FMHS Counseling Department News
February 2022
February is Here!
It's hard to believe that we are already one week into the second semester! We hope your second-semester courses are going smoothly!
You will find the different activities we have this month to celebrate Black History Month in the picture to the side. Here is a list of various activities that will happen this month as well.
- The Door Decorating contest begins February 1. The Diversity Council will decide the winners!!
- February 10th HBCU College Fair @ Winthrop University (by invitation)
- February 16 & 17 Gullah Red RIce Samples outside the Commons Conference room and R wing at lunch
- February 22 Black History Spotlight Day
- February 24 Celebrating FMHS's First Black Graduates in 2nd Block
- Check out the Buzz each week for a special Black History spotlight.
Other Dates to Note
- February 18 Half Day of School
- February 21 No School
- February 23 AP Night
- February 28 AP Letters Due to Counselors
Class of 2022--Special Announcements
- Please make sure you have ordered your cap and gown for the graduation ceremony this spring. Caps and gowns will be required to participate. Make sure you leave enough time for shipping.
- Fort Mill Foundation Scholarships are now available! Hard copies are available in the main counseling office. FMVA students should check their email for scholarship information. The deadline for all applications is March 1!
Curriculum Night
We held a curriculum night for our rising 9th-grade students to learn about FMHS and the electives that we offer. If you were unable to attend or would like to go back and review the information, we created a website dedicated to Curriculum Night and our elective opportunities! Many teachers made videos to help you learn about their classes! Click here to visit the website!
Don't forget to check our website for additional information and updates!
Happy February!
Start Strong
- Evaluate how this semester is going. Think about whether there are any adjustments you need to make to be successful this semester.
- Use a planner or agenda to keep track of your assignments, tests, quizzes, and extracurricular activities.
- Take good notes in class.
- Make use of before and after school live help time with your teachers.
- Use the SC Discus free tutoring! Log in through your ClassLink account on the main HS website.
- Make sure you use your study time wisely.
Grade Level Information
9th Grade
- Freshman IGPs are wrapping up! If you haven't signed up for your meeting or had your meeting already, your counselor will assign a time to you. Find more information on sign ups and links to the elective survey here.
10th Grade
- 10th grade IGP meetings are wrapping up! Contact your counselor with any questions! Find more information on sign ups and links to the elective survey here!
- Jostens Class Ring meetings will happen on February 9.
11th Grade
- Don't forget to check out the Guidance department website for helpful hints as you finish out your junior year!
- The school day ACT will take place on March 8.
- The school day SAT will take place on March 23.
12th Grade
- Major cord applications will come out later this spring. Keep an eye on your email!
- Don't miss the scholarship information below in this newsletter. Check the top of the newsletter for information on the Fort Mill Foundation scholarships!
- If you need a transcript sent, please make sure you log in to Naviance to request it. This includes mid-year transcript needs after the first semester ends.
Resources
Activities and Clubs
- Face to face meetings are following appropriate social distance protocol and safety measures.
- Some clubs are holding virtual meetings.
- You can find club information in the weekly newsletter link on the main FMHS website.
- Club information is also available in the main commons area.
College and Career Readiness
- Mr. Young is our Career Development Facilitator. He is here to help you explore careers! Set up an appointment with him today! You can email him here.
- Check out the FMHS Calendar for information on upcoming virtual college visits.
- Don't miss the No Limits November and Dream December recordings to learn more about soft skills and helping prepare you for life after high school!
- We held information sessions on College Planning 101 and Scholarships and Financial Aid earlier this year. Check out the recordings!
Community Resources--Mental Health Resource Guide
Free Tutoring
- Math
- English
- Science
- Social Studies
- World Languages
- AP/SAT/ACT test prep
To access the tutoring, go to ClassLink, and enter your school email address and password. Next, click on SC Discus, then click on Tutor.com.
Naviance
- Complete career interest assessments
- Search for colleges based on your career interests
- Compare colleges and find your best fit
- Check your GPA
- Request transcripts be sent to your colleges
- Request letters of recommendation from FMHS teachers to be sent to your colleges
- Search for scholarships
You will find videos to walk you through how to log in to Naviance on YouTube! To log in click on Sign in with Clever and use your school email address and password.
Scholarships
- We have scholarships listed in Naviance and on this spreadsheet. Students need to log in to their FMSD account to access the spreadsheet.
- In the spring, the Fort Mill Foundation scholarships will also open up. Seniors should check their email for more information!
- College Board has an Opportunity Scholarship that students can enter by completing tasks that are part of the college/career search process. Find more information here!
- The Commission on Higher Education oversees the state Hope, Life, and Palmetto Fellows scholarships. Find more information here.
Testing--ACT/SAT
- Students can sign up for the ACT on a national test date here.
- Students can sign up for the SAT on a national test date here.
- Please make sure to check that your testing site is still open prior to arriving at the test site. Some sites have had to cancel due to COVID. You may have to travel farther than normal for an available test site.
- Students qualifying for Free/Reduced lunch can request a Fee Waiver in the counseling office.
- If students have an IEP or 504 their accommodations must be requested and approved by College Board and/or ACT. Please make sure that you are registering early to ensure there is adequate time for staff to send in the information. ACT and College Board will still have to review and approve or deny the requests.
Important Dates
School Dates to Note
- February 1 Black History Month Door Decorating and Unity Display Begins
- February 5 Virtual SAT Workshop for 11th and 12th Grade Students
- February 7-11 Spirit Week
- February 10th HBCU College Fair @ Winthrop University (by invitation)
- February 16 & 17 Gullah Red RIce Sample African Vegetable Stew outside the Commons Conference room and R wing at lunch
- February 18 Half Day for Students
- February 21 No School
- February 22 Black History Spotlight Day
- February 23 AP Night
- February 24 Celebrating FMHS's First Black Graduates in 2nd Block
- February 28 AP Letters Due to Counselors
- Check out the Buzz each week for a special Black History spotlight.
Connect With Your Counselor
Mrs. Courtney Kountz 9th, A-K
Ms. Adrienne Long 9th, L-Z
Ms. Carly Patterson 10th-12th A-D
pattersoncd@fortmillschools.org
Mr. Steve Kanoon 10th-12th, E-K
Ms. Tychonna Urquhart 10th-12th Grades L-Ri
Mrs. Haleigh Strayer, 10th-12th, Ro-Z
Mr. Edward Young Career Counselor
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @fmhscounseling
Fort Mill High School Counseling Department
Website: http://fortmillfmhs.ss11.sharpschool.com/guidance
Location: Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill, SC, USA
Phone: 803-548-8235
Twitter: @fmhscounseling