Counseling Newsletter
Counseling Dept. Happenings - Fall 2021
Counseling in the Classroom
SENIOR INFORMATION:
Counselors presented the Senior APPLY lesson in Senior English classrooms on Sept. 20th and 21st. This lesson provides post-secondary planning information and gets students connected to Scoir. Scoir is the platform we use for researching colleges and sending transcripts to post-secondary schools/programs.Students who missed the presentation can view it by clicking HERE. During the counseling lesson, we asked all Seniors to complete the Fall 2021 Senior Information Form. If your student has not yet submitted this form, please encourage them to do so ASAP: https://forms.gle/qLQsXJ6aheF91qyx8
We also encourage students to check out the helpful videos on the Senior Information webpage: http://www.cpsk12.org/rbhsseniors
On Tuesday, October 12th, we will host the APPLY Tent in the Commons where Seniors can come and get counselor support in filling out college and scholarship applicaitons. We will also be hosting the APPLY Job Fair on October 12th where any student can meet with recruiters from local businesses to apply for part-time jobs!.
Counselors will return to Senior English classes in October to present the Senior FUND lesson on Financial Aid and the FAFSA. A follow-up Senior Parent Financial Aid meeting will take place on Thursday, October 21st. More detailed information will be emailed to all Senior parent/guardians in October.
COMING SOON FOR UNDERCLASSMEN:
Post-Secondary Planning information will be presented to Juniors through U.S. Studies classes in October. Counselors will deliver the sophomore lesson through World Studies and will visit with freshmen through Advisories in November.
Weighted Grades
What does "Weighted Grades" mean?
Starting in the 2021-22 school year, 1.0 additional weight will be given to Advanced Placement (AP), Early College, and Dual Enrollment courses (college classes taken at an accredited college/university). The grades for these classes will be weighted for current students going back to 2017.
The weighted GPA would calculate as follows for AP, Early College, and Dual Enrollment Courses:
A = 5.0
B = 4.0
C = 3.0
D = 2.0
F = 0.0
The purpose is to recognize the challenge that students are embarking on by taking the highest-level courses.
In the 2022-23 school year, dual credit courses and other advanced courses will be added.
Should students load up on these courses to improve their GPAs?
No. As always, students should be encouraged to “play to their strengths” by taking rigorous classes in their areas of interest and aptitude that move them toward their post-secondary goals. It is critical to consider the importance of well-roundedness as a student and as a person.
Colleges, especially select schools, want to see balanced student applications. In fact, some select schools have stated that if they see a student has taken 5+ AP classes in one year, they wonder how rigorous the courses really are. Students should challenge themselves academically, but not at the expense of involvement in extra-curricular activities, family/community involvement, or their social/emotional health. High school should be a chance to explore interests and to have FUN, in addition to helping prepare students for college / careers. Colleges, scholarship providers, and employers are looking for students who have life experiences that have helped them grow. It is important to have a resume that reflects this. We do not want to jeopardize anyone’s mental health by over-extending our students in order to pad their GPAs.
Can I change classes for this year to put in more of these courses?
Our master schedule was built based upon student requests made in the spring after this announcement was made. Many students made changes after this information was shared. We cannot change schedules further at this point as this will alter the balance in our classes.
Will the weighted GPA be used for valedictorian selection, A+ Scholarship, or for other honors awarded through CPS?
No. The unweighted GPA will be used.
Where will the weighted GPA be reflected?
Weighted GPAs will be viewable on the semester report cards and weighted and unweighted GPAs will appear on the high school transcript.
Mid-Missouri College Fair
Need a ride? We have a bus! Swing by the Counseling Office to get a permission form.
TESTING, TESTING, 1...2...3
Senior ACT
On Tuesday, October 5th Rock Bridge will be giving the ACT to all Seniors who did not receive the District Voucher for the April or June test last spring. If you received a voucher from the district, you are ineligible to take the ACT on Oct. 5th, even if you did not use the voucher. Below are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions regarding the District ACT on Oct. 5th:
How do I register for the Oct. 5th ACT?
The district will register all eligible Seniors for the ACT on Oct. 5th. Counselors worked with eligible students through Senior English classes on Monday, Sept. 20th and Tuesday, Sept. 21st to complete pre-administration work.
