Author: Windows User

Union County High School
Guidance Newsletter
Volume #6 2016-2017
Guidance Office Mission Statement
As professional school counselors at Union County High School, we are dedicated to empowering EVERY student to achieve personal and social growth, academic success, and career awareness in order to help each student reach their full potential and become responsible and productive members of society.
Confidentiality Informed Consent
A school Counselor keeps information confidential unless disclosure is required to prevent serious and foreseeable harm to counselee or others or when legal requirements demand that confidential information be revealed. (American School Counselor Association, Ethical Standards for School Counselors A.2.) Some Examples include: at risk of harming self, at risk of harming others, Child Abuse or Neglect, Court Order.
Schedule Change Policy
Please see the Schedule Change policy in your UCHS Handbook.
If a student wishes to have a schedule change considered, they must complete and have signed with the appropriate signatures an “Add/Drop” form which can be picked up in the guidance office. Schedule changes are only considered during the first 3 days of the Semester and are only for the following reasons:
1. Course change is required to meet graduation requirements. 2. Course change is necessary to balance classes.
3. Course change deemed necessary by counselors, teachers, or principal.

Union County Hi School

UCHS College/Career Test Day
November 2, 2016
Grade 10/11: PSAT/NMSQT Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The PSAT/NMSQT measures: critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, writing
Fee: (paid for by the state of Indiana)
Grade 9/12: attend various presentations pertaining to future planning.
Presentations:
Freshman – Twenty first Century Scholar requirements, elective areas, and Senior Exit Program, etc.
Sophomores – WCC (Whitewater Career Center).
Juniors- Ivy Tech, Purdue College of
Technology, and IU East.
Seniors – Twenty First Century Scholars,
FAFSA, UC Foundation scholarships, Interview Skills, Ivy Tech, Purdue College of
Technology, and IU East.

Freshmen!!!!!!

Sophomores!!!
Consider WCC when scheduling for your Junior year!
WHITEWATER CAREER CENTER: Juniors and Seniors. Applications to attend must be submitted prior to scheduling for junior year. Three credits per semester (4 credits for cosmetology) are granted for a completion of programming at WCC. Bus transportation is provided by the Union County School Corporation except for those students enrolled in a Co-Op experience. Those students must provide their own transportation.
WCC Programs:
Auto Collision Technology
Automotive Service Technology
Construction Technology
Computer Repair, Networking and Programming
Cooperative Education
Cosmetology
Culinary Arts
Diesel Mechanics
Early Childhood Education
Electricity
Health Science Careers
Interactive Media Design
Precision Machining and Computer Manufacturing
Project Lead the Way (Engineering) and Computer Aided Design
Welding Metal Fabrication
Participating High Schools:
Connersville High School
Centerville High School
Franklin County High School
Lincoln High School
Rushville Consolidated High School
Union County High School
How to Sign Up for a Technical Program:
Listen to the WTCC presentation given to Sophomores.
Visit the vocational programs you are interested in at WCC by signing up to go on the WCC field trip sponsored by the guidance office in December.
Fill out the WCC Student Application and return the application to the guidance office in order to be considered in the program you wish to attend. No later than mid-January.
Talk to your guidance counselor during your scheduling appointment about incorporating a WCC program into your schedule. During your scheduling
appointment.
For additional information, contact the Whitewater Career Center
1300 Spartan Drive Connersville, IN 47331 (765)-825-0521

Juniors and Seniors!!!! College Testing
SAT… The SAT covers core content areas deemed necessary for college. The SAT tests over the following areas: Reading, Writing and Language, Math with and without a calculator, and Essay.
Register for SAT online at: Collegeboard.com
SAT Test Center Codes…
Richmond, Indiana (Earlham College)… 15-680
Connersville, Indiana (Connersville High School)… 15-190
Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton High School)… 36-385
ACT… The ACT test assesses high school students' ability to complete college-level work. The ACT sections include: English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing (optional)
Each test score (English, Math, Reading, Science, Writing) range from 1 (low) to 36 (Register for ACT online at: www.actstudent.org
The ACT is offered at UCHS… 2016-2017 school year on:
Sept. 10… deadline to register is Aug. 5
December 10... deadline to register is Nov. 4
February 11… deadline to register is January 13
April 8… deadline to register is March 3
June 10… deadline to register is May 5
ACT Test Center Codes…
Liberty, Indiana (UCHS)... 225310
Connersville, Indiana (Connersville High School)… 177270
Richmond, Indiana (Indiana University East)… 012160
Harrison, Ohio (William Henry Harrison High School)… 182450
Oxford, Ohio (Miami University)… 032940
Oxford, Ohio (Talawanda High School)…182760
ACT and SAT CEEB High School Code Number (C.E.E.B. Code)
When applying to take the SAT or ACT, you will need the UCHS Code number which is 152065. This number tells ACT and SAT to send us your scores. This number is also required on most college applications and financial aid forms.
ACT/SAT/ College Fee Waivers… a student qualifies if they are: Free and Reduced Lunch… Fee Waivers are available in the guidance office.
Test Day Tips… Be well rested... Get a good night's sleep the night before the test, Eat breakfast… You'll be at the test center for several hours and you're likely to get hungry, Bring snacks… You will get short breaks.
Bring acceptable Photo ID and your SAT/ACT Admission Ticket.
Bring two No. 2 pencils, a good eraser, and a calculator with fresh batteries.

