Counselor Connection
Monthly Newsletter from FHS Counseling Department
April 2020
Message from the Counselors
Please be sure to follow our new Instagram and Twitter pages! The handle for both is Guidancewildcat.
Helpful Tips for Managing Anxiety during this Time
Grab and Go Meals
For more information about the sites, please click on the button below.
Updates about the ACT
Updates from Collegeboard-SAT
March and May SAT Administration Information
In response to the rapidly evolving situation around the coronavirus (COVID-19), College Board is canceling the May 2, 2020 SAT and SAT Subject Test administration. Makeup exams for the March 14 administration (scheduled for March 28) are also canceled.
Students who already registered for May, whose March test centers were closed, or who do not receive March scores because of any irregularities will receive refunds.
In the coming days, College Board will share additional information and details directly with registered students and test centers.
Future SAT Testing
College Board will provide future additional SAT testing opportunities for students as soon as possible in place of canceled administrations. We’ll be as flexible as possible to give students the best chance to show their skills and stay on the path to college.
We have not yet canceled the June 6, 2020 SAT and SAT Subject Test administration and will continue to assess its status, with the health and safety of students and educators as our top priority. We are also exploring the possibility of adding an international SAT administration later this school year.
Updates from Collegeboard-AP Testing
AP Updates
Continue working toward college credit and placement with free, live AP review lessons, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. These courses:
- Are optional, mobile-friendly, and can be used alongside any work your teacher may give you.
- Will be available on-demand, so you can access them any time.
- Will focus on reviewing the skills and concepts from the first 75% of the course. There will also be some supplementary lessons including topics from the final 25% of the course.
Click on button below for the AP Review Schedule and Information!
AP Exam Information at this Time
Free resources will be available through exam day to help you get ready. While we encourage you to wait until closer to the test to decide, any student registered for an exam can cancel at no charge.
For the 2019-20 exam administration only:
- We’re developing secure 45-minute online free-response exams for each course.
- The exam content will focus on what most schools were able to complete by early March.
- You’ll be able to take your exams on any device you have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. You’ll also have the option to write your responses by hand and submit a photo.
- Colleges support this solution and are committed to ensuring that AP students receive the credit they have worked to earn. For decades, colleges have accepted a shortened AP Exam for college credit when groups of students have experienced emergencies.
- We know that not all students have access to the internet or a device. We’re working on solutions to help students get what they need to show their best work. If you need mobile tools or connectivity or know someone who does, you can reach us directly to let us know.
The exams will be secure. We’re using a variety of digital security tools, including plagiarism detection software.
Click on button below for course specific information.
Zoom Etiquette
Seniors-Read Below for College Updates
Attention Seniors!
PLATO Courses
Dual Enrollment Information
Contact for DE at this Time
During this time, please email Dawn Mazzurco at lauren.mazzurco@marion.k12.fl.us for dual enrollment questions.
Summer and Fall Registration Dates
College of Central Florida Testing Center
Available Scholarships!
Fred J. Smiley Scholarship
1. Must be an African American Male High School Senior and reside in Marion County
2. Application must be typed and turned in by 4pm on April 3, 2020
3. Submit a sealed transcript- 2.5 GPA or higher
4. Submit three reference letters (2 must be from school personnel)
5. Type a 500 word essay on the following topic “If you were to look back on your high school years, what advice would you give to someone beginning their high school career”?
6. The application must be signed by your guardian.
7. Submit forms to Cassandra Boston -Grants & Federal Programs Office at 306 NW 7th Ave, Ocala FL 34475
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Scholarship
If interested, please see the application attached below. Deadline is April 5th.
Nutrition Association Scholarship
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Marion County School Nutrition Association is sponsoring two $1,000.00 scholarships to Marion County Public School students who will continue their education in either Culinary, Food Science, Nutritional Sciences, Hospitality, Fitness & Wellness, or related field.
The student must work toward an Associate, Bachelor’s Degree or higher and meet the following criteria:
APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS
To qualify for a scholarship, you must:
1. Be a graduating high school senior from Marion County Public Schools OR have earned a GED certificate and be a high school student.
2. Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent) OR a GED average standard score of 470 or higher.
3. Attend a culinary school, college, or university and pursue a degree in either Culinary, Food Science, Nutritional Sciences, Hospitality, Fitness & Wellness, or related field.
4. You must be a Marion County resident
Deadline is April 6th and application is attached below.
Marion Technical College Scholarship Applications
Attached you will find two separate scholarship applications for the 20-21 school year.
1. The High School Senior application.
2. The Medical Clinical Laboratory Technician application. (New for the 20-21 SY)
The first scholarship is open to all high school seniors, and all MTC programs are eligible. Please encourage student who are not considering a 4 year institution or enlistment to check our program offerings. We have a diverse selection.
The second scholarship is new for the upcoming school year, 20-21, and it targets students interested in a career in Health Sciences. The award is program specific and open only to students wishing to enroll in the Medical Clinical Laboratory Technician program.
The great news is there is NO out of pocket tuition expense for awarded students. And we will award up to 7 students for the 20-21 school year.
1. Applications must be submitted by the deadline (May 1st), they can be emailed, snail-mailed, or dropped off in person. The application MUST be complete to be considered.
2. Award details and eligibility requirements for both scholarship are on the application.
J Rocks Scholarship
Scholarship Criteria:
▪ Applicant must possess a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
▪ Applicant must be a graduating senior who will attend a 2-4 institution as a full time student
▪ Applicant must include a 500 word essay on your beliefs relative to volunteerism and commitment to the community
▪ Applicant must complete the application and submit by the deadline
▪ Applicant must submit an official transcript in a sealed envelop
▪ Applicant must submit a head shot picture (picture will not be returned)
▪ Applicant must submit 2 letters of recommendation from such people as the school counselor, teacher or coach (not a family member)
* Deadline: May 1 Amount of Scholarship: $500.00
How To Contact your Counselor
9th Grade Counselor: Dr. Keyana Lyde Keyana.lyde@marion.k12.fl.us
10th Grade Counselor: Mrs. Shirley Thomas Shirley.thomas@marion.k12.fl.us
11th Grade Counselor: Mrs. Tracy Moody Tracy.moody@marion.k12.fl.us
12th Grade Counselor: Mr. Ecliff Telford Ecliff.telford@marion.k12.fl.us
ESE: Ms. Katherine West Katherine.west@marion.k12.fl.us