Counseling Department Information for Freshmen

1. Counseling Department Information for Freshmen Briar Woods High School

2. Counseling Department Information • Counseling Department Team • Schedules • Importance of the freshman year • School counseling activities for freshmen • All BWHS School Counseling presentations are posted on our website!!!!

3. Counseling Department Team • Ms. James: School Counselor for A – C • Ms. Dekenipp: School Counselor for D – Ho • Ms. Rouse: School Counselor for Hu – La • Ms. Rivera: School Counselor for Le – P • Ms. Pond: School Counselor for Q – Te • Mr. Mondloch: School Counselor for Th – Z • Ms. Comparin Career Center Assistant • Ms. Quimby: School Social Worker • Mr. Urbassick School Psychologist • Ms. Zappala: Student Assistance Specialist • Ms. SpiottoParent Liaison

4. We are here to help…. • Help guide you through high school • Help you plan for life after high school, post-secondary planning – college, military, careers, etc. • Help you through personal issues and social issues

5. Meeting with a counselor • If you ever have an emergency or a crisis ask any adult to see a counselor or an administrator • This week: You sign up to see school counselors in homeroom only for very specific reasons • Starting next week, for the rest of the year: Students fill out an online “request form”

6. How students can schedule a meeting with a counselor • Schedule an appointment using the tablet in the counseling office • Go to the counseling website and look under “General Information” to access the online form • Copy this link and fill out the online form: https://tinyurl.com/RequestBWHScounselor • Use the QR code (posted in all classrooms) and fill out the online form

7. School Counseling Group Interest Form Scan the QR Code or visit the link below to sign up if you are interested in participating in group this year. Simply completing the form does not mean you are automatically placed in a group. The School Social Worker and School Psychologist will follow up with you!

8. schedules

9. Schedule Changes • Electives • Academic classes

10. Schedules Changes • Elective Changes • We generally do not change electives

11. Schedule Changes • Academic level changes • For English, math, science, social science, and world language courses

12. Schedule Changes • If you believe you are in a class that is too easy for you. • Window: • 2nd week of school – MP one interims (October 3) • Steps: • Talk to your teacher • Talk to your parent • Then, see your counselor to discuss

13. Schedule Changes • If you believe you are in a class that is too challenging for you • Window: • 1st MP interims (Oct 3) – 2nd MP interims (Dec 12) • Steps: • Talk to your teacher • Talk to your parents • Then, see your counselor to discuss.

14. Schedule Changes • Be prepared to discuss with your counselor: • Have you completed all for your work? • Have you taken advantage of extra help from your teacher, math lab, writing lab, etc.? • What is your overall workload like? • Remember: A class that is harder than you want it to be is NOT the same as a class that is too hard for you!!! • Level changes may disrupt your schedule • Level changes are not always possible!

15. Importance of the freshman year

16. The Importance of the Freshman Year • One of the big differences in high school is that all grades count and are recorded: • Forever! • Permanently! • They never go away! • They don’t get erased! • Colleges and potential employers will see them!

17. Student Example 1 – Johnny Latestarter Grade 9:Grade 10: English C 2 English B 3 History D 1 History A 4 Math D 1 Math C 2 Science F 0 Science B 3 HPE C 2 HPE A 4 Elective D 1 Elective A 4 Elective C 2 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 1.29Cumulative GPA = 2.36 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B 3 English A 4 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math B 3 Science B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 2.71Cumulative GPA = 2.96

18. Student Example 2 – Sara Studyhard Grade 9:Grade 10: English B 3 English B 3 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math C 2 Science B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3.43 Cumulative GPA = 3.43 Grade 11:Grade 12: English B 3 English A 4 History B 3 History A 4 Math B 3 Math B 3 Science B 3 Science B 3 HPE A 4 HPE A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Elective A 4 Cumulative GPA = 3.43 Cumulative GPA = 3.50

19. The Importance of the Freshman Year • The only difference between these two students are the freshman grades! • The difference between a 2.96 GPA and a 3.50 GPA can be the ninth grade year!!!

20. The Importance of the Freshman Year • Hit the ground running • Work hard from the very first day of school • Do your work as soon as you get it! • Finish your “have to do its” before your “want to do its” • If you get off track, get back on immediately • Ask for help

21. School counseling activities for freshmen

22. School counseling activities for freshmen • College Fair – September 23 • PSAT – October 10 • November, December, & March presentations • Individual Scheduling Conferences • Always look for information on our hallway TV!

23. Questions???