1. Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School 8 th Grade Planning Guide Presentation Presentation Class of 2012 Class of 2012

2. RSM Guidance Counselors Mrs. Bills, 7 th /8 th Grade Counselor (Mon-Fri) Mrs. Bills, 7 th /8 th Grade Counselor (Mon-Fri) Mrs. Fischer – Intern Counselor (Mon-Thurs) Mrs. Fischer – Intern Counselor (Mon-Thurs) Visit RSM Guidance Department Webpage –Go to RSM school website and click on “Guidance” Visit RSM Guidance Department Webpage –Go to RSM school website and click on “Guidance”

3. Our Goal… Discuss and explain RSM Promotion Requirements Discuss and explain RSM Promotion Requirements Review GPA Calculation Review GPA Calculation Discuss academic success strategies Discuss academic success strategies Discuss and explain SVUSD high school graduation requirements Discuss and explain SVUSD high school graduation requirements Explain California College Systems and admission requirements Explain California College Systems and admission requirements Discuss Career Planning Discuss Career Planning

4. What can a Guidance Counselor help students with? Assist students with any academic, social, or personal issues Assist students with any academic, social, or personal issues Monitor and assist students who are struggling academically Monitor and assist students who are struggling academically Assist students with their transition to high school Assist students with their transition to high school Assist students in meeting promotion requirements Assist students in meeting promotion requirements Provide students with information about tutoring, academic and college planning, and study strategies Provide students with information about tutoring, academic and college planning, and study strategies

5. Confidentiality What is it?

6. Confidentiality Confidentiality Certain personal information that you share with a counselor is confidential or private and told to no one else without your permission Certain personal information that you share with a counselor is confidential or private and told to no one else without your permission Things that counselors cannot keep private… Things that counselors cannot keep private… If you tell a counselor someone is hurting you. If you tell a counselor someone is hurting you. If you tell a counselor about a situation involving a clear and present danger to yourself or others. If you tell a counselor about a situation involving a clear and present danger to yourself or others. If you tell a counselor about any planned or attempted criminal activity. If you tell a counselor about any planned or attempted criminal activity.

7. 8 th Grade Classes English – 3 Trimesters English – 3 Trimesters Math – 3 Trimesters Math – 3 Trimesters U.S. History- 3 Trimesters U.S. History- 3 Trimesters Science – 3 Trimesters Science – 3 Trimesters P.E. – 2 Trimesters P.E. – 2 Trimesters Health – 1 Trimester * Health – 1 Trimester * Electives – 3 Trimester of electives or 1 year long elective Electives – 3 Trimester of electives or 1 year long elective Each Trimester lasts 12 weeks Each Trimester lasts 12 weeks

8. SVUSD Promotion Requirements Minimum 1.50 GPA (Grade Point Average) for the year - cumulative Minimum 1.50 GPA (Grade Point Average) for the year - cumulative Minimum 1. 0 GPA in Math for the year Minimum 1. 0 GPA in Math for the year Minimum 1.0 GPA in English for the year Minimum 1.0 GPA in English for the year No more than 3 trimester “F’s” for the year No more than 3 trimester “F’s” for the year

9. How to figure out your GPA (Grade Point Average) with your grades First step: Change all of your grades to points First step: Change all of your grades to points Second step: Add all the points together Second step: Add all the points together Third step: Divide this total by the number of grades you added Third step: Divide this total by the number of grades you added

10. How many points are your grades worth? A = 4 A = 4 B = 3 B = 3 C = 2 C = 2 D = 1 D = 1 F = 0 F = 0

11. Let’s Practice English F English F Math D Math D Science C+ Science C+ History C History C P.E. A- P.E. A- Elective B Elective B Change all grades to points Change all grades to points Add up all the points Add up all the points Divide the number of points by the number of grades. What is the GPA? Divide the number of points by the number of grades. What is the GPA? English 0 Math 1 Science 2 History 2 P.E. 4 Elective 3 Total 12 12 Divided by 6 = 2.0 GPA is 2.0

12. Tips for Success…. Use the student planner to write down class assignments, tests, quizzes, homework and projects Use the student planner to write down class assignments, tests, quizzes, homework and projects Do homework daily and study Do homework daily and study Read every day (20 to 30 minutes) Read every day (20 to 30 minutes) Ask for help Ask for help Make up work when absent Make up work when absent Get organized Get organized Get involved in school activities Get involved in school activities Monitor your grades online Monitor your grades online Put forth your best effort Put forth your best effort Start thinking about your future career and educational plans Start thinking about your future career and educational plans THIS YEAR COUNTS! Placement in 9 th grade classes, sports eligibility THIS YEAR COUNTS! Placement in 9 th grade classes, sports eligibility

