1. Irvington High School Parent Information Session Quarter 2 a-g
Graduation Requirements
College Admissions
Information for parents
Hello and welcome. Thank you for joining us for our second Parent Information Session of the year. Time constraints make parent communication a challenge, so we are happy to be able to interact with everyone in this format, so that we can focus most of our time on direct contact with our students. We are going to be passing around index cards for you to write down any questions that you may have. We will collect the cards at the end and respond.
Updated: 12/2016

2. Counselors A-Do: Ms. Velazco Dr-Kr: Ms. Bennett Ku-Ng: Ms. Mintey
Nh-So: Ms. Velasquez
Sp-Z: Ms. Serrano
College & Career Specialist:
Ms. Abogado

3. Counseling Program Overview
Academic services available to ALL students:
2 classroom presentations per year per grade level: (English and history classes) graduation requirements, college admissions, transcript review/distribution, Naviance career and college exploration, etc.
Annual Individual meeting with counselor :(through English class) course selection/registration, review transcript
Available to all students during lunch and after school for student questions
Behind the scenes transcript review. Counselors review each student’s transcript twice per year to check for graduation requirements and implement guidance and interventions as needed.
Social/emotional support:
Short term counseling (crisis counseling, grief counseling, stress management, conflict resolution, etc.) and crisis counseling referrals to social service agencies are provided as needed.

4. Best ways for STUDENTS to contact a counselor:
Counselors have student drop-in times listed on their door.
Face to face contact with counselors is encouraged as it is a great way for students to get to know their counselor.

5. PARENTS:
Due to large caseloads, walk-in appointments for parents cannot be accommodated.
Encourage your student to:
See their counselor during STUDENT drop-in times (personal responsibility is one of our school wide outcomes)
their counselor if student cannot make STUDENT drop-in times
*If you have a concern that cannot be addressed by your student, please your student’s counselor. Please allow two school days for a response (during busy periods, you may receive an automated response).

6. Helpful Tools

7. Visit the Counselor’s Corner and the College and Career Center online for answers to many frequently asked questions…
Counselor’s Corner:
Important announcements
Requesting recommendations
PowerPoints/ FAQs
Resources for students struggling academically
Resources for health and wellness
4 year plan
College Planning Checklist
Irvington course offerings
Registration information
Graduation reqs/college entrance reqs
A-g list
And more!

8. Resources/Interventions for students that are struggling academically find on irvington.org under counseling tab

9. Resources for Health and Wellness find on irvington
Resources for Health and Wellness find on irvington.org under counseling tab
Health and Wellness Resources/Agencies link:
Is your student feeling stressed out/overwhelmed?
Does your family need help signing up for health insurance?
Do you need information on housing?
Students can also see their counselor in person for more information.

10. Career Center Webpage College and Career Center:
SAT info and test prep options
Calendar showing upcoming visits from college reps and workshops
College requirement info
Financial aid information
College application information
Naviance information
Career information
Military information
Scholarship information
And more!!

11. Shmoop
Free access to -SAT/ACT/PSAT/AP/DMV exam prep including practice tests and drills -Essay lab to help students write essays -Study guides for many subjects
To sign up:
magic word: ELUANT

12. College and Graduation Requirements

13. Graduation Reqs Versus UC/CSU Reqs
What are the main differences?
(a-g Requirements)
Graduation Reqs Versus UC/CSU Reqs
English- 40 credits
(area “b”) English- same
Health- 5 credits
PE- 20 credits
(area “c”) Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 (minimum)
Algebra more credits of math
Fine Art OR World Language OR CTE
(area “f” and “e”) Fine Art AND
World Lang
Social Science- World History, US History, Gov/Econ
(area “a”) Social Science- same
Science- 20 credits- Biological (Biology, Sports Therapy) AND Physical (Int. Sci, Chem, Biotech)
(area “d”) Science- 20 credits
(prefer Bio and Chem/Biotech)
Electives: 75 credits required. Any class taken after a subject requirement is met is counted as an elective (Ex: Your 3rd year of science counts as an elective).
SAT or ACT
40 hours of community service

14. Know Irvington’s a-g list www.ucop.edu/doorways
Every class at Irvington that fulfills an a-g subject requirement for CSU and UC admission can be found on this list.

15. Service Hours Click here to get started.
There is an app available. Search Apple or Google Play: ServiceKarma (one word)
Students see Mr. Lewis in rm 212 if they have questions.

16. Preet Kaur Sabharwal M.A. Community Mental Health Specialist
The Hume Center

17. Five Senses Mindfulness Exercise
Stressed out? Can’t stop worrying or thinking about something? Can’t focus? Feeling upset? Sometimes we feel like we’re caught up in a tornado of thoughts and emotions. The exercise below is a quick and easy method for feeling more centered on a tough day. It’s also great to practice at times when you’re not as stressed so you know exactly how to use it when you need it the most.
If begin to notice thoughts coming into your mind, that is COMPLETELY normal. Our brains are designed to think but we can learn to refocus our attention. Take this as an opportunity to be kind to yourself and not judge. Just notice that you are having thoughts, then, redirect your attention back to the present moment.
1. Sit in a comfortable upright position with your feet planted flat on the ground. Rest your hands on your thighs or on your desk.
2. Notice your breathe. No need to breathe in any particular way. Just bring attention to each part of the breath- the inhale, exhale, and space in between.
3. Bring awareness to each of your 5 senses. One at a time, for about one minute each. The point here is to focus on the present moment and how each sense is being activated in that moment. The order in which you pay attention to each sense does not matter.
Hear: Begin to notice all of the sounds around you. Try not to judge the sounds- just notice them. They are not good or bad, they just are. Sounds might be internal, like breathing or digestion. Sounds might be close by or more distant like the sound of traffic. Are you now hearing more than you were before you started? You may begin to notice subtle sounds you did not hear before. Can you hear them now?

