Welcome to Freshmen Parent Night! Class of 2016

We’re glad you’re here!

Warrior Period 25 minutes 25 minutes Allows for student Allows for student Enrichment Enrichment Remediation Remediation Community Building Community Building Some options offered last year Some options offered last year EOCT test preparation, Foreign Language discussion groups, time to work on assignments, academic study groups and remediation, club meetings/club fair EOCT test preparation, Foreign Language discussion groups, time to work on assignments, academic study groups and remediation, club meetings/club fair

Power School Please update your student’s information, especially parent and emergency contact information, by August 31. Please update your student’s information, especially parent and emergency contact information, by August 31. Make sure you enter the date and click on “submit” at the bottom of the page. Make sure you enter the date and click on “submit” at the bottom of the page. If you have lost your power school information, stop by the front office to request that your password be reset. If you have lost your power school information, stop by the front office to request that your password be reset.

Common Core Revised performance standards in English and math Revised performance standards in English and math Additional literacy component in science, social studies, and CTAE courses Additional literacy component in science, social studies, and CTAE courses Common across 46 states Common across 46 states Rigorous knowledge/skills needed for college and careers Rigorous knowledge/skills needed for college and careers Relevant content and application of knowledge through critical thinking, problem solving, modeling, and higher-order thinking skills Relevant content and application of knowledge through critical thinking, problem solving, modeling, and higher-order thinking skills

The National PTA Guide for Math and English The National PTA Guide for Math and EnglishMathEnglishMathEnglish Georgia Department of Education website Georgia Department of Education website Georgia Department of Education website Georgia Department of Education website Oconee County Schools website Oconee County Schools website Oconee County Schools website Oconee County Schools website Common Core Links

Important Dates Progress Reports – sent out every 4.5 weeks Progress Reports – sent out every 4.5 weeks Report Cards – sent out at the end of each semester Report Cards – sent out at the end of each semester EOCT and Final Exam dates EOCT and Final Exam dates Guidance blog Guidance blog

Graduation Requirements Subject Area # of Units English 4 Lit/Comp units Math 4 units – not including Math Support Courses Science 4 units – 4 th science can be AP or selected CTAE classes Social Studies 4 units Health/PE ½ unit of each

Graduation Requirement, cont. CTAE, Languages, and/or Fine Arts 3 units in any combination Academic Electives 3 additional English, Math, Science, Social Studies or Language units (includes Math Support and Reading and Writing) Electives 5 – can be from any area

HOPE Scholarship Requires a 3.0 GPA or better in academic courses Requires a 3.0 GPA or better in academic courses All academic courses are included All academic courses are included How do I check my student’s HOPE GPA – go to beginning in March How do I check my student’s HOPE GPA – go to beginning in Marchwww.gacollege411.org

Beginning in Fall 2011, HOPE only pays a percentage of the previous year’s standard tuition at public schools Beginning in Fall 2011, HOPE only pays a percentage of the previous year’s standard tuition at public schools The current percentage is 90% The current percentage is 90% The percentage will be set yearly and can change from year to year The percentage will be set yearly and can change from year to year For the class of 2016 students must pass 3 courses deemed rigorous by the state. These will include academic AP courses, analytical algebra or higher math, chemistry, physics, advanced foreign language, and joint enrolled college courses. For the class of 2016 students must pass 3 courses deemed rigorous by the state. These will include academic AP courses, analytical algebra or higher math, chemistry, physics, advanced foreign language, and joint enrolled college courses.

