Transcript Getting Ready For High School

GETTING READY
FOR HIGH
SCHOOL
Why is 9th Grade So Important?
• Success or failure during the 9th grade year often sets the tone
for a student’s entire high school career.
• If a student is successful during their 9th grade year, there is a
likelihood that the student will graduate and enjoy their high
school experience (Silverthorn, 2005)
• There is a heightened risk of school drop out related to
negative education experiences (Hussong, 2007)
Transitioning to High School is
associated with….
• Increase in …
• Academic Stressors
• Social Stressors (fitting in, “popularity”, peer pressure, etc.)
• Depression
• Substance Abuse
• A decrease in …
• Social support
• Academic Functioning(grades, attendance, motivation)
(Hussong, 2007)
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Grade Students Worry
About…
Difficulty of Classes
Getting Lost at School
Increase in Workload in their Classes
Getting to Class on Time
Making Sports Teams
Time Management
Getting Their Locker Open
Where to Go During Lunch
Finding Their Friends
Making New Friends
Being Bullied by Upper Classmen
Tips for Success
 Attend Freshman Orientation With Your Child
 Encourage your child to get to know the school and where everything is
located. (classes, bathrooms, offices, cafeteria, etc.) This will help ease
anxiety about being in a new building. Students feel more comfortable
when they know where everything is.
 After Your Child Receives Their Schedule have him/her go through the
schedule in order to simulate their typical school day.
 Your child will have the same counselor all four years of high school.
Encourage your child to know who their counselor is and to contact her
with any questions or concerns.
 Monitor your child’s progress through EDLINE and keep in touch with
his/her teachers and 9th grade principal. A staff contact list is located on
the web site.
Get Involved
• Being involved in extracurriculars is key, as after-school activities are great for
teenagers’ personal and social development. Extracurricular activities that focus
on deepening your child’s interests will help them have a more enjoyable high
school experience.
• In large schools students often feel overwhelmed and disconnected. When
students are involved in extracurricular activities it makes them feel more
connected to their school.
• “School-sponsored extracurricular activities can help keep students accountable
to academics, and teach valuable skills that often cannot be found in a classroom.
Remind your student that everything he/she does in high school is setting them up
for their future, and it is their choice to make it a good one!” (Singleton, 2013)
What does your student want to do after high
school?
• This is an important question to ask your child while he or
she is in high school.
• If your child wants to go to a 4 year college, there are
certain courses he/she must take in high school.
• If you child is not sure what to do after high school that is
perfectly normal. But, the younger your child decides
then the more prepared he/she can be.
• CFWV Interest Inventories are a great way to help guide
your child to a career best suited for him or her.
In high school, students earn credits for each
course they pass…
• The school year has 2 semesters
• Each semester has two 9 week grading periods
• Each class period is 49 minutes long
• Each class period is called a “mod” at HHS.
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Each 1 mod 1 semester class=1/2 credit
Each block class(which is 2 mods in a row)=1 credit
Most classes are offered as one mod and taken both semesters
Some classes are offered as a block and are taken only one semester
Students can earn 7 credits during the regular school day in one school year
• Students need 24 credits to graduate
EXAMPLE OF TYPICAL 9TH GRADE SCHEDULE
Mod
1st Semester
2ndSemester
Total Credit
1st mod
English 9= ½
credit
2nd mod
Physical
Physical
=1 credit
Science=1/2 credit Science=1/2 credit
3rd mod
Math I=1/2 credit
Math I=1/2 credit
=1 credit
4th mod
World History=1/2
credit
World History=1/2
credit
=1 credit
5th mod
Phys. Ed
Health
2 credits
6th mod
Phys.Ed=1
credit
Health=1 credit
7th mod
Foreign
Language=1/2
credit
Foreign
Language=1/2
credit
English 9=1/2
credit
=1 credit
1 credit
There are 2 lunches, the lunch the student goes to is determined by which part of
the building the 4th mod is located.
Meet the Huntington High School
Counseling Department…
Beverly Brown
Students A-CL
(304) 528-6417
[email protected]
Shawna Rocknich
Students Cm-Han
(304) 528-6406
[email protected]
Melanie Pinkerman
Students Hao-Ma
(304) 528-6419
[email protected]
Joanie Poole
Students Mb-Sc
(304) 528-6420
[email protected]
Renee Harris
Students Sd-Z
(304) 528-6416
[email protected]
Jessica Jordan
Graduation Coach
(304)528-6419
[email protected]
Tammy Shull
Registrar
(304)528-6409
Fax (304) 528-6423
[email protected]
What?
Who?
Where?
General 9th Grade Questions Lauren Werthammer-9th
Grade Principal
Main Office
(304) 528-6411
Copy of Schedule
Your Counselor
Given out During
Orientation
Schedule Correction
Your Counselor
Counseling Office (D133)
Buying a Locker
Ms. Alicea Lewis
Main Office
(304)528-6524
Proof Of Enrollment
Ms. Lisa Hall
Attendance Office
(304)528-6404
Turn in Absence Excuse
Ms. Alicea Lewis
Main Office
Questions about Athletics
Mr. Bruce Senior
A123
(304)528-6545
Work Permit
Ms. Linda George
Upstairs Office
(304) 6405
Medical/Health Issues
Heather Wood-School
Nurse
Health Center (D127)
(304) 528-6447
Copy of Student Handbook
Located on Edline
www.edline.net
References
Hussong, A., Stein, G. L, (2007). Social and academic expectations about high school
for at-risk rural youth. America Secondary Education, 36(1)
SanFilippo, Elizabeth (2013). Preparing Your Child: Grade School to High School
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/07/22/preparing-your-child-grade-school-to-highschool/
Silverthorn, N., DuBois, D.L., Crombie, Gail. (2005). Self perceptions of ability and
achievement across the high school transition: Investigation of a state-trait model.
Journal of Experimental Education. v73 p191
Created by Melanie Pinkerman, Counselor Huntington High School