18. Smell: Now shift your attention to notice the smells of your environment. Maybe you smell food. You might become aware of the smell of trees or plants if you are outside. You might notice the smell of books or paper. Sometimes closing your eyes can help sharpen your attention.
See: Observe your surrounding and notice the colors, shapes and textures. If you really look, you may notice things that have gone unnoticed.
Taste: You can do this one even if you have food in your mouth. You may notice an aftertaste of a previous drink or meal. You can just notice your tongue in your mouth, your saliva, and your breath as you exhale. We have tastes in our mouth that often go unnoticed. You can run your tongue over your teeth and cheeks to help you become more aware.
Touch: Last one. Bring your attention to the sensations of skin contact with your chair, clothing, and feet on the floor. You can notice the pressure between your feet and the floor or your body and the chair. You can observe temperature like the warmth or coolness of your hands or feet. You might take time to feel the textures that you noticed by sight a moment ago. You can feel several objects on your desk to fully focus your attention on the present.
When finished, pause to notice how your body feels in this moment. Compare how you feel now with how you felt 5 minutes ago- what has changed? Try this exercise next time you're feeling overwhelmed. This can be useful to use before a test or speech, too!
Clayton State University, Counseling and Psychological Services

19. Preventing Stress in Teens
Be a role model
How do you deal with your own stress?
Encourage and model open communication
Focus on the process not the outcome
Help teens learn time management and prevent overscheduling
Make an effort to talk to your teen every day about what is going on in their lives ( not just about academics)
Trying to talk with your teen not at your teen.
Try listening to your teen without immediately judging or offering advice.
Model positive communication by listening carefully, making good eye contact and avoid multitasking.

20. Addressing Stress in Teens
Pay Attention to Red Flags
Changes in behavior, eating, sleeping, in motivation to go to school, grades, social functioning ( isolation or hanging out too much)or personal hygiene.
Help teens identify signs of stress
Help teens find ways to relax and cope with stress by encouraging them to establish self-care routines
Identify and highlight strengths your teen has. Encouraging your teen to utilize those strengths to cope with stress.
Encourage your teens to use words to share their concerns and problems and work together to figure out solutions or coping strategies.

21. Winter Break (Yes it’s time for a break)
Plan a outing or a trip with your teen
Show interest in their favorite TV show or video game
Encourage your teen to go out and see friends
Model for them that it is okay to take a break

22. College Admissions

23. Know Your Options CAREER
There are many different paths to happiness. Students should choose the one that is right for them.
CAREER
University (Doctorate)
Professional
School
University (Graduate)
There is much national and international emphasis put on students regarding their academic knowledge when earning a high school diploma. And there is a the myth that success only comes from earning a four-year college degree.
There are many successful paths to reaching a career depending on students’ talents, gifts, passions, strengths, weakness, and capabilities.
After HS a student can choose: career, military, gap year, vocational/trade school, community college, university
From there students can again choose a path that best fits them and their career goals. It is usually in the post-high school path that the career goal becomes much clearer.
Vocational/Technical School
Community
College
University (Undergraduate)
Military
High School
Kristin Cranmer 2015

24. Naviance
Aligns students’ strengths and interests with college and career goals
Explore now, so you don’t waste time later
Learn about yourself and how to study effectively
Naviance offers: Assessments, college searches, career searches
Learn about college options
Learn what careers fit you

25. Naviance Timeline
Classroom Guidance with Counselors/College and Career Specialist
9th Grade: Complete learning style and personal strengths inventories, explore career matches, start a resume (October/science classes)
10th Grade: Complete career interest and multiple intelligences inventories, explore career matches, complete college search and explore college matches, work on resume (December/World History classes)
11th grade: Personality inventory, explore career matches, career research, complete college search and explore college matches, work on resume (November/US History classes)
12th grade: College search, search and apply for scholarships, resume (independently)

26. Directions for Naviance tasks can be found on the career center webpage.
Review activities with your teen and encourage colleges and careers that fit their personality, interests, and abilities.

27. College Systems University of California (10 campuses)
California State University (23 campuses)
Private/Out-of-State Colleges
Community College
Vocational/Tech Schools
Where we will spend the majority of our time is on the types of colleges & universities in the U.S. that are attended after high school.
Within CA we have UCs, CSUs, Private/Indep CA colleges & universities, out-of-state colleges & universities, community colleges, and vocational/tech schools.

28. Fit matters!
Am I applying to these colleges because of the name or because of what they have to offer?
Can I share a classroom with 500 students?
Do I like snow?
Can I do my own laundry and cook for myself?
Am I ready to attend a four year college?
Is a community college the right fit for me?
Do I have the money to attend this college? Will I be in debt when I leave?
When your teen is thinking about colleges, encourage these questions…

29. Ideas for college/career planning can be found on irvington
Ideas for college/career planning can be found on irvington.org/counselors on the printable 4 year plan.
Use this with your teen.

30. How Parents Can Help Be a cheerleader
Be realistic; Encourage a range of college & career options
Research college options WITH your teen
Help plan campus visits WITH your teen
Narrow college options WITH your teen based on best fit
Use Naviance WITH your teen
Doing things FOR your teen leads to a dependent student. Doing things WITH your teen leads to an independent student and successful adult.
Kristin Cranmer 2015