PTSA Open House

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Interested Parties:

If you couldn't attend the PTSA Parent Night, but wanted the information handed out there, then this post might help.

Scroll down until you find the form you need. Most are remarkably similar, and all feature contact information. You can also find me on the BHS website, although this site is not yet linked. (A dream for the future!)
__________________________________________________________________
PTSA Open House
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition
Jennifer Hilley, Instructor
407-893-7200, ext. 4605
hilleyj@ocps.net


v The senior year is a pivotal year for your student, and already we have been discussing the college application process and have written entrance essays. At this point, your student should be visiting schools and sending in applications; in class, I suggested an October 15, 2005 deadline to the students to ensure that their applications receive top consideration. Our Writing Center is open and available to help your student with his or her essays, and I will be glad to help them before school most mornings or by appointment.

v If your student still has not taken the SAT or ACT, we offer those tests here at Boone during the school year. The earlier a student takes the test, the better; if your student is trying to raise a score, Mr. Dorman offers a preparatory course after school. I have had application packets for both tests in the classroom since the first day of school, and will continue to provide them in addition to our Guidance office. Most of the information can be gathered through www.collegeboard.com or www.facts.org, a terrific new website run by the state Department of Education.

v The scholarship application process is already underway, but the majority of scholarships available to your student will become apparent during the second semester. Guidance just released their first senior newsletter, which featured a few scholarship opportunities, and they will continue to do so throughout the school year. You and your student may wish to check online resources such as www.fastweb.com for additional opportunities. I would like to warn you, though—there are unscrupulous types who would love to make a profit off of your student. DO NOT PAY for scholarship information, regardless of the “guarantees” you may be offered. One of my students this year has already brought me a mailing he received at home offering access to dozens of scholarships for “only” $99.00. All of the scholarships advertised on this mailing are readily available, for free, on the web or through the school.

v WARNING: Around February, you may notice that your child’s brain has turned into mashed potatoes. Your student may claim “senioritis,” and this is the time of year when many, many students fall off the right track. Please remind your students, as I will, that acceptance letters to colleges are not contracts—they are contingent upon release of the final transcript. A distinct dip in grades can derail a student’s college plans.

Advanced Placement Literature

The AP exam will be given during the first week of May, and students who score 3 or higher typically earn college credit. (Everyone, it seems, but Harvard and VCC recognizes AP credit!) This course is designed to give talented high school students a college-level literary experience. Consequently, this is a Socratic course that features a great deal of high-level discussion of challenging texts and several written assignments. Thus far, we have analyzed Heart of Darkness, Oedipus Rex, and much of Macbeth.

Most of the texts are supplied for this course, but I have encouraged the students to acquire a copy of How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Turner—it’s a witty, quick read that can sharpen focus regarding literary criticism.


I am looking forward to working with your senior this year! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me.


__________________________________________________________________
Gifted English II
Jennifer Hilley, Instructor
407-893-7200, ext. 4605
hilleyj@ocps.net; www.j-hill.blogspot.com

I have enjoyed getting to know the 10th grade Gifted learners during the past few weeks, and am looking forward to all of the opportunities ahead of us during this school year. The sophomore year is a pivotal year for these students—between taking the FCAT and selecting courses for their junior and senior years, many important tasks can affect the outcome of the high school experience and preparation for college.


Ø On October 12, all of the Gifted sophomores will be taking the PSAT test during their morning classes, and will be excused through attendance for the test. 10th graders take the test for free; juniors and freshmen must pay the standard $12.00 fee. Your child has already been registered for this test and does not need to do anything else to sign up. He or she needs to take this test for the following reasons:
Ø it offers excellent preparation for ACT and SAT
Ø it gives us a tool by which we can assess a student’s readiness for AP courses in the junior year
Ø it prepares the students for the 11th grade administration of this test, which
can qualify them for the National Merit Scholars Program.

Ø The FCAT will be given in the first week of March. While we will address FCAT-related issues in class, and participate in school-wide timed writing sessions geared to FCAT Writes, I believe focusing on skills that surpass FCAT requirements is more philosophically sound than exclusively “teaching to the test.” I view this course as a pre-AP program above and beyond the minimal requirements of the state. However, if you feel that your child does need additional assistance to prepare for FCAT, I will be happy to help, and would also recommend that you avail yourself of www.fcatexplorer.edu for practice problems.

Ø I offer service-learning opportunities through the Orlando Shakespeare Festival. Many of the tenth grade students have already signed up to usher for the first semester, and although we are almost booked solid, many opportunities are still open. This is an excellent way for your child to earn Bright Futures service hours and see wonderful plays for free. If you are interested in accompanying your child and ushering yourself, you are welcome to sign up as well—all ushers have free admission to the play for which they usher. The OSF is performing seven plays this season, beginning with A Twelfth Night this month.

Ø There are some outside reading requirements in this course. The students are currently reading The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas; their next outside reading, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, will be provided for them. I will try to notify you with several weeks to spare when we begin another title.

Ø More specific data is provided in your child’s syllabus; if you would like me to e-mail you a copy as a Word attachment for your records I will be happy to do so.

Ø I look forward to working with you this year, as we prepare your student for the challenges of college and beyond!


___________________________________________________________________

PTSA Open House
Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Gifted English IV
Jennifer Hilley, Instructor
407-893-7200, ext. 4605
hilleyj@ocps.net


v The senior year is a pivotal year for your student, and already in English IV we have been discussing the college application process and have written entrance essays. At this point, your student should be visiting schools and sending in applications; in class, I suggested an October 15, 2005 deadline to the students to ensure that their applications receive top consideration.

v If your student still has not taken the SAT or ACT, we offer those tests here at Boone during the school year. The earlier a student takes the test, the better; if your student is trying to raise a score, Mr. Dorman offers a preparatory course after school. I have had application packets for both tests in the classroom since the first day of school, and will continue to provide them in addition to our Guidance office.

v The scholarship application process is already underway, but the majority of scholarships available to your student will become apparent during the second semester. Guidance just released their first senior newsletter, which featured a few scholarship opportunities, and they will continue to do so throughout the school year. You and your student may wish to check online resources such as www.fastweb.com for additional opportunities. I would like to warn you, though—there are unscrupulous types who would love to make a profit off of your student. DO NOT PAY for scholarship information, regardless of the “guarantees” you may be offered. One of my students this year has already brought me a mailing he received at home offering access to dozens of scholarships for only $99.00. All of the scholarships advertised on this mailing are readily available, for free, on the web or through the school.

v WARNING: Around February, you may notice that your child’s brain has turned into mashed potatoes. Your student may claim “senioritis,” and this is the time of year when many, many students fall off the right track. Please remind your students, as I will, that acceptance letters to colleges are not contracts—they are contingent upon release of the final transcript. A distinct dip in grades can derail a student’s college plans.

I am looking forward to working with your senior this year! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call me.