1. South High School Counseling Department
Freshman Workshop

2. Student Services Department
Counselors
Alpha
Name
Ext:
A-E
Mr. Polun
7360
F-La
Mrs. Carroll
7361
Le-Ra
Mrs. McGarry
7363
Re-Z
Mrs. Iacono
7362
College/
Career
TBD
7367
Dean of Students – Mr. Klemm
School Psychologist – Dr. Myatt

3. The Counselor’s Role
Academic
College
Career
Personal/Social/Emotional

4. Procedure to see your Counselor
Drop-in times for students
Before school
Lunch
After school
Request to see a counselor
Students can sign up to see their counselor in the counseling office
The counselor will send a “Call Slip” to the student’s class to meet with the student regarding his/her request
Parent requests by appointment
Parents need to call your individual counselor to set up an appointment

5. Guidance Throughout High School
9th Grade
September- Freshman Parent Night Presentation
October- Freshman Workshop
February/March- Freshman Scheduling
10th Grade
October- PACT- 10th graders do not pay
November- Sophomore Workshop
March/April- Sophomore Scheduling
11th Grade
October-PSAT
November- Junior Workshop
March- Junior Scheduling
12th Grade
September- Senior Workshop
September/October- College Workshops
October- Senior Conferences
November- Local Scholarship Workshop

6. Guidance Throughout High School Continued…
All Grades
All Year- College/Career Visits/Trips
September- Road Map to College
October- District Financial Aid Night
January- Testing Interpretation Night
February- TUSD College Fair
February- Honors/AP Information Meetings

7. Transitioning to High School: Things to Know
Graduation Requirements
A-G college prep requirements
Every year of High School counts
Sports eligibly at South High
Clubs and Activities
Find a niche- get involved

8. Graduation Requirements
Academic Accountability
Must pass classes with a D or higher to earn graduation credit
Should try to earn 30 credits each semester/60 credits each year to stay on track
Students who fail classes should discuss options for make-up with counselor
Must pass Math and Foreign Language classes with a C or higher to move onto the next level
Pass classes with a C or better to meet the
A-G college entrance requirements

9. High School Graduation Requirements
220 total credits
6 semesters of composite satisfactory or excellent citizenship
Math- 20 credits
Science- 20 credits
English- 40 credits
Social Sci.- 30 credits
Physical Ed.- 20 credits
Fine Arts or Foreign Language- 10 credits
Health- 5 credits
Electives- 75 credits
Includes classes you take over the required graduation credits

10. Knowing the A-G List
UC/CSU College Prep Requirements – With Grade of C or Higher
Letter
Area
Years
Required
Years Recommended A
History/Social Sciences
2 years B
English
4 years C
Mathematics
3 years D
Laboratory Sciences E
Language Other Than English F
Visual and Performing Arts
1 year G
College-Preparatory Electives

11. Main Differences Between H.S. Grad & A-G Requirements
High School Grad
A-G
D is passing grade
* Must have a C or better to move on in math/foreign language
C is passing grade
2 years any math
Alg 1, Geom, Alg. 2 (min.)
1 yr. Foreign Language OR
1 Fine Arts
2 yrs. For. Language (min.)
AND
1 year of Visual and Performing Art
1 yr. PSE/Chemistry &
1 yr. Biology
2 years of LAB Science taken from at least two of the following areas:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics

12. Options After Graduation
Four-year College- last year approximately 50%
Community College- last year approximately 40%
Vocational Schools
Schools that teach students skills needed to perform a particular job
On-the-job training (workforce)
Military

13. Community College 113 campuses Transfer programs available
CSU and UC give priority to transfer students
Certificates and Associate (AA) Degrees available
Placement Tests in English/Math
Open Admission- just graduate!

14. California State University
23 Campuses
Minimum GPA is 2.0
ACT or SAT required
Applications are due during senior year.

15. University of California
10 campuses
(only 9 open for undergraduates)
Minimum GPA is 3.0
ACT or SAT required
Applications are due senior year

16. Private/Out of State Colleges
Requirements vary at every college and in every state, so you must research!
Most will require ACT or SAT
Minimum GPA will vary

17. Academic Resources and Support
teachers and counselors- see South High Website- shs.tusd.org m
Many teachers offer additional support- see individual teachers
Power schools
eTUSD-
Use a planner/agenda book
Tutoring
CSF tutoring
Monday – Thursday
3:00-4:00 Library
Private Tutors- best way to find tutors is word of mouth
Torrance Public Library

18. Helpful Hints Work at your own level Balance your life
Discover and develop your strengths and interests
Commit to what you are interested in (Sports, Scouts, Music, Art, etc.)
Give back: volunteer opportunities
Go beyond the minimum: commit to 3-4 years of the same class/club/etc.
Plan your own course; do not adopt your friend’s courses

19. ZERO TOLERANCE
We expect you to treat your classmates as you would like to be treated at all times
Consequences for bullying can be severe, including suspension, expulsion, and charges filed with the police. That’s not going to help you get a good rec letter and be successful!
Watch what you say on social media-severe consequences.
Cheating/ plagiarism- possible suspension, 0/F, etc.

20. High School Procedures
Grading Periods
Attendance
Truancies
Activities
Athletics

21. Grading Periods Quarter 1- Friday, November 3rd
Semester 1- Friday, January 26th
Quarter 3- Friday, April 6th
Semester 2- Thursday, June 21st
Quarters are 10 weeks
PE and Athletics are the only grades that are posted at the quarter
Semesters are 20 weeks
Semester grades (January and June) are posted on the transcript

22. Student Attendance/Policies
Make sure to bring a note to the attendance office when absent. If a note is not turned in, the absence will turn into a Truancy (2 days after student returns)
Communication regarding attendance
TUSD sends automated phone calls home when students are absent
Check parent connect for attendance
Attendance contract
Attendance office will not call students out of class to pick up items from the office
Off Campus Passes
Requests need to be given to attendance office in the morning
Health Office
Students need to get a pass from the teacher to go to the health office
Health office notifies attendance office

23. Extracurricular Activities/Athletics Basics
Activities Office- K-1
Activities Director – Mrs. Hildreth
Eligibility – 2.0 GPA and no more than one U
Student Council/Clubs/Organizations
Athletic Office- F-1
Athletic Director – Mr. VanWaardenburg
eligibility is looked at every 10 weeks- quarter (November, January/February, April, June)
Athletic Questions
Coach approval
Concerns/Issues
Clearance procedures