**If you did not complete the pre-administration work, please see your counselor ASAP. If your pre-administration work is not done, you may not receive a score.
How much does the Oct. 5th ACT cost?
The District ACT given on Oct. 5th is FREE for eligible Seniors.
When will the ACT be given on Oct. 5th?
The test will start at 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 5th and will end at approximately 1:00 p.m.
Students will be released for lunch immediately following the ACT and will be expected to attend their 4th block class starting at 2:30 p.m.
What should I bring to the ACT on Oct. 5th?
- Photo ID (school ID, Driver’s license or permit, etc.)
- #2 pencils and erasers (NOT mechanical pencils)
- *Calculator (see ACT calculator policy HERE)
- We do not have enough calculators to provide one for every Senior. You must bring your own if you’d like to use a calculator on the math portion of the test.
- Snack and water bottle (you cannot access food/drink in the testing room, but you can have a snack at the break)
- Do NOT bring phones, smart-watches, watches with timers or alarms, or other electronic devices. These devises are not allowed during testing.
What if I am eligible for the Oct. 5th ACT, but cannot come to school that day?
There will be a make-up ACT for eligible students on Tuesday, Oct. 19th.
What if I am NOT eligible for the Oct. 5th ACT because I already used the District Voucher?
Seniors not taking the ACT will be able to attend most of their classes as usual. Senior English classes and some Senior math classes may be cancelled due to testing. In these situations, your teacher will give you instructions for what you need to do on Oct. 5th.
Junior Pre-ACT
On Wednesday, Nov. 3rd, Rock Bridge will be offering the PreACT to Juniors. The PreACT is a 10th-grade multiple choice assessment designed to give students an ACT test practice experience. Scores provide insights into students’ predicted performance on the ACT.
Since many of our Juniors have already taken an ACT or have participated in ACT Prep, the Nov. 3rd PreACT is OPTIONAL.
In order for us to reserve appropriate testing space and plan for staffing, Juniors who would like to take the Nov. 3rd PreACT need to complete the following Registration Form link* no later than Friday, Oct. 15th.
*Students must be logged in to their CPS Google account in order to access the registration form.
Junior PreACT Registration Link: https://forms.gle/incBXi27RT32eEYC6
Below are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions regarding the PreACT:
When and Where will the PreACT be given on Nov. 3rd?
- Testing will take place at The Crossing (3615 Southland Dr.)
- The test will start at 9:00 a.m. and will end at approximately 1:00 p.m.
- Students will be released for lunch immediately following the PreACT and will be expected to attend their 4th block class starting at 2:30 p.m.
What should I bring to the PreACT on Nov. 3rd?
- Photo ID (school ID, Driver’s license or permit, etc.)
- #2 pencils and erasers (NOT mechanical pencils)
- Calculator
- Snack and water bottle (you cannot access food/drink in the testing room, but you can have a snack at the break)
- Do NOT bring phones, smart-watches, watches with timers or alarms, or other electronic devices. These devises are not allowed during testing.
What is the cost of the PreACT?
The PreACT is offered for FREE to CPS students.
If I choose NOT to take the PreACT on Nov. 3rd, what other ACT Prep options are available?
We are partnering with Revolution Prep to offer two different ACT prep options for RB students. The different prep options and the dates they are offered are:
- ACT 101 Strategy Session: This is a 2-hour session designed to give students insight into the ACT exam as well as provide tips for test day. A professional tutor will teach core test-taking strategies, including a dive into the exam content and structure, how to avoid common traps, and how to create the best plan for success.
Dates:
- Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. – Noon (this is a Teacher Workday so students will not be in school)
- Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 16, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. – Noon (this is a Teacher Workday so students will not be in school)
*Cost: $15
Location: Live online via Zoom
- ACT Practice Test: Students who take the ACT Practice test also get a FREE individualized score review with an ACT professional.
Dates:
- Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021
- Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021
- Saturday, March 19, 2022
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
*Cost: $10
Location: Live online
*Students who have completed the Free/Reduced Lunch application in the Families Portal and qualify for FRL can get a fee waiver for both of these ACT Prep opportunities. See Mrs. Geyer in the Counseling Office if you need a fee waiver.
