🎉Welcome Back Students 2025-26!

Hello Students and Parents,

Welcome back to a new school year! We’re excited to begin the 2025–26 school year with our students and families.

This newsletter will guide you through:

• Important fall events
• Testing dates
• College & career readiness opportunities
• Helpful resources from your counseling team

We're here to support you every step of the way!

Let's make it a great year together!

Your Counseling Team :)

Financial Aid Night

• 🗓️ Wednesday, September 10, 2025 — 6:00–8:00 PM

College Information Night

• 🗓️ Wednesday, September 17, 2025 — 6:00–8:00 PM

ASVAB Testing

• 🗓️ Wednesday, October 15, 2025 — 7:30–10:30 AM

PSAT Testing

• 🗓️Thursday, October 16, 2025 — 7:45–10:30 AM

Ship Instant Decision Day

• 🗓️ Thursday, October 23, 2025 — 7:00 AM–12:00 PM

FAFSA Completion Night

• 🗓️ Thursday, November 13, 2025 — 6:00–8:00 PM

📅 Financial Aid Night

Date: 9/10/2025
Time: 6PM - 8PM
Location: SASHS Library
Get expert advice on paying for college, understanding financial aid, and preparing to file the FAFSA.

📅 College Night
Date: 9/17/2025
Time: 6PM - 8PM
Location: SASHS Library
Learn about colleges, majors, admissions, and more! A great event for students and families exploring post-secondary options.

📅 FAFSA Completion Night
Date: 11/13/2025
Time: 6PM - 8PM
Location: SASHS Library

Bring your tax documents and get hands-on help completing the FAFSA with financial aid representatives.

To maintain consistency and ensure academic planning runs smoothly, schedule changes for 2025–26 are limited and must meet specific guidelines.

🗓️ When Can You Request a Schedule Change?

✅ Before School Starts

• You may request a change by emailing or speaking directly with your counselor.

• No form is needed.

✅ During the School Year (First 5 Days Only)

• You must meet one of the approved reasons (see below).

• A teacher must submit a Google Form on your behalf.

• You cannot submit the form yourself.

❌ After the First 5 Days of School

• No changes will be made, even at the start of a new marking period.

• Requests will only be considered if they meet the approved reasons listed below.

✅ Approved Reasons for a Schedule Change

Changes are only allowed if you:

• Have a missing or open block

• Already passed the course

• Do not meet the prerequisite or the course is out of sequence

• Need to upgrade or downgrade the course level

• Are a senior missing a graduation requirement

❌ Schedule Changes Will NOT Be Made For:

• Changing lunch period

• Choosing a different teacher

• Changing the time/period of the class

Thanks for your understanding!

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) will be offered at SASHS on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in the Cafeteria.

The ASVAB is a voluntary aptitude test that helps students identify strengths and explore a wide range of career paths—both in the civilian workforce and the Armed Forces. It also provides insight into post-secondary opportunities through your test results and career exploration tools.

Whether you're considering military service or just want to better understand your skills and interests, the ASVAB is a great resource.

Students in grades 10-12 interested in taking the ASVAB should sign up here by completing this Google Form.

The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered, Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 7:45AM - 10:30AM in the SASHS Cafeteria.

This test is open to students in grades 9-11, and is strongly recommended for college-bound juniors.

💲Fee: $20

💳 Payment: https://aptsusa.com/ship/psat/

📅 Registration Deadline: September 3, 2025

📌 Questions? See Mrs. Debias in the Counseling Office.

We’re excited to host Shippensburg University for an Instant Decision Day on Wednesday, October 23, 2025, right here at SASHS!

Seniors will have the opportunity to meet with a Shippensburg University admissions representative, submit their application, and receive an admissions decision on the spot—no waiting and all for free!

To participate:

• Sign up in the Counseling Office

This is a fantastic opportunity for seniors considering Shippensburg to fast-track the admissions process.

Questions? Stop by the Counseling Office!

Franklin County Career & Technology Center (FCCTC)

FCCTC offers students hands-on experience and career prep through diverse programs.

✅ Applications open early September for the 2026–27 school year

🚌 9th Grade Tour: November 18, 2025

🏫 Fall Open House: Mid-November (TBA)

🔗 www.franklinctc.com

Please follow FCCTC updates online!

