OHS Counseling News
Week of 3.25.24
Important Dates (Subject to change)
March 25- Term 4 Begins
April 10- Report Card Distribution
April 15- Deadline for The Community Foundation of Frederick Co. Scholarships
April 25-27- OHS Presents "Chicago: Teen Edition"
May 16- Senior's Last Day of Instruction
May 17- Prom at Clarion Inn Frederick Event Center 7-10pm
May 23- Graduation at Mount St. Mary's University at 1:30pm
A Few Things Coming Up
Chicago: Teen Edition
On April 25 through 27th, Oakdale High Performing Arts department is proud to present the
Broadway Smash musical that's been killin' it for 50 year,
"Chicago: Teen Edition"!
Tickets are available right NOW at www.ShowTix4u.com!
This Tony Award winning musical takes place in 1920s Chicago, where jazz reigns supreme and popularity is measured by the crimes you commit! Originally conceived and directed by legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, this musical is filled with treasured songs like "Cell Block Tango," "Razzle Dazzle," and "All That Jazz."
Purchase your tickets early for best choice of seating at our online box office, www.ShowTix4u.com
Senior Class of 2024
REMINDER- Have you ordered your Cap and Gown?
If you have yet to order your cap and gown and/or tassel please do so as soon as possible. The link is below:
State Financial Aid Priority Deadline is Extended to May 15, 2024
State Financial Aid Priority Deadline is Extended to May 15, 2024
Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Update
State Financial Aid Priority Deadline is Extended to May 15, 2024
The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) has extended the priority deadline to submit the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the MHEC One-App for undocumented students from March 15 to May 15, 2024.
Students who complete and submit their FAFSA or MHEC One-App by the priority deadline are included in the initial round of awards in June of 2024.
The awarding for 2024-2025 academic year will not begin until June of 2024. If applicable, students will have until June 15, 2024 to submit requested documentation for priority awarding.
The MHEC One-App is available in the student's Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) account. The MHEC One-App replaces the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) by including a section for undocumented applicants and all other applicants ineligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for MHEC State aid programs.
While students who are eligible to complete the FAFSA are not required to complete the MHEC One-App to be considered for the Guaranteed Access (GA), Educational Assistance (EA), and Maryland Community College Promise scholarship, all applicants may complete the One-App to apply for all of the other numerous grants, scholarships, and loan assistance repayment programs offered through MHEC.
MHEC is currently in the process of updating the financial assistance webpage to reflect new information for the upcoming 2024-2025 award year. MHEC urges all students to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible and include at least one Maryland institution of higher education on the list of colleges. Important: Students will not be considered for the Guaranteed Access (GA) or Educational Assistance (EA) grants unless a Maryland institution of higher education is listed on the FAFSA and students will not be considered for the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship unless a Maryland community college is listed on the FAFSA.
Important changes for the 2024-2025 academic year as a result of Federal Student Aid (FSA) FAFSA changes for 2024-2025 are on the MHEC website.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email OSFA at faohelp.mhec@maryland.gov.
OHS Senior Class Reminders in Schoology Class of 2024- Join Now!
- Senior class reminders will be posted on Schoology in the OHS Senior Class of 2024 group. Students in the senior class have been automatically added to this group. Parents who want to join can follow these instructions:
- Click Groups at the top of Schoology.
- Select My Groups.
- Click Join Group on the right.
- Enter the Group Access Code: CGRP-K9TG-4FX56
- Click JOIN
Community Foundation Academic Scholarships- Several Scholarships Available
The Community Foundation of Frederick County administers scholarships primarily for the benefit of Frederick County, Maryland residents who are pursuing post-secondary education, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, or certifications.
Approximately 60% of our available scholarships consider an applicant’s and/or their family’s financial need. To be eligible for financial need-based scholarships through the Community Foundation, you must be eligible to complete the FAFSA or for tuition reduction under the Maryland Dream Act as an undocumented student. Additionally, applicants must complete an essay in the scholarship application regarding their need for financial assistance.
Applicants must also upload a PDF of their transcript into the application. High school students, please attach your SENIOR year, first semester transcript (PDF) which must list your cumulative GPA. All other applicants, please attach your MOST recent transcript (PDF) which must list your cumulative GPA. The name of the school must be clearly legible on the form. Both “unofficial” and “official” transcripts are acceptable.
