Sample letter in follow up to the Senior Guidance Conference

Dear Parents,

 

I have met with (Name of Senior) 

in a Senior  guidance conference to discuss current academic status, graduation progress, PEARLS, careers and their high school and beyond plan

 (The future plans and concerns specific to the senior are listed here for the parents to review with their student).

 

Notes for Seniors and their parents:

 

·        For your convenience I have produced www.zillahschools.org/ZHS/ZHS_Sr_Guidance a Senior Guidance Website which includes information on graduation, PEARLS, post secondary opportunities, financial aid and scholarships. Think of this as an “electronic guidance book” that the family can study together.

 

·        Please stay active in your student’s education by keeping in contact with teachers. Use Family Access to check student grades each week at https://www2.scrdc.wa-k12.net/scripts/cgiip.exe/WService=wzillahs71/fwemnu01.w. Do not hesitate to call or email teachers at any time you have a question or concern. Staff email addresses are posted at  www.zillahschools.org/staff

 

·        Seniors should take the most challenging courses available; completing 4 credits each of Math, Science, Social Studies and English.  Most colleges require Math and Science courses be taken during the senior year.  National studies prove that students who pursue a four year college degree are most successful if they completed such as pre-calculus, calculus, chemistry, physics and advanced biology. 

 

·        Fall ZHS Open House is October 13 and 20

 

·         from 5:00-8:00 pm.  Drop in to pick up your mid-term progress reports and visit with teachers. Staff are on hand for scheduled parent-student-teacher conferences on October 28  Call the office prior to October 21 to schedule a conference with a teacher.

 

·        Your senior ordered their diploma today.  Please review their choice of an official name.  To avoid problems in the future with identity verification, the name should match other legal documents such as birth certificate, Social Security card, drivers license, etc.

 

    A high school diploma is an important step, but to secure more desirable employment,

       education beyond high school is recommended though universities, community colleges, technical

       colleges, specialty schools, the military, or apprenticeship programs. Information on careers   

       military, schools and colleges at www.zillahschools.org/ZHS

 

·        To earn a diploma, students must demonstrate proficiency in core subjects by passing Reading, Writing and Math High School Proficiency Exams (HSPE).  Seniors who have not passed the HSPE Math test can still graduate if they earn a total of 4.0 Math credits.  If students have attempted HSPE but failed to show proficiency, there may be an alternative with a COE-Collection Of Evidence or ACT/SAT Test substitution.  Go to www.k12.wa.us/assessment/CAAOptions/default.aspx to review options. Please contact Mr. Torres or myself if you have questions. 

 

·        Research your top career interests using the Washington Occupational Information Service (WOIS) at home or in the ZHS Library at www.wois.org/online  The ZHS password for 2010 is available in the ZHS-GC

 

·        An important activity is to participate in an official visit campus through the admissions office. In addition you can met college representatives at National College Fairs in Spokane, Seattle, Portland and the Mid-Columbia National College Fair held at Columbia Basin College which are held in November. Watch the ZHS Newsletter for further announcements.

 

·        Four year college bound seniors who have not yet done so, should register to take the ACT www.actstudent.org/index.html or SAT www.collegeboard.com/student/index. You will need your high school code which is 481635.  Materials are available which provide test taking strategies, tips, practice tests, etc., but it is up to you to budget time each week to practice. 

 

·        Most colleges/schools prefer students apply on line. Washington 4-Year colleges and universities begin offering seats to qualified applicants November 1.  I recommend ZHS seniors apply to 4 year schools from October 15 through November 1 and to community/technical colleges November 1 through December 1. Students should have visited their post-secondary schools of interest before applying. 

 

·        Seniors are encouraged to complete the PEARLS graduation requirement in the Fall.  Students may complete their PEARLS graduation requirement begin at Fall Mid-term by completing all requirements and making the panel presentation.  PEARLS will be graded P/F (Pass or Fail) at the mid-term and at the end of the semester.  Seniors must meet all deadlines to earn a “Pass” and receive credit.  PEARLS impacts senior eligibility and GPA if they miss requirements.  A complete listing of the ZHS PEARLS project along with many tips, information, and help pages can be found at www.zillahschools.org/PEARLS. PEARLS deadlines are:

