Author: APS

-It’s finally here...your senior year-

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

2016

SENIORS

Senior Newsletter

Fall 2015-16

Welcome to your senior year!
Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great; you can be that generation...N. Mandela

Good News! You have made it to your senior year and most of you are anxious to move on! As you know, there are many choices beyond high school—college, technical school, the military or work. It is important to keep all your options open. As the school year progresses, we will be working with each of you to make your plans a reality.
It is a busy time for everyone so please do not procrastinate and wait until the last minute. When asking us to write recommendations and process college applications, please be considerate and give several days notice. The more time available to write a recommendation, the better it will be.
There have been some changes in our Counseling and Administrative Departments this year. Students are now assigned to Counselors/Unit Principals by grade. Each counselor assignment is listed below. As you can see, Mr. Sandy is the counselor for all seniors. We would like to welcome Ms. Bianca Ford and Ms. Cati Castle to the department and Mr. McCraney will now be here full time. Hopefully these changes will enable us to better serve your needs. Your unit principal is Mrs. Copeland, with Mr. Preston handling juniors, Mrs. Saffold working with sophomores and Mr. Lambdin, who is now here full time, the freshman dean of students.
Have a GREAT SENIOR YEAR!!
Mr. Sandy Mr. McCraney Ms. Ford Ms. Castle.
Grade 12 Grade 11 Grade 10 Grade 9
Mrs. Fritz (A-G) Mrs. Sturm (H-O) Ms. Schumacher (P-Z)

Inside this issue:

Welcome Back	1
Class/Club Officers	2
College Visit Info	2
Counseling Office Info	3
Important Dates	3
Misc. Information	4
College App. Process	5
Important Test Dates	5 555555 5 5

Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do. Goethe

NOBODY CAN GO BACK AND START A NEW BEGINNING, BUT ANYONE CAN START TODAY AND MAKE A NEW ENDING.
en

EDUCATION IS THE MOVEMENT FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT

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COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE VISITATION GUIDELINES
If you wish to visit with a college representative, we advise that you choose a maximum of 5 for the year. You are required to have a permission slip excusing you from class. This signed slip is your ticket to the session and can be picked up when you register. All sessions are held in the Counseling Office unless otherwise announced. You may attend any session held during your lunch period without a permission slip. The schedule of college representatives is posted in the Counseling Office and on the College Shop Bulletin Board by the cafeteria.
COLLEGE VISITATION FACULTY NOTIFICATION FORM
College visits are considered Other Non-Absence absences when they are verified in advance, and with the appropriate form obtained from the counselors. Seniors are permitted 5 college visits/auditions per year. Any additional college visits/auditions over 3 per semester will be considered excused absences and will go against your attendance. Forms are available in the counselor’s office.

2016 Senior Class Officers
BRINA JEFFRIES—PRESIDENT
MCKENZY STARKS—VICE PRESIDENT
NINA WESCOTT—SECRETARY
ALEXIS EVANS—TREASURER

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY OFFICERS2015-16
MONTGOMERY HUJAR—PRESIDENT
HANNAH EBERLY—VICE PRESIDENT
PAYTON REA—SECRETARY
ALEXANDRA WAINWRIGHT—TREASURER

STUDENT COUNCIL OFFICERS 2015-16
JAKE ALLREAD—PRESIDENT
BRIAN SCHULTZ—VICE PRESIDENT
SARAH DUCKWORTH—RECORDING SECRETARY
EMILY BORODKIN—CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
MONTGOMERY HUJAR—TREASURER
KELLIE WALSH—TREASURER

FAFSA on the Web Worksheet…
www.fafsa.ed.gov

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Watch for employment opportunities posted in the binder in the Counseling Office as they become available.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The volunteer notebook is where we post flyers and information for volunteer hours. This will aid those who are working on the Gold Seal Award.
AKRON EVENING HIGH SCHOOL
Akron Evening High School is located at Garfield High School. Applications will be available in the Counseling Office. For information call 330-773-2417 or log onto APS web page. Students are responsible for knowing all graduation requirements.
ON-CAMPUS COLLEGE VISITATION DAYS
Colleges encourage campus visitations. Onsite visit information/posters are on display on the College Shop Bulletin Board by the cafeteria.

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

Senior Newsletter

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Put this on your calendar and plan to attend……..
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT Thursday, September 24 following Interim Pick-up. It’s not just for parents; seniors are advised to attend. Learn what is needed to graduate...how to get there, what options/diplomas are available. Get information on where to go after graduation whether it be college, trade school or how to get a job. Information given and questions answered.

CREDIT FLEX PHYS ED & HEALTH TESTS...
FIRST SEMESTER APPLICATIONS DUE
SEPTEMBER 25.
TEST AT ELLET ON OCTOBER 17.

The College Scholarship Box…
This is a file box containing all up to date scholarship information sent to FHS. They are filed in alphabetical order and contain information on how to apply. In addition each senior will receive a Firestone Scholarship Guide to help plan their scholarship application process.
Technical/Associate Program Info…
This is available to students who desire information on Vocational Career Opportunities.
College Application & Viewbook Counter…
We have a supply of various college applications and viewbooks. Check back often to see what’s new.

