Counseling Department

Pictured above: (back l-r) Saraswati Hendrix, Jennifer Blanton, Dawn Imler, Deanna Appleton

(front l-r) Laine Lynch, Emily Neff, Rhashida Bunyan

Welcome back Wildcats!

It has been a pleasure seeing so many of you over the past few weeks. We hope that the 2018-19 school year has gotten off to a great start!!! The RHHS School Counselors are excited to introduce our monthly newsletter. We will be sharing information related to the areas of academic achievement, career awareness, social/emotional development, and other related topics. Students and parents are encouraged to contact their School Counselor with questions about any of the information presented in this newsletter.

Sophomore and Junior Parent Night- September 11th, 6:30 pm

Freshman Parent Night- September 18th, 6:30 pm

Welcome Class of 2022!!!

This year is a very exciting year for students, parents, and our staff. This is the beginning of your high school career, and it is important to start off the year organized, prepared, and informed! This year, your grades count toward your GPA, so it’s important to practice doing your best in all classes. If you find a class difficult, your teachers and counselors are here to help. However, you must let us know you need help. Please ask for assistance as soon as you believe you need it. Below are a few tips to help keep you on track!

Transitioning to High School

Become familiar with the school campus

• Read and understand the policies including appropriate dress for school, attendance policies, and what to do if you are absent. Our school handbook is a great resource.
  
• Learn the key locations at school including the media center, counseling center, gym, and of course, the cafeteria!

Get to know your teachers

• Get to class on time and be prepared
  
• Understand your teachers’ homework policies and find out what to do if you are absent
  
• Be involved with your class: ask appropriate questions and participate in class discussions
  
• Talk to your teachers about individual questions before or after class time
  
• Be respectful
  
• Introduce yourself to other school staff including counselors, administrators, media specialist…even the cafeteria ladies/gentlemen
  

Understand

• Understand the courses needed to graduate from high school
• Talk to your school counselor about the most challenging courses you can take in high school
• Check your grades by using your PowerSchool login

Study Smart

• Expect homework every day: homework includes written assignments, reading, reviewing notes, studying for tests, completing projects, and previewing the next lesson
  
• Make homework a priority
  
• Use weekends to complete assignments
  
• Complete and turn in assignments on time
  
• Stay organized
  

Get involved

• Join after-school clubs, projects, or sports
  
• Take courses that will require after school involvement such as: band/ orchestra, chorus, dance, gaming, drama, yearbook, diversity, ultimate frisbee, foreign language club, etc.
  
• Community service projects provide a fun way to meet new people
  
• Consider taking on a leadership role in a club or student council
  

Challenge yourself

• Take the most challenging courses you can handle
  
• Stretch yourself: consider taking Advanced Placement (AP)
  
• Take foreign language and other electives
  

Ask for help when you need it

• If you are having difficulty with a subject, ask your teacher for help
  
• Join or create a study group
  
• Talk with trusted adults about situations that make you feel uncomfortable such as bullying, dating, drug pressures, harassment (whether at school or online), or anything else you need help with
  

Stay focused – keep planning for your future

• Keep talking with your parents, counselors, teachers, coaches, and others about your plans
  
• Start looking for college scholarships – some can be awarded as early as freshman year of high school
  

While the PSAT may be a practice test for 9th and 10th grade students, it is also a key indicator of a student’s strengths and weaknesses on the SAT. If your 9th grader is interested in taking the PSAT, October 10, 2018, please complete the registration form below and submit $17 via https://www2.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome.

PSAT Registration:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbxM4YV5oZj97tzq-wZQz9uZaN5sejj9T-dz_Qyw1VgtMpBg/viewform

• Questions about what classes you’re going to take next year? Curious about what your next two years would look like if you wanted to add some AP or Honors classes? Use the Academic Guide to answer all of these questions and more!
  

• Hey! It’s time to get your Learner’s Permit! *PLAN AHEAD! Submit requests by Sunday night to have your certificate that week*

STEP 1: Apply for your certificate of enrollment here: CSE request

STEP 2: Pay for you certificate of enrollment on your MyPaymentsPlus account (cost of $5).

STEP 3: Wait for an email confirmation stating that your certificate is ready for pickup.

STEP 4: Pick up your certificate of enrollment from Mrs. White in room 516.

• Already have your learner's permit? Now, it's time to get your DRIVER’S LICENSE! *PLAN AHEAD! Submit requests by Sunday night to have your certificate that week*

o Follow all steps above to obtain your CSE (certificate of school enrollment)

o Apply online for your ADAP certificate (alcohol and drug awareness program)

*ADAP request

Test your heart out! SAT or ACT? Which is right for you? Test and Test again to improve your score! Register at: www.collegeboard.org OR www.act.org

**Students who are enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program may be eligible for a fee waiver, please see your School Counselor for details**

Upcoming College Lunchroom Visits:

1. University of Alabama – Thursday, 8/23 on both lunch campuses (10:45 – 1:00)

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – Wednesday, 9/05/18, in East Cafeteria (11:40 – 1:00)

3. Mercer University – Monday, 9/10/18, in East Cafeteria (11:15 – 1:00)

4. Berry College – Tuesday, 9/11/18, in East Cafeteria (11:45 – 1:00)

5. Auburn University – Wednesday, 9/12/18, on both lunch campuses (11:00 – 1:00)

RHHS College & Career Expo:

Tuesday, October 16, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in East Cafeteria

Scholarships in the Spotlight this Month:

1. Questbridge Scholarship: Questbridge invites applications from high school seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence and who come from households earning less than $60,000 annually for a typical family of four. This is a College Match Program of which 40 colleges participate. The typical College Match finalist scored above a 1250 on the SAT (Reading + Math) or a 27 or above on the ACT, are in the 1st generation in their family going to college and are eligible for free or reduced lunch. The free online application is at https://www.questbridge.org/

Applications are due September 27, 2018.

2. Gates Millennium Scholars Program: The selection process for this scholarship is very competitive and only 1,000 extraordinary students are selected. Eligible students must be:

1.) African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American

2.) Citizens, nationals, or legal permanent residents of the US

3). Have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or have earned a GED

4). Will enroll for the first time at a U.S. located, accredited college

(with the exception of students concurrently pursuing a high school diploma with a full-time, degree seeking, first-year student. First time college enrollees can also be GED recipients.

5). Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in

community service, extra-curricular or other activities

6). Meet the eligibility criteria for a Federal Pell Grant

The deadline for this scholarship is September 15, 2018

Find out more at http://www.gmsp.org/

Please sign-up for the ACCUPACER below, if you plan to attend a two year or technical college:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdIrSlCByuEEx3fFs1vi1A3uwKTFWRnGpNfhxDt4L3WwGbqzA/viewform

Students with last names:

Rhashida Bunyan- (A-Daly)

Emily Neff - (Daniel-Hernandez)

Deanna Appleton- (Herring-Michaud)

Laine Lynch-(Michel-Sanchez)

Saraswati Hendrix- (Sanderlin-Z)

Jennifer Blanton- (Graduation Coach)

Dawn Imler-(Military and Family Life Counselor)

Email: rbunyan@bryan.k12.ga.us
Website: http://www.bryan.k12.ga.us/o/RHHS/page/school-counseling--7
Location: 1 Wildcat Drive, Richmond Hill, GA, USA
Phone: 912-459-6403