1. Welcome class of 2016 Freshmen FORECASTING Choosing Classes for next year and MORE Benson Counseling Ms Henry A to L Mr Wren M to Z Winter 2013

2. Participate in Your Education Someone is going to plan your future.... It may as well be you. It may as well be you.

3. Your Transcript  Check your personal information for accuracy.  Semester Grades are permanent.  Note Overall GPA.

4. Graduation Requirements table from a transcript. What grade is this student?

5. Credit Recovery  Failed classes must be made up to count toward graduation.  No retakes are allowed at Benson.  Portland Evening Scholars.  Summer Scholars.  Virtual Scholars (online learning at Benson, to retake Fs)  Other online programs. See your counselor.

6. Typical Four Year Plan all students move to the next class in the series.

7. What is a SLIP Exam? What does # mean?

8. Why Forecast?  Open Course Guide to page 1.  Read the first two paragraphs. We will use your choices to make classes, hire teachers, and set up the schedule. Choices cannot be changed in the Fall.

9. Steps in forecasting  1 Fill out your forecasting sheet clearly. sheet clearly.  2 Discuss choices with teachers, parents, classmates. CHOOSE WELL.  3 Mark your sheet with all classes you plan to take and collect signatures.  4 Bring signed sheet to class to meet with your counselor next week.

10. Using The Course Guide Using The Course Guide  Inside Cover – complete list of majors  Table of Contents  Researching majors  Researching Academic classes  The Benson Diploma; page 3

11. Other Graduation Requirements for freshmen class of 2016  In addition to earning the 24 credits you will have to meet other requirements:  Pass state tests in reading, writing, and math. “Smarter Balance” Tests will be taken Junior year.  Complete a resume and career related learning experience.  Complete an extended application project.

12. What if you have not even taken a essential skills test?

13. Back of transcript with OAKS (OSA) test meeting standard.

14. Planning Ahead for College for Freshmen  Most colleges require a GPA of 3.0, some require higher, some lower. See page 4 for details.  Colleges require a C or higher in 15 core classes. You must retake Ds in core classes.  All Juniors will take the ACT in April at Benson. This is a college admission test.  You should also take the SAT in the Spring of your Junior year if you plan to go to college.  Its not too early to begin thinking of your college major.

15. Should this student make up the D? (Note GPA)

16. Extracurricular Activities  Athletic Teams. Course guide to page 49.  (NCAA Eligibility see page 5)  Clubs. Page 50.  Leadership.  Volunteering/ Community Service

17. Resources  Counseling.  College/ Career Center.  School Nurse.  See Course Guide page 6 for details.

18. Getting Help  Yourself: set goals, manage time,  Teachers: the expert on their topic. Try going in after school.  Parents  Classmates: form a study group.  Tutors

19. CAREER EXPO  March 19 th, 2013  Bring a resume and do a mock interview this year!

20. SEE YOU SOON  Counselors will come back to your class to answer any final questions and collect your forecasting sheet.  BE READY.

21. Job Market Trends