Rising 9 th Grade Information Night

1. Rising 9th GradeInformation Night NORTH PAULDING HIGH SCHOOL January 28, 2019

2. WELCOME TO NORTH PAULDING HIGH Mr. Gabe Carmona, Principal

3. Administrative Staff Mr. Gabe Carmona– Principal Assistant Principals: (Divided By Student’s Last Name) A-D – Mrs. Julie Speeney E-K – Mr. Ben Brooks L-R – Dr. Lorilyn Harrell S-Z – Mr. Roberto Rivera (Athletic Director) Mr. Chris Davies– Scheduling Coordinator Dr. Tracy Sellars– Evaluation & Assessment Coordinator

4. Counseling Staff (Divided By Student’s Last Name) Amanda Summers: A-Ca Priscilla Powers: Ce-Fn Krista Keefe - Fo-J Lindsey Harris - K-M Dr. Raquel Outland - N-Si Tanya Willis - Sj-Z Susan Seagle, Counseling Clerk

5. Welcome to High School The transition to high school can be exciting, a new beginning, and daunting. Our goal at NPHS is to help make this transition as smooth as possible. We hope this meeting, along with our registration appointments and Rising 9th grade web page, will serve to guide you through this exciting time!

6. Earning Your Diploma • To earn a high school diploma, a student must take and pass certain classes. • A year’s worth of content will yield one (1) credit. • You must pass the class to earn the credit. • If you fail a required course, you will have to repeat the class in order to earn the credit. • In GA, students must earn 23 credits to graduate.

7. Georgia’s Graduation Requirements Area of Study: Credits Required English 4 Science 4 Mathematics 4 Social Studies 3 PE/Health* 1 Electives 4 CTAE/World Language/Fine Art 3 Total Units (minimum) 23 *Students who take 3 credits of JROTC Army do not have to take Health and PE

8. Paulding County School District Grading Scale What is the high school grading period? Credit is awarded at the close of each semester with a full credit (1.0). There are very few .5 credit courses, which are paired with another .5 credit course. (Ex: Health/Personal Fitness). What is the grading scale? 90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 = C 00-69 = F (No credit awarded)

9. Your High School Transcript • All of your classes, grades (passing and failing), and credits earned/attempted are recorded on a document called your transcript. • Transcripts are viewed by four-year colleges, two-year colleges, technical colleges, vocational schools, and the military when applying after high school or for dual enrollment. • Transcripts are also requested by other high schools when a student moves, both in and out of state. • ALWAYS REMEMBER: Your grades matter, and your transcript will follow you to any high school in the country, as well as any post-secondary institutions.

10. Credits & Grade Level Students are promoted to the next grade level based on credits earned in the previous year. • Sophomore – 5 credits earned • Junior – 11 credits earned • Senior – 17 credits earned

11. GPA and Class Rank • As part of its tracking of your grades, your transcript also displays your overall GPA, or Grade Point Average. • Your GPA is the average of all of your course grades, both academic and elective. • Honors and Advanced Placement courses provide bonus points to the GPA of students who pass those classes. • Your GPA determines your class rank, which is a measure of how your performance compares to other students in your graduating class.

12. HOPE GPA – It’s Different • Your overall high school GPA is NOT the same GPA that is used to determine your HOPE Scholarship eligibility. • At the end of each semester, PCSD will upload all high school transcripts to the Georgia Student Finance Commission, the group who oversees the HOPE programs. • The GSFC will calculate a separate HOPE GPA for each student. The HOPE GPA is currently determined by the calculation of all academic core courses that the student has taken and completed (grades 9-12). • Both passing and failing grades in the core courses count. Thus, this is a merit based scholarship for eligible students. • Per GSFC guidelines, high school core courses taken in middle school do NOT count as part of your HOPE GPA. • In addition to a GPA requirement to qualify for the HOPE programs, Class of 2023 students must complete four (4) “rigorous” academic courses to qualify for the HOPE Scholarship. • These rigorous courses are not the same thing as Honors or AP courses. They are a variety of academic courses posted on a list set by the GA Student Finance Commission each year. • Rigor course list can be found here: https://www.gafutures.org/media/187520/rigor-course-list-september-2017.pdf

