1. BWHS Guidance Department Dave Royhab, Director Guidance Hours 8:15am – 4:15pm Phone 703-957-4402

2. Counselor Assignments Susan James: A – C Steve Cohen: D – Ha Beth Dekenipp: He – Mc Shannon Powell: Me – Rol Michelle Hoffmann: Rom – Z

3. Guidance Support Staff Jan Develli, Career Center Assistant Melissa Holder, Guidance Secretary Corina Bryant, Guidance Secretary

4. A high school counselor’s primary job is to help students navigate through high school! Personal and social development Academic development Post-secondary planning

5. LCPS Grading Scale 2009-2010 Letter Grade Numerical Grade Quality Points A+98 – 1004.3 A93 – 974.0 A-90 – 923.7 B+87 – 893.3 B83 – 863.0 B-80 – 822.7 C+77 – 792.3 C73 – 762.0 C-70 – 721.7 D+67 – 691.3 D63 – 661.0 D-60 – 620.7 F59 & below0.0

6. Student Example 1 Grade 9:Grade 10: English C2EnglishB3 HistoryC2HistoryA4 MathD1MathC2 ScienceD1ScienceB3 HPEB3HPEA4 ElectiveC2ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 1.86 Cumulative GPA = 2.64 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B3EnglishA4 HistoryB3HistoryA4 MathB3MathB3 ScienceB3ScienceB3 HPEA4HPEA4 ElectiveA4ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 2.76 Cumulative GPA = 2.89

7. Student Example 2 Grade 9:Grade 10: English B3EnglishB3 HistoryB3HistoryA4 MathB3MathC2 ScienceC2ScienceB3 HPEA4HPEA4 ElectiveA4ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 3.29 Cumulative GPA = 3.36 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B3EnglishA4 HistoryB3HistoryA4 MathB3MathB3 ScienceB3ScienceB3 HPEA4HPEA4 ElectiveA4ElectiveA4 Cumulative GPA = 3.38 Cumulative GPA = 3.46

8. The Importance of the Freshman Year The difference between a 2.89 GPA and a 3.46 GPA can be the ninth grade year!!!

9. Requests for Schedule Changes We are unable to consider schedule change requests until the second week of school Two types of schedule changes: Elective Changes Level Changes

10. Schedule Change Requests - Electives Students who did not receive their first choice in electives may be permitted to make schedule changes Students who received their first choice in electives can not be permitted to change their electives unless extenuating circumstances exist

11. Schedule Change Requests - Levels Level changes will be considered on a case- by-case basis Many factors are considered:  Student input  Parent input  Counselor input  Overall course load  Teacher feedback  Availability of alternate courses  Post-secondary plans  Individual strengths & weaknesses

12. How students can proactively meet with a guidance counselor During the first week of school, students can sign-up to see a counselor in homeroom… please be patient! After the first week, students sign-up to see a counselor by filling out a request form before or after school, or between classes

13. Interims & Report Cards All students will receive interims in all classes on the published interim dates Marking period 1 interims: October 8 & 9 Marking Period 1 ends: October 30 Marking period 1 report cards: November 11

14. Communication Guidance section in the newsletter Guidance related events will be posted on the school calendar & in the newsletter  Feel free to attend events aimed for other grade levels Guidance webpage on the BWHS website  Counselor email links  Director email link