1. Palmer High School CLASS OF 2021

2. Palmer High Counselors
Mrs. Johnson – Students with last names A-G
Mrs. VanderWeele–Students with last names H-N
Mr. Zimmer – Students with last names O-Z

3. Role of a Guidance Counselor
Want help regarding personal, social, or emotional concerns
Need assistance with high school survival skills including grades, testing, studying, etc.
Want help choosing classes, or changing your classes
Need a tutor? Want to be a tutor?
Career Technical High School (CTHS)
Need to check your credits
Find out more about your interests for career exploration
Find out more about opportunities after high school
Community Service Opportunities
Foreign Exchange Opportunities
Just want to stop in and say “HI” 

4. Types of Graduation Diplomas at PHS
MSBSD Basic High School Diploma
Earned 24.5 credits
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

5. CLASS OF 2021 Graduation Requirements
English Credits
Math 3.0 Credits
Science 3.0 Credits
Social Studies 3.5 Credits
PE Credits (or PE Waivers)
Health 0.5 Credits
Electives 9.5 Credits
________________________________
Total Credits

6. IB Diploma Requirements
Foreign Language is necessary 9th/10th grade year
Creativity, Action and Service to Community for 150 Hours (CAS)
6 Subject Study Groups: HL and SL
Extended Essay
Theory of Knowledge (TOK)
Rigorous Two-Year Curriculum
PHS IB coordinator:
Nikki Henry
IB website at

7. National Collegiate Athletic Association Requirements for College Sports
Additional Math
Additional Science
Foreign Language
Additional CORE classes
National Registration with NCAA during 11th grade

8. Why are credits important?
Each class is equal to 0.5 Credit. With a 7 period day 3.5 credits can be earned each semester.
Graduation = 24.5 credits.
How do I earn credit?
Credit is earned in any class for a “D” (60%) or better by the end of the semester.
Semester 1 ends in December
Semester 2 ends in May

9. Grading @ PHS A – 90-100% B –80-89% C – 70-79% D –60-69% F – 0-59%
Superior Achievement
B –80-89%
Above Average Achievement
C – 70-79%
Average Achievement
D –60-69%
Below Average Achievement
F – 0-59%
No Credit is earned

10. What is an F?
An F (No Credit) grade is when a student fails to receive a 60% or higher in a semester long course
An F on a required course = the course must be repeated or made up to meet graduation requirements
An F on an elective course = a credit needs to be earned but does NOT have to be the same elective course

11. How do I make up an F?
Summer School offers make up in English, Math and Science
Take a correspondence course with approval by counselor, school district and at the cost of your parents
Retake the same class again next year if there is room in the class or thru APEX
Repeat your Health & Civics the following semester

12. What is Grade Point Average (GPA)?
GPA = grade points earned ÷ the # of courses the student has taken
Points: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0
Cumulative GPA (you’ll see this on your transcript) is based on ALL the classes you’ve ever taken and the grades (or points) received for these.
Semester GPA (you’ll see this on your report card) is based on 1 semester of classes you’ve taken and the grades (or points) received for these.

13. Calculating a GPA GPA = GPA = 25/7 = 3.5
Total points earned/classes taken
GPA = 25/7 = 3.5
Report Card Example
English 1 = B (3 points)
Algebra 1 = B (3 points)
Science 1 = B (3 points)
Health = A (4 points)
French 1 = A (4 points)
PE = A (4 points)
Civics = A (4 points)
____________________________
Total Points Earned = 25 points
Total Classes Taken = 7 classes
Remember! Points: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0

14. Why should GPA matter to me?
Transcripts are permanent
College Entrance
Eligibility
Class Rank
Scholarships
Employment
Cost of Car Insurance
Internships
Marketability: Your GPA tells something about who you are!

15. GPA & Sports Eligibility
Eligibility is determined by # of classes & Quarter GPA.
Underclassmen must be enrolled in 5 graded classes & must be passing 5 thru the season.
Must have passed 5 classes in the prior Quarter with a minimum GPA of 2.0
First grade check for all students will occur at the end of 1st quarter & must be passing 5 classes and have a minimum GPA of 2.0
*****Seniors who are on track to graduate must be enrolled in a minimum of 4 classes and pass all 4 with a 2.0 GPA.

16. GPA & Sports Eligibility
If you do not pass at least 5 graded classes with a minimum GPA of 2.0 at quarter then you will not be sports eligible until the following quarter!
This means 0 participation in sports & possibly clubs for a full quarter!

