Freshman Game Plan: A GUIDE TO YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR John Ehret High School 4300 Patriot St. Marrero, LA 70072 Main Office 504-340-7651 Fax 504-340-0159 Mission Statement Our mission is to provide diverse academic, vocational, and social opportunities in a safe, supportive environment to assist our students in becoming productive, responsible citizens and lifelong learners.
Game Plan: Successful Transition Your freshman year is the beginning of your career at John Ehret High School. The next four years you will be preparing for your future. It is helpful to create a four-year plan from the start to map out your plan and reach your goals. Freshman Game Schedule for the Year Create your Game Plan - Meet with your counselor - Talk about your high school plan - Discuss post high secondary goals Get Organized - Use a planner - Establish a way to organize your class work Email - Create an appropriate email Used for applications, resumes, scholarships, etc. Practice skills - Reading - Writing - Speaking Start college/career planning - Take an interest inventory to see what careers fields match your interest - Research colleges using the internet Get Involved - Volunteer - Clubs and Organizations - Leadership Opportunities End of Year Review - Meet with your counselor once more - Discuss changes or further plans Summer - Enjoy summer! - Volunteer - Work - Travel 2
Meet Your Counselors Mrs. Ana Giron Ana.Giron@jppss.k12.la.us Last Names: A - Co Ms. Amanda Arsenaux Amanda.Arsenaux@jppss.k12.la.us Last Names: Cr - Hi Mrs.Stacey Seefeldt Stacey.Seefeldt@jppss.k12.la.us Last Names: Ho - Me Ms. Chandra Noel Chandra.Noel@jppss.k12.la.us Last Names: Mi - Sc Mrs. Carmen Ward-Lewis Carmen.Ward@jppss.k12.la.us Last Names: Se - Z 3
Utilize Your Counselor Visit Student Services Your school counselor can help with: Making thoughtful, informed decisions Developing positive attitudes Addressing personal issues (with family, peers, teachers, etc.) Choosing appropriate courses Finding further assistance through a referral Planning for the future Addressing a crisis Explore career options Assisting with referrals for IEP, 504 services Providing and sending transcripts Helping with college planning (research, applications, FAFSA, etc.) Student Services Resources: Career exploration books Occupational Outlook Handbook College look books Test prep books Local and institution scholarships 4
GRADUATION REQUIREMENT TOPS UNIVERSITY DIPLOMA GRADUATION CHECKLIST TOPS UNIVERSITY DIPLOMA CURRICULUM Completed Courses ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ENGLISH (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~ English I English II English III English IV ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MATH (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Algebra I Geometry Algebra II 1 of the following: Adv. Math Pre. Calc, Pre-Calc IB, IB Probability ~~~~~~~~~SOCIAL STUDIES (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~ U.S. History Civics 2 of the following: World Geography, World History, Western Civilization ~~~~~~~~~~~~~SCIENCE (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Biology Chemistry 2 of the following: Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science, Physics, Biology II ~~~~~~~~~~~~~FOREIGN LANGUAGE (2 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spanish I, French I Spanish II, French II ~~~~~~P.E. (1 ½ credits)/health (1/2 credit)~~~~~ P.E. P.E. ½ Health ½ ~~~~~~Art (1 credit)~~~~~ Art, Band, Dance, Theatre, Fine Art Survey, Music ~~~~~~ELECTIVES (3 credits)~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~TOTAL = 24 credits~~~~~~~~~~ 5
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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS TOPS TECH CAREER DIPLOMA GRADUATION CHECKLIST A waiver MUST be signed and on file for this option. (see your counselor) CAREER PATHWAY: CREDENTIALS: TOPS TECH CAREER DIPLOMA CURRICULUM Completed Courses ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ENGLISH (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~ English I English II 2 of the following: English III, English IV, Business English, Technical Writing ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MATH (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Algebra I or Algebra I Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 3 of the following courses: Geometry, Algebra II, Adv. Math, Financial Literacy, Business Math, or Math Essentials ~~~~~~~~~SOCIAL STUDIES (2 credits)~~~~~~~~~ Civics American History ~~~~~~~~~~~~~SCIENCE (2 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Biology Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Physical Science ~~~~~~P.E. (1 ½ credits)/health (1/2 credit)~~~~~ P.E. P.E. ½ Health ½ ~~~~~~~~~~CAREER COURSES (9 credits)~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~TOTAL = 23 credits~~~~~~~~~~ 7
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Grading, GPA and Rank GRADING SCALE: 2011: A 93-100 B 85-92 C 75-84 D 67-74 F Below 67 G.P.A SCALE: A 4 Points B 3 Points C 2 Points D 1 Point F 0 Point *Honors Add 1 Point GRADE CLASSIFICATION Students are eligible for various student privileges based on the number of credits earned rather than on age or the number of years spent in high school. Students are classified as follows: Sophomore: 6 credits Junior: 12 credits Senior: 18 crediits Calculating GPA Grade Points Credits Attempted= GPA Your weighted GPA determines your class rank. Add one extra quality point for honors courses 11
