DHS Counseling News
February 2020
Duncanville High School Counseling Department
Website: https://www.duncanvilleisd.org/domain/44031
Location: 900 West Camp Wisdom Road, Duncanville, TX, USA
Phone: 972-708-3700
Twitter: @DHSCOUNSELORS2
Course Selection 2020-2021
Below is the schedule for each grade level:
•Current Freshman - in Geography Classes through February 3rd
•Current Sophomores - in World History Classes through February 7th
•Current Juniors - in English 3 though February 5th
You are welcome to watch the Course Registration Presentation that we shared with scholars and families during our Course Selection & Advanced Academics Night on 1/30/20.
Grambling State University High School Day - Feb. 8th
Attention Juniors! Camp Ryla Applications Due by Feb. 15th!
Every year, the Duncanville Rotary Club awards two juniors from DHS a scholarship to attend Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award). This camp is an opportunity for these students to learn teamwork and leadership skills over the summer so that upon their return to school as seniors, they can have a meaningful and positive impact at the school and in the community.
This year, Camp Ryla will be held July 26-31, 2020 in Midlothian, Texas. If you are a junior and is interested, please see your counselor to complete an application by February 15. There is no cost for the student since the Rotary Club pays for it!
For additional information, please visit WWW.RYLA5810.org
"RAK" - FEB. 17 - 21, 2020
Random Act of Kindness Week (RAK) is a week devoted to encouraging you to step up your acts of kindness, be loud with your generosity, and commit to being a better person throughout the year. Kindness is a daily practice, but this is a week where scholars can inspire others to join them in creating a culture of kindness in our school and community.
Duncanville ISD invites everyone to participate in RAK and experience the joy that comes from doing good things for others. Please view our template for the week here, complete with our kindness themed dress up days, a quote of the date, and videos for teachers to use.
FEBRUARY 3, 2020:
- Mental Health Monday "Heart Mandala Coloring" - Library (3:15)
- University of Texas at Arlington Campus Visit
- Credit Retrieval - East Cafeteria (3:15)
FEBRUARY 6, 2020:
- Credit Retrieval - East Cafeteria (3:15)
- Student Holiday/No School
FEBRUARY 8, 2020:
- ACT Testing - DHS East Campus (7:30)
FEBRUARY 11, 2020:
- TSI Testing, Library (3:10-6:10)
FEBRUARY 13, 2020:
- EOC Parent Meeting - East Cafeteria (6:00)
FEBRUARY 20, 2020:
- Tarleton State University Visit - East Cafeteria (During All Lunches)
FEBRUARY 25, 2020:
- TSI Testing, Library (3:10-6:10)
UPCOMING COLLEGE VISITS
Throughout the year, students have the opportunity to meet with Admission Counselors representing colleges and universities from around the country. These visits are held outside the cafeteria during all lunch periods.
Check out which colleges and universities will be visiting this month!
Feb. 20th - Tarleton State University
Schedule of Military Visits
- Monday- National Guard
- Tuesday- U.S. Army
- Wednesday- Navy
- Thursday- Airforce
- Friday- Marines
Which shirt will you wear?
College Entrance Exams
TSI Assessment Information
Remember, in order to take a dual credit course, a student must take and pass the relevant section of the TSI test. We offer students the test at DHS for free. TSI testing opportunities are held every month in the library from 3:15-6:15. The next available testing date will be on February 11 & 25, 2020.
How to Register for the TSI?
Step One: Visit with a counselor to determine the correct assessment needed for dual credit/college entrance requirements.
Step Two: You are required to complete a pre-assessment activity before taking the actual exam. Visit: https://tsipreview.com/welcome/Duncanvilleisd to complete the Pre-Assessment.
Step Three: Upon completion of the pre-assessment, please visit the GO Center webpage to register online for the TSI test administration.
Because space limited, test will be administered on a first come first serve basis.
Attention Seniors!
We Want to Celebrate You!
Seniors, as you begin to receive your College Acceptance Letters, please remember to turn in a copy the acceptance letter to the GO Center. We would love to WhooHoo you and celebrate your college acceptance.
