1. FRESHMAN ORIENTATION Class of 2019

2. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS & READING FRESHMAN ORIENTATION 2015-2016

3. GRADE 9 CURRICULUM OFFERINGS COURSE TITLEGRADE LEVEL ENGLISH I9 ENGLISH I HONORS9 ENGLISH II9-10 ENGLISH II HONORS9-10

4. 9 TH GRADE PROGRESS MONITORING ELA PCS C OMMON A SSESSMENT (Write Score)  All students in grades 9-10 via ELA courses  C YCLE 1- S EPT. 22- O CT. 24  C YCLE 2- D EC. 14- J AN. 25 S CHOLASTIC R EADING I NVENTORY (SRI)  All students scoring at Levels 1 or 2 via reading intervention or content reading course  C YCLE 1- A UG. 31- S EPT 11  C YCLE 2- J AN. 11- J AN 22  C YCLE 3- M AY 16- M AY 27

5. 9 TH GRADE STATE ASSESSMENT FSA Assessment FSA Assessment All students 9-10 FSA W RITING G RADE 6-10 FSA W RITING G RADE 6-10 February 29 th - March 11 th FSA ELA G RADES 6-10 FSA ELA G RADES 6-10 April 11 th - May 6 th

6. T HE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT READING OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL IS IMPORTANT ! Think about this: a student who reads 21 minutes per day outside of school reads almost 2 million words per year, whereas a student who reads less than a minute per day outside of school reads only 8,000 to 21,000 words per year. Here are some ways to support wide reading beyond the school day:  Encouraging your student to read a variety of different materials  Discussing stories or articles you have both read  Asking your student questions about what was read  Encouraging your student to write in response to what was read  Ensure your student reads widely—encourage them to read and research about a topic of interest or inquiry.

7. E VERY Q UESTION C OUNTS ! Part of literacy progress is learning how to think as you read. Asking questions supports learning how to think. Examples of some questions you might ask your student before, during, or after they read might be:  What was the most significant concept from the text?  What do you think will happen next?  Did you learn about anything that impacts your life?  What was your favorite part of the story?  How did the characters change over time?  Does this text remind you of something that you’ve read before? How?

8. RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES STATE RESOURCES  http://fldoe.org:  http://fldoe.org: parents can find information on current Florida school policy, assessment, state publications and reports.  http://fsassessments.org:  http://fsassessments.org: a wealth of information covering a range of topics including assessment schedules, information for families, student accommodations, training tests, test design summaries and test item specifications by grade level with accompanying sample test items (updated March 2015).  flstandards.org:  flstandards.org: information on the Florida standards

9. RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES DISTRICT RESOURCES  focus.pcsb.org:  focus.pcsb.org: Library Resources—including but not limited to: Gale, Destiny, Learn 360, MackinVIA, Visual Thesaurus, Cranium Core, Brain POP, Lexile, Wordle, Florida Memory Project NATIONAL RESOURCES  http://www.pta.org/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2909  http://www.pta.org/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2909: National PTA four page brochure with details for parents on student success with the standards http://www.pta.org/content.cfm?ItemNumber=2909

10. MATH FRESHMAN ORIENTATION 2015-2016

11. WHY DOESN’T THE MATH MY CHILD IS DOING LOOK LIKE THE MATH I DID IN HIGH SCHOOL?  Think about how much the world has changed since you were in high school…  For your child to succeed in today’s world, arithmetic skills alone are no longer enough.  The mathematics needs to prepare your students for the new basic skills, such as solving real world problems, explaining their thinking to others, identifying trends in data, and of course, using modern technology.

12. WHAT? MY CHILD CAN WRITE IN THEIR TEXTBOOK?  Yes! They are not lying to you. The textbook your child receives is consumable. Your child is free to write, sketch, cut, paste, highlight, and draw throughout the course.

13. WHY IS MY CHILD SPENDING CLASS TIME ON THE COMPUTER? This is called a blended curriculum. Curriculum in context is accessible to a wide range of student abilities, which provides “success for all.” Classroom (60%) Computer Lab (40%)

14. CLASSROOM – 60%  The classroom will be student-centered  Your child will spend time having conversations about mathematics. “How” and “why” will be questions that are asked regularly. They will no longer simply just memorize procedures.  Your child will spend time writing about mathematics, not just simply writing a numerical solution.  There may be times in class that your student will also have presentations.

15. COMPUTER LAB – 40%  The Cognitive Tutor provides differentiated instruction to your child.  There are step-by-step example problems to guide your students before independent work.  There are also hints available if they are working and get stuck.  With built in progress monitoring your child will always know where they are in their current understanding of the learning by looking at the Skillometer. New problems are always based on individual student needs.

16. WHERE CAN I FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CARNEGIE LEARNING? Go to www.carnegielearning.comwww.carnegielearning.com Click on the Resources & Support tab. Click on the Parent Resources tab. Visit the Home Connections page, which can be found by clicking the purple box at the bottom of the Parent Resources page.

17. STATE ASSESSMENT REQUIRMENTS End of Course Exams(EOCs) Algebra 1 – must pass and 30% of grade PERT test can also be taken 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)

18. 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

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

20. DIPLOMA DESIGNAITONS MERIT DIPLOMA Meet the standard Diploma requirements Attain one or more industry certifications Scholar DIPLOMA Meet the standard Diploma requirements 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

21. Class Options Advanced Placement(AP) classes Counts toward college credit if you pass AP exam Dual Enrollment classes Start as a Junior Counts toward college credit Starts your college GPA Early College Program Apply as a 10 th grader Starts your Junior year Can earn diploma and AA at the same time Early Admissions Apply as a Junior – starts your Senior year

22. SCHOOL CONTACTS ADMINISTRATORS A-L: Mrs. Barker and all IB students 727-669-1131 x2015 barkerki@pcsb.orgbarkerki@pcsb.org M-Z: Ms. Dupee and all Medical students 727-669-1131 x2014 dupeep@pcsb.orgdupeep@pcsb.org GUIDANCE COUNSELORS A – C: Mrs. Miller 727-669-1131 x2062 millerjean@pcsb.orgmillerjean@pcsb.org D – L: Miss Keating keatingam@pcsb.orgkeatingam@pcsb.org 727-669-1131 x2063 M – Z: Mr. Papp pappt@pcsb.orgpappt@pcsb.org 727-669-1131 x2061

23. SCHOOL CONTACTS CONTINUED All IB students: Mrs. Shephard-Thompson 727-669-1131 x 2064 shepherda@pcsb.orgshepherda@pcsb.org All Medical students: Miss. Hewitt 727-669-1131 x2060 hewittpa@pcsb.orghewittpa@pcsb.org SECRETARIES 9 th Grade University: Mrs. Owens 727-669-1131 x2036 owensmi@pcsb.orgowensmi@pcsb.org Medical: Mrs. Spicciati 727-669-1131 x2087 spicciatis@pcsb.orgspicciatis@pcsb.org IB: Mrs. Calabrese 727-669-1131 x2086 calabreses@pcsb.orgcalabreses@pcsb.org

24. RESOURCES Homework Hotline 727-547-7223 727-442-3226 Khan Academy(online video tutorials) www.khanacademy.org BRIGHT FUTURES SCHOLORSHIPS www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/ volunteer hours – see your guidance counselor FINANCIAL AID www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org PALM HARBOR UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL WEBSITE WWW.PCSB.ORG/PHUHS