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GUIDANCE OFFICE

INFORMATION

GUIDANCE PERSONNEL:  Counselors—Malinda Owens and Dianne Jones

  Secretary—Inez Etheridge

*If you need to see a Guidance Counselor, please obtain a Counselor Request form from the Guidance Office or one of your teachers. Complete the form and place it in the labeled box inside the Guidance Office and then return to class.  You will be called out of class when a counselor is available.  If the matter is urgent, please let Mrs. Etheridge know when you come to the Guidance Office.  Mrs. Etheridge may be able to assist you with some matters, so please don’t hesitate to ask her if you simply have questions or need to pick up something.

 

PROMOTION: 

  • Students must earn 4 credits to be a sophomore, 10 to be a junior, 15 to be a senior, and 21 to graduate (of which 20 must be academic credits).
  • Students will not be promoted to the next grade at mid-year.
  • Students must repeat core courses until they pass them.  Elective courses do not have to be retaken if students fail them.

 

CREDIT RECOVERY:     MCHS offers an after-school program in which students may “recover” credits for courses which they have failed.  Credit Recovery involves using a self-paced computer program that provides an alternative to actually repeating the class.  Students must adhere to strict guidelines in order to benefit from this opportunity.

 

TUTORING:  Tutoring may be offered this year free of charge after school in conjunction with Credit Recovery.  Students may work on PLATO or A+ software to enhance their classroom instruction.  Some teachers may assign specific lessons and/or offer extra credit for attending tutoring.

 

FEES:     If students owe any fees at MCHS, their report cards will be held until the fees are paid.  Records (other than health card) will also be held should a student transfer to another school until the fees are paid (or all books are returned to the teachers).

 

SCHEDULE CHANGES:     If students wish to change their schedules, they must go to their homeroom teacher for them to arrange the changes and to have a change form completed.  The appropriate signatures need to be obtained to indicate approval of the changes.  DO NOT come directly to the Guidance Office within the first two weeks of school to change your schedule unless announcements are made to do so.  Schedules may be changed during the first two weeks of school—no changes will be allowed after that time.

 

BOOKSTORE:  The Guidance Office operates a bookstore in which you may purchase basic school supplies (in addition to feminine hygiene products).  The Guidance Office is open from 7:45 until 3:00.

 

 

MCHS Guidance Office

February Newsletter—2007

 

 

Seniors:  If you plan on attending college, make sure you take the April ACT.

 

You must have a 21 ACT OR a 3.0 unweighted cumulative GPA to get Lottery money, so don’t slack off this year—because if you didn’t meet the requirements by Christmas, you still can by graduationJ.

 

431-140 is our high school code which you must also put on your ACT registration packet before mailing.  If you do not, your Lottery money confirmation will be delayed!

 

 

TESTING INFORMATION     

Test Dates                                   Registration Deadline                    Late Registration*

  • ACT                                      

April 14, 2007                    March 9, 2007                                    March 10-23 (Fee required)

ACT = $29.00; ACT Plus Writing = $43.00.  (Most of the surrounding colleges DO NOT require the Plus Writing Option.)                       

  • SAT                                                      

March 10, 2007                 Feb. 2, 2007                                       Feb. 14, 2007

 

*You may register online for both tests:   www.actstudent.org for the ACT or www.collegeboard.com for the SAT.  You will have to use a credit card if you register online.

 

*The state will pay for a student’s test once; however, they will not pay for it until the spring of your junior year.   These fee vouchers are available in the Guidance Office.

 

 

ACT  PREP INFORMATION

  • MTSU:  Call MTSU to check for spring dates and times.  Cost is $209 and includes manual.  Register online  at www.mtsu.edu/pdpe
  • Sylvan Learning Centers:  Call 1-888-64LEARN
  • Vol State:  NewSkills Center  1-615-230-3676 or visit www.volstate.edu/newskills
  • ACT Online Prep:  $19.95; to order, visit www.actstudent.org
  • Tennessee Tech:  Call 1-800-255-8881 to check dates, times, and fees
  • ACTive Prep CD-ROMS:  Available for free.  