Seniors!!!!! Applying to College…
Check individual college requirements, including deadlines!!!!
It is essential to apply to colleges and universities early. Many schools have a November 1 deadline for acceptance and/or to receive certain merit based scholarships.
Factors in College Admissions… Grades, GPA, Class rank, College prep courses taken, difficulty of senior year courses, Standardized admissions tests… SAT/ACT, Writing sample/Essay, Letters of recommendation, Work experience, Extracurricular activities, Leadership positions, Awards/Honors, Interview, Student’s interest level, AP courses and AP Exams, ECA scores, etc.!!!
Most colleges require:
Application
Supplemental application pages (counselor page)/essr report
Official High School Transcript (Must be sent by UCHS with signature and seal)
ACT or SAT scores
Student Essay
Letters of Recommendation
Application fee (average fee is $50)
Call the college Office of Admissions to make sure they have received all the required documents. Colleges will review your application only when they have received ALL of their required documents!
Student Essays…
Individual strengths, Academic achievements (GPA, Rank, subject area in which you excelled), Field of interest, Extra curricular activities (sports, clubs), Leadership positions (class treasurer, FFA president), Awards and honors, Community service, Jobs, etc.
Letters of Recommendation…
Send letters of recommendation with college application from teachers, community members, pastors, coaches, guidance counselors etc.
Please fill out Student Resume and allow at least one week for counselors to write letters of Recommendation … Tony Duritsch A-L, Robin Durham M-Z
Admission Terms…
Early decision: Students apply to their first choice for college, usually in the fall of their senior year. If admitted, they MUST commit to enrolling. The student may have only one early decision application pending at one time. If offered admission, the student must withdraw applications to all other institutions.
Early action: Students apply and receive an admission decision earlier than normal but are NOT required to commit until the regular deadline. Institutions using an early action plan may not place restrictions on the number or type of other applications filed by the student.
Regular decision: Students submit an application by a specific date. The student may apply to other colleges without restriction.
Rolling admission: Students may apply at any time. The institution reviews applications as they are received and renders a decision in a timely manner. The student may apply to other colleges without restriction.
Wait list: An admission tool designed to protect an institution against shortfalls in enrollment. By placing a student on the wait list, an institution does not initially offer or deny admissions. It extends to a candidate the possibility of admission in the future.

College Tours…
Schedule tours through the College’s Office of Admissions…
Daily Campus Tours, Personal Campus Visits, Event Days (21st Century Scholars, Junior Day), Virtual Tours online, College Fairs…
Guidance Office Field Trip- National College Fair at the Indianapolis Convention Center in the Fall… permission slips in the guidance office
UCHS College Visit Policy… see policy in the UCHS Handbook.
College visits are a type of prearranged absence. Students are limited to two (2) per year for juniors and seniors.
Meetings with Admissions Representatives...
Throughout the year college and vocational school representatives , as well as military recruiters will come to UCHS to talk with students interested obtaining information. Representatives will come in on College Career Test day in October, during lunch times, as well as in the classroom. Listen to the announcements for dates of specific college visits.
NCAA DIVISION I/II ELIGIBLITY:
Student athletes who plan to participate in NCAA Division I/II as scholarship athletes or who desire to participate in a Division I/II athletic program (walk on) should consult with their coaches in the fall of their junior year. Student athletes should register for NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse in the spring of their junior year. Students should register on-line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Student athletes should have each SAT/ACT score sent directly to the Clearinghouse by marking code #9999 on the SAT/ACT registration forms or when requesting additional score reports. NCAA eligibility requirements include course requirements, minimum grade point average requirements in core courses, and college admission examination scores.
Fee: approximately $70 (Fee waivers available if qualified for SAT/ACT fee waivers).
Important Timelines…
Sophomores… Schedule college bound courses and take the PSAT test
Juniors… take the PSAT test
Take the SAT/ACT in the Spring of junior year!
Register NCAA Clearinghouse junior year!
Seniors… Retake SAT/ACT in the Fall, beginning of senior year
Apply to College (watch deadlines)
Apply for Scholarships
File the FAFSA in January-March (deadlines in March)!

