NPHS Weekly Counseling Update
January 16, 2024
What are WSD Pathways?
This is a new program in our District of interconnected academic and elective classes revolving around a career pathways. It is designed to prepare your student for life after high school and help them follow their passion.
There are four Pathways, each with four "concentrations", and a fifth Explorer Pathway.
Want more information? Join us for a Pathways Community Engagement Event
8th Grade night- 6-8 p.m. Feb. 7, 2023
North Point High School
Liberty High School
Find more information about each pathway and the program on the WSD website.
2024-2025 Class Registration
January 8th-12th during Pathway Week
Students will use WSD Pathways Resources to determine their pathway.
January 8th-18th
Students will investigate the suggested electives for their pathway on Course Site Guide.
January 11th & 18th during DENTIME
Fill out course selections in Tyler SIS and also through the “Course Planner” in Xello (to plan 9-12 courses). Students will also complete XELLO lesson #3 to help with process.
DAY OF TESTING
Our Day of Testing is set for Friday, March 22. This is an opportunity for ALL high school students to test at their home school for a reduced cost for the ACT or to test for a workforce credential (WORKKEYS) or military entrance (ASVAB). The Pre-ACT will also be offered for Freshmen. As our students continue their journey through North Point High School, we're excited to mark a key milestone with a district-wide high school day of assessment. These tests offer a snapshot of where students are thriving and where learning opportunities can be further enhanced. By partnering with you, we can use these insights to nurture each student's individual potential and prepare them for future success. Learn more and register today!
The Deadline to register is January 25th!
Please click WSD Day of Testing & Registration for more information that was sent out by Dr. Shelmire!
Next Student/Parent Event - Financial Aid and FAFSA FRENZY Night
Come learn all things Financial Aid as your student prepares for their post secondary journey or if you would just like to get a head start on the process for down the road. We will have a representative from St. Charles Community College as well as a representative from the Missouri Scholarship & Loan Foundation at North Point to speak on Financial. Also, we will have representatives from local colleges here to help families complete the FAFSA. As the date nears I will send out more information to bring to this event if you are seeking help to fill out the FAFSA.
January 24th
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
North Point High School Auditorium
Even though the FAFSA has not opened yet, (opening December 31, 2023) you may begin the first steps!
Here are some videos to help you understand the process and purpose of the FAFSA !
Step 1: Why apply for Financial Aid with the FAFSA
Step 2: Understanding who is a FAFSA Contributor
Step 3: Create and access studentaid.gov account
Step 4: Gather information needed to complete FAFSA
If you have been unable to attend previous Parent/Student events I have included the links below for you to view the presentations. Please reach out with any questions that you may have.
Planning for College (9th-11th)
College-bound Senior Seminar (12th)
Collegiate Athletics Recruitment, Eligibility and Scholarship (9-12)
Exploring WSD Programs (9-12)
Reminder for Sophomores and Juniors interested in the CAPS program for the 24-25 school year!
DEADLINE Approaching 2/25/24
The CAPS programs are nationally recognized, innovative high
school programs. Students fast forward into their future and are fully immersed
in a professional culture, solving real-world problems, using industry standard
tools, and are mentored by actual employers, all while receiving high school
and college credit. CAPS is an example of how business, community, and
public education can partner to produce personalized learning experiences
that educate the workforce of tomorrow, especially in high skill, high demand
jobs.
Areas of Study:
Healthcare and Medical Professions
Entrenpreneurship and Business Management
Creative Media/Engineering/Applied Technology
- CAPS Website and Promo Video
- CAPS Online Application (deadline is 2/25/24)
- Sign up for a CAPS Shadow Day (must use non-WSD device to sign up)
Attention Sophomores - WashU Rural Scholars Academy
The WashU Rural Scholars Academy is a free summer program for current high school sophomores from small town and rural communities, running from July 14-20, 2024. 35 participants will come to Washington University in St. Louis for the week, where they will live in WashU's residence halls, take a college-level class, learn more about college admissions and financial aid, and experience St. Louis through the fun social activities. Students can apply online until the March 1st deadline, and will need to submit a current high school transcript, a short essay response, and one reference from their school. At this time, WashU is only accepting applications for students who be entering college in Fall 2026. For questions, please contact Dacoda Scarlett at dscarlett@wustl.edu.
9th and 10th Grade
- Continue to work on your GPA (need 2.5 unweighted GPA)
- Continue to work on your attendance (need 95%)
- Talk to Mrs. Pardo about tutoring, as many freshmen and sophomore do not start their hours until Junior year.
