NEWS FROM YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR AUGUST 2018

MS. CARLA MILLER

PUTNAM COUNTY R-1

INTRODUCTION TO SENIORS AND PARENTS:

This is the first of two newsletters that will be sent to you from my office.  It is my hope that you will gain information to help you and your child in making good, sound decisions for his or her future.  I will be giving you information about financial aid and other topics. If you have any questions please feel free to call me at (660) 947-2481 Ext. 308.

COLLEGE FAIR:

The college fair will be on Tuesday, September 25, 2018, from 9:00 AM to 10:30 A.M.  Putnam County will host the fair this year in the high school gym. Over 30 colleges and universities, trade and technical schools, and the Armed Forces have been invited to attend.  Parents (with a completed background check) are also welcome to attend the fair!

ACT TESTING:

ACT registration is at www.actstudent.org. Practice tests and tip information on the web can be found at www.act.org. ACT scores determine college entrance as well as scholarship amounts. Students may take the test more than once. Colleges accept the highest score. The following is a list of test dates and registration deadlines: 

Deadline: Test Date:

September 28, 2018 October 27, 2018

November 2, 2018 *December 8, 2018

January 11, 2019 *February 9, 2019

March 8, 2019 *April 13, 2019

May 3, 2019 June 8, 2019

June 14, 2019 July 13, 2019

*Test may be given at Putnam depending on the number of students.

FINANCIAL AID:

Financial Aid Night will be Monday, October 29, 2018, at 6:00 P.M. in the middle school auditorium.  Mark your calendar and reserve that night. You will receive information on grants, loans, and scholarships.  In addition, local scholarships will be given out at that time. This is a meeting that all parents and seniors should attend.

NCAA/NAIA:

NCAA/NAIA Clearinghouse evaluates academic records to determine if students are eligible to participate in college-level sports.  If a senior thinks he/she may play college sports, then they need to enroll in NCAA or NAIA depending on the level of playing.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Scholarships are sent to my office throughout the school year.  A list of these can be found on the bulletin board outside of my office.  Please encourage your child to check the list on a regular basis. This list is located on the school website too.

COLLEGE DAYS:

Seniors may take two college days during his/her senior year.  Seniors must have a signed letter from parents PRIOR to the date of the college day(s).  SENIORS MUST ALSO BRING BACK A SIGNED NOTE FROM THE COLLEGE STATING THAT HE/SHE VISITED THE CAMPUS ON THE PARTICULAR DATE OF THE VISIT.  This must be delivered to the high school office the first school day back from the visit. Both college visits must be used by March 14, 2019.

COLLEGE VISITS:

Seniors (and juniors) will have the opportunity to visit two colleges with me.  This year we will visit MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY in St. Joe on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 and NCMC/GRAND RIVER on Tuesday, October 16, 2018.  Students will need to turn in a signed permission slip to Ms. Miller. Please encourage your child to take advantage of this opportunity. It is important to get permission slips turned in as soon as possible before the bus fills up.  Slips will be made available to students the week before the trip. Students with an F at the grade check will not be allowed to attend.

COLLEGE REP VISITS:

Several college representatives will visit Putnam County High School.  These visits typically take place during activity periods (11:20 to 11:47).  Please encourage your child to take advantage of these opportunities. These can be found in the bulletin on the website.

TRANSCRIPTS (OFFICIAL VS. UNOFFICIAL):

Students may request an unofficial transcript to use when completing applications.  Official transcripts will be sent directly to the college. Let me know when you need one sent.  Students may also deliver official transcripts as long as the seal is not broken. Final transcripts with the graduation date/A+ will be sent at the end of May.  Dual-credit courses and ACT scores are on high school transcripts. However, some colleges require the ACT come directly from ACT. Seniors must request a transcript from the dual-credit college at the end of the year.