UCHS Guidance Office College Application Policy:
During the 2013 legislative session, the General Assembly passed HEA 1341 and the Governor signed P.L. 111 – 2013 into law. This law requires all public secondary schools (including charter schools) to use the common electronic transcript developed by the department of education, by July 1, 2015. The common electronic transcript provider for UCHS is Parchment.
Be aware of college application deadlines.
Apply as early as possible. The Union County High School Guidance Office recommends applying prior to November 1st, in order to not miss out on any merit based scholarships.
Please allow 5 business days for all paperwork to be processed.
Senior Conferences
Senior conferences will take place during Fall, usually in the month of September. At this time counselors will go over your transcript, discuss future plans, college applications, or other questions you may have. Parents are encouraged to attend Senior conferences. Parents, please call the guidance office to find out your student’s appointment time if you wish to attend.
FAFSA and Scholarships…
FAFSA (financial aid)… www.fafsa.ed.gov… FREE!!!
The Federal government uses the FAFSA form to determine eligibility for financial aid which includes: Grants, Work-study programs, Scholarships, Loans (Parent and Student). Funds come from the following sources: Federal, State, Schools (Universities), Private agencies.
Documents you need…
Social Security Number, driver’s license
income tax returns/W2’s
bank statements
investment records
the Colleges/Universities you wish to attend.
FAFSA deadlines…
Federal Student Financial Aid Deadline: in June
Colleges and states have their own deadlines.
State Student Financial Aid Deadline for Indiana is… in March… look for specific date. https://fafsa.ed.gov/ or Bit.ly/fafsachanges2017.
College Goal Sunday offers you help filling out the FAFSA. In February, financial-aid professionals from Indiana colleges and universities will be available at sites around Indiana. These experts will walk you and your family through the financial-aid application. Visit www.collegegoalsunday.org for more details and site locations.
UCHS FAFSA Night: Receive help fling FAFSA on Wednesday February 15, 2017 at 6:00p.m.

Scholarships….
A scholarship cart is located in the guidance office. Scholarships are updated daily and organized by deadline dates… so stop in frequently to see if any scholarships apply to you!
Local Scholarships…
Union County Foundation and other local scholarships are available in the Spring!
Scholarship recipients are announced at the UCHS Senior Awards Ceremony in May/June.
Please note: Scholarships and Financial Aid are free money. If you are approached by a company stating that they will find scholarships for you for a fee, please consult with your counselor to see if it is legitimate. Unfortunately there are companies looking to take advantage of individuals new to the college admissions process.
Guidance Office Bulletin Board, Website, and Announcements!
The guidance has 2 bulletin boards. They are located in the hall to the right of the Snack Shack and across the hall from the Guidance office. On these boards, you will find information about scholarship opportunities, colleges, and campus visit dates, testing, etc.
The guidance department has its own web page on the UCCCJSD website. To get to it, go to www.uc.k12.in.us/uchs.
Please pay close attention to the daily announcements; this is where guidance information is frequently publicized. It is your responsibility to follow through on any information posted.
Military:
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
All students planning on entering the military when they leave high school are required to take the ASVAB. The ASVAB is a useful vocational aptitude test. Students should contact a local military recruiter to schedule a time to take the ASVAB.
Selective Service Registration
Federal law requires all males to register for Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Men can begin registering any time after turning seventeen. Register for Selective Service by going to an official site and filling out the necessary form. These sites include any post office and online. Go to the Selective Service website www.sss.gov and click on the "Register On-line Now" icon. After filling in the information, you will receive a Selective Service number within 30 seconds. All male students must be registered for Selective Service to be eligible for any federal or state financial aid for college or vocational school, job training programs, and many government jobs, such as with the U.S. Postal Service. Failure to register is against the law. If prosecuted, you could receive a fine of up to $250,000 and/or five years in jail. If you fail to register, you cannot qualify for federal student grants or loans for college, job training benefits and many state and federal jobs.

