1. Welcome to Freshmen Parent Night
Caroline Rubio
E-K, AVID 12 and Biomedical Science Academy
Kim Halket
A-D, Engineering and Culinary Academies
Gloria DaSilva
At-Risk and Special Education Students

2. Grades and Credits
DHS is on a two-semester schedule. Grades earned at the end of each semester (December and June) are permanent on their transcript.
Progress and Quarter grades inform you how your student is doing at a given point in the semester, but are not permanent.
For each class passed at semester with a “D” or better, students earn 5 credits. Students should earn 30 credits each semester/60 credits per year to be on track for graduation (230 credits required)
Retaking Courses:
“D” grades do not “count” for 4-year college admission. Courses with (P) next to the course title MUST be made up in summer school (if available) or in another venue to count for college.
“F” grades in most classes should be made up in summer school or in another venue to meet graduation requirements.
Good Standing: Minimum 2.0+No “F” grades+Good attendance

3. DHS Diploma Options

4. Explore Your Options at DHS
3 ACADEMIES
Engineering Design
Culinary Arts
Health Science and
Medical Technology
10 CAREER PATHWAYS
Design/Fine Arts
Patient Care
Video and FIlm Production
Biotechnology
Fashion and Interior Design
Performing Arts
Digital Design (Game Dev)
Public Safety
Mental and Behavioral Health
Software and Systems Development

5. To Do This Year
Participate in clubs, sports and other extra-curricular activities
Create 4-year plan with your counselor in FMP
Visit the Career Center- college visits, “Get Set”
Make good/healthy decisions about Sophomore year schedule
Apply for CSF in January
Take the PSAT 8/9 in the Spring- Date and place TBD
Visit colleges

6. Use Your Summer Time Wisely!
DHS Summer School for remediation
DPIE Summer School for acceleration
Community Service/Volunteer Work/Paid Work
College Visits
Community College Classes (electives only)--- receive high school and college credit

7. Life after graduation…
Community College
4-year College/University
Trade/Specialty School
Military
Full-time Work
Apprenticeship
…or any combination of the above!

8. CSU/UC Minimum Requirements “A-G’s”

9. College Options University of California California State Universities
Private Colleges
Out of State Colleges
Ivy League
Community College

10. What are top colleges looking for?
Strong academic record and test scores
Leadership/Character Development
Master of Few vs. Jack of All Trades---find your passion in life
Demonstrate the capacity for success and achievement---think big!
Students who can make a contribution to their school and the world after graduation

11. How will your student answer these questions when they are a senior?
The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.

12. Questions, continued
Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
Stanford students possess an intellectual vitality. Reflect on an idea or experience that has been important to your intellectual development.

13. Dealing with Stress in High School

16. Tools to Help Deal with Stress
Understand what stress is---good and bad
Learn and practice breathing skills--for panic or feeling stressed
Plan daily down time----relaxation is not a luxury
Importance of turning off digital distraction
Enough sleep is essential
Exercise
Art/Music/Sports/Reading for pleasure
Talk to your parents, teachers, counselors, other trusted adults
Know that everything changes---”This too shall pass”

17. Resources at DHS:
Speak with your teachers directly (at least by phone or )
Parent Portal and teacher websites
Tutoring in the HUB
Counselors/Assistant Principals
Individual and Group Counseling
Odysseyware for credit recovery

18. General Questions?
If you have specific questions about your student, most can be answered by ing your student’s counselor. If you need to meet in person, please call our counseling secretary at ext to schedule an appointment.
THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT!!!