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GETTING READY FOR HIGH SCHOOL
Why is 9th Grade So Important?
• Success or failure during the 9th grade year often sets the tone for a student’s entire high school career.
• If a student is successful during their 9th grade year, there is a likelihood that the student will graduate and enjoy their high school experience (Silverthorn, 2005)
• There is a heightened risk of school drop out related to negative education experiences (Hussong, 2007)
Transitioning to High School is associated with….• Increase in …• Academic Stressors• Social Stressors (fitting in, “popularity”, peer
pressure, etc.)• Depression• Substance Abuse
• A decrease in …• Social support• Academic Functioning(grades, attendance,
motivation)
(Hussong, 2007)
8th Grade Students Worry About…
• Difficulty of Classes• Getting Lost at School• Increase in Workload in their Classes• Getting to Class on Time• Making Sports Teams• Time Management• Getting Their Locker Open• Where to Go During Lunch• Finding Their Friends• Making New Friends• Being Bullied by Upper Classmen
Attend Freshman Orientation With Your Child
Encourage your child to get to know the school and where everything is located. (classes, bathrooms, offices, cafeteria, etc.) This will help ease anxiety about being in a new building. Students feel more comfortable when they know where everything is.
After Your Child Receives Their Schedule have him/her go through the schedule in order to simulate their typical school day.
Your child will have the same counselor all four years of high school. Encourage your child to know who their counselor is and to contact her with any questions or concerns.
Monitor your child’s progress through EDLINE and keep in touch with his/her teachers and 9th grade principal. A staff contact list is located on the web site.
Tips for Success
• Being involved in extracurriculars is key, as after-school activities are great for teenagers’ personal and social development. Extracurricular activities that focus on deepening your child’s interests will help them have a more enjoyable high school experience.
• In large schools students often feel overwhelmed and disconnected. When students are involved in extracurricular activities it makes them feel more connected to their school.
• “School-sponsored extracurricular activities can help keep students accountable to academics, and teach valuable skills that often cannot be found in a classroom. Remind your student that everything he/she does in high school is setting them up for their future, and it is their choice to make it a good one!” (Singleton, 2013)
Get Involved
What does your student want to do after highschool?
• This is an important question to ask your child while he or she is in high school.
• If your child wants to go to a 4 year college, there are certain courses he/she must take in high school.
• If you child is not sure what to do after high school that is perfectly normal. But, the younger your child decides then the more prepared he/she can be.
• CFWV Interest Inventories are a great way to help guide your child to a career best suited for him or her.
In high school, students earn credits for each course they pass…
• The school year has 2 semesters • Each semester has two 9 week grading periods
• Each class period is 49 minutes long• Each class period is called a “mod” at HHS.
• Each 1 mod 1 semester class=1/2 credit• Each block class(which is 2 mods in a row)=1 credit• Most classes are offered as one mod and taken both semesters• Some classes are offered as a block and are taken only one semester• Students can earn 7 credits during the regular school day in one school year
• Students need 24 credits to graduate
Mod 1st Semester
2ndSemester
Total Credit
1st mod English 9= ½ credit
English 9=1/2 credit
=1 credit
2nd mod Physical Science=1/2 credit
Physical Science=1/2 credit
=1 credit
3rd mod Math I=1/2 credit
Math I=1/2 credit
=1 credit
4th mod World History=1/2 credit
World History=1/2 credit
=1 credit
5th mod Phys. Ed Health 2 credits
6th mod Phys.Ed=1 credit
Health=1 credit
7th mod Foreign Language=1/2 credit
Foreign Language=1/2 credit
1 credit
EXAMPLE OF TYPICAL 9TH GRADE SCHEDULE
There are 2 lunches, the lunch the student goes to is determined by which part of the building the 4th mod is located.
Meet the Huntington High School Counseling Department…
Students A-CL
(304) 528-6417
Beverly Brown
Shawna Rocknich
Students Cm-Han
(304) 528-6406
Melanie Pinkerman
Students Hao-Ma
(304) 528-6419
Joanie PooleStudents Mb-Sc
(304) 528-6420
Renee HarrisStudents Sd-Z
(304) 528-6416
What? Who? Where?
General 9th Grade Questions
Lauren Werthammer-9th Grade Principal
Main Office (304) 528-6411
Copy of Schedule Your Counselor Given out During Orientation
Schedule Correction Your Counselor Counseling Office (D133)
Buying a Locker Ms. Alicea Lewis Main Office (304)528-6524
Proof Of Enrollment Ms. Lisa Hall Attendance Office (304)528-6404
Turn in Absence Excuse Ms. Alicea Lewis Main Office
Questions about Athletics
Mr. Bruce Senior A123 (304)528-6545
Work Permit Ms. Linda George Upstairs Office(304) 6405
Medical/Health Issues Heather Wood-School Nurse
Health Center (D127)(304) 528-6447
Copy of Student Handbook
Located on Edline www.edline.net
ReferencesHussong, A., Stein, G. L, (2007). Social and academic expectations about high school for at-risk rural youth. America Secondary Education, 36(1)
SanFilippo, Elizabeth (2013). Preparing Your Child: Grade School to High School http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/07/22/preparing-your-child-grade-school-to-high-school/
Silverthorn, N., DuBois, D.L., Crombie, Gail. (2005). Self perceptions of ability and achievement across the high school transition: Investigation of a state-trait model.Journal of Experimental Education. v73 p191
Created by Melanie Pinkerman, Counselor Huntington High School
