PALM HARBOR UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL

1. PALM HARBORUNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN SEMINARS UNIT Academic Achievement Unit ------------ School Counselor Tim Papp IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COPY OF THIS P.P. PRESENTATION: • EMAIL ME AT PAPPT@PCSB.ORG [SUBJECT LINE: Last Name/POWERPOINT]

2. YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELORMR. PAPP How Do I See My Counselor When I have Questions or Concerns? • Simply come see me! I have an open door policy! What Do I Do If You Are Not Available?(I am more than aware that I am not always available) • Leave a detailed request to be seen w/Grade Level Secretary • Be persistent! Keep checking in • Email is an excellent option As a Parent, How Best Can I Get in Touch with You? I generally answer my phone when not involved with a student/teacher, in a meeting, or out of the office but I know there are many calls that go unanswered. In the event you need to leave a message Email is preferred. If the response in not timely, please resend message. If you need immediate attention please contact Ms Spicatti, 9th grade secretary, at 727-669-1131 ext. 2267.

3. KEYS TO SCHOOL SUCCESSSPREAD THE WORD GOOD ORGANIZATION GOOD STUDY SKILLS GOOD NOTE TAKING SHOWING UP (ATTENDANCE)

4. BE ORGANIZED • Use your planner. • Take it with you to every class. USE IT!!! • Use it to keep track of assignments, test dates, activities, social commitments, etc. • TAKE IT HOME EVERY DAY

5. BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE CLASSROOM • Know each teachers’ class rules • Learn how to adapt to different teachers • Have all materials when you go to class • Always do your homework • Participate in class • Treat others with courtesy and respect

6. 9th GRADE COUNTS • Even one “D” can affect your GPA • Colleges will look at your Cumulative GPA – 24 credits • Each year you earn 7 credits • Most colleges look for a GPA of 3.0 or above • Don’t throw away your 9th grade year

7. 4 YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL The idea is to help you see and understand how easily your GPA is effected by the grades you earn throughout a semester/year/high school career

8. TUTORING RESOURCESGET HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT • If you need help or have a question, talk to a teacher • Utilize available FREE tutoring • Mr. Laskey: Math Tutor (All Math Subjects) • When: Monday and Wednesday Evening • Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm • Where: Room 11-113 (enter thru Community School) • National Honor Society Tutoring (All Subjects) • When: After school on Wednesday • Spanish Honor Society (All Levels) • When: Tuesdays and Thursdays (after school) • Where: 5-212 • Homework Help Line • 547-7223 or 442-3226 • Monday – Thursday 5:00pm-8:00pm To seek referral for PAID Tutors, See Counselor

9. WebsiteACADEMIC ASSISTANCEFree Classroom Open to the World(ALL SUBJECTS) The Khan Academy Mission of the Khan Academy is to: • Provides a world-class education to anyone, anywhere. • Offers user paced exercises http://www.khanacademy.org/

10. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET AN “F” FOR THE SEMESTER • YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT UP ON YOUR OWN TIME! WHY DO IT TWICE????? • IN MANY CASES, YOU MUST MAKE IT UP ON FLORIDA VIRTUAL SCHOOL OR ON YOUR OWN TIME OVER THE SUMMER.

11. High School Grade Forgiveness Policy • A forgiveness policy for required core courses shall be limited to replacing a grade of: Dor the grade equivalent 60‐69, or For the grade equivalent 0‐59 • With a grade of C or higher (or the grade equivalent 70‐79 or higher, earned subsequently in the same or comparable course. • Benefits of Forgiveness: • Helps improve students Cum GPA • The “F” is removed from the Cum GPA AND the new grade is added (only if C or higher grade is achieved) • NOTE: The previously earned D or F is only removed from Cum GPA, not the students Academic Record (Transcript)

12. TAKE GOOD NOTES • Be an active listener. Use your brain! • Recognize and write down important info • Get copies of class notes if you’re absent • Make sandwiches: don’t just take orders—put it all together!

13. CORNELL NOTE TAKINGStudy Smarter—Not Harder! • Take notes in this space • Use abbreviations. Draw pictures or arrows—whatever works to help you remember later on. • Don’t write down everything the teacher says. Watch for body language and phrases that signal “This is important.” • Don’t rewrite the textbook. • Ask questions about anything you don’t understand. Try to find the answer, or ask your teacher. • Recall Column: • Key Ideas • Key Words • Key Phrases • Possible Test Questions Briefly summarize this page of notes here

14. MANAGE YOUR TIME WELL • Use any extra time you have in school to get started on homework • Get on a schedule • Make homework a habit • No fiddling Stay on target • Self-monitor • Are you being Responsible? • Is your academic effort strong at school and home alike? • Are you going to bed early and getting a good nights rest? • Who is holding you accountable? [The Answer Should Be You!!!]

