PinnaclePost The
August 2011
P i n n a c l e E d u c a t i o n ’s M a g a z i n e f o r S t u d e n t s a n d P a r e n t s
Volume 3, Issue 4
Back-to-School Edition
In this Issue:
Online High School Tips for Students
Be a Master of Your Time
Fall Action Plans
Jump Start at Casa Grande Campus
Read about how you can be successful in your online classes. pg. 3 Do you know what you need to be doing to prepare for college? pg. 5
Evernote Review
Is this note-taking app a hit or miss? pg. 4
Four Great Ways to Beat Stress Read about how to make sure stress doesn’t get the best of you. pg. 3
Learn some effective time-management techniques. pg. 6
A new program helping all incoming freshmen in the our community. pg. 6
High School Goal Setting
Make sure you know where you want to go & how you’re going to get there. pg. 7
Did You Know?
Important Pinnacle Info. pg. 4
Meet Our New Site Principals Read about the new faces who are joining our five campuses this fall. pg. 8-9
PinnaclePost Contents
August 2011 - Volume 3, Issue 4
Welcome to Pinnacle Education! By: Dr. Gerae Peten, Principal, Tempe West Campus
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ongratulations on your decision to continue and complete your high school education with Pinnacle. You had the courage to find a way to succeed, and Pinnacle Education is the way you chose to continue with this phase of your education. “You’ve hitched your wagon to a star.” You know the statistics, or at least heard bits and pieces of them; “without a high school diploma you’re doomed to only get jobs that pay minimal wages.” A high school diploma begins to pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for you. In order for that piece of paper to mean something in your professional career, you must invest in yourself and your school to get the highest GPA from the most prestigious high school possible. Even as I applied for this principal’s and other administrative positions, I had to list where I obtained my high school diploma, along with several other pieces of information about my high school career. First, it had to be an accredited school; second, I
had to document that I received a valid diploma; third, I had to state my GPA, and I graduated decades ago. Receiving your high school diploma represents a return on your investment of time, energy and successful learning experiences. It’s up to you to make that piece of paper have the weight of gold in your life; to open the first door that leads you to becoming independent and capable of supporting yourself.
Visit the Counselor’s Corner Website!
“The tassel’s worth the hassle!” So let’s make every moment of your school day move you closer to completing your courses and getting that high school diploma. You are worth the investment, and we know that you can do it. To quote Aristotle, “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” Graduate and get yourself to that sweet spot in your life.
Make sure you check out Pinnacle Online High School Counselor’s Corner website at www.pinnacleeducation.com! Parents and students can find resources and a variety of relevant information on Counselor’s Corner. Visit the site today! Check back often for updates.
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Online High School Tips for Students Article Contributed by DiplomaGuide.com
Successful online students display the following qualities: 1) Self-discipline 2) Excellent reading comprehension 3) Resistance to distractions 4) Acceptance of limited peer contact Self-Discipline First, online students need to have selfdiscipline. You won’t have a lecture to attend, and you won’t have the support of the teacher if problems arise. You need to be able to negotiate setbacks. Set your own goals. Start big and work down. For example, create a semester goal such as ‘Pass all classes with an ‘A’.’ Then, work your way down to daily goal setting to reach your semester goal: ‘determine research topic today, do research tomorrow and write the paper the following day.’ Obviously, if you are a procrastinator, you will need to quickly learn to change your ways. Excellent Reading Comprehension Second, online students must have excellent reading comprehension.
Your peers in traditional high schools will be learning, in part, by listening to teacher lectures, taking notes and asking questions. As an online student your main avenue of understanding is through reading the course material. While its true that some distance learning courses offer video recordings, audio clips and limited person-to-person assistance, most programs are designed in such a way that students understand a large amount of the information only through the written text. So, read a lot and read often. At the end of a chapter, page or even a paragraph stop and ask yourself ‘What did I just read?’ Then, summarize the information you just read to yourself. As time goes by this process becomes more and more natural, until you’ll hardly notice yourself doing it at all. Resistance to Distractions Third, you must be aware of and know how to combat distractions. Whether it’s the phone ringing, the kids screaming or the TV, everyone
faces distractions. You can reduce distractions by choosing the time during your day that has the least activity. Also, if the phone does ring, let the answering machine do its job. If you find yourself staring at the television, reward yourself after completing a significant portion of your assignment with 15-30 minutes of television. Also, don’t feel bad turning down invitations from friends. Limited Peer Contact Last, you must accept that, as an online student, you will not have certain ‘high school norms’ like homecoming, prom and student elections. Reminding yourself that you value your independence. This will help combat any feelings of isolation. Also, in place of the traditional high school social scene, look at what interests you and get involved with an organization. Don’t forget that you can usually contact other online peers through email, message boards and other forums. Look into whether your online school provides these opportunities.
