All Our Dreams Can Come True, If We Have the Courage to Pursue Them

Name:______

WilliamFlemingHigh School

2016-2017

Freshman/Sophomore

Planning Guide

“ALL OUR DREAMS CAN COME TRUE, IF WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO PURSUE THEM.”

Walt Disney

LNA 2008

Freshman/Sophomore Planning Guide

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………………………3-5

Graduation Requirements—Where are you?

FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE YEAR CHECKLIST…………………………………6-7

What you should be doing during the first years of high school

PSAT (10th Grade)

Important “things to know” about high school

I HAVE TO STUDY?!?...... 8-10

Time management tips

How to use your daily planner

Note taking strategies

Homeworktips

THINKING AHEAD………………………………………………………………………………………11-13

What are colleges looking for?

Career exploration

WFHS COUNSELING DEPARTMENT…………………………………………………….14

Contact Information

GO WFHS COLONELS!!

High school is an exciting time for everyone! You have classes, clubs, activities, sports, friends, and more freedom as a student. You are expected to be more independent, focused, and responsible. The grades that you earn in high school will determine, in part, your future educational options.

Believe it or not, graduation will be here before you know it! It is important that you talk with your counselor on a regular basis to begin exploring options beyond high school. It’s never too early to start!

Let’s get started!

I am working towards an Advanced Studies Standard Diploma.

I need to earn credits in order to graduate with the diploma I am pursuing.

I currently have a total of credits towards graduation.

I will need to pass verified credits (SOL tests) to graduate with the diploma I am pursuing.

I have passed SOLs in Math, in Science, and in History. The total number of verified credits that I have passed is

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

for High School

Advanced Studies / Standard Diploma
Course / Units of Credit / Verified Credits / Units of Credit / Verified Credits
English / 4 / 2 / 4 / 2
Math / 4 / 2 / 3 / 1
Science / 4 / 2 / 3 / 1
History / 4 / 2 / 3 / 1
Health/PE / 2 / 2
Foreign Language/Fine Arts or Career/Technical / 3 of 1 or 2 of 2 to meet Foreign Language Requirement Plus 1 Fine or Career/Technical / 2
Finance / 1 / 1
Sequential Electives / 2
Other Electives / 3 / 4
Student Selected SOL Test / 1 / 1
TOTAL / 26 / 9 / 22 / 6

*Students must also pass an examination in Career Tech Ed and participate in an online experience for at least 1 class.

My Credit Worksheet

CLASS / SEMESTER 1 CREDITS / SEMESTER 2 CREDITS
A1
A2
A3
B1
B2
B3
BRIDGE
TOTAL: / TOTAL:

I should have ______credits at the end of the year if I pass every class.

I need ______credits to move on to the next grade level.

How do I get my semester grades?

1st 9 weeks + 2nd 9 weeks + exam = Semester Grades

2nd 9 weeks + 3rd 9 weeks + exam = Semester Grades

Pay attention to what your grade is during your interim – This is a halfway point and it means you have 4 weeks to improve your grade before your report card comes out.

You will get a report card at the end of every 9 weeks.

FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE YEAR CHECKLIST

*Be aware that there are consequences for failing classes in high school. You must earn enough credits each school year in order to be promoted to the next grade level (5 to move to 10th grade, 10 to move to 11th grade, and 16 to move to 12th grade). Work hard and do your best during the school year so that you will not fall behind.

**All of your high school courses and grades appear on your

transcript, so all your classes matter!

*Meet with your counselor frequently to discuss your plan of study for upcoming years and possible options for you beyond high school. You will also work directly with your counselor to register for courses each year and discuss career and college interests and options.

*Get to know your counselor, teachers, and Hall Principal. These adults can be helpful resources to you.

*In order to earn good grades, you need to be in school every day. You could miss critical activities, notes, and assignments when you are absent. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and make up the work.

**Sophomores may take the PSAT when it is offered here at WFHS in October. The fee for this test is $20. You should plan to retake the PSAT as a junior, when you could potentially qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. This test is good practice for the SAT college entrance exam!

*Get involved in school athletics, clubs, and other activities. Community service is also very important. Keep track of all activities so that you can maintain an accurate resume for future use.

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL

*It is important to get involved in your school. Join clubs, play sports, join the band or theater. There are many different types of positive activities at WFHS. Take pride in your school!

