GUIDANCE STAFF
AND INFORMATION

Patty Brewer
9th -12th R-Z

Marcie Hunt
9th-12th A-E

La’Tina Johnson
9th-12th K-Q

Ann McCoy
10th-12th F-J, 9th grade IB

Cathy O’Kelly
IB 10 - 12 A-Z

 

Guidance Department Information

The St. Petersburg High School Guidance Department strongly encourages active parent and student involvement in the preparation of lifetime goals. Students at each grade level participate in orientation activities. Parents of incoming freshmen are invited to an orientation and are encouraged to communicate with the Guidance Department throughout their student’s high school career.

College catalogues, applications, SAT and ACT registration packets, financial aid information and scholarship applications are available for college-bound students. Students also have the opportunity to visit with college and vocational school representatives, as well as military service recruiters.

Sample of Guidance activities for each grade level:

Freshmen
August - orientation
Fall and Spring - seminars

Sophomores
October - PSAT
Fall and Spring - seminars
February/March - Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)
March/April - course selection for following year

Juniors
August through June - SAT and/or ACT testing (optional)
October - PSAT (optional - Junior year this test qualifies students for the National Merit Program) September/March - FCAT (passing the FCAT is required for graduation)
Fall and Spring - seminars

Seniors
August through May - (optional) SAT and/or ACT testing
September and February - credit checks
October-December - Financial Aid Workshop
October/March/June - FCAT (Seniors who have not taken or passed the FCAT)
September through May - Seminars, PrepHQ, Choices, PTEC presentation

Registration Procedure

1. Counselors hold informational meetings in the spring to give students an overview of the courses available. At the same time, students receive a copy of the Curriculum Guide and a registration form for next year’s course requests. IB students may also meet with their academic teachers for advice concerning course selection.

2. Students and parents review materials, select courses and complete the registration form. The registration form MUST include AT LEAST two alternate courses for each elective course the student chooses.

3. Proof sheets are distributed to students before the end of the spring term. CHANGES IN COURSE REQUESTS MUST BE MADE ON THE PROOF SHEET AND SIGNED BY A PARENT, BEFORE BEING SUBMITTED TO GUIDANCE. DEADLINE FOR PROOF SHEETS, MAY 30th, 2010.

Schedule Corrections

It is our expectation that students, after discussion with their parents, teachers, and guidance counselors have made wise curriculum choices. Students have had several opportunities and ample time to choose their classes for the upcoming year and to make changes to those choices. The registration process for enrolled students begins in March when students and parents fill out the registration form. Later, students are given a computerized list of their chosen classes, at which time they can make changes. If a student still needs to make changes, it is possible if he/she contacts the school before May 30th, 2010. At that time, the master schedule is finalized. No further corrections can be made to a student’s schedule unless one of the following occurs:
  • Student already has a credit for the course.
  • Computer errors due to miscoding or if selection is eliminated.
  • Student failed the course in last semester of the previous school year and that course is a
      prerequisite to a course in this year’s schedule
  • Student requested a course, but has not met a prerequisite.
  • A teacher-initiated level change
  • A senior needs a course for college, graduation, or specific scholarship.

Counselors CANNOT honor requests to correct a schedule for the following reasons:

  • You have changed your mind
  • You have a teacher preference or conflict
  • You have a personal opinion to the difficulty of the course
  • The course conflicts with your job
  • The course does not meet at a convenient time
  • The course is not what you expected it to be

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