1. Welcome to Freshman Orientation
Union County High School

2. Agenda… Graduation Requirements, Credits, and Transcripts
GPA and Class Rank
ECA (End of Course Assessment) testing
Athletic and Social Eligibility
Scheduling
Elective Areas
Role of a School Counselor

3. Graduation Requirements

4. High School Credits Staying on track…
In order to receive a high school diploma…
You MUST accumulate at least 40 Credits!
(47 Credits for Academic Honors/Technical Honors diplomas)
12 credits = Freshmen
24 credits = Sophomore
36 credits = Junior
credits = Senior
Each class/course = 1 CREDIT!
Study Hall does NOT count as a credit!

5. Credits are recorded on a Transcript
Document that details a student’s academic achievement (grades and credits for each course taken) in grades 9-12.
Transcripts also include:
Cumulative GPA and Class Rank
Attendance
State graduation test scores (ECA)
College test scores (PSAT, ACT, SAT)

6. GPA and Class Rank Cumulative GPA
average of student’s grades beginning Freshmen year (Algebra 1 in 8th grade)
4.0 scale: 4.0 A 3.0 B 2.0 C 1.0 D
Weighted courses: AP (Advanced Placement) A = 5.0
Honor Roll
Summa Cum Laude Highest Honors: GPA of 3.9 and above
Magna Cum Laude High Honors: GPA of
Cum Laude Honors: GPA of
Class Rank
based on GPA, shows where you stand in relation to other members of your class.
Example: 1/139… Ranked first, highest GPA in a class of 139 students.

7. ISTEP+ Grade 10 Graduation Examination Transition
Beginning in , the ISTEP+ Grade 10 English/Language Arts and Mathematics tests replace the End of Course Assessments in Algebra I and English 10 as the graduation examinations. Every Indiana student in the graduating class of 2019 and beyond must demonstrate mastery of the Indiana Academic Standards measured by the ISTEP+ Grade 10 English/Language Arts and Mathematics assessments.

8. Athletic and Social Eligibility
Extra-curricular (sports, dances, leadership positions) eligibility is based on passing at least 5 courses at the 9 week (midterm) and 18 week (semester) grading periods.
7 classes per semester…
If enrolled in 7 classes… MUST pass 5…. Can only NOT pass 2 courses.
If enrolled in a study hall… student is only enrolled in 6 courses… MUST pass 5 courses… can only NOT pass 1 course.
Clean Start… However, Fall Athletics and the Homecoming Dance are dependent of first nine week grading period!!!

9. Example of a Freshman Schedule
English 9 (or Honors English 9)
Alg 1 (or Honors Geometry if completed Algebra 1 in 8th grade)
Earth Space or Biology
World History
Computer Applications
Health PE
Spanish 1
Electives

10. PE Alternative Credit
PE Alternative Credit grades are recorded on a student’s transcript and impact honor roll, GPA, and class rank.
Deadlines:
Winter and Spring sports are due the last day of Second Semester.
Summer and Fall sports are due the last day of First Semester… including Summer Marching Band!!

11. Elective Areas Agriculture Business/Computer Technology Fine Arts: Art
Fine Arts: Vocal & Instrumental Music
Family & Consumer Science (FACS)
Technology/Engineering
Multidisciplinary: RtI (Response to Intervention) and
BSD (Basic Skills Development)

12. RtI and BSD RtI (Response to Intervention)
Support for struggling students in the area of Math and English
BSD (Basic Skills Development)
Support for students on an IEP
For more information on RtI or BSD… see your Guidance Counselor.

13. Schedule Changes Schedule CAREFULLY!
Most changes are made to balance classes or meet graduation requirements.
Few schedule changes are made because students “change their mind”, as class supplies are purchased based on the number of students registered for a course.
You may refer to your handbook for the “schedule change policy.”
A “Petition to Drop/Add Course” form must be completed with the appropriate signatures in order for a schedule change to be considered.
No schedule changes are made after the first 3 days of the semester!!!

14. Daily Schedule Monday/Tuesday Seven Period Day Schedule Bell Time
Minutes 1
8:15-9:00 45 2
9:03-9:47 3
9:50-10:35
4 A Lunch
10:38-11:08 30
4 B Lunch
11:11-11:41
4 C Lunch
11:44-12:14
Advisory
12:18-12:48 5
12:52-1:37 6
1:41-2:26 7
2:30-3:15
Wednesday/Thursday/Friday
Seven Period Day Schedule
Bell
Time
Minutes 1
8:15-9:05 50 2
9:09-9:59 3
10:03-10:53
4 A Lunch
10:57-11:27 30
4 B Lunch
11:30-12:00
4 C Lunch
12:03-12:33 5
12:37-1:27 6
1:31-2:21 7
2:25-3:15

15. CALL (Advisory/Bonus/Homeroom/Senior Exit)
(Celebration of Advisees as Lifelong Learners)
Compile portfolio throughout your high school career
Complete 40 hours of Community Service
Present a Senior Exit Oral Presentation
1 Required elective credit towards UCHS graduation!
Community Service credit on transcript

16. A School Counselor is a Student Advocate
High school years are full of growth, promise, excitement, frustration, disappointment and hope. It is the time when students begin to discover what the future holds for them. Secondary school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic achievement. School counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community.

17. Counselors provide:
-Social and Emotional support…The guidance office is somewhere you can CONFIDENTIALLY share your thoughts and feelings.
-Academic and Career guidance and support…The guidance office is a resource for college and career planning.
Counselors Collaborate with teachers, administrators, parents, colleges, as well as community resources.

18. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or visit the Guidance Office website.
Mr. Tony Duritsch, Guidance Counselor
(students with last names beginning with letters A-J)
ext. 3205
Ms. Robin Durham, Guidance Director
(students with the last name beginning with letters K-Z)
ext. 3206
Mrs. Pam Abernathy, Guidance Secretary
ext. 3207