Component #1 Items(Goals, Personal Statement, Resume)- to Advisors September 20   

Component #1 Graded -October 04

      Component #2 Graded -November 18

      Essay to Advisor-January 14

      Essay Clearance Graded-February 17

      Last Day to Choose a Panel-February 10

      Panels Assigned by Draw-February 11

Portfolio to Advisor-February 15

Final Portfolio to Mr. Griffin-February 21

Panel Presentations-March 15-17 & 24

·        We invite the family to investigate scholarship and financial aid information at www.zillahschools.org/financial-aid.  Do not pay someone to find any kind of scholarship or financial aid regardless of their guarantee. Instead use the ZHS scholarship board at www.zillahschools.org/financial-aid/scholarship-list.htm and download actual scholarship forms at www.zillahschools.org/financial-aid/scholarshipforms.htm

 

·        Senior families should completed the FAFSA (a financial aid form), regardless of income status or plans at www.fafsa.ed.gov.  File FAFSA as close after January 1st as possible.  Each winter assistance is available at free workshops given at local colleges.  Be checking the ZHS newsletters and bulletins for specific information.

 

·        Did you filled out a Free/Reduced Lunch form this year? If not, please do so today. Some financial aid opportunities are only available for those families who have completed this form.  Contact any school secretary or the district office to complete this form. Information is confidential.

 

·        Important Dates For Seniors:

 

9/17         ACT Pre-registration due for the 10/23 test @ ZHS

9/20         PEARLS component #1 due to advisors for approval 8:00am

9/21         Jostens Senior meeting @ ZHS PAC 9:00am

9/27         No School- great opportunity for PEARLS work, Campus Visits, etc.

9/28         Jostens here @ ZHS to take Senior orders Lunch & 3:00-6:00

10/4-9           Homecoming Week

10/4         PEARLS component #1 due for mid-term grading

10/8         No School (State in-service) do campus visits, PEARLS work

10/11-15       Add/Drop for Winter/Spring semesters

10/13       ZHS Fall Conferences and open house 5:00-8:00 pm

10/15       PEARLS panels may be completed early until February 1

10/16       College Applications (Early Decision) due,

10/20       ZHS Fall Conferences and open house 5:00-8:00 pm

10/23       ACT Testing @ ZHS 7:45 am

10/28            ASVAB Career Testing (Free) @ ZHS (required for Military) 8:00-12:00

10/28-29       No School for ZSD Students K-8 Conferences (take campus visits)

10/28       Scheduled Parent-Student-Teacher conferences on request

11/1         College Applications (Regular Decision) due

11/1         Get your PIN for FAFSA

11/18       PEARLS Component #2 due for grading

12/1         Community College Applications Due, Senior Scholarship season opens, Begin FAFSA documentation

1/1-2/15 FAFSA forms may be filed

1/7           Senior pictures due for OWEGO inclusion

1/14         PEARLS essay due to Advisors

1/24-28   Add/Drop for Spring semester

1-26 ZHS Winter Conferences and open house 5:000-8:00 pm

2-15 PEARLS Portfolios due to advisors

3/15-17   HSPE Retests (Reading & Writing)

3/15-17 & 24 PEARLS Panel presentation

3/21         Honor Diploma & Departmental Honor Award applications due

4/27         ZHS Spring Conferences and open house 5:00-8:00 pm

5/1           All credit retrieval needed for graduation due

5/16         Senior Plans & Awards information due

5/25         Aloha BBQ & seating chart for graduation @ lunch

5/26-27   Senior Finals and check out

5/31         Senior Class Field Trip

6/1           Baccalaureate @ Nazarene Church 7:00 pm (Practice 12:55)

6/2           Senior Awards Night 7:00 PAC

6/3           Commencement @ Leopard Field 7:30

 

·        Jostens will be here September 21 to present senior graduation information to the class.  They will return to take orders for senior items such as graduation caps and gowns, announcements, etc. September 28 from 11:00-12:15 and 3:00--6:00 at ZHS. If you have questions, contact Jostens at 453-5279

 

·        Students and Parents please email griffin_j@zsd.wednet.edu subscribe to the ZHS e-newsletter.  Each week a newsletter will be sent directly to you to help you stay informed about ZHS events.

 

Once you review the information and resources provided from this conference, please call or email follow-up questions to me.

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                    John Griffin

                                                                        John Griffin,

                                                                        Guidance Counselor

Our next topic to explore will be about after plans.  Take the link below to being.

   Post Secondary Placement