WB Counselor Connection
News & Info for the WB Community October 21, 2020
In this issue:
Unity Day
FAFSA Workshops for seniors and their parents Thursday!
OSTC Cosmetology Program
OSTC Informational Video & Brochure
OSTC Career Nights
FAFSA Tutorials
MegaCast Video- Mrs. Essig
College Application Month
Application Fee Waivers for October only!
Virtual College Tours - Colleges in Michigan
AP Testing Registration Information
Salute to Young Heroes - Delta Sigma Theta
Karsh STEM Scholars Program - Howard University
College Rep Virtual Visits
Fox Run is hiring
Scholarships
Elks Scholarship
Prudential Spirit of Community Scholarships
Check Twitter Daily for Additional Scholarships @WBHSCounseling #WBHSScholarships2021
Unity Day 2020
More than 1 out of every 5 students report being bullied.
October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This year, a worldwide pandemic and a growing movement for racial equity and social justice have highlighted the need to unite communities for a better future. It is more important than ever to join together in creating a world that is kinder, more accepting, and more inclusive.
On Wednesday, October 21 WBHS will recognize Unity Day virtually. Please wear orange on Wednesday to show your support for bullying prevention and stand united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
· Post your photos wearing orange to your social media accounts and tag them with #UnityDay2020
· Write UNITY DAY messages with orange chalk on sidewalks or driveways
· Place orange hearts in the windows at home - Tie orange ribbons around trees or fences
· Share bullying prevention posts
Here are some suggestions for your social media posts:
Today is Unity Day! We are wearing orange to show that we are together against bullying and united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Together, we can make it orange and make it end! #UnityDay2020
Why are we wearing orange today? For Unity Day! The color orange provides a powerful, visually compelling expression of solidarity for bullying prevention. By coming together and wearing orange, we hope to send a unified message to kids that they aren’t alone. #UnityDay2020
Wear and share orange to support bullying prevention. This day provides a visual spotlight to the energy of National Bullying Prevention Month, focusing on kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. #UnityDay2020
Together Against Bullying, United for Kindness, Acceptance, and Inclusion. We are excited to be celebrating #UnityDay2020!
Seniors - FAFSA WORKSHOPS
Seniors and parents -
If you find that you need help and support filling out the FAFSA, the WB Counseling Department is sponsoring two FAFSA Workshops. Click on the link here to sign up to meet virtually with a Financial Aid Officer from Oakland University who can assist all families with the FAFSA regardless of where your child plans to attend college
FAFSA Workshop with Carrie Gilchrist
10/22/2020 (Thu.)
FAFSA Workshop with Carrie Gilchrist
11/16/2020 (Mon.)
Through the link you will be able to reserve your spot, access the FSA ID instructions and the FAFSA Checklist, as well as receive an email reminder to attend three days before the event. The registration deadline is 24 hours in advance of the workshop so they can send the Zoom links to participants the morning of their workshop.
OSTC - Cosmetology Information
OSTC Informational Video
OSTC Virtual Career Nights
OSTC Information Brochure
Mrs. Essig - MegaCast Guest
Seniors - Application Fee Waivers for October
October is College Application Month! Please click on the link below to see a variety of college application fee waivers for colleges in Michigan. October only!
CMU - Fireup2021
EMU - MBS
MSU - MSU1855
Wayne State University - MCAW2021
It pays to read this newsletter! We are always looking for ways to save you money.
Also, if you are on the Free and Reduced Lunch Program, see your counselor for additional waivers that are available.
https://michigancollegeaccessnetwork.app.box.com/s/efafrnyj2twfa2k1tssbptdxjhycvzot
Virtual Tours of Colleges in Michigan
AP Testing Registration - IMPORTANT!!
For the 2021 AP Exams, students at West Bloomfield High School will be registering online using TWO SEPARATE WEBSITES. This registration will take a few minutes and can be completed from any computer with internet access.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE PAYMENT FOR AP EXAMS WILL BE DONE ONLINE THROUGH THE TOTAL REGISTRATION WEBSITE only!!!
In order to register, students should visit:
1)CollegeBoard/AP registration (it is best to use the same account
–log in, password, etc -- used for PSAT and SAT testing)
2)www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/23288 (it will make sense to go in this website order)
For both websites (AP and TR) you will need a JOIN CODE furnished by each individual AP teacher. Be careful not to mix up COURSE JOIN CODES.
***This year, each AP exam costs $120.00 each. There is a price structure – depending on when you pay. If you qualify for free/reduced lunch, please contact either Mrs. Brody (karen.brody@wbsd.org) or Ms. Wegrzynowicz (joanne.wegrzynowicz@wbsd.org) for possible financial assistance BEFORE the regular registration deadline of October 23, 2020.
***If you have been approved by the College Board (this is different from ACT) or have applied for accommodations with your counselor for extended time testing or other special accommodations, please contact Mrs. Brody BEFORE the registration deadline.
***We know that parents may desire to register their students for exams. We strongly recommend that parents and student are both present while registering to ensure the correct exams are ordered (for example, parents have accidentally registered students for AP English Literature instead of AP English Language or AP United States History instead of AP United State Government or AP World History).
Here are the important dates for the registration process:
- Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020– Friday, October 23 at 11:00 pm $120.00 per exam + payment fee to TR
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020 – Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, at 11:00 pm $125.00 per exam (late fee)+ fee
- Any exam that is canceled AFTER Nov. 13 automatically forfeits at least $45.00 in fees to AP.
