This document summarizes a freshman parent meeting at Etowah High School. It introduces the administration and counseling staff, outlines graduation requirements, and discusses academic support programs. It also covers topics like the HOPE scholarship, dual enrollment, and Advanced Placement courses to provide academic rigor. The goal is to welcome and inform parents of the Class of 2019.

1. Freshman Parent Meeting
Class of 2019
August 25, 2015
Etowah High School

2. WELCOME
Ms. Lyn Turnell
Assistant Principal

3. Etowah High School
PTSA
President:
Ms. Shannon Bates

4. Etowah High School
School Council
Council Chair:
Ms. Lori Peters

5. Etowah High School
Administration
Principal:
Mr. Keith L. Ball
Assistant Principals:
Mr. Bob VanAlstyne (A-C)
Dr. Amanda Ruiz (D-G)
Ms. Lyn Turnell (H-L)
Dr. Dan Snipes (M-R)
Mr. Matthew May (S-Z)

6. Etowah Counseling Staff
• Ms. Whitney Minton (A-C) 10th grade activities
• Ms. Amanda Findley (D-G) 12th grade activities
• Ms. Lisa Shull (H-L) 9th grade activities
• Ms. Michele Dowd (M-R) 11th grade activities
• Ms. Kelly Brangan (S-Z) Lead Counselor /
Testing Coordinator
Counseling Front Office:
Ms. June Pollack
Ms. Silvia Holmes
Ms. Stephanie Culver

7. Etowah Website
Visit Us Here

8. Attendance Policy
• Excuse notes (parent/guardian, doctor, etc.) must be
received in the attendance office (front office) within
FIVE school days after returning to school.
• Attendance is taken in each class period.
• At 7 or more absences (excused or unexcused) and a
passing grade, an appeal is generated, reviewed by the
Attendance Committee and approved by the Principal
before credit is awarded.
• Appeals are automatically generated by the attendance
office. There is no action on your part, other than
encouraging better attendance for your student.

9. B.A.L.D. Eagle Program
• Bring Your Own Learning Device
• Internet Acceptable Use Policy
• Texting allowed during transitions and lunch
• Headphones at lunch only – NOT in class or
during transitions
• No phone calls during the Instructional Day
from 8:15 AM – 3:15 PM
• No photos or videoing without explicit
permission from teacher or administrator

10. Get Involved!
• Extra-Curricular activities can help your
student feel connected to the school and are
a factor in the college admission’s process.
– Clubs
– Sports
– Community Service – not a graduation
requirement, but encouraged

11. From the Counseling Office
Ms. Lisa Shull, Counselor
H– L
9th Grade Activities

12. Class of 2019
• Classes are divided into two semesters
– 1st Semester August – December
– 2nd Semester January - May
• A student will take 6 classes each semester
• Each semester course is worth .5 units of credit per class
• Credit is issued at the end of each semester (December & May)
• Students must earn 23 units to graduate

13. Requirements for 2019 Graduates
• 4 Units of English
• 4 Units of Math
• 4 Units of Science (must include Biology and a Physical Science)
• 3 Units of Social Studies (must include World Hist, US Hist, Econ/Govt)
• 1 Unit of Health (.5) and Personal Fitness (.5)
• 3 Required Electives (World Languages, Fine Arts and/or Career/Tech classes)
• 4 Miscellaneous Electives
• 23 Total Units

14. Teachers As Advisors
• TAA gives and additional layer of support to students
• 27 minutes every Monday with advisors
• Students can earn .5 elective credit each academic school year
• Develop strong bonds w/a group of peers and advisors
• Focus
• academic
• college/career
• character education
• personal/social
topics
• Goal
• Who am I?
• Where am I going?
• How am I going to get there?

