Junior Parent Meeting Class of 2014

August 14, 2012

Etowah High School

WELCOME

Mr. Bob Van Alstyne

Assistant Principal

Etowah High School Administration

Principal Mr. Keith L. Ball

Assistant Principals

Mr. Bob Van Alstyne (A-D) Mrs. Tonya Sebring (E-K) Mrs. Penny Valle (L-Q) Mr. Dan Snipes (R-Z)

Etowah High School Counseling Department

Mrs. Jessica Whitley (A-D) 11th Grade Activities Mrs. Ashley Hall (E-K) 12th Grade Activities Mrs. Lisa Shull (L-Q) 9th Grade Activities Ms. Kelly Brangan (R-Z) 10th Grade Activities

Counseling Office Secretaries

Mrs. Otter Peabody Mrs. Cindy Umberger

Registrar Mrs. Dana Dotson

B.A.L.D. Eagle Program

Mrs. Penny Valle

Assistant Principal

Etowah High School PTSA

Ms. Viviana Morrison

PTSA President

From the Counseling Office

Mrs. Jessica Whitley

Lead 11th Grade Counselor

Attendance Policy • Excused Absences (parent/guardian, doctor, etc.) must

be handled in the attendance office within 5 days of returning to school.

• 7 or more absences (excused/unexcused/OSS) per semester per class will result in NOT receiving credit for the course.

• Appeals are automatically generated for students with passing grades.

NOTE: The State of Georgia will revoke the driver’s license of any student with 10 or more unexcused absences.

Housekeeping

• Make sure student transcript is up to date from summer school and online credits.

• Verify student’s social security number to ensure timely HOPE processing.

• Verify Contact Information such as mailing address, phone numbers and email address.

Family Portal

• Don’t forget that you have access to your student’s grades, attendance and schedule.

• Problems/Troubleshooting:

– Email: parent.support@cherokee.k12.ga.us

– Please include:

• Your name

• Student’s name

• School student is attending

Class of 2014 Promotion to 12th Grade

In order to be placed in a Senior Homeroom next year you must have earned the following credits prior to the beginning of senior year.

17 Total Units of credit that must include:

3 units of English

3 units of Math

2 units of Science

1 unit of Social Studies

Class of 2014 Graduation Requirements

Core Course Requirements

• 4 Units of English – Must include 9th Lit & Am. Lit

• 4 Units of Math – Must include Math I & Math II

• 4 Units of Science – Must include Biology &

Physical Science OR Physics

• 3 Units of Social Studies – World History, U.S. History &

Gov’t & Econ

Elective Course Requirements

• 1 Unit of Health (.5) & Personal Fitness (.5)

• 3 Units of Required Electives

– Any combination of Foreign Language, Fine Art or Career/Technical courses

• 4 Units of Misc. Electives

• 23 Total Units Required

Class of 2014 Graduation Testing Requirements

• Georgia High School Graduation Writing Test

– No exceptions, all students must take and pass

• English/LA GHSGT OR 9th Lit EOCT OR Am. Lit EOCT

• Math GHSGT OR Math I/Algebra EOCT OR Math 2/Geometry EOCT

• Science GHSGT OR Biology EOCT OR Physical Science EOCT

• Social Studies GHSGT OR U.S. History EOCT OR Economics EOCT

Credit Recovery Options Credit Connect •APEX computer based program •Rolling enrollment •2:45 – 4:45 M-Th @ EHS •$200.00 per ½ credit (subject to change)

Polaris Evening Program (PEP) •Recover .5 credit per quarter •2 hour classes @ Woodstock HS •4:00, 6:00 and 8:00 start times •$200.00 per ½ credit (subject to change) •PEP can be utilized while enrolled at EHS

Summer School •Recover 1 credit max •3-4 Weeks in June •8:00 – 4:00 M-F •$200.00 per ½ credit (subject to change) Online Options (BYU, GAVS, etc.) •See Counselor for options •Must get advanced approval •Cost can vary Retake class during school day •No cost involved •May delay graduation

Class of 2014 Critical Decisions to Make

1. Classes and Grades

2. Standardized Tests

3. College Planning

4. Career Research

Classes & Grades

• If applying early action, the junior year is the last full year of grades that admissions officers will review when making an acceptance decision.

