Clinton Junior High School
8th grade Pre-registration Information
Note from the Principal
It is hard to believe that it is already time to begin preparing
for next year. You have nearly completed your first year of
junior high and now it is time to start making decisions about
the next step in your educational career. As you progress in
school, these decisions will become more and more important.
You are about to receive information to help you make some of
these decisions. Many of you will choose to take part in the
same activities that you are participating in this year while
some of you will decide to try new things. Your counselor, your
parents, and your teachers can all help you to make these
decisions or to answer your questions.
Please take the time to consider your choices so that you will
make the ones that are right for you.
Pre-Registration
A CJHS counselor will give you a pre-registration form. This
form is also available on the CJHS webpage, in case you
misplace the one we provide. This information is needed to
schedule the courses you would like to take. It is very
important that you and your parent complete this form
together. You should select your courses and electives very
carefully so that it will not be necessary to change them after
school begins.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ms.
Flowers or Ms. Langley at 601-924-6250 or email
[email protected] or
[email protected]
Promotion to the 8th grade
To be considered for promotion to the 8th grade, a student
must master the essential objectives and receive a minimum
grade of 65 in each core course—English, mathematics,
science, and social studies. A student who fails to meet these
basic requirements may be retained in the 7th grade.
Special and Resource Class
Instructional assistance is provided to those students with
identified learning problems. This assistance may consist of
special classes or tutoring. Teachers use a variety of tests to
determine the student’s specific needs. A program of
instruction is provided for the student based on his/her
individualized education plan (IEP).
Required Courses
English
Mathematics*
Science
Social Studies
Please note that the required courses with an asterisk (*)
receive one Carnegie unit of high school credit.
Electives
Advanced Art
The Advanced Art course is open to eighth grade students who
have an interest in the visual arts and want to further excel as
an artist. This class will prepare students to be creative
thinkers and problem solvers through a series of self- directed
and teacher directed projects. Over the course of the year,
students will develop a portfolio of artwork based on personal
interests and experiences. In addition to building a body of
work, classes will include discussions, critiques, artistic display
and school beautification projects. Students are expected to
work to their highest potential and gradually show artistic
improvement. A fee will be collected to cover costs of
consumable materials and cannot be waived. Students are
required to pay in a timely manner. Also, household items will
be required to be brought in as a part of the lesson.
Prerequisites for this class consist of completing an application
form and preapproval from the art teachers in which examples
of artworks will be evaluated.
Art
The Eighth Grade Art program is open to all students who have
an interest in the visual arts. This yearlong course will develop
skills in the following areas: art production, art history, art
criticism, and art aesthetics. In addition, students will explore a
variety of materials and techniques used to create drawings,
paintings, collages, prints, and sculptures. Students will
prepare a portfolio of work as they explore the various
elements of principles of art. Lessons will be taught using stepby-step instructions, demonstrations, handouts, and
application of skills. Additionally, classes will participate in
various art competitions and display student artwork in the
school and community. An art fee will be collected to cover
costs of consumable materials and cannot be waived. Students
are required to pay this fee in a timely manner. Also, students
will be required to bring items from home to prepare for
projects and lessons.
Band
Advanced band is offered to 8th graders who have had at least
two years of band instruction. Classes are taught during the
school day and include a continuation of basic training and
skills taught beginner band. Students are prepared to audition
for 9th grade band and participate in several performances
throughout the year.
A band fee is assessed to cover the cost of consumable
materials and transportation to performances and cannot be
waived. Students are expected to provide their own
instrument.
Choir
The choral music program at Clinton Junior High is an awardwinning choral program that has become a vital part of campus
life. All students who desire to be in the choral music program
are welcomed to be a part with the only requirement to have
exemplary behavior in the classroom and choral setting. The
choral program is designed for each student to have a positive
and rewarding musical experience. The concert choir prepares
and presents three concerts and participates in district and
state choral festivals. They also participate in other
competitions and perform at concerts and promote school
spirit and community involvement.
All classes emphasize the following: correct vocal production,
choral skills, sight- reading, and music theory and composition.
Students will explore and experience music from all periods of
literature. The Clinton Junior High Concert Choir has earned
district, state and national honors. This group requires
discipline, respect and pride. There is a fee associated with this
class and it cannot be waived.
EXCEL (Excellence in Learning)
EXCEL is a program designed specifically for CJHS students to
enhance academic achievement. Students will increase their
time management, organization, study and test taking skills.
Individual learning styles and study strategies along with a
variety of reading techniques will assist students in achieving
their academic potential. A variety of learning resources and
activities in literature will be used to maximize reading
comprehension, critical/creative thinking skills using a variety
of learning resources and activities. The goal of the Math
EXCEL is to improve basic math skills, increase grade levels in
math and improve test scores on the end of year state
standardized tests.