15. Subject Units 9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
English/Literature 4 9th Lit/Comp (H) 10th Lit/Comp (H)
11th Lit/Comp (H)
or
AP Language/Comp
12th Lit/Comp (H)
or
AP Literature/Comp
Mathematics 4
GSE Algebra I
or
Honors GSE Algebra I
or
Acc. GSE Alg/Geom A
GSE Geometry
or
Acc. GSE Geom B/Algebra II
GSE Algebra II
or
Acc GSE Pre-Cal
4th Mathematics Options Vary
Science 4
Physical Science
or
Biology (H)
or
Environmental Science
Physical Science
or
Biology (H)
or
Chemistry (H)
Or
Environmental Science
Chemistry (H)
or
Physics (H)
or
Environmental Science
or
Earth Systems
4th Science Options Vary (including
CTAE)
Social Studies 3 X World History (H, AP) US History (H, AP)
Government (H, AP)
Economics (H, AP)
Health
Pers. Fitness
1
Personal Fitness
Health
or
3 JROTC
X X X
Required Electives
(*Foreign Language, Fine Arts,
Career/Tech)
*Required for 4-Yr colleges
3
World Language
Fine Arts
Career/Technical
World Language
Fine Arts
Career/Technical
World Language
Fine Arts
Career/Technical
World Language
Fine Arts
Career/Technical
Misc. Electives
(ex. Academic, PE, CTAE over 3)
4 Elective Elective Elective Elective
Total Needed 23

16. Beyond 2019
• 4 year colleges/ universities currently require
a minimum of two years of the same World
Language
• Technical Colleges currently do not require a
World Language

17. Parents ask……
• My student made all A’s and B’s in middle school. Why is he/she not doing
well now?
• My student is having difficulty in a class. Can they get extra help at school?
– Teacher
– Before and/or After School Tutoring
– Mandatory Lunchtime Tutoring
– Academic Saturday School
– Fall/Spring Break tutoring opportunities
• My student said that report cards / progress reports were not sent home
because the computers were down. Should I be suspicious?
• How can I get in touch with my child’s teacher?
– E-mail teacher (first.last@cherokee.k12.ga.us)
– 770.926.4411 Main Office
– Complete list of teachers:
• http://www.cherokee.k12.ga.us/Schools/etowah-hs/staff/Staff/faculty.aspx

18. Zero Credit
Credit may NOT be issued if:
• A student has 7 or more absences per semester
– Absences are counted in each class period
• A student does not pass the class with a grade of 70 or
higher
• A student does not take the required Georgia
Milestones – EOC

19. To be Promoted to a 10th Grade
Homeroom
• A student must earn at least 5 total units of
credit by the end of their freshman year.
• Three of these units must be in the following
academic areas:
1 unit of English
1 unit of Math
1 unit of Science

20. Mandatory Lunchtime Tutoring
• Cost free assistance, Monday – Thursday
• Begins September 9th, 2015
• Required for grade-level Literature, Algebra, and
Science if average grade is less than 74
• Qualifying students attend tutoring with a subject
area teacher for first half of their lunch period
• Students earn their way out – stabilize grade of
74 or higher and teacher approves their progress

21. Optional Fall Break Tutoring
• There will also be an opportunity for tutoring during
Fall Break – September 21 – 23. We will offer morning
(9:00 – 12:00) and evening (4:00 – 7:00) tutoring
sessions at no cost to you. More information is coming
soon.
• Both the lunch-time and Fall Break tutoring programs
are designed to provide your student the extra support
needed to receive a passing grade and avoid attending
after school credit connect courses or summer school,
which would involve cost to parents.

22. Saturday School
• Cost free Academic assistance
• Etowah teachers facilitate (it may not be your student’s
teacher, but EHS certified staff)
• Media Center resources and computer labs available
• 8 AM until noon (enter through C Bldg-lobby)
• Students/parents must provide transportation
• First semester dates:
– Aug 22, 29
– Sept 12
– Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24
– Nov 7, 14
– Dec. 5, 12

23. Credit Recovery Options
Credit Connect
• APEX computer based program
• 7 AM – 8 AM M-F (18 weeks)
• 3:30 – 5:30 PM M-Th (9 weeks)
• $200.00 per ½ credit (subject to
change)
Polaris Evening Program (PEP)
• Recover .5 credit per quarter
• 2 hour classes @ Woodstock HS
• 4:00, 6:00 and 8:00 start times
• $200.00 per ½ credit (subject to
change)
• PEP can be utilized while enrolled
at EHS or full-time enrollment
Summer School
• Recover 1 credit max
• 3-4 Weeks in June
• 8:00 – 4:00 M-F
• $200.00 per ½ credit (subject to
change)
Online Options (BYU, GAVS, etc.)
• See Counselor for options
• Must get advanced approval by
counselor/administrator
• Cost can vary
Retake class during school day
• No cost involved
• May delay graduation