- You can do Job Shadowing, please see Mrs. Pardo for more information if interested in this opportunity.
Tutoring
- Students must attend a one-time training before beginning their hours.
- Two trainings a month are offered, one during the school day and one after school. Please sign up HERE for a training time on January 24th!
11th and 12th Grade
- A+ Students can participate in Job Shadowing to earn hours
The other opportunities offered after attending Tutor Training:
- Chautauqua Application
- Special Opportunities, link available when there are opportunities (Evening & Sat events)
- Elementary Classroom tutoring (Instructions on A+ Contact List)
SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP!!!!
The Optimist Club Scholarship is one of our local scholarships that has an early deadline. Please a click on this LINK to apply prior to the Local Scholarships kick off date. The deadline is January 31, 2024
Scholarships!
Additionally, as we move through the school year, I will share scholarship opportunities that I am made aware of and as scholarships become available.
In February, information about our local Scholarship Drive will be emailed out. These will include scholarships that are local to our district. For all local scholarships, we require students to complete an application in My Scholarship Central. On this website, it allow students to complete one application and use that application to apply to multiple scholarships. (if additional information is needed for a particular scholarship, it will be stated). My Scholarship Central also lists many other scholarship opportunities over and beyond our local ones. I encourage every student to create a My Scholarship Central application and begin applying for scholarships.
Other Scholarship Websites that are free of charge include:
Take the time to set up a free account and explore scholarships that you may qualify for!
Graduating with Honors!
Are you a Senior who is planning on graduating with Honors? Please click HERE and review information and qualifications for graduating with Academic Honors and Cum Laude Honors. In March, an honors graduation application will be sent out to Seniors to complete.
Seniors - Requesting Transcipts
As we being move through the second semester, this is just a reminder that students must go through XELLO to request transcripts.
Open XELLO APP
From their dashboard, under Goals & Plans, students click College Planning.
Under College applications, select the institution to which they’d like their transcript sent.
Under the Application checklist they find Transcript.
To the right, they click Request.
A banner at the top of the screen will indicate the request was sent.
ACT/SAT
If you plan to sign up for an upcoming ACT test or the SAT Test PLEASE make sure you are listing North Point High School in Wentzville as your high school. Our zip code is 63385 and our School Code is 260021. We will not send scores to schools for you at this time.
- Fee waivers available for students on Free/Reduced Lunch
- Colleges have no preference between the two tests
- Some colleges don't require test scores and continue to be test optional
Mentors 4 College
Mentors 4 College is an organization that can help students and parents with their post-secondary journey, help school counselors extend their college counseling reach and build college-savvy communities.
Mentors 4 College has some upcoming webinars to attend if interested. Please dates and subjects to your right!
Make the Most of Your High School Summers
- Volunteering to gain experience or earn A+ hours
- Gain employment in your are of interest
- Enroll in academic enrichment programs or pre-college classes
- Visit college campuses and research about careers, degrees and college options?
Thursday, February 8; 7:00-7:30 pm CST
Click HERE to register for the zoom webinar:
Admission Tips from the Experts
- Learn about attending a selective university.
- Learn about expectations for applying and for acceptance
- Learn about all the options for paying for college
Thursday, April 11; 7:00 -7:30 pm CST
Click HERE to register for the Zoom webinar:
Mental/Physical Health Support and Resources
WSD Mental Health Resource Web
For urgent mental health crisis outside of school hours, please call the 24-Hour Youth Connection Helpline: Phone 636-642-0642, Text BSAFE to 31658, call 911, or go to the nearest hospital emergency room
NPHS Student Center Team
(A-G) Mrs. VanRonzelen - kristinavanronzelen@wsdr4.org
(H-O) Ms. Garr - hayleygarr@wsdr4.org
(P-Z) Mrs. Haley - meridithhaley@wsdr4.org
College/Career/A+ Program: Mrs. Pardo - melissapardo@wsdr.org
Educational Support Counselor: Heather Hanvy - heatherhanvy@wsdr4.org
Registrar: Mrs. Shumaker - kellieshumaker@wsdr4.org
Secretary: Mrs. Ritchey - jodyritchey@wsdr4.org
January 8th-12th during Pathway Week
Students will use WSD Pathways Resources to determine their pathway.
January 8th-18th
Students will investigate the suggested electives for their pathway on Course Site Guide.
January 11th & 18th during DENTIME
Fill out course selections in Tyler SIS and also through the “Course Planner” in Xello (to plan 9-12 courses). Students will also complete XELLO lesson #3 to help with process.