Forsyth Central High School
Parent Night
August 22, 2013
Meet the Counselors
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Evelyn Petersen:
A – E & 11-12th English Language Learners
Elizabeth Chilson:
F-L
Deidre Miller, Head Counselor
M-R
Grace Savage:
S – Z and 9 -10th English Language Learners
Role of the Counseling Department
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We have a comprehensive and developmental school counseling
program which focuses on
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Academic
Career
Personal/social issues.
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We do all types of counseling
 Individual counseling
 Group counseling
 Classroom guidance.
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We work with all students.
Graduation Requirements
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The requirements for graduation for any student entering high school
in 2010 or later are 23 Carnegie units in the following areas:
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4 English credits
4 Math credits
4 Science credits
3 Social Studies credits
3 CTAE, Foreign Language,/Modern Language, and/or Fine Arts credits
1 unit of Personal Fitness/Health (.5 credit each)
4 additional electives
All students are encouraged to see their counselor if they have
questions about their requirements! Don’t wait!
Promotion Requirements
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Students must earn a certain # of credits in order to be moved to
the next grade level.
Students are expected to make up credits outside of school day
(Forsyth Academy, summer school, online, etc.)
2008 Ninth Graders
and
Subsequent Years
5 units from grade
9 to 10
11 units from grade 10 to 11
17 units from grade 11 to 12
Are you HOPING for a HOPE Scholarship?
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Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) determines HOPE eligibility, not the
Forsyth County School System.
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All students have an account at gacollege411.org. Students can check their
eligibility on this site. See instructions on FCHS Counseling website for
accessing HOPE GPA.
ONLY CORE CLASSES are included in a HOPE GPA. Elective classes are not
included; however CORE electives are included such as psychology, sociology,
math support classes, AP Human Geography, etc.
There are many program changes within the HOPE scholarship program. For
all the specifics you will want to familiarize yourself with the
www.gacollege411.org website.
All are welcome to attend Financial Aid Night on December 3th at 6:30pm. A
representative from Georgia Student Finance Commission will be available to
answer questions. Don’t wait until senior year to get this information 
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Basics for HOPE
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US Citizenship
Georgia Residency
Be in compliance w/ Selective Service
requirements
Be in compliance w/ Georgia Drug-Free Act
HOPE GPA of 3.0 or higher
Zell Miller HOPE Eligibility
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Meet all HOPE scholarship eligibility requirements AND
meet one of the following:
Graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school as the
Valedictorian or the Salutatorian
Graduate from an eligible high school with a minimum
3.7 HOPE GPA combined with a minimum score of
1200 on the critical reading and math portions of the
SAT or a 26 composite score on the ACT in a single test
administration
Important HOPE Changes
Academic Rigor Requirements
 Class of 2015: must have credit in at least TWO of the courses from
the Academic Rigor Coursework list
 Class of 2016: must have credit in at least THREE of the courses
from the Academic Rigor Coursework list
 Class of 2017: must have credit in at least FOUR of the courses
from the Academic Rigor Coursework list
HOPE and AP/Dual Enrollment Coursework
 GSFC will remove the weighted portion (1.0 pt) and convert to a 4.0
scale. They will then add a .50 weight for AP courses and, if taken
in Georgia, Dual Enrollment Credit coursework in core courses, up
to the maximum of a 4.0.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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4th Annual College and Military Night – August 29, 2013 from 6:30pm8:30pm in the New Gym; approximately 60 colleges/universities and
Military representatives will be present for students to visit. All Forsyth
County students have been encouraged to attend.
PROBE Fair – September 10 at Lanier Tech. Another opportunity for
students to meet and talk w/ college representatives. Juniors and Seniors
can purchase a ticket for the PROBE Fair from Mrs. Santiago in the
counseling center. We will transport students to and from this event.
Hispanic Parent/Student Night – September 26 at 6:30pm in the east
campus cafeteria.
Financial Aid Night – December 3rd at 6:30pm in the east campus cafeteria
Grading Procedures 2013-2014
Grading Calculations for courses WITH an End of Course Test (EOCT):
Course Average will be 40% (1ST Sem. Course Work) + 40% (2ND Sem. Course Work) +
20% EOCT
Grading Calculations for courses WITHOUT an End of Course Test (EOCT):
Course Average will be 50% (1st sem Course Work) + 50% (2nd Sem Course Work), final
exam will count as a summative grade.
1ST & 2ND Semester Course Work = 75% Summative + 25% Formative
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Any grade below 70 is considered failing. Report Cards are given to students every 9
weeks. Only the final report card is mailed home.
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Credit will be awarded at the end of the course (May for yearlong classes;
December or May for semester long classes).
October 16 – Testing Day!
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The PSAT is given on October 16. All 10th graders will take this
test. It is free for 10th graders.
Any 9th or 11th grade student can sign up to take the test and pay
the fee ($14). Registration forms and money to Mrs. Alexander in
East Campus Lobby no later than Friday, September 13 at 4:00pm.
11th graders should seriously consider taking this test as these
scores identify students who may be eligible for the National Merit
Scholarship program.
11th graders who are not taking the PSAT and all seniors must
decide if they will take the ASVAB that day OR use one of their four
college visit days to go see a college campus. They must bring
back proper documentation if they choose a college visit.
GHSGT & EOCT Changes
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All current students must pass the Georgia HS Graduation WRITING test to
graduate.
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Current 12thgrade students (entered high school 2010) must pass an EOCT in each
of following subjects:
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English (9th Lit Comp or American Lit)
Math (Math I or Math II)
Science (Biology or Physical Science)
Social Studies (US History or Economics)
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If a student does not pass an EOCT in one of these subjects, they must pass the
Georgia High School Graduation Test corresponding to this subject.
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Current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders who entered high school in 2011 or later must
pass all classes with EOCTs in order to graduate. The EOCT will count 20% of their
final grade for that course.
College Visits
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Each Junior and Senior are allowed 4 college
visitation days. These absences count as a
“field trip” as long as the proper documentation
is brought to school the day after the trip.
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These days do not roll over from year to year. If
the student does not use them, they lose them.
Visit the Counseling Webpage!!
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www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/fchs
Click on “Student Services” at top.
Click on “Counseling”
Tons of information!
Tour of the site