Welcome to AVID Family Night!

1. Welcome to AVID Family Night!

2. AVID Program Advancement via Individual Determination https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pnW7Oel7ak

3. The Mission of AVID • The mission of AVID is to ensure that ALL students, and most especially the least served students who are in the middle: • will succeed in rigorous curriculum; • will complete a rigorous college preparatory path; • will enter mainstream activities of the school; • will increase their enrollment and success in four-year colleges; and • will become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society.

4. How AVID Helps Students • AVID is an academic, regularly scheduled elective class that helps students by: • Teaching study, note-taking and organizational skills • Strengthening their reading and writing skills • Giving tutorial help with college tutors • Teaching them to work collaboratively

5. How AVID Helps Students • AVID guides students to be competitive for college and scholarships, confident in their abilities for success by: • Taking them to visit colleges and universities • Assisting them with the application process for four-year colleges and universities • Assisting students to prepare for college entrance exams (ACT, SAT, EAP, etc.) • Requiring community service and active involvement in extracurricular activities each semester of high school.

6. A Sample Week in the AVID Elective • AVID Curriculum includes: • Reading and Writing Curriculum • College and Career Preparation and Information • Collaborative, inquiry-based work (ex: Socratic Seminar)

7. How is this class graded? • 25%: Binders • 25%: Assignments & IRC • 25%: Tutorials • 25%: Projects, Essays & Portfolio

8. Cornell Notes • Cornell notes are a system of note-taking that force students to review notes in order to better understand and retain knowledge • AVID requires 15 pages of notes per week. Students have TONS of resources and accommodations to complete this • Should be completing 2-3 pages of notes per night (not 15 on night before)

9. Tutorials • Tutorials are like study groups: students ask each other questions in order to help each other understand concepts.

10. Tutorials • TRFs are Tutorial Request Forms • These are due at the beginning of each class on Tutorial days. • They are available online as well as during class the day of tutorial. • Students must work their problem to their point of confusion (POC). • Students create a question based on POC.

11. IRCs • An IRC is an Interim Report Card. • Parents should review ALL information on IRC BEFORE signing. • Students with a D or F in a class MUST get mandatory tutoring within two weeks of the IRC. • If students don’t get tutoring, they lose points in AVID.

12. Planners!!! • ALL Avid students have a planner • Students should be writing down HW and important dates for each period in planner and checking when done! • In the event of no homework, none or no hw is written (no blanks) • If student has lots of blanks or unchecked boxes- probably not using planner (losing points on binder check)

13. Grades • High School grades range from A+ to F • If a student receives a grade of D constitutes passing the High School level • A grade of D is NOT accepted by colleges as completion of a requirement • AVID student contracts require minimum GPA of 2.25 and a C or higher in AVID. Students who fail to meet these standards may be dropped from program if AIP not met.

14. Preparing for College: Grades and GPA • Colleges look closely at the grades that students earn in college-prep courses. • The grades are converted into points (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). There is a handy GPA calculator on the back of your IRC to determine your Academic GPA. • The minimum GPA required for admission to a 4-year college or university varies widely, but students should strive for at least a “B” average or 3.0 GPA. • A higher GPA in rigorous courses (AP and honors courses) will increase students' chances of admission to more selective colleges and universities.

15. Portfolio • AVID students are required to create and maintain a Portfolio. • This is created and worked on in the Elective class. • Portfolios will stay with students and be developed through the end of senior year.

16. Volunteer Logs • AVID students are required to participate in 15-hours of Community Service per semester. • Students must complete and return their “Volunteer Log” for credit.

17. Community Service • All AVID students are required to complete 15 hours of Community Service per Semester • The Community Service needs to be documented using the form provided • Community Service performed with recognized organizations (e.g. Red Cross) create better recognition on college applications • Students must also write a reflective essay on their experience to help better prepare them with college entrance writing selections based on their Community Service

18. Extracurricular Activities Log • AVID students are required to participate in at least one club/sport/other extracurricular program per semester. • Students must complete and return their “Extracurricular Log” for credit.

19. Extracurricular Activities • Students should be involved in outside activities • High School Sports, Clubs, AVID Leadership • Colleges focus more on the depth of participation in a particular activity than on the overall number of different activities participated in . • Leadership positions stand out in the admissions process • Engage in academic activities as well • Concurrent enrollment at local Community Colleges • Summer academic based programs

20. Progress Reports • Progress Reports mailed out every five weeks • Sept 22, Dec 1, Feb 11, April 4 • Report Cards are mailed out November, January, March and June • October 23, Jan 15, March 24, June 10 • Any concerns with grades parents are encouraged to contact the TEACHER directly • Utilize ABI for regular updates concerning students attendance and grade progression

21. Aeries Browser Interface--ABI • SLHS’s student information database • Parents have access to child’s attendance, grades as well as ability to view teacher grade book for their student’s classes • Must have an email address and students Aeries ID number to access ABI • Contact counseling office, AP office or the librarian for your students Aeries ID number • Visit www.slhs.net under the “FOR PARENTS” tab • Students are required to check their grades every two weeks to complete an interim report card. This must be signed by parents in order to get credit. • Please review ALL of the content on the IRC BEFORE signing!

22. Preparing for College • Colleges and universities look for “well-rounded” students that participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, student government, music, drama, visual arts, community/volunteer service, and/or part-time jobs. • Not the amount of activities you do, but the depth • Leadership positions stand out in the admissions process • Engage in academic activities as well • Concurrent enrollment at local Community Colleges • Summer academic based programs

23. College Admissions • What do Colleges look for in the Admissions process? • A-G classes • GPA • College Entrance Exams • Extracurricular Activities/Community Service • Good Personal Statement

24. Preparing for College: A – G Courses The University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) require entering freshmen to complete certain courses in high school. Here is the list of "a-g", with the number of years required in each subject. UC recommends additional years in some areas as indicated. a. History/Social Science (2 years) b. English (4 years) c. Mathematics (3 years, UC recommends 4) d. Laboratory Science (2 years, UC recommends 3) e. Language Other than English (2 years, UC recommends 3) f. Visual/Performing Arts (1 year) g. College Preparatory Elective (1 year)

25. Preparing for College: College Entrance Tests Most 4-year colleges and universities require: • SAT-I or the ACT (American College Test) • Some colleges also require or recommend the SAT subject tests Students should take practice tests to become familiar with test formats: • In AVID classes, students take the ACT- Aspire test during their 10th grade year • Students should register to take the PSAT at the beginning of their 10th or 11th grade years

26. Preparing for College: MINIMUM Eligibility Requirements California State University • 2.0+ GPA • A-G Completion • SAT Reasoning or ACT Test University of California • 3.0+ GPA • A-G Completion • SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Test w/Writing • Personal Statement • Extracurricular Activities

27. Eligible vs. Competitive • Most colleges look for well rounded students • Students should be taking more challenging courses when possible like AP, Honors & California Community College classes • Students need to be involved in extracurricular activities • Sports • Student Government • Community/Volunteer Service • Part Time Jobs • Get and stay involved- the longer with an organization the better! • KEEP YOUR GRADES UP!!!

28. How to start preparing now? • Immediately discuss your College Goal with your support team (parents, teachers, etc.) • READ, READ, READ • Good readers make good thinkers and good writers • Promote good study habits • Participate in SUMMER PROGRAMS! • Enroll in Honors and AP classes • Focus on taking A-G requirements and not just graduation requirements • Meet with your child’s teachers and counselor to learn about their performance

29. Thank you for attending AVID Parent Night Sam McClymont, 10th Grade AVID Elective Teacher SLHS AVID Coordinator smcclymont@slusd.us