FMHS Counseling Department News
October 2021
October News
Happy October!
October is a busy month! We are excited for the PSAT, a senior college visit/job shadow day, and continuing with IGP meetings! Check out the activities below so you don't miss out!
M1 ended on 9/27 and M2 began on 9/28. You will receive report cards for M1 at 4:00 p.m. on October 4.
Wednesday, October 13
PSAT/ASVAB/Senior Job Shadow/College Visit Day
- FMHS will be administering the PSAT and ASVAB to those students who registered on October 13.
- Students can sign up here for the ASVAB through October 9.
- Seniors will have a job shadow/career day on October 13.
ACT WORKSHOP
- FMHS is partnering with All In Test Prep to offer a workshop for the ACT on Saturday, November 13 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- The workshop cost is $40.
- Students can register for the workshop here.
SENIOR UPDATES
Cap and Gown Orders
- There will be a senior meeting on October 7 during 2nd block. Seniors will get information from Jostens about purchasing caps and gowns.
- Seniors can order online or Jostens representatives will be back on campus on October 15.
OCTOBER"S FABULOUS FRESHMEN!
Each month we will be recognizing our FABULOUS FRESHMEN! Students and staff can nominate one of our FABULOUS FRESHMEN to recognize their accomplishments! We will share them in our monthly newsletter and our bulletin board by the main R-wing doors.
CONGRATULATIONS to our October Fabulous Freshmen!
- Nicholas Johnson: Nicholas is a responsible young man who is passionate about continually learning and growing as an individual. He demonstrates personal responsibility and is proud to be a yellow jacket!
- Lucy Marzoratti: Since the first day, Lucy has made it her mission to model good citizenship; she is respectable, on time, courteous, and a diligent young person. She comes to class with a positive attitude and is willing to help whenever asked or even when not.
- Cade Candee: Cade is a hard worker and a pleasure to have in class. He participates in class discussions and always puts forth his best effort. I appreciate Cade's work ethic in my class.
- Griffin Gacsy: Griffin has worked diligently this semester and does an excellent job communicating about his work!
- Parker McDaniel: Parker is a leader in the classroom. He is prepared every day and excels at all assignments and tasks he accomplishes. He is considerate in his behaviors and actions with both his peers and teachers. Additionally, he is a member of the JROTC.
- Maddy Miller & Lexi Seitz: These two girls went around the entire 9th grade and recruited a Powder Puff football team. It took them three days of talking to girls and stopping by rooms with applications. They took this on because they have wonderful school spirit!
- Kate Cramer: Kate has done an incredible job of staying on top of her work and communicating!
GRADE LEVEL GOOGLE CLASSROOMS
- Each grade level now has a Google Classroom with information for your specific grade! These classrooms will be used each year with more information added for your students' new grade level.
- Students should search their email for information on how to access their Google classroom!
Don't forget to check our website for additional information and updates!
Strong Start to the Semester
- Use PowerSchool to check your grades regularly.
- 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! Login through your ClassLink account on the main HS website.
- Make sure you use your study time wisely.
- Reach out for help if there is something you are struggling with!
Grade Level Information
9th Grade
- IGP meetings will begin after October 13. Check your email for more information
- Don't forget to check out the Counseling department website for helpful hints as you begin your freshman year!
10th Grade
- 10th Grade IGPs will take place towards the end of the first semester. Please contact your counselor if you have questions.
- The PSAT and ASVAB will take place on Wednesday, October 13.
- Don't forget to check out the Counseling department website for helpful hints as you begin your sophomore year.
11th Grade
- 11th Grade IGPs will take place mid-semester. Please contact your counselor if you have questions.
- The PSAT and ASVAB will take place on Wednesday, October 13.
- Don't forget to check out the Counseling department website for helpful hints as you begin your junior year!
12th Grade
Transcripts
- Senior IGP meetings are wrapping up!
- Seniors can request transcripts and letters of recommendation through Naviance. You can find instructions and video walkthroughs on the FMHS website.
Test Scores
- ACT, SAT, and AP test scores must be sent to colleges directly from ACT or College Board. FMHS does not send test scores to colleges.
- Click here for the ACT website.
- Click here for the SAT website
- When signing up to take a test you can request four of your scores to be sent to 4 colleges for free.
- Any additional score reports you wish to have can be requested through your account with the test website. There is a fee to send additional score reports to colleges.
Scholarships
- College Board Opportunity Scholarships are available for juniors and seniors! Click here for more details!
- After colleges receive test scores and final transcripts in June, they will award the Life or Hope scholarship for qualifying students.
- The counseling office will notify students that qualify for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship.
- The counseling website and Naviance are also updated regularly with new scholarship opportunities we receive.
Resources
Activities and Clubs
- 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.
- If you're looking for videos on Career and College Readiness, check out Mr. Young's YouTube Channel. This is the hub for previous sessions on college admissions, resume writing, athletic recruitment, and much more!
- We held information sessions on College Planning 101 and Scholarships and Financial Aid last fall that are also great resources!. Check out the recordings!
Upcoming College Visits
Come to the Commons Conference Room during FLEX to hear from these colleges! Th
- October 5 Villanova University
- October 6 George Mason University
- October 7 Virginia Tech
- October 12 Queens University of Charlotte
- October 14 Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
- October 19 University of South Carolina Lancaster
- October 20 Furman University
- October 21 University of Alabama Huntsville
- October 26 University of Connecticut
- October 27 The University of the South
- October 28 Hamilton College
Community Resources--Mental Health Resource Guide
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 main 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.
Tutoring
FREE TUTORING
For the 2020-2021 school year, SC Discus has partnered with Tutor.com for all K-12 students! Students can access tutoring for
- 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.
TUTOR MATCHING SERVICE
Tutor Matching Service provides a tutoring search engine with college students or recent graduates providing tutoring in multiple subject areas. The link is here.
*Please note that these resources are for your reference and are not a recommendation by FMHS staff.
Important Dates
School Dates to Note
- October 4 Report cards are available online at 4:00 p.m.
- October 7 Senior Meeting during 2nd Block
- October 13 10th & 11th Grade: PSAT & ASVAB
- October 13 12th Grade College Visit/Job Shadow Day
- October 15 Senior Orders Due & Junior Ring Delivery
- October 18 Teacher Work Day -- No Students
- October 19 M2 Midterm
- October 21 10th & 11th Grade Picture Make-Up Day
- October 22 9th Grade Picture Make-Up Day
*Don't miss the virtual college visits above in Mr. Young's Career and College section!
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
Email: kountzc@fortmillschools.org
Website: http://fortmillfmhs.ss11.sharpschool.com/guidance
Location: Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill, SC, USA
Phone: 803-548-8235
Twitter: @fmhscounseling