LINDA REMOLINO DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL COUNSELING JOELLE BRUNO 9 th grade school counselor NANCY REYES 10th grade school counselor Freshman/Sophomore Parents Night

Welcome Parents Strategies for success Freshman & Sophomore Academies Tutoring Academics & Graduation Requirements Summer School/Educere Attendance Policy Extracurricular Activities Testing

The Parent School Partnership “Students with parents who are involved in their school tend to have fewer behavioral problems and better academic performance, and are more likely to complete secondary school than students whose parents are not involved in their school.” (National Committee for Citizens in Education, 1994) “The most consistent predictors of children’s academic achievement and social adjustment are parent expectations of the child’s academic attainment and satisfaction with their child’s education at school.” (Reynolds, Michigan Department of Education, 2002)

Freshman Academy Sophomore Academy Characteristics of a Good Student Learning Styles ( students were administered learning style assessment ) Study Skills Graduation Requirements Credits & Attendance policy Boundaries:  Healthy Relationships  Dating  Bullying  Computers (cyberbullying, facebook & sexting) Graduation Requirements, Transcripts, GPA & Ranking Career Counseling (Career Inventory will be administered) Boundaries:  Healthy Relationships (Guest: Women’s Health and Counseling Center)  Safe Dating  Bullying  Computers (cyberbullying, facebook & sexting) The Academies

Strategies for success: Aiming High How Parents can continue to promote success in school Register for Genesis to check grades & attendance regularly Visit Teacher’s websites on our school website Encourage your son/daughter to:  Plan a regular time and place to do their homework each night.  Be prepared for class.  Participate in class discussions and activities.  Come to school early  Join a club or sport that interests you. (See link to NPHS Clubs/Sports.)  Find out how you can make a difference in your community.

Planning Guide (con’t) Meet with your school counselor to discuss grades Explore postsecondary schools that match your career plans Keep developing your college portfolio Take the PSAT in your Sophomore Year Discuss the results of the PSAT with your counselor

Spring Planning Guide Locate summer enrichment programs Volunteer for local community service activities Plan next year’s program to reflect your interests, school progress and emerging career plans Keep up your grades

PSAT Information The College Board and the National Merit Scholarship Corporation co-sponsor the PSAT/NMSQT Measures verbal, mathematics and writing ability Students discover how they rank among sophomores/juniors across the country It is the qualifying test for 11 th graders wishing to participate in competitions of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation

More PSAT information… Sophomores taking the test can use the test as an opportunity to gain early awareness of college as an option If you plan on college, you should take the test as a junior to be included in the National Merit Qualifying Pool Most of the mathematics on the test require a full year of geometry (students should take it only after completing geometry) When student has registered for the test, a practice book will be given to them A Report of Student Answers will be distributed when test scores are received by the district. This will give students the correct answers and their own responses and scores.

Additional Tests The Purpose of the PSATs for grades 9 & 10 is to measure students’ strengths and weaknesses before they take the HSPA in grade 11. Students must pass the HSPA in order to graduate. If you do not pass the HSPA you must take the AHSA (Alternative High School Assessment). End of course tests in Algebra 1 and Biology are now required. Students who do not pass, at this time, can graduate but not in the future.

Continuation To move to the next grade students have to pass 30 credits per year. To participate in sports students have to pass credits in the fall to play spring sports and pass 30 credits this year to play sports next fall. If a student does not take a final they will receive a zero in the course they did not take the final in. Encourage your child to take finals.

College Planning Visit the colleges Junior year-visit schools and take the SATs or the ACT exam Senior year-create a reach/match/safety school list, apply for scholarships, apply to schools, file for FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) NCAA academic requirements for Division I and II schools-visit EOF-is your child eligible? STARS PROGRAM-Top 10% of the senior class