Viking Voice Weekly Newsletter

Fort Walton Beach High School December 4, 2020

John Spolski, Principal 400 Hollywood Blvd, SW Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548 (850) 833-3300

**If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, please send me an email (include your student’s name) and I will remove you from the distribution list.

Please read through the entire newsletter; there is an awful lot of information presented this week.

Messages from Administration

Holiday Checkout Procedures Contact: J. Tucci, B. Craig, or S. Pitman (850-833-3300)

The attendance office would like to thank those who send in notes when their student is absent. With so much activity in the attendance office, notes help to create a paper trail to fall back on if there is a discrepancy with absences.

Parents, with the holidays quickly approaching, please remember to send notes for absences, late check ins, and early check outs. Please include your student’s legal first and last name, grade, dates of the absence, and dismissal times (if necessary) on the note. If you know in advance that your student will be missing school, it is helpful if you send a note prior to the absence.

The week of December 14 through 18, we will be accepting notes or parent in person for checkouts. Phone calls for checkouts will not be permitted. Please do not fax in a request for a student to check out (there is not a fax machine in the attendance office). Also, please do not email Mrs. Craig or Mrs. Pitman with requests to check out. Their computer screens are opened to the attendance files and they may not see the email request in a timely manner. Please plan ahead for checkouts during this week.

Holiday Break Closing

Please remind your senior students that Okaloosa County Schools will be closed for the Winter Holiday Break from December 21st – January 1st. This means that the front office, attendance office, and guidance office will be closed during this time. There will not be any staff on campus to answer the phone, process transcript requests, sign forms, etc. Email and voice mail will not be monitored during the holiday break.

If your senior has any transcripts to request (for delivery prior to January 4) they must speak with the guidance secretary or registrar by Tuesday, December 15th. If your senior has college application or scholarship information that requires input or signature from their guidance counselor (for delivery prior to January 4) they must request this information by Tuesday, December 15th. Please encourage your senior student to check their deadlines and if any information is needed prior to January 4, request that information before Tuesday, December 15th.

Winter Holiday

Students and Teachers will not be in school Monday, December 21 – Friday, January 1. Teachers and Students will be back in school on Monday, January 4.

**Reminder from the District Office: As you know, we missed a week of school due to Hurricane Sally. Based on those missed days, we will not have early dismissal on December 18th.

Guidance Department News

Congratulations Kylee Bobb!

For the month of December, the Emerald Coast Exchange Club will recognize Kylee Bobb as their “Youth of the Month”. The Exchange Club presents this award three times a year to an outstanding FWBHS senior who has demonstrated success in academics, extra-curricular activities, and community service. Congratulations Kylee!

Congratulations Caroline Colby Orcutt!

FWBHS very own Colby Orcutt was selected as the female National winner of the 2020 Heisman High School Scholarship! “The Heisman High School Scholarship extends the Heisman prestige to our nation’s most esteemed high school seniors by recognizing and rewarding outstanding scholar-athletes who understand the most important victories not only happen on the field, but in their schools and communities.” As a State Winner, Colby will be receiving a $500 scholarship; as a National Finalist, Colby will receive a $1,000 scholarship; and as a National Winner, Colby will receive a $5,000 scholarship, as well as national recognition during the televised ESPN Heisman Trophy ceremony.

Way to go Colby!!

Congratulations Olin Wolfgram!

Olin Wolfgram has been selected as Fort Walton Beach High School’s 2021 Sunshine State Scholar nominee! The Sunshine State Scholars’ Program recognizes Florida’s top 11th grade students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Congratulations to all of the Vikes who were nominated and completed the application process: Robert Bailey, Madison Baker, Kathryn Ballard, William Bevenour, Maura Liles, and Bennie Nkwantabisa.

Scholarship Opportunities Contact: S. Rodriguez (850-833-3300 or [email protected])

Scholarship opportunities for ninth through twelfth graders may be found at www.okaloosaschools.com/fwb/. Students may also come to the Media Center to find out what scholarships are available. Please check each week for updates.

Career Connection Center Contact: S. Rodriguez (850-833-3300 or [email protected])

We are currently working with Universities, Colleges, and teachers to provide zoom meetings for students to get information about the admissions process, financial aid, and general school information. Please be patient with us as we navigate our way through the Covid restrictions while still making this a positive experience.

Parent/Student Webinar: CollegeBoard Opportunity Scholarship Information

An invitation is extended to parents and students at the schools in our district to attend a webinar hosted by the College Board Florida Partnership outlining the steps needed to plan, prepare, and pay for college. The December 15, 2020 session will focus on how to assist students with the college planning process through free services and tools available to all students across the state of Florida.

