Class of 2018 December Newsletter
December 2017 Edition
Counselor Contact Information
Counselors:
A-D, Mrs. DeGeorge degeorgea@rcschools.net ext. 22909
E-K, Ms. Bryan bryanc@rcschools.net ext. 22906
L-R, Mrs. Barber, barbers@rcschools.net ext. 22907
S-Z, Mrs. Clawson clawsons@rcschools.net ext. 22908
College & Career/Crisis Intervention, Mrs. Breiner, breinerj@rcschools.net ext. 22905
Graduation Coach, Mrs. Garrott, garrottk@rcschools.net ext. 22904
Counseling Secretary, Mrs. Sadler sadlerm@rcschools.net ext. 22910
Counseling Secretary, Mrs. Kasbee, kasbeec@rcschools.net ext. 22946
It's the Final Countdown!
As of December 1st at 12:04pm, you have...
Midterm Exams
Friday, Dec. 15: 1st period exam
Monday, Dec. 18: 2nd & 3rd period exams
Tuesday, Dec. 19: 4th & 5th period exams
Wednesday, Dec. 20: 6th & 7th period exams
Attendance Matters!
Attendance is important to every student's learning. Therefore, the state of Tennessee has included attendance on our accountability measurement. They are specifically looking at students who miss more than 10% of the days they are enrolled in the school. For example, if we are on day 70 of the school year, and a student has missed more than 7 days, he/she is on track to be chronically absent. This hurts the student and directly affects their learning. Therefore, we will be talking to students and parents with multiple absences. Please know that these conversations are intended to help students get the instruction that is so valuable.
Graduate with Honors & Distinction
English: 18
Math: 22
Reading: 22
Science: 23
Meeting these benchmarks means that you are ready for freshman level college courses.
Distinction
To graduate with distinction students must attain a 3.0 GPA and meet one of the following criteria:
- Participate in at least one Governor’s School
- Participate in one of the TN’s all State musical organizations
- Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-Finalist
- Attain a composite score of 31 or higher on the ACT
- Attain a score of 3 or higher on at least 2 Advanced Placement Exams
- Earn 12 or more semester hours of transcripted postsecondary credit
- Earn a nationally recognized industry certification
Graduation with Honors - recognized at graduation and eligible for an orange cord
Graduation with Distinction - recognized at graduation and eligible for an orange stole
* If you have met the requirements for either one, let your counselor know by the end of December.
Money, Money, Money
ACT Dates
December 9th
February 10th
April 14th
June 9th
Register online at actstudent.org. The Blackman High School code is 431636. Click here to view the ACT Toolkit provided by the TN Dept. of Education.
Congratulations to the following Seniors...
College Acceptances!
Jacob Arning University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Memphis
Devyn Barnes - Austin Peay and East Tennessee State University
Ben Chumney- University of Tennessee Knoxville and Temple University
Mary Grace Mancuso- Lipscomb University Honors College and MTSU
Jonathan Miller - University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Nathan Nelson- University of Kansas, University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina
Savannah O'Kelley- MTSU, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Patrick Owen - MTSU, Tennessee Tech University
Christina Reininger- Florida Southern University, MTSU
Sara Roesch- University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Naomi Sherman- MTSU, UT Martin
Samuel Speights- MTSU, Mississippi State University
Brandon Thomas- Bryan College, Huntington College
Kylie Watts - MTSU, Lipscomb University, Trevecca University
Let us know when you have been accepted and/or you receive any scholarships! Bring us in a copy of your acceptance letter or show us a screen shot. We'd love to highlight this great accomplishment!!
Tennessee Promise Mandatory Meeting
For those of you that signed up for Tennessee Promise, there will be a mandatory meeting in the Blackman High School Cafeteria. For additional information you may contact Matthew Otero at 505.306.5755 or email him at matthew@tnachieves.org
Click here to learn more about the Tennessee Promise.
Monday, Mar 5, 2018, 05:30 PM
Blackman High School, Blaze Drive, Murfreesboro, TN, United States
Transcript Request Form
Graduation Requirements
The following 23 credits are required for graduation:
English - 4 credits (English I, II, III, IV)
Math - 4 credits (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th Math)
Science -3 credits (Biology, Chemistry or Physics, & 1 other Science)
Social Studies - 3 credits (World History, US History, Economics/Government)
Fine Art Credit - 1 credit (Art, Chorus, Band, Theatre, or General Music)
Foreign Language - 2 credits (2 years of the same language)
Focus Elective (Pathway) - 3 credits in one area
Elective - 1 credit
Wellness - 1.5 credits (Wellness and PE II or School Sport)
Personal Finance - .5 credit
*Students must also take the Civics Test and ACT in order to graduate.
Planning to play sports in college?
- If you are planning to play at a Division I or Division II school, you will need to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center in order to compete. You must create a Certification Account with the NCAA Clearinghouse in order to make official visits to Division I and II schools or to sign a National Letter of Intent.
- If you are planning to play at a Division III school or are undecided, you will need to create a profile page at the NCAA Clearinhouse. You will then receive an NCAA ID and important reminders will be sent to you as your complete high school.
Things to Know This Month
December Checklist
- Complete all enrollment and scholarship applications. Review them with a parent, teacher, or counselor.
- Be sure you have completed the FAFSA.
- Finalize your college essay.
- Complete letters of recommendations for applications that require them.
- Check the list of scholarships posted on the Blackman Counseling Website for updated scholarship opportunities.
- If you have not already done so, sign up and take the ACT.
- Notify your counselor as you receive admission letters.
Launch My Career!
- Need help searching for colleges, majors, and jobs while evaluating salaries and what matches your goals?
- Launch My Career makes it possible to help you cut through what can be confusing and overwhelming information.
- Click here to check out the Launch My Career TN website and use their tools to help you learn more about your future career!
College Day
Graduation Information!
When is Graduation?
Blackman High School’s 2018 Graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 19th beginning at 7:00pm, at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center
Do guests have to have tickets in order to attend graduation?
There are no tickets for guests.
Is my senior limited on the number of guests he/she may invite?
There is no limit to the number of guests a senior may invite.
If my senior graduates in December, can he/she still participate in the May graduation ceremony?
Yes. He/She will need to complete the items listed for seniors.
Who do I contact for more information?
Information will be sent home with your senior in November, March, and late April. You may also contact Mr. Weeks, our graduation coordinator, if you need any assistance. His email address is weeksm@rcschools.net or you may leave him a message at (615)904-3850 ext. 22978
Follow us on Twitter
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!
Follow the Counseling Department on Twitter @BlazeCounseling for updates on events, scholarships, and important deadlines.