BCHS Parent Preview

2021
 Welcome Leopards!
Welcome to our virtual Parent Preview Night. This presentation
covers a lot of information. If you would prefer to access only
specific sections, they can be found at the pages below:

● Page 3 - Key contacts and ways to stay connected

● Page 7 - Registration for the 2021-2022 school year
● Page 11 - Graduation requirements and course information
● Page 19 - Electives and pathway information
● Page 30 - General academic information
● Page 37 - Other information (attendance and advisement)
● Page 40 - Involvement - sports and clubs
● Page 44 - Contact information if you have questions
 Key Contacts and
Ways to Stay Connected
 Key Contacts
BCHS Main Number 706-677-2221
www.bankscountyhigh.com
● Christine Bray, principal, cebray@banks.k12.ga.us
● Mike Brown, assistant principal, last names A-M, mbrown@banks.k12.ga.us
● Josh Rider, assistant principal, last names N-Z, joshua.rider@banks.k12.ga.us
● Mike Cleveland, athletic director, transportation director,
mike.cleveland@banks.k12.ga.us
● April Loggins, counselor, grades 11-12, aloggins@banks.k12.ga.us
● Mary Boykin, counselor, grades 9-10, mary.boykin@banks.k12.ga.us
● Lynn Suggs, college/career counselor, dual enrollment coordinator,
lsuggs@banks.k12.ga.us
● Lynne Warren, Work-Based Learning coordinator, lwarren@banks.k12.ga.us
● Kim Miller, front office receptionist, kmiller@banks.k12.ga.us
● Kelly Patterson, registrar/records, kpatterson@banks.k12.ga.us
● Wendy Collins, special education contact, wcollins@banks.k12.ga.us
● Leslie Turk, ESOL coordinator, leslie.turk@banks.k12.ga.us
● Vickie Martin, media specialist, After School coordinator,
vmartin@banks.k12.ga.us
 Stay Connected
The best way to communicate with teachers is via email. A list of
teachers’ emails is on the BCHS website.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Connect with BCHS on social media:

@bchsleopards

@bankscountyhighschool
www.bankscountyhigh.com

BCHS Counseling Dept.

text @9k68fc to 81010

www.bchscounselingdepartment.weebly.com
 Stay in the Know
Continue (or start) using Parent Portal.

High school students still need parental guidance/involvement

while they are learning to be more independent and take
responsibility for themselves.
If you are in need of a parent-teacher conference during the
year, contact your student’s school counselor to set up the
 Registration for the
2021-2022 School Year
 1. Virtual Parent Preview Night, Feb 18

2. Final Course Selection, Feb 24- March 3

Students will bring home a Course Recommendation
Form on February 24. This form contains a list of the
2021-2022 academic courses your student's teachers have
recommended and the student-selected electives.
Registration i. Please (1) REVIEW THIS CAREFULLY, (2)
make any ADJUSTMENTS, and (3) SIGN.
Procedure ii. This is your opportunity to make changes to
the course recommendations and selection.
iii. The LAST day to return this form to BCHS
is March 3.

3. Advisor Meeting, if desired

a. An individual meeting with your student’s advisor is
not required.
b. If you would like to have an individual meeting,
please complete the information on the course
recommendation form.

4. Open House (9th-12th grades)

a. A school-wide Open House will be held before
school begins. Date and format TBA.
Courses
The BCHS Program
of Study contains
course descriptions
and other useful
information.

The Program of
Study can be found
on BCHS website. It
was also emailed to
all students on
Wednesday.
 New Courses for 2021-2022

● ELA
○ Journalism II A & B

● Math
○ Calculus and Statistics will be offered only as honors level classes

● Fine Arts
○ Beginning Instrument Ensemble - this course is for current band
members who want to learn to play a new instrument or any student
who has never taken band before, but would like to start now
○ Music Theory - Ear training course in which musicians learn to
identify pitches, intervals, melodies, chords, rhythms and other basic
elements of music solely by hearing.

