Foothill Technology High School

1. Foothill Technology High School 2005 California Distinguished School 2006 National Blue Ribbon School 2005 – 2012 Top 20 Ranked School in California 2010 – 2012 AVID National Demonstration School 2012 – U.S News and World Report – Top 2% “Best Schools in America”

2. The research is in, and it is clear. Study after study has shown that the involvement of parents and families in the schooling of their children makes a significant difference. Regardless of income and background, students with parents who are involved in their academic careers are more likely to earn high grades and test scores, enroll in higher level programs, and be promoted. These students attend school regularly, show improved behavior, adapt well to school, and have better social skills. The findings hold true across all segments of society – poor, minority, and middle class. All students do better when their parents are involved in their school lives. “Parent and community involvement that is linked to student learning has a greater effect on achievement than more general forms of involvement”.

3. - Welcome & Introductions-Essentials-Tips for Success-FIRE Advisory-AVID—College Readiness-Student Support-School Policies-Technology -PE Options-Community Service-Ways to Support FTHS New Parent Night Agenda

4. The Essentials Getting Your Child To School • VHS & BHS bus routes • Drop Off/Pick Up • Tardy Policy School Supplies • Agenda available at student store $5 • Wait for syllabus Textbooks • Home set, class set Office • Sign in when student tardy & anytime visiting campus • Sign out when leaving • Office staff will not interrupt classes to deliver lunches, forgotten HW, etc.

5. Tips for Success • Check grades early and often in Zangle • Communicate with faculty about your students social / • emotional needs • Encourage your student to use their agenda • Encourage your student to get involved • Opportunities include: over 30 clubs, ASB, Journalism, Speech & Debate, FIRE leader, etc. • Get involved!

6. F.I.R.E. • FIRE is an advisory/academic intervention for all 9th graders • 11:21-11:51 every Tuesday-Thursday year long • Junior/Senior Mentors will lead the advisory under the supervision of a teacher • In FIRE, students will: • Receive academic support based on assessment data • Obtain help from a teacher in a specific class • Develop high school socialization skills • Receive study skill/organization support • Work on homework / projects • Learn AVID strategies

7. College Culture We believe • All graduates should be eligible and prepared to enter a four-year college upon graduation from FTHS (A – G ready) • College Ready – Work Ready • All students should participate in rigorous courses AVID • School wide strategies & activities • Support Team including Administration, Counselors,Career Center, Coordinator, Elective Teachers & Site Team • Elective Classes (9th – 12th)

8. College Readiness 9th Grade : • Four year plan in Health Class & EDA (September) • Practice PLAN (November – limited spaces) • Career exploration in Media Center & EDA • Begin building a resume 10th Grade: • 10th Grade Counseling Sessions (October) • Transcript Review • Practice PSAT (October – limited spaces), PLAN (November) • Sophomore Parent Night (October) • College/Career exploration

9. 11th Grade: • PSAT (October) • Junior Parent Night (January) • Job Shadows & college/career exploration • SAT prep course (recommended for some students) • SAT and ACT tests (Spring) • AP Testing (Spring) • Personal statements for college applications 12th Grade: • SAT/ACT testing (Fall) • Personal Statement support and feedback (Fall) • College Application workshops (October) • Scholarship workshops • Senior Parent Night (October) • Financial Aid Night (January) • AP Testing (Spring)

10. Student Support Counselors: Mr. Boyd – Last Names A – Gh, ext. 1011 Ms. Freeman – Last Names Gi – O, ext. 1013 Mrs. Vega – Last Names P – Z, ext. 1014 Your counselors assist all students with their academic and social / emotional needs. Media Center Specialist: Mrs. Kapala, ext. 1008 College and scholarship coordinator as well as the community service coordinator. Mrs. Kapala works closely with students on career and college planning. Registrar Ms. Nordin, ext. 1005 Ms. Nordin is the point person for official transcripts, VC transcripts, Cal Grant Submissions, and multi-site enrollment forms.

11. School Policies • Discipline • Review discipline policy in student agenda to ensure understanding of school and district rules • Dress Code • Clothing shall be void of any illegal substances, sexual, profane, gang-related, or offensive attributes • Clothes shall conceal undergarments. See-through, fish-net, off the shoulder, halter tops, bare mid-riffs, and skirts above the thigh are prohibited (skirts and shorts should reach the bottom of their finger tips with hands at their sides). • Attendance • Absence and Tardy Policy

12. New website! www.foothilltechnology.org

13. Sign up for email newsletter on the new website:www.foothilltechnology.org • Email newsletter • starting this year. • Sign up here.

14. Find teacher webpages on the new website: www.foothilltechnology.org • Every teacher has a landing page including: • Contact information • Homework / Classwork • Syllabus • Class resources

15. Check grades & attendance on Parent Connection • Zangle has become Q-Connect • Middle school log-ins work at FTHS • Parents may request their password in the front office at any time • Passwords ARE case sensitive • Parents can view: • Attendance • Assignment scores • Quarterly and progress report grades • Student transcripts • Student test scores

16. Parent Connect:http://zwc.ventura.k12.ca.us/parentportal/ How it used to look… How it looks now…

17. Parent Connect:http://zwc.ventura.k12.ca.us/parentportal/

18. Parent Connect:http://zwc.ventura.k12.ca.us/parentportal/

19. Student online newspaper: www.foothilldragonpress.org Photos Videos Articles

20. Twitter Follow us @FoothillTech …to get reminders and links to updates on our website.

21. Physical Education -On campus cross training -On campus dance -Mavericks -YMCA -Independent Study -Athletics at boundary high school

22. Supervised/Independent Study Physical Education • Supervised P.E. students enrolled in the YMCA/Mavericks classes will • be provided transportation. • Please encourage your student to put forth their maximum effort • It is critical that Independent P.E. students turn in contracts & hours • monthly • Athletics • Athletes are released for sports at 1:55pm each day • Transportation is provided • Please contact your boundary high school directly for try-out • information – Athletic Directors: BHS – Craig Williams VHS – Dave • Hess • Parents of athletes – please stay for a brief meeting immediately • following this presentation.

23. Community Service • All students must complete 75 hours of community service as a graduation requirement • Recommended 20 hours each of the first three years and 15 during senior year • All hours must be pre-approved (Mrs. Kapala) • Comprehensive list of pre-approved organizations on website (www.foothilltech.org)

24. Ways to Support FTHS • Join PFSO • Volunteer at school • Chaperone an activity or dance • Technology fund • Select FTHS at participating stores (Target, Office Supply, etc.) • Escrip (www.escrip.com) or Upromise (www.upromise.com) • Turn in your Vons 10% Back To Schools coupon to the office • Sign up for your employer’s matching funds program • Donate to Renaissance or AVID

25. This presentation is available on our new website: www.foothilltechnology.org