Senior Parent Night PowerPoint - Oconee County Schools

Welcome to Senior Parent
Night
Class of 2013

Common Core
Revised performance standards in English and math
Additional literacy component in science, social studies,
and CTAE courses
Common across 46 states
Rigorous knowledge/skills needed for college and
careers
Relevant content and application of knowledge through
critical thinking, problem solving, modeling, and
higher-order thinking skills

Common Core Links
The National PTA Guide for Math and English
Georgia Department of Education website
Oconee County Schools website

Power School
Please update your student’s information,
especially parent and emergency contact
information by August 31.
Make sure you enter the date and click on
“submit” at the bottom of the page.
If you have lost your power school information,
stop by the front office to request that your
password be reset.

Important Senior Dates
Pay close attention to
Progress Report and Report Card Dates
GHSGT if your student needs to retake
FINANCIAL AID Night – Tuesday, January 15 at
6:00 at the NOHS Fine Arts Auditorium

Graduation Information
Graduation Announcement Orders: October 9 and 10
at lunch or online at www.gabalfour.com
Cap and Gown Orders: February 5 and 6 at lunch or
online at www.gabalfour.com
Senior Dues are paid at the time of Cap and Gown
orders. Dues are $90.00 and cover ALL graduation
expenses (senior picnic, diploma printing, diploma
covers, cords, programs, seals, video, jumbotron rental,
security, flowers, etc. and cap and gown).
Graduation: May 25, 2013
All Graduation Information as well as a link to
www.gabalfour.com is on the OCHS website

Honor Graduate Information
Honor graduates will be named at the end of 2 nd
semester
93=cum laude
95=magna cum laude
97=summa cum laude
Valedictorian, salutatorian, and honorarian will
also be named at the end of 2 nd semester

Graduation Requirements
Subject Area
English
# of Units
4 Lit/Comp units
Math
Science
Social Studies
4 units – Math Support classes may count
but could impact post-secondary secondary options
4 units – 4 th science can be AP or selected
CTAE classes
4 units
Health/PE
½ unit of each

Graduation Requirements
CTAE, Languages
and/or Fine Arts
Academic Electives
3 units in any combination
3 additional English, Math, Science, Social
Studies or Language units (includes Math
Support and Reading and Writing)
Electives
5 – can be from any area

HOPE Scholarship
HOPE Scholarship requires a 3.0 GPA
All academic courses are included
HOPE is not finalized until after graduation
To check the current HOPE GPA, go to
www.gacollege411.org
Beginning in Fall 2011, HOPE only pays a
percentage of the previous year’s standard
tuition at public schools
The current percentage is 90%
The percentage will be set yearly and can change
from year to year

Students must maintain a 3.0 on all checkpoints
If they lose HOPE, they may only regain it once
Students have 7 years to use HOPE, after that
they become ineligible.
Students on active military duty can request for active
duty time to be added back on to their HOPE
eligibility
HOPE will pay for up to 127 attempted semester
credit hours, 190 attempted quarter hours
attempted through ACCEL, the HOPE
scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship and the
HOPE grant or until the first 4 year degree if
completed prior to the hour caps

Zell Miller Scholarship
Pays for 100% of standard tuition at public
colleges and $2,000/semester at eligible private
colleges
Students must meet the requirements of the
HOPE scholarship plus the following
Graduate with a 3.7 HOPE GPA or higher

Have at least a 1200 on the combined Critical
Reading and Math sections of the SAT or 26 on the
ACT
Must be from one test administration, scores from
multiple administrations will not be combined. This is
different from how most colleges use the test
Test must be taken prior to the student’s graduation.
Therefore, tests taken in June after graduation will not be
accepted.
Students do not have to send scores – the state already
receives them.
OR be chosen as the school’s Valedictorian or
Salutatorian

HOPE Grant
For certificate and diploma programs at
Technical colleges
If you have a bachelors degree you are no longer
eligible
No minimum GPA required for entry
Must have a 3.0 at 30 and 60 hour checkpoints
Pays a percentage of previous year’s standard
tuition

How will I know if they have what
Senior Letters
they need to graduate
Completed by Thanksgiving
Which credits they have completed
What courses still remain to be passed during the
senior year

Post-Secondary Options
Can include
Traditional 4 year school
2 year college for associates degree or to transfer to a
4 year college
Technical Colleges
Professional Training Programs
Military
Which is appropriate for my student

College Application Process
(applies to all schools)
Factors to consider
Major or Program of Study
Location and Environment
Includes housing opportunities
In-state vs Out of State
Public vs Private
Size of School – both have advantages
Extra-curricular Activities offered

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!
Students need to apply to more than one school
Typically students apply to 3-5 schools
3 types of schools
Dream Schools – may not get in, but is their top
choice
Reach Schools – student stands a good chance of
admission
Safety School – backup plan in case they need it.