The online Scholarship Application for the 2024-2025 academic year must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on April 15, 2024. After an application is submitted, it is screened to see if it fits the requirements for more than 250 different scholarships. If the application qualifies for any of these scholarships, the application will automatically be placed into consideration for those scholarships.
Please note: You will not be able to apply until February 15th and you can do so by clicking this link: https://cffredco.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/scholarx_studentportal.aspx
FCC Foundation-Several Scholarships Available
The FCC Foundation will be accepting Fall Scholarship Applications from February 1, 2024 to June 15, 2024.
The application is available here: FCC Foundation Scholarship Application Portal. Applicants will need a FCC student ID number, FCC email address, and password to apply.
Once students are on the site,
1. Click “Sign In” in the upper right-hand corner of your screen to begin.
2. Login with your FCC student ID number, FCC email address, and password.
3. Complete and submit the General Application. (Did you know that completing the General Application may qualify you for multiple scholarships?)
4. You can also click on and complete any Special Scholarship Applications not covered by the General Application.
PLEASE NOTE: Not all scholarships have an “Apply” button. Most scholarships are “Auto Match”, meaning the system will automatically match and apply you to the scholarships you are eligible for based on your PeopleSoft information (i.e. major, GPA, FAFSA, etc.) and your responses on the General Application. The scholarships listed with an “Apply” button require additional information that is not included on the General Application. Scholarships require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 unless you are a new student to FCC.
Students that will be enrolled in any FCC Dual Enrollment Program (Early College, Open Campus, or High School-Based) for the Fall 2024 Semester, are not eligible for scholarships offered by the FCC Foundation.
To Access All Scholarships On Naviance, use the following Tabs: Colleges Tab > Scholarships and Money > Scholarship List Go to Naviance to access this information.
March Scholarship Newsletter -various scholarships/deadlines
Barber & Stylist Scholarship 3/20/2024
New Market Lions Club Scholarship 2024 3/28/2024
FASSE Scholarship 2024 3/28/2024
Masonic Charities of MD Scholarship 3/31/2024
Frederick County MD Alumnae Chapter Scholarships (2) 3/31/2024
Maryland Girls State 2024 -Check Naviance for additional information 3/31/2024
Episcopal Orphans House Scholarship Fund 4/15/2024
The Frederick Club of NANBPWC 4/1/2024
BASZ Scholarship 4/1/2024
Zaching Against Cancer Spirit Scholarship 4/1/2024
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 191 Scholarship 4/1/2024
American Legion Scholarship Rules
American Foreign Service Assn. Essay Contest (all grades) 4/1/2024
Breast Cancer Awareness Scholarship 4/1/2024
Sons of the American Legion Gold Star Scholarship 2024
Woodsboro Bank Scholarship 2024 4/1/2024
Frederick Steeplechasers Scholarship 4/5/2024
Fordham Lee Memorial Scholarship 4/8/2024
LOUYAA Scholarship 2024 4/8/2024
The Community Foundation of Frederick County- Multiple Scholarships 4/15/2024
Nymeo's Believe and Achieve Scholarship 2024 4/15/2024
Dunkin Donuts Scholarship 4/15/2024
Catoctin Fish and Game Association Scholarship 4/15
Minority Cosmetic Science Scholarship 4/15/2024
Kappa Kappa Iota Sorority Scholarship 4/15/2024
MDEMA Scholarship Opportunity https://form.jotform.com/233536944951061 4/19/2024
Baltimore Metro NSU Scholarship 4/21/2024
Dr. Bourne Scholarship 4/30/2024
Earl Robbins Jr Scholarship 4/30/2024
Tzu Chi USA Scholarship 4/30/2024
Ira Rosenzwog Scholarship 5/1/2024
OHS Athletic Booster Scholarship 5/6/2024
Miss Utility Scholarship 5/24/2024
Smiling Senior Scholarship- Apply online at SmileFrederick.Com 5/31/2024
Abbott and Fenner Scholarship Program 6/10/2024
Rotary Club of Southern Frederick-Martin Schipper Memorial Scholarship 6/30/2024
Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship 7/20/2024
Scholarship Resources
Scholarships/Financial Aid
FCPS provides scholarship and financial aid information as a resource only and does not endorse any sponsor of any particular
scholarship program.