13. SVUSD High School Graduation Requirements Earn a minimum 1.75 GPA Earn a minimum 1.75 GPA Earn 220 credits (165 required credits/55 elective credits) Earn 220 credits (165 required credits/55 elective credits) Complete 8 hours of Community Service Complete 8 hours of Community Service Successfully pass the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) in both Language Arts and Mathematics (score of 350) Successfully pass the CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) in both Language Arts and Mathematics (score of 350) Demonstrate grade level writing proficiency (score of 3) Demonstrate grade level writing proficiency (score of 3)

14. SVUSD High School Graduation Requirements (Continued) English40 credits English40 credits Math30 credits Math30 credits (Must include the content of SVUSD Algebra 1 or 2 years of Algebra 1A and 1B) (Must include the content of SVUSD Algebra 1 or 2 years of Algebra 1A and 1B) Science30 credits Science30 credits Social Science30 credits Social Science30 credits Health 5 credits Health 5 credits P.E. (2 Semesters Required in 9 th Grade) 20 credits P.E. (2 Semesters Required in 9 th Grade) 20 credits Fine Arts and/or Foreign Language and/or Applied Arts/Technical Arts 10 credits Fine Arts and/or Foreign Language and/or Applied Arts/Technical Arts 10 credits

15. FACTS ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL High School is divided into two 18 week long semesters High School is divided into two 18 week long semesters You earn 5 credits for a semester course/10 credits for year-long course (end of 1 st sem = 30 credits, end of 2 nd sem = 60 credits) You earn 5 credits for a semester course/10 credits for year-long course (end of 1 st sem = 30 credits, end of 2 nd sem = 60 credits) Earn 220 credits to graduate Earn 220 credits to graduate 6 classes are required (9 th grade year) 6 classes are required (9 th grade year) If you fail a class, you make up the class, either in summer school, adult school, or by taking extra classes during the school day If you fail a class, you make up the class, either in summer school, adult school, or by taking extra classes during the school day 8 hours of community service 8 hours of community service You must have at least a 2.0 GPA and good citizenship to participate in extra class activities/athletics You must have at least a 2.0 GPA and good citizenship to participate in extra class activities/athletics Some classes have prerequisites Some classes have prerequisites

16. Overview of Curriculum Grade 9 College Prep Classes English 1 English 1 Algebra 1 or Algebra 1A Algebra 1 or Algebra 1A Earth Science Earth Science P.E. or Athletics/Marching Band P.E. or Athletics/Marching Band Foreign Language/Fine Art/Applied or Tech Art Foreign Language/Fine Art/Applied or Tech Art Elective Elective Honors (H) Classes English 1(H/IB) Geometry or Algebra 2 Biology P.E. or Athletics/Marching Band Foreign Language Elective

17. CALIFORNIA COLLEGE SYSTEMS Community College (more than 100) (Saddleback, Irvine Valley, Orange Coast, etc.) Community College (more than 100) (Saddleback, Irvine Valley, Orange Coast, etc.) California State Universities (23 campuses) (San Diego, Long Beach, Fullerton, San Luis Obispo, Pomona, etc.) California State Universities (23 campuses) (San Diego, Long Beach, Fullerton, San Luis Obispo, Pomona, etc.) University of California (10 campuses) (UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Los Angeles, etc.) University of California (10 campuses) (UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Los Angeles, etc.) Independent/Private Colleges and Universities (USC, Azusa Pacific, Vanguard, Harvey Mudd, etc.) Independent/Private Colleges and Universities (USC, Azusa Pacific, Vanguard, Harvey Mudd, etc.)