This also applies to any Scholarship Acceptance Letters that you receive from Colleges/Universities or community organizations. Make a copy and on the copy, please indicate whether you will be "Accepting" or "Not Accepting" the Scholarship.
Top 10% Rule
You may qualify for automatic admission to many public universities in Texas through the Top 10% Rule. To meet the requirements, you must graduate in the top 10% of your class at a recognized public or private high school in Texas or a high school operated by the U.S. Department of Defense and be a Texas resident or eligible to pay resident tuition. This rule has been modified for The University of Texas at Austin please see UT Austin Admissions for the most recent admissions information.
You will also have to ensure that all required documents are received by the institution you are applying to by the application deadline and be sure to enroll in college no more than two years after graduating from high school.
That's a lot of requirements! But wait, there's still more to do. You also have to successfully complete the:
- Recommended or Distinguished High School Programs, or the
- Distinguished Level of Achievement under the Foundation High School Program
or
- Earn a score on the ACT that at least meets the ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks,
or
- a minimum score of 480 on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test and a minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test (no combined score) if the SAT was administered on or after March 5, 2016.
Be sure to check with the school's admissions office and go to The Tests You'll Need for more information about test requirements.
If you're admitted to college through the Top 10% Rule, you may still be required to provide SAT or ACT scores, but these scores are not used for admissions purposes.
Top 25%
Not in the Top 10% of your graduating class? Don't give up! You might still qualify for automatic admission. Some universities in Texas have automatic admission for students that graduate in the top quarter (25%) of their graduation class. You will probably need higher ACT or SAT scores to qualify. Go to Texas Institutions of Higher Education to find the schools you need to contact to learn more about automatic admissions and Top 25% requirements.
Additional Information and References
ZONTA CLUB OF DALLAS - YOUNG WOMEN IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: March 1, 2020
Amount: up to $4,000
Criteria:
- Female students between the ages of 16-19
- Commitment to leadership in public policy, government, and volunteer organizations
Click here to access and complete the application.
FORD DRIVING DREAMS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Ford Driving Dreams Scholarship Program! Ford Motor Company Fund and Texas Area Ford Dealers applaud you for recognizing that a college degree will open the doors to amazing possibilities.
This program is intended to encourage high school seniors from the Texas area to pursue a college degree, and to invest in their dreams to drive a brighter future.
Complete applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm central time on February 3, 2020.
The scholarship process is open to Concord members and non-members attending any college/university in Fall (August/September) as a degree-seeking undergraduate (full-time - 12 or more hours) or graduate/seminary students. Deadline to apply: February 15, 2020.
- Phase I: Application Packet Review
- Phase II: Interview
- Phase III: Finalist match
Application information can be found here.
The oxyGEN scholarship program celebrates our commitment to growth through the pursuit of higher education. Our scholarship recognizes student’s ability to demonstrate critical and creative thinking by effectively communicating the importance of a STEM topic of their choice and their ability to make an impact in the field or in their community.
2020 Scholarship Criteria:
1. Applicants must submit a 3-5 minute video on a STEM topic of their choice
2. Applicants are eligible regardless of major or area of study
3. Applicant must enroll in an accredited (2-year or 4-year) undergraduate program within the U.S. for the 2020-2021 year
4. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Applications are accepted online through February 28, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET.
For more information or to apply to the 2020 Scholarship, please click here.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. SWDCA Chapter Scholarships
Vinson & Elkins Diversity Scholarship Opportunities!
The Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. Scholarship Foundation will award $10,000 scholarships with paid summer internship opportunities to achieving high school seniors who are members of a racial/ethnic group which has been historically underrepresented in the legal profession (Black/African American, Asian (including South Asian), Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and/or identify as a member of the LGBTQ community in the greater Austin, Dallas and Houston areas.
These seniors must be interested in a career in law, be in the top 20% standing in their class with a minimum combined SAT score of 1100 or ACT score of 22, and demonstrate a financial need to attend college.
Students can apply by filling out the application here.
