Foothill Technology High School has a history of academic excellence, being named a National Blue Ribbon School twice and ranking in the top 25 schools in California. The presentation emphasized the importance of parent involvement in a student's education and provided information to support students' success. It outlined various student support programs, graduation requirements like community service, and ways for parents to stay informed and involved through the school website and Parent Connect portal.

1. Foothill Technology High SchoolFoothill Technology High School
2006 & 2012 National Blue Ribbon School
2005 – 2013 Top 25 Ranked School in California
2010 – 2013 AVID National Demonstration School
2013 – U.S News and World Report – Top 1% “Best Schools in America”

2. The research is in, and it is clear. Study after
study has shown that the involvement of parents and
families in the schooling of their children makes a
significant difference.
Regardless of income and background, students
with parents who are involved in their academic
careers are more likely to earn high grades and test
scores, enroll in higher level programs, and be
promoted. These students attend school regularly,
show improved behavior, adapt well to school, and
have better social skills.
The findings hold true across all segments of
society – poor, minority, and middle class. All
students do better when their parents are involved in
their school lives. “Parent and community
involvement that is linked to student learning has a
greater effect on achievement than more general
forms of involvement.”

3. www.foothilltechnology.org

4. - Welcome & Introductions
-Essentials
-Tips for Success
-FIRE Advisory
-AVID—College Readiness
-Student Support
-School Policies
-Technology
-PE Options
-Athletics
-Community Service
-Ways to Support FTHS
New Parent Night AgendaNew Parent Night Agenda

5. The EssentialsThe Essentials
Getting Your Child To School
• VHS & BHS bus routes
• Drop Off/Pick Up
• Tardy Policy
School Supplies
• Agenda available at student store $5
• Wait for syllabus
Textbooks
• Home set, class set
Office
• Sign in when student tardy & anytime visiting campus
• Sign out when leaving
• Office staff will not interrupt classes to deliver lunches,
forgotten HW, etc.

6. Tips for SuccessTips for Success
•Check grades early and often in Q Parent Connect
•Communicate with faculty about your students social /
emotional needs
•Encourage your student to use their agenda
•Encourage your student to get involved
Opportunities include: clubs, ASB, Journalism, Speech &
Debate, FIRE leader, etc.
•Get involved!

7. F.I.R.E.F.I.R.E.
•FIRE is an advisory/academic intervention for all 9th
graders
•11:21-11:51 every Tuesday-Friday
• Junior/Senior Mentors will lead the advisory under the
supervision of a teacher (10 students per advisory)
•In FIRE, students will:
• Receive academic support based on assessment data
• Obtain help from a teacher in a specific class
• Develop high school socialization skills
• Receive study skill/organization support
• Work on homework / projects
• Learn AVID strategies

8. Student SupportStudent Support
Counselors:
Mr. Boyd – Last Names A – Gh, ext. 1011
Ms. Freeman – Last Names Gi – O, ext. 1013
Mrs. Vega – Last Names P – Z, ext. 1014
Your counselors assist all students
with their academic and social and
emotional needs.
Media Center Specialist:
Mrs. Kapala, ext. 1008
Career and scholarship coordinator as well as the community service
coordinator. Mrs. Kapala works closely with students on career and
college research.
Registrar
Ms. Nordin, ext. 1005
Ms. Nordin is the point person for official transcripts, VC transcripts, Cal
Grant Submissions, and multi-site enrollment forms.

9. School PoliciesSchool Policies
Discipline
Review discipline policy in student agenda to ensure
understanding of school and district rules
Dress Code
Clothing shall be void of any illegal substances, sexual, profane,
gang-related, or offensive attributes
Clothes shall conceal undergarments. See-through, fish-net, off
the shoulder, halter tops, bare mid-riffs, and skirts above the
thigh are prohibited (skirts and shorts should reach the bottom
of their finger tips with hands at their sides).
Attendance
Absence and Tardy Policy

