Sophomore Parent Meeting Class of 2016

Sophomore Parent Meeting Class of 2016 August 26, 2013 Etowah High School

WELCOME Mr. Dan Snipes Assistant Principal CTAE Director 10th Grade Administrator (N-S)

Etowah High School Administration Principal: Mr. Keith L. Ball Assistant Principals: Mr. Bob VanAlstyne (A-C) Ms. Tonya Sebring (D-H) Ms. Penny Valle (I-M) Mr. Dan Snipes (N-S) Dr. Amanda Ruiz (T-Z)

Etowah High School Counseling Staff • Ms. Jessica Whitley (A-C) 11th grade activities • Ms. Amanda Findlay(D-H)12thgrade activities • Ms. Lisa Shull (I-M) 9th grade activities • Ms. Amy Hinsley (N-S) 10thgrade activities • Ms. Kelly Brangan (T-Z) Lead Counselor/Testing Counseling Front Office: Ms. Jan Hildebrandt Ms. Cindy Umberger Registrar: Ms. Dana Dotson

Helpful Information and Contact List ETOWAH HIGH SCHOOL: Front Office 770.926.4411 Front Office Fax 770.926.4157 Counseling Office 770.926.1109 Counseling Office Fax 770.926.0539

Etowah Website

Etowah High School PTSA President: Ms. Cathy Wallner

B.A.L.D. Eagle Program Ms. Penny Valle Assistant Principal

Attendance Policy • Excuse notes (parent/guardian, doctor, etc.) will not be accepted unless received in the attendance office within FIVE school days after returning to school • At 7 or more absences and a passing grade, an appeal is generated, reviewed by the Attendance Committee and approved by the principal before credit is awarded • Appeals are automatically generated by the attendance office • Excused, unexcused and out-of-school suspension absences are considered PLEASE NOTE: The State of Georgia will revoke the driver’s license of any student under the age of 18 with 10 or more unexcused absences

From the Counseling Office Ms. Amy Hinsley 10th Grade Counselor

Class of 2016 • Classes are divided into two semesters • 1stSemester (August – December) • 2ndSemester (January – May) • A student will take 6 classes each semester • Each semester course is worth .5 units of credit per class • Credit is issued at the end of each semester (December & May) • Students must earn 23 units to graduate

Requirements for 2016 Graduates Core Course Requirements Elective Requirements 1 Unit of Health (.5) and Personal Fitness (.5) 3 Units of required electives (Foreign Language (Spanish, French, German or Chinese), Fine Arts and/or Career/Technical) 4 Units of miscellaneous electives TAA provides potential .5 credit Pass or Fail grade • 4 Units of English • Must include 9th Lit, Amer. Lit • 4 Units of Math • 4 Units of Science • Must include Biology and Physical Science OR Physics • 3 Units of Social Studies • World History, U.S. History, Gov’t/Econ 23 total units are required for graduation

Beyond 2016 • 4 year colleges will require a minimum of two years of the same foreign language • Technical Colleges will not require a foreign language

Zero Credit Credit will NOT be issued if: • A student has 7 or more absences per semester • Absences are counted in each class separately • A student does not pass the class with a grade of 70 or higher • A student does not take the required End of Course Test

To Be Placed in an 11th Grade Homeroom (Fall 2014) • A student must earn at least 11 total units of credit by the end of their sophomore year • These units MUST include: • 2 units of English • 2 units of Math • 1 unit of Science • If your student is retained in a 10th grade homeroom, they will not have access to a parking pass

Credit Recovery Options • 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 by counselor/administrator • Cost can vary • Retake class during school day • No cost involved • May delay graduation Credit Connect • APEX computer based program • Rolling enrollment • 7:00-8:00am or 3:30-5:30pm M-Th @ Etowah High School • $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 or full- time enrollment at PEP

Family Portal • Provides Real-Time Access to: • Grades • Attendance • Student Schedule • For information/troubleshooting E-mail: • parent.support@cherokee.k12.ga.us • Automatically created from your school contact records • Subject line type: Request login information for family portal • Your email must include: your name, student’s name and the school currently attending • We must have an accurate and updated email address

Housekeeping • Review your student’s transcript to be sure it is up to date (are summer school & online credits posted?) • Unofficial transcripts were given during the student’s first TAA meeting. • Verify that your student’s social security number is correct (timely processing of HOPE) • Verify contact information • Mailing address • Phone numbers • E-mail address

2016 Cohort EOCT Information • These rules apply to 10th grade students (those who entered 9thgrade for the first time during the 2012-13 school year) • An EOCT counts for 20% of the FINAL COURSE GRADE in all eight EOCT courses. • Passing the EOCT is not required to graduate. However, passing the required course is necessary for graduation.

End of Course Tests

Georgia High School Graduation Test vs. Georgia High School Writing Test • Students who enter 9th grade in 2011 – 2012 and beyond are no longer required take and pass, the Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT). • Students who entered 9th grade in 2011 – 2012 and beyond are required to take and pass the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT). • Students will take the GHSWT in their junior year.

PSAT • Wednesday October 16, 2013 at Etowah • All 10th and 11th grade students • No charge to take the PSAT • Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Skills • Prepares students to take the SAT • In 11th grade, PSAT scores are used to qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship

HOPE Requirements • The Georgia Student Finance Commission is responsible for calculating the final HOPE average after graduation • www.gacollege411.org • Information regarding HOPE Scholarships can be found at: http://www.gacollege411.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/HOPE_Program/Georgia_s_HOPE_Scholarship_Program_Overview.aspx

HOPE and the Zell Miller Scholarship (as it Currently Exists) • HOPE Scholarship: • 3.0 academic GPA, covers approximately 90% of the previous years tuition • Zell Miller scholarship: • 3.7 academic GPA—covers 100% of current tuition rates • GPA’s are NOT rounded for HOPE eligibility! • Track your student’s HOPE GPA throughout high school using www.GAcollege411.org (Georgia Student Finance Commission) • The most current information about changes to HOPE can be found at: http://www.gacollege411.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/HOPE_ Program/Georgia_s_HOPE_Scholarship_Program_Overview.aspx

www.gacollege411.org http://gacollege411.org/

Governor’s Honors Program (GHP) • Free summer program held on campus at Valdosta State University • Four-Week Program • June and July • 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

Get Involved • Extra-Curricular activities can help your student feel connected to the school, and are a factor in the college admissions process. • Clubs (we currently have 43 clubs) • Sports • Community Service Opportunities

Teachers As Advisors (TAA) • TAA gives an additional layer of support to students • This course is now for credit with a pass/fail grade • Develop strong bonds w/a group of peers and advisors • Focus • academic • career • character education • personal/social • Goal • Who am I? • Where am I going? • How am I going to get there?

Thank You! Mr. Keith L. Ball Principal

Sophomore Parent Meeting Class of 2016