Resources:
● Naviance – Scholarships can be found on the Colleges page under “Scholarship Search”
● https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
● https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships
● http://www.mhec.state.md.us/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/descriptions.asp
SAT/ACT Information
SAT Information
Testing Dates
March 9th
May 4th
June 1st
Register online: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register
SAT Prep:
● College Board Daily Practice App – https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice
● Khan Academy – https://www.khanacademy.org/sat
● SAT Prep Courses at FCC
ACT Information –
Testing Dates
April 13th
June 8th
Register online: https://www.act.org/
ACT Prep:
● Online and hard copy test prep materials: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-
preparation.html
Spring Open House
Saturday, April 20, 2024
9:00 am - 12 pm
Athletics Center
RSVP: https://enroll.frederick.edu/register/SpringOpenHouse2024
This event is for all prospective students interested in learning more about FCC. The event includes a campus resource fair, guided campus tour, student panel, and career exploration workshop. This is a great event to see campus and have all of your questions answered!
Monroe Center Open House
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Monroe Center
RSVP will be created soon
This event is for all prospective students interested in continuing education and workforce development. During the event you will be able to interact with program managers, tour the Monroe Center, and learn about financial assistance opportunities.
Dual Enrollment, Open Campus, Early College and Career Pathways
“Dual Enrollment/Open Campus, Early College and Career Pathways students should not purchase course materials. All required course materials are provided at no charge to these students as part of the Maryland Blueprint for Education through our partnership with SlingShot. It is very important that these students understand how to access their myFCC email. All course material information (shipping, availability, digital links) will be sent to them from SlingShot through their official College email address.
This information is posted at the top of the Bookstore website.https://bookstore.frederick.edu/”
Spring Dual Enrollment at FCC
Are you interested in taking a Dual Enrollment course with Frederick Community College this Spring semester?
Registration open October 30th
SAT Test Prep at FCC
Register Now!
Helpful Information for Dual Enrollment
If you need log in or password help for your Frederick Community College (FCC) Dual Enrollment Course
FCC Website: https://www.frederick.edu/
MyFCC Student Portal: https://myfcc.frederick.edu/
1) Find and know your FCC Student User ID#:
-Students should have received an admissions letter with a Student User ID number.
-Your HS based instructor has access to your ID# in Blackboard and PeopleSoft.
-You can contact DualEnrollment@frederick.edu to receive your ID number.
2) Create or Reset your FCC Password:
-.pdf instructions here
-IT Help Desk: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/it-services.aspx
3) Log on to Blackboard
-Your username for Blackboard and Outlook email will be W + ID#@myfcc.frederick.edu
(ex. W1234567@myfcc.frederick.edu)
-Video instructions here
4) Understand the basics of Blackboard
-Overview here
5) Know the FCC Resources available to you as a college student
-MyFCC Student Portal: https://myfcc.frederick.edu/
-Student Resources: https://frederick.edu/student-resources/student-resources.aspx
-Student Handbook: https://www.frederick.edu/handbook.aspx
-Gladhill Learning Commons: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/gladhill-learning-commons.aspx
-Learning Centers and Tutoring Services: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/gladhill-learning-commons/learning-centers-tutoring-services.aspx
-Know your instructor’s “Office Hours.” This is a time to seek help, ask questions, and get tutoring. You are not bothering your instructor during this time. It is set up for you.
6) Log on to Outlook email
-Instructions here
7) Contact and Request Disability Access Services, if applicable
-High School Special Education accommodations (extended time, IEP, 504, etc.) do not automatically transfer to college. YOU must request them and meet with your instructor.
-Disability Access Services DAS: https://www.frederick.edu/student-resources/das.aspx
Admission to CTC
FCPS students in Grades 9, 10, and 11 who are in good standing at their high schools may apply to a program at the Career & Technology Center. All programs are accessed through a competitive application process. When courses are over-enrolled, acceptance is based on attendance, grade point average, and performance during a shadow experience. For more information about the Career & Technology Center shadowing and application process check out the the FAQs.
**Students must shadowed the program before an application can be processed.**
Click here to learn more about the shadowing process at CTC.
Questions? Contact kristen.daly@fcps.org or erica.stull@fcps.org
College Visits
Need your transcript for a scholarship, club, honor society, MVA, or personal use?
If so, please request it through Naviance using the simple steps below.
Log on to Naviance https://student.naviance.com/oakdalehs
Click on the Colleges Tab (at the top)
Apply to College Column
Click on Manage Transcripts
Click on the Plus Sign (+)
Select “Other Transcript”
Please allow 1-2 business days to receive your transcript. A PDF copy will be sent to your FCPS email, not mailed. The email will come from Ms. Harding.