Four Great Ways to Beat Stress
By: Megan Hines, Pinnacle Virtual Guidance Counselor
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tarting back to school can be a stressful time for a lot of students. Learning how to manage and work through stress can help students stay on track and be successful in school. Everyone feels stressed out at some time or another, but how you handle your stress can make a big difference in your day-today experiences. Here are some ways to keep your stress in check:
but knowing what to expect ahead of time might help you work through it.
1. Understand Your Stressors. Knowing the things that trigger stress in your life can help you navigate around them. You won’t be able to avoid everything that brings on stress
3. Shake It Off. It’s easy to feel out of control when you’re stressed. Find some things that allow you to let go of some of your stress. Write
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2. Don’t Let Stress Overwhelm You. Some stress can actually be beneficial because it helps motivate you to do what needs to get done. However, don’t let it get to the point where you can’t get out from underneath your stress. Use your stress to help get the job done and then move on.
in a journal, talk to a friend, listen to music, go for a walk – find whatever works for you and helps you get back on track. 4. Look Ahead. Sometimes we can’t avoid the things that cause us stress because, ultimately, some things just have to get done. This often times includes your education. School is difficult and it takes a lot of time and effort, but instead of focusing on why it’s hard, look ahead to what you will get out of it in the end. Getting to the other side of high school is an accomplishment that no one can take away from you.
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Website Review: Evernote is Everything This note capture website is a great tool for students.
Did You Know? By: Gabe Trujillo
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s an online high school student, trying to keep track of all of your notes can be a pretty daunting task. Whether it’s your class notes jotted down on a piece of notebook paper or an online article you’re reading for your research paper, your notes can be spread out over a variety of mediums. But what if there was a single place where you can save and access all of your notes from anywhere? Enter Evernote. Evernote is your own personal digital assistant that helps organize all of your notes and documents into one centralized location. The site allows users to capture a wide range of data; everything from text notes and clips of webpages, to photos and screenshots. Once you capture something you want to hang on to, you can easily save it to the Evernote servers. After you capture a note, Evernote even indexes your notes so you can search all of your notes later on. All of your notes are searchable and organized for easy reference. You can also search any
Important Dates September 5: Labor Day
September 9: SAT registration deadline for October 1 test September 10: ACT test September 16: ACT registration deadline for October 22 test 4
of your notes by keywords, titles, and tags, which is perfect for digging through your notes for a quick review session. Another cool feature is Evernote’s ability to recognize handwritten text in your images, which is searchable too. Perhaps the best part of Evernote is the ability to access your notes from a variety of platforms. Since the application is web-based, users can access notes from their computer, phone or other desktop applications. This can come in very handy for students who need to access their online high school courses from multiple computers. All in all, Evernote is a great app for those who are looking to organize their ever-increasing pile of sticky notes and documents. The free version offers 40MB/month for uploading, while $45/year gets you a 500MB/month allowance, better security features and support. Evernote Rating: 4.5/5
October 1: SAT test
Did you know that at Pinnacle we recommend you create a new folder on your desktop for each of the courses you take? That way you can save all of your work and assignments directly to that folder, and access them easily when you are ready to upload the assignment or continue working on it. It is very important to save all of your work so that you have a backup copy if necessary. This is a small step you can take in order to become more organized in your courses!
ACT Question of the day: http://www.actstudent.org/qotd/
SAT Question of the day: http://sat.collegeboard.com/ practice/sat-question-of-the-day
October 22: ACT test
October 25: Make-up AIMS Writing test (11th and 12th graders who have not yet passed only) October 26: Make-up AIMS Reading test (11th and 12th graders who have not yet passed only) October 27: Make-up AIMS Math test (11th and 12th graders who have not yet passed only) Pinnacle Education - www.pinnacleeducation.com
Fall College-Bound Action Plans for Students
What you need to do for the upcoming semester. For those of you looking to continue your education at a college or university, you need to make sure that you are prepared and do your research. Here are some tasks to help you prepare for college during the upcoming semester.
Freshman:
Sophomores:
Plan for the Year Ahead • Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans. Review your schedule to make sure you’re enrolled in challenging classes that will help you prepare for college. • Use College Search to find out the required courses and tests for colleges that you might be interested in attending. • Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines.
