The information contained in this memo is very important.

THEME FOR THE FCAT: POUND THE FCAT!!

FCAT TESTING DATES

• Tuesday, February 6 - FCAT Writes + for all 10th graders
• Monday, February 26 - Reading for 9th and 10th graders & 11th grade retakes
• Tuesday, February 27 - Math for 9th and 10th graders & 11th grade retakes
• Wednesday, February 28 - Make up day for Reading & 12th grade retakes
• Thursday, March 1 - Make up day for math & 12th grade retakes
• Monday, March 5 - Science for 11th graders
• Wednesday, March 7 - Norm-Referenced Test (NRT) for grade 9
• Thursday, March 8 - Norm-Referenced Test (NRT) for grade 10

MIDYEAR GRADE PROMOTION & IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDENTS

A change in district policy allows us to move retained (second year) 9th graders and 10th graders to the next grade level providing they have earned additional credits by the beginning of the second semester (January 9).

• If a retained student who was in 9th grade now has 6 credits they have been moved into 10th grade and will be taking FCAT Writes+ and the official 10th grade FCAT.
• If a retained student who was in 10th grade now has 12 credits they have been moved into 11th grade. These students will be taking an official FCAT (Reading & Writing) and the Science portion of the FCAT.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FCAT

The FCAT is important to individual students and to the school.

• The school's grade is based upon student performance
• The individual student:
• 10th graders MUST PASS the FCAT (Reading & Math) in order to graduate
• 9th and 10th graders who do not perform well are scheduled into Intensive Math and Intensive Reading classes for the following year. This will reduce the number of electives the student may take.
• 11th graders who do not do perform well on the Science portion may be scheduled into Intensive Science classes during their senior year.
• Course assignments for the 2007-2008 school year are based on FCAT performance.

ENCLOSED BOOKLET (FRONT ONLY)

Students have received a copy of the booklet, Keys to the FCAT. Information About the 2007 Test. This booklet contains all of the information any student would need to know about the test. It has been distributed to students through their English teacher. The booklet contains information about test scoring, Sunshine State Standards, and sample questions.

TUTORING OPPORTUNITIES

Math tutoring is held after school - Monday - Thursday - 2:10 - 2:50 in Room 214 Reading tutoring is held after school - Monday - Thursday - 2:10 - 2:50 in the Media Center

NORM-REFERENCED TEST (NRT)

This test is designed to compare the performance of the students to the performance of students throughout the nation. This is an important test as it gives students, parents and the school a way to see how the students match-up against students from outside Florida. The results of this test can be used to determine student placement for the next school year.

PARENT SURVEY

During February you are asked to participate in a parent survey which will ask for your feedback about Gulf High School. The survey is now available online. You may access the survey by visiting the District School Board of Pasco County Home Page at: http://www.pasco.k12.fl.us. Under the heading, "What's New," click on the link called District Parent Survey. We hope you will take the 10-15 minutes to complete the 25 questions on the survey. We have computers at the school if you should care to do this while you are at the school. If you are unable to access a computer, we have a paper-and-pencil version available.....Mrs. DeCubellis, my secretary, is coordinating the paper-and-pencil version. She is available during school hours or by calling her you can have a paper-and-pencil version sent to your home.

Thank you for your support!

PROBLEM AREAS & CONCERNS

Please be aware of the following:

• Cell phones are not be used between 7:30 - 2:00
• Students are not be "play fighting" at any time (previously addressed in October 3 letter)
• Parking is a privilege not a right. If a student is not cooperating with regulations and are not observing good driving habits their parking permit will be taken
• Dress: No head coverings, shorts and skirts not more than 4" above the knee, tops must be appropriate... .check the Student Planner for further clarification
• Tardiness
• Continued monitoring of headphones, iPods, etc.