4400 Braselton Highway, Hoschton, GA 30548 (678)714-5850

How to be a hawkAnything you could possibly want to know about being successful at Mill Creek

4400 Braselton Highway, Hoschton, GA 30548 (678)714-5850

Greetings Parents and Students,

Welcome to Mill Creek High School, Home of the Hawks! It is our hope that this copy of How to be a Hawk is a useful tool as you become acclimated with high school, particularly the freshman year. This booklet addresses the registration process, as well as our bell schedule, grading policies, elective course offerings, transportation and food services. This publication also introduces you to life at Mill Creek from the academic and extra-curricular standpoint.

Parents, no doubt you will find the high school environment different from when you were in school. Technology alone is a huge differential in our daily teaching and learning. The sheer scope and size of our Gwinnett high schools is most likely another difference from when you were in high school. We expect to serve roughly 3,500 students during the 2011-2012 school year.

At Mill Creek High School, it is our belief that we are partners in your student’s education. Please help your students get a fresh and positive start in August. Students, make sure you do your homework, keep up with your reading, and get involved in your school. Participation in extra-curricular activities is encouraged. Research validates the contention that involved students do better in school. Involved parents are also important. Mill Creek is a learning community. We learn and grow by listening and responding to compliments or criticism. Most of all, we are about teaching and learning, with the emphasis on learning.

Thank you for becoming a supporter of Mill Creek. We are excited to have you as part of our school community and our Hawk Family.

Sincerely,

Jim L. Markham, PrincipalMill Creek High School

Jim L. Markham

PrincipalAssistant Principal

Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal

Jim MarkhamKari McIntyre

Curriculum and Instruction Athletic Director

Gary Long

Assistant Principal Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal Assistant Principal

Wanda CainCommunity School

Patricia LowrieCommunity School

Vicki HusbyStaff Development

Chesley CypertSocial Studies Department

Student Discipline I-M

Special Education DepartmentStudent Discipline Special Ed

Todd Drake

Steven HardegreeLanguage Arts Department

Student Discipline A-C

Jim KayPhysical Education / Fine Arts

Student Discipline N-R

Monica HudsonMath Department

Student Discipline D-H

Gibson LowryForeign Language Department

Testing Coordinator

Terry MayScience Department

Student Discipline S-Z

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First period

Our Vision Statement:Our Mission Statement:

Motto: Honestas Fideltas Virtus“Men and women of honor possessing unimpeachable loyalty while

pursuing individual excellence.”

We view learning as a partnership shared equally among students, parents and faculty. Working together we believe that every student regardlesss of innate ability, race, creed, ethnicity or national origin is capable of making measurable improvement each school year.

• Mill Creek was established in August, 2004, under the leadership of Principal, Jim Markham.• Our staff consists of 12 Assistant Principles, 250 teachers and 50 clerical and custodial members.• Our student body consists of roughly 3,500 students.•The school building includes three levels: -main level: social studies, language arts, fine arts, performing arts, tech nical and business education, and the media center -upper level: science labs, math, and foreign language -lower level: gym, weight rooms, health classes, and dance studio -additionaly, we have 53 trailers and an outdoor classroom on campus

Mill Creek quick facts:

Using the GCPS curriculum (AKS) and complying with National, State and Local School Board Policies and procedures it will be our mission to make sure that every student receives quality instruction and worthwhile guidance every day.

8:16 AM9:15 AM10:14 AM11:13 AM10:44 AM11:13 AM12:12 PM11:43 AM12:12 PM1:11 PM12:42 PM1:11 PM2:10 PM

Bell Schedule:

Second period Third period Fourth period

4A 4B

Fifth period 5A 5B

Sixth period 6A6B

Seventh period

start: finish:7:20 AM8:22 AM9:21 AM10:20 AM10:20 AM10:49 AM11:19 AM11:19 AM 11:48 AM12:18 PM12:18 PM12:47 PM1:17 PM

First period

Our Vision Statement:

8:16 AM9:15 AM10:14 AM11:13 AM10:44 AM11:13 AM12:12 PM11:43 AM12:12 PM1:11 PM12:42 PM1:11 PM2:10 PM

Second period Third period Fourth period

4A 4B

Fifth period 5A 5B

Sixth period 6A6B

Seventh period

start: finish:

School Secretary: Theresa SuttonPhone number: 678-714-5850Office Hours: 7:10 AM to 3:10 PM

Attendance Office

Important Places

In this office, you can check in and out, obtain certificates of attendance, turn in notes for absences, and obtain bus passes. We expect students to attend school every day. We also expect students to come to school on time and prepared to learn. Students who are frequently absent from school have a difficult time being successful and completing make-up work. You are officially counted absent for the day if you miss four or more periods in one school day. Students, if you are absent from school, you will need to do the following:1. On the day you return to school you should bring a note to the attendance office first thing in the morning. 2. The note must be written and signed by a parent or guardian.3. The note should include your full name, your student ID number, the date of the absence, reason, parent/guardian signature, and phone number for verification.

Please contact the attendance office for more information regarding pre-planned absences, excused absence requirements and other attendance -related issues.

Front OfficeUpon arrival to Mill Creek High School, all parents or visitors must sign in at the front office and should be prepared to present a PICTURE ID. Once your ID has been approved, you will sign in our visitor log book and Mrs. Sutton will assist you with directions to find your destination in the building. When you enter

the school from the front doors, the Front Office is the first door on the left. If you pass this statue, you have gone too far.

Assistant Principal: Dr. Jim KayAttendance Clerk: Lori CavanaughAttendance Clerk: Susie ThimanPhone number: 678-714-5850Office Hours: 7:10 AM to 3:10 PM

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Most common office visits scenarios include: -checking your student out (you will be directed to the Attendance Office) -delivery of a forgotten item for your student (you will be directed to the Attendance Office) -Attending a meeting in another office

Curriculum OfficeAssistant Principal: Kari McIntyreSecretary: Mallory ThomsonRegistrar: Wanda JacksonSasi Clerk: Deborah JunkerPhone Number: 678-714-5891Office Hours: 6:45 AM - 3:00 PM

The Office of Curriculum and Instruction is primarily responsible for generating the school master schedule, including all teacher and student schedules, overseeing grade reporting and academic instruction. This office works closely with the guidance office in the areas of student course registration, student enrollment and withdrawal, and graduation requirements. Appointments to discuss a teacher or a particular issue in a teacher’s class are recommended. Before an appointment will be scheduled, it is expected that the parent has already made prior contact with the teacher.

Course Selection:The registration process is a collaborative effort between you, your child, and your child’s current teachers. On

the registration form, your child’s teacher will make a course level recommendation of College Prep, Honors or Gifted in the subject areas of Language Arts, Math, and Science. We strongly encourage you to trust the course level recommendation of the 8th grade teacher, as they have been instructed by the high school department chairs as to how to best make placement recommendations.

8th grade students will receive a mailed letter in May with a listing of course requests for their freshman year. When you receive the letter, please refer to your PINK registration copy to verify your selected classes versus the classes assigned. If any of the course requests are incorrect due to a keying error, (not change of selection) please contact the Mill Creek Curriculum Office at 678-714-5891. We will certainly correct the error in the scheduling system.

In future years while at Mill Creek, your student will be responsible for registering for his/her classes. This registration typically takes place in late February or early March. Students choose all of their academic and elective courses for the next school year. We try our best to accommodate all student requests for classes.

All Students are issued two progress reports EACH semester: one at 6 weeks and one at 12 weeks. The reports are distributed directly to the students during their first period class and always on a Friday. First semester report cards will be issued directly to students in January. Second semester reports cards will be mailed home the first week of June. Students will receive a total of 8 report cards in 4 years of high school.

