2023-2024 PCHS Counselor Connect
April 2024
Month at Glance
4/1 - No School
4/2 - Returning Student Registration Opens
4/4 - SAT scores from March 6th administration available for students
4/2 - Secondary Summer School Registration Opens
4/8 - Solar Eclipse
4/9 - FISD Summer School Information Webinar
4/11 - Summer Job & CTE Fair (see flyer below)
4/16 - Cap and Gown Delivery for Seniors
EOC Test Dates (See more information below)
4/9 - English I & English II
4/23 - Algebra I
4/24 - Biology & US History
Dual Credit
Last day to pass and submit TSI scores is April 11th (the deadline was extended). See test prep options below.
Need to Know Where to Locate Information?
SENIOR WALL
We will be doing a "Senior Wall" this semester to celebrate all of your accomplishments. Please complete this SENIOR WALL FORM so we can celebrate YOU! In this form you will include your plans for after high school. This can be anything from what college/university you're going to, to taking a gap year.
April Character Strength - GRIT
Did you know that research shows that taking dual credit classes increases high school graduation rates and college enrollment, and shortens the time to graduation for both community college and four-year university students. Learn more about dual credit opportunities in FISD.
Free TSI Prep through FISD
Please complete this form and follow the enrollment directions.
Scholarship Opportunity for Sophomores & Juniors
Dedman Distinguished Scholars Program at The University of Texas at Austin - 5th Annual Dedman Essay Competition for 2024.
We are offering five scholarships to high school sophomores and juniors in the amount of $1,500, $1,000, $500, and two $250 awards. The scholarship has no prerequisites regarding ethnicity, economic background, or extracurricular activities and there is no fee to participate.
The contest requires applicants to submit a 750-800 word essay at our website dedmanessay.com on the following prompt:
Consider a scenario where an individual’s humility, or rather their excessive display of it, resulted in a missed opportunity or setback in their personal or professional life. How does this situation challenge the conventional praise of humility as an unquestioned virtue? What insights can we gain about the complex role of humility in achieving success and promoting ourselves?
Additionally, this year we will host two writing workshops to help students write and revise their essays before submission. These workshops will be held over Zoom. More information about the workshops, including dates and times, will be posted on the website shortly.
The competition has opened, and the deadline for submission is April 30 at 11:59 PM. It would be deeply appreciated if you could spread the word about this opportunity to all of your sophomores and juniors, as it's crucial that we provide resources to students interested in pursuing college. Additionally, I have attached a flyer that you can use to help advertise the opportunity around your school.
If you have any additional questions, please contact dedmanessay@gmail.com or visit our website at dedmanessay.com.
SAT Scores
SAT SD Scores Available April 4th SAT results for 11th graders who took the exam on March 6, 2024, will be available online beginning Thursday, April 4th @ 5pm. Testers will receive a detailed email from our campus CTF on Thursday, April 4th with directions on how to view SAT scores through the student’s College Board account. Questions about SAT Scores? Contact Starla Taylor at taylorst@friscoisd.org
STAAR EOC Testing Information
STAAREOCTestingInformation
Panther Creek High School will administer the Spring STAAR EOC exams in April. A passing score on all 5 STAAR EOC tests is a graduation requirement in the state of Texas.
The test dates are as follows:
Tuesday, April 9th - English 1 and English 2 *
Tuesday, April 23rd - Algebra 1
Wednesday, April 24th - Biology and US History *
(* indicates a late arrival day for all students not testing. Arrival time is 12:15 pm.
Late arrival bus transportation will be provided.)
Please do not schedule any appointments on these days so that students are present to test.
Students will need to bring their district-issued Chromebook fully charged on test day.
Students will be released when testing is completed and will return to their normal school schedule. (Students with CTE classes who have missed the bus by the time they complete the test, will remain in the testing room until their next class unless they have their own transportation.)
For more information about the STAAR/EOC please go to:
FISD Testing information HERE
Link for the Late Arrival Bus Schedule HERE
Cambium's Practice Tests for STAAR & TELPAS click sheet HERE
If you have any questions, please contact the C
Senior Class of 2024
March Top 10 Focus for Seniors
- Quartile letters are posted in your student portal
- FAFSA opened December - create your FSA ID now
- Completing the FAFSA or opting out is a graduation requirement. To opt out: If 18 or older, the opt out tile is in your student portal. Under 18, parents must opt out through guardian gateway.
- FAFSA Priority deadline moved to April 15th (you can still complete the FAFSA after this date
- Apply for scholarships (more in PC Senior Guide)
- Senior Transcripts with GPA Available - need an official transcript, order through parchment (instructions on the PC Senior Guide)
- College Bound - CHECK YOUR EMAIL for housing information, financial aid packages, etc. - College emails typically need a response!
- Block off time to visit or revisit colleges and universities and attend Rising Freshman events
- Stay focused - colleges have the right to pull their admission letters. Use your best judgement at all times.
- Start looking for a summer job
Log Your Volunteer Hours!
FAFSA Information
Who Needs An FSA ID?: Demystifying FSA IDs for Students and Parents
Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical step in securing financial assistance for higher education. One essential requirement is the Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID), which often raises questions, especially for students who are dependent. In this blog, TxCAN will clarify who needs an FSA ID, ensuring a smoother FAFSA application process.
Read More Here
Navigating the New FSA ID Process for Parents Without SSNs
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an essential step in securing financial aid for higher education. For parents without Social Security Numbers (SSNs), a new FSA ID process has been introduced for the 2024-25 FAFSA application. This blog will clarify the key aspects of this process, ensuring that you understand the steps involved and are well-prepared when the time comes to assist families in this process.
Helpful Videos:
Applying for Financial Aid with the FAFSA Form
Understand and Prepare FAFSA Form Contributors
Scholarships
April Scholarships & Deadlines
2024 American Dream Scholarship - Recognize immigrants or first generation American citizen high school seniors in the DFW area - Deadline to apply is May 15, 2024
College Board - Big Future Scholarships - earn up to $40,000 in scholarships!
FISD Scholarships are housed in your Xello account (log in through student portal)
Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay
askADVi
Save Your Grade Level Guidance Locker - All lessons throughout the year will be linked here!
Stay in Touch with PCHS!
Remind 101
Class of 2024 - text “@paws2024” to 81010
Class of 2025 - text “@paws2025” to 81010
Class of 2026 - text “@paws2026” to 81010
Class of 2027 - text “@paws2027” to 81010
Social Media
Additional Resources
- ASVAB Opportunities & Military Readiness
- College Board - BigFuture
- GoingMerry - FAFSA & Scholarships
- Texas OnCourse - Map My Grad
- Texas Workforce Commission - Job search, Texas Reality and Career Check, College & Career Exploration, and much more
- College Series - ACT & SAT Prep with Princeton Review
- College Series - Finding Your Dream College - Princeton Review
- Xello - Future Ready for every student! All FISD students will access Xello
- Addressing Cyberbullying and Unwise Social Media Use
- Chasing Childhood
- FISD Academic Guide and Course Catalog
- FISD Parent Education: Curriculum Resources, Special Education Training & Events, Guidance & Counseling Resources
- New to FISD
- Parenting a Strong Willed Child
- The Truth About Vaping - What All Parents & Students should Know
Panther Creek High School Counseling
Email: CartheyA@Friscoisd.org
Website: https://schools.friscoisd.org/campus/high-school/panther-creek/home
Location: 1875 PGA Pkwy, Frisco, TX, USA
Phone: 469-633-8200