Class of 2022
Welcome to Ridgeview High School!
Parents of the Class of 2022
This newsletter is intended to give you some valuable information about your teenagers transition to high school. If you have specific questions, please feel free to contact your son's or daughter's School Counselor directly. Our contact information can be found at the end of this newsletter
Welcome to Ridgeview High School and we can't wait to get to know you and your teenager as part of our Panther family!
Freshman Student Orientation
8:00 am - 11:00 am
Wednesday, Aug 1, 2018, 08:00 AM
RHS Cafeteria
Freshman Parent Orientation
Tuesday, Aug 7, 2018, 06:30 PM
RHS Cafeteria
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Common Misconceptions About High School
Parent Misconceptions:
They need you now more than ever. At this age, they think they can handle things on their own and while you certainly need to help them develop independence, you still need to ask questions every day about what they are doing both in school and socially. Knowing what is happening at school, establishing clear expectations and setting timely consequences for not meeting expectations will help them learn to self-regulate their behavior and develop good habits.
We recommend establishing what grades you expect them to maintain, set a specific schedule to check their grades online (go to https://www.smore.com/tbp82-focus-parent-portal?embed=1 for directions to create a parent account) and then have pre-identified consequences if they don't maintain the grades you expect. You should also model for them how to manage their time and keep track of due dates and important items for each class. For example, if you expect your teenager to maintain Cs or higher and you establish that Thursday nights you will check grades, then have a consequence in place if their grades are not at least a C. Perhaps taking away any weekend plans, removing video game or cell phone access or whatever consequence you feel will motivate your teenager. Consequences need to be specific to the individual. You cannot expect that what works for one will work for all.
You should also establish time each day to ask how other aspects of their life are going. Be open to letting them talk things through with you without judgement or fear of consequences if they are honest about what is happening. They need someone to model how to deal with social situations and not just react out of fear or anger. See the video below for examples of how to calmly communicate with your teen.
2- If they have done well academically so far, they will be fine in High School
You may have experienced some significant adjustments when your child entered middle school. They had more classes and teachers to manage. In addition, teachers had higher expectations for students to be responsible for managing more on their own. Now that they are in high school, these expectations are even more difficult.
Organizing their time- sit with your son or daughter in the first two weeks of the school year and review the class expectations for each class. Teachers often send home a syllabus or develop an online platform to access all class materials and due dates. You need to be aware of how each teacher organizes their materials and how to access information and assignments. See below for a helpful video on getting teens organized. For an individual study plan model and sample calendar planning pages go to https://drive.google.com/open?id=15VZQnWyo4KcLUltMV7FRoErVH40L3jX-
Organizing their materials- with 6 classes to juggle, students often have difficulty managing all of the materials that go with each class. Most teachers will establish a class binder or folder so be sure that you are aware of these expectations and help your son or daughter do a frequent backpack check to get things in order. This may seem ridiculous for a high schooler, but losing assignments is a large reason why students' grades suffer. For tips on keeping them organized, go to https://www.verywellfamily.com/help-high-school-student-get-organized-3545335
Developing Study Habits- it is not just about completing assignments, but about proactively studying new material along the way and seeing how to apply it to situations. It is not enough for a student to just come home and complete the assignment given by the teacher. They need to review their notes from that day, write down questions that they may have if they are confused by the new material and spend at least a few moments each day reviewing what they are expected to remember long term. The best way to remember new information is to use it. Do extra practice problems, look up videos on the new material, talk it through with parents or classmates to be sure they understand the new material. For specific study tips and resources, go to https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZfyhyK1bSRXQEB8KTWlIblvntOAMTHHWP6PQynqvN2c/edit?usp=sharing
3- Getting involved in activities is not important
Getting involved is a great way for your teen to stay motivated and to learn about him/herself. Ridgeview offers a wide variety of clubs, sports and other activities. It is important for them to feel connected to their school. Academics are certainly the priority, but teens need the social aspect of being involved. It helps them learn how to interact with others, manage their time, work as a team, develop leadership skills and to learn what they do and do not like. For a list of clubs and activities at Ridgeview, go to https://www.oneclay.net/Domain/4941
RHS Hand-clappers (noisemakers for the pep rallies)
Football face tattoos
RHS bracelets
RHS Hoodies (pre-sale only; November delivery)
RHS Movie Night (1st one to be Sept 22nd)
4- My son's or daughter's teachers will notify me if they are not doing well
As your son or daughter gets older, their teachers will have higher expectations that they can be responsible for themselves. With that said, most teachers will put in place a system that works for their classroom where students can get additional help, gather make-up work or missing assignments, ask questions and monitor their own progress. Many teachers are moving to online platforms, such as Google classrooms to do this, but many have more traditional systems like folders or inboxes set up in their rooms. Most teachers want students to step up and take initiative to ask for help and reach out if they are struggling and will only call a parent directly if they feel they have given the student every opportunity to correct the issue first. As a parent, their are several things you can do to help facilitate open communication with your son's or daughter's teachers: 1) check Focus weekly and email teachers first if you have concerns or questions about your son's/daughter's grades, 2) keep your information up to date (phone numbers, email addresses and physical addresses- if any of this changes you need to notify our School Registrar as soon as possible so it can be corrected in the system), 3) email or schedule a meeting with your son's/daughter's School Counselor if your teen is struggling in multiple classes.
