Courtland Counseling Newsletter
Let's make your future happen!
In this issue
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12: Upcoming Events
Grades 9, 10, 11: Summer Schedule for Counselors
Grade 11: College Application Process Boot Camp
Grade 11: SAT Prep Course
Grades 9, 10, 11: Goodbye...Hello!
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12: Summer School
Grade 11: The Common App Essay Prompts
Grade 11: Applying to a Military Academy?
June 13: ACT
June 18: Deadline to register students for Summer School
June 18: Late registration for Summer School, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Chancellor High School
June 22: Summer School begins for new courses and 1st Session for repeat courses
July 13: Summer School begins for 2nd session repeat courses
August 12: Boot Camp for Seniors and their parents, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
August 20: Boot Camp for Seniors and their parents, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
TBD: Back-to-School Night for Freshmen and New Students, 6:00 p.m.
September 8: First day of school!!
SUMMER SCHEDULE FOR COUNSELORS
The Counseling Office is staffed Monday - Thursday during the summer; however each counselor has a varied schedule. If you would like to talk with your counselor and he/she is not in the office, please send an email or leave a message, and we will get back to you on our next day in school.
RISING SENIORS AND PARENTS
BOOT CAMP!
THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
The college application process has become more complicated, time consuming, and can be confusing: Naviance, the Common App, matching accounts, letters of recommendation, early decision vs early action; What should be done first? How are transcripts sent? Can transcripts and letters of recommendation be requested before the student submits the application? Find out what your child needs to know and how to get it done so that the process works for you!
SAT PREP Program for Juniors (Rising Seniors)
The CHS Counseling Department is sponsoring an SAT Prep program this summer. The SAT is required by many colleges, and student scores on this test are one of the top considerations in college admissions. This is a great opportunity for your student to prepare to take the SAT or, if they have already taken the SAT, to improve their scores.
This program will consist of a full-length diagnostic SAT, an analysis of weak areas in math and reading, and targeted instruction. Enrollment is limited to 20 students and is on a first come – first served basis.
Step 1: Students register and pay the tuition. Complete the registration form at the end of this section and return it with tuition to Mrs. Markland in the Counseling Office by June 18. The tuition is $20; checks should be made payable to Courtland High School.
Tuition waivers are available to students who currently receive free or reduced lunch.
Step 2: Students will take a diagnostic SAT at Courtland on one of four days: Monday, July 13; Thursday, July 16; Monday, July 20; OR Thursday, July 23 (the test will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m.). Please make sure your student marks his/her choice of days on the registration form. Data from the student’s test will be analyzed to determine areas in English and math that need improvement and given to the SAT Prep class instructors.
Step 3: Students will attend instructional prep sessions in English and/or math at Courtland High School in August. See schedule below. At the end of the course, teachers will provide students with suggestions and resource for follow-up work.
Please contact your counselor if you have any questions.
SAT Prep Sessions: all classes will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
English
Monday, August 3
Monday, August 10
Monday, August 17
Monday, August 24
Math
Thursday, August 6
Thursday, August 13
Thursday, August 20
Thursday, August 27
Goodbye...Hello!
Goodbye!
Not sure if many of you know this, but Mr. DeSando will be retiring after 34 years as an educator! We will miss Mr. DeSando's sense of humor, early bird mentality, math ability, and old school ways. He is getting ready for a new chapter in his life, and we wish him well!Hello!
Taking over for Mr. DeSando is Ms. Morrison! She is coming to us from Brockport, NY! She received her Masters in Counselor Education from The College at Brockport. She completed her internships at Batavia High School and Batavia Middle School in Batavia, NY. She has also worked as a Community Based Prevention Counselor for the Center for Youth in Rochester, NY. She will be joining us in August. Please welcome her to the Courtland family with a little southern hospitality! :)
SUMMER SCHOOL
Summer School is a great opportunity if your student does not pass a course needed for graduation and may be necessary to keep students on track to graduate on time. Students are eligible to repeat a course if they have earned a cumulative average of at least 50% for the year in the course he/she wishes to repeat.
Please consult with your student’s teacher to determine if summer school is an option.
Summer School booklets and registration forms are available in the Counseling office.
NOTE: Registration deadline is June 18. Late registration will be held at Chancellor High School on June 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. No registration forms will be accepted after this time.
APPLYING TO A MILITARY ACADEMY?
(Hint: Start Early!!) Applying to a military academy is a lengthier and more involved process than applying to a regular 4-year college or university. For example, nominations must be obtained from Congressional Representatives and a physical aptitude exam and medical exam are required. The key is to start early.
For more information visit:
United States Military Academy
United States Air Force Academy
THE COMMON APP ESSAY PROMPTS
The Common App is a college application that is accepted by more than 500 colleges and universities across the United States and in Europe. The chances are that your student will use the Common App to apply to one or more college(s).
The Common App has just released its essay prompts for 2015 – 2016, and this summer would be a great time to start an application essay draft.
The 2015 – 2016 essay prompts are:
- Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
- The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience
- Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
- Describe a problem you’ve solved or a problem you’d like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
- Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
Counseling Department
Mrs. Emily Hall …………….…. Counselor A — De
Mr. Bart Nave ………….… Counselor Di—Kh
Mr. Dave DeSando ………... Counselor Ki—Ra
ddesando@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Ms. Mary Nelson ………….... Counselor Re— Z