MESSAGE FROM ACADEMIC INTERVENTION COORDINATOR LINDA WRIGLEY

Greetings! 

Six-week progress reports come out next week, and some students are going to receive news that they are not passing all their courses.  There are many reasons for failing averages including lack of focus, limited study time or school absences. 

If your student receives this news, I want you to take a deep breath and remember you aren't alone in this.  Counselors and teachers will work with you and your student towards making him or her successful.   Programs are in place to raise averages before it's too late.  One program unique to Brookwood is Academic Intervention. 

Starting with this first grade report, students who are failing two classes or more will be required to attend Academic Intervention during part of the longer lunch schedule on Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Wednesdays.  These students attend Academic Intervention until the next grading period. If, at that time, the student's grades are no longer below the 70% mark in two or more classes, they will no longer attend. 

Academic Intervention is set up as a large study space in the Gold Gym with laptops, textbooks, school supplies and certified teachers in math, science, language arts and social studies.  For students who would rather work with a peer, trained students are on hand to help in courses in which they have excelled.  Students can use the intervention time to complete homework, work on projects, read assigned novels and finish missing assignments.

This is my 5th year as coordinator of the Academic Intervention program.  I am proud of the results we've seen.  Each year, more Broncos pass a greater number of classes.  But, as with most of life's challenges, effort is essential. 

Students usually see Academic Intervention as a punishment.  If your student comes home with a less than acceptable grade report, we encourage you to remain positive.  We want all students to get a good start academically.  Work together with your student to help him/her achieve success.  With a positive attitude and serious study habits at home, coupled with Academic Intervention (if necessary), your student can achieve success by the end of the semester.

Sincerely,

Linda

P.S.  Other resources are available for students whose grades are lower than hoped. Classroom teachers are probably your most valuable ally. Be sure your student is spending enough time on school work and track progress using the parent portal. The Freshman Academy offers after school help for 9th graders in math and science in F1 (Math on Monday and Wednesday, Biology on Tuesday and Thursday).  Some families find it necessary to enlist the help of a private tutor in the area. Your student's counselor may be able to offer additional advice.

College Reps to Visit Brookwood

The counseling office organizes college reps to visit Brookwood. Interested students may speak with admission personnel from these colleges.  Students should come by the counseling office (A1) to request a pass prior to the day of the visit.

Georgia Southern University, Sept. 17, 2nd Period (Latino students only)

University of Kansas, Sept. 17, 3rd Period

Georgia Southwestern State University, Sept. 18, 3rd Period

Appalachian State University, Sept. 18, 4th Period

Miami University of Ohio, Sept. 19, 2nd Period

Georgia Gwinnett College, Sept. 19, 3rd Period

Georgia Tech, Sept. 24, 2nd Period

University of Alabama, Sept. 24, 3rd Period

Rhodes College, Sept. 25, 2nd Period

Florida Atlantic University, Sept. 25, 3rd Period

SKA Academy of Art & Design, Sept. 26, 3rd Period

Furman University, Sept. 30, 3rd Period

Georgia State University, Sept. 30, 4th Period

Resources, Deadlines & Opportunities 

The NAACP's Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO)  is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students.  ACT-SO includes 26 categories of competition in the sciences, humanities, business, and performing and visual arts. More than 260,000 young people have participated from the program since its inception.

African-American students who have skills or talent in the Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Business, Poetry, Essay, Oratory, Drama, Filmmaking, Math, Photography, Playwriting, Health, Engineering, Architecture, or Painting could win a scholarship or prize.  Information meeting for parents and students will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2:00-4:00 pm at 965 Oakland Road, Suite 3E, Lawrenceville. Contact information: email: actsogwinnett@yahoo.com or call Lisa Byrd, Co-Chair - 678-523-1650.

GA Tech's Women in Engineering Program:  The annual Engineering Career Conference (ECC) is for current female high school students. This investigation of engineering majors and careers will be held in the GA Tech Student Center Ballroom on Thursday, Oct. 10th from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. For high school girls making difficult college choices and major decisions, the ECC offers a richly informative and engaging opportunity to arm these potential students with knowledge and information to make their important college decisions. Over the course of the day, prospective female students have the opportunity to hear directly from GA Tech's world-renowned faculty and current Tech students about the 11 engineering majors offered at GA Tech. The ECC Applications are available online at www.coe.gatech.edu/content/engineering-career-conference-ecc. The non-refundable registration fee for ECC is $20.00, which covers all materials as well as breakfast and lunch for each girl. 

More deadlines and opportunities for seniors in the latest Senior Bulletin.