1. INFO EVERY FRESHMAN SHOULD KNOW
Class of 2019

2. Why are we having this presentation?
To talk to you about transition to high school and activities during your Freshman year that relate to the high school process.

3. Objectives: You will identify who your counselor is
You will understand what required classes you need to graduate high school
You will develop your Four Year Plan
You will learn about available resources
You will hear from current Seniors about getting involved

4. School Counselors How do I know who my Counselor is?
Mrs. Matei Divisional
Mrs. Saluda Guidance Secretary
Mrs. Spear A- Ca
Mrs. Tomaso Ce- Gay
Mr. McCarthy Ge-Leon
Miss Ginter Leop-Pak
Mrs. Capobianco Pal-Santa
Miss Losowski Sante- Z
Mr. Aburto ELL & Foreign Exchange
Social Worker (A-Lan)
Mr. Grondin Social Worker (Lao-Z)
Miss Bailey Social Worker
Mr. Panner PBIS Counselor
Mr. Jones Dean
How do I know who my Counselor is?
Each student is assigned to a Counselor based on the first letter in their last name

5. When does the Dean see me?
When do I see the Dean?
If you’re being harassed
Any situation that makes you feel unsafe
Questions regarding attendance
When does the Dean see me?
Attendance issues
Discipline issues
Peer issues

7. What is the Role of a Counselor?
Counselors assist students in their academic development and educational planning in a variety of ways including:
Organization, study and test-taking skills
Academic skills support
Course selection
Scheduling
Post-secondary planning and application process
Career planning, assessing interests and abilities

8. What is the Role of a Counselor?
Responsive Services related to social/emotional concerns
peer relationships and effective social skills
anxiety
stress
divorce
bullying
goal setting
problem solving
small groups
How do I get to see my counselor?
Stop by the Guidance Office during your lunch or study hall and sign up to see him/her. He/she will send you pass.
You may also your counselor.

9. Student Steps to Academic Success
Goals: set academic goals
Organization: use student planner (or some variation everyday for each class), monitor grades weekly
Studying: online resources (khanacademy.org), notecards, outlines, class notes, study guides
Communicate: share your concerns with your teachers, use your when appropriate
Utilizing Resources:
Maroons Achieve: Every period, room 240
Boys & Girls Club: Monday - Friday in Library,3:00-6:00pm
Testing Center: Before and after school, room 242

10. Moving Toward Graduation: Requirements
A minimum of 40 credits. The 40 credits are a combination of core courses and electives.
If a student fails a class that is a graduation requirement, he/she must retake and pass the class during summer school or the next school year.
If a student feels he/she needs to be moved up or down a level in a core class, he/she should initiate a conversation with the teacher.

11. Moving Toward Graduation: Focus on Your Grades
Grades Matter
Your semester grades are averaged to produce a single number, your GPA
Colleges and employers will use your overall GPA to help determine what kind of student or employee you will be
Visit your counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate...

12. GPA and Quality Points Regular Honors/AP A=4 A=5 B=3 B=4 C=2 C=2
D=1 D=1
E=0 E=0

13. Check your GPA *Available on your transcript Class Grade Points
Honors Biology A
US History A
Jr. English A
Geometry A
GPA =17
17/4 = 4.25

14. Four Year Planning Guide
Elgin High Requirements
College Admissions Requirements
English - 4 years
Math - 3 years
Math - 3+ years (make it to Pre-Calc)
Social Studies - 2 years
Social Studies - 3 years
Science - 2 years
Science - 3 years (recommend Chem)
PE - 7 semesters and Health
N/A
World Language - 0 years
World Language - 2+ years (same language)
Electives - as needed towards graduation
Fine Art (some recommended)

15. Academic Year A semester is 18 weeks long and divided into 2 quarters
End of 1st quarter is October 16
End of 2nd quarter is December 18
Semester final exams are December 17, 18, 19
End of 3rd quarter is March 11
End of 4th quarter is May 26
Semester final exams May 22, 25, 26 (if No “Emergency Days” are used)
*Only semester grades are recorded on transcript

16. Sophomore Year Course Selection
The Infinite Campus (IC) portal will be open from Oct. 20 to Oct. 31 for you to start selecting your elective classes.
Counselors will meet with each student individually starting the week of November 3rd to choose classes for next year.

17. Gifted Academy: Sample Sophomore Year Schedule
Gifted American Literature
Gifted Honors Algebra 3-4 (or higher)
AP US History
PE/Health
AP Biology
Elective

18. Sample Sophomore Year Schedule
Sophomore English
Geometry (or high)
Physical Science
PE/Health
Lunch
Study Hall/AVID
Elective

19. Keep Your Social Media Clean
Colleges and employers increasingly check applicant’s Twitter, Facebook, or other personal social media.
Be careful what you post, it could negatively impact your application.

20. Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday, October 22nd
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday, October 23rd
8:00 am - 11:00 am
No appointment necessary.
Parents will have a chance to meet with teachers and a counselor.

21. Activities Join clubs, community and/or your church organizations
Join sports
Volunteer
Job Shadow
Start attending College Visits
Keep meeting new people

22. Some final
Words of Wisdom...

23. Questions?
...and remember...