1) Guidance Office—you may check these out for two weeks,

2) the library—you may use these during school hours, and     

3) Mrs. Reid’s Room 214—you may use these after school during Credit Recovery and Tutoring hours (let Mrs. Reid know so she can leave one out for you.)

 

 

NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse:  Student-athletes who plan to attend an NCAA Division I or NCAA Division II college or university and who plan to participate in athletics need to complete this form.  THIS IS NOT A SCHOLARSHIP—you have to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you PLAN to play college sports so they can determine your eligibility.   You may register online at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net  Click on “Prospective Student-Athletes,” then on “Domestic Student Release Form,”  then on the link that pulls up the PDF version of the form.  You may also get the form from the Guidance Office.  IMPORTANT:  A transcript must be sent to the clearinghouse, so YOU have to request that the Guidance Office sends one for you

SUMMER PROGRAMS

  • Volunteer Girls’ State:  Junior girl interested in leadership and citizenship training.  Must have high moral character, outstanding leadership qualities, academic excellence, interest in government, community participation, show respect for God and country and be willing to pledge allegiance to the American flag, and have physical fitness and the stamina to complete 6 days of physical and mental activity.  Cost is $250 but sponsoring by the American Legion Auxiliary may be an option.  See Mrs. Owens for an application.
  • Harvard Summer School Programs:  Seniors, juniors, and sophomores interested in Drama, Writing, Math and various other programs offered.  Partial financial aid is available.  Apply online at www.ssp.harvard.edu  Catalog available in the Guidance Office.

 

CONTESTS

  • Labor Essay Contest:  Win up to $1200.00 scholarship—1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places awarded.  Topic:  “What Organized Labor Means to Me”    High school seniors are eligible and the deadline is April 13, 2007.    See Mrs. Owens if you would like more info.
  • Congressional Art Contest:   Winning student’s artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.  MCHS can nominate two students in any grade.   If you are interested, please see Mrs. Owens for an entry form.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

  • Tennessee PTA Teacher Training Scholarship:  Application and details available online at www.tnpta.org >Complete site map>Local Unit Forms & Applications.  All applications must be received in the state office on or before March 1, 2007. 
  • UT—Chattanooga:  Chattanooga “YES” grant program is strictly based on financial need as demonstrated by the FAFSA information.  Award is &#000 per year and is renewable for 4 years.  Must be admitted to UTC and submit the scholarship application by May 1, 2007.
  • Tennessee Technology Center at Livingston:  Scholarship aapplication available in the Guidance Office.  Deadline for completion is March 31, 2007.   Seniors must have a “B” average and two letters of reference.  Scholarship will cover the cost of maintenance and technology fees during the first year of enrollment.
  • Volunteer State Community College:   “Academic Division Service Scholarships” could completely pay for the first two years of college possibly with money left over.  Students would also gain knowledge in their discipline-related field that could lead to additional university scholarships.  If you are going to Vol State, check immediately with Mrs. Owens for an application—these are separate from the regular Vol State scholarship application.  Must have a 3.0 unweighted cumulative GPA and 19 on the ACT.  Deadline is March 1, 2007.
  • Nestle Pure Life:   “Every Drop Counts” Earth Science Scholarship worth $2500.00.  Applicants must have a 3.0 unweighted GPA, be a current US citizen, Tennessee resident,  and be enrolled in a 2 or 4 year accredited college/university with the intention of studying earth/environmental sciences.  Deadline is April 2, 2007.  Pick up applications in the Guidance Office.

 

WEBSITES

  • www.scholarships.com

 

OTHER INFORMATION

  • Copies of unofficial transcripts cost $1.00; official transcripts are sent to colleges free of charge.

 

  • REMEMBER:   Lottery Scholarships can be used at Tennessee Technology Centers such as the ones in Hartsville and Livingston.  Complete a school application AND submit your FAFSA to get the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant.

