1. FRESHMAN PARENT NIGHT March 29, 2017

2. GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Personal Growth Correlates with Academic Growth and Success
DISCIPLINED/
PREPARATION
BE RESPONSIBLE
Be on time everyday
Attend every class
Do all assigned work
Always study and prepare
Focus on factors you can control
Avoid excuses
Hold yourself accountable
Set Goals and Objectives
Meet all deadlines
Make sound choices;
Seek to challenge yourself
Avoid procrastination, complacency, and laziness
Be active and involved
Ask for help when needed
Take your JOB serious!
TASK ORIENTED/
FOCUSED
ORGANIZATION/
STRUCTURED
HARD WORKING/
PERSERVERENCE

3. DEFINE YOUR ACADEMIC/PERSONAL OBJECTIVES
YOUR academic objectives in your approach to school SHOULD consist of:
** Develop and maintain a disciplined homework/review/study schedule
** Continuously seek to grow as a student through :
Improved Work Ethic
Increased Effort
Attention to Detail
YOUR personal objective, as related to both academic and personal growth, must focus on the following while in your high school years:
** Become Increasingly More RESPONSIBLE
** Learn to ADVOCATE for yourself
** Learn how to MANAGE and overcome difficult situations
** Develop a sense of ACCOUNTABILITY for both the good and bad

4. ACADEMICS//RESPONSIBILITY
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
To be an ACTIVE and KNOWLEGEBLE participant in your education
Personally know and be familiar with ALL graduation Requirements
Work to your full potential, achieve success at the highest level, and challenge yourself with the best classes from Beginning to End of High School Career
Be you own biggest advocate; know when to ask questions or seek assistance

5. SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENTS FOR ALL ENGLISH CLASSES
Will be posted on school website under announcements
PINELLAS VIRTUAL SCHOOL ONLINE HOPE CLASS SUMMER 2017
Counts for online course graduation requirements
Can register now!:
Go to
Scroll down under announcements where it says HOPE
Click here to register (it says starting May 8 but accepting registration now)

6. GRADING SYSTEM QUESTION ANSWER What do I earn for passing a class?
.5 credit per semester
Credit earned in any class you receive a “D” or higher as your final grade (per semester)
How many credits can I earn in one year of high school?
credits are possible per semester =
credits per year (if all classes passed )
How are final grades calculated?
1st GP + 2nd GP + Exam = Final
Two grading periods per semester plus a final exam (if not exempted) are averaged together to calculate final semester grade
What is the Exemption Policy?
Is Attendance and Grade driven
See School Website for Criteria

7. STATE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS
End of Course Exams (EOCs)
Algebra 1 – must pass and 30% of grade
PERT test can also be taken – score of Geometry – must take but not pass, 30% of grade
Algebra 2(if enrolled) – must take but not pass,
30% of grade.
Biology - must take but not pass, 30% of grade
US History – must take but not pass, 30% of grade
FSA Grade 10(or ACT/SAT concordant score)

8. ELA/END OF COURSE ASSESSMENTS
STUDENTS NEED TO BE AWARE THAT THESE TESTS ARE TIED TO STATE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND ARE NECESSARY TO PASS IN ORDER TO EARN HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA
NOTE:
YOU WILL BE PLACED IN A STATE MANDATED ELECTIVE COURSE FOR SUPPORT IF YOU DO POORLY OR IF YOU FAIL TO TAKE THE TEST AT ALL.

9. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
4 Credits English Language Arts (ELA)
4 Credits Mathematics
One of which must be Algebra 1
One of which must be Geometry
3 Credits Science
One of which must be Biology
Two must be equally rigorous
3 Credits Social Studies
.5 credit American Government
1 credit World History
1. credit US History
.5 credit Economics

10. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS CONTINUED
1 Credit Performing Fine Arts
1 Credit of HOPE
1 Online course
8 Elective courses
24 credits
GPA = 2.0 or higher
Pass state assessment tests

11. Meet the standard Diploma requirements Scholar DIPLOMA
DIPLOMA DESIGNATIONS
MERIT DIPLOMA
Meet the standard Diploma requirements
Attain one or more industry certifications
Scholar DIPLOMA
Pass all state assessments and EOCs
2 credits of a Foreign Language
At least one credit in an AP or Dual Enrollment class
1 credit Alg. 2
1 credit in Chemistry or Physics
1 credit in equally rigorous to Chemistry or Physics
1 credit in Statistics or an equally rigorous course

12. Attendance Policy In order to be marked as EXCUSED -- you must submit:
NOTE
PHONE CALL
must be submitted to grade level secretary
ASK For 9th Grade Clerk
(727) x2036
Medical program Mrs. Spicciati x2087
IB Mrs. Calabrese x2086

13. SEMESTER EXAMS
1st Semester exams occur the last four days before Christmas break.
2nd Semester exam occur the last four days of school.
This current year, exams will be May 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th.
Please plan accordingly
Exam Exemptions
Have 4 or less absences, excused or unexcused.
Must have a “A” or “B” in the class for both 9 week grading periods.
Exemption forms are given out a couple of weeks before exams start.

14. HIGH SCHOOL TIPS Always check the school website to stay informed.
Be familiar with the Pinellas County Handbook Code of Conduct
Who to contact if you encounter any problems while at school
Requirements so not to be retained
Procedure to follow if you need a schedule change at the beginning of the school year..
First 2 weeks
Fill out form for schedule change
Turn into grade level secretary
Counselor will call you down
Must be a viable reason

15. SUMMER BRIDGE Sign up at www.pcsb.org/summerbridge
ELP
Credit Recovery/Grade Forgiveness
Starts on Tuesday, May 30th, Monday – Thursday, 8:30
Sign up at
Algebra. 1 EOC Prep Program
Students who have not met the Alg. 1 EOC graduation requirement
June 6th – July 13th No classes on July 3rd and 4th.
Time is 8:00am – 12:00pm, Monday – Thursday.
Alg. 1 EOC administered to the students at the end of the course.
Algebra 1 Jumpstart
Help current 8th graders to prepare and be successful in Algebra 1.
Dates and times are the same as above.

16. FACT: It is not easy to simply raise a low GPA
MYTH vs. FACT
As long as I just get by with doing as little as possible and pass all my
classes with a “D,” I will be able to fulfill all my requirements to graduate MYTH
FACT: It is not easy to simply raise a low GPA
SEE FOLLOWING SLIDE
Notice how difficult it is for student to improve GPA.
This example is to illustrate how difficult it is, even for a relatively decent student who earns just one “D”, to get cumulative GPA above 3.0.

17. 4 YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL PROGRESSION IT IS NOT EASY TO RAISE YOUR GPA
9th GRADE
English A
Math B
Science C
AmGvt B
For. Lang D
Elective B
GPA- 1st semester= 2.67
GPA- 2nd semester =2.67
CUM GPA= 2.67
11th GRADE
English B
Science B
AmHist B
Art B
Elective A
GPA- 1st semester=3.16
GPA- 2nd semester=3.16
CUM GPA=2.94
10th GRADE
English A
WHist B
For. Lang C
HOPE B
GPA – 1stsemester= GPA – 2nd semester=3.0
CUM GPA=2.83
12th GRADE
Economics A
GPA- 1st semester=3.67
GPA- 2nd semester=3.67
CUM GPA=3.12

18. COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY CRITERIA
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS Seeking Well-Rounded Student w/Major Emphasis on the “Big Three”
THE BIG THREE
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
HIGH SCHOOL GPA
HIGH GPA
RIGOR OF CURRICULUM
HIGH SAT/ACT SCORES
MATH (Algebra II)*
FOREIGN LANG (2 Years)*
* Minimum Requirements
ALL State Universities
3.0 High School GPA or above of all incoming Freshman College Students
Grades earned in 9th grade are vitally important in earning a competitive GPA (3.2 on low end of competitive.

