CLASS of 2014

1. CLASS of 2014 Preparing for the Senior Year

2. Agenda • Welcome-Angie Dunnam • Career Coaching-Mandy Bezerdi • Senior Info-Angie Dunnam • Senior Activities-Joni Ojard

3. Red Folder Info • Transcript • Graduation Checklist • Senior Activities • FSCC Field Trip Form-Complete and turn in tonight • College Prep Checklist • Financial Aid Info • Other

4. Diploma Options • Standard • Advanced • College Prep • College Prep + Distinction • Alabama Occupational Diploma • Certificate of Attendance

5. Graduation Requirements • 24 credits for standard, advanced and occupational diplomas • 28 credits for college prep diploma • 30 credits for college prep + distinction diploma • Must pass all core subjects (4 X 4) and required electives • AHSGE-pass all 5 parts*

6. Valedictorian/Salutatorian • Must take Calculus • Meet requirements of the CP + Distinction • Will be determined by the highest GPA in the 18 designated courses • Weighted grades will NOT be used to determine Val/Sal • Seniors are ranked based on weighted GPA—ranking does not indicate val/sal status

7. Senior Schedule • Make sure you have all required courses • All core subjects and electives will run all year long (no longer on a traditional block system) • See Mrs. Dunnam for any errors in your schedule

8. Senior Early Release-College • General Requirements • Passed all parts of AHSGE • Be on track for graduation • Works with the master schedule • Faulkner Community College/UA Early College • All application procedures should be completed prior to the start of school • Students must take one class for each block off campus

9. Early Release-Work • General Requirements • Passed all parts of AHSGE • Be on track for graduation • Works with the master schedule • Students who are employed may earn elective credit as part of the school day • Must work/volunteer 8-10 hours for each block off campus-documented weekley • May not be directly supervised by a parent/family member • Applications available on the school website or on Moodle www.learn.bcbe.org under SFHS Guidance & Counseling

10. Athletics/NCAA • www.ncaa.org - Division I or II athletes must be certified academically and as an amateur • “Path to the Student Athlete Experience” on school website or go to www.eligibilitycenter.org • Contact Coach Duane Davis for more information ddavis@bcbe.org

11. College Applications/Admissions • “The Big 3” • GPA • Rigorous Coursework • ACT/SAT Scores • Other Factors • Recommendation Letters –give at least 1 week notice (“Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part!”)—be sure to provide a resume • Transcript Requests • $1.00/request – in writing at the front desk

12. ACT • www.actstudent.org • Students should register for the ACT online • 63% of seniors have taken ACT at least once • Many colleges require the ACT + Writing

13. Scholarships • Fastweb.com • Finaid.com • Notification of Scholarship Opportunities: • School Website-www.spanishforttoros.org “Guidance” • Monthly email newsletter • Morning announcements • Guidance Dept. “Scholarship Wall” • Moodle (learn.bcbe.org under SFHS Guidance & Counseling)

14. College Applications • Begin Summer ’13 • December 1st deadline for many college/scholarship applications • Check with the college of choice regarding specific admission requirements (foreign languages, etc) • Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!

15. Financial Aide • Financial aide workshop held in January 2014 • FAFSA-Free Application for Student Aide • Complete the FAFSA in Jan 2014 • FAFSA Forms-www.FAFSA.ed.gov • Requires 2013 Income Tax Return in order to complete FAFSA

16. College Visits/Interviews • 2 days administrative approval for college visits (MUST request 2 weeks prior to visit date) - Form at the front desk, on website under forms or on Moodle at learn.bcbe.org under SFHS Guidance & Counseling • Tips for Campus Visits/College Interviews on website www.spanishforttoros.org under Angela Dunnam “Forms”

17. Career Cruising • Resume-www.careercruising.com (each student has a wallet card with username and password)- mailed out with report cards June 2013 • College search capabilities • Career interest surveys • Career exploration info (salary, education, working conditions)

18. Resume Information • Name • Diploma Type/GPA • Work Experience • Volunteer Experience • Awards/Certificates • Extracurricular Activities • Hobbies/Skills Abilities • Use template on Career Cruising

19. College & Career Ready • www.alcareerinfo.org for information about college and career planning • Mandy Bezeredi – SFHS College and Career Coach-visits SFHS one time per week and is available for one-on-one or small group meetings

20. General Information • Visit the website often/sign up for notify me • Seniors who do not pass all five parts of the AHSGE and pass all required courses will NOT participate in the graduation ceremony

21. Independence-so much to do, so little time to do it! • Encourage your child to become independent and self-sufficient • There are times in life when you gotta crawl,Lose your grip, trip and fallWhen you can't lean on no one else,That's when you find yourselfI've been around and I've noticed thatWalk-in's easy when the road is flatThem danged 'ole hills will get you every time.Yeah, the good Lord gave us mountains so we could learn how to climb-- Lyrics from “Mountains” by Lonestar

22. Contact Info • adunnam@bcbe.org • jojard@bcbe.org • mandy.bezeredi@faulknerstate.edu • 251.621.6629