1. Forsyth Central High School Parent Night August 22, 2013

2. Meet the Counselors Evelyn Petersen: A – E & 11-12th English Language Learners Elizabeth Chilson: F - L Deidre Miller, Head Counselor M - R Grace Savage: S – Z and 9 -10 th English Language Learners

3. Role of the Counseling Department We have a comprehensive and developmental school counseling program which focuses on Academic Career Personal/social issues. We do all types of counseling Individual counseling Group counseling Classroom guidance. We work with all students.

4. Graduation Requirements The requirements for graduation for any student entering high school in 2010 or later are 23 Carnegie units in the following areas: 4 English credits 4 Math credits 4 Science credits 3 Social Studies credits 3 CTAE, Foreign Language,/Modern Language, and/or Fine Arts credits 1 unit of Personal Fitness/Health (.5 credit each) 4 additional electives All students are encouraged to see their counselor if they have questions about their requirements! Don’t wait!

5. Promotion Requirements Students must earn a certain # of credits in order to be moved to the next grade level. Students are expected to make up credits outside of school day (Forsyth Academy, summer school, online, etc.) 2008 Ninth Graders and Subsequent Years 5 units from grade 9 to 10 11 units from grade 10 to 11 17 units from grade 11 to 12

6. Are you HOPING for a HOPE Scholarship?  Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) determines HOPE eligibility, not the Forsyth County School System.  All students have an account at gacollege411.org. Students can check their eligibility on this site. See instructions on FCHS Counseling website for accessing HOPE GPA.  ONLY CORE CLASSES are included in a HOPE GPA. Elective classes are not included; however CORE electives are included such as psychology, sociology, math support classes, AP Human Geography, etc.  There are many program changes within the HOPE scholarship program. For all the specifics you will want to familiarize yourself with the www.gacollege411.org website. www.gacollege411.org  All are welcome to attend Financial Aid Night on December 3 th at 6:30pm. A representative from Georgia Student Finance Commission will be available to answer questions. Don’t wait until senior year to get this information

7. Basics for HOPE US Citizenship Georgia Residency Be in compliance w/ Selective Service requirements Be in compliance w/ Georgia Drug-Free Act HOPE GPA of 3.0 or higher

8. Zell Miller HOPE Eligibility Meet all HOPE scholarship eligibility requirements AND meet one of the following: Graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school as the Valedictorian or the Salutatorian Graduate from an eligible high school with a minimum 3.7 HOPE GPA combined with a minimum score of 1200 on the critical reading and math portions of the SAT or a 26 composite score on the ACT in a single test administration

9. Important HOPE Changes Academic Rigor Requirements  Class of 2015: must have credit in at least TWO of the courses from the Academic Rigor Coursework list  Class of 2016: must have credit in at least THREE of the courses from the Academic Rigor Coursework list  Class of 2017: must have credit in at least FOUR of the courses from the Academic Rigor Coursework list HOPE and AP/Dual Enrollment Coursework  GSFC will remove the weighted portion (1.0 pt) and convert to a 4.0 scale. They will then add a.50 weight for AP courses and, if taken in Georgia, Dual Enrollment Credit coursework in core courses, up to the maximum of a 4.0.

10. UPCOMING EVENTS 4 th Annual College and Military Night – August 29, 2013 from 6:30pm- 8:30pm in the New Gym; approximately 60 colleges/universities and Military representatives will be present for students to visit. All Forsyth County students have been encouraged to attend. PROBE Fair – September 10 at Lanier Tech. Another opportunity for students to meet and talk w/ college representatives. Juniors and Seniors can purchase a ticket for the PROBE Fair from Mrs. Santiago in the counseling center. We will transport students to and from this event. Hispanic Parent/Student Night – September 26 at 6:30pm in the east campus cafeteria. Financial Aid Night – December 3 rd at 6:30pm in the east campus cafeteria

11. Grading Procedures 2013-2014 Grading Calculations for courses WITH an End of Course Test (EOCT): Course Average will be 40% (1 ST Sem. Course Work) + 40% (2 ND Sem. Course Work) + 20% EOCT Grading Calculations for courses WITHOUT an End of Course Test (EOCT): Course Average will be 50% (1st sem Course Work) + 50% (2nd Sem Course Work), final exam will count as a summative grade. 1 ST & 2 ND Semester Course Work = 75% Summative + 25% Formative Any grade below 70 is considered failing. Report Cards are given to students every 9 weeks. Only the final report card is mailed home. Credit will be awarded at the end of the course (May for yearlong classes; December or May for semester long classes).

12. October 16 – Testing Day! The PSAT is given on October 16. All 10 th graders will take this test. It is free for 10 th graders. Any 9 th or 11 th grade student can sign up to take the test and pay the fee ($14). Registration forms and money to Mrs. Alexander in East Campus Lobby no later than Friday, September 13 at 4:00pm. 11 th graders should seriously consider taking this test as these scores identify students who may be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship program. 11 th graders who are not taking the PSAT and all seniors must decide if they will take the ASVAB that day OR use one of their four college visit days to go see a college campus. They must bring back proper documentation if they choose a college visit.

13. GHSGT & EOCT Changes All current students must pass the Georgia HS Graduation WRITING test to graduate. Current 12 th grade students (entered high school 2010) must pass an EOCT in each of following subjects: English (9 th Lit Comp or American Lit) Math (Math I or Math II) Science (Biology or Physical Science) Social Studies (US History or Economics) If a student does not pass an EOCT in one of these subjects, they must pass the Georgia High School Graduation Test corresponding to this subject. Current 9 th, 10 th, and 11 th graders who entered high school in 2011 or later must pass all classes with EOCTs in order to graduate. The EOCT will count 20% of their final grade for that course.

14. College Visits Each Junior and Senior are allowed 4 college visitation days. These absences count as a “field trip” as long as the proper documentation is brought to school the day after the trip. These days do not roll over from year to year. If the student does not use them, they lose them.

15. Visit the Counseling Webpage!! www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/fchs Click on “Student Services” at top. Click on “Counseling” Tons of information! Tour of the site