1. SENIOR 2018 CLASS PRESENTATION

2. Senior Counselors Mrs. Tiphynee Salazar Tiphynee.Salazar@fwisd.org
Serves students from: A-LOP
Graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a Master’s in Counseling Education and a Bachelor’s from University of Arkansas. She holds a LPC certification for the State of Texas.
Mrs. Karen Blandino
Serves students from: LOQ-Z
Graduated from TCU with Master’s in Counseling Education and a Bachelor of Arts in History from UTA. Currently working on LPC certification.

3. SENIOR ATTENDANCE
Students must meet state-mandated attendance rules to earn credit for classes in EACH SEMESTER. Attendance counts until the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL/SEMESTER. It is possible to LOSE CREDIT in a class by being absent the last days of school/semester. Students are responsible for monitoring their attendance throughout the year to ensure they are meeting attendance requirements.

4. SENIOR GRADES/CREDITS
Students must earn state-mandated credits for classes to meet graduation requirements. Students MUST pass their required classes to be able to graduate.
Graduation is based on the check-list of classes and not only on the number of credits. Many students graduate with more than 26 credits. A student with 31 credits who has not passed Algebra IB will not graduate until that credit is earned.

5. SENIOR GRADES/CREDITS CONTINUED
Students are responsible for monitoring their grades and progress to ensure they are passing their classes to stay on track to graduate. Students are also to attend tutorials as needed to work towards passing and earning their credits.

6. FOCUS
Students and parents are to monitor the student’s grades and attendance in Focus throughout the year. When monitoring attendance, unexcused absences are big red capital As. All attendance is important. The more a student is absent, the more difficult it is for the student to pass his/her classes.

7. FOCUS CONTINUED
All students have access to Focus. Students and parents are encouraged to log in FREQUENTLY and to maintain good communication with the student’s teachers throughout the year.

8. TRANSCRIPTS
Current transcripts show the WEIGHTED GPA only. The next round of transcripts are expected at the end of September and will include WEIGHTED and UNWEIGHTED GPAs. If a student needs a transcript now with UNWEIGHTED GPA, the student needs to see his/her counselor to complete a form requesting that document.

9. TRANSCRIPTS CONTINUED
The ONLY official GPA (weighted or unweighted) and class rank are found on the official transcript. These numbers are not always accurate in Focus. Students should ONLY rely on the official transcript when reporting this information to colleges.

10. COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS INSTRUCTIONS
The PHS college application process instructions are available in the PHS Counseling office. Students are to follow the specific instructions and DEADLINES on the form when requesting transcripts, letters of recommendation from counselors, etc.

11. COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS INSTRUCTIONS

12. COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS INSTRUCTIONS

13. TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORMS
Transcript request forms are available in the PHS Counseling office. Students are to complete the forms and follow instructions on the forms. Students MUST turn these forms into the counseling clerks to be copied before taking the original to Ms. Redden in the main office. (All instructions are on the form.)

14. COUNSELOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION REQUEST FORMS (COLLEGE APP/SCHOLARSHIP)
College application/ scholarship counseling letter of recommendation forms are available in the PHS Counseling office. Students MUST follow the instructions on the form and attach the required documents when turning in a request for a letter to be written by a counselor.

15. COUNSELOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION REQUEST FORMS CONTINUED
If students are requesting a letter be mailed hard copy to a school, students need to provide a Stamped and Sealed Envelope (SASE) to the counselor when turning in the request.

16. COUNSELOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION REQUEST FORMS CONTINUED
If students are requesting a letter from a teacher, students must work directly with the teacher for that letter. If the letter needs to be mailed hard copy to a school, students need to provide a SASE to the teacher when turning in the request.

17. COLLEGE APPLICATION PARENT/GUARDIAN BRAG SHEET
If parents want to turn in information about their students for the college letter of recommendation, they should complete the Parent/Guardian Brag Sheet, and the student will turn it in with the required documents. This information is OPTIONAL.

18. GRADUATION—CAPS/GOWNS/ETC.
PHS is working with Herff Jones
Caps/gowns etc. will be ordered in January. Listen for announcements.

19. PHS COLLEGE VISITS
PHS schedules on-campus college visits throughout the fall. College visits are sent through REMIND and mentioned in morning announcements. Students can sign up for schools in the PHS Counseling office. Dates are updated in the counseling office and are on the PHS Counseling website.

20. PHS COUNSELING WEBSITE
Visit the PHS Counseling website often as new information is continually added—scholarships, etc.

21. GO CENTER—Room 251 Ms. Moore—College and Career Adviser
Students can go to the Go Center to get help with their college applications, financial aid, and scholarships.
Students can also investigate other paths after high school, such as trade school, military, or a job. 
Students can sign up in the Go Center to be called out of a class (at teacher discretion) and a pass will be sent for them, or they can go before/after school.
Ms. Moore will also be calling in all the seniors during the fall semester to introduce them to the Go Center. 

22. Financial Aid for College!!!
FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, OPENS this October 1st.
The FAFSA will require Parents and Students 2016 Tax Information.
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FAFSA is not available this year
TASFA, Texas Application for State Financial Aid, OPENS this October 4th.
The TASFA is for students who do not have Social Security Numbers, if this applies to your student, make sure they are working with the Go Center to begin this process as soon as possible!

23. Financial Aid for College Cont.!!
For students applying to more Selective Schools like UT and A&M, or any Out of State Schools, applying by October 31st, will be most beneficial.
Most schools will have priority deadlines for FAFSA, but generally, the earlier the better.
BUT, BEFORE SUBMITTING, make sure your student, has a list of All the Colleges they need/want to send it to, so they don’t have to re-submit the FAFSA Later.
Don't think you need to apply for FAFSA?
MANY Schools require students to File the FAFSA or TASFA as a part of their admission/scholarship office. Also, FAFSA Acts as a Great option, as life is unpredictable and the more options for money, the better.

24. Go Center Remind 101 PULL OUT YOUR PHONES! Enter this Number: 81010
Text this
You will receive Updates
on Coming Events, Deadlines, and Scholarship Opportunities!!! w

25. How to Register for the SAT or ACT
To sign up for an SAT exam, go to the College Board website at ***If you have trouble registering for either
and register. Look for the SAT exam, contact their help desk numbers.
information tab and click on it. You will be directed to create an We do not have access to your information
account and then you will be able to register for the exam and will not be able to help you if you
It is very important that parent/student remember how to log into do not remember your usernames and/or
this account. Write down your username and pin and put in a safe Passwords
place. You will not be able to retrieve scores for SAT or AP exams
without being able to access your college board account.
ACT
To register, go to and create an account. You will then be able to
register for an exam. Remember your username and pin, you will need them in
the future. w

26. SAT Testing Dates