WELCOME TO 8TH GRADECLASS OF 2019LAST YEAR IN MIDDLE SCHOOL!!

Guidance Counselor:

Ms. Hicks

THINGS THAT 8TH GRADERS SHOULD KNOW:

• Who are your counselors and what do they do?

• Middle school graduation requirements.

• What are grades worth?• High school GPA

• What is a PAC Plan?

• Getting to high school…. then to college!!

STUDENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

◦ Academic Advising (scheduling, parent/teacher conferences, academic goal setting, academic concerns)

◦ Personal/social needs (peer pressure, bullying, anger management, social issues, family issues, behavioral goal setting)

◦ Mrs. Lory Sakay (office in the media center)– provides brief counseling, group counseling and referrals to outside resources

◦ Mrs. Escudero (Judo room) and the Peer Counselors – conduct conflict mediation, act as peer mentors, peer tutors and promote character education initiatives

◦ Career Planning (PAC plan development in 8th grade, preparation for high school, GPA )

PLEASE HELP!

Bob is a new 8th grade student and he asks YOU for help. Please answer his questions to the best of your ability.

Deb is a new 8th grade student and she asks YOU for help. Please answer her questions to the best of your ability.

MIDDLE SCHOOL 101 PRE-TEST… LETS HELP BOB & DEB!

1. Bob wants you to explain which classes are needed to pass this year to go to high school…what do you say?

a. Also, which classes does he need to prove he already passed in 6th and 7th grade in order to go to high school?

2. Deb admits to you that she failed Math 2 in 7th grade. What are her course recovery options?

3. In quarter 1, Bob earns three "A's”, two “B’s”, one “C” and one “F” . What are the total amount of points earned so far?

b. Bob’s “F” grade is in Language Arts 3. He is worried about failing Language Arts. He asks you, what grades should be earned in the next 3 quarters to make sure Language Arts 3 is passed?

MIDDLE SCHOOL 101 CONTINUED…

4. Deb is taking Spanish 1 this year, and asks you if she should take Spanish 2 next year…what do you advise?

5. Bob asks: What is the FSA and which subjects will be tested this year?

6. Deb is determined to do well this year, what is the one single best advice you can provide to help her be successful?

MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to enter any high school in Florida you MUST fulfill 2 requirements:

1st – You MUST pass ALL core classes all 3 years

2nd – You MUST create a PAC Plan showing 24 planned credits for high school

PASS YOUR FOUR CORE AND YOU WILL SOAR TO HIGH

SCHOOL!

Language Arts Math Comprehensive Science

Social Studies

Must

pass

core

cla

sses

all

3 y

ears

and c

reate

a

PAC

Pla

n

6th gradeLanguage Arts 1Math 1,2, or 3

Comprehensive Science 1World Cultures

7th gradeLanguage Arts 2

Math 2, 3, or Algebra 1 HonorsComprehensive Science 2

Civics

8th gradeLanguage Arts 3

Math 3, Algebra 1 H., or Geometry H.Comprehensive Science 3

US HistoryComplete your PAC Plan with 24 credits

Did you pass these already?

Pass these!

COURSE RECOVERY

Somerset Virtual Academy (SVA) is the online school used for course recovery

If a student fails a core class they will have to re-take it and pass itLanguage ArtsMathScienceUS History

during the summer… bummer! During the summer, your parents may pay

WHAT ARE GRADES WORTH?

• A = 4 points

• B = 3 points

• C = 2 points

• D = 1 point

• F = 0 points

• Add your points every quarter!

• GPA – grade point average

• Everyone needs a 2.0 GPA to graduate high school. (that’s a “C” average!)

Danger Zone

Success zone

WHAT IS PASSING?

You must have at least 4 points for each class by the end of the year.

For example: Math grades for all four quarters

Did this person pass math?

Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4

F F C D

HIGH SCHOOL COURSES

Algebra 1 Honors (gives you extra points)

Geometry Honors (gives you extra points)

Spanish 1

Spanish for Speakers 1

Spanish 2

Spanish for Speakers 2

Italian 1

Italian 2

French 1

French 2

All these classes will

count towards your high

school GPA and will give

you high school credit. In

high school, 2.0 GPA (“C”

average) is required!

Semester based classes:

1st semester = quarter 1 + quarter 2 + Midterm exam

2nd semester = quarter 3 + quarter 4 + Final exam

WHAT IS A PAC PLAN?

Personal

Academic

Career

Plan Developed in US History Class using Florida CHOICES –

online program

Set goals and plan for high school Get good grades to qualify for dual enrollment in the

future Plan on taking Honors and AP classes Its never too early to research colleges

WHAT IS A PAC PLAN?

Personal

Academic

Career

Plan

Create goals:Aim for good grades = dual enrollment in the futurePlan for honors and AP classesSet up your classes according to your interests and future

goals

FSA

◦FOUR FSA tests in April◦ Reading◦ Math◦ Writing ◦ Science

◦ What do I have to get to PASS the FSA?◦ Level 3◦ Intensive math / reading will replace electives if

FSA scores are a 2 or below in reading and math

EOC

◦ Which courses have an EOC?

◦ Algebra 1 Honors ◦ Geometry Honors

◦ If you are in either of these classes you will take an EOC- end of course exam – NOT your 8th grade math FCAT

◦ You must pass EOC to get credit for Algebra 1◦ The Geometry EOC will count as 30% of your final

grade

YOUR ONLINE RESOURCES

Daily:◦ Check somersetacademy.com for updates, teacher

webpages, homework assignments, school activities, more.

Weekly:◦ You should log on to pinnacle weekly and keep track of

your own grades

Quarterly:◦ Virtual Counselor is used for FSA scores, grades,

attendance, in the future for graduation requirements.

VOLUNTEER HOURS

40 hours minimum to graduate high school

Will start counting for graduation once you are promoted from 8th grade (summer before 9th grade)

Angie Rodriguez – Volunteer Hours Coordinator

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

Always, always, ALWAYS remember…

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!!!

Bob and Deb say thank you!

HOW DO I SUCCESSFULLY PASS MY CLASSES?

Use your agenda everyday

Prepare for class

Take responsibility for yourself

Check Pinnacle!!!!!!

Take GOOD notes and study!

Always pay attention.

Ask for HELP when you need it!

JANE’S FIRST QUARTER REPORT CARD

Class Grade

Math 3 A

Language Arts

D

Comp. Sci. 3

A

US History B

Drama 2 A

Art 3D C

PE A

What is Jane’s GPA for the first quarter?

STEPS:1. Add up the points for each class.2. Divide by the amount of classes.