Report cards and interim grade reports are no longer mailed home. Please be aware of the dates that these are available on Focus and specifically look for them. If you see anything concerning, you should reach out to the teacher or to your son's or daughter's School Counselor immediately.
2018-2019 Interim & Report Card Dates
First Qtr Interim- Sep. 6, 2018
First Qtr Report Card- Oct. 11, 2018
Second Qtr Interim- Nov. 8, 2018
Second Qtr Report Card- Jan. 11, 2018
Third Qtr Interim- Feb. 13, 2019
Third Qtr Report Card- Mar. 29, 2019
Fourth Qtr Interim- Apr. 29, 2019
Fourth Qtr Report Card- Jun. 12, 2019
Student Misconceptions:
Dealing with 6 high school classes is going to require a lot more time and specific attention to keeping a routine and staying organized. Unlike middle school classes, your high school classes will involve more homework and time spent outside of class reviewing notes, looking up additional resources (like Khan Academy or other sites) and not just memorizing information but learning how to apply it to specific situations. High school classes are also more fast paced and many of your teachers will require that you keep up with their online class platform (such as Google classroom).
Here are a few tips for making the move to high school classes:
1- keep a planner and write down all due dates and project completion timelines
2- set a daily schedule for reviewing all of your class notes, completing assignments and studying for tests at home after school
3- don't be afraid to ask questions or seek out help as soon as you start to struggle
4- stay out of any drama; the friends you choose will largely define your high school experience
5- plan to attend teacher's tutoring sessions frequently even if it is just to touch base with the teacher and ask minor question; your teachers want to see your interest and involvement in their class
In high school, you are fully responsible for knowing what is expected of you, finding your materials, asking questions and seeking help. Your teachers are here to support you and will outline their expectations and system for finding materials, make-up work and extra help, but they are not going to stand over you and make sure you get things done. You should be checking your grades on Focus at least weekly and making sure that any missing assignments get turned in. You will also find that if you are absent, it is your responsibility to ask your classmates and your teacher what you missed. They are not going to automatically hand you these things when you have been absent.
**attendance and missing assignments is the Number 1 reason why Freshman do poorly in their classes**
First, Ridgeview has summer reading requirement for all students. Summer reading requirements are posted on our website and can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.
Second, you should consider doing practice over the summer to keep up or build your skills.
- Take an online class this summer through Clay Virtual Academy (go to www.flvs.net to create an account and request a class. you will need your current middle school counselor to approve it)
- Take a free class on Khanacademy.org or march2success.com (the High School Verbal and Math skills class is a great way to prepare for high school)
- Read, Read, Read (Florida Teen Reads Website, Top 100 Teen Novels, Ultimate Guide to Books for Reluctant Readers, Tops Books for Freshman)
Your diploma requirements start day 1 of freshman year. You will have 6 classes each year for 4 years. That is exactly the 24 credits you need to earn your diploma-- So every class, every day counts. Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is extremely important in high school which means that every quarterly grade will start building towards your GPA. If you remain an academically strong student, then you will have a much easier time as you build through high school. Students who struggle freshman year, tend to struggle more and more in each year of high school.
Things to think about:
A- high school classes finalize at the end of each semester (unless they have a state End of Course (EOC) exam). That means that at the end of each semester, your average becomes final and is put on your permanent transcript. These will be the grades used in your GPA and the grades that colleges, universities, military recruiters, scholarship committees and many others look at to determine your future options.