Students will take semester final exams in December and May. There are two parts to all final exams, a written performance exam and a multiple-choice exam. Both of these exam grades together comprise 20% of the student’s overall semester grade. The written performance finals are administered during a regular class period, usually at the beginning of December and May. The multiple-choice portion of the exams is administered the last 3 days of each semester (students will report to school from 7:15-11:30 on these days). Students are provided 2 hours to take each multiple-choice exam. An exam will be administered in every course a student takes. Beginning in August and September, look for announcements in the Hawk Herald (newsletter mailed home), school web page, or Mr. Markham’s video message (accessed through web page) with exact dates for final exams.A = 90-100 B = 80-89 C = 74-7 9 D = 70-73 F = 0-69Students will only receive credit for grades 70 and above.

When a student has an excused absence, he/she has five school days to make up missed work or at least make arrangements for making up work. A student who has been suspended will be given the opportunity to make up work missed. Suspended students should access teachers’ websites to obtain daily class assignments. The five-day make-up rule does not apply to long-standing due dates on assignments such as: term papers, projects, literary works, and in some cases test/exams. In those cases, it is generally expected that the student would turn in the assignment on the first day back to school.Incompletes are not assigned in high school. If a student has missed an assignment due to an excused absence, a grade of zero will be averaged in the place of the missing grade until the student makes up the work. According to GCPS policy, students have five days to complete work or make other arrangements granted by the teacher. All pre-assigned work will be due on the day of a student’s return from an absence.

Course Registration 2011-2012

Grading Information:Progress Reports

Report Cards

Final Exams

Grading System

Make-up Work

Incomplete Grades

SCHOOL: JONES

Honors Gifted ESOL (sheltered) Co-Taught Resource23.0610041 23.2610041 23.0610021 23.9610071 23.8610071

Honors Gifted AP Biology Co-Taught Resource26.0120041 26.2120041 26.0140011 26.9120071 26.8120071

DUAL MODEL: BIOLOGY and CHEMISTRY (Check box above for biology and below for chemistry)

IA (gifted) AIA AIA (gifted) IA Co-Taught IA Resource27.2810041 27.0910041 27.2910041 27.9810071 27.8810071

IG (gifted) AIG AIG (gifted)27.2820041 27.0920041 27.2920041

Resource

HEALTH and

CP LEVEL ONLY:CP German I CP CP Web DesignHonors Latin I Honors HonorsGifted French I Gifted Gifted

Dance Orchestra Band Chorus Art: 2D / 3D

Literature I Language I

Comments:

MILL CREEK 9TH GRADE REGISTRATION FORM 2011-2012FIRST NAME: ________________________

INDICATE EACH COURSE SELECTION BY MARKING AN "X" IN THE APPROPRIATE BOX.

MATHEMATICS

9th GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS

Honors Chemistry 40.0510041 Gifted Chemistry 40.2510041

White: Teacher Yellow

: Send back to 8th grade teacher Pink: Parent

27.0820001

MATH STRATEGIES (OPTIONAL elective course that pairs with IA math)College Prep 27.8440071

Mill Creek Summer School

ELECTIVE COURSE OFFERINGS: PLEASE CHOOSE CAREFULLY

Introduction to Engineering

17.0110001

Choose 3 courses below. Indicate your preference by writing a 1, 2, or 3. You will be assigned classes based on availabilty. Scheduling is YEARLONG from August to May.

College Prep23.0610001

FINE ARTS: With the exception of Theater and Art, all other Fine Arts classes require audition or approval.

SCIENCE: BIOLOGYCollege Prep26.0120001

IA27.0810001

Banking and Investing

HEALTH and PE 101 (both semester long courses are required for graduation)

IG

LAST NAME:______________________________

STUDENT NUMBER:_______________________ OSBORNE

Theater/Acting

Language Development 1 2 3 4

SPANISH I SPANISH II Computer Applications

TECH & BUSINESS EDAP Geography

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

PE36.0510001

HEALTH and PE 101

PE 101 only

NOTE: If you take only PE 101 in summer you will be scheduled for Health first semester and

another PE class second semester.

