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April 24, 2008
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING NEWSLETTER
REGISTRATION AND COURSE SELECTION INFORMATION PROGRAM
WILL BE HELD JANUARY 31, AT 6:30 PM
The Guidance and Counseling department will hold an information program for parents on what you need to know when reviewing and selecting your child’s program of studies for the 2008-2009 school year. The program will be held on Thursday, January 31, at 6:30 PM in the Kuhn Cultural Arts Center. Please enter door #12 or #19. The program will discuss course selection procedures, course changes for next year, understanding prerequisites, meeting college requirements, and meeting graduation requirements. The program is for parents only—not students. Course selection information will be presented to students on Tuesday, January 29, during the school day.
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Mrs. Angelika Rupp, Guidance Counselor for students with last names beginning with the letters A—K, will be returning to school from her maternity leave on Monday, January 28. During her absence, Mrs. Rigney and Ms. Sullivan had assumed responsibility for her students. Beginning January 28 students and parents may contact Mrs. Rupp by seeing her in her office, by calling extension 104, or by email at arupp@sfhsnet.org.
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GIRLS’ EMPOWERMENT GROUP WILL BE HELD BEGINNING IN MARCH
The Girls Empowerment Group is back! Messages from the media, often repeated by peers, can set the stage for the belief that teenage girls should be more concerned with appearance and ability to win male approval than with their own interests and aspirations. Studies show the toll extracted by these messages on girls’ self-image and well-being: girls are 7-times more likely to be depressed and 3-times more likely to have a negative body image. However, by encouraging girls to have positive expectations for themselves, providing them with opportunities to develop competence and confidence in their abilities we can increase their power to make right decisions and avoid risky behaviors.
That is what the Girls Empowerment Group is all about. Through discussions and activities the group will aim to help girls make good life choices, feel good about themselves, and become confident in their talents and abilities. Some of the topics the group will focus on are: assertiveness skills, self-esteem, peer pressure, self-image, girls’ health issues, good decision making skills and stress management. In addition, the group will also address the impact of acculturation and media exposure on girls’ body image and eating behaviors. The Girls Empowerment Group will start in early March and will meet once a week for 8 weeks. The group is open to girls of all grades.
Parents who would like to find out more information about the Girls Empowerment Group or any other groups should contact Angelika Rupp at extension 104.
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Students who wish to take AP exams must sign up through their AP instructor by March 3. All students who are enrolled in upper level honors or AP courses that prepare students for AP exams have been given a copy of the 2008 AP (Advanced Placement) exam bulletin. In late February, AP teachers will ask students to sign up for the AP exams that will take place from May 5-16. The cost for AP exams is $95 per test. This includes a slight surcharge above and beyond the test fee to pay for the proctors who will be supervising testing. The test fee will be collected by the classroom teacher around April 7. If a student orders a test now and cancels later this spring, he or she must pay a penalty fee of $15 because AP charges Saint Francis a penalty fee for each unused test. Students and parents should keep in mind that these tests are exceedingly difficult.
Please note that students in AP courses are not required to take the exams in May. A student who chooses to take an AP exam should be performing very well in their honors or AP courses and perform well on standardized tests. Students should test their knowledge of AP material by practicing on sample test questions both inside and outside of class.
Since AP teachers cannot always cover every topic that may be on an AP exam, students who want to perform well on AP exams usually have to do additional work on their own. Information on AP courses and exams questions is available at www.collegeboard.com.
Senior students should check with their prospective colleges about their AP credit policies. This information can also be found on the College Board website. For further information, students should see Mrs. Rigney or the AP instructor.
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The FAFSA Federal College Financial Aid Form is available on the internet at www.fafsa.ed.gov. In order to use the web based form, you must first obtain a pin number by going to www.pin.ed.gov. You are advised to send in the form during the month of January or early February in order to maximize your eligibility for financial aid. Do NOT wait until you do your taxes to complete the FAFSA. Parents may use estimated income and assets to initially complete the FAFSA and then correct the numbers on the Student Aid Report when you receive it. Keep in mind that even if you do not demonstrate financial need on the FAFSA, simply completing and submitting the form will qualify you for the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan.
