What is College Seminar?
College Seminar is our support period for students who take college classes. It is through College Seminar that we ensure that students can
Log into and navigate GTC4Me
Log into and navigate BlackBoard
Access GTC email
We also
Ensure students obtain college textbooks and access codes
Give them time within the school day to complete college assignments
Have a teacher they can obtain help from - whether that means partnering with a peer in the same course, finding resources at the tutoring center from the college, or helping them know the best way to approach their professor via email
Before college classes begin
Students attend one College Seminar per day to ensure students can
Sign into GTC4me
Check BlackBoard for college schedule
Check college email (or set up if new to taking college classes)
Determine where and when college classes meet
Determine what access codes and textbooks are needed for college classes
Join College Seminar Google Classroom as this is how they will submit weekly college grades and receive important announcements
Class Attendance
If a college class unexpectedly does not meet for any reason, students are expected to notify Mrs. Campbell and return to College Seminar that day.
Students are not permitted to be in other areas on campus instead of College Seminar without a pass from Mrs. Campbell.
Please note that we are not an open campus. Students cannot leave to go get lunch, pick up breakfast, or go home and come back once they are on campus for classes. They also may not go back to their cars to sit. Students can receive disciplinary consequences if they are out of area or leave without signing out.
After college classes begin students may be excused from some assigned College Seminar periods by submitting a College Seminar excuse form to Mrs. Campbell.
Accessing College Grades
Neither the high school staff nor parents have access to student grades. As a result, students are required to submit a screenshot of college grades every Monday to the College Seminar Google Classroom.
Failing to submit grades or attempting to submit “false grades” prevents us from assisting students in a timely manner. Not submitting grades or submitting inaccurate grades will result in a parent contact and informing Ms. Lister. Submitting false grades is considered dishonesty in our student code of conduct. Both will result in loss of College Seminar excuse privileges.
Mrs. Campbell notifies parents when she has a failing grade submitted to her; however, we also strongly encourage parents to ensure their children are including their college grades on their academic reports each Monday and are periodically showing them their grades through Blackboard.
Deadlines for Assignments
Deadlines and attendance are strictly enforced at the college level.
Failure to turn in assignments for a college class could result in the professor dropping that student from the class.
If a student is dropped, they must notify Mrs. Campbell (lcampbell@staff.gtchs.org) and Ms. Dysinger (adysinger@staff.gtchs.org) immediately.
Withdrawing from or Failing a Class
In general, withdrawing from a class is not encouraged or approved by GTCHS; however, we know sometimes there are extenuating circumstances. We do have a 93% first-time pass rate for our students as we do our best to set them up for success when we enroll them.
Please be aware
ALL course attempts are required to be documented on the high school transcript. It may not affect the college transcript, but we must put a WP (withdraw pass) or WF (withdraw fail) on the high school transcript.
If the college has charged GTCHS for the course, we must charge you as well.
If the student fails a course or withdraws from a class, they must pay for the books/access codes for that course as well.
Consequences of failing a class
Family must reimburse GTCHS for the cost of tuition, textbooks, access codes.
Student will have to sit out from taking a class in that subject area for a semester. Ex: if a student fails a math class, they cannot take a math class at the college the following semester.
The student must repeat the failed class before moving on to another class in the same subject area.
Participation in the next sports season may be affected; consult with the Athletic Director for more details.
Communicating with the College
All communication between parents and the college is required to be facilitated through Ms. Dysinger, our early college liaison. This is not a suggestion; it is a requirement.
This is for several reasons:
Many professors and staff are not aware of the unique requirements we must follow as a high school that is also bound by state regulations. As a result, they may guide the student with erroneous information through no fault of their own.
Parents are not permitted to contact colleges directly at most institutions. We want to teach your child how to advocate for themselves with our assistance.
This requirement is part of our mutual agreement with the college.
Additional Support and Resources
All students and parents are required to review the Middle College Handbook for more detailed information.
Free tutoring is available through the college. CLICK HERE for more information.