Stop inside the counselor’s office for….

The Armed Forces Display and
Information Center can be found in
the Counseling Office.
The College Shop Bulletin Board…
Located outside the LIA near the snack counter, this is where we display informational posters, etc. sent to us by colleges and universities...some with cards attached to request additional information and some with dates of representative visits. Also displayed is the complete list of dates and times of upcoming college representative visits to FHS.

VISIT THE COUNSELOR’S CORNER AT THE FIRESTONEFALCONS.ORG WEBSITE FOR ALL THE LATEST AND GREATEST INFORMATION PERTAINING TO SCHOLARSHIPS, FINANCIAL AID, AND GENERAl COLLEGE INFORMATION. CLICK ON SR. CLASS/ALUMNI, THEN SENIOR CLASS OF 2016. THIS PAGE IS CONTINUALLY UPDATED SO DON’T MISS OUT!!!

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ASVAB Career Exploration Program
Your decision to enter college, technical or vocational school, military service or the civilian world of work is an important one. The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is designed to help you, no matter what future educational and career plans you may be considering.
What is the ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multi-aptitude test that is designed to measure your aptitudes (abilities) at this time in your life. It consists of eight short individual tests covering verbal, math, science and technical skills. It is offered at no cost and no obligation to high school juniors and seniors as a public service and recruiting tool. The ASVAB will be offered here at Firestone, however the date is yet to be set. Listen for announcements or check with your counselor for date.

Student Athletes
Remember you MUST register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you plan to play sports in college. See your Guidance Counselor for information.

SENIOR HALLOWEEN DANCE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
7-9PM IN THE COMMONS

WEEK OF September 14 IS SPIRIT WEEK. WATCH FOR DAILY THEMES AND GET READY TO ROCK SOME SPIRIT

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go. Dr.Seuss

AVOIDING SENIORITIS
The symptoms show up every year as high school seniors try to balance extracurricular activities, a social life, college admission and perhaps a part-time job. Somewhere along the way, homework begins to seem less important. Then they get accepted to college, and after that, high school seems even less important. School work begins to slide...and so do their grades. The diagnosis? SENIORITIS!!!
Senioritis is easy to catch and hard to get rid of. It can also be dangerous to your plans for the future. Every year colleges rescind their offers of admission, put students on academic probation, or change financial aid packages because of it. Financial aid based in part on class rank can shrink if final transcripts show a student’s class rank has fallen due to final semester grades.
A less obvious consequence of slacking off senior year is being less prepared for the challenges of college. Freshman year can be tough, even for students who kept up with their course work throughout high school. Imagine entering college with rusty study skills. The habits one forms early in life are often carried over into later stages of life, be it college or the professional world. Motivation and hard work will always win out over basic intelligence.

SENIOR NEWSLETTER

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SENIOR NEWSLETTER

The College Application Process
College-bound students please follow this procedure for applications:
Complete your application carefully providing all information requested. Type application if at all possible. Please allow TWO weeks for the application process to be handled. If applying online notify your counselor.
Student Responsibilities:
The application.
Complete the Senior Autobiography for your teachers and counselors use.
Check made out to the college for application fee.
Give reference forms to counselor to complete.
Obtain teachers’ references if necessary.
Stamped envelope (with correct postage & return address) addressed to college.
Mail application and completed forms to college before deadlines!
Counselor Responsibilities:
Completed reference forms.
Official transcript.
College Prep Curriculum form (State Schools in Ohio).
Fill out any necessary forms and references and mail directly or return to student if appropriate.

Important test dates

ACT Test
Test Dates Registration Deadline
10-24-2015 09-18-2015
12-12-2015 11-06-2015
02-06-2016 01-08-2016
04-09-2016 03-04-2016
06-11-2016 05-06-2016
FIRESTONE CEEB CODE 360-043
SAT Test
Test Dates Registration Deadline
11-07-2015 10-09-2015
12-05-2015 11-05-2015
01-23-2016 12-28-2015
03-05-2016 02-05-2016
05-07-2016 04-08-2016
06-04-2016 05-05-2016

Ohio Means Jobs...planning for your future today. Access Ohio Means Jobs in the Counseling Office for vital information.
Explore It...types of jobs, positions, industries
Plan It...education tools, scholarships, info
Find It...jobs, resumes, applications
Military Skills Translator...career exploration, occupation search.

PARENT/GUARDIAN STUDENT SIGN-OUT INFORMATION;
Parents/Guardians are the only individuals authorized to sign a student out during school hours. A guardian can authorize another individual to pick up their student prior to the pick up time via telephone, written note, fax or email. Please give a phone number where you can be reached for verification. PER AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS POLICY, EVERYONE SIGNING A STUDENT OUT, OR WANTING TO SEE A STUDENT, MUST PROVIDE A VALID ID. NO STUDENT WILL BE RELEASED TO ANYONE WITHOUT PROPER IDENTIFICATION.
unless deemed an independent by the courts, Students who are 18 years old are NOT permitted to sign themselves in and out of school without prior parent/guardian permission.

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