Freshman Game Plan:
A GUIDE TO YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR
John Ehret High School
4300 Patriot St.
Marrero, LA 70072
Main Office 504-340-7651
Fax 504-340-0159
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide diverse academic, vocational, and
social opportunities in a safe, supportive environment to
assist our students in becoming productive, responsible
citizens and lifelong learners.
Game Plan: Successful
Transition
Your freshman year is the beginning of your career at John Ehret High School. The
next four years you will be preparing for your future. It is helpful to create a four-year
plan from the start to map out your plan and reach your goals.
Freshman Game Schedule for the Year
Create your Game Plan
- Meet with your counselor
- Talk about your high school
plan
- Discuss post high secondary
goals
Start college/career planning
- Take an interest inventory to
see what careers fields
match your interest
- Research colleges using the
internet
Get Organized
- Use a planner
- Establish a way to organize
your class work
Get Involved
- Volunteer
- Clubs and Organizations
- Leadership Opportunities
Email
- Create an appropriate email
Used for applications,
resumes, scholarships, etc.
End of Year Review
- Meet with your counselor
once more
- Discuss changes or further
plans
Practice skills
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
Summer
- Enjoy summer!
- Volunteer
- Work
- Travel
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Meet Your Counselors
Mrs. Ana Giron
[email protected]
Freshman Sections: 101-105
Ms. Amanda Arsenaux
[email protected]
Freshman Sections: 106-109
Mrs.Stacey Seefeldt
[email protected]
Freshman Sections: 110-113
Ms. Wanda Buckner
[email protected]
Freshman Sections: 114-118
Mrs. Carmen Ward-Lewis
[email protected]
Freshman Sections: 119-123
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Utilize Your Counselor
Visit Student Services
Your school counselor can help with:
Making thoughtful, informed decisions
Developing positive attitudes
Addressing personal issues (with family, peers, teachers, etc.)
Choosing appropriate courses
Finding further assistance through a referral
Planning for the future
Addressing a crisis
Explore career options
Assisting with referrals for IEP, 504 services
Providing and sending transcripts
Helping with college planning (research, applications, FAFSA, etc.)
_____________________________________________________________
Student Services Resources:
Career exploration books
Occupational Outlook Handbook
College look books
Test prep books
Local and institution scholarships
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GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
CORE 4 DIPLOMA GRADUATION CHECKLIST
DO YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED???
Highlighted courses are courses needed to complete the Core4/TOPS requirements.
CORE4 CURRICULUM
TOPS CURRICULUM
(4 year college/university)
Completed
Courses
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ENGLISH (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~
English I
English II
English III
English IV
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MATH (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Adv. Math, Fin. Math, or Math Ess.
~~~~~~~~~SOCIAL STUDIES (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~
Civics
American History
World Geo., World Hist., or W’ern Civ.
World Geo., World Hist., W’ern Civ.,
Law Studies, or Psychology/Sociology
~~~~~~~~~~~~~SCIENCE (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biology
Chemistry
2 of the following courses: Physical Sc.,
Integrated Sc., Physics, Earth Science,
Env. Sc., Anatomy & Phys., Bio. II,
Chem. II, or Physics II
~~~~~~P.E. (1 ½ credits)/HEALTH (1/2 credit)~~~~~
P.E.
P.E. ½
Health ½
~~~~~~~FOREIGN LANGUAGE (2 credits)~~~~~~~
Spanish I, French I, or Speech I
Spanish II, French II, or Speech II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ARTS (1 credit)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAS, Art I, Band, Theatre, or other
approved Arts course
~~~~~~~~~~~ELECTIVES (3 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~
TOTAL = 24 CREDITS
Completed
Courses
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ENGLISH (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~
English I
English II
English III
English IV
~~~~~~~~~~~~~MATH (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Algebra I
Algebra II
2 of the following courses: Geometry,
Pre-Calculus, Adv. Math, or
Probability & Statistics
~~~~~~~~SOCIAL STUDIES (4 credits)~~~~~~~~
Civics
American History
2 of the following courses: World
Geo., World Hist., W’ern Civ.,
European Hist., or History of Religion
~~~~~~~~~~~~SCIENCE (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biology
Chemistry
2 of the following courses: Physical
Sc., Integrated Sc., Physics, Earth
Science, Env. Sc., Anatomy & Phys.,
Bio. II, Chem. II, or Physics II
~~~~~~FOREIGN LANGUAGE (2 credits)~~~~~~
Spanish I or French I
Spanish II or French II
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ARTS (1 credit)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FAS, Art I, Band, Theatre, Visual Art,
or both Speech III & IV
~~~~~~~~~~TOTAL = 19 credits~~~~~~~~~~
MUST HAVE AT LEAST:
2.5 GPA/20 ACT SCORE
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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
CAREER DIPLOMA GRADUATION CHECKLIST
This option is available to 8th grade students who meet the criteria for the Career Diploma. A waiver MUST be signed and
on file for this option. (see your counselor)
CAREER PATHWAY: _________________________________________
CAREER DIPLOMA CURRICULUM
(community college)
Completed
Courses
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ENGLISH (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~
English I
English II
2 of the following: English III, English IV, or other
approved English course
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~MATH (4 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Algebra I
3 of the following courses: Geometry, Algebra II,
Adv. Math, Fin. Math, or Math Ess.
