***CLASS OF 2013***CLASS OF 2013*** WELCOME! PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF CURIE'S JUNIORS

1. ***CLASS OF 2013***CLASS OF 2013*** WELCOME! PARENTS AND GUARDIANS OF CURIE'S JUNIORS ***CLASS OF 2013***CLASS OF 2013***

2. PRINCIPALMR. PERRY ASSISTANT PRINCIPALSMS. ESPINOZAMS. KOSIKMS. MORRISMR. RODRIGUEZ

3. COUNSELORS MR. DAVID CORONADO MR. JEFF DACHMAN MR. MARTIN DENNIS MR. MICHAEL KENNEY MS. DANA MARINE MS. SUSANN PACELLA MS. JOI PERKINS-OWUSU MS. SOFIA VILLAFUERTE MS. MAKEVA WATSON MS. SIOBHAN WOODHOUSE

4. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS • 4 Years of English • 3 Years of Social Studies • 3 Years of Math • 3 Years of Science • 2 Years of World Language • 1 Year of Computer Information Technology • 6 Units of Education-To-Careers or Electives in Career Path • 1 Year of Art • 1 Year of Music • 2 Years of P.E. or ROTC (includes Health) 26 CREDITS ARE NEEDED FOR GRADUATION

5. ADDITIONAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS • 4 Years of Division • 40 Hours of Service Learning • Must pass Constitution Exam (offered in U.S. History) • Must complete a 30-hour unit in Driver's Ed (offered in PE II) • Must complete a 10-week Consumer Ed unit (offered in Computer Tech) • Must take PSAE Exam

6. PSAE/ACT TESTING • Day 1 (Tuesday, April 24) = ACT Testing • Day 2 (Wednesday, April 25) = WorkKeys and ISBE Science Exam • Assesses student progress toward meeting Illinois learning standards and toward college readiness • Students in grade 11 must test; GRADUATION REQUIREMENT and requirement for promotion to senior status • Scores appear on students’ transcripts

7. PSAE Day 1: ACT EXAM • Multiple choice English (75 questions; 45 minutes), Math (60 questions; 60 minutes), Reading (40 questions; 35 minutes) and Science (40 questions, 35 minutes) • Aligned to Illinois Learning Standards • Measures students’ strengths and weaknesses • College entrance exam • Out of 36 points

8. PSAE Day 2: WorkKeys and ISBE Science Exam • WorkKeys include reading and math exams • Determine whether student has skills for specific jobs • Science (45 questions; 40 minutes), Math (33 questions; 45 minutes), Reading (33 questions; 45 minutes)

9. How to Prepare for PSAE/ACT • Focus on your classes and complete assignments • Complete test prep in your classes and on your own (books in College Center and online test prep) • Try your best on practice tests and pay attention during review of these tests • Familiarize yourself with the format of the test

10. Tips for Taking the PSAE/ACT • Follow all instructions • Read each question carefully • Pace yourself; don’t spend too long on any one question or passage • Use a soft lead number two pencil with a good eraser (no mechanical pencils) • Answer the easy questions first and then go back and answer the more difficult ones • For difficult questions, eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can and then make an educated guess • Answer Every Question; there is no penalty for guessing • If you have time, review your work • Pay attention to the announcement of “5 minutes left” and put pencil down when time is called • You may not look back at previous tests or look ahead; if you do so, your test will be VOID • Answer questions neatly; avoid smudge marks from erasers • Get your rest and arrive early! • NO cell phones

11. The Day Before and Day of Testing • Get plenty of rest • Set more than one alarm • Eat breakfast • Arrive EARLY • Pack a snack • Dress in layers • Bring two soft lead #2 pencils, a calculator (that is working with fresh batteries) and a photo ID

12. ACT College Readiness Benchmarks College Readiness Based on ACT Composite

13. PSAE Score • Exceeds Standards – Student work demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills in the subject. Students creatively apply knowledge and skills to solve problems and evaluate the results.. • Meets Standards – Student work demonstrates proficient knowledge and skills in the subject. Students effectively apply knowledge and skills to solve problems.  • Below Standards – Student work demonstrates basic knowledge and skills in the subject. However, because of gaps in learning, students apply knowledge and skills in limited ways. • Academic Warning-Student work demonstrates limited knowledge and skills in the subject. Because of major gaps in learning, students apply knowledge and skills ineffectively.

16. Post-Secondary/College Planningfor High School Juniors • Meet with your counselor. • Continue to be involved in extra-curricular and volunteer activities. • Work hard to maintain a high GPA. • Take rigorous classes. • Attend college fairs. • Go on college visits. • Research schools and their admission requirements. • Research cost of colleges and scholarships. • Familiarize yourself with the FAFSA. • Search for scholarships. • Read! • Sign up to retake ACT exam • In the spring, you should have a list of 15-20 schools. By summer, narrow your list to 5-10 schools and familiarize yourself with application dates and deadlines. • In the summer, work on your personal statement and essays.

17. Post-Secondary Planning for High School Seniors • Apply to colleges in the fall • Early decision and priority deadlines usually are between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15 • Have teachers and counselors review your essays • Request teacher/counselor recommendations early • Search for additional scholarships • If necessary, retake ACT exam in the fall • Maintain good grades in rigorous classes • Parents and students complete taxes early; FAFSA available January 1, 2013

18. HELPFUL WEBSITES • WWW.CURIEHS.ORG • https://parent.cps.k12.il.us/pc/default.aspx • Edmodo.com (ACCESS CODE: ggsx2b)

19. 3rd QUARTER REPORT CARD PICK-UP AND CONFERENCES: THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2012 (1:00 P.M. - 6:15 P.M.) THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING AND BEING INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE.