For Immediate Release:
“WHAT NINTH GRADERS AND THEIR PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SUCCEEDING AT WILLIAMSPORT AREA HIGH SCHOOL”.
Date: July 2002
District Location: Williamsport Area High School
Email Contact Information: kotzel@wasd.org
Students and their families can make a smoother transition to the high school by planning to be successful at Williamsport High School.
Communication is the key! Freshmen are assigned to a ninth grade mentor, who is also their homeroom teacher. Mentors volunteer to help their students adjust to the high school.
In additions to ninth grade mentors, students and their families can also contact guidance counselors, teachers, and house principals. Also, instructional support teacher Kathy Otzel helps ninth graders to be more successful through collaborative problem solving with student, family, and school.
We encourage students to focus on their attitude, attendance, organization, time management, high school graduation requirements, and career exploration during their high school years.
High school is a new start. Beginning with freshman year, grades and attendance will be recorded on your transcript. The better your grades, the more opportunities you will have, not only here but later in life. More challenging classes will also provide more opportunities.
If a student misses a class or an assignment, he is responsible for all work. If he comes back from an absence on the day of test, he is responsible to take that test. One missing assignment can change a passing grade to a failing grade. When a student is absent, a parent should call the guidance office at 7:30 a.m. and request his assignments.
With permission, students may see their teachers for academic help during activity periods on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:50-8:25, or before or after school for additional help.
Many high school students find a 3 ring binder helps to keep all work organized by subject. Some teachers grade notebooks on a regular basis.
When a student does not have written homework, he may need to reread or study or organize his notes to prepare for the next test.
Please complete and return the EMERGENCY TREATMENT CARD and PARENTAL AUTHORIZATION FOR MEDICINE CARD to the school nurse. State law requires all ninth graders in our district to have physical examinations.
Use your time wisely. Complete all work on time. The school library is a good place to do schoolwork after school.
The LIBRARY IS OPEN UNTIL 4:15 p.m.
Late buses leave the high school at 4:15 p.m. and stop every day at Jackson School, Memorial Avenue Park, Lose School, Bethune Douglas Community Center, Cochran School, Curtin Middle School, and Sheridan School.
Additional stops are made along Lycoming Creek Road up to the Lycoming Valley Middle School on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Students are required to pass 4 years of English & Social Studies, 3 years of Science & Math, ½ year of Keyboarding, plus Physical Education all four years.
One failed subject may place a student at risk of not graduating on time.
Students beginning with the 2002-2003 senior class are required to pass the PSSA or district assessment in order to graduate. This year’s freshman class, your class, will also be required to complete a state-mandated graduation project.
Students need to find out about as many careers as possible.
What areas are of interest?
What electives can help a student to reach his goals?
Read the WAHS Student Handbook. Examine all the course options.
Choose electives carefully.
Tuesday, September 3, 2002 is the first day of school for ninth graders. Only ninth grade students will be in attendance on Tuesday. We plan a day of special activities to help our ninth graders adjust to their new school. Upperclassmen begin on Wednesday, September 4.
If you have any questions about WAHS and the ninth grade year, please call instructional support teacher Kathy Otzel: 323-8411 ext. 3252.
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