Student standardized test scores, teacher recommendation,
and parent request will be considered when selecting students
for EXCEL.
Helpers
Student helpers work with teachers and staff. Helpers should
be able to work quietly, be dependable and honest, look neat in
appearance and get along well with others. Helpers should
have good school attendance, behavior, and work ethics.
Library Assistants
See the CJHS librarian if you are interested in being a library
assistant.
Life Skills
See the Mrs. Pardue, Mrs. Franklin, or Mrs. Parks if you are
interested in being a Life Skills helper.
Office Helper
You must sign up in the office if you would like to be an office
helper.
MATHCOUNTS
Mathcounts is an elective dealing with higher-level problem
solving. Warning: It will take a good sense of logic as well as
mathematical knowledge to break through algebraic,
geometric, and sometimes trigonometric barriers. A team of
four along with two other individuals is chosen to represent
Clinton Junior High School in math tournaments at the district,
state, and national level. If you wish to be in Mathcounts, the
first step is to take the entrance exam that will be given in the
spring. Decisions will be made based on that exam and the
recommendations of pervious math teachers. If you have any
questions, please call Clinton Junior High School.
Orchestra
A string orchestra class is provided for students who have at
least one year of previous experience and satisfactorily pass
the Level Assessment Audition during the first week of school.
This audition is a requirement in order to be accepted into the
class, and is necessary to ensure a common playing level.
Classes are taught by a professional musician, a member of the
Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and are held daily. Students
must provide the proper size instrument in good working
condition and extra accessories (strings, bow, bow hair,
shoulder rest) to keep the instrument in good condition for the
entire year.
Spanish I
Spanish I is a full-year, high school level course designed to
introduce the student to the language and culture of Spanishspeaking countries. Emphasis is placed on using vocabulary in
conversational Spanish while focusing on listening and writing
activities. You will experience the Spanish language through
conversation, cultural activities, and language-centered
projects. If you are motivated and serious about learning a new
language, VAMOS! The student must have a 90 or better in 7th
grade English. Because this is a high school level course,
students will receive high school credit for the course.
However, students should be advised that the work load of the
course is also of a high school level.
Study Hall
Study hall is an elective where the student is encouraged to
develop and use good study techniques. This is time to do
homework, classwork, read for AR, or work on projects.
Physical Education (PE)
Physical education classes help students to improve health and
physical fitness. Students will increase their knowledge and
appreciation for team and individual sports.
Each student is required to dress in proper attire and perform
conditioning exercises. Students are expected to observe
teacher demonstrations, attend to instructions on team and
individual play, and learn the fundamentals of sports and
games taught.
Varsity
Boys’ varsity deals strictly with team sports. Major emphasis is
placed on learning proper techniques and strategies while
preparing for team competition. Football, basketball, and track
are emphasized during the year.
Girls’ varsity deals strictly with team sports. Major emphasis is
placed on learning proper techniques and strategies while
preparing for team competition. Sports offered include
basketball and track. Students are expected to dress in proper
attire, and perform conditioning exercises each day. Students
will also be expected to observe teacher demonstrations and
follow instructions in team play.
Athletics
Athletics contribute to a well-balanced school program. Our
students are taught the fundamentals of games, sportsmanship,
and fair play at all times.
To be eligible to participate in interschool activities a student
must meet the requirements established by the Mississippi
High School Activities Association and Clinton Junior High.
The student must:
1.
Have good behavior and attitude.
2.
Live with parents or guardians who are actual bona fide
residents in the Clinton Public School District
3.
To be eligible for participation as an 8th grader, a student
must have passed any four “basic” courses with a 70
average. A “basic” course is any course that meets five
days a week.
4.
Meet age requirements:
a.
7th grader must not have reached 14 years of age prior
to August 1.
b.
8th grader must not have reached 15 years of age prior
to August 1.
c.
9th grader must not have reached 16 years of age prior
to August 1.
5.
Present to principal or his designee a certified copy of
his/her birth certificate issued by the Bureau of Vital
Statistics in the state in which he/she was born.
6.
Have been examined by a physician and declared
physically fit.
7.
Junior High students who participate at the High School
must pass the “core” courses (English, math, science and
social studies) with a 70 average.
8.
If a student is eligible in the fall, but does not meet
eligibility requirements at the end of the first semester,
then he or she will lose eligibility for the second semester
that year.
A student absent from school because of illness will not be
permitted to participate in any athletic event on the day or part
of the day he/she is absent from school.