Application deadline is April 1, 2020. It is mandatory that all candidates meet the listed criteria, and that all documentation is attached to the application. Only qualified students will be considered. The scholarship recipients will be selected by the end of May 2020.
Scholarship Search Services
Scholarship search services are free online resources that connect students to scholarships. (I do not recommend paying for a scholarship search service - these are often scams so please be careful!)
Some of these websites include:
fastweb.com (a Monster Company; also available as an app)
meritaid.com (Cappex)
bigfuture.org (College Board)
https://www.anthonyoneal.com/scholarships (Debt-Free Degree Scholarship Search Tool)
More Opportunities for Seniors
Need more information? Watch the DCP Overview Video
How do I request my transcript?
All Current and Former Students seeking Official Transcripts:
- Please click on the Official Transcript Request Form.
- Fill out google form.
- Transcript will be fulfilled in 3 days.
- Records clerk sends transcripts to the delivery method selected.
- Former students pick up transcripts from A118 (East Foyer)
- Current students pick up transcripts form A124 (East Counseling Office)
UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT REQUEST:
Unofficial Transcripts can be given to any student from the counseling center
***CURRENT SENIORS***
Your final transcript will be ready for pick-up 10 days after graduation.
**Note: For questions and/or additional information, please contact Marya Dancer at
ph: 972-708-3950, fax: 972-708-3737, or transcripts@duncanvilleisd.org.
How do I check my grades?
Keep Up to Date With Grades And Attendance
We encourage parents to use Skyward Family Access to monitor student academic progress and attendance. This web-based program allows you to view your student’s assignments, grades and attendance on a daily basis. To receive automatic notifications of grades and daily attendance:
- Log into Skyward Family/Student Access
- Turn on notifications for assignments, attendance, and grades
If you need assistance with your username or password, please contact Mrs. Taylor or Mrs. Henderson in the counseling office.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I PASSED THE STAAR EOC?
You can look up/view your scholar's scores online!
To access your scholar's scores:
1. Go to http://www.texasassessment.com
2. If you have your student's unique access code from previous score reports, enter it along with the student's date of birth and click go. If you do not know your student's unique access code, click on the "find my unique access code link". Enter the student's first name, social security number, and date of birth.
3. Once you have successfully entered the unique access code and date of birth, the student's test history will be displayed on the screen.
How Can I Boost My GPA?
HOW DO I REQUEST A VOE?
A Verification of Enrollment (V.O.E) is required for anyone under 18 years old obtaining/renewing a Texas Driver’s License or taking Drivers Education.
Please contact your Attendance Office for VOE requests:
Brigitte Neal - 9th Grade Attendance (L123)
BNeal@duncanvilleisd.org; Ext. 3726
Jasmine Meredith - 10th Grade Attendance (B200)
JMeredith@duncanvilleisd.org, Ext. 6938
Anne Kimple - 11th Grade Attendance (B248)
AKimple@duncanvilleisd.org; Ext. 6939
Elsa Gonzalez - 12th Grade Attendance (B169)
ElsGonzalez@duncanvilleisd.org; Ext. 6970
How Do I Register with the Selective Service?
Two minutes on your smart phone is the smart move. Because registering with the Selective Service System is the law for young men turning 18. And it keeps you eligible for federal jobs and training, federal loans and, in most states, a driver's license. Register at https://www.sss.gov/.
Give Us Feedback!
Contact Us
Visit the Go Center!
The College Advisors, located in the Go Center are here to help you with your college readiness needs! Let us help you with:
- SAT Registration
- ACT Registration
- Understanding College/Career/University Options
- Complete FAFSA/TASFA
- Secure Scholarships
Our 2019-2020 College Advisors are:
Aaron Lemons
972-708-3750
Kinsey Blackburn
Office- 972-708-3750
Stay Connected
Want to receive updates from the Counselors about opportunities related to your class, sign up is easy:
Class of 2020 (12th) alerts: Text @gk82k7 to 81010
Class of 2021 (11th) alerts: Text @ebc92g to 81010
Class of 2022(10th) alerts: Text @69gg84 to 81010
class of 2023 (9th) alerts: Text @d3a869 to 81010