FMHS Counseling Department News
February 2024
February News
We hope your second-semester courses are going smoothly!
Dates to Note
- February 16 Teacher Work Day *Potential Weather Make-Up Day
- February 19 No School *Potential Weather Make-Up Day
- February 20 Virtual AP Night; AP Letters Distributed
- March 1 AP Letters Due to Counselors; 2 Hour Early Release Day
- March 6 SAT for 11th grade students
- March 26 ACT for 11th grade students
Class of 2023 Students Taking the School Day SAT
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There will be a mandatory FLEX session on Friday, February 23rd for all students registered to take the SAT. Students will report to their homeroom teacher’s classroom for this session.
With the shift to digital testing, schools will now need to complete a digital readiness check with their students before test day. The digital readiness check will be completed in 30 minutes or less. In this session, students will get familiar with the Bluebook™ testing application, confirm their personal information is correct, and verify that their devices are ready for test day.
Class of 2024--Special Announcements
- Please make sure you have ordered your cap and gown for the graduation ceremony this spring. Caps and gowns will be required to participate. Make sure you leave enough time for shipping.
- Fort Mill Foundation Scholarships are now available! Hard copies are available in the main counseling office. Information is also in the Class of 2024 Google Classroom. The deadline for all applications is March 1!
GRADE-LEVEL GOOGLE CLASSROOMS
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.
- Class of 2027 wp2u2vw
- Class of 2026 ouuapoi
- Class of 2025 rgu5j4h
- Class of 2024 txchjql
Don't forget to check our website for additional information and updates!
Black History Month
You will find the different activities we have this month to celebrate Black History Month in the picture to the side. Here is a list of various activities that will happen this month.
- Door decorating contest begins on February 5. Judging begins on February 16.
- February 8 HBCU College Fair
- February 21 The Diversity Council asks that teachers find an intentional, relevant way to highlight a Black/African American person that is relevant to their content and share with each of their classes.
- February 27 & 28 Bread Pudding outside the Commons Conference room and R wing at lunch
- February 29 Assembly during 2nd block will feature speakers from the George Fish school.
- On FAMOUS FIGURES FRIDAYS, staff will partner with the Buzz to share a moment to highlight the past and current contributions Black/African Americans have made here in SC as well as around the world.
ACT/SAT Workshop
If you are looking to increase your ACT/SAT score or need some test taking tips, this virtual workshop by All In Prep is perfect for you! With over 10 years of experience, their team gives you the tips to improve your scores. This is a great way to use your day off of school, so make sure to register on the PayFees Site: https://www.studentquickpay.com/fort-mill/.
FAFSA Night
With the many changes to the Financial Aid process, families may need extra help completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Because the FAFSA is required for many types of financial aid, completing this form correctly is very important. Fort Mill HS has partnered with York Technical College to provide a FAFSA Workshop. Attending families will be able to complete the FAFSA and get advice on the Financial Aid process. Click Here to Register: https://forms.gle/caXAvDGvhY17TkWR6
Dual Credit Information for 10th and 11th Grade Students
Attention students interested in taking Dual Credit courses through USCL for the 2024-2025 school year, you must submit an application as soon as possible! The deadline to be registered for courses is April 30.
You can find registration instructions by clicking here or scanning the QR code.
Your course request verification sheets will NOT include DE courses unless you apply and have been accepted through USCL.
- Evaluate how the first semester went. Think about whether there are any adjustments you need to make to be successful this semester.
- 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!
- Make sure you use your study time wisely.
10th Grade
- 10th Grade IGPs have finished. You can find the resources for the meetings on the FMHS school counseling website!
- Dual Credit Information: Students interested in taking classes through USC-Lancaster should complete their application to USC-L now. You can find registration instructions by clicking here or scanning the QR code.
- Don't forget to check out the Counseling department website for helpful hints for your sophomore year.
- The 10th Grade Google Classroom code is ouuapoi. Please make sure students join to be notified of updates and important information from the counseling department!
11th Grade
- 11th Grade IGP meetings are wrapping up for this school year. If you have additional questions, you can contact your counselor via email or stop by the main counseling office. The IGP information is located here.
- Dual Credit Information: Students interested in taking classes through USC-Lancaster should complete their application to USC-L now. You can find registration instructions by clicking here or scanning the QR code.
- 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 rgu5j4hi. Please make sure students join to be notified of updates and important information from the counseling department!
12th Grade
- Senior IGP meetings have concluded for this school year. If you have additional questions, you can contact your counselor via email or stop by the main counseling office. Information from the IGP meetings can be found here.
Accessing Google Drive Information After Graduation
- Students will lose access to Google Drive and school emails after they graduate. Please see the information here on how to save your files.
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
- Fort Mill Foundation Scholarships are open now! The deadline is March 1. Stop by the school counseling office for your application!
- 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 txchjql . Please make sure students join to be notified of updates and important information from the counseling department!
School Dates to Note
- February 16 Teacher Work Day *Potential Weather Make-Up Day
- February 19 No School *Potential Weather Make-Up Day
- February 20 Virtual AP Night; AP Letters Distributed
- March 1 AP Letters Due to Counselors; 2 Hour Early Release Day
- March 6 SAT for 11th grade students
- March 26 ACT for 11th grade students
Fort Mill High School Counseling Department
Email: kountzc@fortmillschools.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/fmsdmail.org/fmhs-counseling/home
Location: Fort Mill High School, Fort Mill, SC, USA
Phone: 803-548-8235
Twitter: @fmhscounseling