SHS Counseling Newsletter
February 2021
This week is National School Counseling Week, and the SHS counseling department is thrilled to provide our students with academic, college/career, and social/emotional development! This year's theme for National School Counseling Week is All In For All Students. In honor of ASCA's theme, we want to share why we chose the school counseling profession.
Ms. Ponticelli serves students with last names A-D, and this is why she is all in for all students... "I became a school counselor to help students with college and career readiness. I love hearing students discuss what they want to do after high school and I'm excited to be a small part of that journey for them."
Ms. Montgomery (our supply counselor) serves students with last names E-Li, and this is why she is all in for all students... "The reason I decided to pursue school counseling is because of the impact school counselors made on my life growing up. At a time when I felt like no one understood me or supported me, the counseling department showed me otherwise."
Dr. Oseni serves students students with last names E-Li, and this is why she is all in for all students... "I'm all in for students always, but especially during these troubling times with the pandemic. My goal is to help students with their coping skills while they strive to excel academically."
Dr. Brady serves students with last names Ll-Roc, and this is why she is all in for all students... "I was incredibly fortunate to have an amazing high school counselor, Mr. John Armstrong, whom I still consider a mentor. It was important to me to pay it forward, helping students find their passion and making a plan for their future."
Dr. White serves students with last names Rod-Z, and this is why she is all in for all students... "I enjoy helping students navigate through their teen years and to figure out their life-long dreams in terms of career and sense of belonging."
Small Group Opportunities Are Back!!
Virtual Senior Day: The Nuts & Bolts Edition (current 12th grade students)
In August, the counselors held a virtual senior day and addressed, in detail, post-secondary options, college applications, scholarships, Naviance, and more. If your senior missed virtual senior day or needs a refresher, they are welcome to attend. There are TWO identical sessions for your senior to choose, February 3rd or February 10th.
Wednesday, February 3rd @ 9:00AM
Register in advance for this meeting - please click HERE
Wednesday, February 10th @ 9:00AM
Register in advance for this meeting - please click HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Webinar Opportunity: The Admission Game
Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Times: 6:00PM EST or 9:00PM EST (choose one time)
Overview: Do you ever wonder who "gets in" and "why?" The Admission Game answers these questions by taking you inside the admission process.
Presented by: Peter Van Buskirk, 25-year veteran of the college admissions process
Direct Registration Link: https://www.revolutionprep.com/webinars/the-admission-game/
*This webinar is sponsored by Revolution Prep online tutoring.
Webinar Opportunity: College Admissions in the Era of COVID-19
Times: 6:00PM EST or 9:00PM EST (choose one time)
Overview: The pandemic radically changed the way students access and experience education. Participants will take away tips and strategies for successfully navigating the college application process in light of these changes.
Direct Registration Link: https://www.revolutionprep.com/webinars/college-admissions-in-the-era-of-covid-19/
*This webinar is sponsored by Revolution Prep online tutoring.
Webinar Opportunity: The Ultimate Guide to Career Options & Choices for Parents & High School Students
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Time: 6:30-8:30PM EST
Overview: Workshop presenters will explore the five paths to preparing for a career, cost of college versus technical schools versus apprenticeships, and how students and parents can best prepare for their chosen career paths.
Following the webinar, topic-specific breakouts rooms will be available to parents and students. Breakout rooms will provide parents and students the opportunity to ask questions to industry representatives, education representatives and military representatives. A complete list of breakout sessions will be available before the webinar.
Eventbrite Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ultimate-guide-to-career-options-choices-for-parents-students-tickets-135326006729
*This workshop is sponsored by GaDOE and the construction industry.
Do You Need To Switch Your Child's Back-To-School Choice: face-to-face or virtual?
Please include the following in ONE email:
- Your student's name
- Your student's ID number
- Back to school choice (face-to-face or remote)
- A photo of the enrolling parent's picture ID
Procedure to Request an UNOFFICIAL Transcript
- The student's first and last name
- The student ID (lunch number)
- A copy of the student's photo ID (or school ID)
Procedure to Request an OFFICIAL Transcript
Click HERE to be directed to the SHS Counseling website!
Important: ParentVUE and StudentVUE Information
ParentVUE is a platform for parents to monitor their student's grades and check attendance.