 

ANYONE WHO PLANS ON ATTENDING A COLLEGE OR TECHNICAL SCHOOL SHOULD FILL OUT THE FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER JAN. 1 SO YOU CAN GET LOTTERY MONEY BEFORE IT RUNS OUT.

 

    • You have to fill out the 2007-2008 FAFSA to be eligible for any Lottery money!  (The sooner you apply after Jan. 1, the sooner you get money before it runs out).

 

    • You are urged to apply for a PIN # from www.pin.ed.gov BEFORE attempting to fill out the FAFSA.

 

    • Have your parents file their taxes AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because this information is required for completion of the FAFSA.   (You can estimate if you don’t have your taxes back yet, but make sure you make corrections later if necessary.)

 

    • You might want to fill out a worksheet before actually going online to fill out the 2007-2008 FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov   You may also get one from the Guidance Office.

 

    • If you do not have access to the Internet, you may get a paper FAFSA from the Guidance Office to complete and mail in.  (Not recommended-but it is acceptable.  We won’t receive those until much later.)

 

    • If you apply online, you will be notified of your financial aid status within 48 hours. 

 

    • Paper FAFSA applications take up to 4-6 weeks before you are notified.

______________________________________

SELECTIVE SERVICE

Federal law requires all men living in the U.S. to register within a month of their 18th birthday. Registering keeps you eligible for college loans, job training, government jobs, and driver’s license renewals. You can register at the Post Office or online at www.sss.gov

 

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If you haven’t applied at a college or technical school yet, DO IT NOW!!

 

 

If you need help filling out any applications or getting your pin # for the FAFSA, come see Mrs. Owens ASAP!!

______________________________________

  

GRADING POLICIES

Macon County High School has two eighteen-week periods called semesters (S1, S2) with each consisting of two nine-week periods called quarters (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4). At the end of the first semester, a mid-term exam (E1) is given which counts 25% of the first semester average (S1). At the end of the second semester, a final exam (E2) is given which counts 25% of the second semester (S2). The two semesters are averaged together to get the final grade (FG). To average grades, the following formula is used:

STEP 1: (Q1 + Q2)
                        2

STEP 2: Above total x 3 + E1 = S1
                                4

The second semester average would be calculated the same way. The final grade would then need to be averaged:

STEP 3: S1 + S2 = FG
                    2

EXEMPTIONS: If a student is exempt from an exam, skip Step 2. The semester grade would be the average of the two quarters. The exemption policy is based on a student’s attendance and grade in the class per semester as illustrated below:

A and 2 absences

B and 1 absence

C and 0 absences

D and 0 absences

*Note: Days spent in BI or ALC count as absences for exemption purposes only.

HONORS/ADVANCED COURSES: Courses which are of an advanced level or titled "Honors" are weighted internally by adding 3 points each quarter to the quarter averages and each exam. *These classes are also considered weighted classes for class ranking purposes only and will be awarded up to 5 points each semester when figuring G.P.A.’s. (Ex. A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, F=0)

*Note: In order to be eligible for Valedictorian or Salutatorian, a student must have attended MCHS for at least 4 of the 7 semesters preceding the final semester. The final semester is not used in determining class ranking.

GATEWAY / END OF COURSE: After Step 2, courses that require these tests as part of the grade need to multiply the second semester average by 85% and add the appropriate number of points using the scale below:

Advanced=100% (15 points)

Proficient=85% (13 points)

Below Proficient=65% (10 points)

Unexcused absence on day of test=0% (0 points)

Excused absence on day of test is not counted at all.

 

GRADING SCALE:

A = 93-100

B = 85-92

C = 75-84

D = 70-74

F = 69 and below

 

Graduation Requirements

Core Curriculm | University Path | Technical Path | Gateway Exams

REQUIRED COURSEWORK

There are 20 total credits required for high school graduation. These 20 total credits consist of core curriculum units, specific path (university or technical) requirement units and electives.

