1. Sophomore Handbook On Track To Graduate

2. COUNSELORS Mrs. Hille ( A-L) Mrs. Hille ( A-L) Ms. Sayanagi ( M-Z ) Ms. Sayanagi ( M-Z ) Mr. Hernandez (JTED/Career counselor) Mr. Hernandez (JTED/Career counselor) Mr. Hanna (College counselor) Mr. Hanna (College counselor)

3. Get Involved!! Academic Academic Community Community Social Activities Social Activities These activities help you to clarify your interests, goals and plans for the future.

4. Academic Expectations Go to class every day Go to class every day Talk to your teacher if there is a problem Talk to your teacher if there is a problem Take proper materials to class Take proper materials to class Use a planner- start relying on yourself Use a planner- start relying on yourself Take your classes seriously- challenge yourself Take your classes seriously- challenge yourself

5. Responsibility Pass your classes to get credits Pass your classes to get credits Say no to ditching Say no to ditching Control your actions and words Control your actions and words Listen to teachers and adults Listen to teachers and adults Be respectful Be respectful Get involved in extra curricular activities Get involved in extra curricular activities Stay on task, don’t get distracted Stay on task, don’t get distracted Enjoy your HS experience!! Enjoy your HS experience!!

6. Sophomore Timeline September-October Meet with counselor about credits Meet with counselor about credits Develop serious attitude about academics- your GPA and class rank are big considerations for scholarships and colleges Develop serious attitude about academics- your GPA and class rank are big considerations for scholarships and colleges Develop good study habits. If struggling- first, see your teacher; second, seek tutoring; third, see your counselor Develop good study habits. If struggling- first, see your teacher; second, seek tutoring; third, see your counselor PSAT is October 12 th PSAT is October 12 th

7. Sophomore Timeline November – December November – December 1. Visit the Counseling Center for careers, use AZCIS. 2. Talk to and visit people employed in your career interest area. 3. Plan extracurricular and community activities with your resume in mind. 4. Keep track of information for your resume: GPA, awards, recognitions, sports participation, volunteering information, etc. 5. Listen to the announcements

8. Sophomore Timeline January – March January – March 1. Review your 4-year plan, think about your course selections for next year, register. 2. Review career and education goals. 3. Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. 4. Use the Career Center 5. Make a list of schools, jobs, and colleges that you may want to consider. 6. Make sure you pick the correct courses for next year when you do registration!!

9. Sophomore Timeline April – May April – May 1. Take Interest Inventories to analyze possible career choices. 2. Use AZCIS to explore occupational and post secondary information. 3. Set aside time to read EVERY DAY during the summer. This will help prepare you for higher education 4. Find a summer job, volunteer, or go to summer school. Use your summer break wisely.

10. Curriculum Subject Areas Minimum Graduation Plan College Prep Program Rigorous College Prep Arizona State Universities Program CreditsCreditsCredits English4 Mathematics4 4 to 5 Science3 Social Studies 3 Physical Education 1 Health0.5 Foreign Language 2 4 to 5 Fine Arts or CTE 1 1-Fine Arts Electives6.5 Computers Total Credits 23 24 or more TUSD High School Graduation Requirements

11. Calculating your GPA How to calculate GPA How to calculate GPA A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0 A=4.0, B=3.0, C=2.0, D=1.0, F=0 Add up your points for every letter grade you have received for high school credit Add up your points for every letter grade you have received for high school credit Divide that number by the number of classes you have taken Divide that number by the number of classes you have taken

12. Arizona Instrument to Measure the Standards (AIMS) A student must pass the AIMS and earn the required 23 course credits to graduate from an Arizona High School. A student must pass the AIMS and earn the required 23 course credits to graduate from an Arizona High School. You get 5 chances to meet the standards You get 5 chances to meet the standards AIMS includes Writing, Reading and Math. AIMS includes Writing, Reading and Math. AIMS is given to all 10 th Graders 2 nd sem. AIMS is given to all 10 th Graders 2 nd sem. Spring Test Dates are as follows: Spring Test Dates are as follows: Writing- Tuesday February 28 th, 2012 Reading- Wednesday February 29 th, 2012 Math- Tuesday April 10 th, 2012 Science- Wednesday April 11 th, 2012 Science- Wednesday April 11 th, 2012

13. Test Mania AIMS- Arizona Instrument to Measure the Standards AIMS- Arizona Instrument to Measure the Standards PSAT- Preliminary SAT PSAT- Preliminary SAT SAT and ACT – 4 year college entrance exams SAT and ACT – 4 year college entrance exams Register online at www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org www.collegeboard.com Can be taken in the 11 th grade- mainly take it senior year Fees required unless on free or reduced lunch- can have a waiver ASVAB- Vocational Aptitude Test ASVAB- Vocational Aptitude Test Administered in October for 12 th Graders Identifies skills and interests and is a good predictor of job satisfaction.

14. Eight Ways to Improve Learning Skills 1. Study same subject at the same time in the same place every day. 2. Don’t spend more than 50 minutes at a time on one subject. 20-30 minutes if you are memorizing. 3. Keep alert and focus while studying. No distractions. 4. Avoid studying when you are sleepy. 5. Study at the most productive time for the course. 6. Memorize actively. Use visualization, association, relate the information to something personal. 7. Read with a purpose. PQR3 ( Preview, Question, Read, Recite, Review.

15. Test Taking Skills Study Tips Test Taking Skills Study Tips Get enough sleep Get enough sleep Eat breakfast Eat breakfast Don’t do last minute cramming of information Don’t do last minute cramming of information Be on time and prepared Be on time and prepared Be confident Be confident Relax Relax Read all instructions Read all instructions Listen to directions Listen to directions Ask questions Ask questions Skip questions if you don’t know Skip questions if you don’t know Go back and check all answers, fill in questions with a guess unless there is a penalty for guessing Go back and check all answers, fill in questions with a guess unless there is a penalty for guessing Set the right atmosphere Read, re-write and review your notes Make a schedule, use a planner, schedule time to study and read Create learning aids: flashcards, charts, time lines, outlines, visual cues etc. Be prepared. Attend all classes, ask questions, get help Read directions carefully Be aware of tips for short answer and essay exams.

16. What To Do In High School If You Want To Graduate From College Get Good Grades Get Good Grades 1. HS GPA is a great predictor of whether or not you will earn a college degree 2. Less than 14% of students who have C average or lower earn some type of degree (more than half didn’t even earn 1 college credit) Do Your Homework Do Your Homework 1. Homework teaches content, time-management and discipline. 2. Homework time strongly predicts college success. Take Math Courses Take Math Courses 1. The more Math in HS, the better your chances of earning a college degree and more income.

17. Arizona Career Information System (AZCIS) www.azcis.intocareers.org www.azcis.intocareers.org www.azcis.intocareers.org User name: catalinahms User name: catalinahms Password: 4azcis02 Password: 4azcis02 Career information, career pathways, college and vocational school information, scholarship information, interest profile assessment, work values assessment and much, much more!! Career information, career pathways, college and vocational school information, scholarship information, interest profile assessment, work values assessment and much, much more!!

18. Options After High School 4 year college or university 4 year college or university 2 year technical certificate or degree program 2 year technical certificate or degree program The Military The Military Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Full time work Full time work Internships/Apprenticeships Internships/Apprenticeships Self- Employment Self- Employment

19. How to Get Along In HS 1. Be Yourself 2. Accept others and be open-minded 3. Listen to what others have to say 4. Don’t gossip 5. Treat others the way you want to be treated 6. Be nice to everybody 7. Good manners. 8. Don’t worry what others think of you