FRESHMAN YEAR

1
FRESHMAN YEAR

• A New Beginning
• Presented by
• Shelia R. Jackson
• Westlake High School
• Counseling Department

2
The Counseling Staff

• Beatrice Ford Department Head
• Star Whitley A-C, 11th Grade Activities
• Ken Cooke D-H, 12th Grade Activities
• Shelia R. Jackson I-M, 9th Grade Activities,
• Belinda Fryson N-Sm, 10th Grade Activities
• Willene Freeman Sn-Z, Magnet Activities

3
Student Services Staff

• Dr. Dorothy Arnold, Curriculum Assistant
  Principal
• Student Information Coordinator
• Florence Joyner, Data Specialist
• Student Information
• Juanita Lumpkin, Counseling Assistant
• Parent Conferences, Counselor Appointments,
  General Information
• Sandra Brown, Registrar
• Student Records, NCAA Clearinghouse, Enrollment

4
New Graduation Requirements
If planning to attend 4-year College/University,
2 years of same World Language is required for
admissions
5
Math/Science Changes for the Class of 2012 and
Beyond
6
Georgia High School Graduation Tests

• Student MUST pass ALL 5 parts of the
• GHSGT
• Writing
• English
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies

7
Promotion/RetentionCurrent Board Policy

• For promotion to 10th Grade five units must be
  earned.
• For promotion to 11th Grade ten units must be
  earned.
• For promotion to 12th Grade seventeen units must
  be earned
• For each class passed students earn .50 credit.
  Students are
• scheduled for 3.50 credits per semester7.00 per
  year.

8
Alternatives to Earning Credits

• Summer School-225
• A maximum of two classes may be taken. First
  time or repeater classes are offered
• Night School-150
• Classes meet at McClarin High School
  Monday-Thursday between the hours of 500-800
  PM. Students may take first time classes or
  repeater classes
• Fulton County Virtual/Georgia Virtual
  School-250
• On line courses provided on the internet
  www.fultonk12virtualcampus.net and
  www.gavirtualschool.org
• PLATO/Encore
• Repeater classes only (reserved for 2nd Semester
  Juniors and graduating Seniors)

9
End of Course Tests

• Science
• Biology
• Physical Science
• Math
• Integrated Advanced Algebra
• Integrated Geometry
• Language Arts
• 9th Literature and Composition
• 11th American Literature and Composition
• Social Studies
• Economics
• U.S. History
• EOCT score counts as the final exam, which is 15
  of a students final grade in the course.

10
PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test)

• It's a standardized test that provides firsthand
  practice for the SAT test. It also gives you a
  chance to enter the National Merit Scholarship
  Cooperation scholarship programs and gain access
  to college and career planning tools.
• The PSAT measures
• Critical reading skills
• Math problem-solving skills
• Writing skills
• Mandatory administration to 9th 11th graders.
  No sign up process.

• Wednesday, October 14th

11
HONOR POINTS
7 Honor Points added to passing semester grade

• Students enrolled in
• Advanced Placement (AP)
• Honors (Honor Points not calculated for HOPE GPA)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Accel Program formerly Post-secondary Programs

12
Grading Scales
13
Parent Connect

• How to register for Parent Connect
• Go to http//www.fultonschools.org/parent_connec
  t.htm
• Password and ID can be retrieved from the front
• office with your Picture ID within 3 days of
• registration. Ask for Ms. Gibson or Ms. Newell.

14
Freshman YearCollege Readiness Timeline

• Aug Declare course of study check schedule
  for appropriate classes
• Sept. Learn how to use GA411.
• Oct. Take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic
  Aptitude Test)
• Jan. Review PSAT scores with counselor and
  parents
• Feb. Register for classes for the next school
  year
• April/May Explore summer programs and/or
  employment opportunities

15
Freshman Year College Readiness Activities

• Take personality/interest inventories to connect
  interests and skills to career clusters and
  occupations.
• Meet with counselor to begin to talk about
  colleges and careers and to ensure you are
  enrolled in the appropriate college-preparatory
  courses.
• Monitor academic progress. The grades earned in
  ninth grade will be included in your final high
  school numeric average.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities.
• Make a list of academic and personal goals.
  Revise them at least once a year.
• Get to know your teachers so they can get to know
  you. At some point you will need recommendations
  for summer programs, scholarships, and college
  applications. Watered-down, generalized
  recommendation will not help.

16
Freshman Year College Readiness Activities Contd

• Register at college web service sites. (GA
  College 411)
• Create a file and start a journal/portfolio.
  Keep all your important papers such as awards,
  grades, scholarship opportunities, etc.
• Start your scholarship search. (See attached list
  for scholarships available for 9th grade
  students).
• Talk with your parents about how much money may
  be available for your college education.
• Tour a nearby college, if possible. Visit
  relative or friends who live on or near a college
  campus. Check out the dorms, go to the library
  or student center, and get a feel for college
  life.
• Look at the college information available in your
  counselors office and school and public
  libraries. Use the Internet to check out college
  web sites. Identify your dream college What
  are their admission requirements? Are you taking
  the right courses? Also, check the requirements
  for any specific majors you are considering at
  that school for example how much math is
  required major in mechanical engineering at MIT.

17
What Should I Do Protocols

• What if my child is failing?
• Lions Learning Lab
• Schedule parent teacher conference
• What if my child was suspended from school?
• Contact grade level administrator
• What if was my child needs a schedule change?
• Contact counselor

18
Clubs Organizations
19
Clubs Organizations (continued)
20
Clubs Organizations (continued)
21
Clubs Organizations (continued)
22
Clubs Organizations (continued)
23
Scholarship Search Websites

• www.fastweb.comwww.collegeboard.comwww.schools
  oup.comwww.meritaid.comwww.atlantascholarships.c
  omwww.findtuition.comwww.finaid.orgwww.fafsa.or
  gwww.myfreedegree.comwww.Gacollege411.orgwww.fi
  nancialaidofficer.comwww.ecampustours.comwww.bro
  kescholar.comwww.uncf.orgwww.hsf.org

24
Food for Thought
To accomplish great things, we must not only act,
but also dream not only plan, but also
believe.        - Anatole France