WCHS School Counseling Newsletter
March 2020 - Coronavirus Closure Information
WHAT'S INSIDE...
Read on for more information about the following:
- Digital Counseling Services during extended school closure
- Coronavirus Information and Resources
- General Announcements
- MVCTC Acceptance info
- College Credit Plus (CCP) Info
- ACT and SAT dates and prep info
- Senior announcements
DIGITAL COUNSELING
In case of emergency...
Counselors are still available during the Coronavirus shutdown
During this time of increasing anxiety and stress, the School Counselors will be working either from home or our school based offices. Regardless of where we are, we will still be available to offer support to students and families. We know there is much uncertainty-- unfortunately, there is a lot we still do not know about what lies ahead. We may not know for a while. But if you have questions, need support, or just need another person to talk to, we are here. Here is how you can contact us. Available methods of communication will be listed first, with contact info by counselor listed at the end of this section. Please note that email will still be our primary method of mass communication. If you cannot get into your email, let your counselor know and we will help you regain access.
Messaging and email:
- Work email addresses for email messages
- Remind app for messaging and texting
- Google Hangouts for chatting/messaging
Video:
- Skype (by request using the online Counseling Request Form)
Social Media
- Instagram: @WCHS_Counselors
- Facebook: @wchscounselorsohio
How to get the apps:
- Click here to get Google Hangouts
- Click here to download Skype
- Click here to get Remind
- You can also search "Skype," "Remind," or "Google Hangouts" in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Note: Google Hangouts Meet is another available app that we will NOT be using at this time. Make sure to choose the one that just says "Google Hangouts" and has a green bubble with quotation marks in it.
Counselor Contact Information
Ms. Brittany Brown (Last names A-D):
brbrown@wcsd.k12.oh.us for email or to send a Google Hangouts message
Remind:
- 9th and 10th grade A-D: text class code @wchs910ad to 81010
- 11th and 12th grade A-D: text class code @wchsad1112 to 81010
Mrs. Kelli Sanders (Last names E-K):
ksanders@wcsd.k12.oh.us for email or to send a Google Hangouts message
Remind:
- 9th and 10th grade E-K: text class code @9-10e-k to 81010
- 11th and 12th grade E-K:text class code @11-12e-k to 81010
Mrs. Sara Opperman (Department Chair; Last names L-Q):
sopperman@wcsd.k12.oh.us for email or to send a Google Hangouts message
Remind:
- 9th and 10th grade L-Q: text class code @910lq to 81010
- 11th and 12th grade L-Q: text class code @1112lq to 81010
Mr. Alex Wood (Last names R-Z):
awood@wcsd.k12.oh.us for email or to send a Google Hangouts message
Remind:
- 9th and 10th grade R-Z: text class code @910rz to 81010
- 11th and 12th grade R-Z: text class code @1112rz to 81010
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
Protect yourself against Coronavirus
Get Coronavirus information and support from trusted sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Info
Ohio Department of Health's Coronavirus Website
Ohio's Coronavirus information line: 1-800-4-ASK-ODH (1-800-427-5634)
Do you need help with food or other basic needs? Dial 2-1-1 from your phone to reach the United Way Help-Line 24 hours per day, or visit the United Way of Greater Dayton website to search their online resource database
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Closure and Coronavirus Info
Click the document below to view student instruction information for the duration of the closure
Closure Tips
- Check student email account daily. Email your counselor if you need help getting in.
- Email teachers with questions and concerns.
- Access textbooks online. These should be available through your Clever account. Email your teacher if you need help with access.
- Make sure you complete all assignments and assessments that you are provided, as the work you are being given now will count towards your Quarter 4 grade.
- Establish a routine, like the one mentioned in the plan above. Set your alarm to get up at a regular time, shower and eat breakfast, and then have established work time each day. Open the document above for a full example.
Credit Recovery and FuelEd
Free Internet
Sophomore MVCTC Applications
Here is the update we received from the CTC this morning, 3/16/2020:
"At this time, all acceptance meetings have been cancelled for this school year. We will find an alternative way to get that information to those accepted students.
We will be mailing status letters out to the students this year. At this time, we are holding off on mailing those until we know we will have staff in the offices to help field phone calls."
College Credit Plus
For those who missed the CCP presentation last month, please view the presentation via the link provided here. We ask that parents/guardians and students review the information: CCP Presentation
Please note the steps required to qualify:
1. Sign and return the Intent to Participate form to your counselor. We have extended the deadline to April 10th, assuming that school is able to resume on 4/6. Click here to download the form.
2. Complete the application for the college of your choice. If you are taking CCP courses here at the high school (other than German) you will need to fill out the Clark State CCP application form. For German you will need to complete the Sinclair CCP form. If you are doing both, you need to fill out both applications.
4. Students taking CCP courses here at WCHS will be given the Accuplacer exam here at a later date. Students who do not qualify will be notified and have their scheduling requests modified. Students who do qualify will be assigned to their requested courses and schedules will not be changed (contingent upon course availability and student eligibility for the course).
ACT and SAT
Fee Waivers
ACT Test Dates
Coronavirus update from ACT as of 3/16/2020:
ACT continues to closely monitor the situation regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19), with the safety of examinees and testing staff being our top priority. In making decisions regarding ACT test centers for our upcoming April test date, ACT is consulting with local government and school officials to make the appropriate decisions.If any test centers for the April test date are closed, ACT will notify impacted students and test center coordinators directly, as well as post and update information regarding the closures on this website.
