9th+Grade+Full+Version

9th Girls Prepped

Even before the focus on the Girls Prepped program, we have used **Special and Z periods** to good use. This semester, for instance, we have had **Z period presentations** by **UMOJA**, the **Creative Writing Club**, and the **Environmental Science Club**; our girls have performed **previews** of the spring musical and the upper school concert; we have held **National Engineering Week** and hosted Chencho Alas, a **Catholic Digest hero. Special Periods** have offered, among others, **SAT/PSAT review**, a **Japanese Program** by Fulbright participant Linda Dizer, performing groups like **Singing for the Stage** and **Terpsichord,** a history **Women of the World** presentation, **Character Forum Conversations** (of a global nature this year) and an extremely effective **DUI simulation.** These programs are presented to all grade levels.

** Girls Prepped: Ninth Grade—Questions/Answers ** || “What Should I Know About Myself, About Others, and About the World around Me?” As our middle schoolers become high schoolers, they bring with them a good bit of trepidation. What will high school be like? Will I fit in? Will I do well? How will I adjust to being the “lowly freshman” after a year of leading in the middle school? These and other questions certainly are on the minds of our new ninth graders. Science **. In science class our new ninth graders begin our comprehensive **sex/drug/and alcohol program** at the high school level. A one-week presentation by Dr. Kim Brown Bailey is required. She covers thoroughly the **anatomy and physiology** of male and female reproductive systems, **STDs**, and **contraception**. Her course is on Bb under Sex Education for anyone to visit for additional detail. This overview is clinical and non-judgmental. The upper school humanities provide the perfect arena for discussions on **conflict resolution** and **exploration or global issues**. Careful selections by both disciplines reflect characters, both fictional and real, in conflict with one another, with their environment/society, or with themselves. A study of these individuals leads to conversations about **our own place in the world today**. At this early level, we begin talking about the **choices** we make, using the literature and history as springboards. **Project and service based learning** and **in-depth analysis** of literature and history provide the basis for **open-ended discussions** of essential questions. || ||
 * In the Classroom. **
 * The SHAPE Program in Physical Education ** . In ninth grade, girls learn the importance of **maintaining an optimum level of fitness and quality of life**. They participate in cardiovascular training, weight training, nutrition classes, and cross training classes that include yoga, pilates, water aerobics, walking, and kayaking.
 * Curriculum Choices in English and Modern Civilization **.
 * Outside the Classroom. **
 * Outside the Classroom. **
 * “Healthy Relationships.” ** This activity, offered during club time, is an extension of topics introduced in Dr. Bailey Brown’s comprehensive sex/drugs/alcohol class.
 * Athletics/H period: ** H period Athletics provides a common time for all of our athletes either to practice their sport or to train. During their season, of course, our athletes “live” the ethics of individual and team performance—**sportsmanship**, **self-discipline**, **self-confidence**, **team play**. Off the court or field, these same factors are in play during H period but in a different arena.
 * Upper **** School **** Assembly. ** Three times a week, the school assembles midday to “touch base.” The following are assembly activities of note:
 * As the girls arrive, they see a Power Point overview offering reminders on how to be more **environmentally responsible.**
 * Every Friday the History department offers an **overview of events that have occurred during the week**. **Students are in charge** of this effort: they choose the events, write the script, and make the presentation.
 * Amnesty International and other service-oriented clubs also routinely make presentations on issues of local and global concern.
 * Chapel Talks: Almost all GPS seniors present **a talk to the student body**, faculty, and guests. In the past topics have been as diverse as the importance of family and friends to the need to follow our passions. Lately, these topics have included elements of **global awareness and philanthropy**.
 * Lunchtime Learning: ** Available to all grades, 6 – 12, Lunchtime Learning, an **enrichment session** that occurs during both activity periods, really takes off in the upper school. During this time, our girls may voluntarily share an informal lunch with one of our speakers, continue a discussion begun in one of their classes, or visit with a parent from another culture.
 * The Advisory System. ** Every teacher in grades 6 – 12 has a group of advisees for whom he or she is responsible. These groups meet bi-weekly in the upper school to provide opportunities for **informal conversations**. Topics already explored in the classroom oftentimes find themselves revisited during advisories. Because the group is small and the time less structured, the advisory session is perfect for **reinforcing topics introduced in other areas**. Also, during advisory time, the girls and their teachers explore **issues that are happening in the world**. The ninth grade students and faculty receive a monthly edition of the New York Times news magazine **Up Front**, from which each group is responsible for exploring a topic of interest.
 * The Extracurricular Program ** . The upper school Extracurricular Program is vast, giving girls many areas to explore. A full listing is available in the Blue Book, but highlights include **service-oriented** clubs like **Amnesty** and **Key Club**, “academic” programs like **Model UN** and **Spectrum**, **creative clubs** like Terpsichord, Drama, and River Review, and everything else in between! Student Council holds a Fair Day the second week of school to acquaint the student body to all the offerings. May Day provides another venue at which our clubs can shine, as they set up booths displaying their wares and often **promoting a worthy cause**.
 * Retreats: ** The ninth graders participate in a retreat early in the fall, whose purpose is to ease them through the transition to high school and to unify them as a class. **Trust games** are played but speakers are also solicited. In the past Jim Mancke from McCallie has talked to the girls about **gender differences**.
 * “Girls Prepped” Time. ** One Special Period per month will be designated “Girls Prepped” time and will be scheduled a quarter in advance. In conjunction with the Upper School guidance counselor, the advisors will conduct the first Girls Prepped session which will deal with the transition from middle school to high school. See the list on page one for other topics. ||
 * “Girls Prepped” Time. ** One Special Period per month will be designated “Girls Prepped” time and will be scheduled a quarter in advance. In conjunction with the Upper School guidance counselor, the advisors will conduct the first Girls Prepped session which will deal with the transition from middle school to high school. See the list on page one for other topics. ||