Class of 2023 Welcome Freshmen East Bridgewater Junior Senior High School

Guidance Department Grades 10-12 (A-K ) Grades 10-12 (L-Z ) Mrs. Clifford, Director of Guidance Mrs. Jacobs, Counselor Ms. Moore, Counselor Grades 7-9 (A-K) Grades 7-9 (L-Z) Mrs. Fahey Mrs. Lyons, Counselor Grades 10-12 (A-K ) Grades 10-12 (L-Z )

TIPS for Success in High School Do your HOMEWORK – you will have it every day! Utilize your teachers and guidance counselor as RESOURCES Have a good ATTENDANCE record- don’t miss school unless absolutely necessary. Take advantage of the variety of OPPORTUNITIES available to you. Get INVOLVED in Extracurricular Activities – athletics, music, drama, EBCTV, clubs, student government, art, community service

Before we select courses… There are some important things you should know: Graduation Requirements GPA & Transcript Add/Drop Course Policy MA State College Admission Requirements

EBJSHS Graduation Requirements 4 years of English 4 years of Math (through Algebra 2 at minimum) 3 years of Science (lab sciences) 3 years of Social Sciences (US1, US2, World) 10 credits Applied Arts (Business, Art, Music, TechEd) 10 Credits PE (PE / Health) Minimum 110 Credits

WHAT IS A GPA? Your GPA is the total of all the final grades you received in all your classes from grades 9 thru 12. GPA is used by colleges to determine how well you did in high school (1 of many factors)

GPA = Grade Point Average – the calculation of your grades: College Prep Honors A = 4 points A = 4.5 B = 3 points B = 3.5

What is a Transcript?

Massachusetts State University Minimum Admissions Requirement (as of 9/2017) Math - 4 courses (Algebra 2 minimum) Math during your final year of High School. Science - 3 courses with lab work Foreign Language – minimum 2 years in the same language

Selecting Your Courses Course levels Required Academic Courses Electives

What to Expect Freshman Year All Grade 9 students are expected to: Be able to work in groups Communicate with teachers Prioritize & time manage academic courses and coursework (agenda, etc) An HONORS Student is expected to: Manage more independent work Have strong time management skills Meet higher expectations for all work (reading, writing, projects, etc.) Demonstrate strong critical thinking skills Read and comprehend more challenging books & more books during the year Tip from Honor Students: if you're someone who is given a deadline and you know you won't do the work independently then you might not want Honors classes.

Homework: per course 30-45 minutes daily. College Preparatory – Similar to your most difficult 8th grade class with outside reading and some independence required. Homework: per course 30-45 minutes daily.

Honors - Challenging…if you are committed. Must do reading, writing, and research. Homework: per course one hour daily. Advanced Placement (offered for grades 11 and 12)

Required Classes College Prep Honors English 9 CP English 9 H Algebra 1 CP Geometry H World History 1 CP World History 1 H Biology CP Biology H

Required Classes College Prep Honors English 9 CP English 9 H Algebra 1 CP Geometry H World History 1 CP World History 1 H Biology CP Biology H

Foreign Language Spanish 1 (College Preparatory) French 1 (College Preparatory) Remember….Not a Graduation Requirement but… All state colleges and universities require at least two years of study in the same foreign language. More competitive institutions require 3 – 4 years *Please consult with English Teacher if Freshman year would be the best year to start.

Year-long Electives 5 Credit Elective Courses Concert Band Concert Chorus

2.5 Credit Elective Courses Music Courses History of Music 1, 2 Music Theory 1 Piano 1 (fall) Piano 2 (spring) English Courses Creative Writing Journalism Art Courses Art 1 Ceramics

2.5 Credit Elective Courses Technology Courses CAD Design Drafting 1 Manufacturing I (Metal Shop) Intro to Production Technology (Wood Shop) Graphic Arts 1 Business Courses Introduction to Computer Applications Business Seminar Fashion Merchandising Sports & Entertainment Marketing

Add/ The guidance department will review change requests during the first week of first semester (and the first week of semester 2 for electives only) based on available space for the following reasons: 1) Students with incomplete schedules (example: not enough subjects or subject area requirements). 2) Students who need schedule changes because of attending summer school. 3) Parent or teacher-recommended changes (before start of the year).   Dropping a course to change a teacher or to avoid academic rigor is unacceptable. Lateral transfers (those that do not involve a change in level) are not permitted.

Okay, I am ready to Choose! #1. WWW.EBPS.NET #2. Resources tab, dropdown, click on Resources for Parents & Students

#3. Click on the Community Portal & log in Parents and students should use their own logins #4. Select Course Recommendations

#5. Agree with teacher recommendations / add elective choices

Any student who needs assistance should see their Guidance Counselor Any student who needs assistance should see their Guidance Counselor. There are computers for use in the Guidance Office. Students will have an individual appointment with their counselor before course selections are finalized. If you have forgotten your SchoolBrains login information – you can get that information from your homeroom teacher or your Guidance Counselor. Course selections must be completed through the portal by Friday, March 22nd, 2019. Parents who have questions should call their students Guidance Counselor at 508-378-5809. This powerpoint will be posted on www.ebps.net/guidance and your Guidance Google Classroom