So many "firsts" this year! October brings us a hybrid model option for learning where students and families could choose to return face to face two days a week or remain at home virtually. Whatever decision you made for you and your family I know it was the best one for you. Although staff is back on campus full time, we stay committed to serve and support you in whatever way is the best fit for you!

This month we will have our first parent meeting for Advanced Academics. I am so excited to 'see' you all! A letter has been mailed to your home and if your email is on file you should have received the information there as well. Because of the need for social distance, our meeting this semester will be a video conference held through Zoom.

When: Wednesday, October 28 6:00 p.m.

Location: Online via Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83751145668?pwd=UjBrWmdoa1pyMEt2TDlPYzhCd3ZuUT09

Meeting ID: 837 5114 5668

Passcode: 723857

We are limited to the first 300 participants, but if you can't join us live the video will be posted to the website so you can view at a later time.

To see complete checklists and other resources, head to bigfuture.collegeboard.org

Freshmen:

Start thinking about your life after school, including the types of jobs that might interest you. Of course, these will change — often — but it’s good to start thinking about the possibilities.

• Identify your interests — likes and dislikes — not just in classes but also in every area. This will help you focus on your goals.
• Talk to other people, such as your school counselor, teachers, recent college graduates who are working, professionals in the community, etc., about careers you might find interesting.

Sophomores:

Attend college and career fairs. The fairs often take place in the fall at your school or in your area.

Are you interested in attending a U.S. military academy? If so, you should request a precandidate questionnaire.

Juniors:

Estimate your financial aid need. Financial aid can help you afford college. Use the College Board’s Getting Financial Aid and the financial aid calculator at bigfuture.org to estimate how much aid you might receive.

Seniors:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): To apply for most financial aid, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA. Oct. 1 is the first day you can file the FAFSA.

Prepare early decision/early action or rolling admission applications as soon as possible. Nov. 1–15: Colleges may require test scores and applications between these dates for early decision admission.

When your classes require you take notes from a text or other reading, here are some quick tips to try to speed along the process:

Don't try to take notes AS you read.

• Instead, read a paragraph or section, then take notes. You will make yourself crazy trying to figure out what's actually important when you attempt it simultaneously!
• Reading through once allows you get a bigger view of what's going on to determine what is actually important.

Write your notes in bullet points, not whole sentences.

• When you write whole sentences there is a tendency to copy word for word from the text, an arduous, tedious, time sucking exercise.
• The purpose of notes is to reference later when studying. I sure don't want to reread the textbook when studying, which is essentially what you'd be doing.

Make a note of unfamiliar or new words

• Write the word and definition. When you come back to it, you won't have to then look it up again
• Yes, even if you believe you'll remember it later. Write it down!

Organize

• Use headings and subheadings from the text to organize your notes. This makes it easier to reference later. I like to use different colors and write in all caps for headings :)
• Keep your papers in a notebook or binder, don't just toss them into a black hole pocket at the front of a binder or folder.
• Use tabs to keep units separated.