Courtland Counseling Newsletter
Let's make your future happen!
In this issue
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12: Upcoming Events
Grade 12: Senior Events
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12: AP Exam Schedule
Grades 9, 10, 11: Underclass SOL Test Schedule
Grades 9, 10, 11: Underclass Exam Schedule
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12: Spotsylvania County Schools Summer School
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12: College Decision Day
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12: Scholarship Information
Grades 9, 10, 11: College Financial Aid and the FAFSA
Grade 11: The Common App Essay Prompts
Grades 9, 10, 11: Free SAT Test Prep
Grades 9, 10, 11: Applying to a Military Academy?
Grades 9, 10, 11, 12: Support Group information for LGBTQ families and students
Please see the separate articles for Senior Events (including exam schedule), AP Exam schedule, Underclass SOL Test schedule and Underclass Exam schedule.
May 19 & 20: Interims given to students
May 30: Holiday
June 8 – Underclass Awards Assemblies
June 10: Deadline to register for the 100% Virtual Course Summer Program
June 14, 15, 16, and 17: Early Release – students will be dismissed at 11:15 a.m.
June 17: Last Day of School
June 20: Deadline to pay at CHS for Summer School
June 22: Late registration for Summer School, Riverbend High School, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Senior Events
May 11 & 12: Seniors SOL tests
May 26: Senior Convocation, 8:30 a.m., CHS auditorium
May 26: Senior Picnic following Convocation
June 1 & June 2: Senior Exam Reviews
June 3: Senior Exams: B5 and B6
June 6: Senior Exams: A1 and A2
June 7: Senior Exams: B7 and B8
June 8: Senior Exams: A3 and A4
June 10: Graduation Practice, 9:00 a.m., Required event
June 11: Graduation, 3:00 p.m. (Seniors arrive at 2:00 pm)
Senior Exam Exemption Policy: In order to be exempt from taking a final exam, a senior must have an 80 average in the course for the year. This policy includes all general, advanced, AP, and Dual Enrollment courses. Grades are not weighted when determining cumulative averages.
AP Exam Schedule
May 2: Environmental Science and Psychology
May 3: Spanish and Physics
May 4: English Literature (Grade 12)
May 5: Calculus AB and BC
May 6: US History and European History
May 9: Biology and Music Theory
May 10: US Government and French
May 11: English Language (Grade 11)
May 12: World History, Comparative Government and Statistics
May 13: Human Geography and Latin
May 19: Chemistry
Underclass SOL Test Schedule
May 17: Algebra Double-Block
May 23: Algebra 1
May 24: Geometry
May 25: Algebra II
May 26 & 27: Math SOL Make-up testing
June 2: A1 and A3*
June 3: B5 and B7*
June 6: A2 and A4*
June 7: B6 and B8*
June 8: SOL Make-up testing
June 9: Math SOL Re-takes
June 14, 15, 16, & 17: SOL Re-takes
*full school days
Underclass Exam Schedule
June 10 & 13: Exam Review
June 14: Exams A1 and A3
June 15: Exams B5 and B7
June 16: Exams A2 and A4
June 17: Exams B6 and B8
Summer School
Summer School, held this year at Riverbend High 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. Please consult with your student’s teacher to determine if summer school is needed.
There is also an option for motivated students to take a new course "virtually," meaning 100% online.
This year, registration for these high school summer programs is ONLINE. The link can be found on the division website, or by clicking here. Registration is open now and should be completed as soon as possible.
Payment for regular, on-site summer school still needs to be made at Courtland High School. Payment for the 100% Virtual Summer School Program will be made at a mandatory meeting on June 20th.
Important Dates to Remember:
On-Site Summer School:
June 20 - Deadline to pay at Courtland by 4pm
June 22 - Late payment at Riverbend HS from 2pm to 6pm
100% Virtual Summer School:
June 10 - Deadline to complete online registration
June 20 - Mandatory parent and student meeting at Riverbend, 8:30 to 10:30.
Courtland's 2nd Annual #CollegeDecisionDay
Looking for Scholarship Money?
Many students/families have been inquiring about scholarships and grants to help pay for college. Please remember to check Naviance for potential assistance opportunities with college (Colleges Tab, Scholarships and Money Section).
Other websites to browse are:
collegegrantsandscholarships.com
And, please do NOT forget to complete your FAFSA Application (Seniors A.S.A.P, Juniors October 2016).
COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID and the FAFSA
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the application that current and future college students must complete to apply for federal student aid, which includes Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study opportunities. Families will work with college financial aid offices after their FAFSA data has been returned to determine what types and how much student aid is available.
On September 14, 2015 there were some exciting changes to the FAFSA:
Students will be able to file the 2017-18 FAFSA as early as October 1, 2016, rather than beginning on January 1, 2017. This a permanent change and will help families start planning earlier for college expenses.
Beginning with the 2017-18 FAFSA, a student or their parents can report two year's prior (2015) income information instead of their immediate prior (2016) information.
For more information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, visit https://fafsa.ed.gov/.
The Common Application Essay Prompts
The Common Application, known as 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 2016 – 2017, and this summer would be a great time to start an application essay draft. The 2016 – 2017 essay prompts are:
1. 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.
2. 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?
3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
4. 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.
5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.
For more information on the Common App: www.commonapp.org.
FREE SAT PREP
The College Board and Khan Academy have partnered to provide a free SAT prep program.
Khan Academy is a free website that offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and personalized learning in a variety of subjects and specialized content.
Khan Academy’s SAT Practice Program includes full-length practice SAT tests, diagnostic assessments, videos showing step-by-step solutions to the problems, and comprehensive math and reading/writing tutorials that cover the skills tested on the SAT.
Students who have taken the PSAT and/or SAT can also link their College Board and Khan Academy accounts to receive personalized recommendations and practice.
For more information and instructions on setting up a Khan Academy account and linking accounts, click here.
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. We also live in one of the most competitive areas in the nation! It is important to ask for the nominations as soon as possible. The key is to start early and submit a competitive application.
For more information visit:
United States Military Academy:
United States Air Force Academy:
800 – 443 - 9266
http://www.academyadmissions.com
United States Naval Academy:
410 – 293 – 4361
Support Group Information for LGBTQ families and students
Parents/Guardians, do you have an LGBTQ child who may be struggling? If so, there is a support group just for them! Please see the flyer below.
Contact info: email counseling@fahass.org or call 540.371.7532 x111
There is also a support group for parents/families who are struggling or have questions regarding their LGBTQ child. Please see the information below.
Counseling Department
Mrs. Emily Hall …………….…. Counselor A — De
Mr. Bart Nave ………….… Counselor Di—Kh
Ms. Kashima Morrison………... Counselor Ki—Ra
kmorrison@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Ms. Mary Nelson ………….... Counselor Re— Z