Language Arts IIESOL

27.0440001

Contact Number:

Reading Support: Case Manager approval requiredAffective Skills: Case Manager approval requiredStudy Skills: Case Manager approval required

Journalism: Must be registered for Honors or Gifted LA

GEOGRAPHY

Parent Signature:

Do you know what credits you need to have to graduate?

Obtained from The Freshman Book 2010-2011, GCPS publication.

Counseling OfficeSecretary: Nancy KabrichRecords Clerk: Dianna RobersonCareer Specialist: Donna ZimmerPhone number: 678-714-5864Office hours: 6:45AM - 7:10PMCounselors: Marcia Arnold Joi Barlow Kelley Griffin LaVonna Groce Gigi Murphy Robert Nelson Karen Smith

The Guidance and Counseling Office is available for students and parents before school, during school, and after school. The function of the counselor in high school encompasses a variety of responsibilities. Appointments to meet with a counselor should be scheduled through Mrs. Kabrich, at least 24 hours in advance. Students can make an appointment with their counselor by stopping by the office. Mrs. Kabrich will attempt to schedule an appointment during the student’s ACT (homeroom) period, if at all possible.

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Standardized Testing OfficeAssistant Principal: Gibson LowrySecretary: Beth ThackeryPhone Number: 678-714- 5917

The testing office at Mill Creek oversees, organizes, and schedules all major standardized testing for students.

End Of Course Tests are administered second semester in May in the courses of 9th and 11th grade Language Arts, Biology, Integrated Algebra I, Integrated Geometry, US History, and Economics. They are administered in December in the courses of Economics and Accelerated Integrated Geometry. EOCTS count 15% of the overall semester grade; students do not have to score a passing score on the test to obtain credit for the course, however, they must have an overall grade of 70 in the course to get credit. This is a one-time test administration. No credit for the course will be given until the student takes the exam.

Gateway tests are administered to students in the spring of their sophomore year (April).Tests cover subject matter from World History, Biology and Chemistry. A passing score on this assessment is required for graduation; students have multiple opportunities to take the test; free intervention classes are provided to students during their ACT (homeroom) throughout the school year.

Georgia High School Graduation Tests are administered to students in the spring of their junior year; multiple-choice tests are given in the areas of Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies; a persuasive writing test is administered in September or October of their junior year; a passing score on this assessment is required for graduation; students have multiple opportunities to take the test; free intervention classes are provided to students during their ACT (homeroom) throughout the school year.

EOCT

Gateway

GHSGT

To set up an appointment with a counselor:-Parents, call the counseling office and arrange an appointment time.-Students, simply stop by the office to arrange an appointment time.

Student Services:

•Academic Counseling•Schedule and Facilitate Parent Conferences•Facilitate Student Support Team Meetings•Review Student Progress: -Applications for Graduation -Junior Credit Check -9th Grade 4 Year Plans•Assist with Study Skills

Special Projects and Organizations•Peer Leaders and Peer Facilitators•Parent Information Nights for all grades•Governor’s Honors Program•Georgia Scholars/Star Student•National Merit (based on scores from PSAT)•Foreign Exchange Students

•New Student Groups/Care Team•Accel & Joint Enrollment Program•New Student Registration/Record Transcripts•Hospital Homebound Services•Community Agency Liaison: DFACS, Juvenile Justice, Hospitals

Counseling•Consult on Post Secondary Plans•Provide Scholarship Facilitation•Personal Counseling•Social Counseling•Crisis Intervention•Classroom Guidance

The Mill Creek Orchestra Program is a dynamic and growing program which seeks to include all string players. Most ninth graders are placed in Concert Orchestra where they will build technique for future classes. Symphonic and Philharmonic Orchestra are open to students by audition.