College Admissions Tests
SAT Reasoning
(Both are given at OCHS)
7 Times a Year 6 Times a Year
ACT
Critical Reading, Math and
Writing section plus an Essay
Each Section is worth 200-
800 points for a maximum of
2400
English, Math, Reading, and
Science Reasoning.
Writing/Essay is optional but
required by most schools
1-36 for each subject,
averaged for a composite
score. A 36 is the highest
possible composite score.

Other testing considerations
SAT II are specific subject area tests
Not required by all schools, check with admissions
offices
Can be used for admissions or to exempt courses
after enrollment
Testing should be done by January
Only test scores taken prior to graduation will be
considered for the Zell Miller scholarship

How to Research Schools
On the web
www.gacollege411.org (The best resource to
research and apply. Includes schools nationwide)
Individual Schools websites
PROBE Fair –at Classic Center on September
18 from 6:00-8:30
VISIT the Campus
Each senior has 2 visitation days they can take
anytime during their senior year.
Must be preapproved, form is in Counselor’s office

Before applying
Talk to your student about finding a school that
fits them
Finding a college is about what is right for your
senior right now
Talk about finances and if out of state or private
schools are not an option

What if my student is going to a
Technical College
Talk to the school to find out what tests are
required for the degree your student is looking
at.
Degree Programs require the SAT or ACT
Diploma and Certificate programs may administer
the COMPASS test instead

How to Apply – the nitty gritty
Get application or locate online
www.gacollege411.org – easy and preferred by
Georgia schools
Deadlines are critical
Goal – apply by Thanksgiving
Neatness is essential
Send test scores directly from ACT or College
Board (many schools will not accept our copy)

The nitty gritty, cont.
Request transcripts – students request these
from our office and pick up (don’t open the
sealed envelope) OR can have sent to in-state
schools directly from www.gacollege411.org
1 st transcript each semester is free; extra transcripts
are $3.
For in-state we recommend requesting transcripts
through www.gacollege411.org It is preferred by
colleges and is a free service.
Request recommendations in advance from
teachers and counselors
Provide with any forms and a copy of a resume of
activities

Parental Stumbling Blocks
Dictating exactly where student must apply and
attend
Completing applications for them, colleges can
tell the difference.
Doing all the work for them doesn’t teach them
the coping skills they will need next year (and in
life!)

If your student is interested in
2 Governing Bodies
college athletics
NAIA – National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics – no national clearinghouse, simple
requirements www.naia.org
NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic
Association – requires potential Div 1 and 2
student athletes to register at
www.ncaaclearinghouse.com
Check their website for required GPAs and
SAT/ACT scores

Other sources of $$
Scholarships
Local – look on OCHS website, Guidance Blog and
notebook in our office
Updated as new scholarships come in
National – best website is www.fastweb.com
Special State and Federal Grants – check out
www.gacollege411.org

Student Access Loan
Low interest loan for students with
demonstrated financial need
Limits of $10,000/year and $40,000/lifetime
Applicants must have exhausted all other
student options for state and federal financial aid
1% interest paid while in school
Limited funding – if more applicants apply than
there is money, and recipients will be randomly
chosen.

How do I apply for $$
HOPE- fill out the FAFSA and the E-HOPE
application at www.gacollege411.org
Other forms of aid – fill out the FAFSA
Private Schools may require other applications,
check with them for details
FINANCIAL AID Night – Tuesday, January 15
at 6:00pm at the NOHS Fine Arts Auditorium

OCHS Guidance News
Check out our blog
Link is on OCHS webpage
Directions to
subscribe for
email updates
are on your
HOPE Scholarship
Handout

Final Thoughts
Apply early
Encourage independence
Enjoy your seniors as much as we have enjoyed
working with them