Zell Miller Scholarship Students must meet the requirements of the HOPE scholarship plus the following: Students must meet the requirements of the HOPE scholarship plus the following: Graduate with a 3.7 HOPE GPA or higher Graduate with a 3.7 HOPE GPA or higher Have at least a 1200 on the combined Critical Reading and Math sections of the SAT or 26 on the ACT Have at least a 1200 on the combined Critical Reading and Math sections of the SAT or 26 on the ACTOR Be chosen as the school’s Valedictorian or Salutatorian Be chosen as the school’s Valedictorian or Salutatorian The Zell Miller scholarship pays 100% of current standard tuition or $2,000/semester at eligible private schools The Zell Miller scholarship pays 100% of current standard tuition or $2,000/semester at eligible private schools

EOCT (End of Course Tests) Given in Coordinate Algebra/Acc Coordinate Algebra, Analytical Geometry/Acc Analytical Geometry, 9 Lit/Comp, American Lit Comp, Biology, Physical Science, US History, and Economics Given in Coordinate Algebra/Acc Coordinate Algebra, Analytical Geometry/Acc Analytical Geometry, 9 Lit/Comp, American Lit Comp, Biology, Physical Science, US History, and Economics Replaces the final in these classes Replaces the final in these classes Counts as 20% of the final grade Counts as 20% of the final grade

Extra Help Available at OCHS After school tutoring After school tutoring Warrior Period tutoring Warrior Period tutoring Help from individual teachers Help from individual teachers

How does my student see a counselor? Fill out an appointment form – available in the front office Fill out an appointment form – available in the front office We will see them within 3-5 days We will see them within 3-5 days For emergencies, the receptionist will get them to us For emergencies, the receptionist will get them to us

PSAT What is it? What is it? Practice SAT Practice SAT Uses old SAT questions Uses old SAT questions Why are we giving it? Why are we giving it? Exposes freshman to the SAT early Exposes freshman to the SAT early Data can help identify students who need to be challenged in AP classes Data can help identify students who need to be challenged in AP classes Gives an idea of strengths and weaknesses Gives an idea of strengths and weaknesses Given Wednesday, Oct 17 Given Wednesday, Oct 17

What if my student is struggling? To contact the teacher directly – is best, addresses can be found on Power school or the OCHS homepage To contact the teacher directly – is best, addresses can be found on Power school or the OCHS homepage To set up an appointment with individual or all teachers or your student’s counselor contact the receptionist or the counselor. To set up an appointment with individual or all teachers or your student’s counselor contact the receptionist or the counselor.

Transition to High School Is stressful and exciting at the same time Is stressful and exciting at the same time Begins the process of becoming an adult Begins the process of becoming an adult Peers become increasingly important Peers become increasingly important Students respond best to clear structure while being given the chance to be independent Students respond best to clear structure while being given the chance to be independent

What should parents do? Make them responsible by giving them the tools they need to succeed. (ex. A quiet, organized place to study) Make them responsible by giving them the tools they need to succeed. (ex. A quiet, organized place to study) Help them when they need help, but don’t smother Help them when they need help, but don’t smother Give them increased freedom, but tie it to increased responsibility. Give them increased freedom, but tie it to increased responsibility. Over the next 4 years, work yourself out of a job by becoming head cheerleader. Over the next 4 years, work yourself out of a job by becoming head cheerleader.

Web Safety Know what they are doing Know what they are doing If they have a Facebook or MySpace page, insist that you are a friend or that another trusted adult is If they have a Facebook or MySpace page, insist that you are a friend or that another trusted adult is Remind them that “stranger danger” is the same online Remind them that “stranger danger” is the same online

GA College 411 Students set up accounts at OCMS last year Students set up accounts at OCMS last year State’s one stop shop for all post-secondary education State’s one stop shop for all post-secondary education Has 5 different career inventories Has 5 different career inventories Allows student to build an online resume Allows student to build an online resume Is tied to all Georgia colleges (traditional and technical, public and private) Is tied to all Georgia colleges (traditional and technical, public and private)

Goals of the Freshman Year Join at least one club, team or organization Join at least one club, team or organization Map out a 4 year plan of study Map out a 4 year plan of study Start thinking about life after high school, which option is right for them Start thinking about life after high school, which option is right for them Different kids need different plans Different kids need different plans Create a resume Create a resume

OCHS Guidance News Is a blog and the link is on OCHS webpage Is a blog and the link is on OCHS webpage Directions to subscribe for updates are on your important dates sheet sheet

Thank you for being here!!!