last updated: 5/30/13

Looking for something specific??? Try the "Announcements" Link at the top of this page.

Welcome  Welcome        

Questions, Concerns & Changes over the summer??? Students & Parents, please email. I will check & respond on a weekly basis. Abigail.Harris@marion.k12.fl.us - I will be back in the office in early August.

Parents; Are you checking your childs grades on the PARENT PORTAL??? Contact Vanguard High School for more information.

Parents, please feel free to contact me at Abigail.Harris@marion.k12.fl.us - that is the most immediate way you can get ahold of me. If I do not respond within 48 hours, please contact the guidance office. All parent conferences are scheduled with Mrs. Willoughby at (352) 671-4902. We request at least 48 hours notice before we can have a conference with a classroom teacher present. Conferences are always held before school. Parents interested in their students grades & current progress are encouraged to access the MCPS PARENT PORTAL (Click HERE for access). If you are in need of access information regarding Parent Portal, please contact your childs school.

Students, also feel free to email me anytime, you can leave me a note in guidance anytime. You too can always check your grades and GPA on the STUDENT PORTAL (Click HERE for access). Unfortunately, I am not always available the minute a student walks in, that surely doesn't mean I do not want to help you. I am often in the Union or in classrooms meeting with students. Please leave me a note and give me a chance to find you. YOUR graduation is MY priority. 

   CLICK HERE or REFER TO "ANNOUNCEMENTS" LINK FOR MORE DOCUMENTS & LINKS  

 DATES YOU NEED TO KNOW: 

SCHEDULE ISSUES: Schedules will be CORRECTED for the following reasons:

Freshmen Year Class Visit #2:

Since Thanksgiving I have been very busy meeting with your students in their English classes. These visits will conclude before mid-year exams.

Topics were mostly based around Grade Point Average - how to calculate it, what it allows you to do while in school and when you leave as well as how much a bad grade can "hurt" your GPA.

• Students were reminded to control their GPA while it was relatively small and manageable, adding that each semseter it grows substantially. The Freshmen GPA was compared to a rubber bouncy ball; small, easily hidden or redirected. The Sophomore GPA was compared to a yoga type ball; larger, hard to hide, but not impossible to manage alone. The Junior GPA was compared to a small car, such as a VW Bug; larger again, easy to drive with concentration and gas in the engine. The Senior GPA was compared to a cruise ship, such as the RMS Titanic; larger than most of us can imagine, should have been easy to drive but hit an iceberg and sunk because people were not paying attention. 
•  Students learned that GPA's adjust only when a course is half or fully complete. (Typically January and June in Marion County.) Progress reports are a "REPORT of your PROGRESS".
• Students learned how to check their current grades on the Portal as well as their GPA's, FCAT Scores and Attendance.
• Students looked at the factors involved in college admissions; challenging classes, test scores and GPA.

Freshmen Year Class Visit #1:

Over the last few days of August I made presentations to HOPE classes; the topics included the following:

• The counselor is able to help you with most every concern you will have in high school; we may not have your answer but we can direct you as to where to find it. (See the counselor "Wheel" graphic above)
• The best indicator of student success and the most recommended piece of advice from the Class of 2012 to the Class of 2016 was GET INVOLVED! Sports, Clubs, Church, Scouts, Etc... Many fall sports already have rosters, but check with coaches to be sure. Clubs will be setting rosters during the month of September, don't wait!!! (A roster of clubs was distributed)
• The fastest way to fail a class is to not do your work; in HOPE class the fastest way to fail is to not change your clothes. With freedom in high school comes responsibility. STUDENTS must put forth effort to succeed, you don't have to be "accurate" or "perfect" in your answers - you simply need to learn from your mistakes. If you never make mistakes, you will never learn.
• Please check your grades, use the PORTAL! Students check it more than any one in your house. Always feel free to email teachers, if you don't hear from them in a day or two email me! I will get them for you. Don't have internet at home...? No problem! We recommend to use the school library before school most mornings, a computer in a classroom during down time, the public library, or a friends computer. Students, if you can find time to check your facebook page, you can find time to check your grades. Again - - - be RESPONSIBLE for yourself!
• BE RESPECTFUL - BE RESPONSIBLE - BE READY TO LEARN!!!

About me; I grew up in western New York state, outside of Rochester, where most of my family still resides. I went through the whole Spencerport Central School District, kindergarten to graduation. I earned my regents diploma with distinction from Spencerport High School. I attended Oswego State University for four fabulous years, graduating with a Bachelors in Human Development, with a Focus on Children & Family. After working a short time in a group home for disturbed young men, I decided working in a traditional school system was the place for me. I returned to get my Masters in School Guidance Counseling from Roberts Wesleyan College while working full time.

In 2005, I relocated to Brooksville, Florida where I had a job as a guidance counselor at Hernando High School. A short time later I met and married my husband, Jesse, who is a native of Brooksville. We decided it was better for our family to be in a larger community when I was offered the job at Vanguard and my husband was able to find work in Palatka. Soon after, we settled in Silver Springs (to be more precise we are in the "forest"), welcomed our beautiful daughter Shaylee in 2009 and found a wonderful extended family at Vanguard.

I am blessed everyday to spend time my own family and here with my Vanguard family. I would even probably still be here if I won the lottery tomorrow! It is great to be a Vanguard Knight and I wouldn't change it for anything, I truly love my job.