Surviving Your Freshman Year

Surviving Your Freshman Year

Frequently Asked Questions about Semesters, Averages, and Survival Skills

Class of Class of

2016!2016!

Sweet Sweet

16!16!

Stuff you might need to know?Stuff you might need to know?

• Credits

• Semesters

• GPA, Rank

• How to make it all count

• Why make it count?

What are credits and why do I need them?What are credits and why do I need them?

• You need 26 credits to graduate.

• You earn a .5 credit each class, per semester with a passing grade of a 70.

Example: If you pass the first semester of Biology, you

receive 0.5 credit. If you pass the entire year, you receive 1.0 credits. You need 26 of these to graduate

What are credits and why do I need them?What are credits and why do I need them?

• By the time you are ready to graduate you need:

4 Math Credits4 Science Credits4 Social Studies Credits4 English Credits.5 Speech Credits1 Fine Art Credit1 PE Credit2 Foreign Language Credit5.5 Elective Credits

What are credits and why do I need them?What are credits and why do I need them?

By the beginning of NEXT school year, you need 6 credits to officially be a 10th grader.

What happens if you don’t earn 6?Technically, you’re still a freshman.

If I fail a class or two this year, can I do Summer School so that I can be classified as a sophomore?YES! Highly Encouraged.

You can only earn 1.0 credit in summer school and it costs $175 for each semester course.

Final exams?Final exams?

Final exams and how much they count are still to be determined. IF we have final exams, here is the past Humble exemption policy.

Want to SKIP SOME EXAMS?

•Semester average = 80 or higher•No more than 3 absences in the class you want to exempt – see teacher•Maximum of 1 Saturday classes – see AP•No major disciplinary record – No ISS Assignments or Long Term•Can’t exempt the same class both semesters

Why are semester averages important?Why are semester averages important?

• Where does the semester average go?

• Can you retake a class and get the original grade erased?

• What determines your credit?

• How do you make up credits?

What if your grade is poor 1st semester?

What if your grade is poor 1st semester?

It is not too late!

•The 1st & 2nd semesters are averaged together.•You gain credit for the whole year if the average is 70 or above.

For example: 1st semester, you make a 68 in W. Geography 2nd semester, you make a 72 in W. Geography The average is a 70, so you earn 1.0 credit.

What is a GPA?What is a GPA?

It means: Grade Point Average

•Average of your grades•Shows success in high school•It tells colleges how successful you might be in college.

What is rank?What is rank?• Comparison to your peers

Both show colleges your work ethic/hard work, your skills, and your POTENTIAL success in college. When does it matter if you are in the top quarter or half of your class?

How do you achieve the right GPA?How do you achieve the right GPA?

• Organization

• Tutoring

• Classes to help – maybe AVID

Home Access Center - GradesHome Access Center - Grades

To get accessTo get access

Put in your STUDENT ID and COMPUTER PASSWORD.

Parents can get their own access or use yours.

How do you stay ahead?How do you stay ahead?

• Homework

• Re-assessment

• Ask Questions

How to take the initiative?How to take the initiative?

• Do something – Get connected.Why????

• Staying ahead

• Study habits

Important DatesImportant Dates

• End of 9 weeks = Oct. 19Gain or lose eligibility

• Day of Service = Nov. 5• Regain eligibility = Prog. Rpt. Nov 9

(official date Nov. 16)

• Holidays = Nov. 19-23

• End of semester = Dec. 21

Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers

What questions do you have for our senior representatives?

Stephanie BennettKevin York

Brianna AdamsSarah Flottman