Materials will be emailed to students 24 hours before the exam.
Every practice exam comes with a free 30-minute score report review with a Revolution Prep testing expert to assess specific strengths and areas of improvement. We highly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity. Schedule your consultation to review the score report with a dedicated Revolution Prep team member, who will help you interpret the results and develop a customized plan to prepare for the official exam. You can pre-schedule this Score Report Review here: https://my.revolutionprep.com/s/midwest
- Register for the Revolution ACT Prep opportunities at: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/57540 . We recommend students participate in both the ACT 101 and the ACT Practice Test to get the complete ACT Prep experience.
AP Exam Registration
Registration for 2022 AP Exams started this week!
Registration will take place online and a link to the 2022 RBHS AP Registration Form is below. The cost of each AP exam is $96. A non-refundable deposit of $40 per exam is required to register for the test. The $40 deposit will apply toward the total exam cost and you will pay the remaining balance of $56 per exam by March 25, 2022. You can also choose to pay in full for your exam(s) ($96/exam) when you register. Students who have completed the FRL Application through the Families Portal and are eligible for the Federal Free/Reduced Lunch Program can receive a fee waiver. Please email Mrs. Reed for a fee waiver if this applies to you.
To order an AP exam, students must complete ALL THREE (3) of the following steps by Friday, Nov. 5th:
- Join their class through MyAP using the teacher’s Join Code.
- Complete the 2022 RBHS AP Registration Form: https://forms.gle/Gkdb5DDvKW2s5Li56 (students must be logged into their CPS Google account to access the Registration form)
- Submit Payment ($40 / exam non-refundable minimum deposit due by Nov. 5th)
- Remaining balance will be due by March 25, 2022
Students who register after Nov. 5th will be charged a $40 per exam late fee.
You can pay your AP exam fees online at https://www.cpsk12.org/RBHSAP using a credit or debit card, or by check (made payable to Rock Bridge High School) mailed to:
Rock Bridge High School
ATTN: Counseling Office AP Registration
4303 S. Providence Rd
Columbia, MO 65203
FAFSA Frenzy at Rock Bridge
FAFSA Frenzy helps thousands of Missouri students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid every year. At the FAFSA Frenzy, Financial Aid Professionals will be available to answer questions and help you complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA is the primary form used by federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs in determining an individual's eligibility for grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships.
What you need to bring:
- Parent and student's FSA ID - both the student and the parent must have indivudal FSA IDs. Apply for your FSA ID at: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
- A list of schools to which you have applied or are planning to apply to.
- Student and parent 2020 W-2 forms and/or tax return copies.
A+ Program
The A+ Scholarship Program pays for tuition at participating 2 year community colleges or career/technical schools in the state of Missouri.
Students interested in participating in the A+ Scholarship Program should visit the Counseling Office OR the A+ webpage: https://www.cpsk12.org/rbhsaplus for an applicaiton. Seniors can apply for the program up to Nov. 1st.
If you have not completed your tutoring hours, or if you have questions about the A+ Program, please email Dr. Alexander (joalexander@cpsk12.org)
Academic Support & Tutoring
Tip for Parents/Guardians who’d like to monitor homework/assessment completion in Schoology:
Consider requesting the access code to your student’s schoology courses from their teachers if you believe your student needs more support than a device or planner will offer with meeting deadlines.
Set up Schoology notifications so you can monitor your student’s activity on Schoology. Parents may elect to have two different notifications:
- a daily or weekly “digest” about their student’s work on Schoology, and/or
- an overdue submission notification, where parents will receive an email if a student has NOT submitted an assignment on the due date.
Here are the instructions parents can use to set up these notifications: Setting up Parent Notifications in Schoology
TUTORING CENTER:
Encourage your student to access the RBHS tutoring center in Room 334. Tutors can be accessed free of charge during school hours each block and are there to support students in their core content classes. AUT, Study Hall, ARC, and Advisory class are great times to access this support.
Grade A+ is a community organization committed to tutoring youth in need of academic support free of charge. Check out their website and apply if needed: https://www.gradeaplusinc.org/
CoMO Study Buddies provides free, online Math and Science tutoring. Visit https://www.comostudybuddies.org to request a tutor or email comostudybuddies@gmail.com for more information.