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ST. FRANCIS TAKES PART IN NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS WEEK
(FEBRUARY 24 TO MARCH 1)
As part of the National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (February 24 to March 1), which aims to motivate individuals who need help to get treatment and to raise public awareness about eating disorders, the Guidance and Counseling Department will offer confidential eating disorder screenings and informational meetings. If you are interested in more eating disorder information, a confidential screening or one of the support groups, please contact Mrs. Rupp at ext. 104 or Ms. Sullivan at ext. 108.
Eating disorders and problematic eating behaviors have become epidemic. Studies have shown that 1 in 5 adolescents engages at some point during their teenager years in disordered eating behaviors and nearly 7 million women in the US currently suffer from anorexia and bulimia. Most parents will not be faced with the enormous challenges of dealing with an anorexic or bulimic. Many, however, will face the challenges of children who have poor body images or eating problems like excessive dieting, skipping meals, bingeing one day and eating very little the next day or trying the latest diet fad. Disordered eating can be harmful to adolescents’ developing bodies and minds. Since early detection of an eating disorder can increase the likelihood of successful recovery, knowing the warning signs is important:
In your interaction with your child you may notice one or more of the physical, behavioral and emotional signs of an eating disorder:
Physical: weight loss or fluctuation in a short period of time; abdominal pain; feeling full; dry hair or skin; headaches.
Behavioral: dieting or chaotic food intake; pretending to eat, throwing away food; extensive exercising; showing concern with food, weight or body size; wearing baggy clothes to hide a thin body; frequent trips to the bathroom.
Emotional: complaints about being fat; sadness; perfectionist attitudes; not sharing one's feelings.
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TIPS FOR UNDERSTANDING UNDERACHIEVEMENT
Does your high school student score well on standardized tests but bring home below-average grades? If you think your teen is performing below potential, take these steps to help turn things around:
1) Check for causes: There are several reasons why kids don’t perform as well as they are able. Sometimes teens aren’t motivated because they fear failure or lack confidence. In some cases, parents expect grades beyond teens’ abilities. Vision or hearing problems, or learning disabilities, may also be to blame. Getting input from your child’s teacher or school counselor will help you zero in on the cause.
2) Be Supportive: Even if he or she does not let on, a teen who’s not working on the same level as his or her peers probably feels bad about it. Assure your high school student that you believe in him or her and are available if he or she needs you. Suggest that the student talk with teachers to come up with ways to improve grades. Then, praise your student for taking the reins, and keep tabs on your teen’s “improvement” plans.
3) Think Teamwork: If necessary, arrange for you and your child to meet with the school counselor and teachers to discuss trouble-some classes. Together, come up with a plan to help your teen get a new start.
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Now is the time of year when both parents and students begin to wonder, “Now that we have applied to these colleges, how are we going to pay for this?” Such thoughts naturally lead to the pursuit of scholarships.
Obtaining college scholarships is not as easy as some would have us think. The best source of money for college is the college itself. Students should ask every college what merit scholarships are available. These scholarships can be highly competitive at some schools and not as hard to obtain at others. Some schools are now offering “leadership scholarships” for students who have shown a strong commitment to extra-curricular activities.
Students who are looking for corporate or community scholarships can access information on those awards through programs such as:
http://www.collegezone.com (for general financial aid information)
http://www.finaid.com (for general financial aid information)
Mrs. Rigney publishes a Weekly Bulletin of college and scholarship information that homeroom teachers post. This bulletin lists scholarships for which the Guidance Department has current applications. This bulletin is also on the St. Francis website on the Student Services page under Weekly Bulletin. Students often have the best chance to earn a scholarship offered by a local organization since these scholarships have a smaller applicant pool. Some scholarships will be based on financial need; many will require that the student write an essay. Applying for scholarships does take time and organization.
Remember to avoid scholarship scams. Avoid scholarships or scholarship services that require an application fee. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! No agency or service can promise that you will obtain scholarships or financial aid.
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JUNIORS SHOULD START REGISTERING FOR SPRING ACT AND SAT TESTS
The dates for the 2007-2008 ACT and SAT tests are listed on the last page of the St. Francis High School Calendar. This same information is also on the Student Services page of the school web-site. Use these sources as future reference for upcoming test dates and registration deadlines. Juniors should plan to take the ACT or SAT at least two times from January of 2008 through June of 2008.
