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Highlands High School Freshman/Sophomore Parent Meeting. September 7, 2010. Continuing the Path of Excellence. ACT group composite increased in every area on the 11th grade assessment 6 Governor’s Scholars 2 potential National Merit Commended (or better) students
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Highlands High SchoolFreshman/SophomoreParent Meeting September 7, 2010
Continuing the Path of Excellence • ACT group composite increased in every area on the 11th grade assessment • 6 Governor’s Scholars • 2 potential National Merit Commended (or better) students • 47.2% graduates with AP credit • 585 AP tests given …15-9th grade credit earners • State Champions in academics, and athletics (We the People, 3rd year in a row HHS Girls’ track and football) • 2 National qualifiers for speech
And Even More… • Most Scholastic Writing Awards in Region-2 representing HHS in New York • Over 200 scholarships awarded to students • Juniors 3rd in state for ACT • Highest KCCT scores in Northern Kentucky (3rd in state) • Freshmen Mentor program • Over 780 AP enrollments • Newsweek 367th in Nation • Robotics Team Engineering Award • 14 Cappie Nominations-most in school history • One of 7 Kentucky Schools U.S. News Silver Award • Forbes Magazine top 25 in Nation • One of Cincinnati Magazine’s 30 Best
Making High School Count What should you expect in high school? • More courses to choose from • New teachers and classmates • More extracurricular activities • More independence and more RESPONSIBILITY • Greater emphasis on academic achievement • More social events • Greater consequences for failing classes • Greater need for time management and organization
Understanding the Academic Record Graduation Requirements Class of 2012 and beyond • English – 4 credits • Mathematics – 4 credits • Science – 3 credits • Social Studies – 3 credits • History & Appreciation of the Visual & Performing Arts – 1 credit • Health – ½ credit & Phys. Ed. – ½ credit • Electives – 6 credits 22 CREDITS FOR GRADUATION
Understanding the Academic Record Class Status • Freshman Sophomore = 5 credits • Sophomore Junior = 10 credits • Junior Senior = 16 credits • Senior Graduation = 22 credits
Understanding the Academic Record GPA (Grade Point Average) & Class Rank • GPA & Ranking starts on Day 1 • Don’t wait until Spring of Junior Year to “care” about GPA & Rank • Highlands uses a 4.0 scale • Advanced & AP Classes are Weighted
Understanding the Academic Record Highlands High School Transcript All colleges, scholarships, the military, and many employers will see this “paper you.”
Curriculum & Diplomas • Pre-College Curriculum • Graduation Requirements • PLUS Two (2) Years of SAME Foreign Language • Commonwealth Diploma • Pre-College Curriculum • PLUS Four (4) AP Courses (English, Science, World Language, and Elective) • Advanced Curriculum Diploma • Pre-College Curriculum • Ten (10) or more courses must be Advanced Level or AP • Two (2) courses must be AP • Minimum GPA of 3.75 • Major of Intensive Study • Pre-College Curriculum • Four (4) courses in specific field with “B” or better grade • Take “Senior Seminar” during Senior Year
Vocational Programs • McCormick Area Technology Center • Grades 11 & 12 Only • Need to know early if desired • Sign up during scheduling of junior year courses • 3 courses at Highlands / 3 courses at McCormick • MUST take Humanities as Freshman or Sophomore • MUST be diligent about passing courses • Areas of Study: • Auto Body Repair • Automotive Technology • Carpentry • Computer Aided Drafting • Electrical Technology • Health Sciences • Information Technology • Masonry • Welding
Know Your School • School Calendar • Page 1 of student agenda/handbook • Always available at http://www.fortthomas.kyschools.us/ • Attendance/Tardy Policies • Page 33 of student agenda/handbook • Code of Conduct/School Rules • Page 36 of student agenda/handbook • Cell Phone Policy
Know Your School • Eligibility • Page 58 of student agenda/handbook • Cannot be failing more than one class! • Checked WEEKLY! • Eligibility includes participation in ANY extracurricular activity. Including but not limited to: Sports, Clubs, Fine Arts Productions, AND Dances/Dance Related Activities. • Letters sent home every other week.
Be in School EVERY Day Good attendance will not guarantee you good grades. Poor attendance will, however, pretty much guarantee you poor grades. MAKE-UP WORK “I wasn’t here,” is not an excuse to miss homework and assignments. It is the responsibility of the student to use all of their resources to gain access to missed work. Students should have the phone number/email address of at least one other student in each of their classes to ask about assignments missed or questions regarding completion of assignments. Students should check teacher websites or email the teacher for assignments. Students should also know the policy that each of their teachers have about how long they have to make up the work. Page 35 of student agenda/handbook
Know How to Get Good Grades • Be Organized • Use agenda/planner • Folders/Notebooks for each class • Keep Backpack/Locker Neat • Organize the night before • Manage Time Well • Create a study plan • Break large assignments into smaller parts • This is always a work in progress • Be Successful in the Classroom • Learn to adapt to each teacher’s expectations • Learn all rules and procedures • Be on time • Have everything you need • Participate in class • Treat other (teachers, students, property) with respect
Know How to Get Good Grades • Take Good Notes • Be an active listener • Neat and Easy to read notes • Get copies if absent • Know How to Read a Textbook • Scan to get an overview • Read the assignment • Review what has been read • Study Smart • Find a good place to study • Organize study time • Allow more time for homework than you think you will need • Use tricks and tips to memorize things • Use Test-Taking Strategies • Have everything you need for the test • Before starting, look over the test • Mark question to return to • Check answers • Use all time available
Grading Policies • All questions about grades should be directed to the teacher • Grading Policy – Must pass 2nd semester to pass the year • Exam Policy - Page 15 • 95 or higher (90 in math) during 2nd semester and 85 or higher 1st semester • 6 or fewer absences • More details in agenda/handbook pg. 14 • Summer School Policy – Must have achieved minimum 60% (50% in math) to eligible for summer school classes – Page 21
Set Goals • Work with your student on setting realistic yet challenging goals • SHORT-TERM GOALS • Get a “B” on tomorrow’s Algebra I test • LONG-TERM GOALS • Graduate with a 3.0 GPA To be a GOOD GOAL :1.) SPECIFIC 2.) MEASURABLE 3.) ATTAINABLE
Get Involved • High school is what YOU put into it • Make High School Count • School Activities (sports, organizations, clubs) • Community Activities • Community Service (at HHS or “out in the world”) • Benefits • Spend time with friends/make new ones • Enjoy school more • Become a leader • Provide a valuable service • Try something new • Relieve stress • Great for college/scholarship/job applications • Develop a variety of skills and talents • Have fun!