● Physical Education
○ Athlete Weight Training - this course will now be offered as both a
single-period class as well as a block class
Graduation Requirements
and Course Information
 Graduation requirements
ELA 4 credits

Math 4 credits

Science 4 credits

Social Studies 3 credits

Health/PE 1 combined credit

CTAE and/or Fine Arts and/or Modern Language 3 credits

Electives 4 credits

Total Minimum Units Required for Graduation 23

All students must complete the above credits to graduate.

If a student fails a course required for graduation, they must

retake it until they pass it.
 Promotion Requirements
Promotion Credits

to 10th grade 4 credits

to 11th grade 10 credits

to 12th grade 16 credits

Grade level status is based on the number of

credits a student has received.
 Language Arts - graduation requirements

1 2 3 4

9th Grade Literature 10th Grade Literature American Literature English Literature and
and Composition and Composition and Composition Composition
OR OR
Advanced Placement Advanced Placement
Language Literature
OR OR
Qualifying dual Technical College
enrollment course Readiness English
(Must qualify for
TCRE)
 Math - graduation requirements
1 2 3 4

Algebra Geometry Algebra 2 4th Math:

OR -Foundations of
Technical College Algebra*
Math Readiness -Technical College
(Must qualify for Math Readiness*
TCMR) -Math Finance*
-College Math
Readiness
-Computer Science
Principles
-Stat Reasoning Hon
-Pre-Calculus or
Higher Level Math
- Approved Dual
Enrollment course

*Foundations of Algebra, TCMR, and Math Finance count as a 4th math for graduation and
for technical college admissions, but not for admission into a 4-year college.
Social Studies - graduation requirements

1 2 3 4
Context Problem statement
½ unit of American 1 unit of World History 1 unit of United States ½ unit of Economics
Government/Civics OR History
OR
AP World History
(Students who take AP United States
Honors Am Govt will History
also take Honors
World Area Studies,
which counts as an
Company
academic elective.)
Science - graduation requirements

1 2 3 4

Biology Physical Science Chemistry 4th science:

OR Context OR -Academic
Problem science
statement
Physics Environmental (ex: Human
Science Anatomy, Zoology,
OR Physics, Earth
Earth Systems Systems or
Chemistry, if not
already taken)
-CTAE science (ex:
General Horticulture,
Computer Science
Company Principles, Forestry,
Essentials of
Healthcare)
-Approved Dual
Enrollment course

Some 4th science courses may be used to meet both the science requirement and ctae
pathway requirement.
 AP/Honors Courses
● Honors courses
○ will provide students with the opportunity to explore concepts at a
greater depth and speed
○ are viewed positively by colleges
○ although the overall expectation is that adequate class time will be
provided, there may be times that students are expected to complete
assignments, readings, and/or projects outside of class time
○ will have extra points added to the final course grade: honors classes
(3 points) and AP and dual enrollment classes (10 points). These
points are used for calculating class rank, honor graduates,
valedictorian, and salutatorian.
● Parents and students must sign an Honors contract. This contract will be
sent home with the Course Recommendation Sheet. Please review this
document carefully.
For more information about Honors and AP classes, please view the
Honors/AP informational video posted on the BCHS website
and BCHS Counseling website.
Electives and Pathway
Information
 Students are using
Elective this elective
worksheet to select

Areas their 2021-22

electives. A copy
was emailed to all
----------------- students.

Fine Arts

Career, Technical,
and Agriculture
Education

World Language

Physical Fitness

Academic
 New Electives

Journalism II (academic elective)

● This course is an academic elective for students interested in creative
writing.

Beginning Instrument Ensemble

● This course is for current band members who want to learn to play a
new instrument or any student who has never taken band before, but
would like to start now.

Music Theory
● Ear training course in which musicians learn to identify pitches,
intervals, melodies, chords, rhythms and other basic elements of
music solely by hearing.

Athlete Weight Training -

● This course will now be offered as both a single-period class as well
as a block class. Requires a coach’s recommendation.
 FAQ About Electives
● I need weight training, but it won’t fit in my schedule. What do I
do?
○ You may take weight training as a 0 period if okayed by a
coach

● Am I allowed to drop math support in order to take another

elective?
○ We strongly, strongly recommend against that. If a teacher has
recommended a support class, you need to take it.

