Senior Overview

September 2012

Test Date Registration Deadline(Free with waiver*)

($21 Late Fee Required)

September 8, 2012 August 17, 2012 August 18 – 24, 2011. Note test center change requests must be made online or via agent by August 31

October 27, 2012 September 21, 2011

September 22 – October 5, 2012

December 8, 2012 November 2, 2012 November 3 – 16, 2012

February 9, 2013 January 11 ,2013 January 12 – 18, 2013

April 13, 2013 March 8, 2013 March 9 – 22, 2013

June 8, 2013 May 3, 2013 May 4 – 17, 2013Note: Seniors are encouraged to take the October ACT to improve their college admission options. Students who participate in free/reduced lunch may get a fee waiver. You may use a maximum of TWO fee waivers in your lifetime. Waivers are available in Room 110 beginning Monday. Only the best ACT score goes to the colleges. If you plan to go to UIUC (Champaign) you must put their name on the ACT application. UIUC will not accept school copies of ACT scores.

ACT – September 8, 2012

This test is before the announced CTU strike date and, if you are registered, it will proceed as scheduled. Be at Kelly by 8:00 AM. You must have a picture ID (school ID or state ID is OK)Bring your admission ticket and a calculator (and maybe a few pencils).

Service Learning

You must turn in at least 40 service learning hours by Winter Break in order to remain in a senior division! Students in 470 divisions must earn 40 hours to move up to senior in the following month.

Note: Many students Divisions 470, 471 and 472 earned enough service hours to be seniors but the hours were not posted until after June 2012 report cards. These seniors will be moved to regular

senior divisions at the earliest opportunity.

Other Graduation Requirements

You’ll be receiving personalized graduation checklists next weekChecklists will indicate what courses you still need to graduateAlso check other graduation requirements such as PL 195 (Constitution Test), Consumer Ed, Drivers Ed & ACT/PSAE scoresThey will also indicate what Saturday/evening school classes you need to take. Saturday school registration begins on Monday.

Note: Schedule changes have been submitted for approximately 250 seniors but have not yet been processed. Please wait until September 13 before you start to make requests for schedule changes

Schedule Changes

The fastest way to request a schedule change is by completing a request form to be found on the doors to the counseling office or to e-mail your counselor.Over 250 seniors are requesting changes, so the process may take a while. Counselors should be available after division on Wednesday, September 12 if you have questions

Evening and Saturday School

When you receive your graduation checklist next week, it will indicate what Saturday and evening school classes you must take. You need to see your counselor to get a Saturday/evening registration form. If allowed, turn the form to Room 114 EVEN if you cannot pay until the first day of school.

Recovery Classes and On Line Classes

This year classes are also available to seniors on-line. You MUST have a computer with Internet (not dial-up) at home and must do the coursework in the computer lab during your lunch period or after school. See your counselor for details. If you drop or fail an on-line class you will be charged $200! Last year students were put on a waiting list. This is NOT a guarantee that you will actually be able to start the class in time for graduation!Recovery classes fill up fast and you want to get in so that you can graduate! Failure to sign up for a class because you did not have money or forgot is an indication that you are not making an effort to remain on track for graduation in June. This is YOUR responsibility!

New This Year –Google Mail

All CPS Students are going to be issued an e-mail address. It is just like g-mail but even better! When school is in session this is how teachers and students will communicateBecause your e-mail address uses your name in a professional manner, it is the perfect one to use when corresponding with colleges.Keep your personal e-mail for personal stuff! Use your professional e-mail for school stuff!AND READ IT OFTEN!More info coming shortly

Other Things To Worry About!

What will you be doing after graduation?If you don’t know, attend Career Night (Wednesday, October 24) and College Fairs (at Kelly Tuesday, October 30)You need to start working on College Aps NOWSome elite schools have Oct 1 deadlines! Even more four year schools have November 15 and December 15 deadlines!

What’s Next Illinois – whatsnextillinois.orgA great place to search for careers and colleges

Check with your counselor for user name and password; we will be in the computer labs at the end of September.

Careers

Don’t forget!Kelly’s Career night is October 24 at 6 P.M.Once again, speakers will be grouped by career clustersWhat’s in your future?

Why Go To College?

Did you know that college graduates make, on average, $21,900 more per year than high school graduates? (NCES/DES)

Most jobs now require some type of college degree.

Most college graduates earn a lot more money than people that only have a high school diploma.

Why Go To College?

Think you don’t need a degree? Think again.Here are just a few jobs that require education after high school:

Automotive mechanic Hairdresser, hairstylist X-ray technician Police officer; Forensics (CSI Investigator)Nurse; nursing assistant, dental hygienistTeacher Computer software engineer Social worker Child care provider Doctor Lawyer

Upcoming College Fairs

Several very useful college fairs are coming up quickly.

