Nashville School of the Arts July 24 and August 1, 2013.

Nashville School of the ArtsJuly 24 and August 1, 2013

Introduction from Dr. Gregory Stewart, Executive Principal of NSA, and Oceana Sheehan, Assistant Principal

Introduction of NSA School Counseling Team

Exemptions/Diplomas & More General scheduling information Senior Committee Starting Off Your Senior Year Right

Rebecca Frame:◦ Freshman- Juniors, Last names A-K

April Gung◦ Seniors

Julia Hoge◦ Freshman- Juniors, Last names L-Z

April Gung, Senior Counselor◦ [email protected]◦ Office: 615-291-6600, ext. 307◦ Fax: 615-291-6047

College counseling website: http://teacherweb.com/TN/NSA/SchoolCounseling

A note about communication & e-mails…

E-mail me quick questions or to set up an appointment

Stop by during lunch, after school, or ask to see me during advisory

If I’m unavailable, complete a referral form hanging on my door and put in my box.

Take out your phone and sign up now! Via text:

◦ Text @msgung to 615-866-2464 Via e-mail

◦ E-mail [email protected]. You can leave the subject blank.

Have a 90 average or higher in the class At least one of your 9 weeks grades must be a 93 or

higher You must not be suspended out of school for any

reason You must not miss more than 6 days each semester

(includes Excused and Unexcused) You must not have more than 7 discipline referrals

total Three tardies to a class will equal one day’s absence. Each of your teachers will track attendance for his/her

class. An exemption from one class does not automatically mean an exemption from all classes.

Seniors get 3 days that will be counted as excused absences BUT will not count against exam exemptions

Must bring documentation from college showing you were there – give copy to your teachers for their records and to Ms. Street in the main office for attendance

Diploma with Honors◦ ACT English: 18◦ ACT Math: 22◦ ACT Science: 24◦ ACT Reading: 21

Diploma with Distinction◦ Earn a B average (85 or higher) AND one of the

following: Nationally recognized industry certification Participate in Governor’s School Be selected as a National Merit Finalist or Semi-

Finalist Attain an ACT composite of 31 or higher Attain a score of 3 or higher on at least two AP

exams Earn 12 or more semester hours of transcripted

college credit

Criteria is tentative – may be adjusted NSA AP Scholars program

◦ Take and pass 3 or more AP classes (full-year) by graduation

◦ Expected to take the PSAT (at least twice for rising 10th/11th graders and once for rising 12th graders)

◦ Expected to take AP exam – no requirement to receive a specific score

◦ Benefits: Extra award during graduation season, potential field trips, resume, rec letters, etc.

NSA Honors recognition◦ Take and pass 8 Honors classes by graduation◦ Maintain an overall B average◦ Benefits: Extra honor during graduation season,

resume, rec letters, etc.

Benefits: medallion at graduation, seal on diploma, tuition assistance at some colleges, resume, etc.

Criteria:◦ All regular diploma requirements◦ 4 math credits (Bridge Math does not count)◦ 80 hours of volunteer service◦ Overall “C” average with no F’s as final grades◦ 95% attendance required (no more than 36

absences in high school)◦ No out-of-school suspensions

Course # of Credits

English 4

Math (Algebra 1 and above; take at least one class each year)

4

Science (Biology, Chemistry, and one additional) 3

Social Studies

- World History or World Geography or AP Human Geo

1

- US History 1

- Government .5

- Economics .5

- Personal Finance .5

Course # of Credits

World Languages (two years of same language) 2

Lifetime Wellness 1

Physical Education 1

Fine or Performing Arts 6

Elective 1

TOTAL 25.5

Changes in the Master Schedule – conflict between classes offered on block schedule and those offered on 50 minute schedule

Overlooking graduation requirements Bridge Math:

◦ Seniors with a 19 or below on ACT math subtest◦ Seniors with no ACT score

No teacher recommendation for Arts classes Summer A+ not complete

Missing Dual Enrollment application packet (not just initial interest form)

Missing Virtual School application packet (not just initial interest form)

Academic rigor◦ Should have at least 3 academic classes on senior

schedule◦ Colleges look for rigor and advanced coursework

in junior/senior year schedules◦ Personal challenge – fight senioritis!

