Welcome to CB West High School!

An overview of what to focus on during 10 th grade.

Donna Dallam

[email protected]

School Counselor (A – K)

Michael Curtis

[email protected]

School Counselor (L – Z)

10

th

= A Transition Year

 Independence and Responsibility ◦ Students should attempt to resolve issues on their own  Block scheduling – Attendance Matters!

◦ Absences become a problem much sooner  Adjustment in expectations ◦ Encourage students to try and work through challenges

Success at the HS Level

 Homework is essential  Natural ability cannot replace effort  ◦ Study Skills & Time Management Major focus of the 10 th grade year  Graduation requirements are listed online  Program of Studies



Periodically check the portal Similar to the stock market… Don’t check it every day!

Have Balance

 Teenagers DO need supervision ◦ While having the freedom to make choices  Set clear expectations ◦ “Must hold “B’s” in all classes, to be checked every two weeks (

must be realistic

)  Set clear consequences ◦ Both positive and negative ◦ “Lose computer for a week” or “Don’t have to clean your room for a week” (

whatever motivator

)

Success at the HS Level

 Work hard, gain future opportunities ◦ Seek an academic challenge, while balancing responsibilities ◦ Select appropriate courses; eventual college choice should only be part of the consideration.

◦ Awareness of Honors/AP, other course requirements  Report Card Dates (

Not mailed, check portal)

◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ MP1 – Nov 11 th MP2 – Feb 2rd MP3 – April 13 th MP4 – June 16 th

When Students are Absent

 Students should do everything possible to attend school every day  When missing is unavoidable: ◦ Send all teachers an email ◦ Check the teacher’s website , review notes, and try to stay connected ◦ Always approach teachers upon return

Opportunities Abound

 Many paths available to our kids  Explore new elective courses, and identify likes and dislikes across subjects  Get involved in clubs, sports, or other activities  Henry Hunt, Athletic Director  Activity fair for students held on Sept. 24 th

Activity Fair

 Student Government  Interact Club   German Club World Affairs Club   Spanish Honors Society BARC  Stars and Stripes   Mock Trial Cooking for the homeless          Zen Club Ski Club Choir Math League Computer Club GSA Mini-THON The Phoenix Science Research Club

Where to go for support

 ◦ ◦ School Counselor ◦ 267-893-2512 (Phone) [email protected]

/ [email protected]

Students can stop by guidance in person  Nurse ◦ Please direct students to see the nurse instead of texting home for a pick up.

 House Principal  Teachers WANT to be involved as well ◦ Reach out to teachers for classroom specifics

Communication is Essential

 Please feel comfortable contacting your counselor about anything  We are here to help guide you and your student through high school  Confidentiality ◦ What does this mean?

◦ Breaking Confidentiality - “at risk of harming themselves, or someone else”

Communication

  10 th ◦ grade house page Go to www.CBSD.ORG

-> “Schools” -> “Secondary Schools, West” -> “Departments, Guidance” ->“ 10 th grade house ” eBlasts ◦ be sure to have a working email in the portal  From the CB West Page -> Go to “Parents” for several useful links

Naviance

 Naviance is an online resource that students will use from now until graduation.

 College and Career tools are the main focus, but your counselor will also use Naviance to communicate.

 Nothing really to worry about now; we are going to help students set up their username and password.

 Students will have full access within the next few weeks, but not

need

access until January.

10

th

Gr. Timeline

 Advisory ◦ We are checking in with students now ◦ Information is sent out throughout the year  Winter Parent Meeting (

January 2016

) ◦ Review choosing classes and program planning ◦ Highlight career/college related topics ◦ Review PSAT results, and explain next steps

10

th

Gr. Timeline

 Career Plan ◦ Fully explained and introduced in February ◦ Helps students explore possible career paths ◦ It is difficult for students to start this exploration now, best use of their effort right now is to adjust to high school expectations and environment  Career & College Connections ◦ We will help parents and students start to connect career interests with future plans towards the end of the year.

◦ Post-grad plans are a major focus of 11 th grade

Standardized Testing Timeline

 PSAT- October 14 th ◦ $16 paid online through www.mypaymentsplus.com

 PSAT – ◦

October of Junior Year

National Merit Consideration  SAT/ACT-

Spring of Junior Year

 SAT Subject Tests ◦

as needed

Unofficial list of schools  AP Exams-

May each year

A Brief Overview of the

10

TH

GRADE PSAT

What is the PSAT?

 The SAT and ACT are used as part of college admissions/merit scholarships for many schools  These exams are designed as a snapshot of where students stand in terms of college preparation  Practice and gain valuable experience for the SAT by taking the PSAT in October during 10 th and 11 th grades

Why not just take the SAT/ACT?

 You’ll get more feedback from the PSAT vs. the SAT ◦ The PSAT score report you receive is designed to show areas of strengths and weakness, helping you better prepare for the official test  PSAT costs less (

a lot less

)  PSAT ($16 ) vs SAT ($54 ) vs ACT ($56 )  Your scores are not seen by any colleges; completely used for practice purposes!

PSAT Administration

 Given on Wednesday, October 14, 2015 during the school day ◦ The only opportunity to take the PSAT this school year  There is NO Saturday Test Date this fall ◦ The College Board does not offer this as an option this year  If your student

is not

taking the PSAT this year ◦ report to study hall at 7:25am, ◦ or report to school at 11am

PSAT Registration

 Register online at www.mypaymentsplus.com

◦ Create a free account, or login if you have one ◦ Have your student’s school ID number ready ◦ After login, select “CB West PSAT Registration”  Cost is $16 ◦

see your counselor if you have a financial need

 Registration closes on October 2 nd ◦ Space may run out, don’t wait to register!

PSAT Content

Components  Reading Test  Writing and Language Test  Math Test ◦ Has both a calculator and non-calculator section Scoring  No deduction for wrong answers  Scale range: 320-1520 ◦ Individual sub-scores are also provided

PSAT Sections

Total Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Perspective

 College is important, BUT keep mind: ◦ There are a growing number of colleges which do not require SAT or ACT scores (“

Test Optional

”) ◦ Colleges that don’t require the SAT/ACT may require:  An additional essay(s)  Submission of a graded paper  An interview  Your student will find a good fit, regardless of these scores!

 Visit www.fairtest.org

optional” schools to learn more about “test

Next Steps

 This presentation can be viewed again by going to the 10 th grade guidance page  The CollegeBoard website on the PSAT offers a great deal of information, as well as full practice tests.  There is also official practice through Khan Academy !

Questions