Hey there Southwest,
I hope you have had a great week and I also hope you were able to assist the SW administration in celebrating the teachers during National Teacher Appreciation Week! They are working so hard during this time to best serve your students. They are truly rocking it!
A gentle reminder that you can access pictures from the cap and gown distribution drive through through the two links embedded within this blog. Again, thank you to Kelli Gowdy and Angie Thomson!
However, I want to share that all students in grades 9-11 have an amazing opportunity in increasing their 3rd quarter grades based on completing the assigned work form their teachers over these 11 weeks in which we are learning remotely. It would make no sense to me, especially being a father of a High School student, why any parent woudl allow their student to stop working and not work for that higher grade. Please help our staff in monitoring your students' work. Please do not allow them to lose out on this opportunity as this will impact their future. I have had one question about why a student with an A would continue to work. First,even if a student had a 95/A at the end of the 3rd quarter, he or she should still try to acquire these extra points to lift their grade up to a 100/A. Colleges will look at numeric grades if they have difficulty deciding between multiple students being accepted into their school. We see it time and time again. Also, there is much research behind students who are losing out on instructional delivery at this time regardless of their grades, and how this can impact their future studies. Now, as it relates to students who were failing at the end of the 3rd quarter, he or she will be given every opportunity to pass, but it will fall on him or her to put forth that effort. The senior grading policy has not changed and will remain intact.
Also, just a quick reminder that the policies from the
classroom still apply to the distance learning classroom. For example,
violating the plagiarism copying policy can result in a (0/incomplete). Please
make sure that you do your own work, you do not copy, and or/share
assignments. There are no final exams this year so please work on completing all assignments to assist you with your final grade and GPA.
Our 2nd Virtual Fire Drill is 11AM on Monday. You should sign in to the "Zoom meeting" to participate.
3rd quarter Report Cards were mailed starting this past Monday. Feel free to reach out to our guidance secretary, Mrs. White at whitej@gcsnc.com if you have not received it as of Monday, May 11th.
3rd quarter Report Cards were mailed starting this past Monday. Feel free to reach out to our guidance secretary, Mrs. White at whitej@gcsnc.com if you have not received it as of Monday, May 11th.
Another gentle reminder that we as a school system are trying to be patient as we monitor the governor's decisions to assist us with preparing for the best form of graduation under the current circumstances. As the Principal of this school, I ask you to stick with me and be patient. This is a big event and I believe our seniors deserve the very best we can give them based on the Governor's orders at this time.I know this is hard as we want to see a concrete scheduled event, but please be patient. While we see other districts starting to plan, I believe their decisions are premature with the hopes that the governor's orders will hopefully fit within their plans.
Families with students enrolled in GCS who qualify for free and reduced meals may be eligible for additional benefits through the Electronic Bank Transfer, or EBT program during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to qualify for free and reduced meals please make sure you have applied for meal benefits through lunchapplication.com. Completing an application now will also ensure your meal benefits are established for the start of the next school year. You can apply or reapply for meal benefits at any time during a school year, particularly when your financial circumstances change. If you have any questions, please contact School Nutrition Services at (336) 370-3266.
Despite the pandemic, the yearbook is finished and has shipped to the school in mid-May. You need to know that I took a sneak peek, and I hope Mrs. Bratton does not get mad at me, but I have to say, they are amazing! We still have some books left to purchase, especially for those seniors who want some resemblance of normalcy to their senior year. To maintain social distancing, buy your yearbook online at www.yearbookforever.com and get your hands on something that will remind you of this unprecedented school year (and keep you busy while in quarantine!). We will announce over the next week or two when we can distribute these books.
A reminder for seniors to participate in the door decorating contest... please see the flyer within this blog.
Another reminder to visit the the school spirit store on the www.cowboysports.org website as additional items have been added. A big thank you to Bob Danser and Action Engravers for making and donating the enormous banner supporting seniors. It can be located on the first fence line when turning onto Southwest School Road. All Seniors are highly encouraged to sign this banner. On Wednesday, May 6th, we will remove the banner and place it on the school grounds for all to see. Thank you again!
Towards the end of May or beginning of June, we hope to have a drive through drop off and pick up for all items related to school... picking up academic cords, yearbooks, any drop offs for all other items, library books, athletic uniforms, textbooks, etc. Please be on the lookout for that date. We will publicize that date heavily once we set it.
A gentle reminder for seniors to report scholarships to the counselors.
Another reminder to visit the the school spirit store on the www.cowboysports.org website as additional items have been added. A big thank you to Bob Danser and Action Engravers for making and donating the enormous banner supporting seniors. It can be located on the first fence line when turning onto Southwest School Road. All Seniors are highly encouraged to sign this banner. On Wednesday, May 6th, we will remove the banner and place it on the school grounds for all to see. Thank you again!
Towards the end of May or beginning of June, we hope to have a drive through drop off and pick up for all items related to school... picking up academic cords, yearbooks, any drop offs for all other items, library books, athletic uniforms, textbooks, etc. Please be on the lookout for that date. We will publicize that date heavily once we set it.
Below are links to six recordings focusing on areas of concern regarding financial aid and the FAFSA for parents and students. They are short, 3-5 minutes each, and recorded by NC financial aid administrators. There are two choices for accessing, YouTube Channel or the Mapping Your Future web site. Please use whichever works best for you.
