Freshman Newsletter
January/February, 2012
The Freshmen Guidance Counselor is
Mrs. Jennifer Jenkins.
Freshman Newsletter
Class of 2015!!!
Welcome back! It’s a new year and a new semester. Time for a fresh start! Now that the first semester is behind us, many of you have made new friends, kept old ones; joined clubs, joined sports teams; succeeded academically; found tutoring help; overall you have adjusted to your 1st semester of High School life.
Congrats! Now, that the first semester is behind us, we can really focus on having a successful High School career!
What's in Store for 2012?
- Scheduling
- At the end of February, Mrs. Scruggs the sophomore counselor will do pre-registration with all freshmen. At that time, students will be given course selection sheets and course descriptions. This will be their opportunity to sign up for the courses they would like to take for next school year. The students are required to bring this pre-registration form home for parent signature.
- Please take time to review this with your student and feel free to call any of the counselors with questions.
- Portfolio Project
- With the Class of 2015, we have embarked on the Portfolio Project. I have met with the freshmen class throughout Theology & English classes to work on their individual Portfolio. Each student has developed a personal philosophy statement (some funnier than others & some a little more serious). Nonetheless, a statement was established that was personal to each student. Next, we started a rough draft of a resume. Each student added information to the draft resume and each year they will be asked to improve their draft. Therefore once the real resume is needed they will be ready. Finally, at the end of the 1st semester, we received the PLAN scores. A copy was reviewed with the students in English class and a permanent copy resides in their Portfolio.
- Transcript & GPA Review
- In the month of January, I will be reviewing what a transcript & GPA looks like, what it is for & why it is important. Please help me remind your student how important each quarter can be and to do their best. Remind your student to check Edline daily for assignments & reminders.
- Breakdown of grades:
- 1st Semester Average =
- 1st Quarter Average - 40%
- 2nd Quarter Average - 40%
- Final Exam - 20%
- 2nd Semester Average =
- 3rd Quarter Average - 40%
- 4th Quarter Average - 40%
- Final Exam - 20%
- Final Year Average = (1st Semester Average + 2nd Semester Average) divided by 2
- College Search & College Major Jeopardy
- Later in the semester, we will take time to explore different colleges looking at their Admission requirements, size, distance from home, majors offered, housing options and other attributes.
- Major Jeopardy – This is just like it sounds! J We will be playing Jeopardy in class but to explore different college majors. If I was asked at 15, “what do you want to do for the rest of your life?” – I certainly would not have been able to tell you a School Counselor. I think I said, “a Vet” or some other “girly” answer. So I do not expect each student to know their potential college major. This time is intended to explore majors and maybe have an “a-ha” moment or “I never thought about that career path” moment. So please encourage your student to continue to explore majors & potential career paths. If they have any questions, we have many resources in the Guidance area or they can set up a meeting with me directly.
- Pittner Driving School
- Pittner Driving School will be offering their Spring Driver’s Ed. Session for SBA students February 27th-March 9th. Applicants must be 15 years old. The sessions are daily from 3:00pm-6:00pm in the DLC (distance learning center) at SBA. Classes consist of a 2 –week classroom session (30 hours) followed by 6 hours of driving instruction.
- Tuition: $400 - ½ ($200) must be paid with the application & the balance is due the 1st day of class.
- Please pick up an application from my office, Mrs. Jenkins. Applications & payment should be mailed to Pittner Driving School.
- Calendar of Events
- January 16th - Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. Holiday
- January 23rd-27th - Alive@25 Presentations in Wellness
- January 30th-February 3rd - Catholic Schools Week
- February 6th-10th - National School Counseling Week
- February 13th - Faculty Retreat – NO CLASSES
- February 27th-March 9th - Pittner Driving School
- March 11th - Daylight Savings begins
- March 12th-16th - Spring Break
- March 23rd - End of 3rd Quarter