- The later a test is canceled, even less of the fee is returned. (This does not apply to 2nd sem. courses such as Micro Economics which has separate deadlines)
- Registrations that have not been paid for by Nov. 13 will be canceled and exams will not be ordered. Please contact Mrs. Brody if you would like to register for an exam not listed.
*The school’s refund policy is listed on the Total Registration website. If a student is absent for an exam due to illness or other reasons, additional administrative costs will be incurred if an alternate exam is able to be administered. In several circumstances, an alternate exam may not be available.
Upcoming College Rep Virtual Visits
Wed, Oct 21, 2020 at 1:00: PM Washington University at St. Louis
Mon, Oct 26, 2020 at 1:30: PM Northern Michigan University
Tue, Oct 27, 2020 at 1:30: PM University of Detroit Mercy
Wed, Oct 28, 2020 at 11:00 AM Kalamazoo College
Wed, Oct 28, 2020 at 12:00: PM Claflin University
Wed, Oct 28, 2020 at 1:00: PM Rochester University (MI)
Wed, Oct 28, 2020 at 2:00: PM Tuskegee University
Mon, Nov 2 ,2020 at 1:00: PM Western Michigan University
Mon, Nov 2, 2020 at 2:15: PM Cleveland State University
Wed, Nov 4, 2020 Eastern Michigan University Virtual Onsite
Wed, Nov 4, 2020 at 12:00 PM Adrian College
Wed, Nov 4, 2020 Claflin University Virtual Onsite
Thurs, Nov 5, 2020 at 1:00 PM Indiana University in Bloomington
Wed, Nov 11, 2020 at 1:00 PM Wilberforce University
Salute to Young Heroes Event - Delta Sigma Theta
Karsh STEM Scholars Program at Howard University
Juniors and Seniors - The Virtual College and Career Center in Canvas is now LIVE!
Parents - You can view the information by being an "observer" of your student in Canvas.
Below are some helpful links for Canvas.
NACAC College Fairs - Register now!
FALL SCHEDULE
Log in on these fair dates to meet with 600+ colleges and universities.
Sunday, Nov. 8
2 - 10 p.m. ET
For more information, visit: https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/students/
Looking for a job?
SCHOLARSHIPS - Where to look
Please note that Ms. Essig posts all scholarship information on our Twitter account. You do not have to have a Twitter account to read the posts. We post opportunities in the newsletter twice and then remove them. Please follow the Twitter page for the most up-to-date opportunities!
https://twitter.com/WBHSCounseling
Look for #WBHSScholarships2020.
How do I find scholarships?
1. Apply for Financial Aid after October 1st. www.FAFSA.gov
2. Check with each college in which you are applying for merit based scholarships and deadlines.
3. Check for memorial and alumni scholarship opportunities at each college in which you may qualify.
4. Check with student’s/parent’s employer, banks/credit union, religious & civic affiliations, etc. for scholarships.
5. Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/WBHSCounseling Click on the hashtag #WBHSScholarships2021.
6. Read the Counselor Connection
7. Conduct a search by using a national search engine, such as www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, www.myscholly.com, etc. Be sure to create an email address just for these searches as students will receive a lot of email. There is no need to pay money for these services! Watch for scams!
8. Check Careeronestop: https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx
9. College Board Opportunity Scholarships. https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/
10. For more information: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships#how-find
11. Remember it takes work to receive most scholarships! You won't know if you don't try!
Elks Scholarship
Awards:
- The Elks National Foundation will award 500 four-year scholarships to the highest-rated applicants in the 2021 competition.
- Male and female students compete separately.
Ranging from $1,000 per year to $12,500 per year, Most Valuable Student scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), in a U.S. college or university. All scholarships are in the form of certificates of award conditional upon the full-time enrollment of the winner in an accredited U.S. college or university.
The Chicago office of the Elks National Foundation will announce the 500 national winners in late April 2021. (Many local Lodges, districts, and state Elks associations award their own scholarships through this program. These scholarships are not to be confused with the 500 Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarships.)
The 20 Top Finalists traditionally participate in an all-expenses-paid Leadership Weekend in Chicago during which they’ll interview with the national judges. These 20 Finalists will be vying for two first-place awards of $50,000; two second-place awards of $40,000; and two third-place awards of $30,000. The remaining 14 finalists will receive awards of $20,000. The 480 runners-up will receive fifth-place scholarships of $4,000.
Eligibility:
- Current high school seniors or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.
- Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.
- High school graduates are not eligible to apply.
- Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.
Scholarships with November deadlines
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards
Important Contacts
WBHS Counseling Department
A-CU Kelly Casinelli
CV-HA Joanne Wegrzynowicz
HB-LO Karen Brody
LP-PO Felicia Neumann
PR-TE Lisa Thompkins
TF-Z John Hepper
College & Career Counselor Noelle Essig
Administrative Staff
Mr. Eric Pace, Principal
Ashleigh Larkin, Assistant Principal
Eric Pierce, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Jamie Glinz, Assistant Principal
Dr. Stephanie Griffin, Assistant Principal
Email: noelle.essig@wbsd.org
Website: https://www.wbsd.org/west-bloomfield-high-school/counseling-office
Location: 4925 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248)865-6768
Twitter: @WBHSCounseling
OK2SAY
1-855-565-2729
Text - 652729
https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Text - HELLO to 741741