Your counselor or the Post Secondary coach can provide you with information regarding registration as well as useful questions to ask at a college fair.

These are great places to gather information, get on mailing lists, and even to ease your parents’ worries!

Chicago Football Classic HBCU College Fair

Saturday, September 29, 2012, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PMSoldier Field, Cadillac RoomFor juniors and seniors interested in meeting with alumni and representatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’S), City Colleges of Chicago, and some local Chicago universities.Students need not be African American to attend. A football game follows.

National College FairThis is the BIG ONE!!!!!

Date: Saturday, September 29, 11 AM to 3 P.M. Place: Navy Pier, Festival Hall APreregistration is REQUIRED. https://www.gotomyncf.com More Info? Contact: Ms. Flores in Room 259No Busses are available at this timeYou can go on your own with parents/friendsGood for any student at any grade level seeking info about college. Hundreds of colleges from across the country participate in this fairREMEMBER – EVERYONE CAN GO TO COLLEGE!!!!

National College Performing Arts Fair

Date: Sunday, October 14, 1:00 PM to 3:30 PMPlace: Chicago High School for the Fine Arts, 521 E 35th StreetAnyone interested in pursuing a degree in Art, Music, Drama, Dance, should go to this fair!!!Once again, hundreds of colleges from across the country participate in this fair.Register at www.gotomyncf.com Be sure to choose the correct date and location.More Info? Contact: Ms. Flores in Room 259

Kelly College Fair

Tuesday, October 30, 20124 PM to 6 PM in LunchrooomOver 40 area colleges will be here to answer questions and take applicationsPrizes will be awarded throughout the evening

Additional City Wide Events

Keeping It 100 sponsored by UIC African American NetworkSaturday, September 8, 2012, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, UIC Student Center East, 750 S HalstedFor Junior and senior African American males with GPA of 3.0 and PLAN or ACT of 20+.Registration is required c/o jofields@uic.edu or call 312/996-5565.

Additional City Wide Events

CPS Senior Strategic Planning DayThursday, September 27, 2012, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, UIC Student Center East, Illinois Room, 750 S HalstedFor seniors with 3.0 GPA and ACT 20+CPS Seniors with 3.0 GPA and Class President orCPS Senior with 3.5 GPA & LSC Representation.Registration is REQUIRED through www.chooseyourfuture.org by August 30. or email CollegeScholarships@cps.edu

Additional City Wide Events

100 Black Men College & Scholarship FairSaturday, October 13, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, UIC Forum, 725 W RooseveltJuniors and seniors with GPA of 3.0. On-site scholarships are offered. Qualified students must register at www.100bmc.org/StudentParentPage.htm.Sophomores can also gain good experience jst attending the fair.

Additional City Wide Events

CPS/SIEMENS 9th Annual HBCU Scholarship Fair & ReceptionFriday, November 9, 2012, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Sheraton Hotel & Towers, 301 E North Water Street.CPS Seniors with GPA of 3.0 and one of the following: ACT of 20+, or ACT of 18+ and #1 in class or class president.Letters will be sent to qualified seniors during first week in school. Registration is on www.chooseyourfuture.org.Over $30 milliion in scholarships were awareded to 758 CPS seniors last year!

Additional City Wide Events

Universities of Illinois Salute to Academic AchievementFriday, September 21, 2012, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Hilton Chicago, 720 S Michigan Avenue.Chicagoland area underrepresented seniors who have a GPA of 3.0 ACT of 20+Letters will be sent to qualified seniors during first week in school with registration information.

Additional City Wide Events

National Hispanic College FairWednesday, October 3, 2012, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Richard J Daley College, 7300 S Pulaski RoadSee Ms. Flores in Room 259 for details.

How Will You Pay for Collegeor Trade School ?

You’ll hear much more as the year moves forward. Understand that Financial Aid comes from the Federal Government, the State, and Private Grants & Scholarships,Right now here’s a brief overview on FAFSA,Grants, work-study, scholarships & loans

There’s even money for undocumented students!

Financial Aid TermsGRANTS

Most grants come from the U.S. Government, the State of Illinois, and sometimes from the colleges or universities. Students who complete the FAFSA may be qualified for free money (financial aid) to pay for college. Grants do not have to be paid back.

