Freshman Orientation Angela Steinlage – Counselor Jeff Snider – Secondary Principal

Parent Involvement 92% participation by parents for our student-led conferences Important to maintain that same active involvement in your child’s academics, activities, and athletics while promoting student independence

Stay Active and Involved Along those same lines, active students are often the most successful students. Students will discover things about hidden talents and favorite classes they didn’t know before.

High School = Higher Expectations You will have more homework. These classes are more challenging. The teachers expect more out of you. The tests will be harder.

High School = Higher Expectations However, if you are hard-working, can manage to spend time on homework, and welcome the challenge, then you should have success.

“With increased independence comes tremendous responsibility.”

Goals Discuss Course Guide Credits students need for graduation Schedules 4-year plans Keys for Success

Course Guide Includes: Graduation requirements (page 15) 4 years of English 3 years of Science 3 years of Math 3 years of Social Studies Descriptions of all courses

Credits You must carry 6.5 credits each semester. There are eight periods in a day. 50 credits are required to graduate. If you carry 6.5 credits each semester for four years, you will have 52 credits at graduation.

Required Courses World History Speech/English 9 Natural & Physical Science Math P.E. Technology Literacy

Schedules We input the courses the students request. The computer will then give us a print out of their schedule. Sometimes students don’t get their first choices due to other courses being offered at the same time. Students will then be able to make changes. 6.5 credits/ 7.5 credits

Sample Schedule Student’s name Address

I Have a Plan Iowa State of Iowa has mandated that every student in the State of Iowa completes I Have A Plan Iowa-and has a 4-year high school plan. Students have completed an interest inventory and answered different questions to help them explore different careers. They then look at classes that might be good for them to take in high school.

Four-year Plan Extremely important to take as many Science and Math classes as possible.

RAI-Regent Admission Index Students who wish to enter the Regent universities will be held to RAI requirement. 2 x ACT composite score 1 X high school percentile ranking 20 X high school GPA 5 x total number or core courses ------------------------------------------------------------ Your RAI (245)

GPA and Standardized Tests Students first grade point average score will be at the end of 1st semester their freshman year. GPA only changes at the semester. Your GPA will be on your transcripts sent to colleges. Your transcripts may also include scores from Iowa Assessment and ACT’s.

Diploma with Distinction This diploma is for students that have gone above and beyond in and out of the classroom. Earn at least 54 credits Complete at least 30 hours of community service Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above Successful completion of at least 12 credits (8 credits must be taken at Interstate 35) in the following upper level courses: …

Spanish 3 Spanish 4 Pre-Calculus Calculus Chemistry Successful completion of at least 12 credits (8 credits must be taken at Interstate 35) in the following upper level courses: Spanish 3 Spanish 4 Pre-Calculus Calculus Chemistry Physics Anatomy and Physiology AP Lit College Writing Psychology PSEO

Extra Curricular Activities Sports Volleyball Football Cross Country Wrestling Basketball Track Baseball Softball Cheerleading Dance Team Golf Choir Band Speech and Drama National Honor Society Student Council FFA Math and Science Club Knowledge Bowl Journalism

Keys for Student Success Always try to talk and work things out with your classroom teacher. Utilize school wide study skills Assignment calendars Edline/Green grade sheets - parents should always be up to date on grades. Tutors are available Grade monitoring: BAT team

Closing Thoughts Your 9th grade year can be very exciting and scary at the same time but with good communication and character, we can make it successful. Current Issues: My Space, YouTube, Cyber- bullying, sexting. Your involvement, guidance and support are extremely important!! Junior and Senior year we have meetings to prepare for senior year, plan for college, Financial Aid, etc… Don’t become a victim to scams. Please call if you ever have a question.

Advice from Seniors I think high school is about as fun as you make it. Get your work done on time and you will get good grades in most classes. Simple as that. If you take Spanish, be prepared to go and get an admit any time you are gone. So you might as well come to class with one.

Advice from Seniors (cont.) In my opinion, the most important thing to do would be to get all your work done and keep your grades as high as possible from the very beginning, because it will pay off in your later years. As for specifics, I would say get involved in some sports to stay active and keep yourself occupied.

Advice from Seniors (cont.) Take the hard classes. They do require more work, but colleges want to see you challenging yourself by taking harder classes, which means you have a higher chance of getting excepted or getting scholarships. Also, participate in class. School goes by more quickly if you are engaged and it makes material easier to remember on assignments and tests if you were involved in class discussion.

Advice from Seniors (cont.) First of all I would tell them to make sure and do all of their school work to there highest potential so they start out with a good GPA. Secondly I would tell them to get involved in everything whether it is sports, speech, band, choir, you name it, it will help them gain friends and school spirit.

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