17. Success @ PHS Show up Participate Do your work Do it on time
Talk with your teachers
Get involved

18. Getting Involved @ PHS Fall Sports X Country Running Volleyball
Football
Swimming
Diving
Cheerleading
Winter Sports
Bball Cheerleading
Girls Basketball
Boys Basketball
X Country Skiing
Wrestling
Hockey for Girls/Boys
Spring Sports
Girls Soccer
Boys Soccer
Girls Softball
Baseball
Track & Field

19. Getting Involved @ PHS Pep Band Business Professionals of America
Dramatic Plays/Musicals
Powder Puff Football
Blue Moose Gardens
Saroma Exchange
Foreign Exchange
FCCLA/Pro Start
Spirit Club
Jazz Band
Jazz Choir
Teens Against Tobacco Use
Skills USA
Key Club
Chess Club
Community Service
Native Youth Olympics
Business Professionals of America
Science/Ocean Bowl
Spanish National Honor Society
Future Farmers of America
International Club/Exchange
Letter Club
Partners Club
TADA
National Honors Society
Student Government
Anime Club
Archery Club
Foosball Club
Dungeons & Dragons
Educational Trips
Youth Court

20. Freshman Courses Required Year Long Courses (1.0 Credit Each)
ENGLISH, MATH, SCIENCE: determined by scores on MAP & teacher input
READING: required in addition to English for certain scores on MAP & teacher input
MATH LAB: required in addition to MATH for certain scores on MAP & teacher input
Required Semester Long Courses (0.5 Credit Each)
HEALTH
CIVICS
Elective Courses
Art, Agriculture, Auto, Computers, Construction, Woods, Culinary, Music, Drama, Language

21. Bringing Up Middle School Grades?
Why Yes?
Jump start on credits that count towards graduation
Helps with qualifying for Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS)
Why No?
Non-Weighted courses will factor into rank Junior/Senior year
Scholarships, etc. based on class rank
Readiness for next course at the high school level
Some colleges/universities do not accept or recognize MS credits
Military Academy Schools do not recognize MS credits
NCAA recognizes MS credit as a 60% = D grade
Forms must be completed at your middle school to bring up courses, but there is no hurry because you can transfer those grades anytime during high school

24. 2017 Freshman Course Seletions
Core Classes
Elective Classes
LEGEND
TRADES AND INDUSTRIES
ENGLISH
BUSINESS
SM: Semester Class
81010 Int. Plant Science - SM, $
Read SM or YR
83030 Tech App.1 - SM
YR: Yearlong Class
81020 Greenhouse Prod. - SM, $
Comm. Lab - SM or YR
83040 Tech App 2 – SM
A: Audition Required
81030 Landscape Des. - SM, $
English 1 - YR, X, AK
82131 AV Tech Film - SM
X: Offered on Apex online
Hon. English 1 - YR, X, AK
81040 Comp. Animals - SM, $
AK: Meets Alaska Performance Scholarship Requirements
81050 Int Animal Science - SM, $
FINE ARTS
81060 Forestry - SM, $
MATHEMATICS
D Art Survey - SM, AK, $
$: Class Fee
81070 Int. Ag./Nat. Resource - SM,
KEAS – SM or YR
D Art Survey - SM, AK, $
85030 Customer Service - SM
Intro to Algebra - YR, X
Drama 1/ 2 - SM or YR, AK
PLEASE NOTE:
Algebra I - YR, X, AK
Concert Choir - YR, AK, $
86450 Food & Nutrition - SM, $
All classes are subject to change, cancellation and space availability.
86110 Intro. to Construction - SM, $
Geometry - YR, X, AK
Symph Band - YR, AK, $
86120 Housing Concepts - SM, $
Guitar I & II - SM or YR, AK,  
Woods 1/ 2 - SM or YR, $
Students planning to participate in college athletics are responsible for ensuring their classes meet NCAA requirements.
SCIENCE
86500 Intro. to Auto - SM , $ 
Biology - YR, X, AK
86610 Small Engines SM, $
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
French 1 - YR, X, AK, $
Off Campus requires completion of a contract with your counselors. A parent signature is required.
SOCIAL STUDIES
French 2 - YR, X, AK, $
OTHER
3450 Civics - SM, AK
Spanish 1 - YR, X, AK, $
Spanish 2 - YR, X, AK, $
Acad. Strat - SM
Off Campus – SM or YR
Course Descriptions found in 9th Grade Course Listings Booklet or on PHS website: under the Guidance Tab - Counseling
HEALTH
Japanese 1 – YR,X, AK, $
(State the class period)
5100 Health - SM, X 
Japanese 2 – YR, X, AK, $
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Aerobics - SM
3380 Current Issues - SM, AK
Swimming - SM
3250 Sociology - SM, X, AK
Weight Training - SM
3010 Leadership – SM
Sports Activities - SM 

25. Palmer High School 2018 Freshman Course Selections
Name: Student ID : Phone:
Circle the class in each core area that you are requesting for your child:
English: Read Comm. Lab Eng. 1 Hon. Eng. 1
Math: KEAS Lab Intro . Alg Alg Geometry
Science: Earth Science Physical Science Biology
*All blank lines must be filled in with a course number and name.
*Do not duplicate course requests
* Only 1 PE per semester
*Indicate class period when requesting Off-Campus
Social Studies: Civics Health: Health
Final placement in all core classes is based on grades, teacher recommendation and test scores.
Semester Semester 2
Course # Course Name Course # Course Name
Elective
Alternate
Parent Signature____________________________________________
Anything else you would like your counselor to know:

26. Congratulations
you are
THE CLASS OF 2021