Cypress Falls Counseling Department

1. Cypress FallsCounseling Department Safety Openness Academics Recognitions Keeping the Options Open

2. Counselors • Lori Ivey, Coordinating Counselor Students are divided alphabetically as follows: • Brandi Blomquist (A-B) • Patti Moore (C-D) • Diana Villarreal (E-Han) • Judy Hooper (Hao-K) • Norma Fernandez (L-M) • Christy Taylor (N-Re) • Nicole Rao- Flores (Rf-S) • Maria Lewis (T-Z)

3. Counseling Department’s Role • Help students succeed! • Assist with • academics • career exploration • future planning • friends & relationship problems • problem solving • good decision- making- both academically and socially

4. Counselors Can Help • Safety • No harassment policy • Tell an adult (teacher, counselor, assistant principal) if you’re being harassed • Crisis • A life threatening situation • Tell an adult immediately • Confidentiality

5. How to See Your Counselor • Equal Access • Sign-up at Counselors’ Corner • Be specific on counselor request form • Sign-in and out of counselors’ office • Come without a pass/leave without a pass

6. Counselors’ Corner • Located in the cafeteria during all lunches Monday- Thursday (10:30-12:30) • Check often for new information • Provide information about • programs • opportunities • Visit with counselor • various aspects of high school • learn about your responsibilities

7. Elective Schedule Changes • Elective schedule changes will NOT be granted after May 2007 … this must be done prior to leaving the middle school campus. • Elective courses are any courses other than English, Math, Science and Social Studies (some examples - foreign language, fine arts, PE, health, comm. app, etc)

8. C.F.I.S.D. Schedule Change Policy • Only the following changes will be made during the first three weeks of a semester: • The student does not meet prerequisite(s) for the course. • The student does not meet the grade placement requirement for the course. • The student already has credit for the course. • The student is placed in an inappropriate level. • The student has not met the requirements for K-level, AP, Dual Credit, or Horizons placement.

9. At- Cy- Falls … • Due to overcrowding and balancing needs, changes may occur that could possibly effect class period and or/ teacher assignment. • Fall and Spring semesters are effected!!

10. K-Level Changes • 3 weeks and 6 weeks • A student may, upon his/her request and with parent approval, (contact teacher) transfer from a K-level class to an appropriate L- level class at the end of any six-weeks’ grading period • D’s and F’s in K level - automatic removal

11. Registration for Next Year’s Courses • February • High School Counselors present registration information at the middle schools. • March • Teachers are hired based on students registration • Parent input is required / recommended • Course selection are set by May 24, 2007 on the middle school campus • Contact Middle Schools with any additional questions

12. Graduation Requirements • Required and Elective Credits • 22 - Minimum (Requires parent signature) • 26 - Recommended • TAKS Tests • 9th Grade - Reading and Math • Exit Level - 11th Grade; required for graduation • English/Language Arts; Science; Math; Social Studies

13. Distinguished Achievement Program (26 credits) • An additional credit of Foreign Language • Four Advanced Measures • A Score of 3 or better on a College Board Advanced Placement Exam • A grade of B or better in courses that count for college credit in high school (Tech Prep, Dual Credit) • A score on the PSAT that qualifies a student for recognition (National Merit Scholar,Commended) • Original research under the direction of a mentor - Presented and judged

14. Transcripts • Permanent academic record • Seen by colleges, employers, the military • What’s on the transcript? • Semester grades • Credits Earned • GPA • Class Rank • Attendance • Standardized test scores - TAKS, SAT, ACT

15. Grade Point Average (GPA) • GPA is cumulative by semester • Freshman year is important • First semester GPA can be seen in February prior to registering for next year’s classes • Class Rank and GPA for this school year can be seen in late August of 2007

16. K Level A = 7 B = 6 C = 5 D = 4 F = 0 Regular Level A = 6 B = 5 C = 4 D = 3 F = 0 Grade Points • Honor Graduates - Three Levels • Summa Cum Laude - 6.5 GPA or higher • Magna Cum Laude - 6.25 GPA or higher • Cum Laude - 6.0 GPA or higher

17. Earning Credits • How is Semester Grade calculated? • 1st Six Weeks Grade - added twice • 2nd Six Weeks Grade - added twice • 3rd Six Weeks Grade - added twice • Semester Exam - counts as 1/7 of the semester grade

18. What Happens if I Fail a Semester? • Year Long Courses: • Failing 1st semester, passing second semester • First and Second semester must average to a 70 or above • Example: 60 + 80 = 140/2(you get 1 credit) • Failing 2nd semester, passing first semester • You only earn 1/2 credit • Example: 80 + 60 = 1/2 credit • You must attend summer school or take credit by exam

19. Options for Gaining Credit • Summer School • Cost approximately $150 per semester, $300 per one credit • Night School • Cost approximately the same as summer school • Correspondence • Texas Tech or UT Austin • You pay for tuition and books • $135 or more per semester • Can only earn 2 credits by correspondence courses

20. Options for Gaining Credit Continued • District Credit By Exam • $30.00 per test • taken at Windfern High School • Make-up credit - can test only two times • Original credit - can test one time

21. College Entrance Exams • THEA - Texas Higher Education Assessment (new name for TASP) • Must take prior to any collegiate-level courses at Texas State Colleges • ACT, SAT I & SAT II - Measures how well students have developed academic skills that are necessary for college work • Your choice of tests will depend on which colleges you apply to

22. Web Sites for College Entrance Exams • SAT • www.collegeboard.com • ACT • www.act.org • THEA (Placement) • http://www.thea.nesinc.com/

23. COIN3Career and College Search Service www.coin3.com Includes: Career Interest Inventory College Search Scholarship/Financial Aid Search Résumé Builder

24. Making Better Grades • 90% Attendance • It’s the law! • READ, READ, READ • It improves vocabulary and writing skills • Study • Advisory • Tutoring • After School - Late Bus Provided • 3 week progress report - receive during 4th week of 6 weeks

25. In Closing …Action Plan for Freshmen • Ninth grade is the year for students to: • Improve grades and study habits • Enroll in challenging courses • Get involved in clubs and organizations • Volunteer in the community • Begin building a portfolio • Begin researching colleges and careers • Develop a vision of your future

26. How Parents Can Help !!! • Help students carefully select electives • Encourage students to attend tutorials • Contact teachers directly with specific concerns/ questions • Check grades regularly using PIV online • Check Cy- Falls website (www.cfisd.net) • Discuss graduation requirements • Help your student GEAR UP for the future!