FMHS Counseling Department News

February 2023

February Is Here!

It's hard to believe that we are already four weeks into the second semester! We hope your second-semester courses are going smoothly!

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 as well.

The DOOR DECORATING contest begins on February 1. The Diversity Council will decide the winners. Judging begins on February 16. The theme for the month is "Because of ... WE can!"
February 15 & 16 NEW ORLEANS AT THE MILLl: Gumbo Samples outside the Commons Conference room and R wing at lunch
February 24 STEP SHOW presentation during FLEX
February 28 BECAUSE OF ... WE CAN! 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.
On DID YOU KNOW MONDAYS, the Diversity Council will share a "Because of ... WE Can!" moment to highlight past and current contributions Black/African Americans have made here in SC as well as around the world.
On FAMOUS FIGURES FRIDAYS, staff will partner with the Buzz to share a "Because of ... We CAN!" moment to highlight the past and current contributions Black/African Americans have made here in SC as well as around the world.

Other Dates to Note

February 18 Teacher Work Day *Potential Weather Make-Up Day
February 20 No School *Potential Weather Make-Up Day
February 22 Virtual AP Night
February 28 AP Letters Due to Counselors

Class of 2022--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 2023 Google Classroom. The deadline for all applications is March 1!

Algebra 1 and Biology FREE Tutoring at FMHS

FMHS is offering FREE after-school tutoring for students taking Algebra 1/Intermediate Algebra and Biology 1! The dates for tutoring are listed below.

Students can sign up for the Algebra 1/Intermediate Algebra tutoring by clicking here.

Students can sign up for the Biology 1 tutoring by clicking here.

Algebra 1/Intermediate Algebra Tutoring Dates

February 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 22, 27

March 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29

April 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26

May 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17

Biology 1 Tutoring Dates

February 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28

March 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30

April 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27

May 2, 4, 9, 11, 16, 18

Curriculum Night

The Virtual Curriculum Night website was shared with rising 9th-grade families on Monday, January 30. This website highlights our school's elective offerings and opportunities. Many teachers made videos to help you learn about their classes! Click here to visit the website!

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

Happy February!

Start Strong in the Second Semester

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Evaluate how this semester is going. 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! Login through your ClassLink account on the main HS website.
Make sure you use your study time wisely.

Grade Level Information

9th Grade

Please see the free tutoring information at the top of the newsletter for students taking Biology 1 and Algebra 1/Intermediate Algebra.
IGP meetings are wrapping up. Counselors will be sending out appointment times to anyone who hasn't had their meeting yet.
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

Please see the free tutoring information at the top of the newsletter for students taking Biology 1 and Algebra 1/Intermediate Algebra.
10th Grade IGP meetings have concluded for the 2022-2023 school year. If you have additional questions, you can contact your counselor via email or stop by the main counseling office.
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 meetings have concluded for the 2022-2023 school year. If you have additional questions, you can contact your counselor via email or stop by the main counseling office.
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

Senior IGP meetings have concluded for the 2022-2023 school year. If you have additional questions, you can contact your counselor via email or stop by the main counseling office.

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

Applications for the Foundation for Fort Mill Scholarships are open now through March 1! Find information in the main counseling office and in the Class of 2023 Google Classroom.
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

Meet Mr. Young

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!

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.
Applications for the Fort Mill Foundation scholarships are open now through March 1. Find information in the Class of 2023 Google Classroom and in the main counseling office.
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 2022-2023 school year, SC Discus has partnered with Tutor.com for all K-12 students! Tutoring is available 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Students can access tutoring for

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

To access the tutoring, go to 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.

Important Dates

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School Dates to Note

February 1 Black History Month Door Decorating begins
February 16 Door Decorating judging begins
February 16 & 17 NEW ORLEANS AT THE MILL Gumbo Samples in the Commons and R-wing During Lunch
February 18 Teacher Work Day *Potential Weather Make-Up Day
February 20 No School *Potential Weather Make-Up Day
February 22 Virtual AP Night
February 24 STEP SHOW During FLEX
February 28 AP Letters Due to Counselors
February 28 BECAUSE OF ... WE CAN! Teachers are asked to highlight a Black/African American person that is relevant to their content and share with each of their classes
DID YOU KNOW Mondays: Each Monday, the Diversity Council will highlight past and current contributions Black/African Americans have made here in SC as well as around the world.
FAMOUS FIGURES Fridays: In partnership with the Buzz, on Fridays, staff will share a "Because of ... We CAN!" moment to highlight the past and current contributions Black/African Americans have made here in SC as well as around the world.