Maloney’s Steps For Success!

1. Maloney’s Steps For Success! Facts about the next four years of high school!

2. School Counselors at MHS • Erin Putnam-Director-ext. 120 erin.putnam@meriden.k12.ct.us • Sherry McLaughlin ext. 137 sherry.mclaughlin@meriden.k12.ct.us • Alicia Webber ext. 124 alicia.webber@meriden.k12.ct.us • Maria Sullivan ext. 125 maria.sullivan@meriden.k12.ct.us • Louella Spinelli ext. 126 louella.spinelli@meriden.k12.ct.us

3. Who is a School Counselor? • We counsel students on social/personal issues, academic issues, and planning for their future after high school • We meet individually, in small groups and in the classroom with students in grades 9-12 • We consult with parents, teachers, administrators & various community agencies/resources • Students are divided alphabetically by grade and assigned a counselor

4. Counseling Students • Freshman meetings: large and small group • Individual counseling: specific concerns about schedule/classes, social issues*, specific conversations about career/post secondary planning • Monitoring grades: conference with teachers, teams, administrators and parents • Resources: extra help from teachers, National Honor Society students/peer tutors, Upward bound tutors

5. Understanding high school credits • Requirements for Graduation 2015: 23.25 • Student must pass 6 credits each year to be promoted to the next grade. • Freshman must pass 6 credits to be promoted to grade 10 • Must pass 6 credits every year after for promotion to next grade *Program Summary handout

6. Course Selection Process • Course selection: January • Teacher recommendations • Student grades • Students sign up for required and elective courses • Electives allow students to explore different interests * • Students are always encouraged to take a full academic course load • Changes in course schedules can be made up until July 1st • Course changes will be considered after the first 2 weeks of school, after the first four weeks for Accelerated/AP courses.

7. Academic and Accelerated Courses • Accelerated: College preparatory courses requiring exceptional ability and motivation • Academic: College and other post-secondary educational preparatory courses • Plan on at least 3 years of foreign language.

8. Advanced Placement • Advanced Placement (A.P.) courses are offered to prepare students to take A.P. exams at the end of the school year. If a student scores a 3 or better (out of 5) they can be considered by some colleges for COLLEGE CREDIT. • Each college has different score expectations: a student is not guaranteed college credit just by taking the exam. Check college requirements.

9. A.P.Exams • A.P. classes are more rigorous than Honors courses because of the potential to earn college credit after taking the A.P. exam. *Student enrolled in AP course must take exam • Honors and A.P. courses both highly strengthen a student’s transcript.

10. Post Secondary Planning • 4 year College/University • Technical/Vocational Schools • Apprenticeships • 2 year Community Colleges • Military

11. What Are Colleges Looking For? • Strong transcript-challenging academic classes throughout all four years • Transcript is the most important document viewed by admissions officers • Other considerations for admission are SAT/ACT scores, college essay, counselor and teacher recommendations and extra curricular activities

12. TESTING • CAPT (Connecticut Academic Performance Test) is a state requirement • PSAT Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test • SAT Reasoning required for admission into most 4 year colleges and universities www.collegeboard.com • ACT www.actstudent.org • SAT subject tests: Who, When, Why?

13. SAT PREP • MHS offers a ½ credit SAT prep classes in the spring for juniors and in the fall for Seniors (if enough interest) • Online prep questions and tests at www.collegeboard.com • Books for purchase or borrow at library

14. Preparing for College • Never too early to begin talking about college • Come to College Planning Night on 11/30/11 at 6pm! • Visiting college campuses is very important • Peruse the internet and take virtual campus tours • Talk to other parents and their children who have attended college • www.careercruising.com (See handout)

15. Community Service Hours • 20 hours required for graduation=.25 credit • Must be done in the community at a non-profit organization • 10 hours can be completed through school based activities • All 20 hours can be done in the community • Scholarships*

16. Examples of Community Service Sites • Meriden Humane Society • Meriden Public Library • American Cancer Society • Salvation Army • Thrift Stores • American Red Cross • Hospital/Nursing homes • United Way • Relay for Life • See handout

17. Examples of School Community Service • Key Club activities • Student Council activities • Breakfast with Santa • Must fill out community service form and have it signed by supervisor of service. • Return to School Counselor

18. Thank You! • Thank you for wanting to be involved as parents -we encourage you to stay involved and call your student’s school counselor with questions or concerns.