Core Curriculum
English 4 units
Math* 3 units
Science ** 3 units
Social Studies 3 units
Health, Physical Fitness, and Wellness 1 unit
Total 14 units

*Mathematics Requirements:

All students must complete one of the following: Algebra I, Integrated Math I, or Technical Algebra (formerly Math for Technology II).

NOTE: Students who enter high school in 2005-06 and later must also complete one of the following: Algebra II, Geometry, Integrated Math II, or Technical Geometry.

**Science Requirements

All students must complete one of the following: Biology, Biology for Technology, or the equivalent in an integrated science curriculum.

All students must complete one course in the physical sciences.

 

University Path

Core Curriculum 14 units
Foreign Language 2 units of the same language
Fine Arts 1 units
Total 17 units

Math Requirements for University Path Students:

· Students must take the equivalent of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry or another advanced course (if Algebra I credit was received prior to high school and not transferred to high school transcript).

Technical Path
Core Curriculum 14 units
Technical Program of Study 4 units
Total 18 units

Gateway Exams

All students must score "Proficient" on the following Gateway exams:

Biology I
English II
Algebra I

 

How to Figure Your G.P.A.

 

1. Starting with your freshman year of high school, use the following scale to add up the points you have earned each semester:

A = 4

B = 3

C = 2

D = 1

F = 0

*In-house credits are not given any points.

2. For every weighted class (Honors/Advanced or upper division Math and Science courses), add 1 point per class/ per semester to the previous total.

3. Divide the total of Step 1 and Step 2 by the number of semester credits to get your beginning G.P.A. (6 classes would be 12 semester credits unless you play a 6th period sport or you are taking some other in-house credit; in that case, you would divide by 10 or possibly 11 for one-semester sports, etc.)

4. To figure your cumulative G.P.A., you must keep adding the number of points you earned from year to year using the above scale and dividing by the number of cumulative semester credits.

5. To figure an unweighted G.P.A., skip Step 2.

 

 

 

EXAMPLE:

2002-2003

            1st

           2nd

Year Credit
*Adv. World History          F = 0 (+1) C = 2 72 1.00
*Adv. English I (+1) A = 4          B = 3 90 1.00
*Adv. Algebra I (+1) B = 3 (+1) C = 2 85 1.00
Wellness          A = 4          A = 4 95 1.00
Physical Science          A = 4          A = 4 94 1.00
Football          P = 0          P = 0 P 1.00
(5 weighted points   +           15   +          15)        / 10    
                  35          / 10    
   

3.500

    

 

2003-2004

            1st

           2nd

Year Credit
French I          B = 3          B = 1 89 1.00
Biology I          C = 2          B = 3 83 1.00
*Adv. English 2 (+1) A = 4 (+1) A = 4 95 1.00
Keyboarding          A = 4          B = 3 94 1.00
Teacher Assistant          P = 0          P = 0 P 1.00
Geometry          A = 4          A = 4 99 1.00
(2 weighted points   +           17   +   17 + 35)        / (10 + 10)  
                  71          / 20  
   

3.550

    

 

2004-2005

            S1

          S2

 FG Credit
*Adv. Algebra II (+1) 86 = 3 (+1) 76 = 2 81 1.00
Chemistry          77 = 2          76 = 2 77 1.00
Amer. Lit.          87 = 3          78 = 2 83 1.00
Amer. History          92 = 3          87 = 3 89 1.00
*Adv. French II (+1) 72 = 1 (+1) 73 = 1 73 1.00
Foods          93 = 3          89 = 3 91 1.00
(4 weighted points   +           15   +   13 + 71)        / (20 + 12)  
                 103          / 32  
   

3.219

    

At the end of this students’ third year of high school, he has a weighted

cumulative GPA of 3.219. His unweighted cumulative GPA is a 2.875.

 

* As of 2005-06 school year the grading scale below became effective.
 (Prior to 2005-06, A = 94-100, B = 85 - 93)

GRADING SCALE:

A = 93-100

B = 85-92

C = 75-84

D = 70-74

F = 69 and below