Grand Blanc High School
Newsletter ~ November 2015
Parental Support
A Message From Dr. Hammond
Winning Homework Habits
Good grades are built on a foundation that includes solid homework habits. Encourage your teen to establish routines like these so she stays on top of her homework all year long.
Schedule Time Daily
Your high schooler should plan to spend 1-3 hours a day on homework and carve out specific times for it. She might make a dent in it during study hall or free time (while waiting for a ride after volleyball practice, for instance.) Then, she could settle in for more homework time before or after dinner. Hint: She'll concentrate best if she avoids social media and works away from distractions like the TV or siblings playing video games.
Set Priorities
Knowing what to focus on will make your teenager feel more organized and help her get more done. Before she starts, she should look over assignments and make a to-do list, in order of importance. Suggest that she start with things that have to be done immediately. When those assignments are finished, she can move onto the items due later in the week or the month.
Focus on quality
Let your child know you expect her to do her best work. Have her review directions to make sure she understands the assignment. If she's unsure of something, she might check with classmates or try other resources like links listed on class websites. Finally, she should be sure her work is readable and neat - and safely tucked away to turn in on time.
Article from High School Years - Working Together for Lifelong Success
Show Empathy
Use news to talk about feelings.
Current events can help him practice putting himself in someone else's place. If tornadoes destroy homes elsewhere in the country, discuss how it would feel to lose your home in the blink of an eye. If he were in that situation, what would he want others to do?
Use feelings to solve problems.
When conflicts occur, have your teen focus on the feelings behind them. If he and his sister argue, they could take turns using "I statements" to explain how they feel. ("I get frustrated when you close the tabs I had up on the computer.") He'll learn to see things from someone else's point of view.
Article from High School Years - Working Together for Lifelong Success
Cut Your Application Costs
A big reason is that getting in has become more competitive. For example, until 1987, Ohio State accepted every qualified applicant. Today it rejects about half. In 1991, Yale applicants had a 1 in 5 chance of acceptance. This year the ratio is closer to 1 in 17.
Applying to a variety of colleges improve your odds of getting into at least one desirable school. But it can also mean hundreds of dollars in application fees alone.
More than 80% of colleges impose those fees, averaging $42 a piece. Many elite colleges charge more: Stanford's fee, for examples, is $90. If a student applies to a special program in say, music or science (such as BS/MD programs) some colleges take on supplemental application fees or as much as $150.
Add in travel for college visits and extra fees for reporting test scores (the testing companies typically send to four colleges for free, then charge at least $11.25 for every additional) and your costs can easily run into the thousands of dollars. Fortunately, there are ways to keep your college app costs from getting out of control. Here are five of them.
Don't go crazy.
For many students, five or six applications (one or two each of safety, target, or reach schools) are plenty, says Kim Oppelt, education and outreach manager for Hobsons, the company behind the Naviance college and career planning website used in many high schools.
Check out no-fee colleges.
Close to 300 schools - including the 10 below, which were in the top 200 in MONEY's value ratings - don't charge a penny to apply.
Grab some waivers.
Many colleges give fee waivers to students who take a campus tour or chat with a campus rep at a local college far, Oppelt notes.
Watch your mail.
Some colleges send recruiting letters waiving application fees for students who score well on tests, says Laurie Weingarten, an independent college counselor in Marlboro, N.J.
Ask for help.
Students whose families can't afford the fees can ask their high school counselors to sign a fee waiver form, available from the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
Article from Time Magazine, MONEY.
Trimming College Tuition
- Earning college credits now can shave off a little college tuition. See if colleges on your teen's list accept AP or dual-enrollment credits. For example, a child who wants to go out of state may be better off taking AP courses if dual-enrollment credits only apply in-state.
- Ask college financial aid offices about special circumstances. If other siblings will be in college at the same time or a parent is unemployed, your teen may qualify for additional aid. He could also look for targeted scholarships for students who have done community service or who have certain illnesses, for instance.
- Compare tuition, fees, and living expenses after he receives financial aid packages. That way, he'll know the bottom line for each school. More expensive schools may offer more aid.
Article from High School Years - Working Together for Lifelong Success
Upcoming Events
November 3 - No School (Election Day)
November 19, 20, and 21 - Fall Play (Almost, Maine)
November 25 - 1/2 Day of School
November 26 and 27 - No School (Thanksgiving Weekend)
December 3 - Winter Band Concert
December 9 - Late Start Day
December 15 - Post Grad Meeting
December 16 - Winter Choir Concert
December 23 - Winter Break Begins
January 4 - School Resumes
~SENIORS~
Important Senior Dates to Remember!
~PARENT SURVEY~
We want to hear from you!
In an effort to improve system practices, Grand Blanc High School is conducting a Parent Survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. In order to complete the survey, please go to: http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/8467939 and complete the survey by November 6, 2015.
Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Your honest opinion is appreciated.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Testing Out
Students interested in testing out of a class in January must put their request in writing to the principal's office no later than December 18, 2015. (This due date is firm.)
Students can only request to test out of courses that they are not currently enrolled in and may only test out of a maximum of 2 classes.
Tests will be given January 20, 21, & 22 in the afternoon after final exams.