19. Earn college credits for free!
EARLY COLLEGE
Earn college credits for free!
A unique partnership between St. Petersburg College and Pinellas County Schools
The Early College Program offers college credit hours as well as high school credit at no cost to highly motivated students in grade 11. Earn as many as 60+ credits towards a 4-year bachelor's degree through participation in the Early College Program.
Who is eligible?
Students entering grade 11 
What's required?
A 3.0 unweighted cumulative GPA or higher.
Satisfactory scores on the College Placement Test (CPT/PERT) or SAT/ACT.

20. EARLY ADMISSIONS Who’s eligible?
Start college early - for early college admission to qualified high school students in Pinellas County at no charge! This program free!
St. Petersburg College offers gives students credit toward a high school diploma and a college degree.
Earn as many as 30+ credits towards a 4-year bachelor's degree through participation in the Early Admission Program.
Who’s eligible?
Pinellas County students who have completed three years of high school with a minimum of 18 credits earned and who have achieved an acceptable score for college-level courses on the SAT, ACT, FCAT or SPC College Placement Test (including math). There is no cost for application, tuition or textbooks.
What’s required to enroll?
Student must:
See their guidance counselor to verify that they are eligible.
Spend their senior year as a full-time SPC student.
Have at least an unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) for all high school work attempted.

21. PSAT
On average, students who take the PSAT/NMSQT score 145 points higher on the SAT than those who don’t.
The PSAT/NMSQT provides tools to help improve skills before you take the SAT.
provides personalized feedback on student’s academic strengths and the areas that need improvement
gives you the tools you need to improve your skills and get ready for the SAT®

22. BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE EDUCATED YOURSELF ON ALL CRITERIA AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
IT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU VISIT BRIGHT FUTURES OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO REVIEW THIS PROGRAM’S STATE REQUIREMENT GUIDELINES
We also have information on our school website including the volunteer paperwork

23. BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP
ACADEMIC
MEDALLION
GOLD SEAL
3.5
3.0
3.0/3.5
SAT: 1290
ACT: 29
SAT: 1170
ACT: 26
SAT: 440CR, 440M
ACT: 17E, 18R, 19M
OTHER: PERT
100 Hours/Comm Service
75 Hours/Comm Service
30 Hours/Comm Service/ 3 classes tech program
SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS MUST BE PRE-APPROVED BY SCHOOL COUNSELOR PRIOR TO VOLUNTEERING OR EARNING HOURS TOWARDS BRIGHT FUTURES REQUIREMENTS
SEE WEBSITE
FOR MORE INFO:

24. SCHOOL CONTACTS ADMINISTRATORS
9th grade A-L: Mrs. Barker and all IB students
x2015
9th grade M-Z: Ms. Dupee and all Medical students
x2014
SCHOOL COUNSELORS
9th grade A – C : Mr. Madej
x2063
9th grade D – M: Mr. Papp
x2061
9th grade N – Z : Mrs. Miller
x2062

25. SCHOOL CONTACTS CONTINUED
All IB students: Mrs. Shephard-Thompson
x 2064
All Medical students: Mrs. Banks
x2060
SECRETARIES
9th Grade University: Mrs. Eberts
x2036
10th Grade University: Ms. LaChance
x2037
Medical: Mrs. Spicciati
x2087
IB: Mrs. Calabrese
x2086

26. RESOURCES Homework Hotline 727-547-7223 727-442-3226
Khan Academy(online video tutorials)
BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLORSHIPS
volunteer hours – see your school counselor
FINANCIAL AID
PALM HARBOR UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITE

27. RESOURCES Text @classof30 to 81010
Sign up for Freshman Class Remind101(University and Medical)
to 81010
Or to
Or sign up for notifications by going to rmd.at/classof30
Sign up for Freshman class Remind for IB
to 81010
Or to
Or sign up for notifications by going to rmd.at/6g2ea7