WHS SENIOR PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT

1. WHS SENIOR PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT Class of 2010

2. Only 167school days until your son/daughter walks across the graduation stage!

3. AGENDA • Welcome • Graduation Requirements • High School & Beyond Plan, Job Acquisition Skills • Certificate of Achievement • Senior Project • Post Secondary Education • Senior Expenses • Senior Events (ASB, Senior Parents, Grad Night, Yearbook & Jostens)

4. GRADUATION CREDIT REQUIREMENTS English 4.0 credits Mathematics 2.0 credits Social Studies CWP 1.0 credit U.S. History 1.0 credit Elective .5 credit Washington State History (taken in 7th grade within district) Science Life 1.0 credit Physical 1.0 credit Career and Technical Education 2.0 credits Physical Education Introductory PE 1.0 credit Elective .5 credit Health .5 credit Visual or Performing Art 1.0 credit Electives 6.5 credits Total Credits Required to Graduate 22.00 ________________________________________________________________________ Total Credits Possible 25.00 (1.0 possible in advisory)

6. High School and Beyond Plan Certificate of Academic Achievement Culminating Project Portfolio & JAS Interviews WASL/HSPE Testing Senior Project ADDITIONAL STATE REQUIREMENTS

7. Portfolio • Academic Development • Career Development • Personal and Social Development.

8. HIGH SCHOOL & BEYOND PLAN • Gets all students thinking about their future and how to get the most out of HS, so that they are ready to pursue their adult lives, no matter what direction they plan to take. • Their personal story • Their learning style • Their goals for high school • Their goals for immediately after high school – should include classes needed in preparation for a 2- to 4-year college, vocational or technical school, certificate program or the workforce.

9. JOB ACQUISITION SKILLS-JAS Step #1. • Students identify two careers of interest. • Between now and Oct. 12th Career Center staff contact business and community employees and employers for students to interview. Step #2 • Students will update their resume, write a cover letter, provide a reference page and prepare 10 questions to ask. • Students will be given their assigned business person and contact information between by October 12th, 2009. • Students call and make appointment for interview between October 12th and November 24th. Step #3 • Student write and send a Thank-you letter within one week. • Interviewers will return an evaluation by fax to the Career Center. • Evaluation is given to Panther Time Advocate as proof that assignment is completed.

10. BENEFITS TO STUDENTS • Students get to connect with someone in a career that they are interested in. • This person could be a possible Senior Project Mentor or has ideas for a Senior Project • Students may get information about post high school training, college and employment information and future career opportunities. • This person could be a great reference for the future

11. EVALUATIONS FROM INTERVIEWERS • “I love that we can give real life feedback for students!” • “Best parts: Being part of helping develop and grow students, being a mentor, giving students the opportunity to practice real life interviews.” • “The obvious education the students are getting in how to prepare for an interview was the best part…they get better every year!”

12. READING AND WRITING Pass reading and writing high school WASL or assessment for students in special education. --OR-- Pass reading and writing Certificate of Academic Achievement Option (state-approved alternative).* MATH Pass math high school WASL or assessment for students in special education. --OR-- Pass math Certificate of Academic Achievement Option (state-approved alternative).* --OR— Earn two math credits (or career and technical course equivalent) after 10th grade AND retake the WASL or a state-approved math assessment annually. (Students are required to pass math classes, not assessment, to earn diploma.) CERTIFICATE OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTWASL/HSPE

13. SENIOR PROJECT Each individual student, as a culmination of his or her education, will be able to demonstrate a four “P” learning. The student will be able to research and write a paper, produce a physical project, complete a senior portfolio, and present a summary of his or her work.

14. SENIOR PROJECT • By the end of the 1st semester of Senior year students will have completed their research paper in their English class. • At the end of the 2nd semester students will have completed a presentation that showcased their plans for their future including a service learning project (15 hrs of community service), research paper, and best works from your portfolio. • Formal presentations will take place in June. • Now is a good time to start thinking about which topic you would like to explore in your project and research.

15. GRAD STATUS REPORTARE YOU ON TRACK FOR GRADUATION? • Do you have any high school credits that are not listed on your transcript (especially if you transferred)? • Do you have any incomplete grades? Resolve them ASAP if you do. • Do any of your grades or credits look inaccurate on your transcript? • How many credits do you have? • Are you on track to graduate? • Do you have any school fines (lost books etc.)? • Will you be able to get all your requirements in and complete any special programs in which you might be interested (i.e. Running Start or Skills Center)?

16. POST HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS

17. POST SECONDARY EDUCATION PLANNING September/October/November- • Apply early & online in September (write essays) • Retake the SAT/ACT for a better score (optional) • Letters of recommendation/personal statements • Attend College Fairs (Portland, Christian College Fair & Performing Arts College Fair). • Attend Post High School Options Fair and Financial Aid Night at WHS. • Apply for scholarships (75% are gone by March) January- • FAFSA- fill out your financial aid form (use http://www.fafsa.ed.gov!!!) • Continue scholarship search

18. COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW Best students chosen first, well rounded chosen second. • Academics • course rigor (Honors, AP classes & academic electives) • meeting college admissions requirements • GPA (3.0 or higher) • Tests scores • ACT/SAT • Personal Statement • opportunity to express yourself • letters of recommendation • Activities • community service, leadership, athletics, clubs, work

19. SENIOR YEAR EXPENSES • Average Senior Year Expenses: =$1,000-2,000 • Includes: announcements, cap/ gown, yearbook, prom, senior breakfast, senior party, class ring, class pictures etc.

20. WHAT CAN PARENT’S DO? • Talk to your son/daughter about what they may be thinking about doing after graduation? • Offer support and encouragement. • Be a member of your child’s support team. • Educate yourself about the college process or training programs in which your son/daughter is interested. • Consider all post high school options with your student. • Help keep track of important dates and deadlines. • Attend meetings such as (conferences, Parent Info. Nights, College Nights and Financial Aid /Nights). • Monitor your son/daughter’s stress level. • Ask questions! • Get involved with school fundraising and volunteer your time.

21. ASB

22. YEARBOOK

23. GRAD NIGHT

24. Jostens

25. THANK YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT! Please complete an evaluation! For questions or to schedule an appointment please call or email the following individuals: • Senior Administrator- Gerry Stavney • Senior Counselor- Lemecia Lindsey • English Department Chair- Heather Santos • Career Specialist-Marsha Spencer • Senior Panels- Ann Jendro • Senior Parent- Julie Heaton