Freshman and Sophomore Parent Meeting

1. Freshman and Sophomore Parent Meeting Carla Hotts & Amy Piazzon Shrine High School Counseling Department

2. Who we are and how to reach us Carla Hotts Director of Counseling 248 549 2925 x 2553 hotts@shrineschools.com Amy Piazzon Collegiate Counselor 248 549-2925 x 2552 piazzon@shrineschools.com

3. Who is this kid I am living with??

4. Transition to High School

5. 2017-2018 School Year • Homecoming Dance Friday, October 6th • Homecoming Game Sunday, October 8th • All School Testing Day, Wednesday October 11th • Midterms December 20st, 21st and 22nd • Protecting Gods Children - January • 2018-2019 Course Selection Process begins in February. • Finals June 6th, 7th, and 8th

6. College and Career Planning for Underclassmen Freshmen: FIRST MEETING SEPTEMBER 26 DURING RELIGION • Introduction to who I am and what I do • Dispel the myth that my Freshman year doesn’t count. • Teach them how GPA’s are calculated, and explain cumulative effect of each semester • Transcript vs Report Card • Importance of a positive academic trend. • Enforce fact that everyone will be college ready by the time they graduate. Their grades should reflect their potential. If not, it is their responsibility, not that of the parents, teachers, or counselors.

7. Freshman: SECOND MEETING NOVEMBER 16 & 17 DURING RELIGION • Introduction to Naviance - software program for career exploration and college research. • Topics: • Strength Explorer Assessment • Cluster Finder • Career Interest Profiler • Road Trip Nation Interviews • Super Match College Search • Goal: Start thinking about interesting careers which can help with both future course scheduling, Junior Job Shadow and college research.

8. Sophomores: FIRST MEETING SEPTEMBER 26 IN RELIGION • Review Transcript, GPA, importance of positive trend. • Confirm Strength Explorer, Career Cluster, and Interest Inventory are complete. • Review Super Match College Tour. • Begin talking about formulating their personal criteria for their college search. • Introduce the scattergrams information on Shrine students

9. Sophomores: • SECOND MEETING NOVEMBER 16 & 17 DURING RELIGION • Discuss College Entrances Exams – SAT/ACT • Discuss importance of extracurricular activities • Begin Academic Resume • In class assignment-college research (identifying average gpa/test scores, cost, financial aid, majors

10. How to get to Naviance…. • Naviance.com • Sign In • Student/Family • School Zip Code: 48073 • Select Shrine Catholic High School • User name: first 4 letters of the last name followed by the first three letters of the first name. • Password: set for shrine123-but your cherub might have changed it. • Save time by bookmarking this page

11. College and Career Summary • I will commandeer your cherub’s class multiple times this year to teach them how to use the tools within Naviance. This is huge commitment in terms of instructional time. • I am available for them by appointment-if they can get past the line of seniors vying for my time.

12. Standardized Testing Information Shrine Testing Schedule 8th HSPT 9thPre-ACT * 10th PSAT* 11th PSAT/NMSQT-National Merit Scholarship consideration* * All School Testing Date is Wednesday, October 11th until 2:05pm Our students are exposed to both testing platforms prior to the Junior/Senior testing window. Use the FREE resources in KHAN academy . There is a list of “Shrine Approved” tutors listed on the Counseling Page of the Shrineschools.com Website.

13. More Testing Info…. ACT vs SAT • Both are standardized admissions tests accepted universally and interchangeably by colleges and universities • Standardized testing is only one factor in a holistic review of student’s application.

14. Comprised of 4 subsections and an optional writing section • English, Math, Science, and Reading • Composite score is an average of the subsections • Composite score does NOT include the Writing score • High score is 36 in each section • There are 7 test dates annually: Sept*, Oct*, Dec, February, April*, June* and July * proctored at Shrine High School

15. Multiple smaller sections, but main scoring divisions are critical reading and math with an optional writing section. • Scoring ranges from 200-800 for a max score of 1600 in the critical reading and mathematics sections. • SATs are offered in: Aug, Oct, Nov, Dec, March, May, and June. • We are in the process of being approve for the March SAT…stay tuned. • SAT is the qualifying exam for the Michigan Competitive Award

16. 2017/18 Standardized Test Fees • ACT+ Writing- $62.50 • ACT No Writing-$46.00 • SAT+ Writing-$60.00 • SAT No Writing $46.00 • Both ACT and SAT offer fee waivers for students who meet NACAC requirements

17. Last Slide on Testing…I promise • Students who qualify for an SAT fee waiver will automatically receive 4 college application fee waivers uploaded to their SAT account. • I am paying very close attention to the current trend of universities no longer requiring the writing portion of the SAT or ACT. Stay tuned….

18. Summary • The best recipe for success is a challenging college preparatory curriculum. • Niaviance will be used for college and career exploration to prepare for a Job Shadow experience and ultimate the college application process. • Relax and enjoy your student’s high school experience.