Welcome! We hope you leave here tonight feeling well-prepared to navigate SOPHOMORE YEAR.

1. Columbia High School9th To 10th Grade Transition NightWednesday, April 25, 20127:00 pm, CHS Auditorium Welcome! We hope you leave here tonight feeling well-prepared to navigate SOPHOMORE YEAR.

2. Program Agenda • Welcome - Dr. Jennifer Giordano • Introduction of the Program • The Class of 2015 – A look back at freshman year ~Counselors: Ms. Scinto, Ms. Boer, Ms. Bleiberg, Mr. Macias & Mr. Berrios • A Look Forward To Sophomore Year • The Sophomore Year – Graduation Progress • Counselor Communication – Keeping-up by keeping in touch. • Post-High School Planning • Student Athletes – Playing sports in college & the NCAA Clearinghouse • Financing the Future – Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

3. Attendance Rules A. Maximum number of absences Students are expected to attend every class, study hall, independent study and homeroom period. Board Policy 5200 requires each student to be present for at least 90% of class meetings in order to be eligible to receive credit. The number of absences in each class may not exceed: 18 Cumulative Absences - Full Year Course 9 Cumulative Absences - Semester Course 5 Cumulative Absences - Quarter Course (PE/Health) “Cumulative absences” are those that count toward the 18 (or 9 or 5) day limit.

4. Attendance Rule (con’t…) All class absences, whether excused or unexcused with the exception of those absences specified in Section C, will count toward the 18 (or 9 or 5) day cumulative absence limit. Parents and students should check the PowerSchool Parent Portal each week to monitor student attendance. Any problems should be addressed promptly. 2011-2012 Deadlines for Absence Excuses Marking Period 1: Dec 6 Marking Period 2: Feb 18 Marking Period 3: May 2 Marking Period 4: June 17

5. Attendance Appeals A student who has exceeded the maximum number of cumulative absences (18 or 9 or 5) may appeal for a waiver of the loss of credit. Appeal forms may be obtained from the office of the appropriate Dean. Appeals will be considered when based upon 1) serious illness which is documented by a physician note; 2) legal obligations beyond the student’s control; or 3) patterns of attendance that demonstrate substantial improvement following earlier instances of absenteeism. NO APPEAL WILL BE GRANTED IF ANY OF THE ABSENCES ARE UNEXCUSED CUTS. PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPORTING THEIR STUDENTS’ EXCUSED ABSENCES TO THE DEAN IN A TIMELY MANNER, THAT IS BEFORE THE DEADLINE AT THE END OF EACH MARKING PERIOD. Parents should monitor student attendance through the PowerSchool Parent Portal so that any problems can be addressed in a timely manner. Appeals must be filed at the end of each course; the grade-level Dean will notify the parent/guardian of the decision. Please refer to the Parent/Student Handbook, pages 8-12, for additional information about the CHS Attendance Policy

6. The Class of 2015 • We have had a GREAT year! • We have come so far since middle school. • Success is measured in many ways! • We want to congratulate you and your children on a job well done! • We look to the future with optimism.

7. Things to keep in mind as you tackle the “last mile” of 9th grade. • Grades – transcript: quarter vs. final grades • End of year course exams • You can still pass this class! • Summer School 2012 • CHS • Educere (Distance Learning) • Promotion vs. Repeating • 30 credit threshold • What is a 9R?

8. The Truth About Sophomore Year New Expectations • CHS values organization, study skills, and a thirst for success! • You are NOT a freshman anymore! Behave like a young-adult. • Ask for help when you need it… there is no shame in Self-Advocacy • It’s not your parents’ job to “Get it Right!” You determine your own future. You are in charge of your academic success!!

9. The Truth About Sophomore Year(con’t) New Experiences For Students • You are an upperclassmen – what does this mean? • You set the pace; You set the tone. • Academics become more rigorous and diverse. • You have a choice. • Educating is about more than what happens in the classroom. • First impressions set the tone, so get off to the right start.

10. The Truth About Sophomore Year New Experiences For Parents • Teach your child responsibility and accountability • Continue to “check-in” on your child’s homework and progress • Power School Parent Portal for attendance, grades and more • District & CHS websites are full of information • School calendar has important dates and policies

11. 4 Years of English 3 Years of Math 3 Years of Science World History US History 1 US History 2 1 Year World Language 4 Years PE & Health/DE 1 Year Fine Arts Includes Music or Art 1 Year Practical Arts Includes TV Production, Business, and Industrial Arts ½ Year (1 Semester/2.5 credits) Financial, Economic Business & Entrepreneurial Literacy Graduation Requirements 120 Credits Total

12. Counselor Meetings-10th Grade • Will begin in December/January • Group meetings • Get to know the counselor • Counselor’s role in the school process • Naviance

13. Naviance 13

14. Individual information College Search Career Inventory

15. Sophomore Year Testing • PSAT • October 2012 • Provided for all sophomores • Scores not reported • Used to identify strengths and weakness

16. Post-High School Options • 4-year College • 2-year College • Work • Military • Trade School • Vocational Training • Post-Graduate Year • Gap Year

17. New State of Admissions • Think outside the box • Consider finances • Scholarship resources • Think 2-year option • Every year counts…don’t wait to get serious! • Activities, athletics, community service, employment

18. Counseling Center News • Available once a week in paper, via email, via Naviance and on our website. • Scholarship information • College Visits • Internal School deadlines • Events

19. Current 10th GradeCounselor Assignments A-Col ____________Ms. Nazaire Con-Gor ____________Mr. Maietta Gos-Lam ____________Ms. Boer Lan-M ____________Mrs. Tenenbaum N-Sim ____________Mr. Seaman Sin-Z ____________Ms. Bleiberg A-Z (SEA) ____________Ms. Conway (Distribution subject to change) Student Assistance Counselor for Grades 9 & 10 Mr. Phillip Lester

20. CHS Counseling Department Contact Information Dr. Jennifer Giordano jgiordan@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1030 Guidance Counselors (10-12) Mrs. Nancy Tenenbaum ntenenba@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1036 Ms. Sue Boer sboer@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1037 Mr. William Seaman wseaman@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1038 Mr. Sam Maietta smaietta@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1039 Ms. Patricia Nazaire pnazaire@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1040 Ms. Deb Conway dconway@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1041 Ms. Falynn Bleiberg fbleiberg@somsd.k12.nj.usext 1151 Mrs. Marcia Hicks mhicks@somsd.k12.nj.us 973-378 2086 Student Assistance Counselors Mrs. Judith Cohen jcohen@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1043 Mr. Phillip Lester plester@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1044 Guidance Secretaries and Registrar Mrs. Cheryl Hernandez chernand@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1030 Ms. Amy Singer asinger@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1031 Mrs. Sheila Bellini sbellini@somsd.k12.nj.us ext 1032

21. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS…

22. Thank you for coming. We look forward to your sophomore year at Columbia High School.