~~~~~~~~~SOCIAL STUDIES (2 credits)~~~~~~~~~
Civics
American History
~~~~~~~~~~~~~SCIENCE (2 credits)~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Biology
Chemistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science,
Physical Science
~~~~~~P.E. (1 ½ credits)/HEALTH (1/2 credit)~~~~~
P.E.
P.E. ½
Health ½
~~~~~~~~~~CAREER COURSES (9 credits)~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~TOTAL = 23 credits~~~~~~~~~~
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Grading, GPA and Rank
GRADING SCALE:
2011:
A 93-100
B 85-92
C 75-84
D 67-74
F Below 67
G.P.A SCALE:
A 4 Points
B 3 Points
C 2 Points
D 1 Point
F 0 Point
*Honors Add 1 Point
GRADE CLASSIFICATION
Students are eligible for various student privileges based on the number of credits earned rather than
on age or the number of years spent in high school.
Students are classified as follows:
Sophomore: 6 credits
Junior: 12 credits
Senior: 18 crediits
Calculating GPA
Grade Points ÷ Credits Attempted= GPA
Your weighted GPA determines your class rank. Add one extra quality point for honors courses
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Making the Transition to
Makin High School
“Don’t let other people tell you what you’re capable of. As long as you believe in yourself and
work hard to achieve whatever you set your mind to, you just keep plugging away.”
~Tom Brady
Quarterback, the New England Patriots
Build a Strong Support System
School counselor
Teachers, coaches, etc.
Your parents or guardians
Friends, relatives, neighbors
Glossary of High School Terms
Credit Unit: Earned upon successfully completing a high school course
Elective course: Non-required course that is chosen because of student interest
GPA: Grade point average is computed based on number of courses taken and
grades earned in those courses
Required course: Course that must be taken to fulfill graduation requirements
Transcript: Report of your grades, attendance, GPA, immunizations and
demographics
Handling Social Pressure
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Find friends with similar values and beliefs
Be assertive – tell friends what you want/don’t want out of the relationship
Avoid alcohol or other drugs
Learn to handle conflict in a positive way
Talk with a trusted adult about situations that make you uncomfortable (bullying,
sexual harassment, dating pressures, etc.)
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Time Management Tips
It's 10:00 -- Do You Know Where Your Homework Is?
Does it seem like there's never enough time in the day to get everything done? Feel like you're
always running late? Here are some tips for taking control of your time and organizing your life.
1. Make a "To Do" List Every Day
Put things that are most important at the top and do them first. If it's easier, use a planner to
track all of your tasks. And don't forget to reward yourself for your accomplishments.
2. Use Spare Minutes Wisely
Get some reading done on the bus ride home from school, for example.
3. It's Okay to Say "No"
If your friend asks you to hang out on a Thursday night and you have a final exam the next
morning, realize that it's okay to say no.
4. Find the Right Time
You'll work more efficiently if you figure out when you do your best work. For example, if your
brain handles math better in the afternoon, don't wait to do it until late at night.
5. Review Your Notes
You'll reinforce what you've learned, so you need less time to study. You'll also be ready if your
teacher calls on you or gives a pop quiz.
6. Get a Good Night's Sleep
Running on empty makes the days seem longer and your tasks seem more difficult.
7. Become a Taskmaster
Figure out how much free time you have each week. Give yourself a time budget and plan your
activities accordingly.
8. Don't Waste Time Agonizing
Have you ever wasted an entire evening by worrying about something that you're supposed to
be doing? Was it worth it? Instead of agonizing and procrastinating, just do it.
9. Keep Things in Perspective
Setting goals that are unrealistic sets you up for failure. While it's good to set high goals for
yourself, be sure not to overdo it. Set goals that are difficult yet reachable.
Consider these tips, but personalize your habits so that they suit you. If you set
priorities that fit your lifestyle, you'll have a better chance of achieving your goals.
Adapted from www.collegeboard.com
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Transcripts
What is it?
A transcript indicates all the courses and grades you have taken during high school. The
grades are then averaged to determine the cumulative G.P.A. or grade point average.
Therefore, all grades from freshman year and above count towards your G.P.A.
Why is this important?
It is probably the first piece of information reviewed by a college admissions officer.
When a college obtains your transcript, the college admissions officer
will look at:
Your grade point average (GPA). Be aware that some schools only consider core classes (like
English, math, science and social studies) when calculating your GPA, while others look at
grades for all of your classes.
The types of classes you enrolled in. IB/AP classes will show that you are serious about
planning for college, while a course load of non-academic classes will not impress them very
much.
How consistent your GPA was. When schools are looking for desirable candidates, they want
to see that you are willing to work hard, and maintaining a high grade point average shows
that. Rocky start? Keep at it. Schools also like to see GPA improvement.
