| School and Life Skills Reading Many college professors now say that reading is the skill that most needs improvement for incoming students. Bronco Boost participants will practice reading for both comprehension and retention. Writing Students will practice the basic five-paragraph essay format that they will use in every discipline at Northgate. This simple structure provides the backbone to all future writing. Presentation/Speaking Students will learn PowerPoint and Prezi, will create a website upon which to post assignments, and will practice public speaking. Study Students will learn to keep a neat notebook, use a planner, budget time, and create a positive workspace at home. |
| Where? Northgate High School |
| Skill Levels: The prep courses are open to students of all ability and GPA levels. Those who didn’t do well scholastically at Foothill will practice the skills needed to achieve greater success at Northgate; those who did well academically will build upon and refine the skills that they already possess. |
| Why take this course? 1. Because we all know that college admission is more competitive than it’s been in the history of public education in the United States. More kids are applying to college and fewer are getting in. With the unprecedented budget cuts to the UC and CSU systems, and crippling cutbacks at our excellent local junior college, DVC, it’s important that Northgate students measure up to, and surpass, those from nearby high schools such as Acalanes, Miramonte, Campolindo, San Ramon Valley, Monte Vista, and others. A Bronco Boost from Foothill- Northgate High School Prep Courses will help. 2. Because kids who don’t plan to attend college still need to be decent readers, writers, and speakers to be successful in the world of work. The skills learned and practiced at Foothill-Northgate High School Prep Courses are life skills as much as they are academic skills. |
| Foothill-Northgate High School Prep Courses Preparing Students for High School Success |
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| When? There will be two two-week sessions (classes Tuesday through Friday): the first session will be July 5th through 15th and the second session will be July 18th through 29th. |
Tuition
$259 if paid before June
1st; $279 if paid between
June 1st and 15th; $299 if
paid between June 16th
and 30th; $319 if paid
between July 1st and 4th.
$259 if paid before June
1st; $279 if paid between
June 1st and 15th; $299 if
paid between June 16th
and 30th; $319 if paid
between July 1st and 4th.
| Vicki Hackett: A mainstay of the Northgate English department for 30 years, Ms. Hackett has been one of the most highly regarded teachers in the county. She has been Contra Costa County Teacher-of-the-Year, co-authored a book on the teaching of writing, and worked with the faculty at Northgate to develop quality reading and writing techniques in all subject areas. With subbing, tutoring, and other looking after her Grandkids, Ms. Hackett's "retirement" is every bit as busy as her previous career. |
| Jeff Spoden Has taught at NHS for 26 years, and has been known for interesting, creative curriculum and an excellent rapport with students at all grade levels. As department chair, he has led the Northgate social studies department in development of writing strategies, public speaking practice, critical thinking activities, and use of technology in the classroom. He is also a published author, an excellent poet, a lousy guitar player, is funny, and resembles George Clooney in a way that only he is astute enough to discern. |
| Instructors |
| Pointers about Northgate! In addition to the academic skill building, students will be given tips and pointers from Ms. Hackett and Mr. Spoden, two teachers who know Northgate as well as anyone alive, about how to have a positive high school experience. Students will tour the school and know where everything is before that first nervous day in late August! |
| Strive |
| Think |
| Create |
| Succeed |