1. Welcome CAP Parents!
Tuesday, September 12, 2017

2. AGENDA Program updates and celebrations Portfolios
CAP Course Sequencing
Student expectations: CAP honor code and Turnitin.com policy
Parent expectations: How you can help/Upcoming Meetings
College Visit Sign Up Instructions
Goals for the program
Questions and Answers

3. What’s happening at blair?
Karen Depenyou – Silver Chips
Marley Majette – BlackCAP
Chas Goldman – One Blair
Pierre Moglen – BLISS and Yearbook

4. Program Updates
81 freshmen, with 20 remaining in the wait pool. 81 sophomores, 77 juniors, and 71 seniors.
93% of CAP students passed the AP World History and 93% passed AP Language tests. 92% passed the AP NSL test. All scores are well above school and county averages.
$50,000 state-of-the-art TV studio: new computers, software, cameras, set. Swept C-Span documentary contest last year!
2 CAP teachers are National Board Certified
100% are Highly Qualified Teachers (advanced MCPS certificates)
Communication through the Parent listserv, quarterly newsletter, and new and improved CAP website.
Thank you for your donations last spring!

5. Grade-level e-Portfolios
All major assignments reflect one of three categories: Critical Thinking, Social Awareness, and Media and Communications.
Students must receive an “A” or demonstrate tremendous progress on the assignment to include the work in their portfolio, after writing a one-page detailed reflection.
Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are responsible for 6 entries for each year, with a minimum of one entry in each category.
Seniors are responsible for two advanced exhibitions: Impact on School/Community and Area of Emphasis.
Once the reflection is approved by CAP Teacher, it is uploaded onto the e-Portfolio, to be continually updated through their CAP experience.
Seniors will personalize their e-portfolio and create a presentation for all students, showcasing their personal, academic, and social growth.
The newly designed portfolio guide is available on website.

6. Portfolio competency breakdown

7. e-Portfolios, continued…
Final presentations are created in senior seminar during the first quarter; presentations are scheduled for December 7 & 8.

8. Humanities Course/Elective
CAP Course Sequencing
Grade
English
Social Studies
Humanities Course/Elective 9
Honors English 9 A & B
Honors US History A & B
CAP 9 Photography A
CAP 9 Scriptwriting B
CAP 9 Drama A & B 10
Honors English 10 A & B
AP NSL A & B
CAP Journalism A & B
CAP Newswriting A
CAP TV Production B 11
AP Language and Composition A & B
AP World History A & B
CAP Research Seminar A & B 12
AP Literature A & B or
Honors English 12 A & B*
American Studies A & B*
CAP Senior Seminar A
*Students who don’t take AP Literature can petition to take Honors English 12 or American Studies to fulfill their English requirement but must also take one or more of the following classes (must span two semesters). All petitions must be made in writing to the CAP Coordinator by the first week of December of the student’s junior year. See Ms. Fillman for more details.
A choice of two of the following Social Studies semester courses:
AP Music Theory A & B (Fine Arts)
AP Studio Art (Fine Arts)
Comparative Religion
AP Art History (Fine Arts)
Peace Studies
AP Comparative Government A & B (Social Studies)
African American History
AP European History A & B (Social Studies)
Latin American Studies
Sociology A & B (Social Studies)
Philosophy
Cultural Anthropology A & B (Social Studies)
Global Issues
African American Literature A & B (English)
Middle East Studies

9. Student Expectations Honor Code/Code of Academic Integrity
Academic support – giving and receiving
Mentoring/Tutoring (BLISS) and community service
Checking MyMCPS regularly/managing time and deadlines
Active communication with teachers
Being present (unless sick!) and present (fully engaged and ready to learn).
Getting sufficient rest and scheduling down-time.
Beyond the content areas, each grade level is focusing on life skills such as ethics, self care, time management, financial literacy, and college & career readiness.

10. Parent expectations: How can I help?
Schedule college visits throughout the year; notify Ms. Fus and teachers in advance when absent
If possible, have students spend time on campus; maybe attend a class.
Make sure students understand college admission requirements.
Keep number of applications reasonable -- $$$$
Submit requests for transcripts in EARLY – don’t wait until the last minute!
CAP letters are mailed to schools with the counselors’ letters. If students withdraw before senior presentation or don’t successfully complete senior seminar, an updated letter will be mailed.
Bring concerns directly to specific teacher, then to coordinator.
Monitor sleep, time management, and mental health.
*Senior parents in red.

11. Other Parent Meetings to Attend
September 7:00 in the Auditorium – College Admissions Panel
September 7:00 – Back to School Night
11th grade meeting will be in January.
12th grade meeting will be September 5:30 in the auditorium and is hosted by the Counseling Department. Topics to be covered:
Post-Secondary Options
The College Application Process
College Admissions Tests
Financial Aid & Scholarship Information
Transcript Request Process
Important Senior Deadlines

12. A Message from Phalia West (Career Center Coordinator) About College Visits to Blair
The college representative visit "season" has begun. Each year over 200 informed and enthusiastic college/university representatives visit Montgomery Blair H.S. to share the specifics of their school.  These visits are an ideal time to learn about colleges, ask specific questions, and become a person to these representatives, most of whom will be a reader for your actual application and a part of the admissions decision. 
The visits are designed for seniors and juniors.  Be selective about your visits since you will be missing class.  Use your time for a school you are truly interested in or curious about.

13. You can learn about upcoming college visits in a number of ways:
*  All visits are posted in Naviance/Family Connection.
*  Visits are included in the College and Career Center notes sent out weekly.
*  Visits for the day and the next day are posted on the front door of the Career Center.
NOTE: New visits are added EVERY DAY, so check daily.

14. How to sign up for a college visit:
*  Log in to Naviance/Family Connection.
*  Choose the colleges tab.
*  Right column, in orange:  upcoming college visits.
*  Choose a college.  Choose sign up. (CAN ONLY BE DONE IN STUDENT’S ACCOUNT)
*  P R I N T   T H E   C O N F I R M A T I O N   P A G E  !!
* Add the visits to your personal calendar:  on the 'fridge, in your agenda, in your phone.
*  Give your teacher the printed confirmation page, obtain permission, and the day of the visit report to class first and remind your teacher of the visit.  Courtesy:  OBTAIN PERMISSION AT LEAST TWO DAYS IN ADVANCE.
*  Report to the Career Center for the visit on the appropriate date and time.

15. Goals for the Program:
Our parent liaisons are Beth Hisle-Gorman, Nancy Oswald, and MJ Breinholt. We always welcome volunteers to help plan/facilitate parent mixers, fundraising events, class parties/celebrations, service projects, etc. Please if interested in a role.
Increase applications by 10% (231 applications in 2017)
Increase minority enrollment (feeder schools outreach)
Incorporate more technology into classrooms. Some teachers are going paperless.
Host a CAP Service Day to get students involved in philanthropic activities in the community, working across grade levels.
Recognize Legacy Parents.

16. Goals Continued…
To build relationships, network and create a community of support amongst parents.
Our Second Annual CAP Parent Mixer will take place October 10 at McGinty’s in downtown Silver Spring (upstairs) from 5:30-7:30
Please send RSVP to Beth Hisle-Gorman at by October 1.

17. Questions?