New Parent Night 2013: Foothill Technology High School

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”

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.”

www.foothilltechnology.org

- 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

The EssentialsThe EssentialsGetting 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.

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!

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

Student SupportStudent SupportCounselors:

Mr. Boyd – Last Names A – Gh, ext. 1011Ms. Freeman – Last Names Gi – O, ext. 1013Mrs. Vega – Last Names P – Z, ext. 1014

Your counselors assist all students with their academic and social andemotional 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.

RegistrarMs. Nordin, ext. 1005

Ms. Nordin is the point person for official transcripts, VC transcripts, Cal Grant Submissions, and multi-site enrollment forms.

School PoliciesSchool PoliciesDiscipline

Review discipline policy in student agenda to ensure understanding of school and district rules

Dress CodeClothing 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).

AttendanceAbsence and Tardy Policy

College CultureCollege CultureWe 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 coursesAVID• School wide strategies & activities• Support Team including

Administration, Counselors,Career Center, Coordinator, Elective Teachers & Site Team

• Elective Classes (9th – 12th)

College ReadinessCollege Readiness9th 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

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)

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

• Every teacher has a webpage:

– Contact information

– Syllabi for courses

– How to access homework

– Web resources

www.foothilltechnology.org

• 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 Connecthttp://zwc.ventura.k12.ca.us/parentportal/

Parent Connecthttp://zwc.ventura.k12.ca.us/parentportal/

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

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

Student online newspaper: www.foothilldragonpress.com

• Photos• Videos• Articles

Facebook updates: www.facebook.com/foothilldragonpress

Twitter: @FTHSDragonPress

On campus cross training

On campus dance

Mavericks

YMCA

Independent Study

Athletics at boundary high school

Physical EducationPhysical Education

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

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

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)

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)

Thanks for coming!

This presentation is available on our website: www.foothilltechnology.org