Bridge Math◦ Designed for students who made below a 19 on

ACT Math◦ Will be online at NSA◦ Will count as “Learning Support Math” for college,

which is required for students with below a 19 on ACT Math before they can take college math classes

Psychology and Yearbook will be offered at NSA

Independent Study – no credit received In general, cannot repeat Wellness

Auditing Arts classes - do not get new credit for repeating courses or “auditing” class

Retake class you failed but received credit for through grade averaging

Retake class you made a D in for grade improvement

Virtual School and Dual Enrollment classes Senior Capstone

◦ Regular Senior Capstone◦ College Counseling Intern with Ms. Gung◦ “NSA Presents” Intern with Ms. Hoge

For those who have already submitted required forms:

Grab a handout with important virtual details Report to computer lab (Ms. Sheehan’s old office)

unless otherwise directed You must sign in daily. Students will be written up if

found to be skipping. May request permission slip to leave campus if you

have virtual classes 7th period or 6/7th block. REQUIRED orientation: Saturday, August 10th Expect course to start on August 1st. Remember,

weekly deadlines count for grades and for attendance.

For those who have NOT already submitted required forms:Deadline to register for Fall: Thursday, August 1st. Three steps:

Must setup MNPS e-mail address on school computer

Must get online application link from Ms. Gung Must submit parent form to Ms. Gung

Free if part of regular day schedule; $175 per ½ credit if it’s in addition to school dayCan put the class in any open period on your scheduleCannot drop class mid-semester

Expect 5-10 hours/week of work for standard courses

Courses offered: All standard academic course plus several Honors

options not offered at NSA (Government Honors, Economics Honors, etc.), plus Wellness & PE

Others: Psychology, Sociology, Art History, Physical Science

New courses (one semester each): Introduction to Information Technology Image Design & Editing Principles of Business Principles of Accounting Introduction to Social Media Web Design Digital Arts Principles of Marketing Principles of Finance

For those who have already submitted required forms:◦ Look for registration confirmation from Meaghan Oliver at NSCC.

Once you have this, look at course info online to find textbook information and start searching.

◦ Don’t forget the Dual Enrollment Grant application! Deadline: September 15th

◦ Look for e-mail from me about MNPS Gap Fee Application

For those who have NOT yet applied:◦ Grab handout with info and NSCC links ◦ Could take a course to satisfy high school graduation requirements

or just a class for fun◦ Get college credit that transfers to the college you attend in most

cases; in most cases get high school credit too◦ Chance to explore content related to potential career interests

while the cost is subsidized by Dual Enrollment Grant

Potential courses:◦ Macroeconomics (at NSCC or web)◦ Government (at NSCC or web)◦ Psychology◦ Sociology◦ Spanish/French (at NSCC or web)◦ Art Appreciation◦ Computer Science◦ Computer Aided Drafting◦ Beginning HTML◦ Computer Applications◦ Intro to Political Science◦ Social Problems◦ Intro to Criminal Justice

◦ Intro to Animal Science (web)◦ Culinary Arts: Baking Skills, Culinary I◦ Child Growth & Development◦ Intro to Women’s Studies (at NSCC and web)◦ Studio Recording ◦ Music Appreciation◦ Classical Piano I and II◦ Basic Photography ◦ Introduction to Social Work (at NSCC and web)◦ Human Behavior and Social Environments◦ Introduction to Theater◦ Intro to Paralegal Studies

Deadline to register for Fall: Monday, August 5th Must reapply for DEG grant each semester; do not have

to reapply for admission if you’ve already taken a course General requirements (except for Arts-related courses):

◦ 3.0 minimum GPA requirement (with some exceptions)◦ 19 ACT subscore in specific subject area

Can go to NSCC at Main Campus or Hickory Hollow or do online

Generally, must be 7th period or after school – make sure this works for the NSCC class schedule.

