SENIOR PARENT MEETING August 30, 2016 Sparkman High School 2017 SENIOR PARENT MEETING August 30, 2016 Sparkman High School

Mr. Chris Shaw, Principal WELCOME Mr. Chris Shaw, Principal

From the Counseling Office: Ms. Amanda Findlay, 12th Grade Counselor

Sparkman Administration Principal: Mr. Chris Shaw Assistant Principals: Ms. Cheryl Askew Mr. Jonathon Barron Ms. Jennifer Gray Mr. Maurice Jones Mr. Jason Watts

Sparkman Counseling Staff Counselors: Ms. Dedra Muhammad 10th grade Ms. Teresa Fleming 11th grade Ms. Amanda Findlay 12th grade Registrars: Ms. Ana Meininger Ms. Alisa Parrish

Graduation TUESDAY, MAY 23 @ 3:00PM VON BRAUN CENTER NORTH HALL

Herff-Jones Graduation Announcements/Cap & Gown/Class Rings www Herff-Jones Graduation Announcements/Cap & Gown/Class Rings www.agpnsales.com 9/26 HJ will meet with Seniors to present graduation packages and purchase options

Senior Portrait/Yearbook Information Contact: Ms. Erin Coggins ecoggins@mcssk12.org

Requirements for 2017 Graduates Core Course Requirements Elective Requirements Health (.5) Life PE (1.0) Career Prep (1.0) 3 credits of required electives (World Language, Fine Arts and/or Career/Technical) 2.5 credits of miscellaneous electives 4 Units of English 4 Units of Math 4 Units of Science Must include Biology and Physical Science, Chemistry or Physics 4 Units of Social Studies World History, U.S. History 1 & 2, Gov’t/Econ 24 total units are required for graduation

ACT/SAT ACT - www.actstudent.org SAT - www.sat.collegeboard.org SAT/ACT can be taken multiple times Usually required to apply to colleges and universities (not required for technical colleges) College-bound Seniors should try to take fall semester if possible to meet application deadlines SAT vs. ACT: both are recognized at MOST colleges and universities SAT is Verbal, Math and Writing (SAT changes effective Spring 2016) ACT is Verbal, Math, Writing, Science and Social Studies March 5 is the first administration of the newly redesigned SAT.

Senior Procedures for Class of 2017 College Recommendation Request procedures Requests must be in writing on the Recommendation Request Form. This packet must be completed and returned 10 business days prior to deadline. Requests for recommendations received without the Recommendation Request Form will be completed but with a form letter.  Don’t let this happen to you!! Individual Counseling Appointments for College/Scholarship Questions Email Ms. Findlay afindlay@mcssk12.org or Ms. Duncan bduncan@mcssk12.org Career Coach Madison County School The yellow forms are the rec packets. There is a student portion, parent portion and a teacher portion.

College Applications/Transcripts 2 ways to request a transcript: Myschoolfees.org Complete the paper form and pay the fee in the front office $3.00 cost, requires 2-3 days minimum for processing

College Fairs and Preview Days College Fair - September 1, 2016, 6-8pm, UAH Fitness Center (for parents) Preview Days- dates vary Log on to gaprobe.org select high school students and you can register for a barcode that colleges can scan to automatically get your information and be able to send you information without you having to fill out their info cards all night.

Scholarships DON’T PAY TO SEARCH OR VIEW SCHOLARSHIPS www.fastweb.com, www.collegescholarships.com, www.achievealabama.org, and MANY OTHERS! The amount of scholarship money awarded is directly proportional to the amount of time spent searching and applying

Scholarships & Updates Twitter @SHSSenators http://sparkmanhigh.mcssk12.org/ REMIND 101

STUDENT To Do List Narrow down college choices Apply Submit supplemental materials as requested by each college if necessary Search for Scholarships Complete FAFSA (parents can help) Be patient ~ This process has multiple steps and you are not in control of all of them. Do your part and trust that everyone else is doing theirs.

QUESTIONS????