1. Damascus High School SENIOR PARENT MEETING 2017-2018
Casey

2. Introductions Casey Crouse, Principal
Adam Saltzman, Assistant Principal
Amanda Quay, Senior Class Sponsor
Laura Schley, Yearbook Sponsor
Kristy Poker, Resource Counselor & DEPA
(MC Concurrent Enrollment Coordinator)
Susie O’Brien, Accuplacer Test Coordinator
Casey

3. Senior Event Information
Class Sponsor: Mrs. Quay
Class Officers
President: Brandon Rivera
Vice President: Tin Do
Treasurer: Dyllan Ramirez
Secretary: Ryan Trujillo
Public Relations: Katelyn Avon
Amanda

4. Graduation TENTATIVE DATE: Friday, June 1, 2018 on DHS Stadium Field
(167 Days Away)
on DHS Stadium Field
Amanda

5. Every graduate is REQUIRED to attend graduation rehearsal.
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Every graduate is REQUIRED to attend graduation rehearsal.
Amanda

6. Caps and Gown Information
We order caps and gowns from Jostens
Order online at Jostens.com
Orders must be in by January 5, After this date the price will increase.
Amanda

7. Dates to Note Senior Parent Meeting: 5/3/18 @ 6pm
Graduation Ticket Distribution
(for indoor seating only)
Senior Awards Night: 7pm
Amanda

8. THANKS for helping make this year special for our 2018 Grads!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Senior Breakfast: 7:45 am
We need someone to chair and take lead of this wonderful school event.
There will also be a need for food donations.
Finally, if you can make yourself available, your assistance will be greatly appreciated the day of the breakfast to help set-up, serve, and clean up afterwards.
THANKS for helping make this year special for our 2018 Grads!
Amanda

9. Senior Panoramic Picture
Friday, September 22nd
Orders from vosphoto.com
Amanda

10. Yearbook Information Sponsor: Laura Schley Laura_J_Schley@mcpsmd.org

11. Yearbooks
On sale tonight! – Yearbook and Senior Ad order forms are available outside of room 148
$75.00: Tonight – October 20th
$85.00: October 21st – December 22nd
$100.00: December 23th – January 31st
OR order online at:
Laura

12. Senior Portraits for the Yearbook
Each senior needs to be photographed by Victor O’Neill Studios for inclusion in the yearbook
The last make up session will be September 25th.
You need to select the image that you would like to be included in the yearbook and make any requests for retouching BY December 1st in order to be included in the yearbook.
Need an appointment?   
The BEST way to schedule is via to:
Or call (800) ext. 500
Laura

13. Senior Ads for the Yearbook
***The early-bird catches the deal!!!***
Cheapest price range runs NOW - Sept 29th
Mid price range runs Sept 30th - Oct 27th
Regular price range runs Oct 28th - Nov 22nd
**You must submit all photographs and text at the time you place your order**
We offer this incentive to guarantee that our yearbook staff has enough time to create a high quality product!!
Laura

14. Counseling Office Resource Counselor: Kristy Poker
AP Information Senior Meetings
College Planning Video
College Planning/Application information
Test Prep Support
Dual Enrollment Program Assistant
Kristy

15. Advanced Placement Classes
Why take AP classes/exams?
College Credit
Cost/Savings
College success
Confidence
AP Scholar Acknowledgement
Kristy

16. AP Exam Information AP Exams: 5/7/18 - 5/18/18
Kristy

17. Senior Individual Meetings
Counselors are meeting with seniors individually to review their post-high school plans.
Some students and parents also met with their counselors over the summer .
Counselors want to make sure that all students have a post high school plan in place and that they have done what they need to achieve their goal.
Close monitoring throughout senior year.
Open lab in the career center every Monday during lunch to get help with college applications
Kristy

18. College Planning Video
In June, students watched a video highlighting the college application process.
Students received folders with useful resources and documents (extras are available, if needed).
Video is on the DHS website under career center
See counselor with questions.
Kristy

