Welcome! Parent Night 2011 “ Navigating High School ”

Introduction/Overview Ms. Nancy Jayne Ms. Nancy Jayne School Counselor School Counselor (906) ext 5 Mr. Smithson Mr. SmithsonPrincipal

Handouts At the door: Career Cruising Overview Career Cruising Overview Sophomore Bulletin Sophomore Bulletin Survey: Please fill out Survey: Please fill out As you leave: Volunteer forms Volunteer forms Business Cards Business Cards PLAN/AP Information Packets PLAN/AP Information Packets Other… Other…

Transition Middle School - High School - Beyond Middle School - High School - Beyond Responsibility Responsibility Behavior Behavior Communication Communication Expectations Expectations Independence Independence Proper Scheduling/Free Education Proper Scheduling/Free Education

Counseling Office Basics “Student Service Center” “Student Service Center” (Work Permits, Volunteer Hours, Transcripts, Duplicate Mailing List, Coordinate Presentations/Recruiter Visits, Counseling Services, Scholarship Information...) One Counselor, One Executive Secretary, One Part- Time Scholarship Coordinator: 570 students One Counselor, One Executive Secretary, One Part- Time Scholarship Coordinator: 570 students Counseling Services (Scheduling, Personal Counseling, Advising, Class Presentations, Testing, etc..) Counseling Services (Scheduling, Personal Counseling, Advising, Class Presentations, Testing, etc..)

Power School/Grades Usage as of Wednesday of last week: Usage as of Wednesday of last week: 4334 Parents, 3458 Students, 468 records of the 570 enrolled (82.1%) Getting Updates (39.2% currently) Getting Updates (39.2% currently) Understanding Grading (effort vs. achievement) Understanding Grading (effort vs. achievement) Understanding Percentages (i.e. many small vs. one large assignment) Understanding Percentages (i.e. many small vs. one large assignment) Reading Teacher Comments Reading Teacher Comments

Teachers/Teaching Learning styles vary as do teaching styles… same as in the work place. Learning styles vary as do teaching styles… same as in the work place. Directives given from the State: MMC. Achievement of standards are used to measure final assessment of learning. No extra credit. Directives given from the State: MMC. Achievement of standards are used to measure final assessment of learning. No extra credit. Teachers don’t know who is an “A” student vs. a “D-” student. Teachers don’t know who is an “A” student vs. a “D-” student. They access daily, have one hour for prep work/parent contact, post details and resources on their website. They access daily, have one hour for prep work/parent contact, post details and resources on their website. Update lesson plans weekly. Update lesson plans weekly.

Improving Grades… Q: How can I be more proactive and prepared in classes in which I struggle? Q: How can I be more proactive and prepared in classes in which I struggle? A: Pre-read. Be prepared to ask the teacher questions as they introduce the material. Don’t get hung up on taking notes while trying to listen. A: Pre-read. Be prepared to ask the teacher questions as they introduce the material. Don’t get hung up on taking notes while trying to listen. Q: What is the purpose of Unit Exams? Q: What is the purpose of Unit Exams? A: To find out what you DON’T know. A: To find out what you DON’T know. Q: How do I prepare for final exams? Q: How do I prepare for final exams? A: Save handouts and review from day 1. A: Save handouts and review from day 1.

Improving Grades Cont… Q: I do fine on homework but never do well on exams. What can I do about that? Q: I do fine on homework but never do well on exams. What can I do about that? A: There are a few items to explore… 1) How you are studying/preparing 2) What you are studying A: There are a few items to explore… 1) How you are studying/preparing 2) What you are studying 3) Test anxiety or how you feel as you take an exam. 3) Test anxiety or how you feel as you take an exam. Q: What options do I have if I need help? Q: What options do I have if I need help? A: The teacher is the #1 resource, Tutoring is #2, Online Textbook is #3, Youtube or my online website is #4. (Also Teacher Study Groups) A: The teacher is the #1 resource, Tutoring is #2, Online Textbook is #3, Youtube or my online website is #4. (Also Teacher Study Groups)

Test Alert! EXPLORE-PLAN-MME-ACT EXPLORE-PLAN-MME-ACT PSAT-SAT-SAT SUBJECTS PSAT-SAT-SAT SUBJECTS ASVAB ASVAB AP Exams AP Exams ACCUPLACER/COMPASS/Entrance Exams ACCUPLACER/COMPASS/Entrance Exams Fee waivers are available for students registered for our free/reduced lunch program…

Career Cruising Online EDP (Education Development Plan) Online EDP (Education Development Plan) Introduced in 7 th grade, edited each year in English classes/during scheduling. Record keeping that will follow them beyond high school. Introduced in 7 th grade, edited each year in English classes/during scheduling. Record keeping that will follow them beyond high school High School Account: ID: Kingsford Password: Career

Graduation/College Planning Course Description Book Online Course Description Book Online Course Selections: Course Selections: AP AP Online Online Dual Enrollment Dual Enrollment Foreign Language Foreign Language College Planning: Rigorous Senior Year College Planning: Rigorous Senior Year Recalculated GPA Recalculated GPA NCAA Clearing House NCAA Clearing House Volunteerism Volunteerism Apply in August of Senior Year Apply in August of Senior Year

Money for College? Three basics: Loans, Grants, & Scholarships Scholarships: Free National Search Engines: they will you application updates. NEVER PAY… NEVER GIVE OUT SSN… Mrs. Edberg is your best contact. Loans/Grants: Process starts in January of their senior year. Based on previous year only. Go to FAFSA forecaster to estimate now…