Embed This Article Summer school changes affect students photo by Vanessa Koppel Students must visit their counselor to sign up for afternoon summer classes. All core classes will be offered, but space is limited. [ArticleMedia] Friday, May 29, 2009 By Vanessa Koppel/Staff Reporter Budget cuts close summer school and cancel June FCAT There has been a lot of talk lately from students and teachers about the summer school situation,   and whether or not students will be able to graduate on time or fulfill their missing credits. A lot of these students depend on summer school to get courses out of the way (such as physical education) so they do not have to sweat all year in school. Fortunately, there will be an afternoon session this summer in every school, taking place June 22-July 24, from 2:00-5:45. Night school will continue to run through the summer, ending July 29.     The limit per regular classroom is about 30-35 students. Physical Education courses will obtain a maximum of 50 students, and the Drivers Ed course is limited to 27 students. Signing up for summer school is on a first come, first serve basis and the cost will be $5 for your student I.D. Counselors by student’s last name will be registering for the afternoon session, although students must act quickly due to the unknown schedule of counselors this summer since some counselors will be on campus, and some may not.     All core classes are offered in the afternoon session (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Physical Science, Earth/Space Science, Biology, Chemistry, English 1-4, World History, American History, and American Government/Economics). Personal Fitness/Health, Art and Computer courses will also be offered over the summer. Personal Fitness and Health will be allowed to be taken over the summer by juniors and seniors. Luckily, incoming freshmen next year do not have the requirement of Personal Fitness and Health as part of their graduation credits. It is only required of them to take Physical Education and Life Management Skills.     Regarding the FCAT, there will be no re-takes this summer. Students who have not passed will not be able to retake it until October. If senior students have failed the FCAT, but have met all of their requirements, they will be allowed to walk at graduation and receive a certificate of completion instead of their high school diploma. Good news for seniors: SAT/ACT scores can be used as an alternative to the FCAT.     “Student’s must score a 410 on the Reading SAT, a 370 on the Math SAT, or a 15 on both the Reading and Math ACT in order to replace FCAT scores,” said counselor Ms. Mayra Gallor.     Test dates for the summer have already reached their registration deadlines, but the chart accompanied lists test dates in the fall. For students who have not met their requirements by graduation, GED courses can be taken as an equivalent to a high school diploma. “All I can say is that it’s been a very difficult year,” said Ms. Antonia Jimenez, department chair for Student Services.     Vacation plans for the summer? Travel with a laptop capable of wireless internet and take high school courses online through Virtual School at www.flvs.net.