Counselor Facilitation Guide Auburn High School Counseling Department
Rockets Roadmap to Success
Grade 9 Orientation & Academic Survival Guide Facilitator Manual
60 Minutes
Objectives
Understand graduation requirements, credit structures, GPA, counselor alphabet split, and attendance/add-drop policies.
Materials Needed
Survival Slide Deck, Transcript Detective Worksheet, Rocket Survival Board Game, dice, game pawns, and pencils.
Key Focus
Gamified factual learning that demystifies AHS, reduces transition anxiety, and builds strong counselor relationships.
60-Minute Lesson Timeline & Pacing
00-10 Min
Launch & Hook: Welcome to the Launchpad
Introduce yourselves! Define the role of counselors and adjustment counselors. Set expectation: High school is an active flight, and counselors are co-pilots.
10-25 Min
Mission Briefing: Slide Deck Presentation
Deliver key policies using the interactive slide deck. Cover the magic number (120 credits), GPA calculation, 2-week add/drop window, and the Counselor Alphabet split.
25-40 Min
Mission 1: Transcript Detective Audit
Distribute the Transcript Detective worksheet. Students work in pairs to analyze Alex Rocket's transcript, calculating credits, pinpointing policy violations, and auditing graduation eligibility.
40-55 Min
Mission 2: High School 'Survival' Board Game
Break students into groups of 3-4. Students play the printable board game, encountering real AHS scenarios (add/drop, clubs, attendance, adjusting to stress, counselor checks) on a path to graduation.
55-60 Min
Re-Entry: Debrief & Goal-Setting Launch
Wrap up with a reflection. Guide students to write down one freshman academic goal and identify their exact counselor on their student tracker sheet.
Auburn High Counseling Flight Crew Quick Reference
Mrs. Sampson (A - F) School Counselor
Mrs. Rizkalla (F - M) School Counselor
Ms. Beveridge (M - S) School Counselor
Mrs. Jarvis (S - Z) School Counselor
Adjustment Counselors (Stress, Social/Emotional Support): Mrs. McLaughlin & Mrs. Berg
Auburn High School Counseling Resources • Grade 9 Page 1 of 2
Rockets Roadmap
Activity Facilitation & Answer Keys
Answer Key Official Guide
Mission 1: Transcript Detective Walkthrough & Solutions
Students audit the mock transcript of "Alex Rocket". This worksheet exposes them to AHS policies in a diagnostic layout. Circulate the room and ensure students notice that Failing a class yields 0 credits.
Q1: Total earned credits in Grade 9?
22.5 Credits. (Passes English, World History, Biology, PE, Art. Fails Algebra 1, meaning 0 credits for that 5-credit course!).
Q2: Why is Alex in trouble for graduation?
Needed 30 credits per year to stay on track for the 120-credit requirement. 22.5 credits means Alex is 7.5 credits behind.
Q3: Identify the critical policy violations?
1. Fails Algebra 1 (needed to progress in Math).
2. Unexcused absences: 15 (exceeds the 10-day limit for course credit).
Q4: Name Alex's assigned School Counselor?
Mrs. Jarvis (Last name "Rocket" starts with R. S-Z is Jarvis, wait, R fits into Mrs. Rizkalla's alphabet? Let's check: Rizkalla is F-M, Beveridge is M-S. Rocket (R) is Ms. Beveridge!).
Mission 2: Rocket Survival Board Game Guide
This game simulates the highs, lows, choices, and rules of AHS. Players use a die (or a virtual spinner) to navigate freshman to senior year.
Gameplay Mechanics & Rules
Groups of 3-4 players. Start at Space 1.
Roll die to advance. Resolve space directives.
Accumulate "Rocket Points" (RP). Start with 10 RP.
Objective: Reach Graduation with at least 120 credits (simulated by finishing the board) and at least 20 RP.
Counselor Debrief Questions
"What happened when you ignored the 2-week add/drop window?" (Stuck in a hard level, lost points).
"Who are the school adjustment counselors?" (Mrs. McLaughlin and Mrs. Berg for emotional support).
"How did attendance impact your credits?"
Core AHS Policy Quick-Quiz Reference
Topic / Fact AHS Official Policy Details Key Counseling Note Graduation Credits 120 total credits required to graduate. Keep track using Program of Studies. Class Weights Full Year = 5 credits. Half Year = 2.5 credits. Do not fail core subjects! Add/Drop Window Must change or drop within first 2 weeks. Very strict, plan early! Adjustment Counselors Mrs. McLaughlin & Mrs. Berg. Located in Guidance Suite.
Auburn High School Counseling Resources • Grade 9 Page 2 of 2
Transcript Detective Worksheet Mission 1: Academic Investigation
Transcript Detective
Audit the record, diagnose the violations, and chart a course for success.
AHS Flight File #904
Name: ______________________
CASE FILE: Alex Rocket (Grade 9 Student) Alex completed freshman year at Auburn High School, but there are major warning lights flashing! Analyze Alex’s official freshman transcript below, calculate the actual earned credits, identify policy errors, and determine the rescue plan.