Orchestra

Fine Arts ElectivesArtAny student (9-12) can take Two-Dimensional Art or Three-Dimensional Art. Both courses must be taken and passed before you can take any advanced art courses. Two-Dimensional Art is a beginning class that will include instruction on drawing and painting skills. Three-Dimensional Art is the beginning pottery and sculpture. art courtesy / Hokyum Kim

BandBand is for students that have previously had band instruction at the middle school level. Please see your Band Teacher at your Middle School on direction for Band Courses. You may also speak with Erik Mason at Mill Creek if you have questions about the courses.

ChorusAny student can take Beginning Chorus during freshman year. The Advanced Choruses are auditioned performing groups. Please contact Kim Maugans at Mill Creek for more information.

DanceThe Mill Creek Dance Department offers courses for beginning students as well as advanced-level students. Ninth graders can take Introduction to Dance with little or no prior dance training. Classes have a performance requirement and after school rehearsals each semester. The Intermediate and Advanced Dance courses are by audition only. Auditions for the 2011-2012 school year were held in February. Students were notified of their acceptance into the program.

TheaterAny student (9-12) can register for Introduction to Theater. It is a prerequisite to all theatre courses. Students who are successful in Theater first semester will be moved into Acting for second semester.

Students are introduced to computing through instruction in word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations using Microsoft Office. This course is a prerequisite for many of the other business courses. Projects include the Stock Market Game, Magazine Cover project, Music CD database project, and many more.

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Band

Business and Tech Ed Electives

Do you want to be an Engineer or an Architect? Intro to Engineering, Drawing and Design is the first step towards your goal! This class will teach you how to get your ideas on paper so that others will understand them. This year-long course starts with the basics of manual drawing and works its way up to the use of cutting-edge engineering software. You will learn to use the same software that real engineers and architects use every day. After completing this class in 9th grade, you can take many more advanced engineering and technology courses offered at Mill Creek High School. Emphasis for this class is placed on safety, geometric construction, fundamentals of Computer-Aided Drafting, and multi-view drawings.

Introduction to Engineering, Drawing and Design

Computer Apps

In Web Design you will learn the fundamentals of xHTML, CSS, JavaScript, Dreamweaver, Flash, and Fireworks. This class is required before you can take Advanced Web Design.

Web Design

Banking and InvestingBanking allows you to learn and understand how the banking system works. Learn how banks make money (off you) and create money off deposits. You will also learn how to write checks and balance a checkbook. Investing is an eye-opening class where you can learn simple steps that will enable to have MILLIONS in the back when it comes time to retire. You will learn about budgeting, credit, investing, stocks, mutual funds, buying a car and/or house. You will also learn the importance of setting goals.

Academic ElectivesForeign Language

World Geography

Intro to Journalism

Did you know that two years of the same foreign language are required for admittance into 4-year universities in Georgia? All first year courses concentrate on the basic communication skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing in the language. Clubs are available in each language, whether you are taking the language or not. A third year of a foreign language will also count for a Fine Arts credit.

This course will prepare students for their three-year required Social Studies sequence. It also provides extensive opportunities to develop and refine writing competencies which prepare the student for the high school Gateway Assessment. Offered in CP, Honors, Gifted, and AP.

You must be in Honors or Gifted Language Arts to participate. Intro to Journalism will teach you the basic essentials of both Newspaper and Yearbook publication styles. You will learn the dynamics of both writing and design for both, gaining experience in programs such as Adobe Indesign and Photoshop.

Spanish French German Latin

Salvete!

Students are trained in the production of the school’s newspaper, The Chronicle. Learn the fundamentals of journalism, including interview techniques, event coverage, and the business and legal aspects of newspaper production. (This publication you are reading was created by a newspaper staff editor :D )

Newspaper YearbookExplore and experience the process involved in the creation of a large publication. This includes preplanning, designing layouts, copyrighting, proofreading, organizing visuals, and the production and sale of the yearbook.

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helpful hintsLockers:Students are encouraged to rent a locker for $2.00. Students will not share lockers with other students, unless instructed to do so by a school official. Currently, we have enough lockers to accommodate our student population.