18. The Community College Option  Local campuses  Less expensive  Earn a 2-year degree  Earn a Career/Technical certificate  Transfer to a 4-year University

19. California State University Minimum Admission Requirements Minimum Subject Requirements “a-g” Subjects History/Social Science = 2 years History/Social Science = 2 years English = 4 years English = 4 years Mathematics = 3 years (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) Mathematics = 3 years (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) Laboratory Science = 2 years (with lab - one biological, one physical) Laboratory Science = 2 years (with lab - one biological, one physical) Language other than English = 2 years Language other than English = 2 years Visual and Performing Arts = 1 year Visual and Performing Arts = 1 year College Preparatory Electives = 1 year College Preparatory Electives = 1 year NO GRADES BELOW A “C” ARE ACCEPTED BY CSU (make-up all D/F’s) NO GRADES BELOW A “C” ARE ACCEPTED BY CSU (make-up all D/F’s) Minimum of a 2.0 GPA Minimum of a 2.0 GPA SAT OR ACT Test SAT OR ACT Test CSU is geared toward the UPPER 33% OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES CSU is geared toward the UPPER 33% OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

20. University of California “a-g” Pattern of Courses Minimum Admission Requirements U.S. History/Social Science = 2 years U.S. History/Social Science = 2 years English = 4 years English = 4 years Mathematics = 3 years ( 4 years recommended) Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 Mathematics = 3 years ( 4 years recommended) Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 Laboratory Science = 2 years (3 years recommended) Biology, Chemistry, Physics Laboratory Science = 2 years (3 years recommended) Biology, Chemistry, Physics Language other than English = 2 years of the same language (3 years recommended) Language other than English = 2 years of the same language (3 years recommended) Visual and Performing Arts (drama, ceramics, art, etc) = 1 year Visual and Performing Arts (drama, ceramics, art, etc) = 1 year College Preparatory Electives = 1 year College Preparatory Electives = 1 year 7 of 15 required courses must be completed in junior/senior years 7 of 15 required courses must be completed in junior/senior years NO GRADES BELOW A “C” ARE ACCEPTED BY UC (make-up all D/F’s) NO GRADES BELOW A “C” ARE ACCEPTED BY UC (make-up all D/F’s) Minimum of a 3.5 GPA Minimum of a 3.5 GPA SAT or ACT with writing SAT or ACT with writing Two SAT subject tests in two separate areas Two SAT subject tests in two separate areas UC is geared toward the UPPER 12.5 % OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES UC is geared toward the UPPER 12.5 % OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

21. Planning for College Maintain high grades and good study habits Maintain high grades and good study habits Participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, etc. Participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, etc. Participate in Community Service Participate in Community Service Take standardized tests seriously Take standardized tests seriously Start saving money Start saving money Gather information Gather information Visit college campuses/web sites Visit college campuses/web sites Get to know yourself (likes and dislikes) Get to know yourself (likes and dislikes)

22. Career Planning There are skills that you are learning right now that will help you be successful in work and in life. There are skills that you are learning right now that will help you be successful in work and in life. Basic skills: reading, writing, math, speaking and listening, basic computer competency Basic skills: reading, writing, math, speaking and listening, basic computer competency Thinking skills: the ability to reason, to learn, to think creatively, to make decisions, and to solve problems Thinking skills: the ability to reason, to learn, to think creatively, to make decisions, and to solve problems Personal qualities: individual responsibility, team cooperation, integrity, self-worth, self-management, punctuality, and a positive attitude. Personal qualities: individual responsibility, team cooperation, integrity, self-worth, self-management, punctuality, and a positive attitude.

23. College/Career Links College/SAT Planning www.collegeboard.com College/SAT Planning www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com Princeton Review www.princetonreview.com (PRA Assessment) Princeton Review www.princetonreview.com (PRA Assessment)www.princetonreview.com ACT Planning www.actstudent.org ACT Planning www.actstudent.orgwww.actstudent.org Mapping your future www.mapping-your-future.org Mapping your future www.mapping-your-future.orgwww.mapping-your-future.org Career Resources www.careerbuilder.com Career Resources www.careerbuilder.comwww.careerbuilder.com Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov/oco Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov/ocowww.bls.gov/oco America’s Career Infonet (career exploration) www.acinet.org America’s Career Infonet (career exploration) www.acinet.orgwww.acinet.org Campus Explorer www.campusexplorer.com/ Campus Explorer www.campusexplorer.com/www.campusexplorer.com/ UC Planning for College www.universityofcalifornia.edu UC Planning for College www.universityofcalifornia.eduwww.universityofcalifornia.edu CSU Planning for College www.csumentor.edu/planning/middle school CSU Planning for College www.csumentor.edu/planning/middle schoolwww.csumentor.edu/planning/middle Scholarship Info www.fastweb.com Scholarship Info www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com Financial Aid Info www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/ Financial Aid Info www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/