Welcome to Hill- Gustat Middle School

1. Welcome to Hill-Gustat Middle School Home of the Golden Eagles

2. The Top Ten Things Every Successful Golden Eagle Needs to Know

4. # 10 Middle School Credit Requirements • 3 credits in Reading/Language Arts • 3 credits in mathematics • 3 credits in science • 3 credits in social studies • 1 credit in Career and Education Planning Students MUST pass each required course with a grade of 60% or higher

5. # 9 Keeping up with grades • Teachers input a minimum of 2 grades weekly • Grades are accessible online for parents and students from our website at: http://www.highlands.k12.fl.us/~hgm • Choose the “Pinnacle” link from the left-side toolbar • User ID is 6-digit student ID number • Password is student birthday (e.g. January 1, 1999 = 010199) We encourage parents and students to check grades at least once weekly

6. # 8 Advanced Courses… • HGMS offers advanced course in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies • Placements are determined by a rubric that evaluates specific criteria including various assessment scores • Parents will receive a letter prior to the start of school if student qualifies for placement in these classes

7. # 7 The After School Program… • Supervision • Monday through Thursday until 5:30 • Friday until 5:00 • Assistance with homework and tutoring • Hands-on activities • Snack • Bus transportation home (for students who normally take bus home) • Absolutely FREE

8. # 6 Celebrating your successes… • Renaissance – Celebrating behavior and grades • No referrals AND • Platinum – 4.0 GPA • Gold – 3.8 to 3.99 GPA • Silver – 3.5 to 3.79 GPA • Bronze – 3.0 - 3.49 GPA • No D or F grades • No referral celebrations – celebrating excellent behavior • Once each 9 weeks • Water day, video game day, field day, movie day

9. # 5 P.E. Class in middle school… (…no worries!) • One semester required • Semester One begins in August and ends in January • Semester Two begins in January and ends in June • Dress out daily • Uniforms • Activities • Lockers will be assigned to each student

10. # 4 Navigating the cafeteria… Breakfast • Free for all students • Serving lines open at 7:35 Lunch • Lots of choices • 3 hot entrees • Salad express • Grab and Go • Paperwork for free and reduced lunch qualification will be available at our fall student orientation

11. # 3 HGMS has seven periods per day • 1 period of math (2 if remediation is required) • 2 periods of Reading/Language Arts • 1 period of Science • 1 period of Social Studies • 2 periods of elective (or remedial) classes

12. # 2 Choosing a sixth grade elective… • Band • Chorus • Spanish • Art Make sure that you choose an elective so that one doesn’t have to be chosen for you!

13. # 1 The next steps… • 5th grader orientation • Friday, May 20th at 8:30 a.m. • Chorus and band performances • Campus tour with graduating 8th graders • Welcome to HGMS 2011 – 2012 • Open House is Thursday, August 18 • Pick-up schedules • Meet teachers • Find your classrooms • Pick-up important paperwork

14. What’s Next? When the bell rings… • Check your schedule for your next location • Meet your new teachers • Pick-up supply lists • Meet our Dean of Students and Guidance Counselor • Enjoy our beautiful campus • GIVE YOUR SCHEDULE (with your name on it) TO THE LAST TEACHER YOU VISIT TONIGHT FOR PRIZE DRAWINGS TOMORROW!

15. Thank you for coming!