Lexington High School

1. Lexington High School SOPHOMORE PARENT WORKSHOP

2. What To Expect As A 10th Grader • More Courses to Choose From • More Extracurricular Activities and Programs • More Independence & Responsibility • More Social Events • Greater Need for Time Management & Organization

3. AGENDA • Upperclassman Transitions & Risky Behavior • Town and School Resources • Post-Secondary Planning • Parent Role • Q & A

4. Upperclassman Transitions & Risky Behavior

5. Comic from benitaepstein.com

6. High School TransitionsWhat we know: • high school years are stressful and challenging • Parents have dreams and hopes • It’s easy to lose sight of day to day living • “It’s about the journey not the destination” • The pressure to succeed can have real life health consequences

7. Short term stress is important for success

8. Long term stress can impact emotional and physical health

9. Many teens experience long term stress in their pursuit of success • Long term stress can cause: • depression • anxiety • cutting • psychosomatic symptoms including: headaches, • stomach aches • use of alcohol and other drugs • eating disorders • sexually acting out

10. What Parents Can Do • Remember to breath • “Put the oxygen mask on before you put it on your child”, Wendy Mogel, author of “Blessings of a Skinned Knee” • Reflect on what our own values and beliefs are • Realistic expectations • Teach our children to become responsible, caring family members and members of society

11. What Parents Can Do • Helping our children learn to balance the pressures. Teach them healthy coping strategies through example and conversation. • Know the warning signs of potential health related issues. • Know your child and what they feel passionate about. • Provide guidance to your child but encourage them to have responsibility for the tasks of preparing for their futures. • Guidance and other resources • Reach out to other parents and supports. • Make time for fun and down time. Maintain a sense of humor.

12. Town & School Resources

13. Town Resources Human Services Department The Town of Lexington Human Services Department works to ensure the provision of core social services, including direct services such as limited case management, stabilization and parent support, promoting health and well being, advocacy, financial support, educational and support programs, cultural outreach and recreational programs for residents of all ages and backgrounds.  These services are provided by Human Services Department social workers at no cost to the resident.

14. Human Services Department • www.lexingtonma.gov/humanservices/youthfamily.cfm • Meet with Emily Lavine, LICSW, Assistant Director of Family & Human Services (1 – 5 times) • Address a variety of concerns such as stress, family dynamics, life events, etc. • Services provided to residents at no charge

15. School Resource Guidance Department The primary purpose of the Guidance and Counseling Department is to promote the educational and social/emotional development of our students. The counselors help students and their families to manage adjustment difficulties and emotional impediments to the students’ academic progress.

16. How To Reach The Counseling Department • Telephone • E-Mail • Schedule an Appointment • Web Page: lps.lexingtonma.org

17. POST-SECONDARY PLANNING

18. 2015 Graduation Requirements • 104 credits • Course Distribution Requirements • English 16 credits, Math 16 credits, Social Studies 16 credits, Science 18 credits, Foreign Language 8 credits, Fine Arts 8 credits, Physical Education 6 credits, Wellness 2 credits • MCAS – ELA, Mathematics, and Science • 40 Hours Community Service

19. Sophomore Programming • In Sophomore Seminars Students … • Follow up to Career Day • Develop Career Awareness • Identify Strengths & Areas of Interest • Acquire Self-Knowledge • Receive Assistance with Academic Planning and Testing Information

20. Course Selection • Begins mid-February • Curriculum Night – February 13th • Course Catalogue available online lps.lexingtonma.org/lexingtonhs • Important to select a well-balanced schedule • Placement Review & Approval for Outside Coursework Deadline = March 15th • 27 credits

21. MA State College and UMassMinimum Admission Requirements • English – 4 years • Mathematics – 3 years (Alg I, Alg II, Geo) • Science – 3 years (2 Lab Sciences) • Social Studies – 2 years (US History) • Foreign Languages – 2 years (single language) • Electives – 2 years

22. Minimum Required GradePoint Average & SAT • Weighted GPA = 3.0 • Applicants who meet the GPA requirement do not have to use the sliding scale for admission.

23. Highly Selective College Admission Requirements • English – 4 years at the most rigorous level you can handle • Mathematics – 4 years including Trigonometry and Pre-calculus • Science - 3-4 years of lab sciences • Social Studies – 3-4 years including (1) year of US History and (1) year of European History • Foreign Language – 3-4 years (single language) • Electives – 2-3 years

24. FAQ’s About the Advanced Placement Program (AP) • What is the difference between credit and placement • Some colleges award credit for qualifying AP Exam grades.

25. FAQ’s About the Advanced Placement Program (AP) • Can I earn college credit or placement just by taking the AP course? • Colleges and universities give credit or placement only for qualifying AP Exam grades, not AP course grades.

26. Family Connection • Family Connection is a comprehensive website that you and your child can use to help in making decisions about colleges & careers. • The web address for Family Connection is: http://connection.naviance.com/lexington .Guest Password: lhsguidance

27. Post-Secondary Planning See 10th & 11th Grade Calendars On the LHS Guidance Website

28. Standardized Testing • MCAS – Administered in March, May, and June • SAT Subject Tests – Biology & History - administered in May or June - collegeboard.org • AP Exams – Sophomore Year - only take if you are in the course - Administered mid-May @ LHS • Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) – Administered October Junior Year

29. John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program • Non-need based & state-supported aid to reward and attract high performing students to MA public higher education • Massachusetts public high school students • score of Advanced on the ELA or Mathematics test and a score of Proficient or higher on the other test; AND • have combined scores from the MCAS ELA and Mathematics tests that place them in the top 25 percent of students in the graduating class in their district. • The state to notifies Lexington Public Schools in the Fall of senior year • Stanley Koplik Certificate of Mastery

30. Parent Role

31. Tips For Parents • At the beginning of each term, sit with your child and set realistic academic goals for the term. • Encourage your child to be involved in extracurricular activities. Show your support by attending events. • Help your child explore and evaluate a variety of career and educational options. • Help your child develop independence by encouraging him/her to take responsibility for balancing homework with other activities.

32. What Parents Can Do • Assist your child with course selection • Solicit the assistance of guidance counselor as needed. • Communicate with your child’s teachers and counselor re: academic progress, and course expectations. • Call with concerns about recent changes in behavior, attitude, and/or academic performance. • Ask for resources outside of school to assist with social/emotional issues.

33. What Parents Can Do Cont… • Tour college campuses or visit their web sites. • Is your child interested in attending a U.S. military academy? • Begin to plan financially for college as early as possible.

34. Question and Answers Any questions not addressed during the time allowed should be submitted on an index card to the Director of Guidance

35. Thank You