Class of 2024 Senior Newsletter
March 2024
Counseling & Advisement Department Listing
Traveling students, OCP, CC2, & CC3 students (including all who attend LTC or other high schools): Joe Ben Watson jbwatson@lexington1.net
Students in their 3rd and 4th (or greater) year of high school (typically 11th & 12th graders):
Last names A-Gar: Gretchen Crosswell gcrosswell@lexington1.net
Last names Gas-O: Crystal Wingate cwingate@lexington1.net
Last names P-Z: Emily McGrew emcgrew@lexington1.net
Career Specialist A-K: Susan Bennett sjbennett@lexington1.net
Career Specialist L-Z: Carole Farrar cfarrar@lexington1.net
For transcript help, college & scholarship information contact:
Counseling Secretary, Michelle Headden at mheadden@lexington1.net
Stay Connected:
Facebook - River Bluff High School Counseling & Advisement
Twitter - @RBHSCounseling1
Instagram - @RBHSCounseling1
RBHS Math Tutoring - Homework Help Center
There is a free math homework help center that meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Counseling Commons from 7:30 - 8:30 am and 4 - 5 pm.
Space is limited so make sure you sign up in advance using the link below.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548ABAE2FA5FD0-math
The following norms will be enforced:
1-Active Engagement and Participation
- Students must actively contribute to their work or seek assistance when needed.
2-Pre-Registered Participation
- To ensure everyone has a chance to participate, students must sign up in advance.
- Once maximum capacity is reached, we will not be able to accommodate additional attendees.
3-Maintaining a Focused Environment
- Students will not be allowed to distract others.
Students who do not follow these norms will not be allowed to remain in the help center.
Questions should be directed to Jennifer Gibbons at jgibbons@lexington1.net
LexOne OPPORTUNITY
Midlands Technical College Student Field Study Blueprint for your Future
This event is for 11th and 12th grade students with an IGP in Architecture and Construction or related STEM career pathways. The purpose of this field study is to expose students to the architecture and construction industry. Participants will hear from industry experts about employer expectations and workforce development needs, tour the interactive trailer, Be Pro Be Proud SC, which showcases industrial career pathways and provides interactive simulations modules specific to this career field, and tour the Carolina Classic Home and Garden Show.This opportunity is open to the first 10 students who register. Transportation is on your own. After attending, your absence will be excused if you submit all required paperwork.
Event Date: March 8, 2024, 9:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Student Writing Contest
Junior and senior high school students in South Carolina can participate in Dominion Energy and the SCDE’s fourth annual Strong Men & Women in S.C. History essay contest. Winners will receive an Apple MacBook Air and $1,000 for their school or home schooling association.
Entries must be submitted by Friday, March 29 at 5:00 p.m. at https://bit.ly/StudentWritingContest.
Interested in becoming a Software Engineer? Free Training Program!
CREATE Opportunity
DESCRIPTION: https://createopp.com
● Program is a no-cost, six-month software development training program at Midlands Technical College.
● Training is full-time with in-person and remote classes from Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
● Participants are provided a $4000 stipend distributed in four allocations throughout the program.
● Graduates receive a continuing education certificate as a Junior Full-Stack Software Engineer.
● Graduates are placed with Columbia based employers in a 2-year salaried apprenticeship.
● The apprenticeship salary is a minimum of $45,000-$48,000 (starting) w/ health and retirement benefits.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
● Must be 18 by cohort graduation date (Highschool seniors younger than 18 may apply)
● Must be a graduating senior or must obtain/have a diploma, GED, or equivalent by cohort start date
● Open to any adult, NO upper age limit, program is open to any adult, at any life and career stage.
● Applicants must use a personal email address / home address to register (No School email addresses)
● Applicants must apply by April 1, 2024 - sooner is preferred and recommended
● Only 25 students are accepted per cohort
APPLICATION: https://createopp.com or Email info@sctechfoundation.org
● Applicants must attend an on-line information session to start the application process before April 1st
● Register for an information session at https://createopp.com (held Monday / Thursday at 12:00 online)
● Individuals may request an individual meeting at a separate time at info@sctechfoundation.org
TIMELINE:
● April 1, 2024 - Deadline for attending an information session (see above).
● April 25th Enrollment Day
o Applicants will attend an in person enrollment meeting at Midlands Technical College
o Applicants will be enrolled at SC Works
o Applicants are required to submit to a Background Check
● May 1, 2024 - May 31st, applicants complete enrollment requirements and a self-paced precourse.
● June 17, 2024 – Official 6 month training start date
~January 2025 Graduation
~ February 2025 Apprenticeship
IMPORTANT DATES
Senior IMPACT Conference
Thursday, March 14th, is our IMPACT Conference! Seniors are expected to attend all day long. They will present at one session with their CREW and are expected to attend the other sessions along with the "Welcome" at the beginning of the day and the "Debrief" at the end of the day. All Seniors will report to the Performing Arts Center at 8:40 a.m. and sit with their CREW. Attendance will be taken.
