DID YOU KNOW Atlantic Community High School has a graduation coach? 

As part of a new DID YOU KNOW? series featuring people at school, we asked graduation coach Mr. Len Peters to tell us about what he does:

I work in close collaboration with the other school counselors to help assure students are aware of their options for further education upon graduating from Atlantic.

This comprises:

1. Meeting students individually to look over their academic history, and support them in obtaining the best possible grades.
   
2. Counseling students in deciding which college or further education program is most suitable, and guiding them as necessary in the application process.
   
3. Assisting students in registering for ACT and SAT tests, and guiding them in proper preparation.
   
4. Assisting students in registering for the NCAA, and developing supportive relationships with their coaches to assure academic success.
   
5. Visiting classes with the junior and senior class counselors to explain my role, and the options students have after high school.
   
6. Meeting with students and college admission counselors, along with the IB counselor, Ms. Bruce. 
   

Students sign up at the Student Services office in Building 2 to see me, or else come by anytime they are free before school, during lunch, or after school.

My other major responsibility is working with Dr. Allen and Ms. Castellano as cooridinator for all comprehensive tests such as the FCAT, Diagnostics, EOCs, PSAT and SAT.

My goal in this position is to make sure every student understands the need for continuing their education after graduating, and to provide necessary support and counseling in the decision making process. I am working to create a vibrant career resource room where students can come and research academic and career options, work on their applications, and register for standardized tests. 

I have worked for 20 years in international schools in the UK, India, and Thailand as a teacher, counselor, development director, and head of school. I have extensive experience in residential construction as an electrician and lighting system designer. I recently completed a MEd. in School Counseling at the University of Massachussets Boston.

If you're interested in supporting the Career Resource Room at Atlantic, please click here to visit Mr. Peters' AdoptAClassroom page.

If you'd like to nominate someone at Atlantic for a future DID YOU KNOW? feature,  please let us know in the comments below or email AtlanticHighPTSA@gmail.com.

Free tutoring is available on campus for all Atlantic students.  

Honor Society Tutoring is from 3 pm to 5 pm. An activity bus is available at 5 pm for students needing transportation home.

2013-2014 Tutoring Schedule
Monday: Math (Mu Alpha Theta) in room 4-303 

Tuesday: All Subjects (National Honor Society) in room 5-220

Wednesday (except first Wednesday of the month due to faculty meeting: Spanish (Spanish National Honor Society) in room 5-113

Thursday: Science (Science Honor Society) in room 6-107; students MUST inform either Mr. Meagher in 6-107 or Ms. Ogden in 6-202 that they plan to attend (same day notice is fine).

The Delray Beach Center for the Arts is looking for artistic, friendly, outgoing high school students to help children age 6-12 make seasonal and eco-friendly crafts every Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm at the Delray Beach Green Market, from October to May. Shifts are from 8:30 am to 11:30 am or from 11:30 am to 2 pm (or both). 

For more information:

Leanne Griffith
Community Outreach/ Volunteer Coordinator
Delray Beach Center For The Arts at Old School Square
51 North Swinton Avenue
Delray Beach, FL  33444
P 561.243.7922, ext. 319
volunteer@delraycenterforthearts.org

The City of Delray Beach invites the community to attend a “Focus on Education” town hall meeting Thursday, October 17, 2013, at 7:00 pm in the auditorium at Atlantic Community High School.

Parents, students and other community members will have the opportunity to take part in the discussion and help find solutions, and students will earn community service hours. Opening ceremonies include a presentation of the flag by the Atlantic Community High School Criminal Justice Academy. Hope to see you all there!

When you purchase Atlantic students' fabulous work or print your own photos at a photo printing party at the Polaroid Fotobar on Saturday, October 19th from 8 am to 11 am, 20% of your purchases will benefit Atlantic Community High School's Photography Department.

Photos can be printed from Instagram, Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, SmugMug, your smart phone, or your email. 

You are encouraged to create a Polaroid Fotomail account to upload photos before the event.

Print your photos on a wide variety of media — framed or mounted, on glass, lucite, stone, bamboo, metal, acrylic wall art, framed canvas, or posters. 

The Polaroid Fotobar is located on Atlantic Avenue at Lyons Road in the new Delray Beach Marketplace shopping center.

The Atlantic Community High School Student Government Association proudly presents the return of the Homecoming Parade on October 18, 2013, from 11 am to 12 pm on Atlantic Avenue. The parade begins at Veterans Park and ends at Swinton Avenue, near the Delray Beach Tennis Center.

The freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior classes will construct floats portraying the Haunted Homecoming theme. Also featured in the parade will be the 2013 Homecoming Court, the Atlantic Eagl-Ettes and cheerleaders, JROTC, and the Criminal Justice Academy. 

Students: Please get in touch with your class officers if you'd like to get involved in building your class float.

Parents are welcome to donate materials for the floats: Paint, paint brushes, paper mâché, wood, anything needed to make the floats amazing. Please contact Mr. Jim Maloney or Ms. Whitney Clodfelter for more parade information.

Other homecoming week activities:
Monday, October 14
Twin Day 

Tuesday, October 15 
Generation Day 
Homecoming Decathlon, 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
For more information contact Coach Durgin or SGA President Elysa Atmosfera

Wednesday, October 16
Halloween Costume Day (no masks please!)
Girls Senior Night volleyball against Olympic Heights at 7:00 pm

Thursday, October 17
Spirit Day (wear your class colors) 

Friday, October 18
No school! 
Parade at 11 am until 12 noon on Atlantic Avenue
Football game at 5:30 pm 
Homecoming Dance at 8:00 pm - 12:00 am 

Homecoming dance tickets will be sold by Coach Logan during lunch periods until October 17.  Monday, October 7 is the last day ticket prices will be $25 for seniors and $35 for underclassmen.
The cost for the tickets goes up $5 every week after October 7 until October 17.

Some of the resources Assistant Principal Allison Castellano mentioned in her excellent presentation on the Common Core State Standards at the October 1 PTSA meeting:

• A Parent's Guide to the Common Core Standards from education.com
• The National PTA Common Core State Standards Initiative
• Parent Guides to Student Success  from the National PTA
  
• The new smart set: What happens when millions of kids are asked to master fewer things more deeply? By Amanda Ripley, author of author The Smartest Kids in the World--and How They Got That Way
• Video: Why We Need Common Core: "I choose C."