Masuk High School

Program of Studies

2005 – 2006

Revised 1/04/05

January 2005

Dear Parents and Students:

You are about to commence a very important process of your school career…course selection. The high school experience is designed to provide you with opportunities for continuous academic and social growth. The courses that you select will assist you in achieving this goal. Masuk High School’s Mission Statement is…We empower all students to be life-long learners and productive citizens in a diverse society. We take this goal very seriously and we trust that the courses offered will assist you in your future accomplishments.

The variety of courses offered allow all students to share a common opportunity for growth. Masuk offers a myriad of courses, levels, and instructional methods at each grade level and academic department to provide a challenging curricula for students with various abilities.

Many factors determine how students are assigned the courses that they take during the school year. Some of these include current teachers’ recommendations for student placement, consideration of students’ interests, and academic needs. We have discovered that students’ ability, achievement, and motivation along with the demands of the curriculum are best known by the current teachers. Parents and students review the recommendations before the course selection is finished. Through this process, students take charge of their education with guidance from their parents and faculty members.

Academic planning is comprehensive; each year’s achievement and decisions are built on the preceding ones. The process provides a foundation for the future. Masuk High School faculty is available to provide continuous assistance and information during this important course selection process.

Sincerely,

John J. Battista

Principal

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

John J. Battista, Principal

Laura Ferrante Fernandes, Assistant Principal

Mark S. Schwarz, Assistant Principal

Joseph M. Kobza, Dean of Students

PUPIL SERVICES

Ms. Hope Maloney............................................................................................... Chairperson

Counsels students with

COUNSELORS........................................................................ last names beginning with:

Ms. Hope Maloney................................................................... A-Bl grade 9, A-Ba, How-Hyde

Ms. Kathy Kean..................................................................... Bo-E grade 9, Be-D’, Gu-Horne

Ms. MaryLu Matott............................................................................... F-Ke grade 9, Da-Gr, I

Mr. David York.............................................................................. Ki-Na grade 9, M-Pa, J-Kel

Ms. Ann Odoy..................................................................... Ne-Scg grade 9, Pe-Sh, Ken-Lee

Mrs. Doris Schwarz................................................................. Sch-Z grade 9, Sl-Z, Les-Lupo

Mrs. Penny Ploski................................................................................................. Transitional

DEPARTMENT CHAIRPERSONS/DIRECTORS

Business Education................................................................................... Mrs. Lynn Costello

English................................................................................................... Mrs. Joan Cummings

Health Services................................................................................. Mrs. Diane Fraser, R.N.

Health Services................................................................................... Mrs. P. Severson, R.N.

Mathematics.................................................................................................. Mr. Daniel Ryan

Music, Choral.................................................................... Mr. John Battista/Dr. Robyn Gangi

Music, Instrumental.......................................................... Mr. John Battista/Mr. Aaron Barkon

Physical Education..................................................................................... Mr. Joseph Kobza

Related Arts........................................................................... Ms. Laura Ferrante Fernandes

School Psychologist........................................................................................ Mrs. Lisa Bush

School Psychologist................................................................................. Mr. Sean McDonald

Science........................................................................................................ Mr. Peter Schmitt

Social Studies................................................................................................ Mr. Carl Bodnar

Special Education....................................................................................... Mrs. Laura Maher

Technology Education................................................................................ Mr. Mark Schwarz

World Language........................................................................................ Mrs. Bobby Young

Masuk High School - Graduation Requirements

COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM OF STUDY REQUIREMENTS

Subject: credits

English 4.00

Social Studies (must pass U.S. History/Civics) 3.00

Science (must pass Biology I) 2.00

Mathematics (three years of Math) 3.00

Physical Education 1.00

Arts/Vocational Education 1.00

Electives 6.00

Drug Awareness Education (15 hrs. per yr.)

TOTAL 20.00

THE COLLEGE PREPARATORY CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

Subject: credits

English 4.00

Social Studies (must pass U.S. History/Civics) 3.00

Mathematics (including Algebra II or Intermediate Algebra II) 3.00

Science (must pass Biology I) 3.50

World Language (3rd level & two years in high school) 3.00 (or 2)

Physical Education 1.00

Arts/Vocational Education 1.00

Electives 4.50 (or 5)

Drug Awareness Education (15 hrs. per yr.)

TOTAL 23.00

All students must be enrolled in at least 5 credits per year. *Does not include P.E., labs, or internships. All students are encouraged to explore courses in Business Education, Technology Education, Art, Music, Home Economics, and World Languages as part of all curricula.

ABILITY PLACEMENT

Teacher recommendation and department chairperson approval is required for any variance of the guidelines listed below.

· A “B” average in the current “Honors” course is required for continuation in C/W 1 (Honors level).

· A “C-” average in the current “College Prep” course is required for continuation in C/W 2 (College Prep level) and other sequential courses.

· A grade of “A-” in a lower level course is required for a student to transfer to the next higher level course (i.e. from C/W 2 College Prep to C/W 1 Honors).

COLLEGE CREDIT FOR HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

Masuk High School is pleased to offer college level course work to qualified students. Teachers and curricula have been examined and approved to offer college level courses which also meet high school graduation requirements. These courses are offered without any additional expense to the student. Students must meet specific criteria established by the college both for admission and for completion.

Official transcripts will be available directly from the institutions listed below:

University of Connecticut		Naugatuck Valley Community College* (credits available to Juniors and Seniors)

Biology II	8 credits	Accounting II	3 credits
Calculus	8 credits	Business Law	3 credits
Chemistry II	8 credits	Business Communications	3 credits
UCONN French	6 credits	Child Development	3 credits
Physics II	6 credits	Computer Applications	3 credits
UCONN Spanish	6 credits	Marketing	3 credits
World History	6 credits	Personal Finance	3 credits
Writing Through Literature	4 credits	Pre-Engineering Drafting	3 credits
		Public Communication	3 credits

Southern Connecticut State University

Photography	3 credits
Photography II	3 credits

AP Courses (CollegeBoard.com has a list of colleges that accept AP credit. This changes year to year.

AP Studio Art	1.00 Credit
AP Literature	1.00 Credit
Writing Through Literature Honors/AP/UCONN co-op	1.00 Credit
UCONN/AP Biology	1.00 Credit
UCONN/AP Chemistry	1.50 Credit
UCONN/AP Physics	1.50 Credit
Early American History/Civics AP	.50 Credit
U.S. History 1865-1941/Civics AP	.50 Credit
Contemporary U.S. History/Civics AP	.50 Credit
World History-Honors-UCONN-AP	1.00 Credit
AP French Language	1.00 Credit
AP Spanish Language	1.00 Credit
Latin IV /AP	1.00 Credit

RANK IN CLASS

Rank in Class - Grade Point Average: The computation of rank in class is based on course weight and grades earned. Each course weight is determined by the course level of difficulty.

The various weights associated with grades are illustrated below:

		Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
Grade		Honors	College Preparatory	General
	A+	5.0	4.3	3.3
	A	5.0	4.0	3.0
	A-	4.7	3.7	2.7
	B+	4.3	3.3	2.3
	B	4.0	3.0	2.0
	B-	3.7	2.7	1.7

Masuk High School

Program of Studies

Naugatuck Valley Community College*

(credits available to Juniors and Seniors)