Mapping Your Future
YouTube Channel
1) What Happens After the FAFSA is Filed? Link: https://youtu.be/3QOyZ1pAI30
1) What Happens After the FAFSA is Filed? Link: https://youtu.be/3QOyZ1pAI30
2) North Carolina State Grants: Link: https://youtu.be/xXlMlpam21c
3) Making Changes on the FAFSA; When to contact the financial aid office: Link: https://youtu.be/u53SbiHMkuo
4) What to do when there is a change/loss of income: Link: https://youtu.be/6ZjJ7-sVDvw
5) Verification: What to do if my FAFSA is chosen: Link: https://youtu.be/1gNpa-Rs4HM
6) Student Aid Report – How to Use it: Link: https://youtu.be/Op5nKUVYTPI
The College Board Advanced Placement exam schedule has been
modified for a world wide synchronized administration schedule from May 11 –
22, 2020. The exams are now 2 hours long and only one course will be
tested per time slot. There are three time slots per day; a noon –
2PM; a 2PM – 4PM; and a 4PM – 6PM administration time. Students outside
of the EASTERN STANDARD TIME ZONE must adjust their testing time to coordinate
with the EASTERN STANDARD TIME schedule. Make sure not to overlook this
critical detail if your student has or will be relocating to another time
zone. Also, be aware that students must check in to their exam a half
hour BEFORE the exam start time, so students will need to be ready and set up
before the start time. For example, students taking a 4:00 exam will need to
start check-in at 3:30 pm.
Please encourage your students to take advantage of the different resources designed by the College Board to promote student success on these exams. Instruction and support will continue to be provided by our dedicated AP teachers who are also receiving additional instructional resources from the College Board. We strongly encourages students enrolled in an AP course to take their AP Exam(s).
Exam Window
Dates: May 11- 22, 2020 Make-ups: June 1-5. 2020*
The student exam date is based on the course. Visit here for specific exam dates.
*The make-up exam window should be used for emergency situations only.
Exam Features
- The exam will only include topics and skills most AP teachers and students have already covered in class by early March.
- This year’s AP exams will be open book/open note. Get tips for taking open book/open note exams at Tips for AP Open Note Exams
- Most exams will have one or two free-response questions, and each question is timed separately. For example, some tests will have portfolio submissions, some will have one question to answer, some will have two questions to answer. Carefully review your course expectations.
- Students will need to write and submit their responses within the allotted time for each question.
- For most subjects, the exams will be 45 minutes long and include an additional 5 minutes for uploading. Students will need to access the online testing system 30 minutes before the exam start time to logon.
- Teachers will receive copies of student responses to questions to affirm the validity of the answer and to confirm that it is indeed the student’s actual work.
- Students will be able to take exams on any device—computer, tablet, or smartphone. They may type and upload their responses or write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cell phone. Students who do not have access to one of the devices mentioned above or do not have access to internet connectivity should notify their AP Coordinator or reach out to us directly to College Board and let them know.
Test Format and Additional Information
This link provides students with specific details about the format of their course exams.
Courses with Portfolio Submissions or Alternate Submission
The following courses will use portfolio submissions and will not have a separate online exam. All deadlines for these submissions have been extended to May 26, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET:
- 2-D Art and Design
- Computer Science Principles (note: this portfolio submission is best done on a laptop)
- Research
- Seminar
- Students taking AP world language and culture exams will complete two spoken tasks consistent with free-response questions three and four on the current AP Exam. Written responses will not be required. We will provide more details in the coming weeks to help students prepare.
Exam Timing and Tasks
- Each subject’s exam will be taken on the same day at the same time, worldwide.
- Students may take the exam at home or in school if schools reopen. If schools reopen, then they will communicate the logistics to the students.
- These are the ONLY DATES AND TIMES that a student can take these exams. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Taking the Exam
- In late April, the College Board will provide AP students and educators with information on how to access the testing system on test day, along with video demonstrations so that students can familiarize themselves with the system.
- Students will receive an access link to sign into the system to take their test via the email address they provided when they signed up for their online AP account.
- Students WILL have the opportunity to practice on the system prior to testing day. Information regarding that will be sent soon.
Exam Preparation (AP Live & Review) Full AP Exam Schedule
- Continue working toward college credit and placement with free, live AP review lessons, delivered by AP teachers from across the country.
- These mobile-friendly classes:
- Are optional and designed to be used alongside work that may be given by schools.
- Are available on-demand after the original presentation so teachers and students can access them any time.
- Are not dependent on current AP teachers continuing instruction. We know many AP teachers now face challenges that would make that impossible.
- Enable AP students to complete the few remaining topics of each AP class and then, throughout April, focus on reviewing the skills and concepts from the first 75% of the course.
- To access the live classes and recordings, visit the AP Live YouTube channel. College Board will be adding more courses soon.
Here are some other ways to get ready for your exam:
- Complete any assignments from your AP teachers in the AP Classroom. These may include Topic Questions, Personal Progress Checks, and free-response practice exam questions. Once you complete each assignment, you will see reports with feedback that can help you target additional practice.
- For more details about your exams, visit Taking AP Exams, and see our FAQ page for more questions.
As we continue to navigate these waters, I will continue to share information as I receive it. Thank you very much for all that you do. I miss you all and can't wait until we see each other again! We are... Southwest!
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