PHS Guidance & College and Careers
March Updates
Important Dates Coming Up!
FAFSA Deadline
New SAT Information
Also, for student-athletes who plan to play collegiate sports, the NCAA Clearinghouse has released information regarding how they will combine/not combine old and new SAT scores for eligibility purposes: If a student takes the current SAT before March 2016 and then takes the redesigned SAT, which will be offered beginning March 2016, the NCAA Eligibility Center will not combine section scores from the current and redesigned SAT when determining a student's initial eligibility. The NCAA Eligibility Center will only combine section scores from the same version of the test. Because the redesigned SAT varies in design and measures different academic concepts than the current SAT, a numerical score on the current test may not be equivalent to the same numerical score on the redesigned test.
Transition Fair - Avon
A transition resource fair for students with disabilities and their families will be held on March 10th from 6:00PM-8:00PM at the Avon Advanced Learning Center. In addition to community vendors, break-out sessions and a large group session regarding planning for life after high school for special needs students will be available.
SAT & ACT @ PHS
Plainfield high school will host the SAT on March 5th and the ACT on April 9th. Students can register for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com and for the ACT at www.actstudent.org.
Senior Parents: Preview Night - Senior Series
PHS Seniors will be invited to participate in the "Senior Series" this April. This series includes 2 workshops which cover the most common (and current!) college transition issues that students face as they go to college.
See the information below & encourage your student to sign up with Mrs. Spillane:
PHS SENIOR SERIES 2016
Wednesday, April 6th: "Diversity on a College Campus" 3-4 p.m. in LGI; Special Guests: Dr. Khalilah Shabazz (Director, Multicultural Center @ IUPUI) & Dennis Rudnick (Associate Director, Multicultural Center @ IUPUI)
Wednesday, April 13th: "Academic & Social Changes in College" 3-4 p.m. in LGI
(more information will be shared with students at school)
*Students who attend both workshops will be entered in a drawing for a $75 Target gift card - great place to purchase college essentials!
*Food will also be provided at each workshop
Parent Preview Night - Tuesday, March 22nd @ 6 p.m. in LGI
This is for parents/family members only (students do not need to attend)!
Come hear what topics will be covered in the Senior Series.
This will help parents and family members have meaningful conversations with their student as they transition into this new phase in their life. Attending Parent Preview Night will also allow parents to get a front row look at what topics will be covered in each workshop.
PHS Community Career Fair
Save the Date!
Wednesday, April 27th
PHS Fieldhouse
Open to PHS students only: 2-3 p.m. (See flyer below for PHS students)
Open to all students, parents, and community members: 3-4 p.m. & 5-7 p.m.
*More information to come!
Junior College Planning Night
Mark your calendars, Juniors & families of current Juniors!
Junior College Planning Night (students & parents) will be Thursday, May 5th at 6 p.m. in the PHS Auditorium. Representatives from ISM College Planning will present on items ranging from choosing the right college and college major to the financial aid process and maximizing scholarship opportunities. All college-bound juniors and their families should plan to attend this informational event.
Stay Informed via Naviance!
Students and parents are encouraged to log-in to Naviance regularly to stay up-to-date on important updates and reminders from the guidance office. In addition to various college and career resources, current scholarship opportunities, college rep presentations, as well as college preview days are provided are Naviance. For students, your Naviance username is your student ID number, and your password is your 8-digit birthday. Parents logging into Naviance for the first time must enter a registration code to create an account and gain access to the site. Your registration code is your 10-digit home telephone number (including area code). Please contact the guidance office with additional questions/concerns regarding Naviance.
Pre-Enrollment
Counselors are continuing to meet with students individually to review course requests for next year, graduation/diploma requirements and post-secondary plans.
April 30th is the deadline for making any changes to course requests for next year!
Indiana Online Academy Summer Session
Would you like to enjoy your summer and earn high school credits too? Want to work at your own pace and on your own time? Need flexibility for travel, band, or sports camps? You should consider enrolling in an Indiana Online Academy (IOA) course this summer! IOA offers flexibility to students to enjoy their summer while earning high school credits to work ahead, recover credits, or stay on track for graduation. IOA registration is April 11 – June 2, and classes will be held June 6 – July 21. Students will take IOA final exams at the end of the summer session online at PHS. In order to enroll in IOA for the summer session, students must complete the PHS Correspondence Credit/Online Coursework Approval Form (available in the guidance office) and register online at www.indianaonlineacademy.org.
Summer Programs for High School Students
Using summers for enrichment of some sort, whether that be through employment, internship, volunteerism, mission trips, athletic camps, or academic programs is a great use of a student's time & helps build a well-rounded resume. If students are interested in a particular college which offers summer programming, it is always advisable to consider that option as it allows students to see the campus, perhaps build strong relationships with professors and staff, and actually experience life on that campus prior to applying.
Mrs. Spillane has put together a list of summer programs, which is continually updated. To view the list, go to 'Document Library', just to the right of the homepage in Naviance. Once in the 'Document Library' click on Summer Programs and download the list. Ask Mrs. Spillane if you have any questions!
AP Exams
Students in AP courses are expected to submit order forms by March 18th. The 2016 AP Exam fees are $92 per exam; Math, English and science exams for juniors and seniors are paid for by the state of Indiana. Checks should be made payable to Plainfield High School.
Students must attend the AP Pizza Party in the LGI during their lunch period on Thursday, April 14th. Students will be entering data onto their answer sheets before testing and will get some last minute information.
Check apstudent.collegeboard.com for more information and for sample test questions.
Two PHS Seniors Inducted into National Technical Honor Society
College & Career Advisor - Extended Hours
I will be available every Thursday from 3-6 p.m. to meet and answer questions for students and parents.
Not sure what to ask? Take a look at common topics covered for each grade level.
*Naviance will be covered for all grades
9th Grade - School & community involvement, introduction to resume building
10th Grade - Exploring career clusters, job-shadowing, continued resume building
11th Grade - Connecting extracurricular involvement to resume, college visits, career exploration, SAT/ACT
12th Grade - College application process, financial aid & scholarships, other post-secondary options for students not attending college, continued resume building and interview skills
Call or email to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments will receive priority. aspillane@plainfield.k12.in.us or 317-754-2210