The Path to Success at THS

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The Path to Success at THS

• A program for freshmen and sophomore parents

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THS Guidance Department

• Mrs. Lucinda Rosenberg x 1141
• Mr. Paul Bochman x 1105
• Ms. Julieann Barbour x 1143
• Mrs. Jennifer Smith x 1142
• Mr. Jared Homer x 1139
• Mrs. Deborah Carreiro x 1140
• Mr. Gregory Gay -- x 1293
• www.tauntonschools.org

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Our Goal

• To help create a happy, productive adult who is
  capable of analytical thinking, communicating
  effectively, and relating positively with other
  people in problem solving situations.

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Additional Support Staff

• Access Center
• School Psychologist
• School Adjustment Counselor
• Guidance
• Nurses
• School Based Health
• Center

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How to be a Success at THS

• Challenge yourself
• Create positive relationships with peers and
  adults
• Stay active relieve stress
• Set attainable personal goals
• Get involved!
• Remember, A Connected Student is a Better
  Student
• Rigor, Relationships, Renovation

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How To Prepare During High School

• Academic preparation
• Develop necessary skills for college and career
• School and community involvement
• Standardized tests
• College explorations
• Source from MEFA

Meet with your school counselor!
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THS Clubs and Organizations

• Academic Decathlon
• Astronomy Club
• Brazilian Club
• Cape Verdean Club
• Debate Club
• D.E.C.A
• Drama Club
• Fellowship of Christian Students
• French Club
• Gay Straight Alliance
• German Club
• Hispanic Student Club
• African American Club

• Journal
• Key Club
• Latin Club
• Math Team
• Matthews Outing Club
• National Honor Society
• Peer Assistant Leaders
• Peer Mediation
• Philosophy Club
• Portuguese Club
• Student Council
• S.A.D.D
• Spanish Club
• Book Club
• Tech Club

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Career Exploration

• Why is it important?
• self-assessment
• www.careerkey.org
• www.livecareer.com
• www.careertest.us

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Get the knowledge!!

• Job shadowing days
• Career Days at local colleges
• Mentor Program
• On line research
• Employment opportunities through Taunton Area
  School to Career (Ms. Hewitt)
• Volunteer opportunities and community service

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Visit Guidance Resource Room!

• GRR.
• College information (applications and
  catalogs)
• Scholarships
• Computers for students

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Tech Prep Program

• College Credit for Classes taken at THS
• Opportunity to take college courses for free
• Medical Lab Science
• Women in Technology
• ACT-NOW
• 222 Transfer Programs

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Academic Preparation

• Take challenging courses every year
• Honors, advanced placement
• Prerequisites
• Improve study and note taking skills
• Develop organization and time management skills
• Maintain extracurricular reading list
• Source from MEFA

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Make An Academic Plan Source from MEFA
Course plan recommended by MA Board of Higher
Education to prepare for college and career.
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Competitive THS Classes
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Why Go To College?

• Over 60 of current Massachusetts jobs require
  education after high school.
• College graduates have more career options.
• Source College Board, Education pays 2007 and
  U.S. Census Current Population Survey, 2006

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Class of 2011 (and beyond) New Class Standing by
Quality Points

• Level Two Honors Courses
• 5.0 A
• 4.5 A
• 4.0 B
• 3.5 B
• 3.0 C
• 2.5 C
• 1.5 D
• 0 F

Level Three College Preparatory 4.5 A 4.0
A 3.5 B 3.0 B 2.5 C 2.0 C 1.0 D 0
F

• Level One Advanced Placement
• 5.5 A
• 5.0 A
• 4.5 B
• 4.0 B
• 3.5 C
• 3.0 C
• 2.0 D
• 0 F

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Standardized Tests
Where are the tests offered? When?

• PSAT
• SAT
• SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)
• PLAN
• ACT
• Source from MEFA

Which tests should I take?
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PSAT

• Students in all grades can participate
• Offered on a Saturday in October
• 15 to take exam
• P stands for Practice
• Reading, Math and Writing
• Why Take PSAT
• Length of test, difficulty level, practice
  writing
• MERIT SCHOLARS

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SAT vs. ACT

• Offered 7x per year
• 10 Sections 3 CR, 3 Math, 1 writing
• There is a penalty for incorrect answers
• Scoring 200-800 per section, added together for
  a combined score. 2400 highest possible
• Scores are sent to the schools
• 45 fee to take SAT
• Best to register at least 6 weeks prior to test
  date on www.collegeboard.com

• Offered 6x per year
• 4 sections English, math, reading and science
  reasoning
• There is NO penalty for incorrect answers
• Scoring 1-36 for each subject, averaged for a
  composite score. 36 the highest possible
• Scores are not sent to schools but there is an
  option to send
• 31 for exam (no writing)
• 46 for exam plus writing
• Best to register at least 4 weeks prior to test
  date on www.act.org

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SAT Subject Tests

• Duration 1 hour
• Cost 20.00 (basic registration fee)
• 9.00 (per test fee)
• 20.00 per language test w/
  listening
• Registration online at www.collegeboard.com
• Subject test include English literature,
  Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math I C or Math II
  C, US History, World History, Spanish, French,
  Latin etc. A full list
• of all tests available on website

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Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System
(MCAS)

• YOG 2010 and beyond must have a passing score on
  English, Math, AND Science
• Passing score is 240 for ELA and Math
• Passing score is 220 for Science

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Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic
Association (MIAA)

• Need to maintain 15 credits at each marking term
  to be eligible to play
• You must keep up your grades to remain eligible
  and recruitable
• Become the well-rounded Athlete
• For more information, please visit www.miaa.net

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NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE(National Collegiate Athletic
Association)
DIV. 1, DIV. 2, and DIV. 3 Do not register
with the clearinghouse before your senior
year! All SAT scores must be sent directly
from Collegeboard to NCAA
www.ncaaclearinghouse.com
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Parents Partners in Education

• Review progress reports and report cards each
  month
• Check website and cable channel for information
• Drivers Education- a car, ready if theyre doing
  well

• Encourage
• Be attentive
• Check Agenda Book
• Talk to someone at school with your concerns
• Respect school staff

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Taunton High Website

• http//www.tauntonschools.org16080/ths/
• Daily Announcements
• Teacher Contact information
• Guidance Updates
• Scholarship information
• Program of Studies

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About MEFA

• MEFA is a non-profit state authority that works
  to make higher education more accessible and
  affordable through community education programs,
  college savings plans, and low-cost financing
  options.
• Founded in 1982 by the Massachusetts State
  Legislature
• MEFA has assisted hundreds of thousands of
  families to finance a college education.
• www.mefa.org