Sophomoer Parent Night Jan 2006

Saint Francis High School PresentsSophomore Parent Night: 

Saint Francis High School Presents Sophomore Parent Night Spring Semester 2006 Guidance and Counseling Department

Tonight’s Topics: 

Tonight’s Topics Scheduling for Junior Year College Planning Testing Plan

Scheduling: 

Scheduling Counselors have visited the classrooms Students have been given scheduling sheets Course Bulletin is available on www.sfhs.com Link to Academics or Guidance and Counseling All schedules are turned in to counselor by Jan.31 Each student will be scheduled for an appointment

Slide4: 

Schedules due Jan 31 Students will not be called in for appointment until schedule is returned and signed by parent The student is responsible for taking any qualifying exam, completing a contract and obtaining any necessary teacher recommendation for the desired course. Grades will be reevaluated at the 12-week mark of the second semester to verify enrollment in a level of a course. Students will receive course verification in spring Corrections will be made if errors Contracts will be in effect/no changes No changes are allowed once this year ends

Procedure: 

Procedure Consult Academic Bulletin and confirm choices with parents. Have schedule sheet signed by parents. Turn schedule into your Counselor by Tuesday 1/31/2006 with all contracts attached. Counselor will call student in for an appointment to discuss schedule and PSAT Pick up contracts and Teacher rec forms in the Counseling Center for AP and Honors courses

Junior Course Selection: 

Junior Course Selection

Contracted Courses: 

Contracted Courses AP English Language (Formerly 3-H) AP US History  Chemistry H and Physics-H All Language Courses at Level 4AP-6AP AP Psychology AP Calculus AB, BC AP Computer Programming Parents and students will read and sign contracts, staple to schedule, and return to counselor

Teacher Recommendation Forms: 

Teacher Recommendation Forms Students must give Teacher Recommendation Forms directly to his current, English, History, Science, or Foreign Language Teacher If a student does not submit a Teacher Recommendation Form to the teacher of his/her current class, he will not be scheduled for the AP or Honors class.

Slide11: 

Courses That Require Exams: Chemistry Honors(also requires Contract) Test is Feb 8 at 7:45 AM during collaboration Advanced Algebra Trig X Test is Feb 27 at 7:45 during collaboration

English Choices: 

English Choices AP English Language Prerequisite:Minimum B-in English 2X or A-in English 2 and Contract and Teacher Recommendation English 3-British Literature/Expository Writing

US History Choices: 

US History Choices AP US History Prerequisite: A- in English 2 or B-in English 2X and an A- in Colonial Studies or B- in AP European History Requires Contract and Teacher Recommendation Students in Colonial second semester can sign up for AP US, but must be approved with the 12th week grades. US History

Math Choices: 

Math Choices Geometry Des-Geo Geometry X Algebra 2 Advanced Alg TrigX(must take test) Intermediate Algebra AP Calculus AB Precalculus Honors Precalculus Trig/Analytical Applied Math/ Statistics

Science Choices: 

Bio Bio X Chemistry in the Community Chemistry Physics Honors (must have completed Trig) Physics Chem Honors (Test and Contract Must also be in Advanced Algebra Trig X or higher math) Science Choices

Foreign Language: 

Foreign Language 2 years required to graduate University of California requires 2, highly recommends 3 years, four if appropriate. Level 3 counts as a third year by some colleges, other schools would like to see three years in the high school Check summer school programs for reinforcement of skills for next level

Electives: 

Electives Remember graduation requirements: Students must complete Computer Literacy Requirement: Take test-next date is Wednesday March 15, at 7:45 AM Cafeteria Take summer school Take semester course Visual and Performing Arts One year required from:

New Elective Courses to Consider: 

New Elective Courses to Consider Electives: Social Science AP Psychology (semester) Contemporary Latin American Studies (semester) Case Studies in Africa and Asia (semester) Case Studies in Human Rights (semester) English: Short Story (semester) Creative Writing (semester) Irish Literature (semester) Art 3-D: Ceramics 2 (semester) Painting 1 (semester) Painting 2 (semester)

College Planning: 

College Planning Select the most rigorous course load that allows for good grades Focus in on one or two activities where involvement is sustained and meaningful to your student Saint Francis requests each student be involved in two activities Colleges look for: Portfolio Builders Leadership Service Depth of involvement

What Parents Can Do: 

What Parents Can Do Supervise homework Encourage your student to see teachers during collaboration Encourage your student to use Docutek to check assignments Be aware of testing plan for PSAT and SAT Make sure your student finishes Service Hours by deadline (March 27) Visit college campuses with your student when possible

Testing Plan for Current Sophomores: 

Testing Plan for Current Sophomores Sophomore Year: Take Biology E or Chemistry SAT II Student will need to prepare independently Prep courses will be offered this summer at SFHS Junior Year: PSAT SAT I October 2006 PSAT March 2007 May 2006 June 2006 May 2007 June 2007

Tips on SAT Policies: 

Tips on SAT Policies Do take SAT II’s in Bio or Chem if appropriate PSAT score reports will be reviewed with sophomores during scheduling appointments/Score Report will be sent home with test booklet.

Slide23: 

Understanding the Current PSAT Scores PSAT is a mini version of the SAT with the same types of questions. The PSAT/NMSQT measures: critical reading skills math problem-solving skills writing

Slide24: 

No college sees Sophomore PSAT scores. Scores are helpful for students to discover areas where further work is needed. Remember this test measures some skills that are not taught until junior year. Copies of the PSAT test booklet will be sent home with your student. Review the types of questions missed. Go to http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/scores/using.html for more information

PSAT vs. SAT Scores: 

PSAT vs. SAT Scores The total possible PSAT: Critical Reading is 80 points Math is 80 points Writing Skills is 80 The total possible SAT: Critical Reading is 800 Math is 800 Writing Skills is 800

Predicting SAT Scores from PSAT: 

Predicting SAT Scores from PSAT Take your PSAT scores and add a 0 Critical Reading 56 Math 60 Writing 62 This predicts your SAT Critical Reading 560 Math 600 Writing 620 SAT Total: 1780 Check Percentile in each subject area

Consider Summer Options: 

Consider Summer Options Saint Francis Summer School Enrichment Make up D and F grades Prep for Spanish 3 and Spanish 4 Prep for Bio or Chem SAT Subject Tests Check out Summer Programs Attend courses/intensives on college campus Investigate a community college course Internship in career field Enrich service experiences Check Saint Francis Guidance and Counseling Web Page for more options