FMHS Counseling Department News

October 2022

October News

Happy October!

October is a busy month! We are excited about the opportunity for students to take the PSAT or ASVAB, a district-approved senior college visit/job shadow day, and to continue with IGP meetings! Check out the activities below so you don't miss out!

Report cards will be posted on October 4 at 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 12

PSAT/ASVAB/Senior Job Shadow/College Visit Day

FMHS will be administering the PSAT and ASVAB to those students who registered on October 12.
The district has approved seniors at all 3 high schools to have a job shadow/college visit day on October 12.

SENIOR UPDATES

There will be a senior meeting on October 6 during the 2nd block. Seniors will get information from Jostens about purchasing caps and gowns.
Seniors can order caps and gowns online or Jostens will return in all 3 lunches on October 19.
Please see the senior section below for information on college applications, scholarships, and other helpful tips and tricks!

Counseling Department Google Classroom Codes

The counseling department has created Google Classrooms for each grade level. Please make sure that students have joined their appropriate Google Classroom and that they can invite parents so you can request email summaries of announcements in Google Classroom. Parents are not able to join Google Classroom directly, however, you can receive email notifications as you do for teachers' Google Classrooms. The codes are listed below. Please note these are new Google Classrooms with new codes for this school year.

9th Grade ouuapoi
10th Grade rgu5j4h
11th Grade txchjql
12th Grade zc6sjpl

Don't forget to check our website for additional information and updates!

Strong Start to the Semester

zoom_out_map

Use PowerSchool to check your grades regularly.
Use a planner or agenda to keep track of your assignments, tests, quizzes, and extracurricular activities.
Take good notes in class.
Make use of before and after school live help time with your teachers.
Use the SC Discus free tutoring! Login through your ClassLink account on the main HS website.
Make sure you use your study time wisely.
Reach out for help if there is something you are struggling with!

Grade Level Information

9th Grade

IGP meetings will begin after October 17. Check your email for more information.
Don't forget to check out the Counseling department website for helpful hints as you begin your freshman year!
The 9th Grade Google Classroom code is ouuapoi. Please make sure students join to be notified of updates and important information from the counseling department!

10th Grade

10th Grade IGPs will take place towards the end of the first semester. Please contact your counselor if you have questions.
The PSAT and ASVAB will take place on Wednesday, October 12.
Don't forget to check out the Counseling department website for helpful hints as you begin your sophomore year.
The 10th Grade Google Classroom code is rgu5j4hi. Please make sure students join to be notified of updates and important information from the counseling department!

11th Grade

11th Grade IGP registration will open on October 5! IGP meetings will begin on October 10. Please check your email or the counseling website for additional information.
The PSAT and ASVAB will take place on Wednesday, October 12.
Don't forget to check out the Counseling department website for helpful hints as you begin your junior year!
The 11th Grade Google Classroom code is txchjql. Please make sure students join to be notified of updates and important information from the counseling department!

12th Grade

Transcripts

Seniors can request transcripts and letters of recommendation through Naviance. You can find instructions and video walkthroughs on the FMHS website.
Students using the Common App need to make sure they have linked the Common App to Naviance, as well as completed the FERPA portion of the application. FMHS staff cannot submit documents until that has been completed.
Students must complete the Request for a Letter of Recommendation before their teacher or counselor will write a letter for them.

Test Scores

ACT, SAT, and AP test scores must be sent to colleges directly from ACT or College Board. FMHS does not send test scores to colleges.
Click here for the ACT website.
Click here for the SAT website
When signing up to take a test you can request four of your scores to be sent to 4 colleges for free.
Any additional score reports you wish to have can be requested through your account with the test website. There is a fee to send additional score reports to colleges.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

College Board Opportunity Scholarships are available for juniors and seniors! Click here for more details!
After colleges receive test scores and final transcripts in June, they will award the Life or Hope scholarship for qualifying students.
The counseling office will notify students that qualify for the Palmetto Fellows scholarship.
The counseling website and Naviance are also updated regularly with new scholarship opportunities we receive.

