Notes for Freshman
from the Career Center
August 12, 2007
Freshman Information
Attend school! Absences will affect your learning and grades. While students should not go to school if they are sick, no one feels 100% every single day and many times a student will feel better once they get to school and start interacting with their peers.
Keep striving to get the best grades possible. Use a planner to keep track of your assignments and homework. Complete and turn in assignments to teachers when they are due --- not late! Talk to your teacher to find out what you need to do in class to be successful. Seeking help from your teacher shows them you care about the class.
9th grade is when your grades start to become your official transcript! Your transcript includes all your classes, grades earned, absences and tardies. Each semester your final grades will be added to your transcript to become your permanent record. Your transcript will follow you long after you graduate from high school. Schools and colleges will ask for a copy and it will be used to apply for scholarships, the military, and many times for employment.
Don't be afraid to go to the Career Center to talk with your counselor if you have a problem or concern about anything, or if you're having trouble in a class or with your grades. Ms. Stec is the counselor, however, we also have a bilingual counselor, Ms. Buchfinck, for those who speak Spanish and need a translator.
Participate in school activities, clubs, and sports. Scholarship and college applications will look at your involvement in activities as well as your grades. Start to keep a folder listing everything you participate in, as well as any community service you provide, so when you're filling out scholarship and admission forms, you'll have a quick reference.
Make friends and go out of your way to be friendly to everyone.
Talk to your parents! They are your supporters . . . and were your age too once upon a time.
Check out the Career Center. It holds LOTS of information on colleges, careers, study materials and other information. You are welcome to stop in the Career Center any time. Shari Eberspacher is the registrar located in the Career Center and will be glad to help you find what you're looking for or try to answer any questions you may have.
Tips for Parents of Freshmen
Grades are affected by absences from the classroom. Make sure your student attends school regularly.
Monitor your student's study time in an area where they are visible to you so you can help them stay on task. Avoid distractions during study time - such as TV, music, phones, etc.
Students should do at least some reading every day. If there's no homework or studying to do they should READ!!
Talk to your student every day. Ask them about their day.
Know your student's schedule and their teachers. If you have questions regarding your student's progress, the teacher should be your first contact. You can reach teachers by phone/voice mail, e-mail, or the internet. Be sure to attend Parent Teacher Conferences in the spring and fall.
Know who your student's friends are and who they are "hanging" with. Get to know their parents and communicate with them.
And remember that teachers, counselors, and administrators are always available if you have questions or concerns regarding your student's education.
