1. Welcome to Sophomore Parent Night 2014 The Counseling Department works together toward a common goal of success for all students. Presented by the Drake High Counseling Dept: Kyle Kassebaum Katie Paulsen Sheila Souder Molly Yasuda

2. Sophomore Goals: Students will…  …recognize & access resources to explore personal, academic & career goals.  …understand how current choices impact your future.  …understand the importance of balance.  …know how to communicate effectively.  …identify personal strengths, values, challenges & boundaries.

3. Planning for Junior/Senior Year  Consider student post high school goals.  Complete graduation requirements. http://www.tamdistrict.org//Domain/672  Identify student strengths/areas of interest.  Consider college entrance requirements. http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/index.html  Time commitments outside of school.

4.  Sophomore Planning Meeting, 1/30 and 1/31 2014: http://www.tamdistrict.org/Page/1346http://www.tamdistrict.org/Page/1346  The CW (took place 1/23 and 1/24)

5. DISC – Drake Integrated Studies Curricula  Personalized learning with a specific focus  Graduation and UC/CSU “a-g” requirements included  Team taught, project based, integrated studies  Junior/senior students work together over two-year period

6. Communications Academy  Courses included:  U.S. History, American Government, Economics  American Literature, 20th Century Literature, Humanities or Dramatic Literature  Advanced Digital Communications, and Multimedia Stage Production  ComAcad seeks to build a community of self-directed learners... ...who specialize in communication, collaboration, and creative problem solving... ...and demonstrate learning through integrated media performance-based exhibitions.

7. Studies of the Environment Academy: SEA-Disc  Courses included: US History, Economics, American Government Environmental Science, AP Environmental Science Chemistry AP English Comp/Humanities Workplace Learning – internship experience  SEA-Disc curriculum is: college-prep activity-based issues-oriented community service project- based

8. AP/Honors classes  Rigor of courses  Time commitment/work load  Maintaining balance and stress level  Understand how current choices impact future options

9. Alternative Choices  TEAM One year program through Tamiscal High School Juniors only Meeting Dates: 1/27, 3/5, 4/28 @ Tamiscal 6-7:30pm For more information go to: tamdistrict.org/page/3978 or Nikole Denton(945- 3753) tamdistrict.org/page/3978  ROP Program Each at a different Marin high school Student must be 16 years old Courses taught during school year Provides job training

10. Resources  www.tamdistrict.org/Drake Counseling Services Pirate Mail Naviance AP/Honors admission matrix

11. On-Line Scheduling  Sophomore course selection for 2014-2015 will take place on-line through Home Access Center between February 3rd-14th  Detailed instructions will be emailed home  Students should visit home.tamdistrict.org to create an account if they have not already done sohome.tamdistrict.org  Having difficulties with an already existing account? Contact Jackie Hamilton at jhamilton@tamdistrict.org@tamdistrict.org  Update your e-mail with Jolie Jacobs at jjacobs@tamdistrict.org

12. Don’t forget…  Parents are very important. Thank you for taking the time to encourage your student to challenge themselves.  Thank you for fostering self-reliance by telling them to talk to their counselors, teachers and adults in their lives when they need help.  All students have a variety of options. Thank you for highlighting those options.

13. Miscellaneous Items from the College & Career Center  Gap Year Info: http://www.usagapyearfairs.org – also brochures, etc. in file cabinet in the College & Career Centerhttp://www.usagapyearfairs.org  Extra booklets available from the recent College Admission Testing Strategies for Success event are available in the College & Career Center  Opportunities to take practice standardized tests – March 1 st, practice ACT – sign up with Lisa Neumaier by February 11 th ; March 29 th, Princeton Review Assessment (combo SAT and ACT) – sign up with Lisa Neumaier by March 14 th  More practice testing options will occur next year

14. Questions & Answers  Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers, by Michael Riera, Ph.D.  Road Trip Nation, A Guide to Discovering Your Path in Life, by Mike Marriner & Nathan Gebhard  Curious about places for your student to begin the college search www.naviance.com www.collegeboard.com