Attention Seniors: Parchment Account Required for Transcript Requests

It's important that all seniors set up a Parchment account. Parchment is the secure platform we use to send official transcripts to colleges, universities, scholarship organizations, and employers.

Why it matters:

• Many colleges require official transcripts for admission.

• Transcripts must be sent directly from the school through Parchment to be considered valid.

• Seniors will need access to Parchment even after graduation to request future transcripts.

What to expect:

• All seniors will receive an email with instructions to set up their Parchment account for transcript requests.

• Please follow the directions carefully and use a personal email address (not your school email) when creating your account.

If you have any questions, please contact the Counseling Office for assistance.

Career-based field trips are offered year-round by Mrs. Krista Akers, our Career Coordinator.

Opportunities are shared via student email & daily announcements.

✅ Students must be in good academic & behavioral standing.

📱 Parents — stay in the loop!

👍Like “Shippensburg High School Career Corner” on Facebook for updates.

Check your grades regularly on the Skyward system to ensure you’re staying on top of assignments. Also, please update your contact information in Skyward (e.g., address, phone number) to make sure we have the most up-to-date information.

📝Seniors — it's time to start thinking seriously about your post-graduation plans!

Whether you're planning to attend college, enter a trade program, join the military, or start working, your SASHS Counseling Team is here to help.

If you're applying to college, here’s how to get started:

✅ Finalize your college list
✅ Ask teachers early for recommendation letters
✅ Submit transcript requests through Parchment
✅ Start your applications — don’t wait!
✅ Meet all deadlines (including FAFSA!)

Need help? Schedule a meeting with your school counselor. We’re here to guide you every step of the way!

Did you know that SASHS partners with a local mental health agency to provide school-based counseling services during the school day?

Through our partnership with Aliff Counseling Services, students can receive professional mental health counseling right here at school — no need for outside appointments or transportation.

These services support students with:

• Anxiety, depression, or stress

• Family or relationship challenges

• Grief and loss

• Behavioral or emotional concerns

• Academic pressure and focus issues

🧾 How to Get Started:

• Students can speak with their school counselor to learn more or request a referral.

• Parents can call the Counseling Office for information about the program and consent process.

📍 All sessions take place in a private, designated space during the school day.

💬 Questions? Contact your school counselor for more info.

The Safe2Say Something program allows students, parents, and community members to confidentially report safety concerns — 24/7.

It’s a statewide initiative in Pennsylvania that teaches youth how to recognize warning signs and threats — especially on social media — and to report them before it’s too late.

🔒 All reports are anonymous and secure.

📞 Available 24/7 — every day of the year.

You can report concerns about:

• Bullying or harassment

• Threats of violence

• Mental health struggles or self-harm

• Substance abuse

• Safety concerns at school or in the community

📲 How to Submit a Tip:

• 🌐 Visit: www.safe2saypa.org

• 📱 Use the Safe2Say Something app

• ☎️ Call the hotline: 1-844-SAF2SAY (1-844-723-2729)

If you see something — say something.

Working together, we can help keep our school safe. 💙

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, emotional distress, or thoughts of self-harm or suicide, help is available — 24/7 and completely free.

Call or text: 📱 988
Or chat online at: 988lifeline.org

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline connects individuals with trained crisis counselors who can provide support, resources, and help during difficult moments.

Support is available for:

• Depression, anxiety, or panic

• Suicidal thoughts

• Emotional or mental health struggles

• Substance use crises

• Concern for a friend or family member

📞 Confidential. Judgment-free. Always available.

💙 You are not alone — support is just 3 digits away.

We want to share the Community Food Calendar to help students and families access local food resources throughout the school year. This is a monthly calendar and will change each month.

This calendar includes information about:

• 📅 Local food pantry dates and times

• 🍽️ Free community meals

• 🧺 Backpack food programs and drive-through pickups

• 🗺️ Locations in Shippensburg and surrounding areas

We encourage any families in need to take advantage of these supports.

💻 View the calendar here:
https://www.shipresources.org/food

If you have questions or need help accessing food, please reach out to your school counselor or social worker — we’re here to help.

Your SASHS Counseling Team is here to support academic, career, and social/emotional growth throughout the year.

📱Feel free to reach out with questions or concerns!

Left to right: Mrs. Rhonda Richardson, Counseling Secretary; Mrs. Erica Frontino, School Counselor; Mrs. Rachel Debias, School Counselor; and Mr. David Lindenmuth, School Counselor.