F RESHMAN G UIDANCE O RIENTATION

Y OUR C OUNSELOR ’ S R OLE The role of your counselor is to help you make plans and decisions as a student. We are concerned with your transition from the middle school, your academic progress, choices you are making and anything else that may impact you as a student.

C OUNSELOR A SSIGNMENTS B Y L AST N AME o A-E Mr. Conwell o F-K Mr. Kean o L-R Mrs. Marazza o S-Z Mrs. Thorsen

G UIDANCE O FFICE S TAFF Mrs. Brown – Guidance Secretary Mr. Lintner – Probation Officer

H OW C AN Y OU S EE A C OUNSELOR ? Ask your counselor for a pass after checking into homeroom in the morning or between classes. If your counselor is not there, let the secretary know you would like to see your counselor. You must get permission from your classroom teacher if you will be missing their class to meet with your counselor.

P ROCEDURE W HEN C ALLED T O T HE G UIDANCE O FFICE You will receive a pass from your homeroom teacher. Show the pass to the teacher from whose class you are to be excused. Report immediately to your counselor when excused by your teacher. Once you report to guidance, swipe your ID into the computer system on the secretary’s desk.

H OMEWORK Check SKYWARD for homework! If you know you will be absent, call a friend in your classes to get your homework. When you return to school, ask your teachers about homework due and make up any tests you have missed. This is your responsibility!!! You may call the Guidance Office to request homework when you have been absent for 3 days. You need to call by 8:00 a.m. in order to pick up work after 2:15 p.m. on the same day.

S TANDARDIZED T ESTING PSAT (optional) – 10 th - 11 th grade; a fee is charged SAT (optional) – 11 th - 12 th grade; a fee is charged ACT (optional) – 11 th - 12 th grade; a fee is charged AP Testing (optional) 10 th - 12 th grade; a fee is charged Keystone Exams

H AVING T ROUBLE W ITH A S UBJECT ? Don’t panic! Ask your teacher for help Discuss your concerns with your counselor Tutoring is available from 2:16 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily The schedule you have selected must be followed all year – there will be no schedule changes!

S UGGESTIONS F OR S UCCESS I N S CHOOL Complete assignments Take part in class discussions Prepare for tests daily rather than waiting until the night before Attend school regularly Get help when you do not understand something Get involved in school activities

R EPORT C ARDS, G RADES AND O THER I MPORTANT I NFORMATION Access Skyward to keep track of grades Report cards are issued every 9 weeks Progress reports are issued at 4 ½ weeks during each grading period for grades below a 70% Students must pass all required subjects and earn 25.5 credits Honor Roll – 90% or higher for the 9 weeks with no incompletes or grades below a 70%. Incomplete Grades – must be made up within two weeks of the date report cards are issued. Incompletes not made up become a 40%. Honor Society – 90% final average, no grades below 70%

R EPORT C ARDS, G RADES AND O THER I MPORTANT I NFORMATION Class Rank – based on GPA from your final grades. It tells you where you rank in relation to the students in your class. It is computed at the end of each school year and it is cumulative. Weighted Courses – given for Honors and Advanced Placement courses. Honors courses receive a 5% increase and AP courses receive a 10% increase. This is reflected in your GPA not your final grade. Summer School – is available for students who fail a required course Attendance – days absent and tardy become a part of your transcript and permanent record Graduation Project – begins in 9 th grade, research paper is done in 11 th grade and you must present by the end of the 1 st semester of 12 th grade **Final grades earned in grades 9-12 will be listed on your transcript which is submitted for college admission and employment opportunities

M INIMUM G RADUATION R EQUIREMENTS Subject AreaCredits Needed English4.5 Mathematics3.0 Science3.0 Social Studies4.0 Arts and Humanities2.0 Physical Education & Health2.5 Electives5.0 PSSA **1.0** Graduation Project0.5 Total**25.5**

M INIMUM G RADUATION R EQUIREMENTS At this time, graduation from Norwin is based upon successful completion of 25.5 credits. If a student fails a required course, they must repeat the course or attend summer school. Your counselor will monitor your credits and assist in course planning based on credits earned and needed.

H AVE A G REAT F RESHMAN Y EAR !