James S. Rickard’s High School Freshman Parent Night

November 6, 2013

People to Know

Mr. Douglas Cook - PrincipalMs. Vivian Cooley - Assistant Principal for

CurriculumMr. Rusty Edwards – Assistant Principal for

DisciplineMr. Zachary Ansley - Assistant Principal for

AttendanceMr. Sam Striplin – Dean of StudentsDeputy Alan Wilson – School Resource Officer

More Important PeopleMs. Jones 10-11 cohort 12-13 cohort (IB w/Varn and

alpha A-K) Bright Futures Waivers Dual Enrollment

Mrs. Thompson 11-12 cohort 12-13 cohort(at-risk) Graduation Coach

Secretary: Yasmin FishburnRegistrar: Jolisa CoffeeMentors: Hicks-Evans

Mrs. Bostic Behavior Support-all cohorts Groups Community Service-all cohorts ESOL Coordinator

Mrs. Schmeckenbecher 13-14 cohort 12-13 cohort (alpha L-Z) Military contact Referral Coordinator Technology/Website

College and Career Center/Scholarships: Kraft

IB Dean: 13-14 and 12-13 cohort Varn

Meeting with a Counselor is easy….

• Call the Guidance office at 850-414-5020 and ask for Mrs. Fishburn to schedule a parent/teacher conference with all teachers or to speak with your counselor directly.

• Students should meet with their counselor at least 2 times this year!

• Students may come to the Guidance Office before school, during lunch, or after school to make an appointment with their counselor. Sign up sheet is with Mrs. Fishburn at the front desk in the main office.

Cohort Graduation Requirements

English (4 Credits Needed) English I – 9th

English II – 10th

English III – 11th

English IV – 12th

Cohort Graduation Requirements

Mathematics (4 Credits Needed) Algebra I (1 Credit) (EOC results count 30% of final course grade, must pass to earn a standard diploma) Geometry (1 Credit) (EOC results count 30% of the final course grade) Liberal Arts Math* (1 Credit) Algebra II (1 Credit)(if selected Common Core counts as 30% of the final course grade when implemented Math for College Readiness (1 Credit) Trigonometry (.5 Credit)/Analytical Geometry (.5 Credit) AP Calculus (1 Credit) AP Statistics

Students must have a credit in Algebra I and Geometry in order to graduate.

**For College Admissions and Bright Futures Eligibility Liberal Arts is not counted as a math course.

Cohort Graduation Requirements

Science (3 Credits Needed) Integrated Science Earth/Space Science Biology* (EOC results count 30% of Final course grade) Physical Science Chemistry Physics Anatomy/Physiology AP Environmental Science AP Biology

*Biology is required for Graduation**Though it is not required to graduate, students planning to

attend a post-secondary institution are strongly encouraged to complete 4 credits.

Cohort Graduation Requirements

Social Studies (3 Credits Needed) World History (1 credit) United States History (1 credit) (EOC results as 30%

of final course grade) American Government (.5 credit)/Economics (.5

credit)

Cohort Graduation Requirements

HOPE (1 Credit Needed) Health and Physical Education

Fine/Performing Arts (1 Credit Needed) Dance Band Chorus Art Keyboarding Intro to Information Technology Drama Journalism Digital Design Web Design Guitar

Electives (8 Credits Needed)

Cohort Graduation Requirements

ONLINE COURSE

1 course with the 24 credits, excluding Drivers Education

You may take Drivers Education online for an elective credit but you will still have to complete another course for the requirement

Complete course means that if the class is a 1 and 2 segment class then they must do both to have 1 course finished.

My recommendations for classes are……

Outdoor Education Life Management Skills Parenting Personal and Family Finance

Cohort Graduation Requirements

Foreign Language Though it is not a requirement for graduation, if

students are planning to enroll in a 4-year university, they MUST have two consecutive years of a foreign language.

Students must also have 2 consecutive years of a foreign language to be eligible for 2 of the 3 Bright Futures Scholarships.

Cohort Graduation Requirements

24 Total Credits

Cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Must Pass the Grade 10 ELA common core assessment; must take ELA Grade 11 Common

core assessment when implemented (this takes place of the FCAT 2.0)

Pre-IB Dean Mr. Fred Varn

Dean’s duties – advisor-motivator-enforcer-other duties as assigned 9th graders must have a 2.25 GPA to remain in the program 10th graders must have a 2.5 GPA to remain in the program Students who do not maintain the appropriate GPA may NOT participate in

extra-curricular activities that take them away from school. Students who fail the FCAT in the sophomore year risk losing admission to

the IB diploma candidacy. Parent conferences will be schedules as soon as possible after FCAT scores are available.