M-STEP Testing for Juniors
Center for Student Success (CSS)
Parents:
If your student is behind one or more credits they are eligible to apply for our Center for Student Success (CSS) program. CSS is a unique opportunity for 125 students to recover credits during the school day. All seniors in the CSS program also have the opportunity to have a monthly on campus visit to either MOTT Community College or UM of Flint. If you believe your son or daughter would benefit from this award winning program please have them pick up an application from either West or East campus office. You can also contact Kevin Keilitz at 810-591-6357 for any additional questions you may have.
~ What is the SAT? ~
Why did Michigan switch to the SAT?
Click here to learn more about the nation's struggle between SAT and ACT, and why states like Michigan are chosing to make the switch. TIME magazine writes a pivotal article about building a test that not only measures college readiness but also curriculum standards. Also, find out more information about how colleges are stepping away from exam scores, and are looking more closely at high school transcripts.
Read about Bubble Trouble by TIME magazine here.
Counseling News
Would you like to earn college credit while in High School?
Attention Sophomores:
Would you like to earn college credit while in high school?
If you are a sophomore with a 3.0 or higher GPA you are eligible to apply to the Grand Blanc Early College. If accepted you will be taking 8 college courses, taught by U of M Flint professors, during your junior and senior year. These courses take place right on our campus during the regular school day. You will commit to a 5th year of high school where you complete 24 more college credits. At the end of the program you will earn 48 college credits. At the current U of M Flint tuition rate 48 credits would cost $19,538.00. The estimated costs of tuition for our Early College students is $852.00. All students who are eligible to apply will be invited to a presentation on the program during 3rd hour on Monday, November 23rd. There will be a parent meeting explaining the program on Tuesday, November 24th, at 6:30 pm in the auditorium. If you would like to learn more you can check out information on the district website or call Janet Roberts at 591-6336.
Career & Technical Education
Yearbook
Order YOUR Yearbook!
Pre-order your 2016 Echo Yearbook before the price increases. Cost is $75 until January 31st. This price includes the 28-page spring supplement, which will be included in the yearbook when it is delivered in May. Visit www.gbyearbook.com for order forms and information.
Seniors:
Parents of seniors - remember to honor your graduate with an ad in the yearbook. Prices range from $75 - $300 and all information (photos, text, payment) are due Friday, December 11. Visit www.gbyearbook.com for ad instructions and contracts.
Echo Sponsors:
Please support these businesses who support the national award-winning Echo Yearbook, allowing us to sell our yearbook at an affordable price to our student body and helping build strong connections between our school and our community:
Mary’s Bouquet & Gifts
Dr. Rommel Aquino M.D.
Graff Truck Centers
The Laundry
Dare to Dream Designs
Sherwin Williams
A X A Advisors
Goyette Mechanical
Empress of China
Holly Tire & Auto Service
Holy Family
Ace Hardware
Edible Arrangements
Genesys Athletic Club
Mary’s Bouquet
Khirfan Financial Co.
FOB Soccer
Sagano Japanese Bistro Steakhouse
Michigan’s Greatest Fudge and Taffy
Bruce G. Pollock & Assoc.
Jakeway Injury Law
Keller Williams Agent Lilian Hanna
EJF Law Office
Christenson & Fiederlein P.C.
UnyPos Manufacturing
Walmart (Lansing)
Penn Veterinary Supply
Andy’s Roofing
Davison Pediatrics/ Kamal Hason
Grand Blanc DECA
Rick Jackson State Farm
Lissner Homes LLC
Warwick
The State Bank
The Journey Church
Gill-Roy’s Hardware
Grand Blanc Student Store
Grand Blanc Vision Clinic
Bagger Daves
The UPS Store
Wills and Associates Insurance Agency Inc.
ABC123 Bounce
Waddles & Toddles
Venus
Deeya’s Boutique & Event Planning
Nikhil K. Vora, M.D.
Empire Wok
Pizza Mia
Fixmyrestaurants.com
Dortch Enterprises, LLC
Sis’ bros
Ziggys
Kicker’s Sports Bar
US-23 Auto Care
Smile Fresh Dental
Drs. Burau
Baskets Plus
Grand Blanc Apartments
Dr. Aimee Vakula- Rollins
DeCamp’s Dance
GB Township Police Officers association
Sunrise Greenhouse
Al Serra (Chevrolet)
William E Walter Inc
Jeffery L Hardenburg DDS
Spud Software
Hamilton Assisted Living
Asthma, Allergy, and Sinus P.C.
Little Joe’s
Pro Clean Laundry and Dry Cleaning
Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn
Julie Abbott Art
Palace Jewelers
Silverton Skin Institute
Family Doc’s Clinic
Fogelsongers Affordable Floors Inc
Grand Jewelers
Teamworks of Fenton
Soccer Zone
Cottage Inn
Genesys Total Health Care
Treasure Baskets
Michigan Rheumatology Group
Dr. Mutee Abdul, M.D.
Billmeier Camera
Hungry Howie’s Pizza
Lake Agency, Inc.
Muslim Youth of Grand Blanc
The Heritage Museum
Toddlers To Tikes Home Daycare
EJF Law Office
Krogers
Forever Young Med Spa
Skaff Furniture and Carpet