Parent Newsletter - April 4

Counseling

Last week in the Counseling Department, we worked with our Sophomores and this week we will be working with Freshman students on Career Research and Exploration. We have introduced students to Naviance, which is a helpful tool that can guide them in gathering importation information for researching career clusters, job opportunities, majors in college and salaries of different occupations. Naviance has several assessments to identify the student’s strengths, interests and personality types and matches them with career clusters to identify different jobs that would fit them. Naviance helps them understand the amount of education needed for their career path, the major in school that would benefit them, and the skills that are needed for their particular career field. Our hope is that through this exploration, we can assist students in beginning to think about their future plans and finding a path that is fulfilling and attainable. These presentations will be available in Blackbaud under Counseling if you are interested in taking a look. Please also feel free to ask your daughter what she took away from the presentation, if she learned any new career options she hadn’t previously considered, and continue to encourage further exploration on Naviance.  

College Counseling

Juniors are attending the final Junior Masterclass of the year, where they are brainstorming topics for their personal statement (also called the Common App essay.) This week, college counselors will begin individual meetings with each junior to provide support in writing the essay. Prior to the individual  meeting, each student needs to share a draft of the first paragraph with her college counselor. The college essay will be an assignment in their English class later this semester, so students will receive additional support from their English teacher as well. Typically, writing the personal statement is one of the most challenging components of applying to college. Students will feel a sense of accomplishment and relief heading into summer with a solid first draft of their essay.

Senior College Decision Information

This week, a Google Form was sent to all senior students to gather important information for the graduation booklet and the MACceptance Wall. The form asks students to provide the name of the institution they will be attending after graduation, as well as up to 7 other colleges or universities to which they were accepted and would like highlighted on the MACceptance Wall. In addition, students will be asked to list any scholarships they have received for their attending institution. We understand that some students are still in the decision-making process, so the form will remain open until the end of the month to accommodate any final decisions. Please encourage your student to complete the form as soon as possible, as the information they provide is essential for the graduation materials. Thank you for your continued support!

preACT and ACT Reminders

Attention Freshmen, Sophomore, and Junior parents:

Tuesday, April 8th, is National Test Day for all freshmen, sophomores and juniors. Freshmen and Sophomores will take the PreACT, while the juniors will take the Official ACT. 

• Students must be in uniform and seated in their assigned room by 7:50 am. 
• Juniors will be dismissed at approximately 11:30am.  
• Freshmen and Sophomores will be dismissed at approximately 10:30am. 
• Students with accommodations taking the preACT will be dismissed between 11:45-12:00pm while students with accommodations taking the ACT will be dismissed at approximately 12:30 pm. 

Room assignments will be posted at the Main Entrance of School on the morning of the exam.

Students need to bring the following items with them: 

• Two or three #2 wooden pencils with good erasers (no mechanical pencils!!) 
• Calculator (charge or put in new batteries)