Freshman Year Counts Presented by: Battlefield HS School Counselors 2010-2011
Workshop Agenda
Welcome Who is my counselor and how can he/she
help me? Diploma types and graduation requirements Goal-setting and 4-year Educational Plans GPA and brief look at college Study Skills, Time Management, Resources
for help Jeopardy Question & Answer
Counselors’ Responsibilities
Help students succeed academically, personally, and socially
Academic planningCollaborate with teachers,
principals, students, and parents
College and career planning
Meeting with your Counselor
How to see your counselor: Come to the Counseling Center outside of
class time to schedule an appointment with the Counseling Center secretaries – Mrs. Burchfield or Ms. Hummel.
If you have an emergency or you need immediate assistance:
Let your teacher know, get a pass, and come down right away.
Let the Counseling secretary know it is an emergency.
Student Helpers
Psychologist – Mrs. LeazerSocial Worker – Mrs. RomanoResource Counselor – Mrs. Aitel-
ThompsonSchool Nurse – Mrs. FairbanksSchool Principal – Mrs. Ethridge-ContiTeachersAssistant PrincipalsSecurity Office
Career/College Counseling Center
Career Assessment - BRIDGES (Finds Career Matches through your interests and abilities.)
College Research Tools – Family Connection, Virginia Wizard, Collegeboard (MyRoad).
Test Prep for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT Tests. Financial Aid/Scholarship Info – Brochures,
Search Engines, Scholarship File. Alternative Career Paths – Military,
Apprenticeships, Trade Schools.
Diploma Types
Standard Diploma 4 English 3 Math 3 Science 3 Social Studies 2 HPE 1 Fine/Practical Art 2 Sequential Electives 4 Additional Electives 6 Verified
Credits/Passing the class and the SOL
Advanced Studies Diploma 4 English 4 Math 4 Science 4 Social Studies 2 HPE 1 Fine/Practical Art 3 Foreign Language or
2/2 2 Additional Electives 9 Verified
Credits/Passing the class and the SOL
Think Ahead
It’s very helpful to have a sense of direction for your future
It’s also helpful to know what’s required for what you want to do
It’s okay to change your mind on what you plan to do
It’s never too early to start thinking about and exploring careers
Grades
Grading ScaleA = 90 – 100----------- 4.0B+= 87 – 89------------ 3.4B = 80 – 86------------- 3.0 C+= 77 - 79------------- 2.4C = 70 – 76------------- 2.0D+= 67 – 69------------ 1.4D = 60 - 66------------ 1.0F = 59 and below------ 0.0
*Passing grades earn 1 credit for each class each year
How GPA’s work…
Student A9th grade 2.110th grade 3.311th grade 3.3
Cum GPA 2.9
Student B9th grade 3.510th grade 3.311th grade
3.3
Cum GPA 3.4
What colleges are looking for…
Challenging courses – even 9th grade!
GPATest scoresActivitiesEssays and letters
of recommendation
Colleges are getting harder to get into!
Average GPAs for college admission are going up.George Mason – 3.56 James Madison – 3.75Virginia Tech – 3.85
Most Virginia state schools are looking for a 3.0 GPA or higher
Classroom Tips
Know your learning style: visual, auditory, or kinesthetic
Participate in class discussions
Actively listen Attend school regularly
Attendance Policies & Procedures
If you are absent, you have 2 school days to turn in an excuse note
If you miss 5 or more days consecutively, you need a doctor’s note
If you know ahead of time that you will be out of school for a trip or special event, please see your Asst. Principal to get it pre-approved.
Students who miss 10 or more class periods in any one class for the year – excused or unexcused – and who have completed little or no make-up work, may fail that class for the year.
Taking Notes
Write Key PointsDate and organize notesSeek clarification from your
teacherUse outliningReview and highlight notes at
home each night
Homework
Set a schedule – do homework the night it is assigned
Eliminate distractionsTackle your hardest subject firstForm associations, look for patterns, and
create rhymes, linking, and acronymsHand in on timeProofread
Time Management
Meet deadlines and feel more in control or your life.
Use your agenda Write down assignments as soon as you get
them Keep track of what’s coming up by looking
ahead at next week or month. Put stars next to tests and other important dates.
Divide big assignments into smaller steps
Time Management (cont.’d)
Make studying/homework a routine – try to schedule it for the same time every day.
Procrastinating = time-wasting habit Break up larger projects into smaller ones Set deadlines for yourself Remind yourself how good you’ll feel when
you’re finished Promise yourself a reward (movie, snack) when
you’re finished
Test Taking
Review notes and earlier tests throughout the unit
Stay after with the teacher before the test When taking the test…
Immediately jot down facts Pace yourself Check your work Get adequate sleep the night before Read directions carefully – and clarify with teacher
if you have questions
Raising Low Grades
NHS Peer tutoring – Every Tues. and Thurs. in room 1124 from 2-3 p.m.
Stay after for extra help with the teacher – arrange with them beforehand
Extra-credit work
Establish a study group
Increase class participation
Re-evaluate priorities