Bulldog Bulletin
Smyrna High School's Counseling Newsletter
3rd Quarter, February 2017
SHS Counseling Staff
Mrs. Walker: students A-D, walkerle@rcschools.net
Mrs. McKinley: students E-K, mckinleya@rcschools.net
Mr. Lay: students Ro-Z, lays@rcschools.net
Mrs. Hockenberry: counseling secretary, hockenberryk@rcschools.net
Mrs. Benton: counseling secretary, bentont@rcschools.net
Email: dickersonk@rcschools.net
Website: http://smyrnahscounseling.wix.com/shs2015
Phone: 615-904-3865
Stay Informed and follow us:
Instagram: @SHS_Counselors
Twitter: @shscounselors88
Remind: Text the message @scholar123 to the number 81010
A Note from Principal Powell
We are past the half way point of the school year with many things taking place this semester. Our end of course assessments will be given the last couple of weeks in April. These assessments will count towards the final grade for these classes as well as a portion of their 4th quarter final grades. Please remind your child to do the very best on these assessments.
Our schoolwide ACT test for the Juniors will be given on March 21. We as a school are reviewing daily during our classes and our OVERTIME period with sample questions and test taking strategies to help all students do well on the ACT test. We also have built in some more incentives for students exceeding their predicted score. This will also add points to their classes during the 4th quarter. This test is required for college admission and higher scores mean more money for you and your children when they attend college.
We are also in the process of registering students for their classes for next year. Please keep in mind that the more difficult their classes are will also help them to prepare for the ACT test as well as college readiness. For most colleges, the ACT score is more important than the G.P.A.
Please do not hesitate to contact your teachers or counselor if you have questions.
Upcoming Events
Class selection/Registration
Class registration and course selection for the 2017-2018 school year will begin in February. We will host meetings in the library with the students' English classes.
Course selection is a multi-step process and parent input/participation is very important. Our goal is to maximize student and parent input during the selection process in order to minimize requests for changes at the start of next school year. Counselors will meet with students 1:1 to discuss graduation requirements and teacher recommendations for courses. Students will enter their selections in INOW while we are in the library.
Students will bring home their course selection sheets to be reviewed by parents and guardians. Changes can be made on the course selection sheet and on the computer by the students. The course selections sheet with a parent/guardian signature will need to be returned to the student's English teacher within 72 hours of receiving them. After 72 hours, INOW will be locked and students will not be able to make changes.
Counselors will verify all course selections in INOW. Student/parent requested schedule changes at the start of next school year will be kept to a minimum based on this process of course selection. We build a master schedule based on the choices your student makes on the course selection sheet. We want students to put serious thought in their course selections.
Please look for your students to bring home their course selection sheets the following weeks:
Current Juniors: February 6-10
Current Sophomores: February 13-17
Current Freshmen: February 21-24
Schoolwide ACT test for 11th grade students
Students will be coding their answer sheets on March 9th and will need to bring a sharpened pencil with them to their coding sessions.
On test day, March 21st:
- students should bring sharpened pencils and their calculator
- no food or drink will be allowed in the rooms (water and snack will be provided during the break)
- students should dress in layers
- students should get a good night's sleep on March 20
- students should be on time
Students are required to take the ACT or SAT in order to graduate; this is an important opportunity for them to test for free during the school day and meet this graduation requirement.
Tennessee Promise Mandatory Meeting March 9th, 2017 5:30pm
Tennessee Promise offers up to five semesters of tuition-free community or technical college to Tennessee high school graduates. The program provides eligible students a last –dollar scholarship which covers full tuition and mandatory fees not covered by Pell grant, TELS, and TSAA. Students will also be assigned a partnering organization and mentor who will provide guidance and assistance as the students enter higher education. Student must participate with their partnering organization to access TN Promise Dollars.
Mandatory Meeting: March 9th, 2017 5:30 pm SHS Cafeteria
Website with more information: http://tnpromise.gov
NACAC College Fair
Sunday, Apr 30, 2017, 01:00 PM
Nashville Music City Center, 5th Avenue South, Nashville, TN, United States
Stay Informed
Tennessee Scholars Adds Value to a Diploma
What is Tennessee Scholars?
Tennessee Scholars is a rewards and incentives program for students who graduate high school with the required courses and additional expectations of attendance, discipline, and volunteer service.
What are the benefits for graduating as a Tennessee Scholar?
The benefits are scholarships to many universities, preferential job hiring, recognition at graduation, and obtaining the distinction of being a scholar that will be on your permanent record. For a list of participating universities, please visit: http://www.tennesseescholars.org/student-information/
How do you become a Tennessee Scholar?
- Apply by completing the checklist for Tennessee Scholars located on the school counseling website. Once you and your parents sign it, return your completed form with documented volunteer hours to your school counselor.
- Students must complete the student checklist before the deadline during your senior year (February 17, 2017 for this year's senior class). Your counselor must approve your checklist to be eligible for the honor.
- Seniors must complete the online survey for graduating seniors that is available in January of each year. (Only high school seniors should complete this survey)
Please follow this link for more information: http://www.tennesseescholars.org/
Schmoop and Vocabulary.com
School Counseling Appointments
We have also created an appointment request link for parents. We have an open door policy when it comes to meeting with parents; however, having a scheduled appointment allows us to be fully prepared for the meeting and also allows us to make sure we are not involved in other meetings or counseling groups when the parent arrives. Please review the appointment links: http://smyrnahscounseling.wixsite.com/shs2015/make-an-appointment
INOW
Make sure that you are checking INOW Home Portal and keeping up with your student’s grades. If you have any questions about the grades, you can email your student’s teachers. If you have not received your login information, please visit the counseling webpage and click the ''INOW" tab located on the far right of the heading bar. There, you will see a button to request log-on information.
Scholarships
Want to know about scholarships? Follow these easy steps below:
1. Visit http://www.shs.rcs.k12.tn.us/
2. Click on “counseling” at the top of the page
3. Click on grey tab in middle of page labeled “College Corner”
4. Scroll under the first picture to the grey button labeled “ scholarships”.
You will be able to travel to the website for that particular scholarship just by clicking on the link OR the application will be uploaded for you to print.
Opportunities
The Opportunities button on the college corner of the SHS counseling webpage is the one-stop for all things non-scholarship related. We divide page between college visits/fairs, community service opportunities, career/work opportunities, and "other". Other may include things like Governor's school, learning conferences, and general opportunities that our students can participate in. These opportunities are updated weekly.
Weekly Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences are offered every Wednesday at 3:45. Parents can request to meet your child's teachers. Conferences must be scheduled by the Tuesday morning prior to your planned Wednesday meeting.
Conferences are scheduled through Ms. Benton.
615-904-3865 ext. 23705
College Readiness Testing
Registering for the test:
If you are planning to take either the ACT or the SAT you must register online at www.actstudent.org (ACT) and www.collegeboard.com (SAT). You will need the following SHS High School Code to register: 432130