*Remember to be cautious when online! Facebook, Snapchat, & other social media outlets can be great ways to network with your friends and meet new people, but you need to be aware that not everyone online has good intentions. Do not give out any personal information (your phone #, address, the school that you attend, etc.) online!! Do not give your login information or passwords to anyone!

*Making good decisions in high school can be critical to your education and life. For example, suspensions from school must be reported accurately to the colleges to which you apply during your senior year. Be sure to make the right decisions now!

*RUMORS!!!! When someone says something about you that is not true, it can be very hurtful. You may get angry or upset. Here are a few helpful tips when dealing with rumors:

1. YOUdecide what is true or not true about yourself!

2. How much will the rumor impact your life now and in the future?

3. Evaluate if it is safe to discuss the rumor with the source. If not….

Go talk to a responsible adult (Teacher, Counselor, Principal, etc.)

4. If you hear a rumor about someone else, do not keep the rumor

going. Remember that you would not want others spreading rumors

about you.

*Surround yourself with positive people. You may inspire each other to accomplish positive goals.

TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS

*Do you ever feel like there is not enough time in the day to get everything done? Do you feel like you’re always behind? Here are some tips for taking control of your time and organizing your life.

Make a “To Do” list every day. —Put things that are most important at the top of the list and do them first. You can use your student planner to track all of your tasks.
Use spare minutes wisely. —For example, get some reading done on the bus ride to/from school.
It’s OK to say “No”. —If your boss asks you to work the night before you have a big test or assignment due, it’s okay to say “No”. Keep you short and long term priorities in mind.
Find the right time. —You’ll work more efficiently if you figure out when you do your best work. For example, some people work better in the afternoon while others work best in the evening.
Review your notes every day. —You will reinforce what you learned so that you will need less time to study. You will also be better prepared if your teacher calls on you or gives a pop quiz.
Get a good night’s sleep. —Running on empty makes the day seem longer and tasks can seem overwhelming.
Communicate your schedule to others. —If phone calls are distracting to you, tell your friends that you take from 7-8pm, for example, to study. It may sound silly, but it helps.
Become a taskmaster. —Figure out how much free time you have each week. Plan your activities accordingly.
Don’t waste time agonizing. —Have you ever wasted an entire evening worrying about something that you are supposed to be doing? Was it worth it? Don’t procrastinate.
Keep things in perspective. —One bad grade it not the end of the world. Talk to your teachers as often as possible so that it will be easier to ask for help when you need it. The next grade will be better!
USE YOUR DAILY PLANNER! —WFHS provides you with a daily

planner so that you can keep track of assignments, tests, deadlines, etc.

HOW TO USE YOUR PLANNER

Fill in all of your academic information and commitments for the

entire semester.

*This includes due dates for projects, tests, daily homework

assignments, and special notes

Fill in all non-academic information and commitments for the

entire semester

*Work schedule for your part-time job, practices, meetings,

birthdays, travel plans, major events, etc.

Pick a day near the end of the month to complete your monthly

TO DO LIST.

*Each month, I will create my To Do List on the of the

month.

Pick a time each Sunday to complete your weekly To Do List.

*Each Sunday at am/pm, I will create my To Do List.

Pick a time each day to complete your daily To Do List.

*Each day, I will create my To Do List at am/pm.

**These tips should help you learn how to get used to your planner so that it becomes an automatic task each day.

**Be sure to read all of the important information in your planner (school rules, dress code, etc.). You can refer back to that information at any time throughout the school year.

NOTE TAKING STRATEGIES

*Getting the most out of high school means studying hard and using your time in class wisely. Make the most of your time inside and outside of class with effective note taking strategies.

Stay Organized—It may seem obvious, but your class notes can only help you if you can find them. Be sure to keep all your notes for one class in the same place and date and number pages to keep them in order so that it will be easier to refer back to them later.
Before Class—Review the materials thoroughly for that class. Bring a list of questions you may have from the reading and be sure to get answers.
During Class—Make the best use of your time by having a note taking method. Things to keep in mind:

*Get the teacher’s main points. Don’t write down every word.

*Leave blanks in your notes to add explanations later if needed.

*Organize as you write. Pay attention to cues such as repetition and

emphasis.

*Indicate main points and supporting points as you go.

