Florence High School News
September 2016
FHS Theme Song for 2016-17 "Dont Stop Believing" by Journey
Congratulations to the Florence High School National Merit Semi-Finalist
The National Merit Scholarship Program, established in 1955, recognizes students for their academic excellence. To be chosen as a National Merit Semi-Finalist is a tremendous honor. Students qualify for this distinction by taking the PSAT as a junior in high school. Semi-Finalist students must score within the top one percent of all students having taken the PSAT throughout the nation. This accounts for two percent of the nation's high school graduates for the Class of 2017.
This year six of the seven National Merit Semi-Finalists representing the Shoals area are current seniors at Florence High School. Noah Davis, Andrew Mitchell, Quinn Raymond, John Strawn, Sawyer Vest, and Noah Wagnon are now competing for scholarship opportunities throughout the country. These students have taken rigorous coursework and are also involved in numerous extra-curricular activities on the FHS campus and throughout the Shoals community.
Scholarships are provided by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and approximately 420 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence. To advance in the competition, semi-finalists must fulfill several requirements, including a lengthy application process and further testing.
FHS also has one Commended Scholar, Will Letson. Approximately 1.5 million high school students take the PSAT each year. Of those, only 50,000 (3.3%) are named as Commended Scholars. Congratulations to these seven outstanding students and their families.
Potential Magazine's Countdown to College
Mrs. Casey Hester and Mrs. Michelle Russell Filmed for Excellence in Teaching
Top 10 Reasons to Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities
1. Get into college. Statistics show that high school students who participate in clubs and activities are more likely to aspire to higher education. Also admissions officers look specifically at your extracurricular activity participation when judging whether or not to let you in.
2. Score higher on the SAT. According to the College Board “participation in extracurricular activities provides all students—including students from disadvantaged backgrounds, minorities, and those with otherwise less than distinguished academic achievements in high school—a measurable and meaningful gain in their college admissions test scores.”
3. Get noticed for scholarships. Participation in clubs and sports will allow studnets to stand out of the crowd and helps students to be eligible for scholarships designed for involvement with specific clubs and extracurriculars.
4. Be successful in college. Teamwork and leadership skills that are learned only from participation in sports and clubs are guaranteed to help you complete college.
5. Help people and causes you care about. A lot of extracurricular activities will get students involved in helping others who live right in their own community.
6. Have fun! Sports are exhilarating experiences that prepare students for competition later in life. And non-sports activities can be just as fun and competitive! There’s definitely a club out there for everyone.
7. Get ahead. Participation in activities will help students get ahead in life, even after college! Some skills can only be pick up with hands-on, real-life experiences, and getting involved is the perfect opportunity to do so
8. Make friends. By joining clubs that students find appealing they will be more likely to interact with people that share their common interests.
9. Get involved outside the classroom. Students don’t have to participate in school-sponsored activities if they don’t want to! There are plenty of ways for them to get busy outside of the classroom or football field. The Make-A-Wish-Foundation, for example, has chapters in every state.
10. Learn what you are passionate about. With all the different things that students could be doing out there, perhaps the most overwhelming question for them is “What should I be doing?” The answer to the question is anything they want! They follow their passion. Do what feels right. Exploring certain clubs and subjects can help students learn what they like, or don’t like, long before they ever set foot in a college and begin the process of declaring a major. It doesn’t matter so much what a student does, just that they do it.
This information was obtained from the GoEnnounce website.
FHS has multiple ways for students to be involved.
Key Club
Jr. Civitans
Theatre Club
Trade Cards
Cinema Society
SkillsUSA
National Honor Society
Fishing Team
Movie Week
Mu Alpha Theta
Science Olympiad
Student Council
Congratulation Mrs. Christy Lynn
Congratulations to the Newest FHS Ambassadors
- Charlie Champagne
- Erin Cody
- Kyndall Crosslin
- Karly Grace Holt
- LaBronida Martin
- Maggie McDuffa
- Chloe Sneed
- Jo'Hannah Stacey
- Cierra Thompson
- Jones Webb
FHS hosted the Alabama Association of School Boards
Congratulations Mrs. Michelle Russell!