When registering for ACT and SAT tests, students may use two different methods. They may go online to www.act.org for the ACT or to www.collegeboard.com for the SAT test. To register with the paper copy, students may pick up a registration packet from the large metal bookshelves in the Students Services hallway. St. Francis administers the ACT on the April test date only . If a student wants to test at St. Francis, he or she must register in advance of the regular registration deadline and select St. Francis as the first choice for test centers. Students are not guaranteed their test center choices. Places are assigned on a first come, first served basis. When re-registering for a second test, students may do so by phone for a small charge or online for free. It is very important that the student include the St. Francis six digit high school code on their registration. Our high school code number is 144-383. We strongly recommend that a student plan to take both the ACT and the SAT and take each test more than once. This ensures that the student will be likely to earn a score that best reflects his or her true ability. Colleges will use the higher score when making admissions decisions.
Students should also be aware more and more colleges, including several Big Ten Schools, are requiring the new ACT Writing Assessment. Not all colleges require that students take the Writing Asssessment; however, if even one college that the student will apply to requires the writing assessment, then the student will need to take it. Therefore, the Guidance and Counseling Department strongly recommends that all juniors take the Writing Assessment along with the ACT exam every time the student takes the test. The revised SAT includes a mandatory writing assessment. For details on these new writing assessments and preparation materials, students should go to www.act.org or www.collegeboard.com.
REMINDER: THE ST. FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL CODE FOR ACT AND SAT TESTING IS: 144-383
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STUDENTS WHO MAY QUALIFY FOR NONSTANDARD ACT or SAT TESTING:
- Before you begin this process, you must have current, complete documentation on file in our office. Both ACT and SATare very particular about requiring accurate and updated documentation or requests will not be granted.
- For complete ACT information, please check the website regarding specifications for NONSTANDARD testing: http://www.actstudent.org/Under “Services” click “Students with Disabilities.”
- For complete ACT information, please check the website regarding specifications for NONSTANDARD testing:
- In order for a student to qualify for extended time or other accommodations, s/he needs to be using these accommodations in the classroom on a regular basis.
- ALL registrations for nonstandard ACT or SAT tests are done through Mary Kay Sullivan at X 108 and mailed from Saint Francis.
- SOPHOMORES need to apply for the PSATbefore leaving for summer break. Qualifying for the PSAT assures the student of being eligible for any other future CollegeBoard test ( SAT, SAT II, AP.)
- JUNIORS should not assume that they will qualify and wait until the last minute to request accommodations. There is at least a 4-6 week wait time to receive eligibility. They need to apply for eligibility AND sign up for their first ACT test well ahead of the actual test date. The majority of our juniors take their first ACT here at Saint Francis in April.
- ACT TESTS
When a student qualifies for accommodations on the ACT, s/he will be designated to sign up for one of the following settings.
- When a student qualifies for the ACT Assessment SPECIAL testing, the student will test here at St. Francis with Ms. Sullivan or another proctor.
- School testing involves:
- The student normally requiring more than time-and-one-half for tests in school or using extra time only on Writing tests… OR
- The student needing to use a tape recorder/CD player to listen to the text while reading… OR
- The student requiring testing over multiple days, due to the nature of the disability.
- When a student qualifies for ACT Assessment EXTENDED TIME National Testing, s/he will report for testing on the National Test Date at an individual test center at another school.
- Extended time testing involves:
- The student normally requiring up to time-and-one-half for tests in school AND
- The student able to use a regular-type (10-point)or large-type (18-point) test booklet.
- The student having no need for a tape recorder/CD player, just extended time
- SAT TESTS
- When a student qualifies for SAT Assessment SPECIAL testing, the student will test here at St. Francis with Ms. Sullivan or another proctor.
- Special testing involves:
- the student normally requiring greater than 50% up to 100% or more time for school-based tests that require reading OR written language expression OR mathematical calculations OR listening OR speaking.
- the student needing to use a tape recorder/CD player to listen to the text while reading
- National Test Center testing involves:
- The student requiring up to and including 50% in the above categories
- The student requiring no other accommodations.