Completing the steps needed to apply for college can be complicated and the Florida Partnership recognizes the need to help students and their families navigate this process. To encourage more students, the College Board has created a scholarship program that guides students through the application process and is rewarding their efforts by investing $5 million per year in College Board Opportunity Scholarships. Half of these scholarships are designated for students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year.

When: Dec 15, 2020 6:00-7:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (5PM-6PM CST) Topic: College Board Opportunity Scholarships

ACT/SAT Prep Contact: A. Hart (615-585-2401 or [email protected])

Mrs. Alice Hart is still available to provide ACT/SAT preparation workshops and tutoring. Please contact Mrs. Hart if you are interested in learning more about the availability of the ACT/SAT prep workshops and tutoring: 615-585-2401 or [email protected].

For workshop registration forms visit: www.junebuggin.com/testprep.

Class of 2021

Navigating Your Financial Future P. Hernandez ([email protected])

Senior Supplies (including cap & gown orders) Contact: C. Wren ([email protected])

Remember you can order your Cap & Gown online! Order today!

Welcome to Senior Year! Though it may seem like graduation is a long way off, preparation for the big day starts now. As your school’s official graduation provider, I want to make sure that every Senior can celebrate their achievements in their own special way. The graduation process starts with these easy steps! 1. Check out our digital catalog here. Herff Jones provides a variety of products that are guaranteed to meet your needs for the celebration. 2. Place your order here. Your school’s official announcements, gowns, and senior supplies can only be purchased at this link. Don’t wait, order now! For ordering assistance, please contact our office at 850.432.7464 or visit www.herffjones.com. Congratulations Class of 2021! I look forward to celebrating with you this Spring! Sincerely, Clay Wren, Herff Jones Representative Herff Jones of North Florida/South Alabama

Senior Recognition Ads Contact: M. Harden ([email protected])

Senior Recognition Ads for the yearbook are now on sale in full page, half page, quarter page, and eighth page increments. Seniors have received a flier in their English class. Parents can email the address above for more information.

The deadline to order ads will be January 31, 2021.

Senior Quotes Contact: M. Harden ([email protected])

Seniors who wish to put a quote in the yearbook need to see a yearbook staff member, Mrs. Harden in room 307, or check out our Instagram page for more information.

Quotes are $3 apiece. Leave your mark on the 2020-2021 yearbook! The deadline for quotes is January 15, 2021. Get it done now and have less worries later!

Seniors – Community Service Hours

Attention Seniors – Please turn your community service hours into the guidance office. In order for these hours to appear on your transcript we must enter them on to the computer.

**Bright Futures retrieves your community service hours from the school district’s computer system.

At a State University System zoom meeting with admissions officers, it was suggested that students and families could look at https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/index.jsp for community service/volunteer hours suggestions.

Please turn your community service hours into the guidance office!!!

Honors Graduation Criteria

The cumulative weighted grade point average is used to calculate honors graduation designation. At the end of the seventh semester, honors graduates will be determined by the following cumulative scale:

Summa Cum Laude – 4.25 and above Magna Cum Laude – 4.0-4.2499 Cum Laude – 3.75-3.99

In order to be considered an honors graduate, students must be enrolled in the same year-long course at the same level and receive a grade for the eighth semester.

FAFSA – October 1, 2020 Contact: www.FAFSA.ed.gov

SENIORS – complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning October 1, 20120, at www.FAFSA.gov.

Seniors – you and your parent/guardian should go to www.FAFSA.gov now and apply for a FSA ID. Both you and a parent/guardian will need this ID in order to complete the FAFSA beginning October 1.

Students and families can check out these links in preparation for completing financial aid applications:

· How to Create an FSA ID - YouTube · FAFSA and FSA ID Tips for Parents - YouTube

Bright Futures Information Contact: Office of Student Financial Assistance (888-827-2004 or [email protected])

Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) – Class of 2021

The 2020-2021 Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA) will be available online beginning October 1, 2020. The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) website at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org provides the FFAA to students seeking state scholarship and grant awards (including Bright Futures) for the 2020-2021 postsecondary academic year.

Applications can be made beginning October 1, 2020, for current seniors at www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org . Follow these steps:

· Go to www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org. · Select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, then under First-Time Applicants click on Create a Student Account to complete and submit an online application. · Pay attention to program deadlines listed in the application conditions section, on the application results screen, and on the application acknowledgement communication sent to the e-mail address provided by the student on his/her application. · The FFAA will provide a User ID and password to each applicant upon submitting the application via the Saved Results Page and in an e-mail communication. · Students may use User IDs and passwords to check: - The status of certification(s) prior to the program deadline(s). - The status of awards following the program deadlines. - Notifications from OSFA regarding award status.