13. How manyclasses will I take each year?

14. Change to 4X4 Block Scheduling • All PCSD high schools use a full 4x4 block schedule (consisting of four 90-minute courses per semester). As a result, students will complete eight (8) courses each year. • Certain subjects will be paired together • English and Science are paired together • Math and Social Studies are paired together • During the fall semester half of our students will be in English and Science while the other half will be in Math and Social Studies. This set-up will ‘flip’ during the spring semester. • Students will not skip more than one semester in a content area (Example: a fall World Language student would continue to be a fall World Language student during the next year) • In addition to your two academic courses, you will have two elective courses (unless you need to make up a previously failed academic class).

15. Block Schedule Example SPRING Semester (Term 3 & 4) FALL Semester (Term 1 & 2)

16. Times to Know • School will start each day at 8:35 AM • The school day ends at 3:25 PM • All five lunches will be held during 3rd Block • Lunch 1 – 11:40 AM-12:04 PM • Lunch 2 – 12:07 PM-12:31 PM • Lunch 3 – 12:34 PM-12:58 PM • Lunch 4 – 1:01 PM-1:25 PM • Lunch 5 – 1:26 PM-1:50 PM • Students do not have the option to choose their lunch time. Lunch times are based on the class they are taking and will be noted on their schedule.

17. Which classes are available for me to take?

18. Course Selections Sheet

19. Academic Courses • As stated earlier, students will take four core academic courses each year (two per semester): • English • Math • Science • Social Studies • These courses are typically available in three formats: on-level, Honors, and Advanced Placement • Students are placed into Honors and AP courses based upon their prior overall grade in those subject (80+) and teacher recommendations.

20. Honors Courses • Honors Courses- Faster paced, more reading, additional assignments, and increased academic responsibility. • Students who take an honors course receive an additional five (5) points on their final grade if they score a 70 or above in the class. • For example: A student takes Honors Biology and earns an 80 in the course. The transcript will reflect a grade of 85. • The HOPE GPA does NOT include the additional five points added when it is calculated.

21. Advanced Placement Courses • AP (Advanced Placement) Courses – Equivalent to taking a college level course. • Students who take an AP course receive an additional ten (10) points on their final grade if they score a 70 or above in the class. • For example: A student takes AP Human Geography and earns an 80 in the course. The transcript will reflect a grade of 90. • The HOPE GPA does NOT include the additional ten points added when it is calculated.

22. Health & Personal Fitness • Georgia requires that all students earn 0.5 credit of Health and 0.5 credit of Personal Fitness • 9th grade students will take both courses in one semester as a block course – nine weeks of Health, nine weeks of Personal Fitness • Students can substitute this requirement by completing three (3) credits of JROTC • Students CANNOT substitute Team Sports, Physical Education, or Weight Training for this course. It Must be Personal Fitness and Health.

23. Elective Courses • In addition to their two academic courses, students will take four elective courses each year (two per semester): • Elective courses are divided into five basic subject areas: • Career/Technical/Agricultural Education (CTAE) • Fine Arts • World Language • Physical Education • Academic electives • Please understand that the State of Georgia requires students to complete a set number of elective credits to graduate from high school.

24. Pathways • Most of our electives are organized by Pathways, which are a sequence of courses in a particular area. • Students are expected to complete one pathway in high school. • Pathway courses must be completed in order. • If a student successfully completes the pathway, he or she will receive a seal on their diploma indicating their pathway completion. • Pathways are available in the following elective areas: • Career/Technical/Agricultural Education (CTAE) • Fine Arts • World Language • Advanced Academics • Currently, a pathway is NOT available in Physical Education. • A Pathway is not required to meet graduation requirements.

