Counseling 411
October 2019
Got Support???
The Student Assistance Program at Livonia Public Schools provides support to students who are in crisis or have ongoing challenges which could put the student at risk for school failure. These educational support groups generally meet on a weekly or bi-weekly basis over six to eight weeks. These groups will focus on adolescent issues and concerns which include but are not limited to family and peer issues; grief & loss; stress & anxiety and new to LPS schools.
Students may be referred to the Student Assistance Provider by parents, peers, school staff or self-referral. While referred students are encouraged to participate, student participation is voluntary. If you would like more information or would like to make a referral please contact the Student Assistance Provider, Tracey Hammaren at: thammare@livoniapublicschools.org.
If you choose not to have this service made available to your student please inform the Student Assistance Provider.
AP Info!!!
2020 AP Registration and Payment Schedule
Please know this is NEW this year. Students need to commit to taking one or more AP exams prior to November 1, 2019
Each 2020 AP exam is: $95
Payment by check made out to: Stevenson High School
October 14- October 25
- Students will commit to which exams they are taking according to the AP Test Schedule. They will need to physically update their College Board account and choose to take the appropriate AP exam. This will be or has already been done in class.
October 28 - November 1
- Payment for the exams will be collected. Students will bring the payment down to the counseling office and fill out a form that will be found outside Mrs. Gajor’s office.
If a test is ordered after November 15, 2020 an additional $40.00 will be added from College Board. Any student that does NOT take the AP exam will be charged $40.00, so their refund will be $55.00.
Any student wishing to take one or more ADDITIONAL AP exams that are not already offered in the building will have to register, individually, with Mrs. Gajor, by
November 1, 2020.
Please direct any questions to Mrs. Gajor at cgajor@livoniapublicschools.org.
COMMON APP DEADLINE!
This is only for Early Action deadline of November 1 on The Common Application.
Just a note-you may want to only use The Common Application if it is required for the college you are applying to.
THE DECISION
DEFERRED: The school has not made a final decision and they want to see additional information before they make a final decision. Typically, the additional information the school needs is first semester grades from senior year or the test scores if a student is planning to take another ACT/SAT. Read the admissions notification carefully to be certain what items the school needs to make their final decision.
WAIT LIST: The school determined that a student meets the requirements for admission however the school does not have enough space to offer the student admission yet. The student is placed on a wait list to be notified later, typically closer to summer. (If a student decides to stay on the Wait List that student should notify the school promptly according to the directions included in the admissions notification.)
It is also helpful to keep in mind that no matter what decision a student receives there are options available and the best way to find out those options is to follow the instructions included in the admissions notification. Students with questions or concerns about his or her admissions decision can stop by the Counseling Offices for explanation or clarification.
EMAIL ME!
Colleges appreciate it when the student advocates for himself or herself. After a student has met the college representative at a college fair or a college open house the representative enjoys hearing from the student. This communication provides an opportunity for the admissions representative to get to know the prospective college student and it is an opportunity for the student as well. The communication ahead of the student's eventual college application can go a long way in helping that admissions representative recognize the student as more than just his or her college application.
So, if a student has questions about applying to a school or about his or her complete or incomplete college application email the college admission representative. If a student is concerned about taking or dropping a specific high school course email the college admissions representative. If a student is trying to determine if he/she should take another SAT or take an ACT email the college admissions representative. The questions could be endless but the college admissions representative will have an answer for their school to any question a high school student might have.
A quick search of a college or trade/technical school's website will yield contact information for the Admissions Representative that works with Stevenson High School. However, if a student is having difficulty locating that contact information the student can stop by the Counseling Office for help.
schools will be visiting Stevenson this fall. Students sign up in the counseling office at least two days in advance. They must have teacher permission to miss class.
OVER - $120 BILLION
As of October 1, 2018 any student no matter their age or their academic standing that would like to attend college or trade/technical school starting in the fall of 2018 can apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA.
Most colleges or career schools determine financial aid for each prospective student on a first come, first served basis which means that the earlier you complete the FAFSA the better. The deadline in Michigan to submit your FAFSA is March 1, 2020 but don't delay . . . submit your FAFSA today! https://goo.gl/qKD76C
The Parent's Guide
Wondering how to get started with FAFSA? This easy-to-understand Parent guide might help.
Who is My Parent for FAFSA?
Find helpful tips and information on how divorce affects completion of the FAFSA.
http://www.finaid.org/questions/divorce.phtmlAfter Completing the FAFSA
Now that the student and parent have completed and submitted the FAFSA, what's next?
https://goo.gl/ir1U1pSTEVENSON WILL HOST A FAFSA WORKSHOP
For those of you who need additional help, or have not begun the FAFSA process, we will be hosting a Financial Aid Workshop on Thursday, November 7th from 6:30-9:00 p.m. This evening is designed for you and your child to be able to begin, or continue, complete, and submit the FAFSA prior to you leaving the Workshop. In order to make sure we can provide the necessary assistance, we are requiring parents/students to sign up for the November workshop. If you are interested in attending the November session, please click on the following link and complete the sign up.
Website: http://stevenson.livoniapublicschools.org/
Location: 33500 West Six Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152
Phone: (734)744-2660
ATTENDANCE . . . It's Trending!
HANG OUT WITH A TEACHER!
Why? Well, because your teacher is your BEST academic support when it comes to understanding class work, homework and upcoming test expectations. Staying after school with your teacher to study could propel you from "I'm confused" to "I've got this". Be sure to check with your teach today to see what his or her after school hours might be.
BETTER GRADES - LESS STUDYING
Newport recommends the following:
* Eliminate interruptions (i.e. phone, TV, computer etc.)
* Take a 10-minute break for every hour of studying
* No marathon study session - never study more than three hours consecutively
without taking significant time off from studying
He suggests treating your mental workouts like you would a physical workout. You don't need a marathon workout each time when intense focused workouts can yield results.
For more information on Cal Newport https://goo.gl/e8R5oG