NCAA Release Form
Are you interested?
County Wide High School, College and Career Programs
Frederick County Public Schools offers many opportunities for students to explore career pathways, increase the rigor and value of their high school education, and prepare for college. These programs are open to all FCPS high school students. Some require shadowing for a day prior to applying and being accepted into the program.
- The Academy for the Fine Arts
- Career & Technology Center
- Frederick Community College Dual Enrollment program
- International Baccalaureate program:
- Navy Junior ROTC
For more information, see link below:
Maryland Information Sessions
Hear from an admission representative about UMD and our application process, followed by a student-led campus walking tour. Geared toward high school and transfer students, this session is about 2 hours long. Registration is required.
Celebrate with the UMD community on Saturday, April 27! Maryland Day is a public, campus-wide event that gives you a chance to learn about our outstanding academics and see all that UMD has to offer. Student-led walking tours of campus will be available.
Interested in other opportunities to explore campus? The self-guided audio tour is a great way to experience our university first-hand and the virtual tour allows you to discover UMD from the comfort of your own home.
We hope to see you on campus soon!
Rising Seniors Who may be Interested in Attending a Service Academy
The Service Academy Process:
1. Open Applicant File
Request Pre-Candidate Questionnaire from the Admissions Office of the applicable Academy.
- United States Military Academy - apply online at admissions.usma.edu.
- United States Air Force Academy - (800) 443-9266; apply online at academyadmissions.com.
- United States Naval Academy - (410) 293-4361; apply online at usna.edu/Admissions
- United States Coast Guard Academy - (800) 883-8724; apply online at uscga.edu/admissions/
- United States Merchant Marine Academy - (866) 546-4778; apply online at usmma.edu/admissions
2. Request Nominations (see more information below)
3. Complete Testing
- Take ACT or SAT tests, schedule Physical Aptitude Exam & Medical Exam.
- Complete Forms
- Complete all forms and return to academy or academies by their deadline.
4. Visit Service Academies: Call Admissions Office to set up a tour of academies.
Nominations:
If you are interested in applying to a service academy, you must obtain a nomination as part of the very competitive application process for most of those academies. Nominations may be requested from multiple sources including but not limited to your US Congressman or either of your state's US Senators, and the Vice President of the United States. Congressmen and Senators sometimes have information sessions about how their offices handle the process.
Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: USMA, West Point, NY; USNA, Annapolis, MD; USAFA, Colorado Springs, CO; and USMMA, Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.
Military Branches Summer Opportunity
Juniors who have an interest in learning about opportunities to attend a U.S. Service Academy for college are encouraged to apply to participate in a summer program. Each Academy’s summer program provides a week-long immersion into the academic, military, and social life of that Academy. The Academies are ranked among the top undergraduate public universities in the country.
Participation in a summer program is considered a student’s first step in navigating their future to becoming one of our nation’s next generation of leaders. Summer programs introduce one to life at an Academy, where they will experience first-class academic, athletic, and professional training at one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country
Summer program applications are now being accepted for the U.S. Military Academy (Summer Leaders Experience, West Point, NY), U.S. Naval Academy (Summer Seminar, Annapolis, MD), and U.S. Coast Guard Academy (AIM Summer Program, New London, CT).
U.S. Military Academy
Deadline: March 15, 2024
Session I
June 1-7, 2024
Session II
June 8-14, 2024
Additional information and the application for the Summer Leader Experience (SLE) are on West Point’s website at https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/summer-program
U.S. Naval Academy (USNA)
Deadline: March 31, 2024
Session I
June 1-6, 2024
Session II
June 8-13, 2024
Session III
June 15-20, 2024
Additional information and the application for the Summer Seminar are on the Naval Academy’s website at https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/NASS.php#fndtn-panel3-Steps-For
U.S. Naval Academy
Summer Stem
Deadline: March 31, 2024
Session I
(9th Graders)
June 3-8, 2024
Session II
(10th Graders)
June 10-15, 2024
Session III
(11th Graders)
June 17-21, 2024
Additional information and the application for the AIM Summer Program are on the U.S. Coast Guard Academy’s website at: https://www.uscga.edu/aim/
Financial aid is available to students who are accepted into a program. Program participants must be U.S. citizens.
