Parent Orientation

Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders

1. Welcome- Mr. Brian Skipper

2. PTSA President – Leigh Owens

3. Athletic Booster Club President – Mr. Sayegh

4. Guidance – Tammy Misanko and Connie Johnson

5. Expectations- Mrs. Bianca M. Jamison

What

is a

Freshmen Academy?

Communication

• Twitter HillcrestHSRams

• FacebookHillcrest High School

Hillcrest High School PTSA

• Email & website

• Phone Blasts

• Newspaper- Tribune, Sentinel, Simpsonville Banner

Success Breeds Success

• EOC Scores

– Biology

• 89% in 2014-2015

– English

• 81.7% in 2014-2015

– Algebra

• 85% in 2014-2015

Success Breeds Success

• 50 students were recognized as Students of the Month

• 10 teachers were recognized as Freshman Academy Teachers of the Month

• Numerous students received POSITIVE REFERRALS!

• 251 students were given awards at the Academy Awards Ceremony.

ATTENDANCE

• School year is 180 days, students are required to be in attendance at least 170 days.

• Attendance is taken for each class period.

• Parent Notes, Medical, Bereavement, etc. should be turned into attendance within two days of the absence.

• Seat Time Recovery (STR)

Early Dismissals

• Student must bring a note in before 1st

period to attendance.– Student’s legal name

– The time and reason for Early Dismissal

– Working phone number that you can be reached

• If parent comes to check student out, you must have a valid picture ID.

Early Dismissals

• Under no circumstances will an early dismissal be granted by fax, phone call, or email.

• Student’s may only be released to person’s listed in PowerSchool.

Top 10 Things Parents Should Know

#10 – GPA

• Your overall GPA for

college is cumulative

from 9th grade to

12th grade.

#9 Requirements to be a Sophomore

• Students need a minimum of 5 Credits.

• They must pass both Math and English.

• Yes, there will be homework.

USE AN AGENDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Use a notebook to stay organized!

#8 Textbooks

• Keep track of your textbooks.

• Students can not keep them in the teacher’s classroom.

• Barcoded – We will not accept any books that do not have a barcode

• Freshman lose the highest % of textbooks per year.

• Books that are lost/damaged will have to be paid for by the student.

• If a student receives a book that is damaged, it is their responsibility to notify the media center right away to get another book.

#7 Dress Code

• Keep shorts/skirts 3 inches above the knee (or less)• No holes 3 inches above the knees • No leggings without shorts/skirts

over them. • Keep tops covered• Keep pants at the waist• No hats• No non-human hair colors• Wear clothes that are school appropriate

#6 ID Badges

• Students must wear their ID badges at all times.• If a student doesn’t have an ID or if they are

wearing someone else’s ID, it will result in detention, ISS or OSS.

• Students receive one free ID at the beginning of the school year.

• Students may purchase another ID for $5 in the mornings in the Guidance hallway. They may put one ID on credit if needed.

#5 Tardy

• This is the #1 discipline issue at Hillcrest.

• Students have 5 minutes between classes.

• Students are allowed 4 unexcused tardies per semester.

*1-4 Free

*5-6 (30 minute) after school detention

*7-8 (3 hour) Saturday detention

*9 ISS / parent notification

*10+ OSS

#4 Social Media

• Cyber Bullying

• Monitor your children’s

social media sites

• If something is said to your child on a social network the best thing for them to do is not respond and bring it to either our attention or to the police department’s attention (if it is serious).

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM FACE IT, DON’T FACEBOOK IT

#3 Attendanceand Early Dismissals

• Students will not be released to anyone unless they are listed in our system as a legal person to do so. This is for everyone’s safety.

• If you would like someone to pick your child up from school they must be listed in our system (Emergency Contact List – Up to 5 people).

#2 Health Room

• Students must report any medication they are using to the health room.

• Students with medication on them without permission will be disciplined accordingly.

• There are forms to fill out in the health room if students are required to take medication during the school day.

#1 Cell Phones/Electronic Devices

• Cell Phones, CD Players, IPods, MP3 Players, Handheld Games and other electronic devices brought to school must be turned off and kept out of sight during class time. Devices may be used during lunch and during class change in designated locations.

Misc.

• Parent drop off and pick up is in the back of the school.

*Expect heavy traffic the first week of school.

*Parents please do not use the front of the school to drop off or

pick up.

• The front of the school is reserved only for bus drop off and pick up.

• Parent Portal

WE HAVE AN UNBELIEVABLE GROUP OF TEACHERS IN THE FRESHMAN ACADEMY.

• We set high expectations for ourselves and our students

“They are not in it for the income, they are in it for the outcome.”

Announcements

• Schedules available in the commons area by alphabet (A-D, E-L, M-R, S-Z)

• Visit organization/club tables in the commons and around the FA

• Pick up Parent Portal access if needed in main office• Floater teachers

– Mr. Bell- Athletic table (commons area)– Ms. Peden- Room #252

• Complete the “Needs Assessment” for guidance by August 28

• Complete FA survey and place in basket as you leave