Plano High SchoolSenior Parent Night

October 16, 2013

Student Services

Ms. Cassie Gonzales- Guidance Counselor (A-L)Mrs. Eve Phillips - Guidance Counselor (M-Z)Mrs. Meghan Shook- Guidance InternMs. Amy Ferguson- Social Worker (A-L)Ms. Nina Gortowski- Social Worker (M-Z)

Mrs. Linda Oleson- Student Services Secretary/Registrar

Administration

Mr. Eric Benson- Principal

Mrs. Laurel Mateyka- Assistant Principal Curriculum

Mrs. Keri Olejniczak- Assistant Principal Discipline

How do you know they are a Senior?

They finally realize that this is their last year of high school.

Forced to make some major decisions

Regret past performances in high school- wish they had studied more and been more involved in activities.

Scared of what lies ahead

What are Parents to Do?

Let them know that it’s ok be scared, but taking risks, and possibly failing are a part of life

Try to let go!

Keep an open mind.

Respect their judgment. Be there to guide them!

Graduation is right around the corner!

Graduation RequirementsGraduation Requirements

29 credits (adjusted for transfer students)4 credits English3 credits Math3 credits Science3 credits Social Studies (including US History & Government)1 credit Freshman Academy1 credit Technology Applications½ credit Health½ credit Drivers Education3.5 credits Physical Education

Students/Parents can request a Graduation Progress Sheet and Unofficial Transcripts

Failures

Students who fail a required class for graduation will need to attend summer school in June 2014 to make up the credit(s).

Students will NOT be able to walk in the graduation ceremony.

Getting Ready for Post-High School

FALL 1st Semester

Finding the Right SchoolPrograms offered

Graduation Rate/Job Placement Rate

Internships

Cost

Admission Requirements

Plan a Visit

*Apply to several schools, always have your “safe school”. Decisions do not have to be made until May

Applying to College

Many schools have PRIORITY FILING DATES

Filling out Online Applications

Sending Transcripts

Application Fees & Fee Waivers

Sending ACT Scores

ACTUsed a part of the admissions requirement

Can Re-Take ACT Sign up at www.actstudent.org ACT testing Dates

December 14, 2013February 8, 2014April 12, 2014

Cost No Writing- $36.50With Writing- $52.50

See your counselor for ACT waivers for students on Free/Reduced Lunch

Letters of Recommendation

Most Schools require a Counselor Recommendation

Core Teachers that can speak about your academic ability

Coaches

Allow plenty of time

College VisitsSeniors- 3 college visit days

Must get paperwork from Student Services 1 week prior to visit

Contact the School’s Admission officeGo on a tourSee classrooms of programs you are

interested itVisit Financial Aid office

Admissions testing

Wednesday, November 6th

Senior College Bus Tours

Aurora University & Waubonsee Community College

Benedictine University & North Central College

Lewis University & University of St Francis

Northern Illinois University

Students can sign up when they return the permission slip.

Spaces are limited- first come first serve.

Getting Ready for Post-High School

Spring 2nd Semester

Financial Aid www.fafsa.ed.gov not .com

Financial Aid Night Presentation Wednesday, January 29th 7:00 pm

Everyone should apply for Financial Aid

Fill out your 2013 Tax forms as soon as possible

FAFSA Completion Night Tentatively set for February 10, 2014

Mr. Jerry Triivallo- ISAC Corp member

Check with Colleges that you apply to: They might have their own Financial Aid paperwork in addition to the FAFSA They may offer specific scholarships/aid for programs, academics, need based.

Final Decisions (May 1st) Down Payments/Housing deposits

Scholarships Check Scholarship file in the Student Services Career Center

Daily Bulletin on Powerschool

Most local scholarships due May 1st

Watch Due Dates

Be very neat

Be careful of scholarship scams- never pay money to get free money

Good Scholarship Websites www.fastweb.com www.cappex.com https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search http://www.niu.edu/scholarships/search/index.shtml

Advanced Placement Exams

Testing Dates May 5th – May 9th

AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, AP English Literature, AP English Language May 12th – May 16th

AP Biology, AP Human Geography, AP US History, AP US Government & Politics

Exam Fees for each test is $89.00. The district is only charging students $10.00 per test. Students on Free/Reduced lunch can apply for fee waivers

You will need to request that the College board send your official AP scores to the colleges you have applied to

AP scores can be accessed online www.apscore.org

Scoring is between a 1-5

Most Schools accept a 3 or higher for credit for a class or placement in an advanced college class

Colleges will let you know over the summer after receiving your scores, about any credit, placement and/or course exemptions you have earned.

Course Placement TestsAssessments in English, Reading & Mathematic

Based on the score- student will be placed in Remedial (Non-credit) or General (Credit)

Waubonsee Community College will accept ACT scores to be exempt from placement testing and be placed in general courses.English- 18Reading-21Mathematics- 22 (or 28 for higher level courses)

Articulated Credit

Some classes that students take in high school can also get you college credit at Waubonsee Community College.

Students must receive an A or B in the class

Documentation is sent to Waubonsee at the end of their senior year

Students need to go to the Admissions Office at WCC WHEN THEY REGISTER for their first class. They will need to pay $10 per credit hour to have the placed on their transcripts.

What Classes Articulate

Accounting II

Early & Advanced Childhood Occupations

Technology Applications

MOST Indian Valley Vocational Programs

Military

List of Recruiters

Let Student Services or Administration know if there are any problems.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Programs that introduce students to theory and

practice of military science. Prepares them for service as a commissioned

reserve or active duty officer. Programs are offered in conjunction with

regular college instructional programs.

Academic Watch

Counselors/Social Workers seeing students weekly if they are receiving F’s

Learning Lab teachers meeting with students weekly

Parents being contacted

Questions