4/8 - ACT
5/8 - Registration deadline for 6/13 ACT
6/19 - Registration deadline for 7/18 ACT
SAT Test Dates
Coronavirus update from SAT/CollegeBoard as of 3/16/2020:
Please note that we’re receiving a high number of test center cancellations due to COVID-19. If your test center has closed, you’ll be notified directly, telling you not to go to your testing location.
In some instances, test centers may need to close on short notice and you may not be directly notified. If you think your test center may be closed, please check your test center’s website or local media for confirmation.
Individual SAT test center closings can be found on the SAT Suite of Assessments site. Due to the high number of closings, this list is updated as quickly as possible, though not in real time. View test center closings.
4/3 - Registration deadline for 5/2 SAT
5/8 - Registration deadline for 6/6 SAT
FREE Test Prep. Yes, FREE!
Did you know there is free online test prep available? This would be a great activity to do during our extended closure.
SAT: www.satpractice.org
ACT: www.act.org/academy
SENIOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
What Seniors need to know this month:
- Check your email. Our primary way to communicate with seniors is through email so please check it regularly.
- Have you done your college applications? Spring deadlines are approaching. See your counselor if you need help.
- Complete your FAFSA if you haven't done so. Contact your counselor if you need help or to show proof of FAFSA completion.
- If you are struggling in a course, email your teacher for support.
- Many of you are very concerned about how the Coronavirus closure will impact the rest of your senior year and all of the activities you have been looking forward to. As of now, we are not aware of any changes to events after April 6th, but this is subject to change as rapidly as everything else is right now. Please know that WCHS representatives (Mrs. Haffner, Ms. Babb, and your counselors) will communicate all updates to you as we receive them.
FAFSA
If you haven't completed the FAFSA, do it ASAP & let your counselor know when you're finished. If you complete the FAFSA on your own without our assistance, please note that you are applying for the 2020-2021 school year.
College Application Information
- If you need a transcript sent to a college, please email Mrs. Higham (last names A-K) or Mrs. Fields (last names L-Z). Mrs. Higham's email address is ahigham@wcsd.k12.oh.us and Mrs. Fields' email address is mfields@wcsd.k12.oh.us.
- Please note that you need to give your counselor at least 1 week notice on Common Application for us to complete our part of the application.
Fee Waivers:
If you qualify for free and reduced lunch, you may be eligible for college application fee waivers. See you counselor for more info.
Scholarships
- RaiseMe- Earn micro-scholarships for your accomplishments https://www.raise.me/
- Fastweb- Leading resource in matching your profile to available scholarships https://www.fastweb.com/
- GoingMerry - Helps you locate multiple scholarship opportunities http://www.goingmerry.com
Please check your student email often for additional scholarship opportunities!
Work Keys and Work Experience for Alternate Pathways
If you have not yet completed your Alternate Pathways for graduation, please remember to also complete your work experience paperwork. We found out that pay stubs can still be used for documentation of hours. Save all of your documentation! Contact your counselor to check in and get help completing the paperwork.
There are still about 10 students who need to take Work Keys. We are unsure of when this test will be provided again and will inform affected students as soon as we are able to set a date.
Workforce and Trade Certification Programs
If college isn't your cup of tea, there are options out there to help you get certified for a great career in about one year.
- MVCTC Adult Education provides great opportunities for students who are interested in pursuing a particular trade, medical/health care career and business and tech training. Visit http://www.mvctc.com/ae to see a list of programs and how to get started.
- Sinclair Community College is now offering short term certificate programs in Home Health Aide and Patient Care Tech. Both programs can be completed in one semester and there are immediate job opportunities! https://www.sinclair.edu/academics/certificates/
We would love to set up a meeting for interested students. If you want to meet with reps about either of these programs to learn more, stop by the 100's office and sign up. Also, financial aid is available for these, so you will need to complete a FAFSA.
Military
More Notes
ProgressBook
Don’t forget a great way to stay in tune with your student’s grades is to download the ProgressBook app on your phone or tablet. If you are having trouble getting your account set up please contact your student’s counselor and he/she will assist you in requesting login information.
Stay Connected
At WCHS, the School Counselors are here to assist you and your student with a variety of needs, including academic/career planning as well as personal/social or family issues. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns that we might be able to assist you with. You can also connect with us on Instagram (@wchs_counselors) or on Facebook (@wchscounselorsohio). We post many important updates on social media and we encourage all parents and students to follow at least one social media account.
- Ms. Brown – Last names A-D
Email: brbrown@wcsd.k12.oh.us
- Mrs. Sanders - Last names E-K
Email: ksanders@wcsd.k12.oh.us
- Mrs. Opperman – Last names L-Q
Email: sopperman@wcsd.k12.oh.us
- Mr. Wood - Last names R-Z
Ms. Brown, Counselor for A-D
Email: brbrown@wcsd.k12.oh.us
Website: www.westcarrolltonschools.com
Location: 300's Office
Phone: 937-859-5121
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wchscounselorsohio/
Mrs. Sanders, Counselor for E-K
Email: ksanders@wcsd.k12.oh.us
Website: westcarrolltonschools.com
Location: 300's Office
Phone: 937-859-5121
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wchscounselorsohio/
Mrs. Opperman, Counselor for L-Q
Email: sopperman@wcsd.k12.oh.us
Website: westcarrolltonschools.com
Location: 100's Office
Phone: 937-859-5121
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wchscounselorsohio/
Mr. Wood, Counselor for R-Z
Email: awood@wcsd.k12.oh.us
Website: westcarrolltonschools.com
Location: 100's Office
Phone: 937-859-5121
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wchscounselorsohio/