Plan for the Year Ahead • Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans. Review your schedule to make sure you’re enrolled in challenging classes that will help you prepare for college. Colleges prefer four years of English, as well as history, math, science and a foreign language.
• Get involved with extracurricular activities.
• Use College Search to find out the required courses and tests for colleges that you might be interested in attending.
• Go to college fairs in your area.
• Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines. • Get involved with extracurricular activities.
Seniors:
• Go to college fairs in your area.
Pull Your Applications Together
Consider Taking the PSAT/NMSQT
• Narrow your list of colleges to approximately five to eight, and review it with your counselor. Get an application and financial aid info from each. Visit as many as possible.
• Sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT, which is given in October. Ask your counselor for the date. Get free online PSAT/ NMSQT practice.
• Make a master calendar and note:
• If you’re taking the PSAT/NMSQT, sign up for Student Search Service® to learn about colleges and scholarships.
• • • •
Test dates, fees and deadlines College application due dates Required financial aid applications and their deadlines Recommendations, transcripts and other necessary materials • Your high school’s deadlines for application requests, such as your transcript • Ask for recommendations. Give each person your resume, a stamped and addressed envelope and any required forms. • Write application essays and ask teachers, family members and friends to read first drafts.
Decide Whether to Apply Early Action or Early Decision • Nov. 1: For early admission, colleges may require test scores and applications in early November. Send your SAT scores. • Ask if your college offers an early estimate of financial aid eligibility.
Get Financial Aid Info • Attend financial aid info events in your area. • Talk to your counselor about CSS/Financial Aid Profile and learn about completing the profile. • Use Scholarship Search, review scholarship books, and ask your counselor about local and state funding sources.
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Juniors: Take the PSAT/NMSQT • At school, sign up early to take the PSAT/NMSQT in October. Get PSAT/NMSQT tips and a free practice test. When taking the PSAT/NMSQT, sign up for Student Search Service to hear from colleges and scholarship programs.
Start Your College Search • Start with you: Make lists of your abilities, preferences and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college. • Jump start your college planning by reading about majors and careers. • Use College Search to find colleges with the right characteristics.
Begin Thinking About Financial Aid • Talk to your counselor about your college plans. Attend college night and financial aid night at your school. Use financial aid calculators to estimate your aid eligibility and college costs.
*Action Plans from: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/plan/starting-points/index.html Pinnacle Education - www.pinnacleeducation.com
Be a Master of Your Time By: Melissa Mike, English Instructor
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ELCOME BACK! As the fall semester begins, the instructors at Pinnacle Education want to make sure our students start the year off strong. One of the best ways to achieve a successful school year is to understand and master time management. With the following tools, students will be able to reach their full potential by applying these tips to their everyday study habits. Organization: An appointment calendar and a “to-do” list provide structure to the many tasks we are asked to complete on a day-to-day basis. Use these items to schedule deadlines, up-coming projects, and study time. Scheduling: Before you establish for how long and when you are going to study, think about what you want to accomplish. Decide how
much time is needed to complete each assignment, and determine if the task can be combined with another assignment. If it is a larger project, decide if it can be broken down into smaller tasks. Prioritize: When you have a lot on your plate, step back and look at your work load and rate each task A-B-C. Items labeled A will be highest priority. Then, set short term and long term goals for your list. Effective Study Techniques: With all the organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing techniques you have used, it is time to get to work. Make sure you have an appropriate location to study, write down questions while you are reading, and DO NOT wait until the last minute to complete your projects!
Check Out Our Student Support Desk Hours: 8am-8pm (Mon-Fri) Email: supportdesk@pin-ed.com Number: 1.888.567.1844 or 480.755.8222 x1720 Live Chat Link: http://tinyurl.com/studentsupportdesk Why we are here: Students and parents can contact us via email, live chat, phone, or by checking out the website to get all of their technical and support questions answered! We are here for you, so let us know how we can help. 6
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Parents: WE NEED YOU! Often times, behind a successful student is a proactive and supportive parent. Ask your student questions about school and how their courses are going. Coach them to overcome barriers and obstacles. Teach them how to be forward-thinking in getting the help they need and answers to their questions. We are here to help support our students to success, and we hope you can play a part in helping us do that!