• Stick to a rigorous schedule of courses, including some advanced-placement (AP) or other honors level classes.

Standardized Tests

• PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test); measures critical reading, math problem-solving and writing skills. – Wednesday, October 17, 2012 – Test is paid for by Etowah High School – Good indicator and excellent preparation for the SAT

that you will need to take in the spring of junior year. – PSAT score may qualify student for a select group of

merit scholarships – One of the first opportunities student has to begin

requesting college information.

Which test is best for me? SAT/ACT Comparisons

• Both are nationally administered and are used to help colleges evaluate applicants.

• The SAT is essentially a three-part aptitude test (Reading, Math, Writing)

• ACT is more of an achievement test with four core sections (English, Math, Reading, Science) and an optional Writing section.

• Most colleges will accept either test. Refer to the ACT/SAT Comparison handout for more detailed information.

SAT/ACT

• SAT Test Dates

– October 6, 2012 (EHS)

– November 3, 2012 (EHS)

– December 1, 2012 (EHS)

– January 26, 2013

– March 9, 2013 (EHS)

– May 4, 2013

– June 1, 2013

• ACT Test Dates

– September 8, 2012 (EHS)

– October 27, 2012 (EHS)

– December 8, 2012

– February 9, 2013 (EHS)

– April 13, 2013 (EHS)

– June 8, 2013 (EHS)

Important Test Dates Wednesday, October 3, 2012 • Georgia High School Graduation Writing Test (GHSWT) Wednesday, October 17, 2012 • Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) December 10-14, 2012 • End of Course Tests (EOCT) March 18-22, 2013 • Georgia High School Graduation Tests (TBD) May 6-17, 2013 • Advanced Placement (AP) Exams • End of Course Tests (EOCT)

College Planning

Junior year is THE time to get organized!

• Visit www.gacollege411.org

• This website provides direct links to in-state and out-of-state colleges (along with a host of essential information for making decisions about your path after high school).

• Get familiar with admission deadlines and entrance requirements for the schools of choice.

• Start narrowing your list!

HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships HOPE Scholarship requirements: • 3.0 academic GPA from an eligible high school. • Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA in college to keep HOPE. • HOPE amount is capped at approximately 90% of the current tuition rate

Zell Miller Scholarship requirements: • 3.7 academic GPA from an eligible high school. • Combined 1200 on the critical reading and math sections of the SAT or • 26 ACT Composite score • The valedictorian and salutatorian from each eligible high school may

receive the Zell Miller Scholarship without consideration of the GPA or SAT/ACT requirements.

Etowah High School does NOT calculate HOPE GPA! You must log-in to your gacollege411 account to access your official HOPE GPA

Career Research • Your career choice(s) may have a big impact on

the list of potential colleges you consider, so it's important to at least try narrowing down career possibilities.

• How do you discover possible career paths? Conduct research and take some career assessment tests.

• www.gacollege411.org • www.careercruising.com • Participation in the TAA (Teachers as Advisors)

activities on Wednesday will assist with this.

Governor’s Honors Program

• Free summer program held on campus at Valdosta State University

• The best and the brightest students from across the state compete for spots in academic and fine arts major areas

• 10th and 11th graders can be nominated to apply and go through the interview/audition process

Post High School Options • 4 Year Colleges and Universities

– Associates and Bachelors Degrees

• 2 Year Colleges/Junior Colleges – Associates degrees and certificates

• Technical Schools – Associates degrees, technical certificates and technical diplomas

• Apprenticeships – On the job training

• Military/Armed Services – On the job training – Financial assistance for college

• Work Force – On the job training

Thank You &

Good Night

Mr. Keith L. Ball

Etowah High School Principal