This single application is used to evaluate the student for the following State of Florida programs:

· Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program – Deadline Graduation, 2021 · José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant – Deadline April 1, 2021 · Rosewood Family Scholarship Program – Deadline April 1, 2021 · Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans – Deadline April 1, 2021

Media Center News

Media Center News Contact: S. Rodriguez (850-833-3300 or [email protected])

The media center is open for business! Students can come check out books, get supplies, use the laptops, print (there is a fee), get departure badges and READ/work on homework/classwork. Any additional questions or concerns, please contact me.

Media Center Hours and Requirements Contact: S. Rodriguez (850-833-3300 or [email protected])

• Hours are from 7:00a-2:15p, Closed from 12:30-1:00 every day. • Lunch periods will be open for student use • No food or drink allowed in the media center • If you are coming during regular class times, you must have a pass from your teacher or….YOU SHALL NOT ENTER! ;) Don’t forget to sign in!

Closures Contact: S. Rodriguez (850-833-3300 or [email protected])

• Testing in the media center for Algebra begins November 30 and will continue until Christmas break. • Closed for lunch from 12:30-1:00 every day

ID Badges Contact: S. Rodriguez (850-833-3300 or [email protected])

• Badge machine is up and running if you need one, come get one! • Students needing a departure badge will need to have a hard copy of their schedule that shows their off periods.

School Store Contact: S. Rodriguez (850-833-3300 or [email protected])

• Poster board: (.50-$1.00) • Pencils: (.10) • Construction paper: (.10/sheet) • Printing: (.10/page)

University and College Information Sites Contact: S. Rodriguez (850-833-3300 or [email protected]) https://www.commonapp.org/ - This site gives you all the college information you need to get started in your search of higher education. The site provides information on 900 colleges and universities, the requirements, tuition costs, test score and GPA requirements, degree programs, and a direct link to the college for more information. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ - There are more than 2,000 colleges in the United States. Find the right college for you. Use the Big Future site’s step-by- step guide to find the right college for you.

Theatre Department News

Congratulations Viking Thespians! Contact: J. Blanks ([email protected])

In this altered and strange year, our usual District Theatre Festival was combined with two other Districts to create a giant Virtual Regional Festival. Theatre students submitted videos of their performances and presentations. The videos were uploaded to servers and adjudicated by college professors and professionals in the theatre industry.

Congratulations to these Vikings who secured SUPERIOR scores in their events:

Andrew Yoder, Josef Quiroz, Jaden Carlisle - The Great Books Abridged - Ensemble Scene Jude Waigand and Josef Quiroz - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead - Duet Acting Andrew Yoder, Reymyah McGhee - Hand to God - Duet Acting Amy Syverson - Angels in America - Publicity Design Angelo Bumphus III, Baleigh Nichols - Harvey - Duet Acting Gracie West - Kinky Boots - Costume Design Leila Jay-Peterson - Little Girls - Solo Musical

Congratulations to these Vikings who secured EXCELLENT scores in their events:

Adison Pasieka, Zoe Thomas, Alena Castillo - A Step Too Far (Aida) - Group Musical Emma Yates, Tarianna Patel - You Don't Know (Bare: The Musical) Musical Duet Amy Syverson, Ephiny Chewning - Go Tonight (The Mad Ones) - Musical Duet Emma Yates, Bella Crescioni - Last Night of Ballyhoo - Duet Acting Zoe Thomas - Waiting For Life (Once on This Island) - Musical Solo Amy Syverson - Much Ado About Nothing, Night Mother - Monologue Leila Jay-Peterson, Gracie West - I've Got You (James and Giant Peach) - Musical Duet Angelo Bumphus III - Your Feet's Too Big (Ain't Misbehavin') - Musical Solo Alena Castillo - So Big, So Small (Dear Evan Hansen) - Musical Solo Ephiny Chewning - My Brother Lived In San Francisco (Elegies..) - Musical Solo Jaden Carlisle - Tell My Father (Civil War) - Musical Solo Abby Ard - Much Ado About Nothing, Stupid Kids - Monologue Gianna Jackson, Mackenzie Goen, Abby Terrell - The Women - Ensemble Scene Gracie West - No Man Left For Me (Will Rogers Follies) - Musical Solo Gianna Jackson, Mackenzie Goen - Importance of Being Earnest - Duet Acting Emma Yates - Cinderella - Costume Design Reymyah McGhee, Baleigh Nichols - Always A Woman (Anyone Can Whistle) - Musical Duet

Yearbook Information

Yearbook Sales Contact: M. Harden ([email protected])

Yearbooks are on sale for $85. Please visit jostensyearbooks.com to make your payment.