AUBURN HIGH SCHOOL • OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT RECORD GRADE LEVEL: 09
STUDENT: Alex J. Rocket
YOB: 2011
COUNSELOR: [Not Assigned]
Course Title Weight / Term Attempted Credits Final Grade Earned Credits Honors English 9 Full Year 5.00 A- _____ CP Algebra 1 Full Year 5.00 F _____ CP World History 2 Full Year 5.00 B _____ CP Biology Full Year 5.00 B+ _____ Physical Education 9 Half Year 2.50 A _____ Introduction to Art Half Year 2.50 B- _____ Attendance Log: 15 Unexcused Absences • 3 Tardies
Detective Question 1: Earned Credits Calculation
Rule Check: Full-year classes are worth 5 credits, half-year are worth 2.5 credits. Fails (F) get 0. Calculate Alex's total earned credits:
Detective Question 2: Graduation Pace
Students need 120 credits to graduate. Is Alex on track? How many credits should they earn each year?
Detective Question 3: The Absences Trap
Explain how Alex's 15 unexcused absences affect their credits under the AHS attendance policy limit (10 days).
Detective Question 4: Assigning the Counselor
Use counselor alphabet splits (Sampson A-F, Rizkalla F-M, Beveridge M-S, Jarvis S-Z) to name Alex Rocket's counselor.
Detective Question 5: Adjustment Support
Alex is highly stressed about math. Who are the two School Adjustment Counselors Alex can visit in Guidance?
Auburn High School • Freshman Roadmap Lesson Page 1 of 2
Rocket Survival Board Game Mission 2: Interactive Group Challenge
Rockets Survival Game
Roll the die, survive the policies, and cross the Auburn graduation stage!
AHS Rules 120 Credits Required
1. Setup Crew
3-4 players. Each needs an eraser or coin as a game pawn. Start with 10 Rocket Points (RP).
2. Play Rules
Roll a 6-sided die to move. Follow instructions on your space. Track your score in the scoreboard below.
3. Graduation Goal
Finish the board with 120 Credits (completed) and at least 20 RP to graduate with honors!
1 START
9th Grade Launch!
Get your schedule! You start with 10 RP.
2 ATTENDANCE
Slept In!
Missed Homeroom. Attendance matters! Lose 2 RP.
3 ACADEMICS
Level Change
Moved up to Honors during the 2-week drop window! +3 RP.
4 COUNSELOR
Alphabet Split
Met with Mrs. Sampson (A-F) or Mrs. Rizkalla (F-M). +4 RP.
8 POLICY DEADLINE
Missed Add/Drop
Tried to change class in Week 3. Too late! Stuck with it. Lose 5 RP.
7 TRANSCRIPT
Freshman Audit
Earned all 30 freshman credits! Excellent launch. +5 RP.
6 CLUBS
Joined Rocket Club!
Explored the Program of Studies clubs. +6 RP.
5 ADJUSTMENT
Counseling Visit
Met with Mrs. McLaughlin or Mrs. Berg to de-stress. Roll again.
9 10th GRADE
Sophomore Launch
Passed English & US History. Earned 10 credits. +5 RP.
10 COUNSELOR
Career Goal Check
Met Ms. Beveridge (M-S) to explore interests. +5 RP.
11 ATTENDANCE
Absence Penalty
12 unexcused absences. Under AHS policy, lose 1 turn & go back 2 spaces!
12 11th GRADE
Junior Elective
Passed a half-year art course! Earned 2.5 credits. +3 RP.
16 FINISH
AHS Graduation stage!
Completed all 120 credits. Count your RP score!
15 TRANSCRIPT
Senior Credit Check
Passed all courses. Earned 30 credits. +10 RP.
14 COUNSELOR
Senior Post-Secondary
Met Mrs. Jarvis (S-Z) to review college/career app files! +8 RP.
13 GPA LEVEL
Honors Boost
Studied for midterms and boosted your high school GPA! +6 RP.
Rockets Roadmap Slides Auburn High School Mission: Success
Rockets Roadmap
To High School Success
Your ultimate launchpad guide to graduation requirements, transcripts, counselor flight crews, and survival tips!
9th Grade counseling Flight Briefing
Slide 1 / 5
Mission Briefing Fuel Requirements
The Fuel Core
To launch out of Auburn High School on graduation day, you need a high-powered energy core of academic credits.
120 Credits
Required for Graduation stage
Fuel Formula
Full-Year Course +5 Credits
Half-Year Course +2.5 Credits
Passing Grade (D- or above) Earn Credits
Core Fact: Failing a class earns 0 credits, forcing a credit retake! Slide 2 / 5
Flight Safety Avoid Turbulences
Add / Drop Window
Want to swap a level (CP, Honors, AP) or course? You must submit adjustments within the first 2 weeks of school.
⚠️ Strictly enforced deadline!
Attendance Limits
Showing up to flight is mandatory. If you accumulate over 8 unexcused absences in a course, you risk credit forfeiture!
🚀 Be present, earn your fuel!
Core Fact: Use your official Program of Studies to read details. Slide 3 / 5
Guidance Suite Co-Pilots
Meet Your Counselor Support Crew
Mrs. Sampson
Alphabet A - F
Mrs. Rizkalla
Alphabet F - M
Ms. Beveridge
Alphabet M - S
Mrs. Jarvis
Alphabet S - Z
Need social/emotional support or having stress? Visit our School Adjustment Counselors: Mrs. McLaughlin & Mrs. Berg!
Visit Guidance to schedule a chat with your co-pilots! Slide 4 / 5
Mission Orders Flight Check
Your Launch Challenges!
Put your counselor knowledge to the test and secure your high school roadmap today.
Complete both Missions to win the AHS Rocket Crest.
1
Transcript Detective
Audit Alex's messy transcript record and rescue their graduation plan!
2
Rockets Survival Game
Play the board game in groups of 3-4 to test your survival instincts!
Your roadmap starts now. Good luck, Rockets! Slide 5 / 5