Students who have consistently maintained only a 2.25 GPA for two semesters will not be recommended to continue the IB Program after the sophomore year.

Students who receive a semester “F” or a “D” in a Pre-IB course will repeat that course by taking a comparable course, such as an honors or AP course from Florida Virtual School or Leon County Virtual School. (Adult Education or credit retrieval courses are not acceptable.)

Students whose attendance is a chronic problem (in excess of Leon School district requirements) will exit the program.

Varn cont. MALPRACTICE

Students who plagiarize, cheat on exams, or behave in other ways that constitute malpractice, as defined by the International Baccalaureate Organization, suffer a variety of consequences depending on the severity of the malpractice. They will be accorded a parent conference; their grade will be lowered, based on the teacher’s classroom rules; and if the practice occurs more than once, they will forfeit their membership in the program.  BEHAVIOR

Behavior resulting in school suspension or the conviction of a crime may result in removal from the program. 

Graduation requirements are a little different in IB (there is a set curriculum to follow). If a student leaves the IB program:

Online course requirement applies HOPE is required AH is required if students have not completed AP US history Am Gov and Economics would also be required

CAS meeting will be held at the end of the 10th grade year. 

Students

Students enrolled in a 6 period day MUST pass EVERY class, EVERY year or they will not be on schedule to graduate in four years. Students who fail a course need to meetwith their guidance counselor to discussretake options. Options include:• Credit Retrieval• Adult Education (ACE)• Leon County Virtual School• Florida Virtual Schools**All of these options require approval from your student’s Guidance Counselor.

Promotion Requirements (9th to 10th)

End of year promotion 5 Credits 1.0 GPA

Mid-year promotion (January) 7 Credits 1.25 GPA

Attendance Policy

All absences in excess of Three (3) per 9-week grading period shall be unexcused unless appropriately documented or will require an attendance conference in order for the absence(s) to be designated excused. Students please see Mrs. Lewis in attendance to schedule this meeting with Mr. Ansley.

For each class in which the student has four or more unexcused absences, a grade of “F” for the class shall be assigned for that 9 week grading period. A meeting with Mr. Ansley is the only reason that your attendance can be fixed. Please get this done early and do not wait to fix it.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Students start earning an official unweighted and weighted GPA after the completion of one semester of a high school course. Unweighted is based on all courses awarded

A = 4 C = 3B = 3 D = 1

o Weighted is based on: honors awarded an extra .5 for a semester grade of C or better. Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses awarded an extra 1.0 for a semester grade of C or better.

Where and how we use GPAs: Unweighted GPA (promotion/graduation) Weighted GPA (class rank and academic awards) 9 weeks GPA (on report card) Semester GPA (on transcript) Cumulative GPA - weighted and unweighted (on transcript) LCHS GPA is different than GPAs computed by Bright Futures, Colleges/Universities

and NCAA eligibility. 2.0 unweighted GPA required to participate in extracurricular activities.

Grade Point Average

QUALITY POINTS: A=4 B=3 C=2 D=1 F=0 *Honor-level classes (h) receive an extra .5 credit. *Dual-Enrollment and Advanced Placement (H) courses

receive an extra 1.0 credit.-CREDITS: All courses receive one credit in figuring GPA.-To figure your GPA, divide the QUALITY POINTS by the

ATTEMPTED CREDITS. Carry your answer to three decimal places.

Semester Grades

Semester grades are used for cumulative GPAs and are posted on transcripts. Page 9 of the Agenda Book shows how to calculate semester grades by using 9 weeks and exams grades. You also have this information in your packet.

Semester Grades

1st 9 weeks grade A A A A A B B B B B C C C

2nd 9 weeks grade A B C D F A B C D F A B CExam Grade                          

A A A B B C A B B C C B B CB A B B B C B B B C C B B CC A B B C C B B C C C B C CD B B B C C B B C C D B C CF B B C C F B C C C F C C C

1st 9 weeks grade C C D D D D D F F F F F  

2nd 9 weeks grade D F A B C D F A B C D F  Exam Grade                          

A C C B C C C D C C C D D  B C D B C C D D C C D D D  C C D C C C D D C C D D F  D D D C C D D D C D D D F  F D F C C D D F C D D F F  

NOTE: An “F” in the 2nd 9-weeks and an “F” on the exam will result in an “F” and no credit for the course

Parent Portal

An online Academic Monitoring System where teachers upload grades for students and parents to monitor.

