WHS Fall 2022 SLCs

A student-led conference is a meeting with a student and his or her family and the Advisory teacher during which the student shares his or her portfolio of work and discusses goals and progress with family members. You will not meet with individual teachers at this time.

Here at WHS, our goal is to have a meaningful conversation led by your student where we can address any questions or concerns to help your child be most successful this year. Thank you for supporting your child and being a part of this process. You are the expert when it comes to your child so any insight or encouragement you have will be extremely helpful to us.

It's also important for families to know that Homeroom is a GRADED portion of your students' schedule. Participation/attendance at Student Led Conferences are a required part of the grade for PATS Partnership (Homeroom).

Navigation/Tuesdays is the Homeroom day that your student creates their High School & Beyond Plan (a state graduation requirement). Lessons focus on post-secondary planning and choosing their "E" - Enlistment in the military, Employment in the workforce, or Enrollment in a college or technical school.

Your student has been asked to answer the following questions during Advisory time, in the week leading up to SLCs. They will be asked to share their answers with you during the conference and as parent/caring adult, you will be asked for input as well.

Social Emotional Check-In:

• How are you feeling about school right now?
• What do you most enjoy about coming to school?
• What strategies have helped in the past when you have struggled with your mental health?
• What do you need from parents and teachers to be successful in this area?
• Parent/Caring Adults will be asked for input by your student:
  --Do you have any concerns or encouragement for me currently?
  --Anything you would like to add?

Academics:

• What are your academic goals for this school year?
• How are you doing so far 5 weeks into the semester?
• What teachers/subjects are you connecting with or where do you feel you belong?
• What do you need from parents and teachers to achieve your academic goal?
• Parent/Caring Adults will be asked for input by your student:
  --Do you have any concerns or words of wisdom for me currently?
  --Anything you would like to add?
  

Community & School Involvement:

• What are your involvement goals for the year?
• What clubs/sports at school have you joined? What clubs/sports are you interested in or do you need more information about? How are you hoping to grow from these experiences?
• What interests/activities are you involved with outside of school? How are you hoping to grow from these experiences?
• What do you need from parents and teachers to be successful in this area?
  
• Parent/Caring Adults will be asked for input by your student:
  --Do you have any concerns, additions, or ideas for me in this area?
  --Anything you would like to add?

We know that cell phone numbers and email addresses change frequently - please check on Family Access/Skyward to make sure that the info in our database is correct for:

• contact phone number(s)
• email address(es)
• emergency contact(s) - name and phone

Have changes? Please email them to Bonnie Wiklund, WHS Registrar, bwiklund@fpschools.org

The WHS Counseling Center will be staffed and ready to help students with questions about applying to college and hands-on Financial Aid application help (FAFSA/WASFA).

Step 1: Determine if you/your student should file a FAFSA or WASFA - flowchart here ------------------------------------------>

FAFSA:

• Step 2: Create an FSA (Federal Student Aid) ID for both your student AND yourself
• https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
• Keep in mind these accounts are for the REST OF LIFE – so please make sure you A) use email address you actually use/check and B) a current/working phone number so you can verify your accounts

• Step 3: Look at the 2023-24 FAFSA Checklist
• https://www.educationquest.org/pdfs/FAFSAchecklist.pdf
• Lists all the items you will need and where to find them
• Goes over "dependency" status of student
  
  
• Step 4: Keep this website handy – “2023-24 Step by Step Guide to Completing the FAFSA”
• https://www.nitrocollege.com/fafsa-application

• Step 5: On or after October 1st, complete the FAFSA at http://fafsa.ed.gov
• Your student will be the one to log in with her FSA ID
• Parent will use your own FSA ID to digitally sign the paperwork before final submission

WASFA:

• Step 2: Create the student account
  
• https://wasfa.regenteducation.net/Register/Registration.aspx?skin=
  
• Step 3: Keep this website handy - "How to Fill out WASFA: Step by Step Guide"
  
• https://www.heyyouneedaplan.com/how-to-fill-out-wasfa-step-by-step-guide/
• Step 4: On or after October 1st, complete the WASFA at https://wasfa.regenteducation.net/

• Standards Based Grading - Understanding Your Student's Grades
• Navigating TeacherEase
  
  

TeacherEase is an online gradebook that provides students and families enrolled in Franklin Pierce middle and high schools with real-time access to assignments and progress towards meeting standard. Once a teacher enters a score, the score is visible in the student and family portal. Families and students can TeacherEase to communicate directly with their teachers, and view student schedules, assigned work, and progress reports.

If you are a returning user you can login HERE. If you are a first time user you must receive a welcome email (generally, in the first few weeks of school). Then, use the link to create a password. Contact your school if you have not yet received the email.

The Whanau Poly Club will be hosting the Patriot Community Closet during Fall SLCs. It will be open on Oct 5th & 6th in the Ridgeway Room, 11am-5:30pm.

This event provides funds to purchase shoes and uniforms for local youth runners, as well as provides a college scholarship for a graduating senior.

For More Information:

Allen Culp, 253-219-5252, aculp@fpschools.org

Jesse McNeil, 253-359-6497, jmcneil@fpschools.org