Successful High School Transition

1. Successful High School Transition PANTHERS RULE THE SCHOOL August 2010

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. Grades- Info to remember • Each semester grade stands alone (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.

6. 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 1st semester grades are posted • Review and keep for your own personal files • The only thing the colleges see! Make it count!

7. 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.

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Be a Partner with your School • Support your teachers • Contact by email or phone if something seems questionable (email=1stname.lastname@gcisd.net. 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

16. What happens if my child is ill? School continues to move forward. • Parents call the attendance office: A-L Diane Robinson 817 305-4718 M-Z Lori Stephens 817 305-4720 • Students check teachers’ web site or syllabus • Call a friend or study buddy • Go in before or after school to tutorials

17. When to contact a teacher(See school directory for phone numbers and email 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

18. 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)

19. 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 – ext. 4730) Counselors and Assistant Principals

20. 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