Class of 2020

Fall Senior Parent Meeting

AGENDA

Jacquelyn Cinotti-Dirmann Welcome

Assistant Principal, Curriculum

Denise Harbin, Emily Ward General Graduation Information

Jacquelyn Cinotti-Dirmann Attendance

Assistant Principal, Curriculum

School Counselors Senior Workshop

Shaneka Ferrell, Department Chair Graduation Requirements
Kathy Anderson, Allie Armstrong College Admission Process

Jose Acevedo, UNF Financial Aid/Scholarships

 School Counseling Office
Shaneka Ferrell Department Chair
School Counselor, N-Z

Kathy Anderson School Counselor, A-F

Allie Gellers School Counselor, G-M

Dayle Mack Office Clerk

Catherine Silsby Office Clerk

Sherry Thompson Data Entry Clerk

ph 904-346-5620
fax 904-346-5636
http://www.da-arts.org
 Attendance
Attendance Policies

Excused Absences

Parent note within 3 days, which includes:

• First and Last Name of Student
• Student #
• Date(s) of absence
• Reason for absence
• Parent signature and contact phone #

If absent 5 or more days, a doctor’s note is required

If 5 unexcused absences in a calendar month or 10 unexcused absences in a

90-day period, student will be referred to the Attendance Intervention Team
(AIT).
 Attendance

College Visits (maximum of 3 per year)

• Must be pre-approved 2 weeks prior to visit
• Upon return, submit parent note and letter from college rep

State Statute leading to Driver’s License being revoked

• 15 unexcused absences in a 90-day period
 Senior Workshop
• Senior credit check; graduation requirements
• Diplomas and transcripts
• GPAs
• College application procedure
• SAT and ACT and post-secondary readiness
• Community service vs. Volunteer service
• College Fair October 12, Prime Osborn Center
• November BEACON financial aid program
• Financial aid and scholarships (Bright Futures)
• Lunch & Learn school counseling activities
 Duval County
Graduation Requirements
24 credits
4-English  2.0 unweighted GPA
4-Math Alg I, Geo, + 2 math  Pass ELA FSA Grade 10
 Pass Algebra 1 EOC
3-Science
 Complete one online high
Bio, + 2 sci
school course
3-Social Studies
World Hist, US Hist, Eco/Gov
2-Foreign Language
must be in same world language
1-Practical or Performing Fine Art*
1- HOPE
6-Electives*
*includes specific arts courses for DA arts seal
 Grade Point Average
 State, Unweighted, Graduation GPA (4.0 scale)

 District, Weighted, Ranking GPA (5.0 scale)

 Re-calculated, Academic GPA (includes half of an extra quality

point for each academic honors course, whole extra point for
AP, DE) i.e. State University Schools in Florida
(other colleges/universities recalculate based on their unique
formulas)

 Florida Bright Futures GPA (uses specific courses and includes

half of an extra quality point for each honors, AP, or DE course).
Go to www.floridashines.org
 12th Grade Checklist Fall
 Meet with your counselor!

 Study – senior year grades are important

 Take SAT and ACT www.collegeboard.com, www.act.org

 Receive senior newsletters and visit the DA school counseling

webpage, counselor corner blog, Instagram, and senior page

 Continue activities/community service - document and submit

 Attend the College Fair October 12, Prime Osborn Center

 12th Grade Checklist Fall
 Prepare college applications –
 Request transcripts; pick up transcripts to be mailed
 Write essays, resume, Letters of recommendation
 View Bright Futures scholarship eligibility
www.floridashines.org
 Research and apply for scholarships
 Apply for Bright Futures and FAFSA starting October 1
 BEACON financial aid workshop
 Attend College Campout October 11 @4pm-7pm
 12th Grade Checklist Spring
 Meet with your counselor!
Keep grades up, colleges may rescind admission for
falling grades
Receive senior newsletters and visit the DA
school counseling webpage, counselor corner blog, and

senior page
 View Bright Futures scholarship eligibility
www.floridashines.org
 12th Grade Checklist Spring
 Continue to take the SAT/ACT, PERT post-secondary
readiness
 Continue to apply for scholarships & other financial aid
 Attend senior parent night
 Follow up with colleges to confirm your attendance
 Post-Secondary Readiness
(PSR)
It is the expectation at DA that ALL graduating seniors leave
being Post-Secondary Ready (PSR) in Math and Reading!

How to become PSR:

• SAT (M: 24/480, R: 24/480)
• ACT (M: 19, R: 19)
• PERT (M: 114, R: 106)

Incentives for becoming PSR:

• Weekly drawing for coupon for Doodlebop Ice Cream Truck
• PSR Cord at Graduation
• Drawing for extra graduation tickets
*Students on free/reduced
lunch are eligible for SAT
and ACT waivers.
Visit the school counseling
office for more information.
 Transcript

Bright Community
Silver Chord
Futures Service

Scholarships
 General Tips
 Establish Binder with Dividers and/or Excel Spreadsheet
• Transcript
• Resume
• Divider for Each School with check list

 Create College folder system

 Get the name of your Admission Reps and keep it
 Establish a calendar of deadlines for each school
 Maintain Senior Year Grades
 Resume Tips
 Activities and experiences sheet
• School activities
• Leadership positions
• Community involvement/service opportunities
• Awards, honors & achievements: a simple laundry list
• Work experience
 Activities - short, one sentence description, strong active
verbs. List leadership positions within if applicable
 Can include one time special projects
 Professional looking easy to read font
 Page length, more of an outline not an essay, easy to follow
bulleted list
 Apply for Admission &
Observe Deadlines

 Narrow your choices

 Review college admission test requirements
 Know application fees and deadlines
 Know scholarship requirements
 Submit application materials (paper/electronic)
High school transcript
Application for admission
Personal statements/Essays
Admission test results
Recommendations
 Review and Finalize
Your Plans

 Show initiative and be assertive

 Talk with your parents, teachers and counselor
 Select a college that meets your needs and preferences
 Follow up with colleges to which you have applied
More on Financial Aid and
Scholarships…