OHS Freshmen Newsletter
September 2021
Welcome from Your School Counselor Mrs. Laws
Please be on the lookout for our monthly newsletter! I'm looking forward to a great year!
Panther Pride,
Crystal Laws
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NEED A MENTAL BREAK? HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER...
- Journal! Write a Letter to a Friend or Family Member!
- Make a List of Things You’re Grateful For!
- Go on a virtual trip field and... Tour museums- Google Arts and Culture ○ Experience Disney Rides From Your Couch
- Read a Book or Magazine...for fun!
- Have a Dance Party with Friends via FaceTime!
- Try a new recipe!
- Disconnect from Social Media...even if it’s just for 30 minutes!
- Center Yourself When Things Get Overwhelming By Practicing These Mindfulness Techniques!
What Year is Your Most Important Year in High School?
- Attendance: (80% of success is showing up) High school moves along a lot faster than middle school. Missing one class means you have missed 90 minutes of instruction.By being absent, you may be missing out on important information that is vital to understanding our current topic of study. Your goal should be to avoid unnecessary absences.
- Grades: Freshman grades affect you high school transcript more than any other year, even your senior year. The grades you earn as a freshman set the stage for your cumulative GPA (grade point average) for the rest of your high school career. You’ll spend the next three years of high school either working to maintain OR make up the grades you earned as a freshman. It is VERY difficult to bring up a GPA that has low scores. Grades are a representation of you and how much work you have put forth in a course. Now is a good time to start planning for your future, and plan to get good grades now, because your grades can influence your future opportunities.
- Behavior (What you do matters) I want to encourage you to establish good relationships and rapport with your fellow students, teachers and Orange High School staff members. The relationships that you establish in school assist you or prevent you from earning favorable references for employment, letters of recommendations, and reliable confidants in times of need. You are in charge of building your own support system beyond your family network and your school provides a wonderful safety net and resource base for you, if you put in the effort.
Is Freshmen Year Too Early to Start College Planning?
Transition to High School from Middle School
Transition to high school from middle school can be an exciting yet daunting experience for parents and teens. 9th grade can feel like a whole new world.
During this transitional time, teenagers may find that their existing systems need an upgrade. Read on to find out how you can help.
Don't Miss Out: Get Important Updates from the Counseling Office
Get important information and updates from the Counseling Office right on your phone.
Receive texts or notifications through remind:
For text messages:
Send a text to 81010 with the following message:
- For 9th grade students and parents-@oh2025
For notifications:
Download the remind app, tap join a class and search by the same remind codes above.
Meet Your Team: Grade 9 (Class of 2024)
9th Grade Administrator
- Ms. Tenisha Williamson
- Mrs. Crystal Laws
Social Worker
- TBD
Career and Development Coordinator
- Mr. Nick Montgomery
Career Coach
- Mrs. Tiffany Robinson (Durham Tech)
School-Based Therapist
- We also have a full-time school-based therapist in our building! Families interested in learning more about how this works or getting connected with this service should contact your student's school counselor for more information and/or a referral.
Your School Counselor is available via ZOOM or Google Meet
If you need to schedule a counseling session with your School Counselor please use the You Can Book Me Link
Orange High School
Email: crystal.laws@orange.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.orangecountyfirst.com/ohs
Location: 500 Orange High School Rd, Hillsborough, NC 27278, USA
Phone: (919) 732-6133