Important Policies:
Check out the UCHS Course Selection Guide in your handbook for additional Policies!
Advanced Placement Grade Weighting:
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are weighted through an increase of a grade point value. For example, if a student receives a ‘B’ in an AP course it will be reported as an ‘A’ on their transcript and the weight will be reflected as a 4.0 grade point value. If a student receives an actual earned ‘A’ in an AP course it will be reported as an ‘AA’ on their transcript and the weight will be reflected as a 5.0 grade point value. If a student elects to drop their AP course prior to completion they will drop their weighted grade. Please note that an “F” in an AP course does not weight up to a passing grade, only passing grades are weighted.
Early Graduation Policy:
Early Graduation Applications must be completed and returned to the Guidance office during scheduling of your senior classes which usually takes place in January of your Junior year at UCHS. Early graduates are responsible for keeping up with the end-of-the-year events for seniors through the UCHS website announcements, as well as by staying in contact with a student’s assigned senior advisor. Also, it is crucial that we have an updated mailing address prior to you leaving in order for you to receive information via mail. It is mandatory that early graduates attend certain senior advisory for graduation practice during the month of May in order to receive the necessary information for graduation and other senior events that occur towards the end of the year.
Grade Reports:
Mid-term Report: A mid-term progress report will be mailed home at the nine week interval of the semester.
Report Card: The final grade received in each course a student is enrolled in will be mailed home on the report card at the end of each semester.
Eligibility based on grades:
Extra-Curricular eligibility, as well as athletic eligibility are based upon passing 5 classes at the 9 week and 18 week grading periods. This includes eligibility to attend all dances and leadership positions held at UCHS.
HONOR ROLL RECOGNITION:
Summa Cum Laude Highest Honors: 3.9 and above
Magna Cum Laude High Honors: 3.7-3.8999
Cum Laude Honors: 3.5-3.6999

PHYSICAL EDUCATION ALTERNATIVE CREDIT:
This waiver opportunity was passed by the IDOE during the summer of 2009. Sports operational and completed in the 2009-2010 school year and beyond will be considered for waiver. Coaches must verify specific strategies that were used for the student to have mastered the Indiana physical education standards in a particular sport. Coaches will recommend the final grade. However, a licensed PE Instructor must issue the grade. Students must complete the PE Alternative Credit Form and return the form to the guidance office in order to be awarded an alternative physical education credit. PE credits will be recorded on report card/transcript of the semester following the end of the season, as the grade will affect honor roll, GPA, and class rank. Please note: This credit does NOT count towards IHSAA athletic eligibility. Students must be enrolled and passing 5 courses each semester for athletic eligibility.
PE Alternative Credit Form Deadlines:
Fall Sports: last day of 1st semester
Winter Sports: last day of 2nd semester
Spring Sports: Last day of 2nd semester
Summer Band: last day of 1st semester
2016-2017 Important Dates:
NACAC College Fair Sept 16
Senior Post-Secondary meetings Sept 19-Oct 7
College Career Test Day Nov 2
To be Senior Scheduling Jan 17-27
To be Junior Scheduling Jan 30—Feb 10
To be Sophomore Scheduling Feb 13—24
To be Freshmen Scheduling March
Prom April 29
AP Testing May 1– May 12
Baccalaureate June 2
Mandatory Graduation Practice June 2
Senior Scholarship Awards Program June 2
Graduation June4

Helpful Resources…
UCHS Guidance office webpage:
www.uc.k12.in.us/uchs or bit.ly/patriotguidance. www.collegeboard.com
www.fastweb.com
www.act.org
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.learnmoreindiana.org
Homework Help…
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Homework Hotline provides FREE math and science home work help to Indiana students in grades 6-12.
Students may contact the Homework Hotline
from 7p.m. to 10 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time),
September through May toll free at:1-877-ASK-
ROSE or on-line at: www.AskRose.org. The program is funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
UCHS will begin hosting a tutoring program called
TutorU. The program will be run by a UCHS teacher and several UCHS student tutors from 3:30-4:30 on Mon day—Thursday in the UCHS Library. Struggling students from UCHS, UCMS, College Corner Elementary, and
Liberty Elementary can attend in order to receive tutor ing assistance. Funds to run the TutorU program were provided by the Union County Foundation and White water REMC Community fund.

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