All Seniors should be dressed professionally.
You may not leave campus for lunch.
We are looking forward to seeing the IMPACT you have all made.
Graduation Supply Pick Up including Cap & Gown
When: Wednesday, March 20th, 9:30AM - 1:00 PM
Location: Hallway between Counseling & Art rooms
Last school day for seniors is Friday, May 10, 2024.
Seniors can exempt all exams EXCEPT:
1) AP Exams
2) End of Course Exams
3) SC Virtual Exams
4) If Failing the Class
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE LETTERS AND SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
WE NEED YOUR COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE LETTERS AND SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS!!
Congratulations to all as they receive college acceptances!
When you receive your acceptance letters and/or scholarship offers, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO THAT COLLEGE or UNIVERSITY, scan or take a picture of the letter(s) and email them to your counselor &/or the Counseling Secretary. We want to recognize you at the end of the year in our awards & graduation program.
ENLISTED IN THE MILITARY
Congratulations to all who have enlisted to serve our country in the military. Please be sure to stop by our Counseling & Advisement office and share your formal enlisted letter. We want to be sure to celebrate you on "Military Signing Day" on April 29th at Lexington High School.
TRANSCRIPTS
VERY IMPORTANT
PARENTS, please do not set up a parent account. It will sometimes conflict with the student's account.
PARCHMENT.COM
- Set up your account using the email from Parchment which was sent to your school email address.
- Add your personal email address & set it as your primary email before the end of your senior year since you will lose access to your school email once you graduate.
- Make sure your account is set up under your legal name and not your "nickname". Parchment will not match your transcript if your name is incorrect.
- Parchment Instructions
If you are having issues with your Parchment account, please see the Counseling Secretary in Counseling & Advisement.
SCHOLARSHIP LINKS
CLASS OF 2024 SCHOOLOGY PAGE
NEWS FROM STUDENT LIFE AND YEARBOOK
YEARBOOKS!!
Our yearbook is on sale now at a discounted rate. This is the perfect time to pre-order your senior's book and add any personalization touches to the book. Prices increase throughout the year and personalization is only available through December. Take advantage of the lower prices and order your senior's yearbook today at Jostens Yearbook.
RBHS CLASS OF 2024 SENIOR YARD SIGNS
If you haven’t ordered and would like a sign, there are approximately 40 additional signs available on a first come, first paid basis - signs are $20 each. The PTSO can be reached via email at rbhsptso@gmail.com with any questions.
LOOKING AHEAD
Prom
Theme- Midnight Masquerade
Cost- $50/person (tickets will go on sale at a later date- info about when and where will be forthcoming)
Who- Juniors and Seniors (listed in PowerSchool) from River Bluff may purchase tickets. To attend prom, you must be NO older than 20 and no younger than 9th grade.
Saturday, Apr 20, 2024, 08:00 PM
Junction 800
Graduation Practice
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 08:00 AM
River Bluff High School, Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC, USA
River Bluff High School Class of 2024 Graduation
Thursday, May 23, 2024, 08:00 AM
Colonial Life Arena, Lincoln Street, Columbia, SC, USA
SAT/ACT INFORMATION
River Bluff High School's AI/CEEB Code for Testing and College Applications
Enter the voucher code provided during the checkout process on MyACT to receive $5 off a new ACT test registration for the February, April, June or July 2024 test dates.
ACT/SAT TEST DATES
SAT TEST DATE
Registration deadline is April 19, 2024.
Register at www.collegeboard.org
Fee waivers for the SAT are available to eligible 11th and 12th graders. If you are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), bring proof of your Free/Reduced lunch status to Mrs. Headden in Counseling and Advisement for a waiver.
Saturday, May 4, 2024, 07:00 AM
See Website for locations. www.Collegeboard.org
ACT TEST DATE
Register at www.actstudent.org
Fee waivers for the ACT are available to eligible 11th and 12th graders. If you are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), bring proof of your Free/Reduced lunch status to Mrs. Headden in Counseling and Advisement for a waiver.
Saturday, Apr 13, 2024, 07:00 AM
See www.ACT.org for Locations
Is your college test optional?
NOTE: We cannot vouch that this information is 100% accurate. To make doubly sure that your college is test optional, contact the college itself.
Here is a link where you can check to see what your college requires. Make sure you look at the Effective Years column: https://fairtest.org/test-optional-list/
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTS: ACT and SAT
General Information
Please be reminded that it is the responsibility of the student/parent to register for the ACT and SAT tests. The C&A staff can answer questions at any time. Log on to sat.org/register or www.actstudent.org to register.
