GCA Counseling Newsletter
September 2017
C.A.N.D.Y. - September Edition
Parent Night
Four C Cafe: Click Here
9th Grade Parent Night: Tuesday, October 3rd at 7:00pm
10th Grade Parent Night: Tuesday, October 17th at 6:30pm
11th Grade Parent Night: Wednesday, October 18th at 6:00pm
12th Grade Parent Night: Thursday, September 7th at 6:30pm
Graduation Information Night
4C Café
Where you can Forsee your Future: A GCA College and Career Counseling Center
4C Cafe: Guidance *NEW*
4C Cafe: Guidance will be for students to grow academically, personally/socially, and in career development through ASCA standards-based episodes that will alternate in delivery mode from *LIVE* in the BBC room at 10 AM to NEW on our YouTube channel that Thursday!
*LIVE* Episodes will cover the episode material first and then launch into an open Q & A time with multiple GCA High School Counselors present to answer all of your GCA related questions!
Season 1 Upcoming Episodes:
August 31- Learning Styles w. Wendy Salter
Sept 7- Understanding HS Credits & Promotion w. Rebecca Stinson
Sept 14- The Myth of Multi-Tasking: Time Management w. Rebecca Stinson
Sept 21- *LIVE* in the Cafe: Career 1: Finding & Exploring Occupations w. Stephanie (Perry) Jackson
Sept 28: PSAT/SAT/ACT w. Amy Morgan
How do I join a *LIVE* episode of
4C Cafe: Guidance?
Go to The 4C Cafe at 10 AM on the Thursday the episode is premiering!
How can I be notified when a *NEW* episode of 4C Cafe: Guidance has premeired on YouTube?
Easy! Just subscribe to our channel: GCA Counselors
Virtual College Visits
Virtual College Visits are starting back up in the 4CCafe this year
Thursday Sept 7th 12:30-1:30
Toccoa Falls College
Tuesday Sept 12th 12:30-1:30
Kennesaw State University
Click Here to join us!
High School Clubs
High School Clubs Open House
Sept 7 at 12:30 pm for 10th-12th Grade
September 8 at 12:30 pm for 9th Grade
More details coming soon!
Click Here for more information.
Schedule Changes
Stone Mountain
SAT/ACT Info
Students who plan to attend college need to take the SAT and/or the ACT. Most four-year colleges and some two-year college require an ACT and/or SAT score for admissions consideration. You should always research colleges you are interested in to see what they require for admissions. Although there is not a specific/required time period to take these tests, most students take the PSAT in 10th grade (to practice and prepare for the SAT), the SAT and/or ACT spring semester of their junior year, and another SAT and/or ACT fall semester of their senior year. Although we will provide information and assist with questions, GCA staff will not register you for these tests, therefore you must plan to do that on your own. Below are some links to assist you with this process and provide you further information regarding these exams.
ACT-Upcoming Test Date is Oct 28 and registration deadline is September 22nd
Click Here to register.
SAT-Upcoming Test Date is Oct 7 and registration deadline is September 8th
Click Here to register.
PSAT-GCA administration is October 11th at the GCA office in Atlanta. If you registered for the GCA administration (deadline was Aug 31st), then you will receive information soon with specifics. If you did not get into the GCA registration, you can request to test with a local BAM school. Click below to see which schools in your area will be offering the test:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/taking-the-tests/home-schooled
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10
Character Crusaders
This year, the Counseling Department would like to implement Character Education at the high school level. We will have a character ed focus word each month that will be highlighted in CANDY, the newsletter, and on our website. Our Character ed words will focus on traits that have shown successful in high school, college and career. High School staff will also submit names of students showing outstanding character and we will recognize those students each month.
This month’s character ed word is INTEGRITY.
Integrity means following your moral or ethical convictions and doing the right thing in all circumstances, even if no one is watching you. Having integrity means doing the right thing in a reliable way.
A few examples of integrity could be: choosing to stand up for a peer when others are speaking unkindly of them; noticing that someone dropped a $20 and returning it to them rather than keeping it for yourself; Choosing to do your own work even when you have an easy opportunity to cheat.
A historical figure who exhibited Integrity was Nelson Mandela. Mandela’s strength of spirit allowed him to endure 27 years of imprisonment. He never compromised his beliefs, which shows integrity and a willingness never to give up the fight. As an honorable citizen of the world, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his help in ending apartheid in South Africa. Finally, he became President of South Africa in 1994 showing his incredible ability to lead a nation once so divided. Nelson Mandela is an inspiration to all freedom fighters the world over.
Consider people in your own life who you feel show character. Ask yourself what you are doing on a daily basis to be an example of integrity in your personal and academic life.
Khan Academy Live: SAT, a series of three free online SAT classes from Khan Academy. Click below to view the recordings. The classes will covered important concepts and tips for the SAT, and will offered students the opportunity to chat 1:1 with experts from College Board and Khan Academy.
Khan Academy Live: SAT Math Recording Click Here
Khan Academy Live: SAT Reading Recording Click Here
Khan Academy Live: SAT Writing Recording Click Here
Move on When Ready
Dual Enrollment/MOWR Specialists:
Ginger Reid (A-L)
Corey DeBrody (M-Z)
Tim Melvin (MOWR Coordinator)
MOWR Information sessions are held every Friday at 10am. Click Here to attend. For more information on MOWR Click Here.
Did you know?!!
Counselor Spotlight
Mrs. Ginger Reid - Move on When Ready/ DE Counselor (Student last name A-L)
Hello! I am Ginger Reid. I received my undergraduate degree from Emory University and my Master’s in School Counseling from Georgia State University. I worked as a counselor for Gwinnett County for 3 years prior to starting a family in 2000. I stayed home with my now 17 and 14 year old sons until this school year. I re-entered the workforce this year at GCA and couldn’t be happier to be here. My loves are my boys, my fiancé and his son, my 3 cats and my sweet Golden Retriever, Rosie. When I am not working, I love being with my family, Obstacle Course Racing, hiking, and doing yoga.
Email: greid@gacyber.org
Website: http://www.gacyber.org/hs-counseling.html
Phone: 404-334-4790 2312
Mrs. Corey De Brody/ DE Counselor (Student Last Name M-Z)
Email: cdebrody@gacyber.org
Website: http://www.gacyber.org/hs-counseling-home.html
Phone: 404-334-4790 2657
Mr. Tim Melvin - Move on When Ready/ DE Specialist
I have a BA in History form the Virginia Military Institute and an MEd from Georgia Southern University. I’ve been in public education for 27 years, including 17 years working with dual enrollment. I am a native of Atlanta and currently live in Covington. I am a proud father of a GCA graduate and DE student. I enjoy helping students navigate this wonderful opportunity.
Email: tmelvin@gacyber.org
Website: http://www.gacyber.org/hs-counseling.html
Phone: 404-334-4790 708