1. Serrano Intermediate School
“Everything That Has The Potential to Produce Greatness, Takes Great Risk.”
Mrs. Bean and Ms. Yaganeh
7th & 8th Grade Counselors

2. Motivational Video: To The Glory!

3. Quotes to Discuss:
“The time spent on your cell phone could be used for success.”
“We need to heal as a team or we are going to crumble.”
“You put on a mask on your face when you come to school, pretending like everything is okay when it’s not.”
“You can’t point your fingers at others. You have to be willing to take the hits.”
“Do you have hope, faith, and an understanding that our biggest enemy is ourselves?”
“Clarity is power. You need to know the specifics to get what you want.”

4. What Is New This Year For You?
6 Different Classes / Teachers
Rotating Schedule
Keeping H.W. Organized for 6 Classes
Using your Agenda Planner
PE Locker Rooms
No more playgrounds 

5. What Does a School Counselor Do?
Supports your academic success by:
Listening confidentially
Working with you on a plan
Advising on problems or concerns
Partnering with parents & teachers
Helping however we can!

6. How Do I See My Counselor?
During lunch
Before or after school
By receiving a “call slip”
With your teacher’s permission
By leaving a note to set an appointment
Sending an at the Serrano web site: Departments-Guidance or

7. Tips for Success at Serrano
Use the Agenda Planner daily, every period
Stay organized (how do you stay organized?)
Do homework nightly (don’t wait for the night before)
Attend school (Be here mentally, not just physically. How do you stay involved?)
Make up work if absent
Ask for HELP!

8. Required 7th Grade Courses
English: 3 trimesters
Math: 3 trimesters
Science: 3 trimesters
History: 3 trimesters
P.E.: 3 trimesters and Health
Electives: 3 trimesters or 1 year-long

9. How am I doing at School? Check teachers’ web sites
Check your grades on line
Ask your teachers
Parent/teacher conferences
Share your work with your parents and keep them in the loop

10. (Take out your planners and highlight these days)
Report Card Grades
Tri 1 Progress: Oct 26
Tri 1 Final: Dec 3
Tri 2 Progress: Feb 3
Tri 2 Final: Mar 17
Tri 3 Progress: May 17
Tri 3 Final: June 14-16
(Take out your planners and highlight these days)

11. GPA: Grade Point Average
6 permanent grades every Trimester
Every GRADE is worth POINTS:
A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0
Add the points and divide by 6 (the number of classes)
The AVERAGE = G.P.A.
Plus (+) and minus (-) do not change a grade’s point value:
A- = 4, A+ = 4

12. Sample GPA Calculation
Grades for the trimester are worth points
Points are added then
Averaged to get your GPA
1st Trimester
Class Grade Points
English B
Math C 2
Science C 2
History B 3
P.E. A
Elective B 3 17
= Total Points
6 = Total number of classes
2.833 = 2.83 GPA = C+
6)17.00
- 12 50 20

13. SVUSD Promotion Requirements
Pass at least 9 of your 12 core classes (English, History, Math, Science) for the year: no more than 3 Trimester F’s
Earn at least a 1.50 cumulative GPA in all classes (Tri 1+2+3) for the year
Earn at least a 1.00 cumulative Math GPA for the year
Earn at least a 1.00 cumulative English GPA for the year

14. CJSF California Junior Scholarship Federation
7th & 8th graders must apply each trimester
Membership based on grades in academic (required) classes
Community service hours required
Field trips! T-shirts! Awards & Recognition!
Contact Mrs. Muilenburg for further information

15. Junior Optimist Club Another avenue to get involved
Volunteer and Community Service based
Make new friends
Weekly meetings after school
Pick up a flyer in the front office

16. Eat Dinner Together (and put the phone away)
I challenge you to create a happy environment for yourself this year.
Happiness = A Better Mood, Less Stress, Better Attention, and Less Anxiety.
Ask your family to all eat together at the table.
Divulge in conversation (share about your day)
Put the phone away!
Laugh together, be grateful, forgive, and be optimistic

17. Learn From Others, Be Inspired