Welcome class of 2016 Freshmen FORECASTING Choosing Classes for next year and MORE Benson Counseling Ms Henry A to L Mr Wren M to Z Winter 2013

Participate in Your Education Someone is going to plan your future.... It may as well be you. It may as well be you.

Your Transcript  Check your personal information for accuracy.  Semester Grades are permanent.  Note Overall GPA.

Graduation Requirements table from a transcript. What grade is this student?

Credit Recovery  Failed classes must be made up to count toward graduation.  No retakes are allowed at Benson.  Portland Evening Scholars.  Summer Scholars.  Virtual Scholars (online learning at Benson, to retake Fs)  Other online programs. See your counselor.

Typical Four Year Plan all students move to the next class in the series.

What is a SLIP Exam? What does # mean?

Why Forecast?  Open Course Guide to page 1.  Read the first two paragraphs. We will use your choices to make classes, hire teachers, and set up the schedule. Choices cannot be changed in the Fall.

Steps in forecasting  1 Fill out your forecasting sheet clearly. sheet clearly.  2 Discuss choices with teachers, parents, classmates. CHOOSE WELL.  3 Mark your sheet with all classes you plan to take and collect signatures.  4 Bring signed sheet to class to meet with your counselor next week.

Using The Course Guide Using The Course Guide  Inside Cover – complete list of majors  Table of Contents  Researching majors  Researching Academic classes  The Benson Diploma; page 3

Other Graduation Requirements for freshmen class of 2016  In addition to earning the 24 credits you will have to meet other requirements:  Pass state tests in reading, writing, and math. “Smarter Balance” Tests will be taken Junior year.  Complete a resume and career related learning experience.  Complete an extended application project.

What if you have not even taken a essential skills test?

Back of transcript with OAKS (OSA) test meeting standard.

Planning Ahead for College for Freshmen  Most colleges require a GPA of 3.0, some require higher, some lower. See page 4 for details.  Colleges require a C or higher in 15 core classes. You must retake Ds in core classes.  All Juniors will take the ACT in April at Benson. This is a college admission test.  You should also take the SAT in the Spring of your Junior year if you plan to go to college.  Its not too early to begin thinking of your college major.

Should this student make up the D? (Note GPA)

Extracurricular Activities  Athletic Teams. Course guide to page 49.  (NCAA Eligibility see page 5)  Clubs. Page 50.  Leadership.  Volunteering/ Community Service

Resources  Counseling.  College/ Career Center.  School Nurse.  See Course Guide page 6 for details.

Getting Help  Yourself: set goals, manage time,  Teachers: the expert on their topic. Try going in after school.  Parents  Classmates: form a study group.  Tutors

CAREER EXPO  March 19 th, 2013  Bring a resume and do a mock interview this year!

SEE YOU SOON  Counselors will come back to your class to answer any final questions and collect your forecasting sheet.  BE READY.

Job Market Trends