Counselors' Corner
GUIDANCE PROGRAMS
Mark your calendar for the following information meetings held in the Library at 7:00 pm.
November 9 - Financial Aid Night
January 25 - FAFSA Night
FRESHMAN CLASS OF 2015
Counselors will be meeting with all freshmen during Academic Lab throughout the month of November. The purpose of these visits is to register students on the Family Connections Naviance program. This program will be used for career and college exploration throughout high school, as well as part of the college admission process when the students are seniors. As freshman, the students will use the program to complete a personal survey and interest inventory, which will provide valuable information to assist students as they research a variety of possible occupations. Students should share this information with their parents; additionally, parents may sign on to the Family Connections Naviance program as guests to view the variety of information available to students and their families. The password is "viking".
After viewing your student’s most recent progress report, parents may decide that their student needs academic assistance. There are several options from which to choose:
- A+ tutors are available before and after school Monday through Thursday in the Curriculum Learning Center. An appointment is not necessary. Freshmen can take the 3:50 pm activity bus home.
- All teachers are available to assist students during Academic Lab, which is 6th block every B day.
- Students may also make appointments with their teachers before and after school for individual help.
Parents may contact their student’s counselor at any time with questions or concerns.
SOPHOMORE CLASS OF 2014
Sophomores took the PLAN test in September. Counselors will visit World History classes during November to return the test results and explain how students might use them to plan for life after high school. Additionally, counselors will review how to use the Method Test Prep program, which is accessed through Naviance. This program provides test preparation for the ACT. Sophomores will have the opportunity to complete a set of warm up questions to become familiar with the program. This is an excellent opportunity for students to practice test taking skills prior to taking the ACT junior year.
Naviance will also be used for career and college exploration throughout high school, as well as part of the college admission process when the students are seniors. Students can share this information with their parents; additionally, parents may sign on to the Family Connections Naviance program as guests to view the variety of information available to students and their families. The password is "viking".
Students who want to improve their grades have several options from which to choose:
- A+ tutors are available before and after school Monday through Thursday in the Curriculum Learning Center. An appointment is not necessary. Students can take the 3:50 pm activity bus home.
- All teachers are available to assist students during Academic Lab, which is 6th block every B day.
- Students may also make appointments with their teachers before and after school for individual help.
Parents may contact their student’s counselor at any time with questions or concerns.
JUNIOR CLASS OF 2013
Junior year is an extremely important year because colleges and universities use the grade point average from the first six semesters of high school as one of the main criteria for admission. Thus, juniors are encouraged to earn the best grades possible and to prepare for upcoming ACT test dates. North High offers ACT prep sessions prior to each national test date at no cost. Students can sign up to take sessions after school or on Saturday morning. Additionally, juniors are encouraged to take advantage of the Method Test Prep program prior to taking their first ACT test. This program is accessed through Naviance. Counselors met with the juniors earlier in the school year to explain this ACT test prep program and provide the opportunity to complete a set of warm up questions. The program provides weekly study activities, including two opportunities to take timed, practice ACT tests.
College representatives come to North High throughout the school year to meet with students. This is an excellent opportunity for students to obtain specific information about colleges in which they are interested and to ask questions. The list of college visits may be accessed on the Family Connections Naviance program. After students log on, they will find a list of the week’s college visits. For a more extensive list, they can click on the "Colleges" tab and then "View all upcoming college visits".
Parents may contact their student’s counselor at any time with questions or concerns.
SENIOR CLASS OF 2012
FINANCIAL AID NIGHT FOR SENIORS
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9 AT 7:00 pm
SPEAKER: JEFF HERMAN, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
FINANCIAL AID DEPARTMENT
TOPICS: SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, LOANS, FAFSA,
ON-CAMPUS JOBS, ETC.
Seniors are busy completing college applications and planning for post-high school life. It is important to remember that the college admission process is a partnership between student, counselor and teacher. Students must pay close attention to deadlines for college admission and scholarships. In addition, there are priority deadlines for students wishing to be eligible for automatic scholarships through certain colleges and universities. In order to obtain the correct information about college admission and all deadlines, student should visit the websites of the colleges and universities in which they are interested.
Many students will need recommendations for college admission or scholarship applications. Obtaining recommendations from teachers is a privilege. Therefore, students should request these recs in a timely manner (2-4 weeks in advance). Students are responsible for gently reminding teachers and making sure that the recommendations are sent to guidance or to the college by the deadline. Additionally, students are encouraged to write thank you notes.
Seniors who are failing classes may be at risk to not graduate in May 2012 or to have their admission to a college or university rescinded. Students in need of help have several choices:
- A+ tutors are available before and after school Monday through Thursday in the Curriculum Learning Center. An appointment is not necessary. Students can take the 3:50 pm activities buses home.
- All teachers are available to assist students during Academic Lab, which is 6th block every B day.
- Students may also make appointments with their teachers before and after school for individual help.
Parents should mark their calendars for FAFSA Night. The meeting will be on Wednesday, January 25 at 7:00 pm in the library. Jesse McCoy from Commerce Bank will explain the purpose of the FAFSA form and why it is an essential component of any college financial aid, including scholarships.
Parents may contact their student’s counselor at any time with questions or concerns.
ACT PREP CLASSES
We are offering free ACT prep classes to correspond with the national ACT test date of Saturday, December 10, 2011. The classes will focus on math and science. Each content area will have a 6 hour prep class. Practice materials will be provided for all students. Classes will be held after school from 2:30-3:30pm, beginning on November 7. Sign-ups will begin the week of October 24. Please see the Guidance Website for further information and sign-up information.