This handbook has been prepared and presented to you, the students of the

GUIDANCE

Students are assigned to a counselor via grade to facilitate guidance functions. Students and parents are welcomed and urged to consult their counselor at any time there is a need. Counselor assignments are as follows:

8^th and 9^th Grade Miss Amy Hand

10^th and 11^th Grade Mrs. Jennifer White

12^th Grade Mrs. Emily Cassidy

Guidance Services include assisting students with subject selection and changes, registering new students, providing occupational and educational information, maintaining cumulative high school records, individual counseling and testing. After the classroom teacher, the guidance counselor should be the point of contact to assist in the resolution of academic issues. The guidance counselor can also be a resource to assist students resolve conflicts. A variety of materials are available in the guidance office. Through the use of various career information and college catalogs, students are given the opportunity to explore their future plans. Opportunities are also provided for students to meet with representatives from various types of post secondary institutions. The guidance counselor can also be a resource to assist students resolve conflicts.

THE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM OF STUDIES

The High school academic program of studies is detailed in the current Punxsutawney Area High School Student Curriculum Guide.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

High School consists of grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.

Students need a minimum of 22 credits to meet graduation requirements. (23 starting with the class of 2014)

The following basic credit requirements will be met:

A. English 4.00 credits

B. Social Studies 3.00 credits

American History, World Cultures, and Economics/Civics

C. Science 3.00 credits

Biology, Chemistry, and Physical Science

D. Mathematics 4.00 credits

Mathematics at the 9th grade level and three other mathematics credits (8^th grade students may obtain credit for Algebra I if they achieve a proficient or advanced score on the Keystone Exam and schedule 4 math courses in grades 9-12)

E. Arts and Humanities

Maximum of 1 credit from any one department permitted 2.00 credits

F. Physical Education and Health 2.50 credits

Physical Education must be passed at each grade level

G. Electives (minimum) 4.50 credits

Computer Applications I will be a required elective (Class of 2011, 2012, and 2013) Career Education will be a required elective for the class of 2014 and those that follow.

On Your Own or Independent Living will be a required elective

A student must carry a minimum of 5 credits each year over and above the Physical Education requirement.

GRADUATION PROJECTS

Students will be required to successfully complete a graduation project as prescribed in the district’s project handbook “Doors of Opportunity.” This requirement is in addition to completing the basic credit requirement listed earlier in this handbook. Graduation projects for the class of 2014,2015 and those that follow are outlined in Careers and Community: “Foot Prints to Your Future”.
PSSA REQUIREMENTS

11^th grade students will no longer be required to take PSSA Tests. 8^th grade students will continue to take the PSSA. The Pennsylvania Department of Education is currently converting its high school assessment system to the Keystone Exams, and in the future they will be used to determine Adequate Yearly Progress and serve as a graduation requirement.

KEYSTONE EXAM REQUIREMENTS FOR CLASS OF 2017

1. 
   Literature
   
2. 
   Algebra I
   
3. 
   Biology
   

STUDENT PROMOTION AND GRADE CLASSIFICATION (SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL)

Promotion is based on the number of credits and individual course basis. Homeroom seating is based on the number of credits earned.

A. 9th grade - promotion from 8th grade

B. 10th grade - 4.00 credits (5.00 for class of 2014)

C. 11th grade - 10.50 credits (11.00 for class of 2014)

D. 12th grade - 16 credits (17.00 for class of 2014)

Mid-term promotion is made from 9^th to 10^th grade, 10^th to 11^th grade, and 11^th to 12^th grade when it has been determined that a student has completed his deficiencies and can advance grade level or be graduated. This will be done after mid-term report cards.
To be promoted from 8^th grade, a student must pass at least 5.5 out of 7 classes or any combination resulting in 5.5 classes.
Note: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies count as 1 class.

Computer Applications 8, Multimedia 8, Physical Education 8, and Reading 8 count as .5 of a class.

All Related Arts count as .25 of a class.
REPORT CARDS

Report cards will be issued in the high school at the end of each nine-week grading period. The grades at the secondary level are marked in the following manner. Grades are marked on the scale of 100, or H for Honor, P for Pass, F for Fail.

93-100 A 4.0

87-92 B 3.0

80-86 C 2.0

75-79 D 1.0

74 or less F 0.0
An honor grade is an average of 90 or above; a 93 average is a high honor.

Class rank is non-weighted with the exception of Advanced Placement English, Advanced Placement Calculus, Advanced Placement Biology, Advanced Placement European History, Advanced Placement U.S. History, and Advanced Placement Chemistry.

All incomplete grades must be made up by the end of the following grading period. When work has not been made up, it will become a failing grade for that period.
SCHOOLBOOK

With the addition of the “Schoolbook” software to the Punxsutawney Area School District, parents and guardians now have the ability to more effectively communicate with teachers and view their children’s grades via the internet. The software enables parents and students to monitor grades, assignments, attendance, schedules, and permits access to the school calendar. Because of the amount of data and the sensitivity of the information parents/guardians will be issued a log in and a password. To obtain a log in and password contact the high school guidance office.

HONOR CARDS The student who receives an average of 90 to 92.99 (with no failing grade) will be given an honor card. Those students who receive an average of 93 or above (with no failing grade) will be given a high honor card. The Superintendent and Principal will sign these cards. When a student has a withheld or incomplete grade, he will not be considered for an honor card until the work is made up and the grade is recorded.
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

The Punxsutawney Chapter of the National Honor Society is an organization of juniors and seniors who have displayed outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service. The purpose of the organization is to create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character. Selection for membership is by a faculty council. To be eligible scholastically, a student must be enrolled in academic courses and have earned a cumulative high school grade point average of at lest For a list of the course selection requirements, please see a guidance counselor or NHS advisor. To determine eligibility in the areas of service and leadership, the faculty council will be looking to see that prospective members have participated in at least two ongoing school and/or community activities. Character may be evaluated by reviewing a prospective member’s discipline record as well as through the use of faculty evaluation forms and/or references. Once selected, members are encouraged to uphold the standards that were the basis of their selection.

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY

NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of many chapters consisting of 7^th -8^th graders. Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high academic average and act as good citizens by participating in service projects.

HONOR AWARDS

A distinguished honor award pin is given to each senior who has an accumulative average of 93 or above in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12.

SUMMER SCHOOL

If there is sufficient need, selected subjects may be offered in summer school. Plans are made during April and May each year as to the offerings.

TUTORING

During the school year when students require additional help in a particular course, they may request, through their counselor, a student tutor.

PEER TUTORING

Students in the Learning Support or Life Skills programs may receive additional help from a peer tutor by requesting assistance through the Learning Support aide. The peer tutor is a volunteer who is available upon request to provide assistance to Learning Support students or Life Skills students during the tutors study halls or activity periods. Services available through this self-referral may consist of orally reading tests, help with completing homework, and support in reading. Students interested in volunteering to provide peer tutoring services may contact the Learning Support aide. The aide then conducts a student availability survey and coordinates schedules by matching tutors and students in need.