9th Grade - South Windsor Public Schools

Program Overview:
y Freshman year= fresh start
y Keys to a successful freshman year
y We are on a four year plan~to graduation!
Introductions
¾ Mr. Daniel Sullivan, Principal
¾ Mr. Mitchell Orkin, 9th Grade Assistant Principal
¾Ms. Donna Shea, Curriculum Specialist
¾ Ms. Dina Keleher, 9th Grade School Counselor
Introductions
School Counselors!
Mr. Peters
Ms. Stone
Dr. Bombara
School Counselors!
Ms. Wlodarczyk
Dr. LaRochelle
Ms. Brown-Quinn
Schedule
y 7 period schedule
y Rotating schedule
y Lunch waves within 5th or
6th period
y Progress reports/report
cards = every 6 weeks
Lunch Time
y All grade levels eat in the
cafeteria ~ BIG difference!
Lunch waves are NOT
separated by grade
y There are 4 lunch waves
y Students can use POS,
cash or bring their own
lunch
Students are
RESPONSIBLE
for their success!
y In order to navigate
successfully through
freshman year students
NEED to:
y Be proactive (being future
oriented)
y Self-advocate (asking for help)
y Be organized
Being Proactive
means…
Taking action
*NOW* in order to
achieve goals and
fulfill your
obligations
Self- Advocating
means…
y Student will
communicate their
needs with the teacher
y Ask the teacher for
help:
y Before/after class
y E-mail the teacher
y After School
Being Organized
Means….
¾Students should write down
assignments for the day,
week, month and semester in
their planner (Include any
papers and tests)
¾Use folders to organize
subjects
Being Organized
Means….
¾Website and Parent Portal:
check on a weekly basis
¾Keep actively engaged in
lesson by taking notes and
asking questions
¾Sit closest to
instruction/away from
distractions
Homework…
y 2 hours each night;
budgeting time!
y Establish set time and
place to do homework
y Clip away at long-term
assignments
y Use study buddy, if
helpful
Homework…
Attendance
y Attendance and grades
are closely linked
y LOSS OF CREDIT:
y semester course, 8
absences
y full year course, 16
absences
y 5 minutes
tardy=absence
Attendance
Attendance
y If absent
y Contact attendance office
and get medical
documentation if possible
y Contact teachers OR study
buddy to get missed work,
notes, set up time to retake missed tests/quizzes
y Out for 3 days or more,
contact guidance secretary for
homework request
Graduation ~ Our
Destination!
Attendance
Credit
Requirements
Career
Preparation
High School
Assessment
Earning Class
Credits
y Each course your student
passes will earn them
credit toward graduation
y 9th graders must take a
minimum of 6 credits
y Full year courses are 1
credit, ½ year courses are
.5 credit
Graduation credits
per year
Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
6 credits
11 credits
Junior Year
Senior Year
18 credits
24 credits = Graduation
Stay on track!
Failure to pass required classes puts
the student at risk of not graduating
on time and limits the class choices.
Graduation is where you want
your student to be!
SWHS has
something
for
everyone!
Dances
School
Clubs
School Plays
Musicals
Class
Officers
Extracurricular
Activities
Service
Clubs
Athletic
Teams
School Counseling
Programs
y Specific school
counselor assigned to
9th grade as a support;
stay with the same
counselor grades 10-12
y 9th grade developmental
classroom lessons
focusing on: academic,
personal/social & career
Career Interest
Profiler
Personality –Type
Inventory
Resume
Career
Preparation
Social changes…
y Spending more time
with friends than
family
y May begin to keep a
journal/become
more private with
everyday events
Social changes…
Social changes…
y Searching for own
identity
y Establishing close
relationships
Social changes…
School Resources
y Teachers!!!
y Support Staff (counselors,
administrators, social
worker, psychologist, Youth
& Family Services)
y Upperclassmen
y http://www.wimp.com/babyhummingbird
Thank you for
coming today!
Please complete the evaluation,
and enjoy freshman year!