FMHS Counselor Newsletter
October 2019
Counselors
- Connie Maloney, (Lead Counselor) A-B maloneyc@lisd.net 469-948-3455
- Celeste Boggs C-F boggsce@lisd.net 469-948-3454
- Jennifer Todd G-KOL toddjm@lisd.net 469-948-3457
- Leanne Cottrell KOM-N cottrellf@lisd.net 469-948-3456
- Chasity Lansdell O-SMA lansdellc@lisd.net 469-948-3485
- Amy Berry SMB-Z berrya@lisd.net 469-948-3459
Student Assistance Counselor
Shelly Gloyna gloynas@lisd.net 469-948-3453
Welcome back to school!
We hope you have all had a smooth start to the new school year. This first newsletter is much later than we had planned on! We hope to provide a newsletter for you each month. The goal is to highlight what is going on in the counseling office and provide parents with additional resources related to areas in academics, college and career planning, emotional and social needs/trends and upcoming events hosted by the counseling department.
ASVAB Testing
The ASVAB test is scheduled to be administered at FMHS on Tuesday, October 29th. Students can register for the test through Friday, 10/25 at the following site:
https://sites.google.com/a/staff.lisd.net/fm9-testing/asvab-career-exploration
All junior/senior students who are interested in taking the test this year should register for this opportunity. Testing is limited to 50 students.
graduation requirements
The graduation plan in the state of Texas is called Foundations High School Program (FHSP). Most students will graduate on the FHSP with an endorsement. The FHSP with an endorsement requires 26 state credits for graduation. All LISD students will have an opportunity to earn one or more endorsements. The five endorsements are:
- Arts and Humanities
- Business and Industry
- Multidisciplinary
- Public Services
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
Required courses for graduation (with an endorsement):
- 4 credits English Language Arts: English 1, English 2, English 3, Advanced English
- 4 credits Math: Algebra I, Geometry, 3rd Math, 4th Math
- 4 credits Science: Biology, IPC or Chemistry or Physics, 3rd Science, 4th Science
- 3 credits Social Studies: World Geography or World History, US History (junior level course), Government and Economics (taken senior year after US History)
- 2 credits in the same Foreign Language
- 1 credit PE
- 1 credit Fine Arts
- 7 credits which come from electives or additional cores to total 26 state credits
All LISD students are encouraged to consider earning the Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA). Distinguished Level of Achievement requires:
4 credits in math, including Algebra II
4 credits in science
successful completion of at least one endorsement
Suggested Timelines
Seniors
- Complete and finalize college applications
- Beat-not meet-application deadlines.
- Begin applying for scholarships; be mindful of priority deadlines
- Search for local scholarships; check the counselors page of the FMHS website for updated listings, utilize the scholarship search engine on Choices 360
- Complete the FAFSA; many scholarships require FAFSA to be completed
- Visit colleges and/or attend college fairs
- Visit with college reps during their lunch time visits to campus (calendar of visits is posted on the counselors page of the FMHS website)
- Retake SAT/ACT if needed to improve scholarship opportunities
- Stay focused on doing well in courses and maintain commitment to extracurricular activities
Juniors
- Concentrate on a more specific path: college, vocational/technical school, workforce, military, etc...
- Register to take the ASVAB in October (if struggling to find a career field option)
- Begin taking SAT and/or ACT in the spring
- Visit colleges and/or attend college fairs
- Visit with college reps during their lunch time visits to campus (calendar of visits is posted on the counselors page of the FMHS website)
- Begin to narrow a list of college choices
- Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if pursuing college athletics
- Continue to build your resume on Choices 360
Sophomores
- Challenge yourself in areas of strength
- Get involved
- Begin your resume: community service, school involvement, grades, leadership and work experience. Document as you go (Choices 360)
- Take the PSAT in October (FMHS will pay for and register you for this)
- Take career interest inventories online through Choices 360 or other websites
- Visit colleges and/or attend college fairs
- If you are planning on pursuing college athletics, view the NCAA website and be aware of requirements
- Look for ways to make your summer productive; part-time job, internship, etc...