Students: Welcome back students! Whether you are new to Pinnacle, joining us to make-up a few credits, or have been with us for awhile, we are so glad you are back! We have been working hard this summer to train our team of staff members so this can be our best year yet! We are so excited to support you through this journey called high school and help you to reach your goals and potential. Our tip for you to do this is to be PROACTIVE. This means that you get and stay organized, work hard, stay ahead of pace and reach out for help when you need it. We don’t know what your questions are unless you ask. We don’t know how to offer you additional support and guidance unless you tell us. YOU CAN DO THIS! We are here to help!
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High School Goal Setting for Students By: Matthew C. Blair, M. Ed - Virtual Guidance Counselor
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lthough you may not have realized it, you have been setting goals since you were very young. Did you ever climb up on the kitchen counter to get a cookie from the cabinet? Your goal was to get that cookie, and you worked out a plan to get it, even if it seemed out of reach. You need to take the same approach to getting your high school diploma. Goals are important because they help motivate you to do your work, attend school regularly, and study Specific Measurable Acceptable Realistic Time Frame
for tests. Even though you already may have set some goals for your classes, chances are, you may not have analyzed how realistic those goals were. You can increase your chances for success by learning to set goals that are both realistic and motivational. Effective goal setting is an important life skill. Learn to master these skills and watch how the dreams that you are following suddenly begin to chase you.
Describe what you want to accomplish with as much detail as possible Written in terms that can be clearly evaluated Written by YOU, not someone else Reflects abilities, yet offers a challenge Clearly specifies completion dates
The 5-Step Approach to Writing Goals Writing effective goals is not as easy. You need to consider what you want to accomplish, any obstacles that could prevent you from achieving your goal, and the resources available to you. You will need a pen or pencil for this exercise. 1. Write down what you want to accomplish. This should be thought of as your tentative goal statement. The easiest way to begin your goal statement is with the words “I want to…” 2. Write down any obstacles. Think about whether there are any course requirements, assignments, tests, or technology factors that could jeopardize your success. Make a list of the difficulties you may encounter. 3. Consider your general resources. What subjects are easier for you? Are you better with science or math? Is social studies a breeze? Who do you depend on for help when circumstances get tough?
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Your parents, friends, teachers, guidance counselors, and other significant adults are all resources. Next, consider each of the obstacles you listed. Think about how you might use your resources to overcome each obstacle. Write down specific resources you could use to achieve each goal. 4. Review and revise your rough goal statement. Now that you have considered all possible difficulties and your resources, you are ready to write your final goal statement. In some cases, you may find that your rough goal statement is fine the way it is. 5. Polish your goal statement. Check to be sure that your final statement is well written and takes into consideration all the possible road blocks that may occur. “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” -Henry Ford
Pinnacle Phone Contacts
Departments
Office: 480.755.8222
English: x2734 Social Studies: x2720
Long Distance: 1.888.567.1844
Math: x2748
email: pinnacle@pin-ed.com
Science: x2729 Student Services: x2965
Follow Us!
Electives: x2745
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Meet Our Pinnacle Campus Principals
Pinnacle Education currently has five physical site locations throughout the state of Arizona. Read more about our Site Principal team who is excited for the upcoming school year. Dr. Gerae Peten, Tempe West r. Peten has demonstrated success in revitalizing underperforming organizations and attaining academic objectives through effective curriculum development, intervention strategies, and process improvements. She is an educational administrator and innovator, with more than 20 years of experience providing leadership and vision for firms ranging from a national trade association to the largest public research university in the United States. Dr. Peten functions as an exceptional communicator and change agent, with a proven record of building valuable partnerships with educators, administrators, students, and associates.
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Dr. Peten’s collegiate experience began at Montclair State University in Upper Montclair, NJ, where Bob Asadi, Mesa am originally from Wyoming, but I have lived in Arizona for 25 years. I taught history, geography and psychology at Cactus High School in Glendale for three years while also coaching football, basketball and baseball. I then became head baseball coach at Holbrook High School in Holbrook, AZ. I spent two years in Holbrook and had an opportunity to return to the Valley. I accepted a position at Agua Fria High School in Avondale. My first year there was very exciting because we won the 4A State Championship in football.
