SHS Counseling Newsletter
March 2021
VIRTUAL SENIOR DAY: The Nuts & Bolts Edition (current 12th grade students)
Wednesday, 3/17 at 9:30AM
In August, the counselors held a virtual senior day and addressed, in detail, post-secondary options, college applications, scholarships, Naviance, and more. If your senior missed virtual senior day or needs a refresher, they are welcome to attend.
Register in advance for this meeting - please click HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
UNDECIDED SENIOR DAY (current 12th grade students) Wednesday, 3/31, 9AM - 2PM
If your senior has not applied to college OR has not confirmed their post-graduation plans, please join us for Undecided Senior Day on March 31st. Your senior will have the opportunity to meet with Chattahoochee Technical College, Kennesaw State University for an Instant Decision on their application, and the Sprayberry Counselors to answer all of your general questions about Naviance, college applications, and financial aid. The registration links are below.
Please note that the KSU session is an individual meeting time with an admissions counselor and the Chatt Tech and Counselor sessions are group settings designed for your senior to drop in and have questions answered.
Chattahoochee Technical College Registration Link:
https://cobbk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctdeivpzItGdW_eFHK8YKfmzYwVlCBVZgW
SHS Counselor Session Registration Link:
https://cobbk12-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctc-6gqjwqGdD0dskeKRGP05FBaMTMMn8m
Kennesaw State University Registration Link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F4CA8A62FA0FC1-ksuinstant
Research supports that the focus on health and wellness can help with self-regulation of emotions and resilience to stressors. If your student would like to participate in a small group setting to concentrate on solution-focused strategies for stress management, anxiousness, worry, etc., please complete the Google form below.
NOTE: The small group will take place on Wednesdays to ensure students do not miss instructional time. Additional information will be sent after all responses are received.
Seniors Can Upload Their SAT or ACT Score to GaFutures for Zell Miller Scholarship Eligibility
Does Your Student Know How To Track Their HOPE Academic Eligibility?
Georgia’s HOPE Programs are for those students who demonstrate academic achievement, not only in high school but throughout their time in college.
Beginning in high school, Georgia students are able to track their My High School HOPE GPA through their GaFutures account to know if they are on track to earn the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship.
Now, with the My College HOPE Profile, students who have earned the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship, as well as the HOPE or Zell Miller Grant, can track their academic eligibility while attending a HOPE-eligible Georgia college or university.
Note: GAfutures accounts require the student’s Social Security number and date of birth in order to provide the student’s secure academic data.
HOPE GPA and GAfutures
**This information is pertinent for all students, especially 11th and 12th grade students.**
If your student is planning to attend college in Georgia, he or she is strongly encouraged to monitor their HOPE GPA on the GAfutures website. If they have not created an account on GAfutures, please click HERE to do so. The website is user-friendly!
To accurately monitor the HOPE GPA, the high school must have the student's social security number on file. If, for some reason, your student cannot view his or her HOPE GPA; your student needs to send an email to his or her assigned counselor to confirm that we have their social security number on file. If we do not have their social security number on file, the enrolling parent/guardian must send an email to our counseling clerk, Nury Gonzalez, at nury.gonzalez@cobbk12.org and include the following information:
- The student's first and last name
- The student ID number (lunch number)
- A copy of the parent/guardian picture ID
- A copy of the student's social security card
After all information has been received by Mrs. Gonzalez, the information will be updated in the school's student information system. Then, it will be updated in GAfutures. Please allow 2-3 business days.
*NOTE For Seniors (Class of 2021): Senior transcripts have been uploaded to GAfutures which reflect all credits earned from 9th, 10th, 11th grade.
*Students are responsible for setting up their own GAfutures account.
*If a student forgets his or her GAfutures username and/or password, the student is responsible for contacting GAfutures directly. The local high school does NOT have access to reset usernames and/or passwords.
Questions About HOPE, Zell Miller Scholarship, or FAFSA?