Transportation:Gwinnett County School System provides bus transportation to every student enrolled in school, provided the student lives within the county and attends the appropriate school within his/her school attendance zone. Due to the excessive traffic in the mornings, we strongly encourage students to take advantage of our bus transportation system. Students who are transported by bus are never late to school!! On occasion, if a bus does arrive late, students will not be marked tardy to class. For information regarding routing or other bus concerns call 770-932-7104.Cafeteria Services:

Mill Creek High School offers excellent breakfast and lunch programs to our students and staff. Student breakfast meals are currently $1.00. Student lunch meals are currently $2.00 for a regular meal. Students are not allowed to charge their food at Mill Creek, but can add money to their account online at www.mealpayplus.com. Lunch lines are operated on a self-serve basis allowing students a choice of items as well as portions to be served. Students may elect to request additional portions of particular items but will be appropriately charged for these extra portions. Students are not allowed to leave campus for lunch.

Hawk’s Landing:The Hawk’s Landing is the school’s very own apparel and gift shop. Inside, you can purchase things from T-shirts and other apparel to balloons for a friend. The store is run by a marketing class. Items may also be purchased online at www.mchawkslanding.com

Parent Portal:Parent Portal is an online communication tool for parents. Here you can access school information, safely and securely, anytime from any place. You must sign up for this service in the front office to receive a log in and password. Stop by our office if you would like to register. You must have a picture ID.

Community School:

Hello future Mill Creek High School students and parents! I designed this publication in close collaboration with the administration, and I hope you thoroughly enjoy it as it guides you through the basic information about the school. Students, this is a place where you will be encouraged by all to grow and excel both academically and personally. Remember, every single faculty member is here for you. Each and every teacher, counselor, and principal is working towards preparing you for life after high school, no matter what your plans may be. Embrace Mill Creek, for it is a community of strength, devotion, and determination. Be a part of it, get involved. I chose the Mill Creek Chronicle, Springboard Diving, and Future Business Leaders of America. Through these, I have gained excellent photography and design skills, trained with US Olympic Diving Coach Jeff Huber, and determined my career path. Find something you are passionate about, and pursue it endlessly. Let it lead you to accomplish things that you never thought possible. No matter who you are or what you like, Mill Creek offers something for you. As I leave Mill Creek, I welcome you in. May you enjoy every moment of it, just as I have. Sincerely,Kari Lynn ZimmerMill Creek High School Class of 2011

Director: Pat LowrieDirector: Wanda CainSecretary: Wanda JacksonPhone Number: 678-714-5855Office Hours: Mon-Thurs 1pm-9pm Friday 7am-3pm

Mill Creek Community School offers after school and evening classes to adults and children of all ages. The most popular classes are Driver’s Ed, SAT Prep, Photography and Ballet. We also offer many great summer camps. Contact our office or email us if you have any questions about our programs or classes. Mill_Creek_Community_School@gwinnett.k12.ga.us

cross country football cheerleading softball volleyball basketball swim and dive wrestling baseball golf lacrosse soccer tennis track academic team academic decathlon academic world quest art club marching band best buddies club beta club chess club chorus color guard dance club dance national honor society distributive education clubs of america environmental club equestrian club etiquette club future business leaders of america fellowship of christian athletes family career and community leaders of america future educators of america fencing french club german club german national honor society gwinnett student leadership team gay straight alliance improv club indoor drum line interact club international thespian

“When you do nothing, you feeloverwhelmed and powerless. But whenyou get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make

things better.” -Pauline R. Kezer

society invisible children japanese club jazz band key club knitting club korean club latin american student organization latin club literary magazine literary promotion math team math honor society mill creek photographic society mock trial team national history club national honor society newspaper orchestra leadership council pep band poetry club president’s club reading bowl reflections ptsa relay for life rugby science olympiad students against destructive decisions spanish club spanish national society step team student government technology student association teen age republicans theater guild tri-m web design club winter guard world reach for christ yearbook young democrats of america young life hockey

GET INVOLVED!