25. Pathways Offered at NPHS • Agricultural Science • Architectural Drawing and Design • Audio & Video Technology • Automobile Maintenance/Light Repair • Business Accounting • Business & Technology • Carpentry (Construction) • Culinary Arts • JROTC (Army) • Law Enforcement/Criminal Investigations • Marketing Management • Personal Care (Cosmetology) • Sports & Entertainment Marketing • Teaching as a Profession • Therapeutic Services (Nursing) • Therapeutic Services (Sports Medicine) • Web and Digital Design • Fine Arts • World Language • Advanced Academics

26. Band • Mr. Mike Bearden, our band director, will ultimately determine the band course in which students will be placed (Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced). • During your registration appointment, however, students will register for both Beginning Band I (fall) and Beginning Band II (spring). • If your student is interested in participating in band, please email Mr. Bearden at Mbearden@paulding.k12.ga.us.

27. World Language • Students who successfully complete both 7th & 8th Grade Spanish in middle school will earn Spanish I credit, and they will be placed in Spanish II in 9th grade. • Students who choose Spanish I or French I as one of their elective choices will most likely not receive this until their 10th grade year. Priority for these courses will be given to 12th, 11th, 10th, and then 9th grade students. • Completing a World Language course is not a graduation requirement in the state of Georgia. • That being said, most four-year colleges/universities require students to earn two (2) credit in the same world language in order to qualify for admissions. • The move to a 4X4 block schedule offers greater flexibility in meeting this plan prior to graduation.

28. Dual Enrollment (DE) • Dual enrollment is the option to earn high school credit while attending college and earning credit for college at almost NO COST! Students can participate in MOWR as either part-time or full-time students. • Most of North Paulding’s Dual Enrolled students attend one of the following schools: • Kennesaw State University • GA Highlands College • Chattahoochee Technical College • Students need to research the college they are interested in attending for DE.  Make sure eligibility has been met prior to applying (SAT/ACT test scores and meeting the GPA requirement). • A test score (either the SAT/ACT) is required as part of the application process. • Make sure you are meeting all deadlines for applying to colleges for the MOWR Program (these are specific to each college). • KSU’s deadline for the next year is always in the preceding January. • If you wish to participate at KSU, you have to plan ahead!

29. How can I get involved inhigh school?

30. Clubs, Organizations, & Sports International Thespian Society JROTC Leaders and Academic Team National Art Honor Society National Honor Society National Math Honor Society National Spanish Honor Society Student Government Association (SGA) Skills USA Underwater Robotics Club Yearbook Clubs and Organizations Academic Team Astronomy Club Band Bass Fish Club BETA Club Chess Club Chorus DECA (Marketing) Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Fellow Christian Athletes (FCA) Family Career Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Fly fishing Club Girl-Up HOSA (Future Health Professionals) Sports Baseball Basketball Cheerleading Cross-Country Football Golf JROTC (Raider Team) Lacrosse Soccer Softball Swimming Tennis Track Volleyball Wrestling

31. Sports Eligibility • First semester freshmen are automatically eligible to participate in sports. • Second semester 9th graders must earn at least 2.5 credits during first semester to be eligible to participate in sports. • NPHS Coaches take pride in students who represent the school. They continually monitor each athlete’s behavior, attendance, and grades. • Reach out to the coach or sponsor of the club to receive more information.

32. Other Pointsto Know

33. GA Milestones in High School • The Georgia Milestones are state-mandated and state-created final exams that are administered in eight (8) specific courses. • By law, a student Milestones score must count toward 20% of the student’s final grade in the Milestones course. • The eight Milestones courses include: • Ninth Grade Literature/Composition • American Literature Composition • GSE Algebra I • GSE Geometry • Physical Science • Biology • United States History • Economics.

34. Other Tests in High School Finals – Tests given to students by their course teachers that will count toward 20% of their final grade in each class. Regular finals are administered in all non-EOC courses. PSAT – Georgia pays for this practice SAT is administered to all 10th grade students. It is administered once per year during the fall semester (October). ACT & SAT • Tests used for college admissions • Also used for Dual Enrollment admissions • Unless taken earlier for Dual Enrollment admissions, most students start taking the ACT, SAT, or both during their Junior year of high school.

35. BRIDGE Law & High School • This 2010 state law mandates that certain advisement tasks be completed each year to support all students career planning and decision making during high school, and after graduation. • Counselors work every year with students to complete the tasks pertaining to their grade level and to update their Individual Graduation Plan.