● Do I have to take Spanish to graduate?

○ No, World Language is not a graduation requirement. However,
it is required for admission to four-year colleges.
 Pathways
● Students are encouraged to select courses in a focused
area of interest (pathway).
○ Pathways consist of three connected courses.
○ By concentrating on one of these pathways, students
will be more college and career ready when they
graduate.
○ Students may receive job-ready certification in some
pathways upon successful completion of an End of
Pathway Assessment.
● A pathway is not required for graduation.
● Students will take elective courses outside of their
pathways. This allows them to explore multiple interests.
● You may change pathways. You may finish multiple
pathways during high school.
 Pathways - 4 types
Advanced Academic Modern Language Fine Arts Pathway CTAE (Career/Tech/Ag
Pathway Pathway Education) Pathway
(in ELA, math, science, ● Complete 3
or soc studies) ● Complete 3 courses in one ● Complete 3
coursesContext
in same identified areaProblem statement
specified courses
● Complete one AP modern language ● Ex: 3 units of in a CTAE
or Dual Enrollment (ex: Span I, II, & III) drama, 3 units of approved pathway
course in the ● Or complete 2 art, or 3 units of
content area courses plus one music
● Complete 2 units Dual Enrollment ● Ex: Cannot
of modern course of the combine band and
language same language visual arts for a
(ex: Span I and II) pathway
CTAE Pathways Offered at BCHS
CTAE Pathways Offered at BCHS
 Modern Language
● Spanish I, II, III are offered at BCHS. AP Spanish may be offered
if there is enough student interest.
● Additional modern language classes are available through
Georgia Virtual School.
○ Tuition might not be covered by the local school system.
○ GAVS courses are very difficult and time-consuming even
for the most high-achieving and motivated student
● Most students who take Spanish begin in 10th or 11th grade
● Modern language is
○ not a graduation requirement
○ not required for admittance to technical colleges
○ is required for entry or transfer into a 4-year college in
Georgia
■ Students must take 2 units of the same modern
Language (Spanish I and II)
■ Some competitive research universities prefer 3 units of
a language
 Fine Arts
● Pathways:
○ Band
○ Chorus
○ Art
○ Theatre

● Additional Electives:
○ Guitar/Keyboarding
○ Guitar Ensemble
○ Beginning Instrument Ensemble
○ Music Theory I and II
○ Music Appreciation
 Work-Based Learning (WBL)
● WBL coordinator - Lynne Warren
● Open to 11th and 12th grade students
● Students must complete an application to be considered
for the program. These applications will go home with
interested students next week.

Please contact Ms. Warren at lwarren@banks.k12.ga.us for

more information.
General Academic
Information
 Dual Enrollment
● Dual Enrollment coordinator - Lynn Suggs
● Allows high school students to earn college credit while enrolled
in high school
● Open to 11th and 12th graders.
● The State pays tuition and books (may not cover certain fees,
supplies, or equipment).
● Part-time or full-time. There is a limit of 30 credit hours.
● Must meet admissions criteria set by college
● College-level expectations

A Dual Enrollment information presentation was held 2/4/2021.

A copy of this presentation can be found on the BCHS
Counseling website.
 End of Course (EOC) Exams
During high school, students will take the GA
Milestone Exam in the following classes:

Lang Arts Math Science Social Studies

11th grade American Lit Algebra I Biology US History (dual enrollment

students do not have to
take this EOC)

We do not know what percentage of a student’s final

course grade the EOCs will count next year. This
number is based on State DOE requirements.
 GPA
● A student's grade point average is the average of all
academic classes
○ this includes failed courses
○ this includes academic electives
○ GPAs are not figured until a student’s junior year, but
they need to be mindful of it from the beginning

● Extra points for honors classes (3 points) and AP and dual

enrollment classes (10 points) are added and used for
calculating class rank, honor graduates, valedictorian, and
salutatorian
 After School, Unit Recovery, & Edgenuity
What to do if a student needs extra help or fails a course?
● BCHS After School Program
○ Currently, FREE
○ Tutoring, homework time, test preparation, make-up work
○ Mondays, Tuesday, Wednesdays, and some Thursdays
○ 3:15-5:15 PM
○ Snacks and transportation provided
○ Registration required

● Unit Recovery
○ If a student fails a class, with a 65-69, they can work in After School to
bring the grade up to a 70
○ This usually takes 5 to 10 days

● Summer School - for students who fail a course during the school year

● Edgenuity
○ If a student fails a course required for graduation, they will be placed in an
Edgenuity course to retake the class
○ Computer-based instruction during the school day
 HOPE Scholarship
Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) is a four-year scholarship program funded by the Georgia Lottery.