Teachers update every two weeks (most of the time its weekly)

If you do not have your child’s Parent Portal information, you can get it from me at a later time.

http://parentportal.leonschools.net

Future Options

Advanced Placement Courses Advanced Placement Art Advanced Placement English (Language and Composition Advanced Placement English (Literature and Composition) Advanced Placement Statistics Advanced Placement Calculus AB Advanced Placement Music Theory Advanced Placement Biology Advanced Placement Environmental Science Advanced Placement U.S. History Advanced Placement Human Geography Advanced Placement U.S. Government Advanced Placement Psychology

Dual Enrollment - students have the opportunity to take college courses that will also count for college credit. For juniors and seniors. Students must have a 3.0 GPA and earn a passing score on the PERT Test.

College Admissions

The grades students are earning now WILL effect their college admissions.

Some stats on Florida universities: Florida State University:

Average accepted: 3.8 – 4.3 academic GPA 1730– 2010 SAT 26 – 30 ACT Average number of academic units – 22.5 Academic Profile – GPA; strength of curriculum (# of

honors, AP, Dual Enrollment, and advanced Foreign Language); test scores; essay.

College Admissions

University of Florida Average accepted:

4.1 – 4.5 academic GPA 1820 – 2120 SAT 28 – 32 ACT

FAMU Average accepted:

• 3.0 – 3.49 academic GPA• 1200 – 1500 SAT• 17 – 20 ACT

College Admissions

Community Colleges Admission based on Regular High School Diploma Students who take college prep courses in high school

are more likely to be successful. A student who earns an AA degree is guaranteed

admission to state university (not necessarily university or program of choice).

Everyone must take a placement test. The PERT will be used unless exempted by SAT or ACT scores.

NCAA Requirements

Required for any student athlete who wants to play at a Division I or Division II college.

Minimum 2.0 GPA in 10 core courses by the seventh semester. Those grades will be locked in and will not be able to be retaken and SAT/ACT scores.

Sliding scale of core GPA and SAT/ACT scoresCore Courses:

4 credits in English 3 credits in Math (Algebra I or higher) 2 credits in Science 2 credits in Social Science 1 credit of additional English, Math or Science 4 additional academic credits

**Visit www.ncaaclearinghouse.net “Prospective Student Athletes” for more information.

• Florida Academic Scholars Award• 3.5 GPA in selected subjects• 1290 SAT or 29 ACT• 100 hours community service

• Florida Medallion Scholars Award• 3.0 GPA in selected subjects• 1170 SAT or 26 ACT• 75 hours community service

• Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award• 3.0 in selected subjects• 3.5 in 3 sequential vocational courses• 30 hours community service• Test scores:

• SAT – 440 verbal, 440 math or• ACT – 17 English, 18 Reading, 19 Math, or• PERT 104 Reading, 99 Writing, 113 Math

See www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org for changes in awards/renewal

Action Plan for Freshmen

Set academic and personal goals to accomplish this year and formulate a plan for 10th grade. Plan to take challenging classes.

Get involved in activities at school and the community. Keep a folder with activities, awards, etc.

Start researching scholarship opportunities.Take the PSAT as a 10th grader and as an 11th grader

for SAT preparation and National Merit Scholarship consideration.

Take SAT/ACT in Spring of junior year. Fee waivers are available to all students

Who Can Help Rickards’ Scholars?

GEAR UPTwenty First Century After School ProgramMu Alpha Theta TutoringTeachers and Coaches through Classes,

Clubs, Activities and Sports!!Guidance CounselorsAdministrationParents!!!!

Parent Involvement

As a parent, you are the most important influence in your child's success in school and in life. In this role, you have a fresh opportunity every day to get involved with your child.

While involvement at the school is important, research shows that what the parent does in the home is the number one most important factor in student success.

Parent Involvement Changes as students get older.

Take the self assessment and Get Involved!

Important Dates

November 20th- Progress reportsDecember 18th-20th-Final ExamsDecember 20th- End of 2nd Nine weeks January 15th-Report Cards February 5th-Progress ReportsMarch 14th- End of 3rd Nine weeks April 2nd-Report Cards April 3rd- Progress Reports May 28th-30th-Final ExamsMay 30th- End of 4th Nine weeks (Last Day of School)

James S. Rickards High School

Thank you for attending!

Please feel free to stay and ask questions.