36. BRIDGE Law & High School • All annual tasks are completed online, using either GCIS (for the grade-levels tasks) or Infinite Campus (the four-year plan will be completed using the MYAP tool). • 9th Grade – dual enrollment, review graduation plan, explore 3 careers. • 10th grade – dual Enrollment, review graduation plan, PSAT results, and YouScience results. • 11th grade – dual enrollment, review graduation plan, explore 3 post-secondary options, YouScience. • 12th grade – senior letter, next steps after high school, ongoing support regarding course selection, career planning, and graduation.

37. Attendance • Coming to school is very important. • Missing important instruction can make learning difficult. • Being absent from a block class is equivalent to missing 2 days of a traditional class! • Student responsibility to collect missed assignments/test from teacher.

38. Dress Code • Please refer to the student handbook for dress code information and standards • It is available on the school website • It is distributed each year on the first day of school • NPHS is strict with this policy and does a morning dress code check daily. • Any student who is not within dress code will have a parent called and require a new dress attire or sit in ISS for the remainder of the day.

39. Phones & Electronic Etiquette • Respect the teacher and instruction time - phones cannot be used during class unless it is part of an activity clearly defined by the teacher • Be mindful about what you say/text/post about people and how it can effect everyone involved. • Be mindful about any images or pictures that you share, regardless of the format.

40. Tutoring • Tutoring options are available for every course. Some teachers offer before school tutoring and some offer after school tutoring options. • It’s the students responsibility to ask the teacher about tutoring options, and to let the teacher know when they plan on attending tutoring to make sure the teacher does not have a meeting or other prior engagements. • Students should attend tutoring with a plan! • Tutoring schedules can be found on our counseling website, or by also emailing the teacher.

41. Advisement • At the bottom of each students schedule displays an Advisement period or “ADV.” • Advisement occurs about two times per month. • Students will cover important topics such as graduating class information, testing, study skills, YouScience information, registration for the following year, transcript audits, and much more!

42. Additional Information and Programs

43. What is the Paulding College and Career Academy? • PCCA opens the Fall semester of 2019 • Students who attend PCCA graduate with a high school diploma plus have: • Dual Enrollment Course Opportunities • Work-Based Learning/Apprenticeship Program Courses • Complete a CTAE Pathway and related courses

44. What are the Opportunities at the PCCA? • What are the requirements to participate at PCCA? • Application and requirement information will be finalized during second semester. • If you are interested in any of the Career Pathways offered at PCCA, be sure that your middle school counselor knows about your interest as you finalize your Individual Graduation Plan.

45. What is the Paulding Virtual Academy? • The Paulding Virtual Academy will offer students the opportunity to use teacher supported, technology-based courses to earn new high school credit, recover credit, continue coursework or accelerate their progression through high school and into college level courses. • The application process for Fall 2019-2020 begins April 1st, 2019. • Link: https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/domain/4343 • Parent and Student Handbook Link: https://www.paulding.k12.ga.us/cms/lib/GA01903603/Centricity/Domain/4343/PVA%20Handbook.pdf

46. What if I wanted to take a course Online during high school? • During the months of April – mid-July, there will be a PCSD online registration opportunity for high school courses. • Senate Bill 289 allows districts to provide students in grades 3 through 12 the option of taking an online course should you choose that option. • Counselors have the online course information for high school courses.

47. Dual Enrollment Defined • A process by which high school students take courses from a state public or private postsecondary institution while still enrolled as a high school student and receive credit both at the high school and at the postsecondary institution.

48. Things to consider about being a Dual Enrollment Student…. • Maturity level of the student • Post-secondary plans of the student • Individual career goals and IGP (Individual Graduation Plan) • Necessary tests for admission to the postsecondary institution(s) of choice • Application and acceptance by the post-secondary institution

49. Summit for Dual Enrollment Information for FY18 • EVENT: Dual Enrollment SummitLOCATION: Paulding County High SchoolADDRESS: 1297 Villa Rica Hwy, Dallas 30157DATE: February 28, 2019TIME: 6:00 p.m. • Interested parents and students should always contact the high school counselor.

50. The Next Steps