All HOPE programs require students to meet basic requirements. An eligible student must:

1. Meet HOPE's U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements;

2. Be a legal resident of Georgia;
3. Meet enrollment requirements;
4. Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements;
5. Meet academic achievement standards;
6. Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs;
7. Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990;
8. Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program

HOPE Scholarship Zell Miller Scholarship HOPE Grant basics Zell Grant basics
basics basics

3.0 HOPE GPA 3.7 HOPE GPA No GPA requirement No GPA requirement
AND initially; must maintain initially; must maintain 3.5
1200 SAT or 26 ACT 2.0 GPA GPA

complete 4 courses
from the HOPE Rigor
List
Pays about 85% of
tuition at GA public
colleges
complete 4 courses
from the HOPE Rigor
List
Pays 100% of tuition at
GA public colleges
For use at technical
colleges. Pays a
percentage of tuition
based on the school and
program.
For use at technical
colleges. Pays a
percentage (higher than
HOPE Grant) of tuition
based on the school and
program.
 HOPE Rigor Requirements

To qualify for the HOPE

Scholarship, students must
successfully complete 4
classes from the HOPE
Rigor List.
Other Important Information
 Attendance
● Success in high school requires good attendance
● The Banks County Board of Education defines truancy
as “any child subject to compulsory attendance who
during the calendar year has more than 5 unexcused
absences.”
● Missing too many days can result in attendance
meetings, attendance contracts, and contact with the
juvenile court.
● If a student is absent for an excusable reason, please
remember to send in an excuse note to the office
 Advisement

● Advisors are a key contact person for parents and

students

● Rising 10th grade students will be assigned to new

advisors next year. These teachers will remain their
advisors until graduation.
 Involvement:
Sports and Clubs
 Involvement
● It’s important that students explore their interests while in high
school and find something that interests them
○ academically and
○ extracurricularly

● Elective courses are a way for students to explore various

subjects and future career options while in high school

● Clubs and sports offer ways for students to get involved

○ Club meetings take place during the school day, so everyone
has the opportunity to get involved.
Involvement - Clubs
4-H
Beta Club
Chess
Drama
FBLA
FCA
FCCLA
FFA
HOSA
Interact
JLOP
Spanish
High School High Tech

New next year - Fishing Club Team

 Involvement - Sports
Fall Winter Spring

● Cross Country ● Basketball ● Baseball

● Football ● Wrestling ● Tennis
● Softball ● Cheerleading ● Track
● Cheerleading ● Soccer
● Volleyball ● Golf
No Pass/No Play NCAA Division I Academic Eligibility
Georgia High Association (GHSA)
requirements/Eligibility Rules:

In order to be eligible to participate in GHSA events a
student must:
● Be living in a residence located within the
school’s district.
● Have passed five (5) full time subjects the
previous quarter or semester.
● Be “on track” for graduation (have earned units
equivalent to years in school).
College-bound student-athletes need to meet the
following academic requirements to practice, receive
athletic scholarships, and/or compete during their first
year of college:
● Complete 16 core courses
● Earn core-course GPA of ≥2.3
● Earn a required ACT/SAT score
● Graduate high school

Questions should be directed to Mike Cleveland, athletic director.

Questions?
Please contact:

9th and 10th grade counselor:

Mary Boykin
mary.boykin@banks.k12.ga.us

11th and 12th grade

counselor: April Loggins
aloggins@banks.k12.ga.us

Dual Enrollment Counselor:

Lynn Suggs
lsuggs@banks.k12.ga.us