Welcome Techsters time for FORECASTING Choosing Classes for next year and MORE Benson Counseling Amy Henry A to G Peg Schoettle H to O Steve Wren P to Z Spring 2015

Participate in Your Education Someone is going to plan your future.... It may as well be YOU. It may as well be YOU.

Why Forecast?  Open Course Guide to page 1.  Read the first two paragraphs. We will use your choices to make classes, hire teachers, and set up the schedule. Choices cannot be changed in the Fall.

Using The Course Guide Using The Course Guide  Inside Cover – complete list of majors  Table of Contents  Researching majors… read yours.  Researching Academic classes  The Benson Diploma; page 3

LETS GET STARTED   Planning for Next Year at Benson

Steps in forecasting  1. Print your name clearly  2. Mark your sheet with all classes you plan to take.  3. Counselors will collect your forecasting sheet TODAY.  4.Discuss choices with teachers, parents, classmates.  5. We will return this week to meet with each of you and get your final decisions.

Current Freshmen Everybody got one of these?

Current Sophomores Everybody got one of these?

Everybody got one of these? Current Juniors

Honors and AP Classes More challenging higher level classes in English, US History, Biology, Physics, Calculus, and Government are available. There are good reasons to step up the challenge of these classes:  Earn college credit through AP tests.  Stand out in the college admission process.  Gain skills to help you succeed in college.

Honors and AP Classes Before selecting Honors or AP class you should consider:  Did I earn at least a C in prerequisite classes?  Do I have a passion for this subject?  Am I willing to work harder to meet higher standards? If you sign up for an AP class you will be invited to a meeting in the Spring to get summer assignments.

Film Crit: English 7/8 Credit  In English: Film Criticism and Literature, students study both books and films as text, with particular emphasis on themes, history, genre and film making techniques as applied to analysis and interpretation of films as a type of literature. We will study many types of films and books from a multitude of genres, ranging from musicals to suspense to drama from both the past and the present.  In English: Film Criticism and Literature, students study both books and films as text, with particular emphasis on themes, history, genre and film making techniques as applied to analysis and interpretation of films as a type of literature. We will study many types of films and books from a multitude of genres, ranging from musicals to suspense to drama from both the past and the present. New Class for Seniors!

TIME TO CHOOSE CLASSES Mark your sheet clearly.

 Now Lets look at where you have been and where you are headed. You need your transcript and a planning worksheet

Your Transcript  Check your personal information for accuracy; name, address, birthday  These are permanent grades.  Find GPAs for each semester and GPA Summary.  Look for Ds ; not accepted by colleges.  Look for Fs; may need to be retaken.  Other marks? R, SLIP, WL, MA…  Graduation Requirements Table; credits, tests

Graduation Requirements table from a transcript. What grade is this student? or CTE

Credit Recovery  Failed classes must be made up to count toward graduation.  No retakes are allowed at Benson.  Portland Evening Scholars.  Summer Scholars.  Virtual Scholars (online learning at Benson)  Other online programs. See your counselor.

What is a SLIP Exam?

Other Graduation Requirements  In addition to earning the 24 credits you will have to meet other requirements:  Pass state tests in reading, writing, and math. Tests are taken Sophomore and Junior year. and Junior year.  Complete a resume and career related learning experience. Record in Naviance.  Complete an extended application project.

Planning Ahead for College  Most colleges require a GPA of 3.0, some require higher, some lower. See page 4 for details.  Colleges require a C or higher in 15 core classes. You must retake Ds in core classes.  All Juniors take the ACT each Spring at Benson. This is a college admission test.  Juniors should also take the SAT in the Spring if planning to apply to college.  Begin thinking of your college major.

Should this student make up the D? (Note GPA)

Planning Ahead for College - College Athletics  Thinking of playing a sport at college?  The NCAA will require you to have four years of Math or Science at Benson.

TIME TO DO SOME LONG RANGE PLANNING

Write your name. Answer these three questions.

Now copy your class choices for next year from your forecasting sheet. Complete the table using your transcript and the backside. Bring this back signed to meet with your counselor.

Extracurricular Activities  Athletic Teams. Course guide to page 48.  (NCAA Eligibility see page 5)  Clubs. Page 49.  Leadership.  Volunteering/ Community Service

Resources  Counseling.  College/ Career Center.  School Nurse.  See Course Guide page 6 for details.

Getting Help  Yourself: set goals, manage time, use your planner. use your planner.  Teachers: the expert on their topic. Try going in after school for ten minutes!  Parents  Classmates: form a study group.

SEE YOU SOON  Counselors will return to meet with each of you.  Bring your planning worksheet with parent signature. BE READY.