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Dual Credit Information Night
On Wednesday, February 21st we hosted our annual Dual Credit Information Night for students who will be taking dual credit classes for the first time next school year. Representatives from Collin College were on-hand to provide information, give tips, and answer questions for students and parents.
If you weren't able to attend or still have questions, we encourage you to call or email the BRHS Counselor, Brooke Ingersoll, at brooke.ingersoll@brisd.net.
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Planning for next year is well underway here at the high school. Students have been making their course selections for next year. Course request sheets, with a parent signature, along with online course submissions in Xello should all be submitted and complete.
If your student is planning to begin taking dual credit courses next year, please see the attached document for all upcoming dual credit dates. The payment deadline for Fall 2024 classes is Wednesday, May 15th.
The SAT test will be offered to juniors and seniors on Tuesday, March 26th. All students who sign up will be automatically registered for an SAT Boot camp that will be held on Friday, March 22nd.
Seniors- please check out the attached scholarship opportunities. The Blue Ridge Local Scholarship and Brooke Deckard Memorial Scholarship applications are due by March 29, 2024. The Independent Financial Bank Scholarship application is also attached.
A quick reminder- FAFSA or TASFA completion, or an opt out form is a graduation requirement! If you have not yet completed this, please do so as soon as possible!
The latest news from FAFSA's new process include the following updates:
- Contributors (parents) with no SSNs - Parents without SSNs are still unable to create StudentAid.gov accounts (FSA IDs) to access the FAFSA. Do NOT use an ITIN number or any other inaccurate information to make an account. Some students and contributors have been able to get around this by manually filling out the attestation form. However, you MUST have a case number to submit this. Some students and families have been able to reach a service representative over email or chat to request a case number. Find FSA’s contact information here.
- Making corrections to the FAFSA - Students and contributors who have submitted their application and need to make corrections (such as adding a missing signature or adding/removing a college) will not be able to do so until mid-March after they receive their FAFSA Submission Summary.
- Financial aid award letters - FAFSA information will be sent to colleges starting in March. Colleges will need time to process information and create aid packages. Students are expected to start receiving award letters mid-April.
- College Decision Day - The delay in students receiving offer letters will likely impact their timeline to decide where they will attend. Some colleges (such as the UC system in California) are beginning to make commitment deadline extensions to accommodate this delay. Be on the lookout for any communications from your colleges regarding their deadlines.
- Paper application - Paper applications will be processed after digital applications. If you submitted a paper application, expect a delay in it being processed.
- Deadline concerns - If your inability to access the FAFSA is causing you to potentially not meet deadlines at a college or for a scholarship, reach out to let them know your situation.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Cosmetology
BRHS student, Landry Taylor, participates in our cosmetology partnership with Princeton ISD. Recently, Jinny Williams, a BRHS staff member, went to Princeton during their open salon time to allow Landry to color her hair. Landry did a great job and we know that she is going to be a very successful cosmetologist.
Entrepreneurship
Our entrepreneurship students had the opportunity to present their plan for a school store to a representative from Lone Star Furnishings, LLC. They discussed storage options, budget, and design ideas as they made their pitch. They were even able to negotiate the donation of their first piece of furniture. Thank you to Ben and Lone Star for giving this experience to our students and for the generous donation.
Teens & Sleep
Chronic sleep deprivation can have dramatic effects on a teenager’s life, including affecting their mental wellbeing and reducing their academic performance. Research suggests that a teenager needs between 8-10 hours of sleep every night, yet most only get 6.5-7.5 hours of sleep or less.
Regularly not getting enough sleep leads to increased risk of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and a myriad of health issues (lowered immunity, elevated blood pressure, increased risk of diabetes and obesity). Insufficient sleep in teens can lead to increased risk of accidents or injury. Sleep deprivation can reduce reaction times with effects similar to significant alcohol consumption. So whether your teen is behind the wheel, on a bicycle or walking their reaction times can be slowed putting their safety at risk.
- Ways to promote a good sleep schedule:
- Keep same schedule both during the week and weekend
- Set a firm bedtime and stick to it
- Avoid caffeine and energy drinks, especially in the afternoon
- Put away electronics at least a 0.5-1 hours prior to bed and keep them on silent to avoid disturbed sleep
- Keep room cool, dark and quiet
- Create a pre-bed routine of relaxation or winding down
As parents or caregivers, encourage your teen to gradually modify their sleep hygiene habits. Work with your teen to help them avoid overscheduling commitments that can contribute to stress and sleep deprivation. For a more in depth look at teens and sleep https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/teenagers-and-sleep
~Nurse Melissa~
Welcome back to News from Collin College. Read on to get the latest information about Collin College and the Farmersville Campus.
Q. Are you looking for a job?
A. Join us for the second annual Spring into Your Future Job Fair from 5-7 p.m. at the Farmersville Campus Atrium, located at 501 S. Collin Parkway in Farmersville. Participants will be able to explore career opportunities, and hiring managers will be on site. For more information, contact Dawn Gomez at dmgomez@collin.edu.
Q. Will you be joining us?
A. The Collin College Farmersville Campus will have its third annual Movie Night on the Lawn from 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. Bring your blankets and chairs and get ready for a night of fun while enjoying “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.”
Staff/Faculty Highlight: Dr. Dawn Gomez
Dr. Dawn Gomez, the career center manager at the Farmersville Campus, started working at Collin College in May 2021, and has worked in higher education for 26 years.
Dr. Gomez holds an Associate Degree in Juvenile Counseling from Holy Cross College, a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education from Texas Tech University, and a Doctorate in Interdisciplinary Studies and Human Development, with a specialization in Higher Education from Marywood University.
Why do you love your job?
Dr. Gomez: What I love most about my job is teaching others how to identify their strengths and work values, and how to research careers to narrow down to a final career choice that fits their interests, skills, values, and personality.
What would you like parents and students to know about the Farmersville Campus?
Dr. Gomez: I would like parents and students to know that I am a neurodivergent (ADD and dyscalculia), first-generation student, and now career counselor with more than 26 years of experience. I have thorough knowledge of education, human development, and psychology that is equipped to assist and support students through every career development stage from career assessment to getting hired.
To find out more about the Farmersville Campus, visit www.collin.edu/campuses/farmersville.
To learn more about Collin College, visit www.collincollegenews.com or www.collin.edu.
About Us
Email: trent.hamilton@brisd.net
Website: https://www.brisd.net/Page/9
Location: 11020 County Road 504, Blue Ridge, TX, USA
Phone: (972) 752-5554
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueridgehighschool
Twitter: @brhs_tigers