Mrs. Russell's blog, Card Sorts Can Promote Meaningful Math Talk, won an Editor's Choice Content Award and she was invited to do a radio interview with an educational talk radio station on September 1st. She also has recently posted another amazing blog on assessment. It can be found at http://www.middleweb.com/32700/math-high-and-low-tech-quick-assessments/. We are so proud of Mrs. Russell!
PSAT Deadline Extended until September 30
WHAT is the PSAT and WHY is it so IMPORTANT?
We love our Falcons!
ACT Scores and a note from Dr. Womack
Congratulations Super Falcon of the Month- Coach Kerby
Congratulations to Luther Brown-Falcon of the Month
HOMECOMING 2016-The best homecoming in the History of FHS!
A Glimpse into FHS during Homecoming Week
The Faculty Behind Homecoming
Mrs. Horne
Our Class Sponsor
All the Faculty
Mr. Ricketts
All the teachers
Night Parade WAS AWESOME!!
Class of 2017 Candlelight
Our Homecoming Court
Leyland Allen and Stephen Money
Amyerica Acklin and Joseph Kiel
Sha'Myia Butler and Sam Daniel
Deja Rutland and Quinterious Hall
Lillian Starks and John Trimble
Canaan Starks and John Paul Dobbs
Catherine Young and Cole Puryear
Zyteria Beleu and Miller Barnes
Homecoming Queen- Zyteria Beleu
Mrs. Willingham
Mr. Townsend
Social Studies Department
Lovely in BLUE!
Mrs. Herndon's AP English
Mr. Searels in AP Computer Science
Orchestra
Teacher of the Week
Teachers of the Week
Professional Learning Continues
Mrs. Jennifer Butler, FHS Instructional Partner, lead FHS's continued professional learning on Professional Development Day that was held on September 6. FHS continues to work to master the 20 vital behaviors adopted by Florence City Schools on our journey to provide students with the best classroom instruction. The 20 behaviors include:
1. Students ask questions or make statements for clarification.
2. Students respond to questions/prompts with relevant answers and do not opt out.
3. Authentic work is produced by creating, designing, solving, reasoning, explaining, etc.
4. Teacher and/or students use an incorrect answer as an opportunity for learning.
5. Students participate in meaningful conversations related to their learning.
6. There is evidence (posted, verbalized, or digitally distributed, etc.) that the learning target is aligned to a content standard. (Non-example, “doing” target, just putting “I can”…)
7. The learning target encompasses academic vocabulary at an appropriate level.
8. Students can self-assess by demonstrating where they are in meeting the learning target.
9. Students make real-world connections to their learning.
10. Students demonstrate understanding beyond the recall level.
11. In whole-class questioning, the teacher intentionally decides who will answer.
12. Students work collaboratively to learn in large & small group settings.
13. There are structures in place to ensure equitable participation.
14. The teacher uses a response format that engages all students in responding (signaled response, protocols, Think/Pair/Share).
15. Based on student responses to questioning, the majority of students understand the learning target (clickers, socrative, etc.)
16. Based on student responses to questioning, the majority of students understand the learning target.
17. Think Time I is evident during instruction. (Think Time I, a few seconds of silence after posing a question which allows for all to formulate a response.)
18. Think Time II is evident during instruction. (Think Time II, a few seconds of silence after student responses to allow for additional responses.)
19. Students receive feedback or instruction based on formative assessment.
20. Teachers pose follow-up questions as scaffolds to support learning.
A Dollar Makes a Difference
Braly Studium Parking
Check out Florence High School's Calendar of Events
Access the FHS calendar by clicking HERE. (You will need a Google account to be able to view the calendar. Setting up an account is free.
