Successful High School Transition PANTHERS RULE THE SCHOOL August 2010

CHHS: A Community of Excellence  We believe in:  Cultivating relationships with dignity, care and respect  Highly effective instruction  Honest, open, and responsive communication  Success for each student

Information Parents Need to Have  School calendar – holidays, progress reports and report cards  Program of Studies  Graduation Requirements  State Testing Information – TEA web site  Extra Curricular Activities  Attendance and tardy policies  Important phone numbers

Grade Point Average – G.P.A.  Indicator of how well your child is performing  Weighted vs. non weighted grade  Regular 100 = 5.0  Pre-AP100 = 6.0  AP100 = 6.25

Grades- Info to remember  Each semester grade stands alone (Semester grades do not average together) (Semester grades do not average together)  Each semester must be passed or retaken  Only semester grades will show on a transcript  Be sure to check grades on Skyward often with your parent login. Student login is different from parent login.

Transcripts  Record of all classes and grades that figure into the student’s g.p.a.  Legal and private document  Given out in early fall and after 1 st semester grades are posted  Review and keep for your own personal files  The only thing the colleges see! Make it count!

Class Rank  Class rank is determined by the g.p.a. of students in the same grade  May change due to class selection and grade earned  Taking more difficult classes only raises the g.p.a when higher grades are earned.

Four Year Plans  Generally completed before the transition to high school.  A pathway to goal setting  May change with new interests  Check college entrance requirements  Take academic classes during the senior year

Counselor ’ s Web Pages – gcisd-k12.org/chhs  Weekly announcements  Scholarship Information – newsletter  Tips  Upcoming events  Presentation information

What you can do to help  Provide a place to study  Help your child set goals  Attend parent programs  INSIST ON GOOD ATTENDANCE  Review progress reports and report cards  Help with time management  Make sure phone numbers are accurate  Listen

Help With Organization TIPS:  Use 2 backpacks. One for “A” day, one for “B” day.  Print the school calendar showing “A” & “B” days in color and hang on the fridge.  Encourage use of the planner  View Skyward & other websites often

Homework  Students must be responsible for homework  Don’t let the homework battle become the parent problem – use the PLANNER  Set limits and follow through  Make sure the work is not too hard – talk to the teacher and see what is going on in the class

Tutorials  Teachers offer tutorials before and after school  Check the web site or teacher’s bulletin board for specific dates and times  Honor Society students may tutor – check with the sponsor for short term help  The ALL lab is available before and after school for special education services students

Daily living  Monitor activities and jobs such as the phone, computer and work  Encourage positive activities  Be aware and be informed – network with other parents  Know your child’s friends  Be a good role model

Be a Partner with your School  Support your teachers  Contact by or phone if something seems questionable See school website directory for easy links & phone numbers)  Listen to your child but get a teacher’s view point as well  Insist that your child attend regularly  Expect your child to work to his/her potential  Show an interest in what your child is studying  Expect your child to follow school rules

What happens if my child is ill? School continues to move forward.  Parents call the attendance office: A-L Diane Robinson A-L Diane Robinson M-Z Lori Stephens M-Z Lori Stephens  Students check teachers’ web site or syllabus  Call a friend or study buddy  Go in before or after school to tutorials

When to contact a teacher (See school directory for phone numbers and addresses)  Personal information that might help your child’s teacher work effectively with your child  You see a change in performance  You hear about situations that seem unusual  Your child does not want to come to school

When to contact your counselor  Change in behavior, grades, friends  Change in family status, illness, job  Spoken to teacher but issue is not resolved  Direction for Career, college and scholarships  Registration  Counselor’s web site information  Sign up for an appointment – NEW! (Your child needs to make an appointment with the receptionist)

Counselors and Assistant Principals Counselors  A-DA Lindsey Hopkins (ext. 4707)  De-H Kerry Jones (ext. 4716)  I-Mo Leslie Walden (ext. 4713)  Mu-Sa Marth Sharp (ext. 4715)  Sc-Z Claudia McWhorter (ext. 4714) Assistant Principals  A-FL Ted Beal (ext. 4709)  Fo-L Chris Ness (ext. 4708)  M-Sl- Susan Foster (ext. 4721)  Sm-Z Miranda McLaren (& Panther Academy – (& Panther Academy – ext. 4730) ext. 4730)

Be a Successful Panther!  The 4 years will go by quickly  Enjoy the experience along the road  GET INVOLVED  Your student can be an individual and a great student  Set goals for the future  Get help BEFORE it’s needed!  Ask questions