10. College CultureCollege Culture
We believe
• All graduates should be eligible and prepared to enter a
four-year college upon graduation from FTHS (A – G
ready)
• College Ready – Work Ready
• All students should participate in
rigorous courses
AVID
• School wide strategies & activities
• Support Team including
Administration, Counselors,
Career Center, Coordinator,
Elective Teachers & Site Team
• Elective Classes (9th
– 12th
)

11. College ReadinessCollege Readiness
9th
Grade :
• Four year plan in Health Class & EDA (September)
• Practice PLAN (November – limited spaces)
• Career exploration in Media Center & EDA
• Begin building a resume
10th
Grade:
• 10th
Grade Counseling Sessions (October)
• Transcript Review
• Practice PSAT (October – limited spaces), PLAN
(November)
• Sophomore Parent Night (October)
• College/Career exploration

12. 11th
Grade:
• PSAT (October)
• Junior Parent Night (January)
• Job Shadows & college/career exploration
• SAT prep course (recommended for some students)
• SAT and ACT tests (Spring)
• AP Testing (Spring)
• Personal statements for college applications
12th
Grade:
• SAT/ACT testing (Fall)
• Personal Statement support and feedback (Fall)
• College Application workshops (October)
• Scholarship workshops
• Senior Parent Night (October)
• Financial Aid Night (January)
• AP Testing (Spring)

13. www.foothilltechnology.org
• Staff contact
information
• Programs and
Academies
• Daily Bulletin and
School Calendars
• Common Forms and
Policies
• Dining with Dragons
information
• PFSO information
• Follow us on Twitter
@FoothillTech

14. • Every teacher has
a webpage:
– Contact
information
– Syllabi for
courses
– How to access
homework
– Web resources
www.foothilltechnology.org

15. • Q-Connect
• Middle school log-ins work at FTHS
• Parents may request their password in the front
office; if you have account problems, contact VUSD
technology
• Passwords are case sensitive
• Parents can view:
– Attendance
– Assignment scores
– Quarterly and progress report grades
– Student transcripts
– Student test scores
Parent Connect
http://zwc.ventura.k12.ca.us/parentportal/

16. Parent Connect
http://zwc.ventura.k12.ca.us/parentportal/

17. Parent Connect:
http://zwc.ventura.k12.ca.us/parentportal/

18. Mobile Devices
• Wireless campus wide,
open to students and staff
• iPad Academy started last
year
• Students may bring
mobile devices to school
for use in classroom
learning when teacher
permits
• If planning to purchase for
school use, see website
for recommendations
• Please contribute to our
Technology Fund

19. Student online newspaper:
www.foothilldragonpress.com
• Photos
• Videos
• Articles
Facebook updates:
www.facebook.com/
foothilldragonpress
Twitter:
@FTHSDragonPress

20. On campus cross training
On campus dance
Mavericks
YMCA
Independent Study
Athletics at boundary
high school
Physical EducationPhysical Education

21. Supervised/Independent Study P.E.
•Supervised P.E. students enrolled in the YMCA/Mavericks
classes will be provided transportation
•Please encourage your student to put forth their
maximum effort
•It is critical that Independent P.E. students turn in
contracts & hours monthly

22. Athletics
•Foothill to begin athletics in 2014-15
•Please refer to our FAQ’s under athletics on our website
•The class of 2017 has a choice regarding participation in
Athletics
•The class of 2018 and thereafter will participate for Foothill
exclusively
•Informational meetings will be held for both students and
parents this fall

23. Community ServiceCommunity Service
• All students must complete 75 hours of community service as
a graduation requirement
• Recommended 20 hours each of the first three years and 15
• during senior year
• All hours must be pre-approved
(Mrs. Kapala)
• Comprehensive list of
pre-approved organizations
on website
(www.foothilltechnology.org)

24. Ways to Support FTHSWays to Support FTHS
• Join PFSO
• Volunteer at school
• Chaperone an activity or dance
• Technology fund
• Turn in your Vons 10% Back To
Schools coupon to the office
• Sign up for your employer’s
matching funds program
• Select FTHS at participating stores (Target, Office Supply,
etc.)
• Escrip (www.escrip.com) or Upromise (www.upromise.com)

25. Thanks for coming!
This presentation is available on our website:
www.foothilltechnology.org