1. WELCOME FRESHMEN PARENTS!
Class of 2022

2. Goals for the Evening To help 9th grade parents:
Understand the importance of making good decisions NOW.
Graduation Requirements
Prepare for sophomore year.
Introduce Naviance - Family Connections.

3. To-do List Meet with counselor to discuss your future plans
During 9th grade, students should consider the following items:
Meet with counselor to discuss your future plans
Review your schedule to make sure you are enrolled in challenging classes that will help you prepare for college and/or post secondary plans.
Review Guide to Academic Programs
Get involved! Join a club, sport, or activity.

4. Meet with counselor
Sign up for an appointment that does not interfere with class time (before school, homeroom, elective, during study hall or after school).

5. Testing No PSSAs Keystones for those in Alg I and Alg II (May)
PSAT in October of sophomore year
MAP Testing in Math and English to show growth data

6. Mid-terms and Finals
Exams will be administered to all students in 5 subject areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and World Language)
Testing Times:
January and June
Each exam counts for 10% of final grade

7. Mid-terms and Finals (Cont.)
Please keep the final exam dates in mind when scheduling summer vacation.
Exams cannot be given in advance, and to earn a credit for a course, the student must take the exam.

8. Classroom Testing
Teachers will assess students frequently. (tests and quizzes)
Do not get behind! Do not cram!
Review notes nightly.
Stay after if a teacher offers a review session.
Take advantage of study halls and Core Ext.

9. Help is Available
Teachers are available after school to provide support.
Free tutoring is offered by honor societies. Room B102, every Tuesday-Thursday from 2:30-4:00
A list of tutoring services is available by request.

10. A student quote…
“It’s my first year of high school, so I just want to take it easy.” Anonymous

11. YES! Freshman year counts!
Academic Success
YES! Freshman year counts!
By the end of 9th grade, you have already completed 1/3 of the academic work that colleges use to make acceptance decisions.
Success during freshman year is critical.

12. Course Grades
Your final grade in a course is the average of all 4 marking periods plus your exam grades.

13. GPA (Grade Point Average)
GPA is a number that represents the average of your course grades at the end of every school year.

14. GPA (Grade Point Average)
A+ = 4.33 A = 4.00 A- = 3.66 B+ = 3.33 B = 3.00 B- = 2.66
C+ = 2.33 C = 2.00 C- = 1.66 D+ = 1.33 D = 1.00 D- = 0.66

15. GPA and College Admission
Colleges see the grades that students earn during freshman year. These grades count toward the cumulative GPA (the average of all semester grades since 9th grade).

16. When a student applies to college…
Your options for colleges will be much greater with a GPA of a 3.0 or higher.

17. What appears on a transcript?
All courses including class level – AP, Accelerated, Honors, College Prep
Final grades (not quarter grades)
GPA (weighted and unweighted)
Attendance
Keystone Exam Scores
Credits earned

19. Course Choices
It is okay if you do not know exactly what you want to do after high school---but it is important to make good course choices NOW.
The rigor of courses you choose and the grades you earn become the most important factor for colleges when making admissions decisions. (Course Selection begins in February.)

20. Graduation Requirements
4 English
4 Social Studies
3 Science
3 Math
1 additional year of math OR science
Reach second level of World Language
PE every year
Health 10th grade

21. Another student quote…
“I took all accelerated courses because I thought it would look better on my transcript, even though I’m getting C’s in all my classes!”
Anonymous

22. A Balancing Act Make realistic choices.
Take recommendations from teachers seriously.
Aim to challenge yourself.
Be ready to put forth the time and effort it takes to be successful in higher level courses.

23. Advanced Placement (AP)
Availability: Starting in sophomore year
Benefits: Prepare for college course work; earn credits to off-set college course work

24. HAC (Home Access Center)
Check HAC regularly.
Students are ultimately responsible for their own grades.
Use HAC to facilitate conversations with your child.

25. Career and Tech Ed
Students can apply to Delaware County Technical School toward the end of 9th grade. They can begin DCTS in 10th grade.
DCTS offers several programs such as building trades, cosmetology, computer networking, medical careers, and early childhood education.
DCTS students graduate with a Penncrest diploma.
Students can attend the presentation in January.

26. Extracurricular Activities
Colleges are interested in:
Non-academic interests.
Your long-term commitment to an activity.
If you have made a meaningful contribution.
If you can manage your time and priorities.

27. Extracurricular Activities (Cont.)
If you have not already done so, make sure to join a sport, club, or activity.
Do not join too many at once---focus on your ability to make a long-term commitment to only a few.
Aim for leadership roles.

28. Service Requirements
All Penncrest students are required to participate in at least 2 school service activities and at least 2 community service activities before graduation. This is equivalent to 1 activity per year.

29. Service Requirements (Cont.)
School Service (2): Participation in a club, sport, or activity counts as a school service.
Community Service (2): Volunteerism outside of school counts as community service. There is no specific time requirement.

30. Community Service
Once an activity is completed, retrieve a pink card from the guidance office or the main office. You must have the activity coordinator’s signature to earn credit for the service.
Opportunities for service are advertised on the morning announcements or in the grade level office.

31. NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association has eligibility requirements for student athletes who wish to play sports at the Division 1 or Division 2 level:
a minimum GPA of 2.0
at least 14 specific core courses
Please let your counselor and your coach know if you are interested in playing sports at the college level.

32. Work Experience
Working, whether paid or volunteer, can help a student identify career interests and goals.
Students should periodically check the job board in the Career Center.

33. Obtaining Working Papers
Students must be at least 14 years old in order to secure a part-time or vacation certificate for work done after school or during vacation - including summer vacation.
Papers may be obtained in the Main Office (8:30 - noon). Bring proof of age such as a birth certificate or passport.

34. Career Center-Mrs. Naismith
Arrange for a job shadowing experience during sophomore or junior year.
POWR---Penncrest Opportunities for Workplace Relationships
College representatives come to Penncrest in the Fall. Students in grades 10-12th are welcomed to sign up and meet with the reps.
To set up an appointment, contact Mrs. Naismith at or

35. Behavioral Expectations
It is our job as an institution of education to prepare you for life after Penncrest High School.
Follow the rules and respect yourself and others.
Teachers and administrators are more likely to give you a recommendation for a job or college if you are in good disciplinary standing.

36. Behavioral Expectations
Make Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook accounts private.
Make sure posts are free of inappropriate comments, pictures, and bullying.

37. Sophomore Interview
You will meet with your counselor during the Spring of 10th grade. Items discussed will include general information about college searches, college visits, course choices, and academic progress.

38. Counselors for Grades 10 - 12
Mr. David Harple Mrs. Helen Douglass- Garrett Ms. Karen Kerr Mrs. Lori Rice-Spring

39. NAVIANCE: Family Connections
Every Penncrest student has an account. This program is designed to serve the needs of students and parents as they go through career and college planning.

40. NAVIANCE: Family Connections
Program Features
College Search
Scholarship Search
Career and Personality Inventories
Organizer for college acceptances, test scores, extracurricular involvement, letters of recommendation, etc.

41. Contact Information
Mrs. Eaton
Have a great year!