Counselor Connection
Morristown West Counseling Dept. Newsletter
November/December 2019
Tennessee Governor's Schools
The Tennessee Governor’s Schools are summer programs for current 10th and 11th grade students currently enrolled in Tennessee’s public and private high schools. The programs are academically demanding and require students who are high achievers. Eligible students typically rank in the top of their high school class in academic performance/capability or are highly talented in the arts. Each Governor’s School application outlines specific student eligibility criteria.
Governor's School programs are offered in the following disciplines: Agricultural Sciences, Arts, Business Innovation & Technology, Computational Physics, Emerging Technologies, Humanities, Integration of Biological & Statistical Sciences, International Studies, Prospective Teachers, Sciences & Engineering, and Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage. These programs are held at different universities across the state. At some of the schools, students may have the opportunity to take college level classes and earn college credits.
Applications for each program and more information are available on-line. Completed applications are due to Mrs. Byrd in the Counseling Office on or before November 20.
Community Service Opportunities
These activities can be used to help fulfill the TN Promise requirement for 8 hours of community service. Any hours students complete must be registered on-line with TN Promise.
- A Salute to Heritage Park - November 16th, 10:00 AM - 7:45 PM at Heritage Park. Volunteers are needed for several types of tasks throughout the day. E-mail Vikki at vikki@douglascherokee.org to sign up
- Thanksgiving Baskets - November 22, 3:30-5:30 PM at Central Services, 2450 S Cumberland St, Morristown. Help is needed sorting boxes. Students will check in at the main entrance of Central Services. There will be a sign-in sheet there for TN Promise Hours.
FAFSA
If you need help completing the FAFSA, please contact the Counseling Office at 423-581-1600 to schedule an appointment.
Another resource for help is the Educational Opportunity Center. Please call them at 423-319-6940 or 423-748-4635 to schedule an appointment.
FAFSA Frenzy
Please bring the following information:
Student:
- Laptop
- Social Security Number
- Date of birth
- Copy of 2018 tax return, if filed
Parent(s):
- Date of marriage/re-marriage/divorce/death of spouse - month and year only
- E-mail address
- Social Security Number
- Date of birth
- Tax information for 2018, including tax returns and W-2 forms
UT Promise
UT Promise is a new undergraduate scholarship program guaranteeing free tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying Tennessee residents attending UT’s campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin and Memphis. UT Promise is a student-success oriented scholarship program that requires students to complete volunteer service hours and meet with a volunteer mentor each semester to ensure a successful student experience.
Qualifying students must meet the following criteria:
- Tennessee resident
- Family household income under $50,000/year
- Receive the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
- Be admitted and attend any UT campus
- Complete 8 volunteer service hours and participate in mentoring each semester
Interested students may find more information, including a timeline and the application, here. A separate application is required for this program! The deadline to apply for UT Promise is to December 15.
2019-2020 AP Changes
The AP experience will largely remain the same but there are a few administrative changes that will go into effect in the 19-20 school year:
· Starting in the 19-20 school year, for AP classes that start in the fall, exams will be ordered in the fall. This process will be through the student’s CollegeBoard portal and the AP teacher.
· All AP exams will be given in May 2020.
· The cost of the exams will be $94.00. There will be a price reduction for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. The reduced price will be announced from the state in the near future.
· Payments can be made by check paid to West High or online with the My Payments Plus account.
There will not be a paper registration form this year.
· If you have any questions, please contact the Counseling Office.
Payment Windows:
October 1st-November 1st for Fall AP Tests/Courses
Calculus
History
Language
January 28th-February 28th for Spring AP Tests/Courses
Art
Biology
Chemistry
Environmental Science
Government
Human Geography
Literature
Macroeconomics
Psychology
Statistics
World History
Scholarship Deadlines Approaching Soon...
Scholarships Available Now
College Scholarship Deadlines
Below is a list of FIRM scholarship deadlines for some local colleges. Please note that in some cases, students must apply and be accepted before they are able to access the scholarship application(s). Also, many schools require that ALL parts of the application are received by the deadline, including the application, application fee, test scores, and high school transcript. It is important to apply well before the stated deadlines!
Carson-Newman University - Apply Early
East Tennessee State University - December 15 priority deadline for Academic Performance Scholarships
King University - Apply Early
Middle Tennessee State University - December 1
Tennessee Tech University - December 15
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga - December 1
University of Tennessee at Knoxville - November 1 (for competitive scholarships, honors programs); December 15 (general)
Walters State Community College - February 1
Important Dates and Deadlines
November 7 - Open House, 4:00-6:00 PM
EOC Testing Dec. 4-19
- December 4 – English I, II part 1- 1st & 3rd periods
- December 5 – English I, II part 1- 2nd & 4th periods
- December 6 – US History part 1
- December 9 – US History part 2
- December 10 – English I, II part 2
- December 11 - English I, II part 3- 1st & 3rd periods
- December 12 – English I, II part 3- 2nd & 4th periods
- December 13 – Biology
- December 16 – Math part 1
- December 17 – Math part 2
- December 18 – Math part 3
- December 19 – Make-up Testing
Nov. 2, 2019 - July 1, 2020 - complete and report 8 hours of community service (must report on-line) (Please note that students may only use community service hours performed between these dates.)
February 1: Complete FAFSA to ensure Tennessee Student Assistance Grant availability (based on income) and TN Promise eligibility
March 4: Mandatory TN Promise meeting at 5:30PM at West High cafeteria (arrive by 5:00)
April 15: Deadline to submit Work Ethic Diploma Requirements
April 15: Deadline to submit Tennessee Scholars Applications
College Admissions Events
These events require registration. Please click on the hyperlinked college/university name to register.
November 9
February 29
March 21
Middle Tennessee State University
February 22 True Blue Preview
March 21 True Blue Preview
University of Tennessee Chattanooga
November 9 Blue and Gold Preview
West High ACT Code 431-587 (Where your scores are sent)
West High Test Center Code 193810 (Where you take the test)
Upcoming Exam Dates
*December 14, 2019 - registration deadline is November 8 (November 22 for late registration)
*February 8, 2020 - registration deadline is January 10 (January 17 for late registration)
*April 4, 2020 - registration deadline is February 28 (March 13 for late registration)
June 13, 2020 - registration deadline is May 8 (May 22 for late registration)
July 18, 2020 - registration deadline is June 19 (June 26 for late registration)
Please visit www.act.org for information about late registration and photo upload deadlines.
*The test will be administered at Morristown West High School on these dates
Students will not be admitted to the test center without an admission ticket.
December 7, 2019 - registration deadline November 8 (November 26 for late registration)
March 14, 2020 - registration deadline February 14 (March 3 for late registration)
May 2, 2020 - registration deadline April 3 (April 21 for late registration)
June 6, 2020 - registration deadline May 8 (May 27 for late registration)
Work Ethic Diploma
Seniors will apply in their TNN classes. Students who successfully complete the application process will earn cords to wear during the graduation ceremony. The deadline for meeting requirements and submitting completed applications is April 15, 2020. Please click here to view the Tennessee Work Ethic Diploma standards.
Counseling Office Contact Information
Students are assigned by the first letter of their last name.
- Tonya Ely: Students A-E
Erica Gillett: Students F-L
Renae Byrd: Students M-R
Melanie Justis: Students S-Z
Aimee Howerton: Counseling Office Secretary
Office Contact Information:
Fax- 423-585-3791