Check out Florence High School's Daily Announcements
212 Degrees, The Extra Degree Makes the Difference
To learn more visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRDNLTMaZqo
Parking Passes
All students parking on the FHS campus must buy a parking pass. It is very important for all students to have a parking pass and to park in their assigned spaces. Students without parking passes or parking in other students' parking spaces may have their vehicles towed at any time. Students can buy parking passes in bookkeeping during Boost. Students must complete the parking permit form, have a valid driver's license, have proof of insurance and have all past fees paid. The cost of the parking pass is $15.00.
FHS Yearbooks are on sale now!
You can also purchase class rings, graduation announcements, senior apparel and more at the official Balfour school store.
Join us on Twitter @fhsfalcons1
Senior Information
Mrs. Jones has created two newsletters for seniors that are essential for seniors and their parents to read on a regular basis. They can be found at:
https://www.smore.com/hdtk3 - Scholarship Information for 2016-17
https://www.smore.com/7pxar - Senior Announcements for 2016-17
Senior portrait information has been finalized. Students should schedule appointments by calling Joseph and Val Romans at 256-627-5217 or email them at valromans@comcast.net if this has been not done already. The Romans will make individual appointments and give families all the necessary details concerning formal senior portraits at the time the appointment is scheduled. They will also provide seniors with the opportunity to have formal and environmental portraits made. Students who have not had proofs made will be photographed on August 23 or 24 at FHS in order to have a photograph for the senior section of the yearbook.
FFC/FHS Bus Schedule 2016-17
2016-17 Bell Schedule
School Begins at 8:10 am
1st Period
8:10 am – 9:00 am
2nd Period
9:05 am - 9:55 am
3rd Period
10:00 am -10:50 am
4th Period
10:55 am -11:45 am
5th Period/Falcon Boost
11:45 am -12:45 pm
6th Period
12:45 pm - 1:35 pm
7th Period
1:40 pm - 2:30 pm
8th Period
2:35 pm - 3:25 pm
Help FHS with the Publix’s Partners with Education Program
Pick up your Publix cards in the main office at FHS.
Florence High School
Email: jmcclure@florencek12.org
Website: http://www.florencek12.org/FlorenceHigh/index.html
Location: 1201 Bradshaw Drive, Florence, AL, United States
Phone: 256-768-2200
Twitter: @fhsfalcons1
FHS Guidance
Caroline Jones
Glenda Page
Lori Lovelace
Upcoming Events
September 26-30 College Application Week
September 27 Balfour Meeting 2nd period, Orchestra Concert, Volleyball @ home
September 29- Volleyball @home vs Lauderdale County
September 30 - All State Showchoir auditions/ Football @ Austin
October 1 - A+ Study Session/ CrossCountry @ Jesse Owens/ Volleyball @ East Limestone
October 3-6 Benchmark Testing
October 4 - Volleyball @ Hazel Green/Quarterback Club Meeting
October 6 - End of 1st Nine- Weeks/ FAFSA Night for Seniors and Senior parents
October 7-10 Fall Break - No School/ Football @ Decatur
October 8 - Volleyball @ Lauderdale County
October 11 - PD Day - (No school for students)
October 12 - 1st Nine-weeks report cards ready for viewing in iNow
October 13 - Volleyball @ Central
October 14 - Competition Showchoir Camp/ Football @ home vs Columbia
October 15 - Competition Showchoir Camp
October 19 - PSAT Testing
October 21 Football vs Hazelgreen - Senior Night
October 22 - CrossCountry @ James Clemens
October 23 - Our of Darkness Walk at FHS
October 27 - CrossCountry @ Alabama Championship/ Theatre One Act Performances Begin
October 28 - A+ Study Day
November 10 Progress reports ready for viewing in iNow
November 11- Veteran's Day (No Scale)
November 21-25 Fall Break
December 12- 16 2nd Nine-Weeks Benchmarks
December 16 - End of 2nd Nine-Weeks
December 19 - January 2 Winter Break
January 3 - PD Day (No school for students)
January 4 Teacher Work Day (No school for students)
January 5 - Students return - 3rd Nine-weeks begins
FHS Administration
Principal- Lynne Hice
Principal and 12th Grade Contact