Freshman Parent Meeting

Class of 2021August 14, 2017

Etowah High School

•ETOWAH HIGH SCHOOL•Robert Horn, Principal

•PTSA•Ms. Kim Fisher, PTSA President

WELCOME

PrincipalMr. Robert Horn

Assistant PrincipalsMr. Ken Nix (A-C)

Mr. Robert Van Alstyne (D-Hi)Mrs. Lyn Turnell (Hj-Me)Dr. Dan Snipes (Mf-San)

Mrs. Cassandra Mathious (Sao-Z)

Etowah Administration

Etowah Website

Information for Families

• Schedule changes must be made in the first 10 days with the exception of AP courses which will be given 15 days

Policy and Procedure

From the Counseling Office:Ms. Lisa Shull, Counselor

Ms. Whitney Morberg (A-C)

Ms. Taran Smith (D-Hi)

Ms. Lisa Shull (Hj-Me)

Ms. Michele Dowd (Mf-San)

Ms. Kelly Brangan (Sao-Z)

Counseling Front Office:

Ms. Silvia Holmes

Etowah Counseling Staff

Counseling Staff

Taran Smith D-Hi Lisa Shull Hj-Me Whitney Morberg A-C

Counseling Staff

Michele Dowd Mf-San Kelly Brangan Sao-Z

Don’t forget that you have access to your student’s:• Grades • Attendance Teachers contact information Assignments and Due Dates

Problems/Troubleshooting:• Self-serve password reset:

https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com/

• Email: network.login@cherokee.k12.ga.usPlease include:

• Your name • Student’s name• School currently attending

Family Portal

Attendance Policy

• Excuse notes (parent/guardian, doctor, etc.) must be received in the attendance office (front office) within FIVE school days after returning to school.

•Attendance is taken in each class period.

•At 7 or more absences (excused or unexcused) and a passing grade in a single class, an appeal is generated, reviewed by the Attendance Committee and approved by the Principal before credit is awarded.

•Appeals are automatically generated. There is no action on your part, other than encouraging better attendance for your student.

B.A.L.D. Eagle Program• Bring Your Own Learning Device. Each teacher sets

their own threshold for how these devices may be used in the classroom.

• Internet Acceptable Use Policy

• Texting allowed during transitions and lunch

• No phone calls during the Instructional Day from 8:15 AM – 3:15 PM

• No photos or videoing without explicit permission from teacher or administrator

Get Involved!

•Extra-Curricular activities can help your student feel connected to the school and are a factor in the college admissions process.•Clubs

•Sports

•Community Service – not a graduation requirement, but encouraged

Class of 2021

• Classes are divided into two semesters

• 1st Semester August – December

• 2nd Semester 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 2021 Graduates

• 4 Units of English

• 4 Units of Math

• 4 Units of Science (must include Biology and a Physical Science)

• 3 Units of Social Studies (must include World Hist, US Hist, Econ/Govt)

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

• 3 Required Electives (World Languages, Fine Arts and/or Career/Tech classes)

• 4 Miscellaneous Electives

• 23 Total Units

Teachers As Advisors

• TAA gives and additional layer of support to students

• 27 minutes every Monday with advisors

• Students can earn .5 elective credit each academic school year

• Develop strong bonds w/a group of peers and advisors

• Focus• academic• college/career • character education• personal/social

• Goal• Who am I? • Where am I going? • How do I get there?

Subject Units 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

English/Literature 4 9th Lit/Comp (H) 10th Lit/Comp (H)

11th Lit/Comp (H)

or

AP Language/Comp

12th Lit/Comp (H)

or

AP Literature/Comp

Mathematics 4

GSE Algebra I

or

Honors GSE Algebra I

or

Acc. GSE Alg/Geom A

GSE Geometry

or

Acc. GSE Geom B/Algebra II

GSE Algebra II

or

Acc GSE Pre-Cal

4th Mathematics Options Vary

Science 4Biology (H)

or

Earth Systems

Physical Science

or

Biology (H)

or

Chemistry (H)

Chemistry (H)

or

Physics (H)

or

Environmental Science

or

Earth Systems

4th Science Options Vary

(including CTAE options)