GAfutures hosts virtual consultations with students and their families who have questions about HOPE Scholarship, the Zell Miller Scholarship, FAFSA, etc. Please schedule a virtual consultation with our Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) rep, Marcus Hilliard. Click HERE to schedule a virtual consultation with him. It is a FREE service!
Webinar Opportunity: The FAFSA
Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Times: 5:00-6:00PM EST
Overview: Millions of dollars are left on the table each year because students don’t submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The information in this webinar will help make the FAFSA easier to complete. Follow along with Jessica as we guide her through the FAFSA process, from creating an FSA ID to comparing Financial Aid packages. Although the "F" in FAFSA stands for free, by the end of this webinar it will also stand for fun and fast!
Presented by:
Direct Registration Link:
*This webinar is sponsored by Georgia Student Finance Commission.
Attend NACAC Virtual College Fairs - Do Not Delay, Sign Up Today!
Students have the opportunity to find the college that best fits them at an upcoming NACAC Virtual College Fair.
It's easy! Just drop in on Zoom sessions offered by hundreds of colleges. It's one day to explore their options and get started on their college dreams.
They will have the opportunity to hear about student life, majors and programs, financial aid, scholarships, and more; plus ask questions and text chat!
Click HERE to sign up and start exploring.
Virtual College Rep Visits @ SHS
College Rep Visits are held on Wednesdays only to ensure students' instructional time is not impacted.
Currently, we have the following colleges/universities who have signed up and ready to meet with our students.
- University of Alabama Birhimingham - Wednesday, 3/24 @ 12:30 PM
- Jacksonville State University - Wednesday, 3/31 @ 12:30 PM
- Pennsylvania State University - Wednesday, 3/31 @ 1:30 PM
DON'T DELAY, SIGN UP TODAY!
*NOTE: Cobb County School District assigned every student with a Naviance account. If your student does not recall their username and/or password, the student needs to send an email to their assigned counselor.
Procedure to Request an UNOFFICIAL Transcript
- The student's first and last name
- The student ID (lunch number)
- A copy of the student's photo ID (or school ID)
Procedure to Request an OFFICIAL Transcript
Click HERE to be directed to the SHS Counseling website!
Important: ParentVUE and StudentVUE Information
ParentVUE is a platform for parents to monitor their student's grades and check attendance.
For assistance with ParentVUE, please send an email to our Front Office clerk, Michelle Pace, at michelle.pace@cobbk12.org. In your email, please include your student's first and last name as well as their student ID (lunch number).
StudentVUE allows students the opportunity to monitor their grades, which helps promote student accountability. Student accountability is an important trait to develop in our students. It helps them take responsibility for their actions, learning, and helps improve academic performance and achievements.
If your student does not have a StudentVUE account, your student must send an email to our Media Specialist, Paula Axford, at paula.axford@cobbk12.org. In the email, the student should include their first and last name as well as their student ID (lunch number).
2020-2021 SHS Counseling Department
Email: lea.ponticelli@cobbk12.org
Ms. Chyna Montgomery-Rich, supply counselor, Alpha: E - Li
Email: Chyna.montgomery-rich@cobbk12.org
Dr. Brandy Brady, Alpha: Ll - Roc and DE for Chatt Tech
Department Chair
Email: brandy.brady@cobbk12.org
Dr. Tammy White, Alpha: Rod - Z and DE for KSU
Email: tammy.white@cobbk12.org
Mrs. Nury Gonzalez, Counseling Clerk
Email: nury.gonzalez@cobbk12.org
Mrs. Martha Gribble, Registrar
Email: Martha.gribble@cobbk12.org
CONNECT WITH US ON INSTAGRAM: @sprayberrycounseling
CONNECT WITH US ON TWITTER: @sprayberrycounse1ing
Website: www.sprayberrycounseling.com
Location: 2525 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA, USA
Phone: (770) 578-3200