Freshman Orientation to the Freshman Orientation to the Counseling DepartmentCounseling Department

October 2009October 2009

The Purpose Of This The Purpose Of This Presentation:Presentation:

Explain the role of a counselor Explain the role of a counselor and introduce the counseling staffand introduce the counseling staff

Share academic supports that Share academic supports that students can usestudents can use

Explain LC policyExplain LC policy Share student adviceShare student advice Explain the components of a Explain the components of a

transcript and its importancetranscript and its importance

What do counselors do?What do counselors do?

Help students with personal Help students with personal problems that are getting in the way problems that are getting in the way of their academic successof their academic success

Help students experiencing personal Help students experiencing personal crisis – yourself or a friendcrisis – yourself or a friend

Counselors maintain confidentiality, Counselors maintain confidentiality, only sharing personal information only sharing personal information when you are at risk to yourself or when you are at risk to yourself or someone elsesomeone else

What do counselors do?What do counselors do?

Help students with study skills, Help students with study skills, organization, etc.organization, etc.

Work with students from 9Work with students from 9thth – – 1212thth grade to select course work grade to select course work that will best prepare them for that will best prepare them for their goals after high schooltheir goals after high school

In summary: we look out for your In summary: we look out for your best interestsbest interests

Counselor-Student Counselor-Student Alphabetical Breakdown:Alphabetical Breakdown:

A,B, ZA,B, Z Ms. Teresa Ms. Teresa C-E,Q,U,XC-E,Q,U,X Mrs. ChenMrs. Chen F-IF-I Ms. Gottlieb Ms. Gottlieb KK Mr. RandallMr. Randall M,PM,P Mrs. CheeMrs. Chee R,SR,S Mr. WoodfordMr. Woodford L, T,V, W L, T,V, W Mrs. GilbertMrs. Gilbert J,N,O,Y J,N,O,Y Mrs. Eig Mrs. Eig

Last names A, B, Z

Ms. Teresa

Last names C – E, Q, U, X

Mrs. Chen

Last names F - I

Ms. Gottlieb

Resource Counselor: Last names K

Mr. Randall

Last names M,P

Mrs. Chee

Last names R,SLast names R,S

Mr. Woodford

Last names L, T, V, W

Mrs. Gilbert

Last names J, N, O, YLast names J, N, O, Y

Mrs. Eig

School Counseling Office Secretary

Mrs. Lowery

Registrar

Mrs. Goodman

College and Career Coordinator

Mrs. Hull

Freshman AdministratorFreshman AdministratorMrs. Mirshah-NayarMrs. Mirshah-Nayar

How do I meet with my How do I meet with my counselor or Ms. Hull?counselor or Ms. Hull?

Email! Our emails are on the Email! Our emails are on the RMRM website website

OROR Visit your counselor or Ms. Hull Visit your counselor or Ms. Hull

without an appointment any day without an appointment any day before school, during lunch, or before school, during lunch, or after school after school until 2:30pmuntil 2:30pm

Resources You Can Use for Resources You Can Use for Academic SupportAcademic Support

Spin Book. Are you using it? Take it out!Spin Book. Are you using it? Take it out! EdlineEdline Meet with ANY teacher for help at lunchMeet with ANY teacher for help at lunch Departmental Help listed on Student Tip Departmental Help listed on Student Tip

Sheet – put it in your Spin Book!!Sheet – put it in your Spin Book!! Visit the Career CenterVisit the Career Center

What happens if I am absent What happens if I am absent or tardy to class?or tardy to class?

You could lose credit (LC) in a class You could lose credit (LC) in a class by having by having too many tardies and / too many tardies and / or unexcused absences:or unexcused absences: 3 tardies = 1 unexcused absence3 tardies = 1 unexcused absence 5 unexcused absences = LC5 unexcused absences = LC

You can lose credit if you refuse You can lose credit if you refuse to do work in a class to do work in a class

What happens if I fail a class?What happens if I fail a class?

You have to take it overYou have to take it over You DON’T automatically move You DON’T automatically move

on from one grade to another: on from one grade to another: YOU HAVE TO PASS YOUR YOU HAVE TO PASS YOUR CLASSES!!!!CLASSES!!!!

But don’t take our word for it…But don’t take our word for it…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oN6v9DFAtc

So what did they say?So what did they say?

So what do I do now?So what do I do now?

Take challenging classesTake challenging classes Maintain consistent and good academic Maintain consistent and good academic

performance (GPA)performance (GPA) Start identifying careers of interestStart identifying careers of interest Determine what training and education are Determine what training and education are

required for that careerrequired for that career Take classes that get your ready for your Take classes that get your ready for your

career of choicecareer of choice Participate in school and community Participate in school and community

activities – activities – see see RMRM website for sports and clubs website for sports and clubs

Seek help when you need it! Asking for help Seek help when you need it! Asking for help demonstrates strength, not weakness.demonstrates strength, not weakness.

What is a transcript?What is a transcript?

The official record of your high school The official record of your high school career that includes:career that includes:

High school courses and gradesHigh school courses and grades Credits earned and requiredCredits earned and required Student service learning hoursStudent service learning hours AttendanceAttendance High school assessment test scoresHigh school assessment test scores

What makes a semester What makes a semester grade?grade?

Your quarter grades (Q1+Q2) and Your quarter grades (Q1+Q2) and (Q3+Q4) are averaged with your (Q3+Q4) are averaged with your final exam grade to equal your final exam grade to equal your semester gradesemester grade

Unlike your report card, the only Unlike your report card, the only grade that is listed on your transcript grade that is listed on your transcript is your semester gradeis your semester grade

Colleges ONLY see grades on your Colleges ONLY see grades on your transcript, and NOT your report cardtranscript, and NOT your report card

What do colleges and What do colleges and employers look for on a employers look for on a

transcript?transcript?

Quality of academic programQuality of academic program Semester gradesSemester grades

When Will You Need A When Will You Need A Transcript?Transcript?

Applying forApplying for jobsjobs colleges and universitiescolleges and universities training centerstraining centers scholarships scholarships internshipsinternships

Signing up for the militarySigning up for the military

Thank you for your Thank you for your attention!!attention!!