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Gilmer High School Administrators

Mrs. Carla Foley – Principal

Mrs. Tiffany Boyette – Assistant Principal Curriculum Director, RTI Coordinator, Testing Coordinator

Mr. Matthew Johnson – Assistant Principal, AP Coordinator Student Last Name A – L

Mr. Greg Burrell – Assistant Principal, Facilities Coordinator Student Last Name M - Z

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Gilmer High School Counselors

Ms. Ginger Chastain - Student Last Name A – Gh, Assistant Testing Coordinator

Mrs. Tammy Bennett – Student Last Name Gi – Pi, Director of Guidance

Dr. Donna Sexton – Student Last Name Pl – Z, Guidance Media Liaison

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The Senior Year: What Do I Do?

Exciting year of transitions
Get organized
Keep a calendar of deadlines
Manage your time wisely
Do not procrastinate
Stay focused
Ask questions
Relax, enjoy your senior year and make great memories

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How To Get To The Finish Line

Meet state of Georgia and Gilmer County Charter School System course requirements for graduation:

Pass your classes
Regular class attendance is crucial for academic success
Communicate with your teachers, advisor and counselor

Complete the state required Capstone Project (Work Based Learning students complete this as part of their portfolio):

MOWR students will work with their counselor to fulfill this requirement
All other seniors will fulfill this requirement through their English class

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Gilmer High School Graduation Requirements

Subject	Credits Required	Courses Required
English	4	9^th Literature, World Literature, American Literature (or AP Language), 4^th English course (Advanced Composition, English Literature, or AP Literature).
Mathematics	4	Algebra I. Geometry, Algebra II, 4^th Mathematic course (several options available).
Science	4d	Physical Science or Physics , Biology , Chemistry or Environmental Science, 4^th Science (several options available)
Social Studies	3	World History , US History, Civics/American Government (1/2 credit) Economics (1/2 credit)
Health and Personal Fitness	1	½ credit of each.

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Gilmer High School Graduation Requirements

Subject	Credits Required	Courses Required
Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Fine Arts World Languages*	3	Students will complete a pathway consisting of 3 sequential courses in the same area. *Students seeking admission to a four-year college or university must take a minimum of 2 credits in the same world language.
Local Electives	5	At least one credit must be completed in a CTAE, Fine Arts, World Language or Advanced Placement course.
TOTAL	24

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Capstone Project

Students typically complete this project after a pathway has been completed (or is nearing completion)

Capstone provides students with the opportunity to explore a career of personal or professional interest

The project allows students to demonstrate their ability to apply their acquired knowledge to real-world issues and problems

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Capstone Project

The project should affirm students' ability to think critically and creatively, and to communicate effectively

Procrastination is not your friend

Complete your Capstone early!

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Schedule

Meet with your Advisor to ensure you are correctly scheduled for the remaining classes you need to graduate

Do not wait if there is an issue with your schedule!

Meet with your counselor to discuss credit recovery options if you need to retake a class

GHS offers online credit recovery at no cost, but must be scheduled at the beginning of the semester during one or more blocks
Mountain Education Charter High School offers online credit recovery at a cost of $150 per credit

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Grades

90 - 100 = A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
69 and below = F
Every grade counts! Do not settle for a 79 when you can score an 80
Build a “cushion” into your grades for EOC’s and emergencies. Remember that final exams are typically 20% of the final grade

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College Athletics: Two Governing Bodies

NAIA: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

Governing body of small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics

Prospective student-athletes are evaluated for academic and athletic eligibility

No national clearinghouse

Simple requirements for eligibility

http://www.naia.org

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College Athletics: Two Governing Bodies

NCAA: National Collegiate Athletic Association

Member-led organization with three divisions dedicated to the well-being and lifelong success of college athletes

Division I and Division II schools (typically larger schools) can offer scholarships to athletes for playing a sport

Division III schools (typically smaller schools) may not offer any athletic scholarships

Requires student athletes to register at http://www.ncaa.org

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College Athletics: Two Governing Bodies

The Gilmer High School Athletic Director or your counselor may guide you through the registration process but will not register you

It is the student’s responsibility to register

Parents may assist students in the registration process but the student must be responsible for his or her registration and subsequent requests

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Post Secondary Options

4-year college/university
2-year colleges for associate degrees or transfer
Technical colleges
Professional Training Programs:

Military
Work

Which is appropriate for your student?

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Choosing A College

Major or program of study
Location/Environment
In-state vs. out-of state
Public vs. Private
Size of school
Extracurricular activities

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How Do I Learn More About Colleges?

Research. Most colleges have an official website
Talk with college recruiters when they visit GHS
Visit a college campus: Seniors are allowed two college days
Attend college open house events
Attend college fairs (Probe Fair)
http://www.GAfutures.org

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Parental Involvement: Do’s And Do not’s

Do listen to your student to help them make the best decisions for his or her future
Do not dictate where your student must or must not apply
Do assist the student in the application process
Do not complete the student’s applications. Colleges can tell the difference
Do encourage your student to complete the application process and ask for your review prior to submission

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GAfutures: What is it?

Georgia's primary resource for information on planning, applying, and paying for college

GAfutures is a project of the Georgia Student Finance Commission and replaced GACollege411.

If you do not have a http://www.GAfutures.org account, make one immediately

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GAfutures: Your One Stop Shop

Apply to most Georgia colleges
Request official transcripts to most Georgia colleges
Apply for HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship Program

One application automatically applies the student for all HOPE programs

Track your college credits for transfer
Learn more about the financial aid process
Explore careers

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

You should never have to pay money to apply for financial aid or scholarships
Most scholarship opportunities are geared toward seniors
You will be classified as a senior once your final grades are posted from spring semester
Begin the scholarship application process early and do not slow down once your school year becomes busy

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Deadlines

WARNING: Deadlines are closer than they appear!

Keep a monthly calendar of your approaching deadlines

Do not procrastinate!

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