Making the Transition to Makin High School Build a Strong Support System School counselor Teachers, coaches, etc. Your parents or guardians Friends, relatives, neighbors Glossary of High School Terms Credit Unit: Earned upon successfully completing a high school course Elective course: Non-required course that is chosen because of student interest GPA: Grade point average is computed based on number of courses taken and grades earned in those courses Required course: Course that must be taken to fulfill graduation requirements Transcript: Report of your grades, attendance, GPA, immunizations and demographics Handling Social Pressure Find friends with similar values and beliefs Be assertive tell friends what you want/don t want out of the relationship Avoid alcohol or other drugs Learn to handle conflict in a positive way Talk with a trusted adult about situations that make you uncomfortable (bullying, sexual harassment, dating pressures, etc.) 12
Time Management Tips It's 10:00 -- Do You Know Where Your Homework Is? Does it seem like there's never enough time in the day to get everything done? Feel like you're always running late? Here are some tips for taking control of your time and organizing your life. 1. Make a "To Do" List Every Day Put things that are most important at the top and do them first. If it's easier, use a planner to track all of your tasks. And don't forget to reward yourself for your accomplishments. 2. Use Spare Minutes Wisely Get some reading done on the bus ride home from school, for example. 3. It's Okay to Say "No" If your friend asks you to hang out on a Thursday night and you have a final exam the next morning, realize that it's okay to say no. 4. Find the Right Time You'll work more efficiently if you figure out when you do your best work. For example, if your brain handles math better in the afternoon, don't wait to do it until late at night. 5. Review Your Notes You'll reinforce what you've learned, so you need less time to study. You'll also be ready if your teacher calls on you or gives a pop quiz. 6. Get a Good Night's Sleep Running on empty makes the days seem longer and your tasks seem more difficult. 7. Become a Taskmaster Figure out how much free time you have each week. Give yourself a time budget and plan your activities accordingly. 8. Don't Waste Time Agonizing Have you ever wasted an entire evening by worrying about something that you're supposed to be doing? Was it worth it? Instead of agonizing and procrastinating, just do it. 9. Keep Things in Perspective Setting goals that are unrealistic sets you up for failure. While it's good to set high goals for yourself, be sure not to overdo it. Set goals that are difficult yet reachable. Consider these tips, but personalize your habits so that they suit you. If you set priorities that fit your lifestyle, you'll have a better chance of achieving your goals. Adapted from www.collegeboard.com 13
Transcripts What is it? A transcript indicates all the courses and grades you have taken during high school. The grades are then averaged to determine the cumulative G.P.A. or grade point average. Therefore, all grades from freshman year and above count towards your G.P.A. Why is this important? It is probably the first piece of information reviewed by a college admissions officer. When a college obtains your transcript, the college admissions officer will look at: Your grade point average (GPA). Be aware that some schools only consider core classes (like English, math, science and social studies) when calculating your GPA, while others look at grades for all of your classes. The types of classes you enrolled in. IB/AP classes will show that you are serious about planning for college, while a course load of non-academic classes will not impress them very much. How consistent your GPA was. When schools are looking for desirable candidates, they want to see that you are willing to work hard, and maintaining a high grade point average shows that. Rocky start? Keep at it. Schools also like to see GPA improvement. The number of pass/fail classes you took. Earning a passing grade in these classes is often considered a D by colleges. Avoid pass/fail classes so they don t impact your cumulative GPA. Your behavior record, if included. It would only be a factor if there were any negative reports, such as suspensions or other disciplinary actions. How to request your transcript: See Curriculum to have a transcript sent to a college 14
Why Go to College Earnings Chart (2012) 15
Why Attend College? A college degree can provide a person with many opportunities in life. A college education can mean: Greater Knowledge A college education will increase your ability to understand developments in science and in society, to think abstractly and critically, to express thoughts clearly in speech and in writing, and to make wise decisions. These skills are useful both on and off the job. Greater Potential A college education can help increase your understanding of the community, the nation, and the world as you explore interests, discover new areas of knowledge, consider lifelong goals, and become a responsible citizen. More Job Opportunities The world is changing rapidly. Many jobs rely on new technology and already require more brain power than muscle power. In a person's working life, more and more jobs will require education beyond high school. With a college education, you will have more jobs from which to choose. More Money A person who attends college generally earns more than a person who does not. Someone with a twoyear associate's degree also tends to earn more than a high school graduate. Some of these benefits of college may not be obvious to a student. Even though you have to make the final decision to attend college, parents can help in the decision-making process by learning about all aspects of college and sharing what is learned with the child. 16
