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9th & 10th Grade Parent Meeting
Sponsored By The Counseling Department
Montgomery Blair High School October 2013
The Administration
Principal Renay Johnson
9th Grade Administrator
Mr. Dirk Cauley
10th Grade Administrator Mr. Bill Currence
Counseling Department Information Resource Counselor
Marcia Johnson
A-Bi Mr. Roland Hollins Bj-Coq Mr. Kirk Simms Cor-Fo Ms. Susanne Bray Fp-He Ms. Emily Putney Hf-La Dr. Daryl Howard Lb-Me Ms. Evelyn Martinez Mf-Oz Mr. Alphonso Burwell P-Rom Ms. LaSchell Wilson Ron-Te Ms. Charlain Bailey Tf-Ya Ms. Jennifer S. Taylor Yb-Z Ms. Marcia Johnson METS/ESOL Dr. Vilma Nadal
Counseling Department Information
College/Career Information Center Ms. Phalia West 301-649-2819
Registrar’s Office Ms. Marguerite Berardi
301-649-2822
Counseling Office Secretaries Ms. Dee Shub
Ms. Fran Conway 301-649-2810
Office Hours
7:00 am to 3:30 pm
For Email Addresses Go to www.mbhs.edu
Academies & Programs @ Blair
Magnet Program
Peter Ostrander, Coordinator
Communications Arts Program (CAP) Anne Cullen, Coordinator
ESOL Program
Emily Alexiou, Resource Teacher
Academy Program Kevin Moose, Coordinator
Academy Programs
Entrepreneurship & Business Management Academy International Studies & Law Academy
Human Services Professions Academy Media Literacy Academy
Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Academy
*In December, ninth grade students will have an opportunity to select an academy that they will participate in grades 10 to 12.
Graduation Requirements COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Students must earn at least 22 credits (that must include the following):
Ø 4 English Ø 3 Science (including Biology, Physical Science, and an elective science) Ø 3 Social Studies (US Hist A/B, NSL Govt A/B, and Modern World Hist A/B) Ø 4 Mathematics (including Algebra, Geometry, any 2 elective math credits) Ø 1 Physical Education Ø .5 Health Ø 1 Fine Arts Ø 1 Technology Education
Ø Completer Program (must do one of the following)
§ 2 credits Foreign Language § 2 credits Advanced Technology Education § 3-9 credits Career Development Program
Ø Complete Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours Ø Pass high school assessments
Graduation Requirements
COURSE REQUIREMENTS l There are a number of courses that students can take in middle
school to earn high school credit. These credits can count towards the graduation requirements.
l High school level courses taken in middle school count for high school credit as long as you pass
the course AND the final exam. l This is a wonderful opportunity for students to earn credit before
they enter high school. l It is important to note that if students retake any of these
courses in 9th grade, the highest grade earned will be the one that will be on the transcript.
l These classes appear on your official transcript and count in your GPA.
Graduation Requirements
ASSESSMENTS Ø 9th and 10th graders will continue to take high school
assessments. But, it important to note that the State of Maryland will be moving to a new type of assessment being developed by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC). The four year plan for PARCC assessments is displayed on the next page.
Ø If you have questions about the high school assessments and PARCC assessments, you can email Mr. Bill Currence at [email protected]. You can also find more information on the Maryland State Department of Education website at www.marylandpublicschools.org.
Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements Student Service Learning Hours
Ø Students must earn a minimum of 75
Community Service Credit Hours. Ø Those who earn 260 hours or more will
receive a purple tassel to wear at graduation.
Ø For more information please see contact Ms. Lauren Gonzalez at 301-649-2842 or at [email protected]
Monitoring Student’s Grades Ø It is important that parents monitor their student’s
grades. Ø Keep in contact with your child’s teachers
regarding his/her grades. Ø Check Edline on a regular basis, so that you will be
aware of your child’s progress in school. Ø Report cards are distributed every 9 weeks and
interims are distributed in the middle of each 9 week quarter. If you are not receiving report cards and/or interims, you need to contact your student’s counselor.
Monitoring Student’s Grades Middle School Homework 10% Formative 60% Summative 30% High School HW for prac 10% Formative 50% Summative 40%
• In Middle School you were given much more time in school to complete formative assessments.
• In High School, a lot of what you are graded on requires work OUTSIDE of school.
Monitoring Student’s Grades
Final Semester Grades Ø Final grades are figured from the quarter
grades and the final exam. 1st quarter = 37.5% 2nd quarter = 37.5% Final exam = 25%
Ø Examples B A B = B C B C = C D C C = C E C C = D
Monitoring Student’s Grades Attendance is a very important factor in your grades Ø Students have 3 days to bring in a note after an absence. Notes
should be given to your first block teacher. Ø Students are responsible for making up missed work Ø Teachers may assign an alternate assignment Ø Patterns of absences/tardies will be dealt with by
administrators Loss of Credit (LC) Policy In Effect Ø 5 unexcused absences = failing grade Ø 3 unexcused tardies = 1 unexcused absence Ø An LC is an “E” in your student’s GPA.
Policy begins with second quarter this year. See your administrator if you already have 5 unexcused absences.