1st Qtr (45%) + 2nd Qtr (45%) + semester exam (10%) = 1st semester average
3rd Qtr (45%) + 4th Qtr (45%) + semester exam (10%) = 2nd semester average
For yearlong EOC classes (Algebra 1, Biology, Geometry & US History):
1st Qtr + 2nd Qtr + 3rd Qtr + 4th Qtr = 70% of year average
State End of course exam = remaining 30% of year average
How to Stay Informed
1- Welcome (use this page to find contact information for each person within our department
2- High School Information (graduation requirements, testing information, dual enrollment, community service hours)
3- College Information (college admissions information, college planning, financial aid, scholarships, Bright Futures)
4- Exploring Careers (different postsecondary options and where to find out more about possible career choices)
5- Resources (parent communication tools, academic resources, social/emotional resources, community resources)
6- News (links to current and past RHS Counselor Connection editions)
7- Summer 2018 (current summer programs and camps, summer school information once it is available)
Looking Towards the Future
Graduation Requirements
Preparing for Bright Futures Scholarship
Bright Futures Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement to current Florida high school graduates who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at a public college or university in the state. Scholarship amounts vary based on GPA, scores on college entrance exams, community service hours and other factors. Bright Futures consists of multiple different scholarships that require varying levels of GPA, test scores, community service hours and high school course work.
Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)- This award covers 100% of tuition and applicable fees and $300 for both fall and spring semesters for additional educational expenses. Students attending a public institution will have tuition and applicable fees covered. These fees include activity and service fee, health fee, athletic fee, financial aid fee, capital improvement fee, campus access/transportation fee, technology fee and tuition differential fee. Students attending a nonpublic institution will receive a comparable amount as noted in the Private Award Chart.
FAS Requires: 16 core academic credits to include 4 English, 4 Math, 3 Natural Science, 3 Social Science, 2 World Language; minimum 3.5 weighted GPA (based on just the core classes required), minimum college entrance exam scores (29 ACT composite/ 1290 SAT composite) and 100 community service hours
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)- This award covers a specific dollar amount per credit hour depending on the institution that you attend. The specific award amounts can be found in the Bright Futures Handbook.
FMS Requires: 16 core academic credits (same as above); minimum 3.0 weighted GPA (based on just the core classes required); minimum college entrance exam scores (26 ACT composite/ 1170 SAT composite), and 75 community service hours
Gold Seal Vocational (GSV) & Gold Seal Cape (GSC)- Both scholarships may be used only at postsecondary institutions that offer technical certificates or degree programs. For specifics, visit the Gold Seal Vocational Handout or the Gold Seal Cape Handout.
Quick Links:
Florida Scholarships & Grants homepage
Community Service Hours
Community service is required for all three Bright Futures award levels: Florida Academic Scholars (FAS), Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS), and Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV). All initial applicants must meet the community service requirement, as approved by the school district. No waivers of this requirement can be granted regardless of the method used to qualify (National Merit and Achievement Scholars and Finalists, National Hispanic Scholars International Baccalaureate Diploma recipients). The required community service hours to be completed for the following awards are:
AWARD COMMUNITY SERVICE HOUR REQUIREMENT
Florida Academic Scholars (FAS)- 100 hours
Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS)- 75 hours
Gold Seal Vocational Award (GSV)- 30 hours
CLICK HERE to check out our page for ideas on earning community service hours
Town of OP
Bright Minds Youth Development
Safe Animal Shelter
Additional Student Support at RHS
SAP (Student Assistance Program) Counselor- Kim Barrera
The Student Assistance Program works with identified adolescents to screen for risk factors that may interfere with a student’s ability to positively cope with life challenges and stressors. The program consists of individual and/or group prevention activities where teens work with an SAP team member 1-4 times a month on a short term basis. SAP does not provide direct therapy services but can assist students with accessing services through Clay Behavioral Health. You can ask any of your teachers to go see Ms. Barrera in Building 5 room 554 or you can talk with your School Counselor to be referred for services.
School Social Worker- Barbara Castelli
Ms. Castelli provides support for students and RHS families in the areas of housing, food, transportation resources, attendance concerns and so much more. If you would like to speak with Ms. Castelli, call the school and ask for her directly or you can contact your son's or daughter's School Counselor and we can put you in touch with her
Military Life Counselor- Atrews Bell
Mr. Bell provides a variety of services and/or referrals for students with a parent/guardian on active duty or retired military. This can include academic assistance, personal counseling, help with transitioning from school to school and much more. See your School Counselor for more details or stop by Mr. Bells office in Building 1 room 140.
The School Counseling Team
Pre-IB & IB Students
(904) 336- 8912
Lori.feathergill@myoneclay.net
Maria Littlejohn
Student Last Names A-E
(904) 336- 8904
Maria.littlejohn@myoneclay.net
Jackie Welch
Student Last Names F-L
(904) 336- 8903
Jacquelyn. welch@myoneclay.net
Margo Whyte
Student Last Names M-R
(904) 336-8902
Tabbatha Johns
Student Last Names S-Z
(904) 336-8906