WELCOME FRESHMEN PARENTS! Class of 2022

Goals for the Evening To help 9th grade parents: Understand the importance of making good decisions NOW. Graduation Requirements Prepare for sophomore year. Introduce Naviance - Family Connections.

To-do List Meet with counselor to discuss your future plans During 9th grade, students should consider the following items: Meet with counselor to discuss your future plans Review your schedule to make sure you are enrolled in challenging classes that will help you prepare for college and/or post secondary plans. Review Guide to Academic Programs Get involved! Join a club, sport, or activity.

Meet with counselor Sign up for an appointment that does not interfere with class time (before school, homeroom, elective, during study hall or after school).

Testing No PSSAs Keystones for those in Alg I and Alg II (May) PSAT in October of sophomore year MAP Testing in Math and English to show growth data

Mid-terms and Finals Exams will be administered to all students in 5 subject areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Language) Testing Times: January and June Each exam counts for 10% of final grade

Mid-terms and Finals (Cont.) Please keep the final exam dates in mind when scheduling summer vacation. Exams cannot be given in advance, and to earn a credit for a course, the student must take the exam.

Classroom Testing Teachers will assess students frequently. (tests and quizzes) Do not get behind! Do not cram! Review notes nightly. Stay after if a teacher offers a review session. Take advantage of study halls and Core Ext.

Help is Available Teachers are available after school to provide support. Free tutoring is offered by honor societies. Room B102, every Tuesday-Thursday from 2:30-4:00 A list of tutoring services is available by request.

A student quote… “It’s my first year of high school, so I just want to take it easy.” Anonymous

YES! Freshman year counts! Academic Success YES! Freshman year counts! By the end of 9th grade, you have already completed 1/3 of the academic work that colleges use to make acceptance decisions. Success during freshman year is critical.

Course Grades Your final grade in a course is the average of all 4 marking periods plus your exam grades.

GPA (Grade Point Average) GPA is a number that represents the average of your course grades at the end of every school year.

GPA (Grade Point Average) A+ = 4.33 A = 4.00 A- = 3.66 B+ = 3.33 B = 3.00 B- = 2.66 C+ = 2.33 C = 2.00 C- = 1.66 D+ = 1.33 D = 1.00 D- = 0.66

GPA and College Admission Colleges see the grades that students earn during freshman year. These grades count toward the cumulative GPA (the average of all semester grades since 9th grade).

When a student applies to college… Your options for colleges will be much greater with a GPA of a 3.0 or higher.

What appears on a transcript? All courses including class level – AP, Accelerated, Honors, College Prep Final grades (not quarter grades) GPA (weighted and unweighted) Attendance Keystone Exam Scores Credits earned

Course Choices It is okay if you do not know exactly what you want to do after high school---but it is important to make good course choices NOW. The rigor of courses you choose and the grades you earn become the most important factor for colleges when making admissions decisions. (Course Selection begins in February.)

Graduation Requirements 4 English 4 Social Studies 3 Science 3 Math 1 additional year of math OR science Reach second level of World Language PE every year Health 10th grade

Another student quote… “I took all accelerated courses because I thought it would look better on my transcript, even though I’m getting C’s in all my classes!” Anonymous

A Balancing Act Make realistic choices. Take recommendations from teachers seriously. Aim to challenge yourself. Be ready to put forth the time and effort it takes to be successful in higher level courses.

Advanced Placement (AP) Availability: Starting in sophomore year Benefits: Prepare for college course work; earn credits to off-set college course work

HAC (Home Access Center) Check HAC regularly. Students are ultimately responsible for their own grades. Use HAC to facilitate conversations with your child.

Career and Tech Ed Students can apply to Delaware County Technical School toward the end of 9th grade. They can begin DCTS in 10th grade. DCTS offers several programs such as building trades, cosmetology, computer networking, medical careers, and early childhood education. DCTS students graduate with a Penncrest diploma. Students can attend the presentation in January.

Extracurricular Activities Colleges are interested in: Non-academic interests. Your long-term commitment to an activity. If you have made a meaningful contribution. If you can manage your time and priorities.

Extracurricular Activities (Cont.) If you have not already done so, make sure to join a sport, club, or activity. Do not join too many at once---focus on your ability to make a long-term commitment to only a few. Aim for leadership roles.

Service Requirements All Penncrest students are required to participate in at least 2 school service activities and at least 2 community service activities before graduation. This is equivalent to 1 activity per year.

Service Requirements (Cont.) School Service (2): Participation in a club, sport, or activity counts as a school service. Community Service (2): Volunteerism outside of school counts as community service. There is no specific time requirement.

Community Service Once an activity is completed, retrieve a pink card from the guidance office or the main office. You must have the activity coordinator’s signature to earn credit for the service. Opportunities for service are advertised on the morning announcements or in the grade level office.

NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association has eligibility requirements for student athletes who wish to play sports at the Division 1 or Division 2 level: a minimum GPA of 2.0 at least 14 specific core courses Please let your counselor and your coach know if you are interested in playing sports at the college level.

Work Experience Working, whether paid or volunteer, can help a student identify career interests and goals. Students should periodically check the job board in the Career Center.

Obtaining Working Papers Students must be at least 14 years old in order to secure a part-time or vacation certificate for work done after school or during vacation - including summer vacation. Papers may be obtained in the Main Office (8:30 - noon). Bring proof of age such as a birth certificate or passport.

Career Center-Mrs. Naismith Arrange for a job shadowing experience during sophomore or junior year. POWR---Penncrest Opportunities for Workplace Relationships College representatives come to Penncrest in the Fall. Students in grades 10-12th are welcomed to sign up and meet with the reps. To set up an appointment, contact Mrs. Naismith at 610-627-6212 or lnaismith@rtmsd.org.

Behavioral Expectations It is our job as an institution of education to prepare you for life after Penncrest High School. Follow the rules and respect yourself and others. Teachers and administrators are more likely to give you a recommendation for a job or college if you are in good disciplinary standing.

Behavioral Expectations Make Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook accounts private. Make sure posts are free of inappropriate comments, pictures, and bullying.

Sophomore Interview You will meet with your counselor during the Spring of 10th grade. Items discussed will include general information about college searches, college visits, course choices, and academic progress.

Counselors for Grades 10 - 12 Mr. David Harple Mrs. Helen Douglass- Garrett Ms. Karen Kerr Mrs. Lori Rice-Spring

NAVIANCE: Family Connections http://connection.naviance.com/penncrest Every Penncrest student has an account. This program is designed to serve the needs of students and parents as they go through career and college planning.

NAVIANCE: Family Connections Program Features College Search Scholarship Search Career and Personality Inventories Organizer for college acceptances, test scores, extracurricular involvement, letters of recommendation, etc.

Contact Information Mrs. Eaton 610-627-6207 reaton@rtmsd.org Have a great year!