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Guidance Dept. Page For Freshmen

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Freshmen year calendar
Guidance Calendar of Events

Leaving middle school and moving to the high school level can be one of the most challenging experiences that you will have in your life. Finding your way around the building, meeting new peers and teachers, having more assignments in your classes can cause you to feel overwhelmed. Right now you may have many questions about how you can navigate through your first year. The choices that you make now affect your future in the type of college you will enter, the type of job that you will have, and how much satisfaction you will have in your life. Here are some suggestions for how you can be successful in the 9th grade and future years at Durfee...
☺Make sure that you are in the right classes. If you believe that some classes are too difficult or easy for you, see your guidance counselor to discuss other options. For any other questions, you can talk with teachers, counselors, or your vice principal.
☺Completing all of your assignments, including homework, is important to be able to understand the material.
☺Having good attendance is one of the best things you can do to help yourself in your classes. High school classes move at a faster pace than in middle school, so you need to be in school to learn the lessons.
☺The students that do best in high school are the ones that get involved. We have many extracurricular activities, including clubs and sports, so try them out. You might find you like something new!

Students: Are you the first one in your family to go to college (the first “generation” to go to college)???  Do you qualify for free or reduced lunch???  Are you planning to attend college in the future???  If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Upward Bound or Talent Search programs may be for you.  Both programs are offered at Bristol Community College (in walking distance right down Elsbree street).  For more information, call 508-678-2811 extension 2324. You can meet with representatives from the program in the cafeteria during lunch periods, or go to the Guidance/Registrar’s Office (across from the cafeteria). They are in the building every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..  Here is a breakdown of what each program has to offer you:

    

Freshmen Year Calendar           Back to top

Focus on strong study habits, obtaining good grades, participating in extracurricular activities including school based groups and/or sports, and take a set of courses that are challenging for you in order to be well prepared for college. In addition, continue to identify areas that are interesting to you, and explore potential career fields. Also, remember that all your grades are now a part of your permanent record; colleges will see the final average grade!

September
■Check your schedule. Make sure you have all your academic classes scheduled, including electives and physical education and health.
■Develop good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
■Get involved in extracurricular activities.
■Strive to pass all classes with good grades.

October, November, December
■Schedule an appointment with your Guidance Counselor to do a 4-year high school course plan.
■Guidance Counselors visit classes to do Freshmen Seminar.
■Freshmen Seminar includes the following information:
□Review 4 year course planner form
□Explain the role of the Guidance Counselor
□Explain Attendance Policy
□Review a sample transcript
□Explain effects of class cuts on credits and courses
□Encourage school and community involvement
■Continue with good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
■Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
■Strive to pass all classes with good grades.

January-February
■Adjust any mid-year schedule conflicts.
■Students should be receiving their course selection sheets for the next school year.
■Students need to review course selections with current teachers.
■Students review course selection sheets with parents.
■Parents sign the course selection sheets and return it to your Guidance Counselor.
■Continue with good study habits, test taking strategies, organization skills, etc.
■Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
■Strive to pass all classes with good grades.

March-April
■Continue with good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
■Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
■Strive to pass all classes with good grades.

May
■Students receive next year's schedule.
■Review schedule and make sure everything is correct.
■Continue with good study habits, test taking strategies, organizational skills, etc.
■Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
■Strive to pass all classes with good grades.

June
■Students will receive summer reading list in English class.
■Students who need to attend summer school will see their Guidance Counselor to get the Summer School Verification Form.
■Look into volunteer work and/or community service. Volunteer opportunities can be found at http://www.fallriverma.org/volunteerism_main.asp .
■Get involved with something during the summer to keep you active.
■Students have a safe, healthy, happy summer!

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Guidance Calendar of Events

August

• Registration
• check summer school grades
• review schedules
• check prerequisites
• new students' folders

September
• register new students
• create folders for all students
• add/drop classes
• check schedules & transcripts (repeaters)
• interview – policies, graduation requirements, GPA, future plans form
• homeroom visits
• homebound – arrange tutors
• copies of 504's to teachers
• assembly
• homework – ill or suspended students
• bulletin boards; notices
• Sped meetings
• Meetings
• Start future plan form

October
• • interviews – policies, graduation requirements, GPA, future plans form
• see students with failure notices
• *bilingual students - MEPA

November
• adjustment problems
• term 1 failure interviews
• term meetings
• MCAS
• freshman interviews
• homeroom visit

December
• mid-term reports
• certificates for student (social & academic improvements)
• check 2nd semester schedules

January
• adjust schedules 2nd semester based on student failures
• interview
• assembly for programming
• copies of 504's to new teachers

February
• adjust schedules for second semester
• schedule students for next year
• contact Diman to set up meeting for transfers to Diman

March
• proctor MCAS
• term 3 progress reports; meet with student

April
• term 3 report cards
• change to next year's course request

May
• proctor AP exam
• proctor MCAS
• summer school advisement

June
• registration for new students
• summer school advisement
• schedule changes
• Upward Bound recruitment

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Please send correspondence to: 360 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720