If you use the Jostens website you can also add your personalization, autograph section, or clear protective covers. The Jostens website features a payment plan option as well, so you can pay for your yearbook in small increments rather than all at once. Please contact Mrs. Harden for any other information.

Math Department News

Math Tutoring Schedule – 2nd Nine Weeks Contact: J. Sheffield ([email protected])

Course specific tutoring per teacher (teacher provides tutoring for their students only):

Mr. Hanson (rm. 418) Monday 2:15-2:45 PM Ms. McWilliams (rm. 341) Monday 2:15-2:45 PM Ms. Betts-Jones (rm. 144) Tuesday 2:15-2:45 PM Ms. Duval (rm. 340) Tuesday 2:15-2:45 PM Ms. Feagin (rm. 149) Tuesday 2:15-2:45 PM Ms. Fister (rm. 417) Tuesday 2:00-2:30 PM Mr. Gardner (rm. 210) Tuesday 6:15-6:45 AM Ms. Jones (rm. 150) Tuesday 2:15-2:45 PM Ms. Tuthill (rm. 411) Tuesday 2:15-2:45 PM Ms. Young (rm. 407) Tuesday 2:15-2:45 PM Ms. Chadwell (rm. 281) Wednesday 2:15-2:45 PM

Additional Math Tutoring Contact: J. Sheffield ([email protected])

All FWBHS students, from any math course, may attend these tutoring offerings:

Ms. Fister (rm. 417) Wednesday 2:00-2:30 PM Mr. Gardner (rm. 210) Friday 6:15-6:45 AM

Science Department News

Biology Tutoring Contact: B. Russell ([email protected])

Biology Tutoring is available every Tuesday from 2:15pm-3:15pm. It will be held in Ms. Russell’s room #226.

If parents have questions, please contact Ms. Russell at the email address above.

Athletic Department News

FWBHS Athletics Contact: H. McDaniel (850-833-3300 or [email protected])

Competition is beginning for Viking Winter Sports. Schedules for the winter sports can be found at: http://www.fwbathletics.com/quicklinks/

FWBHS Softball Contact: J. Ryan ([email protected])

November 13, 2020

Dear Supporters of Fort Walton Beach High School Softball,

We all know that last year was, to put it mildly, one for the ages. It seemed like our girls were on the verge of turning into a team to be reckoned with when COVID hit. Our last time on the field was versus Donelson Christian Academy. Our players, parents, and community came together to donate $3500 to their team; remember that their community and school were devastated by a major tornado. Our teams were featured on the local news and even ESPN featured a story. That was the last time our team was together as we closed down our country.

Players fees were due when the girls came back from Spring Break. Since they never came back, the Lady Viking Softball Team suffered from a major revenue loss. We have opened this platform as a way to chip away at our deficit. Bills have to be paid before we can begin the process of outfitting this year’s squad. We owe approximately $4500. To fund a new season, we estimate that it will cost about $10,000 conservatively.

We are seeking funds through My School Bucks Online. If you can donate anything, please go to My School Bucks Online - Fort Walton Beach High School - and then to our Softball Team. On top of the regular banner sales and player fees, we will be conducting several major fundraisers up to and after the holidays. We will appreciate anything that you can spare.

Thank You,

Jim Ryan Fort Walton Beach Softball

Link to My School Bucks Online: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/stores/catalog/getproduct?requestAction&clientKey=ZZHWQHZ IMV056EU&productGroupKey=ZZJL29P4C30PWV1&view&productKey=ZZXOTC1B0J3U2JA&fbclid=IwAR0 5v8jpqyX4cqVPnQpDmdIywif21K6E9O3mc1UxlyEh6mNWD7cgvy8uAyY

Testing Information

1st Semester Exam Schedule

Below you will find the 1st semester exam schedule. This schedule was designed to allow for an exam block for each period and for no more than two exams in a day. Please, know that because of school days lost during hurricane season, exam week will be full days.

Semester Exam Week January 18- January 22

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Time Jan. 18 Jan. 19 Jan. 20 Jan. 21 Jan. 22 2nd Period Exam 1st Period Exam 2nd Period 7th Period Exam 7:00-8:45

4th Period 3rd Period Exam 4th Period Exam 3rd Period 8:52-10:37

6th Period 5th Period 6th Period Exam 5th Period Exam 10:45-12:55

No School w/lunch 7th Period 7th Period 1st Period 1st Period 1:02-1:52