U.S. Department of Education Free Application for Federal Student AidAnyone with a Social Security Number can Apply for Free $$$$. New rules have added options for undocumented students.If you have a Social Security Number you can do your application on-lineYou can begin now by doing the FAFSA4caster and EFC Calculators.You cannot do the actual FAFSA until January 1, but need to complete it by March 30 to get the most FREE $$$$Note an ITIN Number is not a Social Security Number. Check your card carefully

Financial Aid TermsWORK-STUDY

Students who complete the FAFSA may be qualified for a job on the college campus. This money has tax benefits and does not have to be repaid to the government. It can be used for school or for personal expenses.Students can also hold regular jobs, and sometimes they can even get a job on campus if they do not qualify for work-study. Of course, you can always have a summer job to help pay bills too.

Financial Aid Terms SCHOLARSHIPS

This is money awarded to students that does not have to be paid back

You do not have to have a social security number or an alien registration number to “win” a scholarship

Scholarships are like prizes. You can earn them by having good grades, by completing essays or by competing in contests. ANYONE CAN QUALIFY!!! There is at least one scholarship for every person in this room.

A word or two about Scholarships

Many dates are approaching quickly….start researching some of the BEST search sites:

www.chooseyourfuture.orgwww.isac.comwww.whatsnextillinois.orgwww.collegezone.com

Some Extra Special Scholarships

Students who have a social security number AND a 3.3 GPA or higher at the end of their Junior year might win FREE TUITION for LIFE – Apply for the Gates Millennium Scholarship! (You’ll get an invite from us)Questbridge and Possee scholarships provide outstanding opportunities for first generation low income students to attend and afford the best universities in the nation.

More Scholarship Info

Students with a good record of leadership/service might consider the Prudential Spirit Award.

Ms. Flores is ALWAYS e-mailing students with scholarship opportunities – are you on her mailing list?

You’ve Been Scammed!!!!

BE CAREFUL – Scholarship Scams are all around – NEVER, EVER pay for a scholarship search or for college or financial aid (FAFSA) processing assistance…these services are FREE; the paid services make promises…nothing else!

Financial Aid Terms LOANS

College is expensive.Few people can pay for college using only grants, scholarships and work-study.A loan is any money borrowed by a student or a parent to pay for college. It MUST be paid back—but there are some great deals out there.Don’t let your need for a loan keep you away from your dream of attending college! LET’S TALK!!!

So, where do I get HELP!

We are here for you!!!

Who Are My Counselors?

Divisions 301-304Ms. Koivula, Room 110 South

Divisions 305-319Mr. Vonesh, Room 214 North

Divisions 320-330 and Divisions 470-472

Ms. O’Connor, Room 110 North

Who Else is There?

Ms. Flores, College & Career Coach, Room 259

Ms. Miranda, College Advisor, Illinois College Advising Corps, Room

259

Counselors Are Busy!

We will be registering new students every day—all day through September 11We will be registering new students during 1st through 3rd period September 12 through September 14We will NOT BE AVAILABLE for current students until after division September 12 through September 14.YOU CAN complete a note (with your e-mail address) and we will send you a note back!

My parents need help!

Junior and Senior Parent NightSeptember 13, 20126 – 8 PMAuditoriumWorkshops will be in English and Spanish

More information to follow

Senior Class GOALS

#Complete at least six college or vocational school applications by Winter Break 2011. (2 by Halloween, 2 more by Thanksgiving, last 2 by Winter Break).

You’ll find out about College Match in Senior Seminar, AVID and English 4

classes inSeptember/October.

Senior Class GOALS

# Complete FAFSA4Caster and EFC Calculators in October/November

#Complete FAFSA in January/February/March

#Apply for six scholarships by Spring Break 2013.

#Continue to Focus on Good Grades#Don’t worry—we’re here to help!

Computer Labs and College Apps

Computer Lab 259 gives priority to seniors needing postsecondary assistance during lunch periods (Postsecondary means planning for life after high school—such as college)Online College & Financial Aid Center and workshops are available in Room 259 on Tuesdays and Thursdays during 7th, 8th and 9th period.Ms. Flores can be reached at njflores@cps.edu . If she has your e-mail she will be sure to send you LOTS of information about college and scholarships.

What to do if the schools are closed?

IF Chicago Teachers Union actually strikes on September 10, you still need to work toward senior and college goals. Understand that the suburban and private schools – and other schools throughout the nation – will be working on these goals and that deadlines approach even if you are not in school.

What to do if the schools ar closed

You will not be able to be in contact with your teachers.It is strongly suggested that you keep this document and that you try to register and participate in college fairs and other events.

What To Do If the Schools Are Closed

It is also suggested that you research the college application process and, if you feel confident, complete an application or two (essays should always be reviewed by an adult who is a good writer).Finally, go to web sites like www.chooseyourfuture.org or www.whatsnextillinois.org for helpful suggestions on college prep.

WELL, THAT’S IT FOR NOW…

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL VERY SOON – INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A SENIOR CLASS! REMEMBER…..

COLLEGE CHANGES EVERYTHING!!!