The number of pass/fail classes you took. Earning a passing grade in these classes is often
considered a D by colleges. Avoid pass/fail classes so they don’t impact your cumulative GPA.
Your behavior record, if included. It would only be a factor if there were any negative reports,
such as suspensions or other disciplinary actions.
How to request your transcript:
See Curriculum to have a transcript sent to a college
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Why Go to College Earnings
Chart (2012)
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Why Attend College?
A college degree can provide a person with many opportunities in life. A college education can
mean:
Greater Knowledge
A college education will increase your ability to understand developments in science and
in society, to think abstractly and critically, to express thoughts clearly in speech and in
writing, and to make wise decisions. These skills are useful both on and off the job.
Greater Potential
A college education can help increase your understanding of the community, the nation,
and the world – as you explore interests, discover new areas of knowledge, consider lifelong
goals, and become a responsible citizen.
More Job Opportunities
The world is changing rapidly. Many jobs rely on new technology and already require
more brain power than muscle power. In a person's working life, more and more jobs will
require education beyond high school. With a college education, you will have more jobs from
which to choose.
More Money
A person who attends college generally earns more than a person who does not.
Someone with a two-year associate's degree also tends to earn more than a high school
graduate.
Some of these benefits of college may not be obvious to a student. Even though you
have to make the final decision to attend college, parents can help in the decision-making
process by learning about all aspects of college and sharing what is learned with the child.
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What Types of Colleges Exist?
More than half of all recent high school graduates in the United States pursue some type of
post-secondary education. There is a wide range of higher education options in the United States.
For this reason, you are likely to find a college well-suited to his or her needs.
There are two basic types of post-secondary education institutions:
Community, Technical, and Junior Colleges
Many kinds of colleges offer programs that are less than four years in length. Most of these
schools offer education and training programs that are two years in length or shorter. The programs
often lead to a license, a certificate, an associate of arts (A.A.) degree, an associate of science (A.S.)
degree, or an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree.
Four-Year Colleges and Universities
These schools usually offer a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.
Some also offer graduate and professional degrees.
Community, Technical, and Junior Colleges
20% of careers today require a four-year degree
85% of careers today require a one or two year program beyond high school
Colleges with programs that are less than four years in length are often called community
colleges, technical colleges, or junior colleges:
Community Colleges:
These are public, two-year colleges. They mostly serve people from nearby communities and
offer academic courses, technical courses, and continuing education courses.
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Technical Colleges:
These are generally colleges that have a special emphasis on education and training in
technical fields. However, although some technical colleges offer academic courses and programs,
not all technical colleges offer two-year programs that lead to an associate of arts or science degree.
Technical colleges may be private or public. Junior colleges and community colleges that offer many
technical courses are often called "technical colleges."
Junior Colleges:
Two-year colleges such as community colleges often operate under an "open admissions"
policy that can vary from school to school. At some institutions, "open admissions" means that
anyone who has a high school diploma or GED certificate can enroll. At other schools, anyone over
18 years of age can enroll or, in some cases, anyone deemed able to benefit from the programs at
the schools can enroll. In many cases, two-year degrees can be transferred to four-year schools and
credited toward a B.A. or B.S. degree.
Application requirements at colleges with two-year programs and shorter programs may
include a high school transcript -- a list of all the courses you took and grades earned in four years of
high school -- and college entrance examination scores as well. Some schools have programs that
allow "open admissions," while other programs in the same school -- particularly in scientific or
technical subjects -- may have further admission requirements. Since requirements vary widely, it is
important to check into schools and programs individually.
Four-Year Colleges and Universities
Students who wish to pursue a general academic program usually choose a four-year college
or university. Such a program lays the foundation for more advanced studies and professional work.
Four-year colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees (the B.A. and B.S.) in most areas in the
arts and sciences, such as English literature, foreign languages, history, economics, political science,
biology, zoology, chemistry, and in many other fields.
Here are the main differences between four-year colleges and universities:
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Four-Year Colleges:
These are post-secondary schools that provide four-year educational programs in the arts and
sciences. These colleges advise bachelor's degrees.
Universities:
These are post-secondary schools that include a college of arts and/or sciences, one or more
programs of graduate studies, and one or more professional schools. Universities advise bachelor's
degrees and graduate and professional degrees.
When a student earns a bachelor's degree it means that he or she has passed examinations in
a broad range of courses and has studied one or two subject areas in greater depth. (These one or
two subject areas are called a student's "major" area(s) of study or area(s) of concentration). A
bachelor's degree is usually required before a student can begin studying for a graduate degree. A
graduate degree is usually earned through two or more years of advanced studies beyond four years
of college. This might be a master's or a doctoral degree in a particular field or a specialized degree
required in certain professions such as law, social work, architecture, or medicine.
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CONSIDER COLLEGE
CHARACTERISTICS
 Majors and educational programs
 Type of school and degrees offered
 Admission policy
 Location and size
 Cost and financial aid
 Support Services
 College affiliation and accreditation
 Campus activities
 Academic reputation
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