15. GOOD LUCK! SET HIGH GOALS • PRINCIPAL’S LIST/HONOR ROLL • HONORS AND A.P. CLASSES • GREAT G.P.A. FOR COLLEGE/MILITARY/TECH SCHOOL • INVOLVEMENT IN CLUBS AT SCHOOL • INVOLVEMENT IN SPORTS/MUSIC/DRAMA • VOLUNTEER IN THE COMMUNITY

16. UNIT TWO

17. FRESHMAN SEMINAR FRESHMAN SEMINARS UNIT Programs and Policy/Expectations and Requirements ------------ School Counselor Tim Papp

18. GRADUATION REQUIRMENTS Pinellas County DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE? I will discuss them with you twice a year, at a minimum, in our grade level seminars; however, it is your responsibility to review and know these requirements. You can find this information outside of the PowerPoint on PHUHS Curriculum Guide: (http://www.phuhs.org/curriculum-guide/graduation-requirements)

19. GRADUATION REQUIRMENTS

20. GRADUATION REQUIRMENTScontinued

21. Bright Futures Scholarship Program To obtain a comprehensive overview and explanation about the various qualification and expectation of The Bright Futures Scholarship Program… Access the following link: www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org • Florida Academic Scholars • Florida Medallion Scholars • Gold Seal

22. Bright FuturesOverview Requirements

23. BRIGHT FUTURESACADEMIC COURSE REQUIRMENTS Courses must include 16 credits of college preparatory academic courses. • 4 English (3 with substantial writing) • 4 Mathematics* (Algebra I level and above) (Level I Math Courses do not count) • 3 Natural Science (2 with substantial lab) • 3 Social Science • 2 Foreign Language (sequential, in the same language) = 16 Credits • For 2011 and 2012 graduates (only,): • the sequence of AlgebraIa and Ib and the sequence of Applied Math I and II may count as two credits for high school graduation, State University System (SUS) admissions and FAS/FMS eligibility. For 2013 and later graduates: • these courses will revert to the traditional one credit per sequence for SUS Admissions (College) and FAS eligibility (Highest Bright Future Award).

24. CourseRegistration • We will be registering students early in the second semester for next year. You will be advised of what to do when that time comes…However, it is not too early to start brainstorming about what elective courses you think you’d be interested in. • If you have heard of a class that sounds interesting but are curious to know more about the specifics of the class…detailed course descriptions can be found in PHUHS’s curriculum guide, which is located on our schools website at: (http://www.phuhs.org/curriculum-guide) • Prior to registration, there will be a day designated for students to obtain teacher recommendations for what course level the teacher feels you should be placed in. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CHOOSE YOUR COURSES *WISELY AND WITH INTENT *CHALLENGE YOURSELF, WHEN POSSIBLE, WITH HONORS AND AP *AVOID TAKING EASY CLASSES *CONSIDER STACKING “CORE” CLASSES INSTEAD OF REQUESTING A WEAKER ELECTIVE * YOU SHOULD BE FULLY AWARE AND MINDFUL OF WHAT COLLEGES/UNIVERSITYS ADMISSIONS ARE LOOKING FOR 1) Rigorous Curriculum 2) High GPA 3) High Standardized Test Scores

25. EXAM WAIVERS • Go to the following link to answer questions about Exam Waiver Eligibility http://www.phuhs.org/downloads/exam%20waiver%20flowchart.pdf

26. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIESTHERE IS GREAT BENEFIT AND VALUE IN BECOMING INVOLVED IN ACTIVITIES SPONSERED BY YOUR SCHOOL________BECOME CONNECTED//MAKE NEW SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPSEXPLORE INTEREST//OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ASSUMME POSITIONS OF LEADERSHIP FOR A LIST OF PHUHS CLUBS AND THEIR SPONSERS GOTO: WWW.PHUHS.ORG Get Involved!!!

27. KEYS TO FINDING SUCCESS-----------Supported and Advocated byMr. Papp Remember: If what you are doing isn’t working…then you need to do something else!!! • BEING INTERNALLY MOTIVATED TO SUCCEED • EXCELLENT EFFORT AT BOTH SCHOOL AND HOME • DOING HOMEWORK, REVIEWING HOMEWORK, AND STUDYING REGULARLY • HOLDING YOURSELF TO A HIGH STANDARD • STOP WORRING ABOUT WHAT OTHERS ARE DOING AND QUIT ENGAGING IN COMPARING YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES TO THOSE OF YOUR FRIENDS • LEARN HOW TO WORK HARD, AND… • CAPITALIZE ON AN EXTRAORDINARY WORK ETHIC

28. HOW WOULD YOURATE YOURSELF How would you HONESTLY answer the following question? Reflecting on your performance and effort this year, how would you rate the effort you’ve given or applied to the grades you’ve earned? Considering the number you’ve identified, what would it look like if you were to increase effort by one scale rating? One scale rating definitely indicates change, but it isn’t so drastic that you could not reasonably accomplish that upward slide. EFFORT SCALE 0_______________10

29. Have a Great Freshman Year • Don’t have any regrets…find your niche and work to your full potential • Regularly self-assess: If what you are doing isn’t producing the level of results/success that it should…then it is time to try something different. • Ask questions/seek out assistance. • Avoid getting caught up in justifying and making excuses. Instead, focus your energies on being positive and proactive in confronting area’s of difficulty head-on. • Be aware that you almost always have an opportunity to improve your overall final semester grade, even when you have a poor six weeks. With 3 six weeks and a final exam grade averaged together to determine a final grade, you are not held to a single poor grading period if you are motivated to work harder and earn better grades in the subsequent six weeks.