FMHS Counseling Department News
September 2021
September News
The beginning of the school year is such an exciting time! We have loved welcoming our freshmen and welcoming back our sophomores, juniors, and seniors!
This newsletter will come out monthly with announcements, dates to remember, and helpful hints and tips for our students and their families!
PSAT - 10th & 11th GRADE and ASVAB 11th Grade
- Current 2nd (10th grade) and 3rd year (11th grade) students have the opportunity to take the PSAT on October 13.
- Students must register for the PSAT no later than Friday, September 10, 2021.
- 10th grade students can register for the PSAT by filling out the form emailed on Friday, August 27. If students do not complete the form, they will be automatically registered to take the PSAT.
- 11th-grade students will register for the PSAT by paying $18 through their pay fees account.
- 11th grade students not wishing to take the PSAT have the option to take the ASVAB. You can register for the ASVAB here.
SENIOR UPDATES
Transcripts
- Seniors can request transcripts and letters of recommendation through Naviance. You can find instructions and video walkthroughs on the FMHS website.
Test Scores
- ACT, SAT, and AP test scores must be sent to colleges directly from ACT or College Board. FMHS does not send test scores to colleges.
- Click here for the ACT website.
- Click here for the SAT website
- When signing up to take a test you can request four of your scores to be sent to 4 colleges for free.
- Any additional score reports you wish to have can be requested through your account with the test website. There is a fee to send additional score reports to colleges.
Scholarships
- College Board Opportunity Scholarships are available. Click here for more details!
- After colleges receive test scores and final transcripts in June, they will award the Life or Hope scholarship for qualifying students.
- The counseling office will notify students that qualify for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship.
- The counseling website and Naviance are also updated regularly with new scholarship opportunities we receive.
Don't forget to check our website for additional information and updates!
Strong Start to the Semester
- Evaluate how the first few weeks went. Think about whether there are any adjustments you need to make to be successful this semester.
- Use a planner or agenda to keep track of your assignments, tests, quizzes, and extracurricular activities.
- Take good notes in class.
- Make use of before and after school live help time with your teachers.
- Make sure you use your FLEX time wisely.
Grade Level Information
9th Grade
- IGP meetings will begin the week of September 13. Registration information will be released the week of September 6.
- FMHS Fabulous Freshmen is a new program we are implementing to highlight the accomplishments of our amazing freshman class! Students and teachers can nominate any freshman to highlight our students' accomplishments, activities, involvement, and character.
- Don't forget to check out the Counseling department website for helpful hints as you begin your freshman year!
10th Grade
- 10th Grade IGPs will take place towards the end of the first semester. Please contact your counselor if you have questions.
- Don't forget to register to take the PSAT no later than September 10, 2021! Registration information was emailed to you on Friday, August 27.
- Don't forget to check out the Counseling department website for helpful hints as you begin your sophomore year.
11th Grade
- 11th Grade IGPs will take place mid-semester. Please contact your counselor if you have questions.
- Don't forget to register to take the PSAT no later than September 10, 2021! Registration information was emailed to you on Friday, August 27.
- Don't forget to check out the Counseling department website for helpful hints as you begin your junior year!
12th Grade
- 12th Grade IGPs will begin on September 13. Registration information will go out the week of September 6.
- All transcripts and letters of recommendation should be requested via Naviance. You can find the link and video walkthroughs on the FMHS website under Guidance and Naviance.
- There will be a Virtual College Application Day held on September 13. You will receive registration information from Mr. Young prior to that date. You MUST be registered in order to get the College Application Day presentation and application fee waiver codes. You will also receive information about various colleges in the area to guide you as you navigate college applications!
Resources
Activities and Clubs
- You can find club information in the weekly newsletter link on the main FMHS website.
- Club information is also available in the main commons area.
College and Career Readiness
- Mr. Young is our Career Development Facilitator. He is here to help you explore careers! Set up an appointment with him today! You can email him here.
- Check out the FMHS Calendar for information on upcoming virtual college visits.
- If you're looking for videos on Career and College Readiness, check out Mr. Young's YouTube Channel. This is the hub for previous sessions on college admissions, resume writing, athletic recruitment, and much more!
- We held information sessions on College Planning 101 and Scholarships and Financial Aid last fall that are also great resources!. Check out the recordings!
Community Resources--Mental Health Resource Guide
Naviance
- Complete career interest assessments
- Search for colleges based on your career interests
- Compare colleges and find your best fit
- Check your GPA
- Request transcripts be sent to your colleges
- Request letters of recommendation from FMHS teachers to be sent to your colleges
- Search for scholarships
You will find videos to walk you through how to log in to Naviance on YouTube! To log in click on Sign in with Clever and use your school email address and password.
Scholarships
- We have scholarships listed in Naviance and on this spreadsheet. Students need to log in to their FMSD account to access the spreadsheet.
- In the spring, the Fort Mill Foundation scholarships will also open up. Seniors should check their email for more information!
- College Board has an Opportunity Scholarship that students can enter by completing tasks that are part of the college/career search process. Find more information here!
- The Commission on Higher Education oversees the state Hope, Life, and Palmetto Fellows scholarships. Find more information here.
Testing--ACT/SAT
- Students can sign up for the ACT on a national test date here.
- Students can sign up for the SAT on a national test date here.
- Please make sure to check that your testing site is still open prior to arriving at the test site. Some sites have had to cancel due to COVID. You may have to travel farther than normal for an available test site.
- Students qualifying for Free/Reduced lunch can request a Fee Waiver in the main counseling office.
- If students have an IEP or 504 their accommodations must be requested and approved by College Board and/or ACT. Please make sure that you are registering early to ensure there is adequate time for staff to send in the information. ACT and College Board will still have to review and approve or deny the requests.
Tutoring
TUTOR MATCHING SERVICE
Tutor Matching Service provides a tutoring search engine with college students or recent graduates providing tutoring in multiple subject areas. The link is here.
*Please note that these resources are for your reference and are not a recommendation by FMHS staff.
Important Dates
School Dates to Note
- August 30 Flex begins
- September 3 Midterm reports sent
- September 6 Labor Day -- No School
- September 10 Deadline for 10th & 11th graders to register for the PSAT/ASVAB
- September 13 Virtual College Application Day -- more details to come
- September 13-17 12th & 9th Grade IGP Meetings Begin
- September 13-17 Spirit Week
- September 17 Homecoming Game
- September 20-21 STAR Testing -- 9th grade only
- September 21 Picture Day -- 10th and 11th grade
- September 22 Picture Day -- 9th grade
- September 27 End of 1st 6 Weeks
- October 4 Report cards are available online at 4:00 p.m.
- October 13 PSAT & ASVAB
Connect With Your Counselor
Mrs. Courtney Kountz 9th, A-K
Ms. Adrienne Long 9th, L-Z
Ms. Carly Patterson 10th-12th A-D
pattersoncd@fortmillschools.org
Mr. Steve Kanoon 10th-12th, E-K
Ms. Tychonna Urquhart 10th-12th Grades L-Ri
Mrs. Haleigh Strayer, 10th-12th, Ro-Z
Mr. Edward Young Career Counselor
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @fmhscounseling
Fort Mill High School Counseling Department
Email: kountzc@fortmillschools.org
Website: http://fortmillfmhs.ss11.sharpschool.com/guidance
Location: Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill, SC, USA
Phone: 803-548-8235
Twitter: @fmhscounseling