Parents & Highlands Staff “The Helpers” As adults we have the privilege of shaping our student’s futures. How can we do this successfully? • Good Decisions & Choices • How to Handle Stress • Use Available Services • Plan & Prepare for the Future
Academic Support • Where can your student turn when they are having academic issues? • 1st stop should ALWAYS be the teacher of the class! • National Honor Society Tutors • Ask a previous teacher or teacher you have a good rapport with • Ask parents/siblings for help • Academic Saturday School
PLAN Testing • PLAN Test • Pre-ACT test (college admission & state test) • All 9th & 10th graders • Academic Section & Career/Goal Oriented Section • Areas include: English, math, reading, and science reasoning • No additional fee for this test • September 15th during school day
PSAT Testing • PSAT Test • Pre-SAT test (college admission test) • All 10th graders (already paid for in regular school fees) • 9th graders optional ($13.00) – By Sept. 17 in Guidance Office (checks to Highlands High School) • National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) • Areas include: five section • Two 25-minute critical reading sections • Two 25-minute math sections • One 30-minute writing skills section • The whole test requires two hours and 10 minutes. • October 13th during school day
Yearly Testing Overview • 9th Grade • PLAN – September 15 • PSAT (Optional) – October 13 • 10th Grade • PLAN – September 15 • PSAT – October 13 • C.A.T.S. – Late April (Just Reading Section)
College Planning • Northern Kentucky Regional College Fair • Tuesday, September 216:00pm – 8:00pmNorthern Kentucky University • National College Fair • Sunday, October 3 1:00pm – 4:00pmThe Duke Energy Center • Performing & Visual Arts College Fair • Tuesday, October 127:00p.m.-9:00p.m. University of CincinnatiTangeman University Center • Websites
Opportunities • Academic/Essay Competitions • Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program • 10th Graders • Use the internet to look for scholarship programs (even as a 9th or 10th grader there are scholarships out there)
The Student Athlete • During High School… stay eligible! • After High School … NCAA (for Div. I & II schools) • Reference Sheet Given • Apply to the NCAA Eligibility Center FALL of Senior Year • www.ncaa.org • Eligibility is determined on a “sliding scale” • Lower GPA Higher ACT/SAT score
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship Program • Earn money for Kentucky Colleges/Universities • Any 2 year or 4 year college, community college or technical school • Scholarships from $125 to $500 • Based on Student Grade Point Average • 2.5 Minimum in high school • Minimum GPA must be maintained in college • 2.75 freshman year • 3.0 sophomore - graduation • One time best ACT/SAT “Bonus” • ACT – 15 SAT – 710 • Each high school year is figured separately • 5 years to use 4 year’s worth of money • www.kheaa.com to check status • Only AP classes are weighted not Advanced • Updated at the end of each school year
The Internet is Your Friend • Guidance Website on Fort Thomas Schools Page • http://www.fortthomas.kyschools.us/ • Formerly PrepHQ… Now Connect!
Respect to show honor or esteem for; hold in high regard to show consideration for; avoid intruding upon or interfering with to respect others' privacy • Respect for Self: Appearance, Conduct, Language, Work Ethic • Respect for Others: Peers, Teachers, Administrators, Support Staff • Respect for Property: Desks, lockers, bathrooms, classrooms whether old or new • Respect for Learning: On task, demonstrating academic honesty, focused environment Respect is a two way street. To gain respect, you must give it!Do unto others as you would have done unto you.
Upcoming Events Calendar • September 15 – PLAN Test • September 16 – Open House • September 17 – PSAT registration deadline (freshmen only) • September 20 – Progress Reports • October 1 – Fall Awards Program (9:00am) • October 7 & 8 – NO SCHOOL (Professional Development) • October 13 – PSAT • October 15 – End of 1st Quarter • October 22 – Report Cards Sent Home
Contact Information • Trinity Walsh • 9th & 10th Grade • Trinity.Walsh@fortthomas.kyschools.us • 859.815.2605 • Ann Meyer • 11th & 12th Grade • Ann.Meyer@fortthomas.kyschools.us • 859.815.2604 • Janine Sharp • Guidance Secretary • Janine.Sharp@fortthomas.kyschools.us • 859.815.2606