24. Family Portal
• Provides Real-Time Access
• Grades
• Attendance
• Student Schedule
For information/troubleshooting E-mail:
• parent.support@cherokee.k12.ga.us
– Automatically created from your school contact records
– Subject line type: Request login information for family portal
– Your email must include: your name, students name and the
school currently attending
– We must have an accurate and updated email address

25. Georgia Milestones - EOC
English
9th Grade Literature
American Literature
Math
Algebra
Geometry
Science
Physical Science
Biology
Social Studies
Economics
US History

26. Georgia Milestones - EOC
 An EOC counts for 20% of the FINAL COURSE
GRADE (second semester “B” course)
 Passing the EOC is not required to graduate.
However, passing the required course is necessary
for graduation.

27. Sample Freshman Transcript
• Each Semester: You OWN it!
• Grades are cumulative
• Aug-Dec (Semester 1) - posted to
your transcript, ex: 9th Grade
Lit/Comp A
• Jan-May (Semester 2) posted to
your transcript, ex: would say 9th
Grade Lit/Comp B
• Notice that Physical Science has
earned a passing grade, but not
received credit. Why not?
Attendance is taken every period,
students must meet grade
requirements and attendance
requirements.

28. PSAT
• Wednesday, October 14, 2015 at Etowah High School
• All 10th and 11th grade students
• 9th Grade students may opt to take the PSAT for a fee. Students must register online,
and pay at the time of registration (online), results will be distributed with all PSAT
results in January. The online registration window will open in September – more
information coming soon! This will be posted on the Counseling section of the EHS
web site.
• Tests Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Skills
• Prepares students to take the SAT, shows AP Potential
• In 11th grade, PSAT scores are used to qualify students for the National Merit
Scholarship

29. HOPE and the Zell Miller
Scholarship (as it Currently Exists)
• HOPE Scholarship:
– 3.0 academic GPA, covers approximately 90% of the 2011/2012 tuition rates
• Zell Miller scholarship:
– 3.7 academic GPA—covers 100% of current tuition rates
– 1200 combined Critical Reading/Math on SAT or 26 Composite on ACT
– Rigor requirement (at least 4 classes meeting requirements)
• GPA’s are NOT rounded for HOPE eligibility!
• Track your student’s HOPE GPA throughout high school using www.GAcollege411.org
(Georgia Student Finance Commission)
This information is subject to change based on the Georgia Legislature
• The most current information about changes to HOPE can be found at:
https://secure.gacollege411.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/HOPE_Program/Georgia_s_HOPE_
Scholarship_Program_Overview.aspx

30. www.gacollege411.org
Georgia College 411
http://gacollege411.org/

31. www.GAFutures.org coming soon…

32. Frequently asked questions regarding
HOPE
• Do all classes count?
• Do 7th or 8th grade classes count?
• Do you get to keep the extra points added for
Honors or AP classes?
• Why should my child take the harder classes
and not get the extra points?
• How can I keep up with my student’s HOPE?

33. Other Opportunities for Rigor
Advanced Placement Courses (AP)
• EHS currently offers 22 AP courses available
throughout the 4 years of high school
• Requires the recommendation from previous
subject area teacher based on classroom
performance
• Student remains on campus with an EHS
teacher trained by College Board

34. Other Opportunities for Rigor
Dual Enrollment
• Dual enrollment (DE) is available to high school
students who are on track to graduate. Their
course selection at the college/university must
align with their high school graduation
requirements
• Grade earned in college class is posted to HS
transcript, but also part of student’s college
record. Georgia Milestones – EOC must still be
taken and are 20% of student grade on HS
transcript
• There may be costs associated with DE: food,
transportation, fees, etc.

35. Class of 2019!
Mr. Keith L. Ball
Etowah High School Principal
Graduation:
Friday, May 24, 2019
at 8:00 PM
First Baptist Church of Woodstock