You Have the Next 4 Years to Set Up the Rest of Your Life… Georgetown High School Grade 9 Guidance Presentation FALL 2017 Developed by Laura Lake, M.Ed

Forward The courses you take, the activities you participate in, and the way you choose to conduct yourself have a huge impact on the options you will have available to you upon graduation. Take advantage of the many opportunities afforded to you in high school to ensure that you have the best chance possible of achieving your personal goals.

GHS Counseling Staff Laura Lake Grade 9 7508 lakel@georgetownisd.org Tricia Cook A - Hem 7198 cookt@georgetownisd.org Shannon Henson (Lead) Hen - M 7111 hensons@georgetownisd.org Chaileen Gilly N - Z 7044 gillyc@georgetownisd.org Sam McCutchen College/Career Center 7075 mccutchens@georgetownisd.org Tishna Rollo Intervention Services 7010 ad-rollot@georgetownisd.org Tina Kepner Developmental Guidance/ Crisis Intervention kepnert@georgetownisd.org Deena Nero Administrative Assistant 7089 nerod@georgetownisd.org

Things to do… Explore your possibilities. Know requirements for your graduation. Choose your endorsement pathway. Maintain balance in your life. Capitalize on your high school experience. Document your accomplishments. State your goals in writing.

Explore your Possibilities At this point in your life, many, many possibilities are available to you . Everyone has a unique set of characteristics and very individual ideas regarding the meaning of success. The trick is to match your characteristics with the options that will lead you to a successful and fulfilling life.

REMINDER: It is important to understand that the term “COLLEGE” can refer to a variety of post-secondary education opportunities and is not limited to the traditional 4 year college or university experience. The vast majority of occupations in today’s world require some kind of education and training beyond high school. Contact your school counselor or college and career center advisor for information about various career exploration resources.

Choose your Endorsement Pathway Endorsement pathways are intended to give students the opportunity to take a concentration of related courses in high school to help them be prepared for post-secondary education and careers.

Endorsements Arts and Humanities Business and Industry Public Service STEM Multidisciplinary REMEMBER: Endorsements can be changed if you change your mind during high school. You and your parent will need to meet with your counselor to make a change.

Please Note… In general, students must earn 4 credits from a sequence of related courses designated for a particular endorsement pathway. While it is possible for students to meet the requirements for more than one endorsement, “collecting” endorsements is not really the intent of the mandate. Scheduling conflicts may require students to set priorities regarding the endorsement completion requirement.

Know requirements for your graduation with a 4 Year Course Plan The 4 year plan helps ensure that you meet graduation requirements AND that you are well prepared to achieve success in the pursuit of your post-secondary goals.

Foundation Graduation Plan IMPORTANT: The Distinguished Level of Achievement is required for automatic admission to state 4 year universities. Algebra 2 is required.

GPA and Class Rank Grades in all courses (with a few exceptions) are used to calculate your unweighted grade point average (GPA). Class rank indicates where you stand academically in relation to the students in your class. Your grades in English, math, science, social studies and foreign language are used to calculate your weighted ranking GPA. REMEMBER: Good grades in Pre-AP and AP courses will strengthen your class rank. However, it is important to choose classes that are appropriate for your post- secondary plans AND your ability level.

Performance Acknowledgements Recognition for outstanding achievement in the following areas: Dual Credit Courses Early College Start Co-Enrollment Articulated Courses Languages (LOTE) AP Testing PSAT/SAT/ACT Testing Certification/Licensure

Your Transcript Your transcript is the official and permanent record of your high school career. Transcripts are updated after each semester. Students can request transcripts through Parchment.com. A link is provided on the GHS homepage.

Develop a positive outlook and work ethic by maintaining Personal Balance The ability to consistently get many things done well in a timely and responsible manner while maintaining good physical and mental health is an attribute that will benefit you not only in high school, but also in your post- secondary education, on the job and throughout life in general.

Self-Care Eat a nutritious breakfast Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water Exercise Rest and Relax Avoid harmful substances Send positive thoughts to yourself and others… Every Day!

Relationships Family and Friends Teachers, Mentors and Authority Figures School and Community Activities Civic responsibilities Social Media Safety

Study Skills Stay organized. Utilize class time. Learn to prioritize and set timelines. Break large tasks into chunks. Develop a routine that includes a regular study time at home. Arrange for tutoring assistance when necessary. NOTE: Access www.how-to-study.com for great tips on developing positive study habits.

Capitalize on your high school experience with a Strategy for Success Grades and test scores are not the only criteria to measure student success. Colleges, employers and selection committees tend to choose individuals who are capable, well rounded and demonstrate positive personal attributes.

Factoring Success OBJECTIVE SUBJECTIVE GPA (grade point average) Class Rank Graduation Plan Diploma Courses taken Service to others Specific goals & plans Less common pursuits Networking Attention to details Going above and beyond Creative and original Extenuating circumstances Accomplishments Activities & Involvement Character OBJECTIVE SUBJECTIVE

Document your accomplishments with a Resume’ A resume is a listing of your activities and achievements that potential employers and selection committees commonly use to determine your qualifications. A resume often presents a first impression of you.

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Skills and Experience Paid Employment Education Entrepreneurship Non-Paid Experience Internships Volunteer Education Course work Endorsements Certifications Language Skills Computer Skills Organizational Skills Clubs/Organizations Sports/Athletics

Attributes Team Player Determined Ambitious Energetic Responsible What do you want someone to be able to say about you if you were to ask for a reference? Team Player Determined Ambitious Energetic Responsible Concerned Focused Goal Oriented Dedicated

Resume TIPS Use action words to describe your experiences and leadership roles. Don’t just list your participation. Use graphic elements to make your resume visually appealing. Edit your resume as you grow in experience.

Put your goals in writing with a Goal Statement Think about the kind of life you want for yourself in the future. What would you like to accomplish? Where would you like to go? How are you going to get there?

What are your Goals? SHORT TERM GOALS are those things you would like to accomplish in the near future and often lead to the accomplishment of long term goals. LONG TERM GOALS are those things you would like to accomplish years from now. QUESTIONS: What kind of lifestyle would you prefer? What kind of work would you enjoy doing to earn your living? Will that occupation support your chosen lifestyle?

QUESTIONS? WRAP UP