September Newsletter
Guidance Newsletter for Parents
SEPTEMBER 2011
Dear Parents:
Welcome back! We have begun a new and exciting school year. You are each encouraged to be an active participant in your child’s education. Together we must demonstrate to our teenagers that education is a top priority. Please take the time to read the newsletter thoroughly.
Counselor Phone Numbers:
Miss Linda Van Der Leest A-F 945-0308
Miss Cheryl Ewert G-O 945-0307
Mrs. Patrice Johannsen P-Z 945-0306
Mrs. Melanie Rice – social worker 945-0322
The guidance secretary is Mrs. Denise Rushing. She can answer many questions and can be reached at 945-0313.
School Web Page:
There is a school district web page that is updated regularly. This web page is an excellent resource for information on school events, departments, calendar information, etc. The web page address is www.dist228.org.
Counseling Web Page:
The counseling office has its own link on the high school home page listed under “Counseling”. You will find useful information concerning scholarships, monthly newsletters, calendar information, college, career, and course planning, etc.
Freshmen Parents:
Counselors are meeting with freshmen to acquaint them with our services and to see how they are making the adjustment to high school.
Junior & Senior Parents:
Students will be receiving information in the mail regarding College Night at Black Hawk College. College night will be held Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at the Quad Cities Campus from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in the upper gym of Building #3. Over 75 colleges and universities will be present to answer questions and supply information.
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholastic Qualifying Test) will be given on Wednesday, October 12, beginning at 8:00 a.m. in the library. In order to be eligible to take this test, Juniors must rank in the top 20% of their class. This is an optional test for which the student pays a fee of $14.00. Sign up will be in the Guidance Office from September 6 until October 1. The fee should be paid in the Guidance Office also (checks should be made payable to GHS). Students will be given a preparation booklet when they have signed up for the exam. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
Campus Visits/Tours - October 8th through the 10th (3-day weekend) are “non attendance days” at GHS. Students should make arrangements now to visit college campuses. Many are hosting Open House and Preview Days for high school students. Make a reservation on your prospective college admissions web page.
Senior Parents:
The counselors will be making a post-secondary planning presentation the last week of August to share materials and resources regarding options after graduation. We encourage seniors to continue their post-secondary planning and consult with counselors on an individual basis. Please discuss this information with your child. The outline of the presentation is posted on the counseling web pages. College representatives who are scheduled to visit GHS will be posted and updated weekly on the counseling web pages. Interested students must sign up at least one day in advance to visit with a visiting college rep.
Students will be required to return an ACT consent/records release form in order to send transcripts. Students who have completed their online college applications should stop by the guidance office to sign a form to send their 6th semester transcript. Transcripts include ACT scores, semester grades, GPA, and rank, and may be sent electronically or mailed directly to the colleges from our office.
Scholarship Information:
Please encourage your senior students to begin checking for scholarships. Many scholarship applications have fall deadlines, so it is important to begin the search early. The guidance office announces scholarship opportunities and posts them on the web pages. See your guidance counselor if you do not have web access. Do not limit your search to what the guidance office announces. Search your prospective colleges’ offerings through the college representatives and the college’s web site as well as scholarships offered through places of employment, community organizations, banks, credit unions, and church affiliations. A reputable site is www.fastweb.com.
ACT TEST DATES go to www.actstudent.org
Test Dates AND Registration Deadlines
October 22, 2011 September 16, 2011
December 10, 2011 November 4, 2011 (Test Given at GHS)
February 11, 2012 January 13, 2012
April 14, 2012 March 9, 2012 (Test Given at GHS)
June 9, 2012 May 4, 2012
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
This aptitude test battery has a well-established capacity to assess not only the ability to learn new skills, but to predict success in a wide variety of occupations. After taking the test, students can explore occupations in line with their interests & skills and can develop an effective strategy to realize their career goals. The test will be given on September 30 at the high school for grades 11 and 12. It will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will last approximately 3 hours. Interested students should sign up in the Guidance Office. Deadline to sign up will be September 26. There is no cost for this exam.
HOMEWORK REQUESTS
If a student has missed two consecutive days of school, please e-mail or call teachers directly to request homework assignments.