For assistance with ParentVUE, please send an email to our Front Office clerk, Michelle Pace, at michelle.pace@cobbk12.org. In your email, please include your student's first and last name as well as their student ID (lunch number).
StudentVUE allows students the opportunity to monitor their grades, which helps promote student accountability. Student accountability is an important trait to develop in our students. It helps them take responsibility for their actions, learning, and helps improve academic performance and achievements.
If your student does not have a StudentVUE account, your student must send an email to our Media Specialist, Paula Axford, at paula.axford@cobbk12.org. In the email, the student should include their first and last name as well as their student ID (lunch number).
Virtual College Rep Visits @ SHS
College Rep Visits are held on Wednesdays only to ensure students' instructional time is not impacted.
Currently, we have the following colleges/universities who have signed up and ready to meet with our students.
- Andrew College - Wednesday, 2/3 @ 10:30AM
- Mississippi State University - Wednesday, 2/3 @ 1:30PM
- University of Alabama, Huntsville - Wednesday, 2/3 @ 2:30PM
- Kennesaw State University - Wednesday, 2/10 @ 1:30PM
- The University of Alabama - Wednesday, 2/10 @ 2:30PM
DON'T DELAY, SIGN UP TODAY!
*NOTE: Cobb County School District assigned every student with a Naviance account. If your student does not recall their username and/or password, the student needs to send an email to their assigned counselor.
HOPE GPA and GaFutures
**This information is pertinent for all students, especially 11th and 12th grade students.**
If your student is planning to attend college in Georgia, he or she is strongly encouraged to monitor their HOPE GPA on the GaFutures website. If they have not created an account on GaFutures, please click HERE to do so. The website is user-friendly!
To accurately monitor the HOPE GPA, the high school must have the student's social security number on file. If, for some reason, your student cannot view his or her HOPE GPA; your student needs to send an email to his or her assigned counselor to confirm that we have their social security number on file. If we do not have their social security number on file, the enrolling parent/guardian must send an email to our counseling clerk, Nury Gonzalez, at nury.gonzalez@cobbk12.org and include the following information:
- The student's first and last name
- The student ID number (lunch number)
- A copy of the parent/guardian picture ID
- A copy of the student's social security card
After all information has been received by Mrs. Gonzalez, the information will be updated in the school's student information system. Then, it will be updated in GaFutures. Please allow 2-3 business days.
*NOTE For Seniors (Class of 2021): Senior transcripts have been uploaded to GaFutures which reflect all credits earned from 9th, 10th, 11th grade.
*Students are responsible for setting up their own GaFutures account.
*If a student forgets his or her GaFutures username and/or password, the student is responsible for contacting GaFutures directly. The local high school does NOT have access to reset usernames and/or passwords.
Questions About HOPE, Zell Miller Scholarship, or FAFSA?
GAFutures hosts virtual consultations with students and their families who have questions about HOPE Scholarship, the Zell Miller Scholarship, FAFSA, etc. Please schedule a virtual consultation with our Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) rep, Marcus Hilliard. Click HERE to schedule a virtual consultation with him. It is a FREE service!
Upcoming Events & Reminders
- National School Counseling Week: February 1-5
- Winter Break: February 15-22
2020-2021 SHS Counseling Department
Email: lea.ponticelli@cobbk12.org
Ms. Chyna Montgomery-Rich, supply counselor for Dr. Renea Oseni, Alpha: E - Li
Email: Chyna.montgomery-rich@cobbk12.org
Dr. Brandy Brady, Alpha: Ll - Roc and DE for Chatt Tech
Department Chair
Email: brandy.brady@cobbk12.org
Dr. Tammy White, Alpha: Rod - Z and DE for KSU
Email: tammy.white@cobbk12.org
Mrs. Nury Gonzalez, Counseling Clerk
Email: nury.gonzalez@cobbk12.org
Mrs. Martha Gribble, Registrar
Email: Martha.gribble@cobbk12.org
CONNECT WITH US ON INSTAGRAM: @sprayberrycounseling
CONNECT WITH US ON TWITTER: @sprayberrycounse1ing
Website: www.sprayberrycounseling.com
Location: 2525 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA, USA
Phone: (770) 578-3200