1. DAMASCUS HIGH SCHOOL 9TH GRADE PARENT MEETING

2. COUNSELING OFFICE COUNSELORS A-Ba Mr. Peelman Be-E Mr. Higgins
F-Kh Mrs. Djouha
Ki-O Mr. Smith
P-S Mrs. Poker
T-Z Mrs. Fischer

3. COUNSELING OFFICE Registrar - Mrs. Carey 301-253-7041
Counseling Office Secretary
- Mrs. Nelson
Career Center
- Mr. Ed Martin

4. Counseling Office Agenda
Final exams
Increased workload and difficulty
Academic Eligibility
Attendance
College Admission Information

5. Counseling Office Agenda
Graduation Requirements with HSA
Summer School
Transcript Information
PSAT, SAT, ACT, and Accuplacer
Registration Procedures for 9th into 10th Grade
Final Exams

6. Increased Difficulty – 9th Grade
Increase in amount of work and difficulty of work
Long-term assignments
2nd Quarter versus 1st Quarter
Communications with teacher/counselor
-EdLine, DHS site, , progress reports,
interims, PTSA newsletter, parent meetings
Honor Roll requirements

7. Academic Eligibility Eligibility is determined each quarter
Must achieve a minimum of 2.0 for the quarter; no more than one E
Ineligibility remains in effect until the next quarter report card is distributed

8. Attendance Attendance is key
Must turn in absence notes within three school days of absence (even if called in by parent)
Attendance Office:
- Mrs. Taylor

9. Summer School When/why is summer school necessary or requested?
-English, Math, Prerequisites
-Health course
-Advancement to next grade level
Locations and costs
-Limited offerings, provide own transportation
-Last year’s summer school cost was $300 per
course
Registration Procedures
Calendar for summer school

10. Transcripts Transcripts include the following info:
- Semester courses and semester grades
- Cumulative GPA and Cumulative WGPA
- Attendance Record
- Student Service Learning Hours
- Graduation Summary
- High School Assessment Results

11. PSAT Test in October PSAT automatic in 10th (free); 11th fee
PSAT Day activities for 9th Grade Students
- class meeting, meet with counselors,
career & technology presentations
DHS courses to assist: SAT Prep, more rigorous courses (Honors and Advanced Placement)
Official test to qualify for National Merit Scholarships for 11th Grade

12. The SAT - No quantitative comparisons - Algebra 2 included
Math:
- No quantitative comparisons
- Algebra 2 included
- Testing time is reduced by 5 minutes
Critical Reading (replaces Verbal name):
- No more analogies
- More passage-based reading questions

13. The SAT Writing Component/Multiple Choice Section:
- Multiple Choice- improving sentences and
paragraphs (25 minutes)
- Student written essay- communicating a
viewpoint (25 minutes)
Cost is $47.00

14. ACT ACT changed in Spring, 2005 - Writing section is optional
- Colleges fully accept scores
- More achievement-oriented test
- Cost is $48.00; no writing $33.00

15. ACCUPLACER Accuplacer is Montgomery College placement assessment
Student must pass in order to take college level classes
Passing scores:
SAT: 550 CR; 550 Math; 550 Writing
ACT: 24 out of 32
Accuplacer: Pass CR, Math, Writing

16. DHS COURSE REGISTRATION
Course level recommendations done by 1st semester teachers in January
Registration materials to students in late February
Students return completed and signed registration card in early March
Course offering booklet distributed to all DHS students during registration
More course offerings available to 10th graders

17. Graduation Requirements
4 credits in English
3 credits in Social Studies (U.S. History, NSL Government (or AP NSL), Modern World History (or AP World History)
4 credits in Math (Algebra and Geometry required)
3 credits in Science (Biology and a physical science required)
1 credit in Physical Education

18. Graduation Requirements (continued)
.5 credit in Health (10th Grade)
1 credit in Fine Arts
1 credit in Technology
One of the following:
- 2 credits in a Foreign Language
- 2 credits in Advanced Technology
- 4 credits in a Career Completer

19. Graduation Requirements (continued)
22 Total credits
75 hours of Student Service Learning Hours
AND

20. Graduation Requirements
TAKE AND PASS ALL HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENTS (HSA)
English 10, NSL, Biology, Algebra

21. HIGH SCHOOL ASSESSMENTS
Pass
Algebra
Biology
English
NSL Government
TOTAL

22. Factors in College Admission
Considerable Importance
- Honors and Advanced Placement Courses
- Grades in College Prep Courses
- Standardized Admissions Tests
- Grades in All Classes
Moderate Importance
- Class Rank (MCPS does not rank students)
- Essay or Writing Sample
- Counselor Recommendation
- Teacher Recommendation
- Work/Extracurricular Activities

23. Factors in College Admission
Limited Importance
- Alumni Relation
Very Limited Importance
- Interview
- Student’s Demonstrated Interest
- State Graduation Exam Scores (just need to pass)
- Subject Tests (SAT II, AP, IB)
- Race/Ethnicity
- Ability to Pay
- State or County of Residence

24. University of Maryland
- 26,000 application
admitted students
- Resident Costs:
$ tuition and fees
$ residence hall
$ meal plan
$ books and supplies
$ TOTAL
January 5: Financial Aid Workshop at DHS

25. University of Maryland
(DHS students):
- 90 Students Applied
- 49 Students Admitted
- 15 Students Admitted for
Spring Term

26. G.P.A. and S.A.T. Data Average Admitted Data: For Fall Term:
- SAT: CR+Math
- W.G.P.A.: 4.32
For Spring Term:
- SAT: CR+Math
- W.G.P.A.:

27. Additional College Info
UMBC: GPA; CR+Math
Towson: GPA; CR+Math
Salisbury: GPA; CR+Math
Frostburg: GPA; CR+Math
J Madison: 3.47 GPA; CR+Math
Delaware: GPA; CR+Math

28. IMPORTANT DATES November 11 - Report Cards Distributed
November Early Release Day
November Thanksgiving Break
November Progress Reports
December nd Qt. Interims Mailed
December Winter Break
January Progress Reports
January Review Day
January Exam Days

29. Final Exam Schedule (Buses run their normal schedule)
January 13 – Review Day
January 14 – 1st and 7th exams (7:25-9:30; 10:00-12:00)
January 17 – Holiday (MLK Day)
January 18 – 2nd and 6th exams (7:25-9:30; 10:00-12:00)
January 19 – 3rd and 5th exams (7:25-9:30; 10:00-12:00)
January 20 – 4th and Make-up exams (7:25-9:30)
January Make-up exams
January 24 – No School – Report Card Prep. Day
January nd Semester Begins
Daily Exam Schedule:
7:25 – 9: Exam #1
9:30 – 10: Break/Study
10:00 – 12: Exam #2 29