November Counseling Newsletter

Welcome back to all our returning students and a welcome to HPHS to our incoming freshmen and new students! This is the first newsletter of this school year. Newsletters will be sent out monthly. In each issue, you will find information on what is currently happening in the Counseling Office, including scholarships, college and career planning resources, open house dates, important dates to note, relevant articles and other opportunities. The newsletter often contains information that pertains to all grade levels. Please take the time to read through it and to visit the Counseling Office in person and on our website.

My name is Amanda Gohl, I am the new counselor for last names L - Z. I spent about 7 years of my education in Hazel Park Schools and was a Viking in 9th grade before moving up north. I graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelors in Psychology and then the University of Detroit Mercy with a Masters in School Counseling. As I was finishing my MA, I got news we'd be moving to Texas and began working on my teaching certificate in Special Education as well. I taught for 1 year before starting as a counselor. I come to HPHS with 5 years of experience and am incredibly excited for this opportunity! Thank you for allowing me to be your counselor.

Hazel Park Promise Scholarship applications are now available for the Class of 2016. Students should see Mrs. Kayla Roney Smith, if they've not yet completed one! Stop into her office or send her an email and she will follow up with you.

We were sad to see college adviser Ms. Brittany Thomas go, but new adviser Ms. K'Lynn Thomas will be starting on Monday, November 16th. She will be available to assist students and parents with college preparation, as well as through the admissions and financial aid processes. Make sure to introduce yourself when she gets here!

Congratulations to all the Seniors that completed at least one college application in October!! With the loss of our College Advisor we had 2 mini college application weeks to try to assist as many students as possible. HPHS is in the process of hiring a new College Advisor, we hope to have someone starting soon.

If you still need assistance with your applications be sure to schedule an appointment with Mrs. Kayla Roney-Smith, Ms. Heather Thick, or Mrs. Amanda Gohl. We will gladly help you through the process. Be sure to visit the college/university undergraduate admission's website to learn more about their requirements and admissions process.

A couple tips:

• Make sure to apply as an Undergraduate student or Freshman.
• Fee waivers - if the institution has the option to mail in payment you should select that option and complete a NACAC fee waiver with your counselor. Common App gives you the option to select fee waiver and your counselor will verify. Some institutions require a credit card payment, you may have to print the application and mail in with a NACAC fee waiver. Michigan State University offers a fee waiver based on your parent/guardians income. If you do not qualify you will be required to submit a payment.
• If you need your transcript/ACT scores sent please complete a form in the Counseling Office.
• For all document requests please allow up to 2 weeks for processing.

• 4 Things Students Should Know About the Common App click here
• 3 Things Parents Should Know About the Common App click here
• 2015-16 Essay Prompts click here

In January, the State of Michigan announced a new contract with College Board to include the SAT as the new college entrance exam for 11th graders. SAT will replace the ACT, part of the Michigan Merit Examination (MME). To prepare younger students for the SAT, Michigan is providing Spring PSAT testing for grades 9 and 10 and Hazel Park High School also administered the PSAT/NMSQT to grade 11 on October 14th.

Please be assured that the SAT is accepted at all colleges. Students are still encouraged to take the ACT on their own if it is affordable. If you have any questions about the SAT or ACT, please contact me, the school counselor.

Results from the PSAT on October 14 are expected in December.

2015-16 Testing Dates

October 14 PSAT (Grade 11)

April 12 SAT (Grade 11)

April 12 - 13 PSAT (Grades 9/10)

April 13 WorkKeys (Grade 11)

April 11-29 (Exact dates TBD) M-Step (Grade 11)

Learn about the SAT design

Sign up for a College Board Account

Khan Academy is a free resource that is available for students and parents that offers academic support in various school subjects as well as test preparation. Beyond study help, Khan Academy also offers assistance with College Admissions.

This June, Khan Academy launched their SAT Preparation Site for students. Students can register for an account to track their progress throughout high school. The site includes guided practice based on individual needs and practice tests for the SAT.

Students in all grade levels can sign up for an account to get started practicing right away! It is recommended that students create both a College Board account AND a Khan Academy account. This will allow students to transfer their test scores to Khan Academy to get personalized practice. Creating a College Board account will also gives students access to their scores before they get notice in the mail or from their counselor.

You should have received your student's report card in the mail or at P/T Conferences. It is important to follow up with teachers if you have concerns about current grades. PASS (Promoting Academic Student Success) is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Students are encouraged to attend if they need help in their classes. Students and Parents should have access to their MISTAR account. If you have any questions please see Mrs. Allensworth in the Counseling Office.

If you continue to have concerns after speaking with teachers, please follow up with your counselor. Ms. Thick (A - K) and Mrs. Gohl (L-Z).

Don't forget that every class you take in High School makes up your transcript. Your grade point average (GPA) is cumulative throughout your 4 years of high school and is the main admission standard for college. Your GPA is calculated by the grades you earn (i.e. A = 4.0, B = 3.0, C = 2.0, etc). Do you want to figure out what your GPA could be? Visit http://www.back2college.com/gpa.htm to calculate your GPA!

Second semester elective course requests will be going out to students in the next week. Students need to complete the form, sign, and get a parent/guardian signature. Forms need to be returned to 2nd hour teachers.

Oakland Schools Technical Campus is a great way for Juniors and Seniors to take Career and Technical Education courses during the school day. OSTC offers free programs for high school students. On October 20 OSTC came to Hazel Park High School to give a presentation to sophomores. Students have an opportunity to attend a Showcase at the OSTC Royal Oak Campus on November 23. If you did not fill out your interest form you may pick one up in the counseling office and return to Ms. Thick.

Many OSTC programs offer college credit and/or career certificates. Please visit the website for more information. Click Here.

Deadlines will be approaching quickly for OSTC registration. Students who attend the showcase will have an opportunity to turn in their Request for Consideration forms at the event. This is the first step in completing the application. Before students will be fully considered for OSTC they must complete the Request for Consideration, Student Information Form, Emergency Contact Form, and updated EDP. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the Showcase and individual campus visits. Students interested in Cosmetology must attend the Open House at the Oakland Schools Technical Campus in Pontiac on November 19. See your counselor for more information.

Amanda Gohl, MA, LPC

School Counselor (L - Z)

Email: amanda.gohl@hazelparkschools.org
Location: 23400 Hughes Avenue, Hazel Park, MI, United States
Phone: 248-658-5109