In general, must leave campus – complete permission form for this

Student’s responsibility to submit application, purchase materials, apply for DEG, pay tuition, pay withdrawal fees (if applicable)

Colleges want to know that you’ve taken rigorous curriculum, as much as they want to know your GPA

Makes you more competitive for colleges and scholarships

Prepares you for college-level coursework AP/Dual Enrollment (DE) can give you college

credit saves you money! Impacts weighted GPA

From the Common App

All summer A+ coursework must be finished and the final exam (Review Test) passed by July 31st. If not, your Arts/elective will be dropped to fit it into your schedule.◦ Must come test by July 30th to allow for a makeup day in

case you don’t pass the first time Virtual School is not a content recovery option

Acceptable Reasons: You have already received credit for the class

you’re in You have not met the pre-requisites for the class There is another class you need for graduation

this year You have 2 classes in the same period You have already taken the course with the same

teacher and failed it

Unacceptable Reasons: To take the class with a different teacher (if you have

not already had the course) To take the class a different period To be in a different lunch period You changed your mind about taking the class You think the class is going to be too hard Your job and/or other responsibilities are interfering You want to be in the same class as your friends

Do NOT request schedule changes for any of these reasons.

Schedule your A+ test for July 30th or before (e-mail Ms. Gung)

Look for e-mail from Ms. Gung to say your schedule is as complete as possible. If you can, come in to fix schedule.

Come to gym on first day of school for schedule. Plan to report directly to auditorium.

Take master schedule and make choices. Complete and submit additional materials, if

necessary◦ Art teacher recommendations◦ AP contracts◦ Parent signatures on course registration forms◦ Dual Enrollment application (August 5th)◦ Virtual School Registration (August 1st)◦ Request form to leave campus for Virtual School/Dual

Enrollment (August 1st)◦ Schedule change form

Complete schedule change request form and leave it for me.

Most important thing…

Don’t freak out! It will all get done

Now, moving on from scheduling.

Let’s talk about senior year!

Poll: What's the top thing you're looking forw...

Poll: What's the top thing that you're worried...

Ms. Gung & Ms. Painter are co-Senior Sponsors

Ms. Gung – Senior Committee Chair◦ Approximately 10 student leaders to help plan

events Pick up handout from the back with some

general Senior Year information.

Get organized! ◦ Use your NSA planner to enter

school/college/personal deadlines and plan ahead from there.

◦ Use Google alerts for reminders or your phone notepad feature to make a to-do list

Set a few goals◦ What are 3-5 specific things you’d like to

accomplish this year? Build time into your schedule for working on these.

Stress management◦ What calms you when you’re stressed and brings

you joy? Build in time for that (DAILY!) ◦ Don’t overload yourself. Prioritize the things on your

plate. ◦ Balance work and play.

Build your time management skills◦ Prioritize and plan ahead◦ Work a little each week on big projects/deadlines

instead of cramming it in at the last minute.◦ Build in more time than you think you need for tasks.

Be wary of senioritis Junior and Senior year grades matter the most for college.

Read/use the materials you’re given (newsletter, website, etc.)

Be politely persistent. Plan ahead for recommendations,

applications, etc. Set aside 30-60 minutes each week for the college process.

Use your Fall Break wisely. Create a professional e-mail address Have a college folder ready for tracking

college/financial aid info (document everything!)

Sign up to retake the ACT (particularly if you made less than a 19 on Eng/Rdg/Math)◦ Next test date: September 21◦ Registration deadline: August 23◦ Students on FRL can get 2 free waivers (not in

yet). ◦ Students who didn’t take it in April can get free

voucher (not in yet).◦ Remember 21 makes you Hope eligible; average

ACT score at UTK in 2012 was a 27 Try taking the SAT

Start to explore potential career interests and colleges using the following websites:◦ www.collegefortn.gov (set up a free account; click

the “Career Planning” and “College Planning” tabs)◦ www.collegeboard.org (use the “College Search”

engine) Look for college visit days at schools your

interested in. Remember seniors get 3 college visit days.

Get on a few scholarship listserves: fastweb.com, zinch.com.

Colleges that Change Lives (CCTL): Wednesday, August 14th, 7pm, Music City Center

Advisory classroom visits: Week of August 26th

Lunch with Ms. Gung NSA Parent College Night: Thursday,

September 5th, 6:30pm MNPS College Fair: September 24th