Helpful Resources for Families
Mental Health Resources
The Maryland Department of Health released a “Student and Young Adult Resource Guide for Coping During COVID-19”. Click here to see it. It’s a handy, comprehensive guide created for secondary and college students to spotlight issues and find resources on how to help themselves and each other through the continued adjustment to pandemic-created changes. Many of the resources also support elementary students. The FCPS Mental Health Matters page can be found here. Students and family members who are experiencing difficulty may wish to contact the Frederick County Mental Health Association (MHA).
Walk-In Behavioral Health Services
The Walk-in Service has resumed seeing clients in person at their office located at 226 South Jefferson Street in Frederick for those who prefer to see someone face to face. They are also continuing to offer their Virtual Walk-In platform for those who feel more comfortable with that.
The MHA's call center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. From intervention, a caring and supporting voice at a moment of crisis, to connecting to resources and information, dial 211.
Child Protective Services (CPS): 301-600-2464 Help for physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect.
Crisis Services: Dial 211 - Help when you feel really anxious or really depressed and need someone to talk with so that you can stay safe.
Maryland Anonymous Tip Line: 1-833-632-7233 - Report threats or situations that put your safety, or others' safety, at risk.
Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 - Help if you are thinking about suicide.
Not My Kid: Our dynamic team offers trauma-informed prevention programs using best-practice strategies including:
• The IMBR model focuses on Information, Motivation, Behavior skills, and Resources.
• A peer-to-peer model with an emphasis on how to make healthy choices rather than on scare tactics.
• The parent-child relationship is an important focus to address risk and protective factors.
• A strength-based approach with caring adults, family support, and access to care. https://notmykid.org/
Tutoring at OHS
"TUTOR ME" Free Virtual Tutoring Sessions
- TUTOR ME is a free online tutoring service that provides subject specific tutoring, writing lab feedback for many types of papers, and SAT/ACT preparation for our FCPS students. Best of all, TUTOR ME is available to our students 24/7! Visit https://www.fcps.org/student-services/tutoring for directions on how to access this service. From there, you can see all of the subject areas available to students, as well as other additional information.
- Features include:
- An online lesson space with a virtual whiteboard - Demo Space
- Text editor and chat space
- Audio/video chat (although you do not have to use this feature or turn on your camera)
- A function to allow sharing of screenshots of work examples to assist tutors as they provide support
- More than 300 subjects from math to science, social studies and languages
- Directions for how students can access the service are here.
More information is available at the vendor website, www.tutorme.com and this Student Support Document.
Urbana Library- Helpful Sessions for Students
Online Parent Portal for School Meals
Go to the parent portal at http://linqconnect.com/ where you can:
- Apply for meal benefits (FARM)
- View menus, meal prices (NO meal price increases from last year!) and a la carte prices
- Add money to student accounts (NO FEES SY'24!)
- Transfer funds between students
- View student meal transactions
- Set low-balance notifications
Meal Benefit Applications:
- If your family participates in an assistance program, please verify your student(s) meal benefit status with the FNS Office prior to completing an application.
- Click HERE for the online application in the LINQ Connect Parent Portal.
- Click on District and enter "Frederick" to see district list.
- Select Frederick County Public Schools (MD) to begin the application.
Student Meal Accounts: FCPS is no longer using MySchoolBucks
- Meal account balances from last school year are now on LINQ Connect.
- REGISTER for a LINQ Connect account to see your student(s) balance that will be available to use when school starts on Wednesday, August 23.
- You will then be able to add money, set notifications, view students purchases and more.
"Ready, Respectful, Relentless"
School Bus Stop Information for Parents
Have your child’s student ID and birthdate available to find bus information.
OHS Counseling Office
Nick DeWaal
9th and 10th grade Last Names A-D
11th and 12th Last Names A-DAM
Tara Ketteringham
9th and 10th grade Last Names E-KH
11th and 12 Last Names DAN-HOT
Judy Whims-McGraw
9th and 10th grade Last Names Ki-O
11th and 12 grade Last Names HOU-MILE
Ilana Blum
9th and 10th grade Last Names P-SO
11th and 12th grade Last Names MILL-SIMP
Christy Polce
9th and 10 grade Last Names SP-Z
11th and 12th grade Last Names SM-Z
Erin Pierorazio- Behavior Support Specialist
Kelli Connolly- Registrar
Diane Harding- Secretary
Debbie Nester