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I received my principalship certification and was named principal of our North Campus, which was for freshmen only. Soon our school grew and the North Campus became Millennium High School – now the largest high school in the Agua Fria District. After seven years as a principal, I decided to make a career Tami Powell, Casa Grande am extremely excited about this new adventure with our students. I have been in education for 15 years, and I have always felt that something was missing. With a counseling background, it is my nature to look beyond just the academics. I have finally found a place that encompasses everything I believe
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she earned a B.A. degree, and it continued at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ where she was awarded a M.A. degree. After relocating to Arizona in 1992, Dr. Peten earned a M.S. degree from Arizona State University and an Ed.D. Doctoratoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Northern Arizona University. Dr. Peten currently holds certifications from the Arizona Department of Education and is classified as a Superintendent, Principal, Supervisor, and Standard Secondary Teacher with a Structured English Immersion endorsement (K-12). As a life-long learner, she continues to search for new horizons to share with students to improve, enlighten and raise the quality of life for all. change and took a position in the insurance and financial services industry. I worked as an insurance agent, an agency manager, a financial advisor and finally a financial planner; but, I really began missing being in a school setting. I worked as an assistant principal and principal of another charter school before making the move to Pinnacle. I also teach online graduate classes to future school administrators at Grand Canyon University. I live with my wife, Karen, who is a teacher in the Peoria Unified School District. We have two sons who are both married and we now get to enjoy our three grandchildren. I am inspired by Pinnacle because it offers students chance to start over and achieve their educational goals while getting the support they need.
is important. Pinnacle educates the “whole” student with wonderful opportunities both personally and educationally. I can’t imagine one student that would not feel empowered after attending Pinnacle. I feel privileged to be a member of the Pinnacle Team!
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Mike Epperson, Tempe East i, my name is Mike Epperson and I will be the principal at the Pinnacle Tempe East location. I have been in education for 32 years in both Texas and Arizona as a classroom teacher, football and baseball coach, assistant principal, athletic director and principal. My wife, Ronda, and I will be celebrating our 34th anniversary this month and we have three children (two boys and a girl) and two grandchildren – one of each gender. I received my undergraduate degree
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Valerie Valencia Bridges, Nogales n March of 2009, I joined the Nogales staff as Personal and Career Exploration (PCE) Instructor; a position I held until becoming principal in November, 2010. I previously held the role of PCE and World of Work instructor at the Tempe East and Chandler Pinnacle campuses from 2006-2008.
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Like many of our students, I grew up in Nogales and attended local schools. I earned a BA in Broadcast Journalism at Arizona State University in 1998. I taught Spanish at Madison #1 Middle School in Phoenix, and adult education at Rio Salado College and Literacy Volunteers of Maricopa County. For several years, I worked as a Behavioral Health Counselor in the Daybreak Program in Sierra Vista, a comprehensive program created to meet the emotional needs of at-risk
from Brigham Young University and a M. Ed. degree in Educational Administration from Texas Southern University. I’m excited to be with Pinnacle Education as I feel that we offer a specific and unique approach to all students that are looking for an individualized approach to achieving their educational needs. I look forward to working with everyone included in the Pinnacle family as we begin the best year of your educational experience! high school students. I was also the writer/producer of a supplemental television education course for grades K-2 while employed by EMG Networks in Scottsdale. As someone who thrives on the challenges involved in encouraging young adults to reach their highest potential, I believe I have found my niche at Pinnacle. Every day presents a new opportunity for making a difference. I have enjoyed the privilege of witnessing students pass classes for the first time, become the first member of a family to earn a high school diploma, and simply attend school because they believe someone cares. My inspiration comes from working with dedicated, wonderful people at every level of the organization and of course, a fantastic group of students.
***AIMS Announcement***
MARK YOUR CALENDAR with these testing dates & please ensure you are available if you need to test. If you are an 11th or 12th grader who has not yet passed AIMS Reading, Writing or Math, or you have passed and want to improve your score, the exams will be given in October on the following dates: Writing, Tuesday October 25, 2011 Reading, Wednesday October 26, 2011 Mathematics, Thursday October 27, 2011 Site students test at their site. Contact your Site Instructor for details. Virtual students (full-time only, concurrent students test with their home school) test at various locations throughout the state. Times vary by location. Remember, passing all three AIMS tests is required for graduation. If you have not received additional information about testing by October 1, please contact your Virtual Guidance Counselor. If you have passed the test, but would like to improve your score, please notify your Virtual Guidance Counselor no later than September 1. Otherwise, you will not be included in the AIMS correspondence. If you do not know how to reach your Virtual Guidance Counselor, please call 480 755-8222 x2965. The Arizona Department of Education also provides practice AIMS tests for students to prepare. See them at: https://www.ideal.azed.gov/p/aims 9
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Inspirational Quote: “Success is achieved and maintained by those who try and keep trying.” - W. Clement Stone
www.pinnacleeducation.com 3225 S. Hardy, Tempe, AZ 85282 Tel: 480.755.8222
Fax: 480.755.8111