What Types of Colleges Exist? More than half of all recent high school graduates in the United States pursue some type of post-secondary education. There is a wide range of higher education options in the United States. For this reason, you are likely to find a college well-suited to his or her needs. There are two basic types of post-secondary education institutions: Community, Technical, and Junior Colleges Many kinds of colleges offer programs that are less than four years in length. Most of these schools offer education and training programs that are two years in length or shorter. The programs often lead to a license, a certificate, an associate of arts (A.A.) degree, an associate of science (A.S.) degree, or an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree. Four-Year Colleges and Universities These schools usually offer a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Some also offer graduate and professional degrees. Community, Technical, and Junior Colleges 20% of careers today require a four-year degree 85% of careers today require a one or two year program beyond high school Colleges with programs that are less than four years in length are often called community colleges, technical colleges, or junior colleges: Community Colleges: These are public, two-year colleges. They mostly serve people from nearby communities and offer academic courses, technical courses, and continuing education courses. Technical Colleges: These are generally colleges that have a special emphasis on education and training in technical fields. However, although some technical colleges offer academic courses and programs, not all technical colleges offer two-year programs that lead to an associate of arts or science degree. Technical colleges may be private or public. Junior colleges and community colleges that offer many technical courses are often called "technical colleges." 17
Junior Colleges: Two-year colleges such as community colleges often operate under an "open admissions" policy that can vary from school to school. At some institutions, "open admissions" means that anyone who has a high school diploma or GED certificate can enroll. At other schools, anyone over 18 years of age can enroll or, in some cases, anyone deemed able to benefit from the programs at the schools can enroll. In many cases, two-year degrees can be transferred to four-year schools and credited toward a B.A. or B.S. degree. Application requirements at colleges with two-year programs and shorter programs may include a high school transcript -- a list of all the courses you took and grades earned in four years of high school -- and college entrance examination scores as well. Some schools have programs that allow "open admissions," while other programs in the same school -- particularly in scientific or technical subjects -- may have further admission requirements. Since requirements vary widely, it is important to check into schools and programs individually. Four-Year Colleges and Universities Students who wish to pursue a general academic program usually choose a four-year college or university. Such a program lays the foundation for more advanced studies and professional work. Fouryear colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees (the B.A. and B.S.) in most areas in the arts and sciences, such as English literature, foreign languages, history, economics, political science, biology, zoology, chemistry, and in many other fields. Here are the main differences between four-year colleges and universities: Four-Year Colleges: These are post-secondary schools that provide four-year educational programs in the arts and sciences. These colleges advise bachelor's degrees. Universities: These are post-secondary schools that include a college of arts and/or sciences, one or more programs of graduate studies, and one or more professional schools. Universities advise bachelor's degrees and graduate and professional degrees. When a student earns a bachelor's degree it means that he or she has passed examinations in a broad range of courses and has studied one or two subject areas in greater depth. (These one or two subject areas are called a student's "major" area(s) of study or area(s) of concentration). A bachelor's degree is usually required before a student can begin studying for a graduate degree. A graduate degree is usually earned through two or more years of advanced studies beyond four years of college. This might be a master's or a doctoral degree in a particular field or a specialized degree required in certain professions such as law, social work, architecture, or medicine. 18
CONSIDER COLLEGE CHARACTERISTICS Majors and educational programs Type of school and degrees offered Admission policy Location and size Cost and financial aid Support Services College affiliation and accreditation Campus activities Academic reputation 19
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