Social Studies 3 X World History (H, AP) US History (H, AP)Government (H, AP)

Economics (H, AP)

Health

Pers. Fitness1

Personal Fitness

Health

or

3 JROTC

X X X

Required Electives

(*Foreign Language, Fine

Arts, Career/Tech)

*Required for 4-Yr colleges

3

World Language

Fine Arts

Career/Technical

World Language

Fine Arts

Career/Technical

World Language

Fine Arts

Career/Technical

World Language

Fine Arts

Career/Technical

Misc. Electives

(ex. Academic, PE, CTAE

over 3)

4 Elective Elective Elective Elective

Total Needed 23

World Languages

• 4 year colleges/ universities currently require a minimum of two consecutive years of the same World Language

• Technical Colleges currently do not require a World Language

• World Language options at Etowah High School:

Spanish French

German Chinese

Zero Credit

Credit may NOT be issued if: •A student has 7 or more absences per semester

• Absences are counted in each class period

•A student does not pass the class with a grade of 70 or higher

•A student does not take the required Georgia Milestones – EOC

Promotion to 10th Grade Homeroom•A student must earn at least 5 total units of credit by the end of their freshman year. •Three of these units must be in the following academic areas:

1 unit of English 1 unit of Math1 unit of Science

In high school, students are not “held back”. They continue their academic sequence, but go to a “retained” homeroom.

Recovery Options for Failed Courses

Summer School

• Recover 1 Credit (Maximum)

• Three weeks in June

• 8:00 – 4:30 Monday – Friday

• $200.00 per half credit

Online Options (GAVS, PEP, Credit Connect)

• See counselor for options• Student MUST have

administrative approval before beginning any program

• Cost varies

Retake class during school

• No cost involved

• May delay graduation

Please speak with your counselor

regarding any recovery options!

Georgia Milestones: EOC

Georgia Milestones• GSE Algebra 1

• GSE Geometry

• United States History

• Economics

• Biology

• Physical Science

• 9th Grade Literature

• American Literature

Scoring• The test counts as 20% of the

final grade in the “B” half of the class. An “I” will be given until the test is taken. Passing the test is not required, however passing the class is necessary for graduation.

Dates• December 2017 (Accel Math

students only)

• May 2018

Sample Freshman Transcript

• Each Semester: You OWN it!• Grades are cumulative• Aug-Dec (Semester 1) - posted to your

transcript, ex: 9th Grade Lit/Comp A• Jan-May (Semester 2) posted to your

transcript, ex: would say 9th Grade Lit/Comp B

• Notice that Physical Science has earned a passing grade, but not received credit. Why not? Attendance is taken every period, students must meet grade requirements and attendance requirements.

PSAT• Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at Etowah High School

• All 10th and 11th grade students

• 9th Grade students may opt to take the PSAT for a fee. Students will receive information regarding

registration for the PSAT during TAA and it will also be posted to the EHS web site.

• Tests Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Skills

• Prepares students to take the SAT, shows AP Potential

• In 11th grade, PSAT scores are used to qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship

HOPE and the Zell Miller Scholarship (as it Currently Exists)• HOPE Scholarship:

• 3.0 academic GPA, covers approximately 90% of the previous years tuition rates

• Zell Miller scholarship:• 3.7 academic GPA—covers 100% of current tuition rates• 1200 combined Critical Reading/Math on SAT or 26 Composite on ACT• Rigor requirement (at least 4 classes meeting requirements)

• HOPE GPA is calculated using academic courses only. GPA’s are NOT rounded for HOPE eligibility!

• Official HOPE Information can be found at Gafutures.org • Georgia Student Finance Commission’s official calculations• Social Security numbers are required to be in ASPEN for a student to be HOPE eligible.

• https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/hope-zell-miller-scholarships/hope-scholarship/

www.gafutures.org

Opportunities for RigorAdvanced Placement Courses (AP)

• EHS currently offers 23 AP courses available throughout the 4 years of high school

• Requires the recommendation from previous subject area teacher based on classroom performance

• Student remains on campus with an EHS teacher trained by College Board

Thank you for coming!

Questions?