Resources For Students Ø Counseling Office Ø Career Center Ø Academic Support Ø Blair Sports Academy Ø George B. Thomas Learning Academy Ø High School Plus Program Ø Reading Classes Ø Edline Ø School Psychologists Ø Pupil Personnel Worker Ø Montgomery County Crisis Center Ø YMCA Counseling Services Ø Extra-Curricular Activities & Sports
Resources For Students Counseling Services Provided
Ø Individual Counseling Ø Group Counseling Ø Crisis Intervention Counseling Ø Academic Counseling Ø College & Career Advising Ø Parent-teacher conferences Ø Classroom Presentations To Students Ø Consultation with parents, teachers, and
other professionals Ø Outside counseling referrals Ø Registration & Scheduling Ø Information for special programs & outside
programs
Resources For Students
l We provided for you a copy of a handout entitled, “Not Just The Blues.” This handout has list of agencies and resources available to Montgomery County residents.
l This is valuable contact information for health, mental health, and other programs.
l If you have questions about any of these agencies, feel free to contact your child’s counselor.
Resources For Students
Some Time Management Tips Ø Make Up a Study Schedule Ø Organize Your Time Wisely Ø Review Your Notes Every Day Ø Get a Good Night's Sleep Ø Don't Waste Time Agonizing Ø Determine Your Priorities Ø Set Short Term and Long Term Goals Ø Make Time To Take A Break From Studying
Resources For Students
Dealing With Stress Ø Stress symptoms include mental, social, and physical
manifestations. These include exhaustion, loss of/increased appetite, headaches, crying, sleeplessness, and oversleeping. Feelings of alarm, frustration, or apathy may accompany stress.
Ø Students can see their counselor if they need help dealing with stress.
Resources For Students What Can Students Do To Manage Stress?
Ø Set realistic goals Ø Set priorities Ø Don’t overwhelm yourself Ø Change how you see the situation Ø Remove yourself from stressful situations Ø Use relaxation techniques Ø Get enough sleep Ø Exercise
Standardized Tests 9th Graders On October 16th, College Readiness Day, all 9th graders took a Pre-PSAT . Students will receive a score report with their results. 10th Graders On October 16th, College Readiness Day, all 10th graders took the College Board PSAT, free of charge! MCPS paid for 10th graders to take the PSAT. Score reports will be sent to us and given to students in December. Next year in 11th grade, juniors will take the PSAT again. Students could be eligible to become National Merit Semi-Finalists based on their performance on the PSAT in junior year. Juniors are encouraged to take the SAT for the first time in the spring of junior year, based on their math level and how much SAT preparation they have had. Your student’s counselor will advise you and your student on the best time to take the SAT.
Standardized Tests § PSAT-practice test for the SAT-11th grade score used to
determine National Merit Award finalists § SAT-tests reasoning/critical thinking skills § ACT-tests knowledge you have learned from subjects studied in
high school § SAT Subject Tests-hour long subject tests required by some
colleges in specific subjects. § TOEFL-Test of English as a Foreign Language-evaluates ability
of non-native speakers to use/understand English in academic setting
§ Accuplacer–provides information on math, English and reading skills for college course placement (Montgomery College)
Standardized Tests
ü Students should practice before they take any of these tests. Test preparation information can be found in the Career Center.
ü Registration information & materials for these exams can be found in the Career Center.
Standardized Tests Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
Ø AP courses are college-level courses that students may take in high school. These courses prepare students for AP exams as well as give them the experience of doing college-level work. If students do well on the end of the year AP exam, they may be able to earn college credit.
Ø Most students have the opportunity to take advanced placement courses starting in the 11th & 12th grade. Some students may take AP NSL Government this year in 10th grade next year.
Ø It is important that you work closely with your child’s counselor to determine which and how many AP courses are appropriate for your student.
College/Career Center Information
Ø Information on College Fair, College Tours/Visits Ø Blair Career Notes Ø Information Sessions With College Reps Ø College/Career Inquiry Software (Bridges) Ø College/University Brochures & College Guides Ø Computers for College and Career Searches Ø Employment & Internship Information Ø Summer Program Information Ø Check out PSAT, SAT, ACT, & AP reference
materials Ø Naviance/Family Connections
College/Career Center Information
Naviance/Family Connections can help students & parents with…. Ø Searching for colleges, research careers, & locate scholarships Ø Using scattergrams to see how other Blair students fared at
specific colleges Ø Seeing the list of upcoming college visits in the Career Center Ø Getting Career Center Notes with announcements and
important information Ø Completing a personality inventory
College/Career Center Information
How To Get A Family Connections Account Ø Parents can email Ms. West at [email protected] OR call her at 301-649-2819, to get signed up for family connections. Ø You can also fill out the Request For Family Connections Account form
and we will set it up for you. Ø Students can stop by the Career Center to get their Family Connections account activated.
Try Out Naviance/Family Connections With A Guest Account Ø Go to the www.mbhs.edu Ø Click on Counseling Ø Click on Naviance/Family Connections Ø Click on “I’m a guest” and then type in the password 210965 Ø Click on COLLEGES and you can view some of the information you will
have access to when you get your own Naviance/Family Connections account.