*Jot down key vocabulary, important facts, and formulas.

*Ask questions!! If you’re confused, it’s better to ask while the

material is fresh in your mind.

After Class—Review your notes and fill in any blanks. Underline,

highlight, and use symbols to sort through the information. After you finish reviewing, write down key words and questions the teacher might ask on a test. It is also helpful to write a summary of the notes, which helps you digest the information and can improve your memory of the notes in the long term.

For Review—Once you have done everything listed above, you will find

that you have created your own personalized study guide. Review the main section of the page and use the key words and questions you wrote down as a quiz.

Stick To It—Review your notes the day you take them, and all your

notes once a week, and you may not need to study as much when the test comes around. (You’ve been doing the work all along!)

TAKE CONTROL OF HOMEWORK

(So it doesn’t control you!)

*Homework is actually a good thing! It helps you practice what you learned during the day, establish study habits, prepare for your classes, and get a sense of progress.

Homework Tips:

Set the mood—Create a good study area at home, with everything that you need. If you don’t have a quiet place at home, go to your local library.
Know where to begin—Make a list of everything you need to do, just don’t over-schedule yourself.
Study at the same time every day—Even if you don’t have homework, use that time to review your notes. If homework is a natural part of your day, you will dread it less. You will become a pro at being productive with your time.
Keep things in perspective—Know how much weight each assignment or test carries, and use your time accordingly.
Get more involved—Keep your mind from wandering in class by taking notes, underlining sections, discussing topics with your teacher or the class, or relating your homework to something you are studying in another class.
Organize the information—Try to find the best methods that work for you. Ask your teacher for recommendations if you are having trouble.
Take advantage of any free time
Study with a friend—Get together with a friend or friends to quiz each other, compare notes, and predict test questions.
Celebrate your achievements—Reward yourself for achieving milestones or doing something well.

THINKING AHEAD

*Are you interested in attending a four year college? There are many different factors to consider, based on your interests and intended career path beyond college. How you perform in the early years of high school will affect your college options in the future.

What are colleges looking for?

Good question!! Most colleges will be looking for the following:

Challenging coursework—this should continue through your senior

year; Admissions representatives want to see that you have taken challenging courses and that you did not “slack off” during your senior year.

GPA/Class Rank—It does make a difference!
SAT &/or ACT scores—Each college is different with regards to standardized testing requirements; Consult the individual college’s website or The College Handbook for this information.
Extra-curricular/Community Activities—More is better!
Leadership Abilities &/or Awards/Honors—Get involved now!
Recommendations—You will ask teachers, community leaders, & even your counselor to write about your abilities and qualities. Make a good impression on them now!

CAREER EXPLORATION

Don’t know what you want to do when you graduate? It’s OK! Your counselor can help!

**Schedule an appointment with your counselor to discuss possible career interests and options.

* You may also visit with Debbie Inman, Career Coach, regarding your college and career options beyond high school.

*Visit explore possible careers. You will be able to take several personality and interest inventories to help determine what careers may suit you best.

*The best way to learn about a particular career is to get some firsthand experience by getting involved in a related activity, taking a course in that field, or getting a part time job in that field.

*Talk with your counselor about your interests and the particular

courses that you can take in high school that are related to

those interests.

*You can also volunteer your time at a community service organization (hospital, animal shelter, etc.) if you are interested in learning more about those fields.

WFHS COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

The Counseling Department at WFHS is committed to helping you succeed. You should visit your Counselor as often as possible to discuss any issues, questions, concerns, etc. that you may have. All seniors should utilize their counselor and/or the Career Coach throughout the school year to search for colleges, explore career options, and for any additional assistance that you may need.

“Tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.”

-African Proverb

Counselor listings by alphabet:

A—Di Camper Hall Sarah Williams (540)853-2019

Do—J Hart Hall Toni Jewell (540)853-2024

K—Ri Smith Hall Tyrone Graves (540)853-1875

Ro—Z Coulter Hall Dee Gillespie (540)853-2022

ELL & Governor’s School Students:

Main Guidance Office Liz Ahlfield (540)853-2021

Registrar: Kim Harlow (540)853-1881

Secretary: Deanna Morgan (540)853-2892

Counseling Coordinator: Jacqui Moore (540)853-6227

HAVE A GREATYEAR!!!! 