Google Classroom

The 12th Grade Google Classroom code is zc6sjpl. Please make sure students join to be notified of updates and important information from the counseling department!

Resources

Activities and Clubs

FMHS has multiple clubs available for our students! We hope you will get involved!

You can find club information in the weekly newsletter link on the main FMHS website.
Club information is also available in the main commons area.

College and Career Readiness

Mr. Young is our Career Development Facilitator. He is here to help you explore careers! Set up an appointment with him today! You can email him here.
Check out the FMHS Calendar for information on upcoming virtual college visits.
If you're looking for videos on Career and College Readiness, check out Mr. Young's YouTube Channel. This is the hub for previous sessions on college admissions, resume writing, athletic recruitment, and much more!

Upcoming College Visits

Come to the Commons Conference Room during FLEX to hear from a variety of colleges!

October 5 Rice University
October 6 Villanova University
October 6 Newberry College (Commons during Lunches)
October 7 American University
October 10 Wofford College
October 13 SUNY Cortland
October 24 High Point University
October 27 Virginia Polytechnic Institue & State University

Work-Based Learning Services with Ms. Brackett

Ms. Susan Brackett, the Work-Based Learning Coordinator, helps students in the Fort Mill School District high schools meet professionals doing the work they hope to do someday.

This should help them better plan their next move after high school ~ on-the-job training, 2-year or 4-year college, apprenticeship, or military.

She works with area businesses and community organizations to understand their workforce needs, training, and hiring practices.

Please click here to see Ms. Brackett's comprehensive website.

Community Resources--Mental Health Resource Guide

NAMI has provided a mental health resource guide for the community. You can find it here.

Naviance

Naviance is your go-to resource to help you in high school! When you log into Naviance, you can:

Complete career interest assessments
Search for colleges based on your career interests
Compare colleges and find your best fit
Check your GPA
Request transcripts be sent to your colleges
Request letters of recommendation from FMHS teachers to be sent to your colleges
Search for scholarships

You will find videos to walk you through how to log in to Naviance on YouTube! To log in click on Sign in with Clever and use your school email address and password.

Scholarships

We have scholarships listed in Naviance and on this spreadsheet. Students need to log in to their FMSD account to access the spreadsheet.
In the spring, the Fort Mill Foundation scholarships will also open up. Seniors should check their email for more information!
College Board has an Opportunity Scholarship that students can enter by completing tasks that are part of the college/career search process. Find more information here!
The Commission on Higher Education oversees the state Hope, Life, and Palmetto Fellows scholarships. Find more information here.

Testing--ACT/SAT

Students can sign up for the ACT on a national test date here.
Students can sign up for the SAT on a national test date here.
Please make sure to check that your testing site is still open prior to arriving at the test site. Some sites have had to cancel due to COVID. You may have to travel farther than normal for an available test site.
Students qualifying for Free/Reduced lunch can request a Fee Waiver in the main counseling office.
If students have an IEP or 504 their accommodations must be requested and approved by College Board and/or ACT. Please make sure that you are registering early to ensure there is adequate time for staff to send in the information. ACT and College Board will still have to review and approve or deny the requests.

Tutoring

FREE TUTORING

For the 2020-2021 school year, SC Discus has partnered with Tutor.com for all K-12 students! Students can access tutoring for

Math
English
Science
Social Studies
World Languages
AP/SAT/ACT test prep

To access the tutoring, go to ClassLink, and enter your school email address and password. Next, click on SC Discus, then click on Tutor.com.

TUTOR MATCHING SERVICE

Tutor Matching Service provides a tutoring search engine with college students or recent graduates providing tutoring in multiple subject areas. The link is here.

*Please note that these resources are for your reference and are not a recommendation by FMHS staff.