Dear GHS Parent of a 10th Grader,

On Tuesday, February 10th, all students who are classified as 10th graders will take FCAT Writes! Note: Any student with more than 6 credits and fewer than 12 credits is considered a 10th grader. This will include students who have taken FCAT Writes! previously, but do not have the 12 credits required for 11th grade status. FCAT Writes! is a part of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Testing (FCAT) program administered to.all 10th grade students in Florida public schools. The results are placed in the student's cum file. The writing portion of the test is administered separate from the Reading and Math portions. The Reading and Math portions will be administered at the beginning of March.

It is important that all students who are taking the test be well prepared. Students are given 45 minutes to write a well developed essay which reflects their thinking on a topic of interest to 10th graders. The topic is assigned to the student by the State not GHS. During the 45 minute testing period students are provided time to gather their thoughts, pre write, and then write an essay. The essay is to be well developed with an introduction, supporting details, and summary. Realizing the important of writing, all of the teachers - especially English teachers, of course - have been working with students on their writing skills.

I am very interested in having GHS students do their very best in everything they do. This assessment is very important to the school. As a parent, I hope you will join with me to encourage the students to take this writing exercise seriously. It is a way to compare GHS students with other students from across the state. When the results are reported we want the students to be proud of their work - both individually and as a group. Last year the school grade improved by one full better grade - from "D" to "C". I feel confident that this group of 10th graders can do even better than last year's class did. However, in order to do their very best students need to know the home and the school are working together.

Please take some time to discuss FCAT Writes! with your student. Students should be able to explain what they have been doing to improve their writing skills. GHS has many classroom materials the students have been using. All students have been exposed to the 6-Traits of Writing. Students may not know the phrase "6-Traits" but they should be familiar with the concepts. For your use, I have copied pages 38 and 39 from the Student Planner which gives a brief overview of the writing process.

In order to do well on the assessment students need to take the process seriously. I am soliciting the cooperation of all GHS families to make FCAT Writes! a priority for the students.

Thank you for your assistance as we continue our efforts to Link Resources (in this case, the families) to Improve Student Achievement. If we can be any assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Thomas E. Imerson
Principal

Enclosure: 6-Traits Information