Counselor's Corner
Pampa High School
PSAT: Wednesday, October 14th
What is the PSAT:
The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a multiple choice test that measures skills that are important for success in college- critical reading, math problem solving and writing. The test is also the qualifier for the National Merit Scholarship.
When is the PSAT given?
The test will be held the morning of Wednesday, October 16th at Pampa HIgh School. Students who are in 10th and 11th grade and are enrolled in PAP, AP, or Dual Credit will be taking the PSAT.
Students should check the rosters hanging on Mr. Piatt's window to see where they will be testing. Students are responsible for supplying their own calculators.
If your student is a virtual student, we are encouraging them to come to school and take the test that day. We will not be able to offer this test again this year.
LInk for more Info:
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/inside-the-test
ASVAB: Wednesday, October 14th
ASVAB TESTING
Military representatives will administer the ASVAB test on October 14, 2020 to all PHS seniors. All seniors will report to the Cavalier Center immediately at the beginning of first period to test at 8:15am. SENIORS WHO ARE OUT FIRST PERIOD ARE REQUIRED TO MEET AT 8:30AM! If your student is a virtual learner, we are encouraging them to go ahead and come to the school to take this exam. This exam is used by the military as an entrance test, but, more importantly, the test is also a tool for the students. The ASVAB allows the students to analyze their own abilities and strengths in order to plan their educational and occupational futures. The results will help the students to learn more about themselves and the world of employment while pointing them toward future jobs in line with their interests and skills. Parents can choose to restrict the results from being released to the military. Letters explaining the ASVAB test were sent to the address on file and can be returned with a parent’s signature to keep the student’s scores from being released. However, even if the military receives the data, the student is under no obligation to join any branch of the military! Seniors are encouraged to do their best work on the ASVAB in order to gain accurate direction for their future. After approximately two to three weeks, an ASVAB representative will meet with the seniors to explain the testing results and help them understand how to use the data to plan their future.
College Night and Financial Aid Meeting
Financial Aid Night will also be held the same night at 6:30 PM in the PHS auditorium. Face coverings will be required and we will be following social distancing guidelines for both events. This is a great opportunity to get information on filling out the FAFSA and get help finding money to send your student to school. There will be multiple presenters there that night. This will be an exciting event! We hope to see everyone there!
FAFSA Info
ADDITIONAL HELP WITH THE FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required by all colleges and vocational schools to help establish financial aid status. In order to receive grants and scholarships, students must fill out the forms to show family income. This information is not shared or seen by anyone at Pampa High School. The counselors and Mrs. Mendoza will be available after the Financial Aid meeting on October 15th to help parents and students begin the process. The students will get help creating an FSA ID in their Government classes this month. An FSA ID is a username and password that you must create and use to log into websites that work with financial aid. In order to fill out the FAFSA, the following information is required: social security numbers for students and parents (or other ID numbers if applicable), 2018 income tax information for both students and parents, records of any untaxed income such as child support or interest income, and records of assets including savings accounts, investments, or real estate such as rental property. If parents are not ready to begin this process now, there will be a FAFSA Workshop in November to assist parents and students and answer questions that may have come up. The date and time have not yet been determined, but that information will be posted in Canvas, the S’mores newsletter from the counselors, and in the November Senior Newsletter as soon as it is available. For questions, email Mrs. Mendoza, Mrs. Stark, or Mrs. Devoll. Students can also stop by the CCMR room in room 1130 and visit with Mrs. Mendoza.
Link to Financial Aid Toolkit: https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/
Senior Newsletter Link
College and Career Planning Links
COLLEGE PLANNING LINKS
It is never too early to start planning for college. The following websites have great resources for college planning from middle school through 12th grade.
Testing
Texas Success Initiative (TSI)
- TSI Sample Questions
- TSI WritePlacer Sample Essay Questions
- Get the Free Web Based Study App here!
Scholarships:
- Fastweb Scholarship Search
- http://www.scholarships.com
- http://www.schoolsoup.com
- http://www.collegefortexans.com
- http://www.finaid.org
- http://www.collegescholarships.com
- http://www.window.state.tx.us/scholars/
Collegeboard: Register, send scores and practice for the SAT. There are also helpful college search tools and college planning information on the website. This is also where you find information on AP tests. Please come to our office to pick up a fee waiver if you qualify for free and reduced lunch.
We will be offering the SAT on our campus on December 5th.
ACT: Register, send scores and practice for the ACT. Come to the counselors office to pick up a waiver if you qualify for free/reduced lunches.
The ACT will be offered the following days on our Campus. Please make sure that you print your registration ticket and bring it to the site on that day. You will not be allowed to test if you do not have your registration ticket.
Dates on our Campus:
October 24th
February (School day testing TBA)
April 17th
June 12th
October Mental Health Moment: Kindness
This month’s focus is on kindness. While we discussed grace last month as a verb, something you do, this too is an action. Kindness in action has a butterfly effect. A butterfly effect is described as one small action causing a ripple effect throughout the world which can create hurricanes and more. Kindness in action can have a lasting impact on those around you and the culture of your community. Acts of kindness, whether it’s a kind word, a held door, a smile in the morning, a wave to your neighbor, allowing someone ahead of you in line, a genuine compliment, a note of gratitude, all can ripple through the hearts and minds of many. Meanwhile, it makes you feel great. It activates a different part of your mind and soul to act out of kindness without regard for what you will get from it yourself. Being selfless is a characteristic we should all aspire toward. Keep reading this month’s edition for inspiring quotes about kindness which will hopefully lead you to have a positive impact
on your community. Hopefully, this will also have an impact on your own wellbeing as growing,developing, changing young person. Look for kindness in action around the campus and make sure you mention what you see to others. You will see and experience kindness from others if only you keep your eyes open for it.
The Counseling Crew
THE COUNSELING STAFF
The counselors and support staff at Pampa High School are here to help your student successfully traverse through their high school years and prepare them for life after high school. Counselors are focused on enhancing academic achievement while helping students facing diverse challenges cope with obstacles.
Support staff are here to assist parents, students, counselors, and school staff with registration, transcripts, report cards, and information about post secondary education. Our goal is to provide the best possible services for both students and parents. We believe in the importance of each student as an individual and are committed to providing quality guidance services.
Meet your Counseling Crew:
Brittany Stark: School Counselor, A-L
Kate Devoll: School Counselor, M-Z
Suzanne Pingel: District Social Worker
Daly Mendoza: College and Career Coordinator
Kathy Gomez: Receptionist and Secretary for the counseling office
Jolinda Childress: Registrar
Important Dates to Remember
October 1st: FAFSA opens
Ocotober 14th: PSAT/ASVAB
October 15th: College Fair and Financial Aid Parent Meeting
Early November: Amarillo Area Scholarships open
November: Specific date TBD, Pre-ACT to 10th graders
November 23-27: Thanksgiving Break
December 8-11: STAAR EOC Retest
Location: Pampa High School, East Harvester Avenue, Pampa, TX, USA
Phone: 806-669-4800