Introduction to SeminarSt. Johns High SchoolFreshmen Seminar

What is Seminar?Seminar is a...

◦Time to make up missing tests, quizzes & other work

◦Time to get extra help in a class◦Time to work on group projects in

other classes◦Time to attend club meetings◦Time to read for leisure◦Time to prepare for your future

What seminar is NOT.Seminar is not...

◦Nap time, social time, game time and/or “I have nothing to do” time

How does seminar work?Seminar is approximately 40

minutes. You may stay in your class and work or you can pass to a class that you have arranged to visit.  If you pass to a class you MUST stay there until the end of seminar.

How do I get a pass?Go to the teacher you would like

to pass to, ask for a pass.  Make sure you do this ahead of time...not right before seminar.  The best time to get a pass is at the end of class on the previous day.

Do I get a grade in seminar?Yes.  The grade is Pass or Fail.

 Most home rooms have 18 lap tops to use freely.  Take advantage of this time to get homework done.

Are there any days I cannot pass?Mondays or the first day back are

known as “no passing days”.  These are dedicated to seminar tasks, so do not plan on having any time to work on your own stuff on Mondays.

9th GRADE—this is when everything begins to “count”.  Get involved and document it!Work hard to get good grades…your grade

point average starts now. If you fail a class, you have to take it again.  Become involved in a wide variety of

activities.  Start keeping a record of what activities you

are involved in with and any volunteerismSelect appropriate 10th grade coursesBe careful with your internet useThink about what career path you may be

interested in pursuingTake practice standardized tests (ACT…)

How important can freshman year be? Researchers target 9th grade as the make or

break year for completing high school. During the 9th-grade year, many students for the first time have to earn passing grades in core courses, and these core courses are typically some of the toughest and most rigorous academic classes a student must take in high school. Furthermore, the rising use of standardized tests to measure school performance, and exit exams required to earn a diploma add to the difficulty and importance of doing well in high school. Statistics generated from freshman year are concerning. Ninth graders have the lowest grade point average, the most missed classes, the majority of failing grades, and more misbehavior referrals than any other high school grade level.

BE SURE TO GET THIS PAPER SIGNED AND RETURNED TO ME ASAP.

Daily ScheduleEach class is about 62 minutes except

seminar◦1st Hour 7:45 – 8:48◦2nd Hour 8:54 – 9:56◦Seminar 10:02 – 10:42◦3rd Hour 10:48 – 12:21◦4th Hour 12:27 – 1:29◦5th Hour 1:35 – 2:37

Lunch Schedule (during 3rd hr)◦A Lunch 10:42 – 11:09◦B Lunch 11:54 – 12:21

Seminar Schedule◦2nd Hour Over at 9:56◦Passing Time 9:56-10:02◦Admin Time 10:02-10:07

Stand, face flag & say pledge of allegiance

Silent during announcements

◦Passing Time (only if leaving) 10:07-10:10

◦Seminar Work Time 10:10-10:42

Passing Out- Mrs. Gnegy’s Red Folder

Mary Billips Feldpausch

9 8

Mary asks Mrs. Gnegy if she can pass to her room for seminar. She says yes and gives Mary an orange pass asking her to complete the first two columns in her Red Folder.

Passing Out- Daily Work Log

Paige Shinabarger

X

9/8

Mary comes to seminar and records that she is passing on the Daily Work Log located on the clipboard.

Mary Billips

Owen Broadwater

Passing Out- Mr. Feldpausch’s Red Folder

Mary Billips Mrs. Gnegy9/8

Then Mary records her information in my red folder and leaves her pass beside it.

Passing Out- Mrs. Gnegy’s Red Folder

Mary Billips Feldpausch

9

Mary Billips

When the passing bell rings Mary goes to Mrs. Gnegy’s room and signs in next to where she previously recorded her name and seminar teacher in the red folder. 8

Staying Put- Daily Work Log

Paige Shinabarger

X

9/8

Mary Billips

Spanish II – verbs wkst

Owen Broadwater English 9 – practice persuasive essay

Seminar Behavior ExpectationsBe on time & prepared to work.

◦ Inside door when bell is done ringing◦ Materials with you◦ Body prepared

Bathroom◦ Consequence:

Must use your 1 weekly locker/bathroom pass

Then its 3 min or 30 min

Seminar Behavior ExpectationsDo your work.

◦ Consequence: 1 daily warning, then character writing 1 monthly free-day pass is available

◦ If Repetitive: Writing gets longer

Seminar Behavior ExpectationsUse appropriate language.

◦ Swearing◦ Teasing◦ Disrespect of faith

Includes saying Lord’s name in vain◦ Consequence:

50 cents or… 50 pushups or… 50 words

Seminar Behavior Expectations

Seminar Behavior ExpectationsIt is also expected that you 1not skip class or

leave the classroom without permission (including passing time when you are not passing). You must also 2not whine nor complain in front of other students regarding seminar activities or expectations, but be respectful towards the teacher and your peers and maturely discuss the issue after class. Finally, you are expected to be 3passing all of your classes. Consequences for these behaviors may vary but could include 1unexcused absences, 2character writing and/or 3required passing to failing class.

Earning Seminar CreditYou must comply with all

consequences issued above or your parents will be contacted. Repeated failure to observe consequences will lead to failure of seminar.

 You must also complete all required

grade level activities by the end of the assigned trimester in order to earn credit for seminar.

Freshmen Seminar Activities This is the schedule of tasks you must complete as freshmen to

receive seminar credit.

Trimester 1◦ Introduction to High School◦ Basic Technology Skills◦ Club Day◦ Study Skills◦ Career Cruising: Learning Styles Inventory◦ Readfest◦ Exam Study Skills

Freshmen Seminar Activities This is the schedule of tasks you must complete as freshmen to

receive seminar credit.

Trimester 2◦ Freshmen Class Meeting: Senior Speakers◦ EDP◦ Interest Inventory◦ Career Exploration #1◦ Enroll for 10th grade◦ Readfest

Freshmen Seminar Activities This is the schedule of tasks you must complete as freshmen to

receive seminar credit.

Trimester 3◦ 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens◦ Resume◦ Interest Inventory◦ Career Exploration #2◦ Career Cruising Checklist◦ Readfest

◦ CPR once Freshmen year

Working in SeminarAs I had mentioned, you MUST be

working the entire time during seminar. This includes days when you do NOT have any homework to do.

In order to be sure that this happens:◦ You are to supply a book of some sort and

keep it in your folder in the black crate.There should never be a day when

you are not working on something. No video games, card games, catalogs, or other mindless materials or activities are allowed.

Best Practices for LaptopsAvoid laps, clean solid surface is bestNot a touch-screenClose lid before walkingDon’t shut off with power button – use Start

Menu- Shut downLogging off? Wait for log-in screen before

closing lidShutting down? Wait for lights and screen off

before closing lidReturn to correct slot number & plug in