19. College Application Information
Students complete their applications online.
Students need to meet with Mrs. Carey three weeks prior to their deadline (see list of dates in folder). Mrs. Carey meets with students before school, during lunch, or after school.
Mrs. Carey sends the official transcript, school profile, counselor recommendation, and any other forms required by the college.
Test scores should be sent directly from the test provider (College Board or ACT).
Kristy

20. College Testing SAT II Subject Tests: Test Prep Help:
Many four year colleges require SAT II Subject Tests.
Last testing dates for these tests are in October.
Test Prep Help:
SAT and ACT review booklets are available in the Career Center, as well as online.
Khan Academy: Everyone has access for free!
Catalyst: A private company providing SAT/ACT support.
SAT Weekend Boot Camp on September 23rd and 24th from am - 1 pm for $175.
Kristy

21. Montgomery College Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities
Program Coordinator: Kristy Poker
As of July 1, students eligible to receive reduction in tuition costs at MC
Student must still qualify for MC classes based on their GPA and test scores (SAT, ACT, Accuplacer)
If interested, please speak with your student’s counselor
Currently we are offering Speech and Personal Finance. We hope to offer Speech and Introduction to Business next semester
Kristy

22. Taking the Accuplacer Test coordinator: Susie O’Brien
The Accuplacer is produced by College Board, the makers of the SAT, PSAT and AP exams.
The Accuplacer is a test widely used throughout the country and in all public Maryland colleges to appropriately place students in college courses.
Susie

23. CCRCCA
The goal of the College and Career Readiness and College Completion Act is to ensure all students graduate high school prepared for credit-bearing coursework in college and for career success in the competitive global market.
This State of MD legislation requires all juniors to be tested for college/career readiness:
MCPS chose to test on either the SAT, ACT, or Accuplacer.
Susie

24. How Does My Child’s Reading Affect Their College Placement?
Accuplacer Reading/Writing Scores determine if students will take:
College Level classes that will count towards your Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree, OR
Developmental classes that do not earn transferable credit - these concentrate on building college level skills.
Susie

25. College Reading Skills I
Why Test Juniors?
By testing as a junior, DHS seniors will have more time to work towards improving their placement scores before taking the final Accuplacer in the spring of their senior year.
Many students do not realize that not all M.C. offered courses will translate to college credit.
MC Course
MC Course Title
# Billing Hours
Cost
MA090
Pre-Algebra 3
$427.20
$854.40
MA091
Elementary Algebra
EN001
Basic English I 5
$712.00
$1,424.00
EN002
Basic English II
RD095
College Reading Skills I
RD099
$3,702.40
Susie

26. Accuplacer Plan for Success
Seniors, who may be new to the system or did not test as a junior, will take the Accuplacer during the school day on October 11th.
Accuplacer results will be used to identify student who need interventions and re-testing may be available.
A final free Accuplacer will be given in the spring to seniors who apply to M.C. --also free.!
Seniors who did not test “College Ready” in English and/or Math, will be provided with intervention opportunities.
Susie

27. “College/Career Ready”
SAT:
Reading = 500 or higher
Math = 500 or higher
ACT:
21 or higher in each subject
Accuplacer:
Reading = 79 or higher
Sentence Skills = 90 or higher
Algebra (College Eligible) = 62 or higher
College Level Math = 45 or higher
Susie

28. “College/Career Ready”
English
Grade “B” or higher in the final semester of one of the following courses:
Modern World History (any level)
AP Language and Composition
Honors English 12
Mathematics:
Algebra 2 (any level).
Susie

29. “College/Career Ready”
Career and Technology Education (CTE) external assessments that lead to a professional license or industry certification as deemed acceptable by the state will also be considered “College Ready.”
Susie

30. Senior Year Matters A Year of Lasts: With Many Lasting Memories:
Last year to take classes for FREE!
Last chance to prove College and Career Ready.
Last Chance to make a good impression to colleges.
Colleges request quarter grades, semester grades, and final grades.
Last Musical
Last Concerts
With Many Lasting Memories:
Homecoming
Prom
Graduation
Adam

31. THANK YOU!
Please let us know if you have any questions and enjoy the rest of your evening with our teachers.
Adam