- The ACT / SAT are college admissions tests & aid institutions in determining a student’s potential for success in college. (Students planning on attending a 2-year or technical college generally do NOT need to take either test.) Colleges/universities in S.C. accept both ACT and/or SAT scores. Students should refer to the admission requirements for each institution they plan to attend.
- If you plan to take the ACT, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED you take the writing component at least once. It is not so necessary on subsequent retakes.
- If you are a special needs student and would like to request testing accommodations for the ACT or SAT, it is your responsibility to initiate the process by discussing the procedure with your counselor. The process is very time-consuming (minimum 6 – 8 weeks). Each testing agency (College Board / ACT) has its own application for accommodations.
VERY IMPORTANT! Make sure that you fill in the school code for River Bluff High School when registering for the ACT/SAT. If you fail to do this, our school will NOT receive your scores. The school testing code is 411292.
GETTING READY FOR COLLEGE
2 YEAR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS
Don’t forget to set up your personal profiles on the internet for scholarships.
www.scholarships.com, www.collegenet.com, www.collegescholarships.org, www.fastweb.com, www.petersons.com and www.salliemae.com/scholarships are great sites to use as resources, but are certainly not the only ones.
- Start submitting college applications
- Visit prospective schools
- Watch your email for information on taking AccuPlacer in the Spring, a placement tests for 2-year technical colleges (You can also use ACT/SAT scores)
4 YEAR COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS
Don’t forget to set up your personal profiles on the internet for scholarships.
www.scholarships.com, www.collegenet.com, www.collegescholarships.org, www.fastweb.com, www.petersons.com and www.salliemae.com/scholarships are great sites to use as resources, but are certainly not the only ones.
- Start submitting college applications
- Visit prospective schools
- Repeat the ACT / SAT as necessary
FREE APPLICATION WAIVER CODES
North Greenville University's free waiver code is GoNGU.
USC Beaufort's free waiver code is USCB24.
The Citadel's free waiver code is bulldogs2028.
Thinking of Cosmetology/Barbering?
If you are interested in a Cosmetology/Barbering program when you graduate you may be worried about how you are going to pay the tuition. There are scholarships available plus filing your FAFSA for financial aid can help with the costs. You must be accepted into a program to be able to apply for the scholarships at this website.
GOING TO PLAY A SPORT IN COLLEGE?
FAFSA
The 2024–25 FAFSA® Is Live!
The 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is available at fafsa.gov as part of our soft launch. During the soft launch, the FAFSA form will be available while we monitor site performance and form functionality.
Students and families can visit StudentAid.gov/fillingout for resources about completing the 2024–25 FAFSA form—including information about creating a StudentAid.gov account without a Social Security number, how to complete the new 2024–25 FAFSA form, and what to do before and after completing the FAFSA form.
College Tour App
Each episode of The College Tour will focus on a single college or university.
From campus life, academics, housing, sports, activities, and much more… each student driven segment will give young people an inside look at what it’s truly like being a student at the featured college or university.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind series featuring colleges and universities in a way they have never been seen before!
Click here to watch the show and episodes on Amazon Prime.
College Open House Days and Tour Dates
Seniors are given TWO excused absences for college visit days. In order to have the absences excused, it will be necessary to turn in a note on college letterhead with the student's name and date of the visit. This should be turned in to Mrs. Gillespie in Attendance.
Anderson University
https://andersonuniversity.edu/admission/visit
Clemson University
http://www.clemson.edu/visit/events.html
College of Charleston
http://admissions.cofc.edu/explorethecollege/events/index.php
Columbia College
http://www.columbiasc.edu/admissions/womens-college-admissions/open-house
Francis Marion University
https://www.fmarion.edu/admissions/visitus/
Furman University
http://www.furman.edu/admission/EngageFurman/Visit/Pages/default.aspx
Lander University
https://www.lander.edu/admissions/campus-visits
Midlands Technical College
http://www.midlandstech.edu/admissions/visit-campus
Newberry College
https://my.newberry.edu/ICS/Admissions/Events_and_Visits.jnz
Presbyterian College
http://www.presby.edu/admissions/home/visit/
Spartanburg Methodist College
https://www.smcsc.edu/admissions/plan-a-visit/
Seton Hall University
University of South Carolina - Columbia
University of South Carolina - Beaufort
https://admissions.uscb.edu/visit-campus/schedule-a-visit/index.html
University of Virginia
https://admission.virginia.edu/outreach
Winthrop University
http://www.winthrop.edu/admissions/visit/
Wofford College
https://www.wofford.edu/admission/visitWofford/FROM YOUR CAREER SPECIALIST
Susan Bennett (A-K): https://schedule-with-ms-bennett.appointlet.com/
Carole Farrar (L-Z): https://appt.link/meet-with-carole-farrar
River Bluff High School