JMHS Student Services
Gambarelli's Counseling Newsletter
Friday, May 4, 2012
Hi Everyone!
Next Year’s Courses: You will soon receive a list of the courses your student has requested for the 2012-13 school year. This is NOT a class schedule, merely a list of the courses for which they signed up. If you have any questions, please contact your counselor. Going forward, course requests will be changed on a space available basis only. Classes are very tight, which makes it much more difficult to change a class after the students get their schedules. Please remember that it is our expectation that all Honors and AP classes not be dropped once the academic year starts.
Facebook: Madison Counseling & Student Services has posted several tidbits on our Facebook page to help keep students and parents informed about upcoming events, reminders and student services information. Click here to view our page (you don’t need to be a Facebook member to view our postings.) However, if you are a member, please choose to “LIKE” us and “SHARE” this page.
Family Connection: This is a powerful internet-based guidance program that can help you with all aspects of the college search process, let your student search for career information, and work on their resume. It is a tool the counselors use extensively, and soon you will be able to login yourself (Currently, you can access it through your student’s login). However, if you haven’t done so already, you need to come in to register.
Summer School 2012: The only “new” courses (ones that students have never taken before) available through FCPS will be those of the online variety. Other “new” courses may also be taken through private institutions, but those courses must be pre-approved by your counselor first. Please refer to the FCPS summer school site by clicking here for more information.
PTSA parent night- College essays and recommendations demystified
You are invited to a PTSA & Counseling Department-sponsored education Program on May 23, 2012 @ 7:00pm in Warhawk Hall.
College recommendations and essays are the most important “non data” pieces of a student’s college application. Several of our counselors will present ideas on how to help your student put together a strong personal essay and information on successful college recommendations.
Advanced Placement (AP) News
Advanced Placement tests will begin next week. Please remember that students are expected to take the exam on the date and time that it is offered. Make-ups are offered ONLY for verified student illness (doctor’s note required) or emergency. Failure to take the AP test will result in the removal of the 1.0 grade addition that the students get for taking an AP class.
Madison's AP exam schedule is available here.
We are asking that you not allow your student to check-in late or check-out early during AP exams unless they are truly sick or there is a family emergency.
A.P. Proctors Needed! How would you like to help us proctor an A.P. exam this year? We are in need of parents who would like to volunteer a morning or afternoon in early May to help us administer an AP exam. No experience needed. The actual dates are May 7 to May 17. The A.M slots would be from 7:00-11:30 and the PM slots would be from 11:30am-4:00pm. Please contact Kris Pachla at kpachla@fcps.edu if you would like to help us.
Junior News
The College Search Process: Juniors should continue to research colleges throughout the spring as well as plan to visit some colleges (Spring break would be a good time to do this.) We invite you to have an individual meeting with your student’s counselor to discuss their specific college plans. We feel this is a very important piece of the college search process, as it usually “jump starts” the process, as well as reviewing your student’s overall progress. Please contact your student’s counselor to set up this appointment.
Colleges That Change Lives Event will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2012, with sessions at 11:00am and 3:00pm at the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel/Conference Center in Bethesda, MD. This is a great chance to explore some remarkable schools.
Senior News
Graduation will be at Robinson Secondary School's Field House on Friday, June 15, 2012, at 4:30p.m.
Directions will soon be available online.
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Seniors are to report by 3:00pm to their assigned locations at Robinson Secondary School. Purses, cameras, sunglasses, keys, etc. will not be allowed as there is no secure place to store them during the ceremony.
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The ceremony will begin at 4:30pm in the Field House; be mindful of traffic issues.
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Parents, ask your son or daughter after rehearsal to find out which side of the field house he/she enters. This may help you decide on which side of the field house to sit.
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Graduation tickets (6 per student) will be distributed to students on June 14. Requests for up to 4 additional tickets must be made in writing to Ms. Hendelman at jhendelman@fcps.edu in the Madison Counseling Office by June 8.
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Handicap seating is available in the field house and is marked accordingly. It is first-come, first- serve seating. The bottom rows of bleachers are marked as handicap seats and there are sections on the floor for the handicap guest(s). Please respect these areas for only those who are handicap. IF necessary, one adult may sit with the handicap guest(s).
Baccalaureate: Sponsored by the PTSA for the Class of 2012 will be held on Thursday, June 14, 2012, at 6:00 p.m. at Vienna Presbyterian Church. It is an interfaith service of thanksgiving, reflection, celebration, and inspiration. Sponsored by the PTSA, attendance is voluntary. Seniors arrive at 5:30 p.m. Please wear your graduation gown, but not the cap. Graduates will then process in.
PTSA Making a Difference Scholarship is available for students. Application is available online and in Family Connection. Completed application is due to the Career Center by Friday, May 11.
