellence, students at each award level (elementary, middle, or high school) must meet the requirements in Category A and either 1 or 2 of Category C. If a school does not have letter grades, a student must meet the requirements in Category B and either 1 or 2 of CategoryC.