SENIOR PACKET
2017-2018
REQUIREMENTS
Concerning Baccalaureate, Senior Breakfast, Senior Awards Program, and Graduation
Attire –
Ladies: NAVY or BLACK dress and NAVY or BLACK dress shoes; dress should not be longer than robe; collar should be sewn on robe and worn on all occasions
Gentlemen: WHITE button-down shirt with dark tie, NAVY or BLACK trousers (not jeans), NAVY or BLACK socks, NAVY or BLACK dress shoes NO FLIP FLOPS, TENNIS SHOES, OR JEANS.
Begin planning now to be sure you have the appropriate attire. THOSE NOT DRESSED APPROPRIATELY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE.
Baccalaureate – You must participate in practice to participate in the ceremony.
You will wear your mortar board and robe over your clothing.
Jacksonville First United Methodist church
Practice – Tuesday, May 22, 2018 – 10:00AM
Service – Tuesday, May 22, 2018 – 7:00PM
Seniors should meet Mr. Lavender and Mrs. Chandler at 6:24PM in the MAC.
Senior Breakfast – You will wear the clothes you will have on under your graduation robe. Thursday, May 17, 2018, 8:00AM SENIORS ONLY
Awards Program – Thursday, May 17, 2018. Following your senior breakfast (9:00AM). You will wear your mortarboard and graduation robe over the clothing worn to breakfast. Seniors and their families-- Seniors will be recognized for any scholarship(s) they have been offered for which the counselor has been provided information by the deadline.
At the conclusion of the reception, you will “walk Kitty Stone”.
Graduation – You MUST participate in practice to participate in the ceremony.
Practice –JHS Golden Eagle Stadium - Wednesday, May 23 - 4:00PM
Ceremony - JHS Golden Eagle Stadium
Thursday, May 24, 2018 - 8:00PM
SENIORS ONLY meet in the cafetorium by 7:00PM.
*In case of rain--We have the Pete Mathews Coliseum reserved in case of rain. Should graduation be moved to the coliseum, practice and the ceremony will be scheduled as follows:
Graduation practice at coliseum - Wednesday, May 23, 2:00PM
Graduation ceremony at coliseum - Thursday, May 24, 8:00PM
Be there by 7:00.
BE ON TIME TO PRACTICES AND THE CEREMONIES. SENIORS WHO ARE NOT IN PLACE AT THE SPECIFIED TIME AND/OR NOT DRESSED APPROPRIATELY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE. This is a time you, parents, relatives and your classmates will remember and be proud of the rest of your lives.
Check the JHS website under “Counseling & Career Services” then “News” and “Forms” for important information concerning scholarships, special programs, preview days, admissions counselor visits,...
Important upcoming dates:
College Preview Days:
Mississippi State University
Scholars Recognition Days for seniors who have a composite ACT score of 29 or higher. Events are designed specifically for high achieving seniors to give opportunities to visit academic colleges, chat with current students in small groups, learn about the Shackouls Honors College, and tour campus. This is an invitation-only event. Space is limited and seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact the Office of Admissions & Scholarships if you are interested.
October 16, October 30, and November 27
Registration goes live September 7th at 9:00AM.
Fall Preview Days for juniors and seniors is an Open House style event. $10 per person. Space is limited.
October 9, October 23, November 13
Registration goes live September 7th at 9:00AM.
Jacksonville State University Preview Days
October 14, 2017
March 3, 2018
www.jsu.edu/previewday
To set up campus tours: www.jsu.edu/visit
Accepted student days: Exclusive to those who have been accepted to JSU. Learn what is next for you as an accepted student and connect with the faculty of your academic major.
December 1, 2017
January 19, 2018
February 2, 2018
February 16, 2018
www.jsu.edu/accepted
Tuskegee University 2017 Fall Open House
September 16, 2017 - www.tuskegee.edu/openhouse
See the JHS website for registration information.
Auburn University
To set up campus visits/tours: www.auburn.edu
University of Alabama
University Days:
September 25
October 30
November 10
Register through www.universitydays.ua.edu
Other Events:
National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) is hosting a national college fair on September 17 at the BJCC in Birmingham, AL. The fair will last from 1:00 - 4:00PM. Students must preregister online. See the JHS website for steps to register and additional information.
Admissions Visits to JHS 2017: Check in with your teacher ahead of time; then,
report directly to the lecture room. Unless otherwise announced, these visits will
take place in the lecture room. Be there promptly. Students will NOT be admitted
late.
Troy University - Mr. Ryan Cole - Tuesday, September 5, 7:30AM
University of South Alabama (USA) - Mrs. Jennifer Henderson - Friday, September 8, 7:30AM
Jacksonville State University - Mrs. Laura Findley - Tuesday, September 26, 7:30AM
University of Alabama Huntsville (UAH) - Ms. Ale Pacheco - Monday, October 2, 7:30AM
Auburn University - Mrs. Mary Davis Kennedy - Tuesday, October 3, 8:30AM
Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) - Mr. Shaw Corelius - Tuesday, October 17, 8:30AM
University of West Alabama (UWA) - Mr. James Gray - Tuesday, October 24, 8:30AM
Jacksonville State University - Mrs. Laura Findley
Friday, November 17 - 7:30 - WILL MEET WITH ONLY THOSE SENIORS WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED TO JSU.
Thursday, January 11 - 7:30 - WILL MEET WITH ONLY THOSE SENIORS WHO HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BEFORE THE SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE.
Gadsden State Community College - A representative of GSCC (Mrs. Tonya Douthitt) will be scheduled to meet with all senior English classes to assist all seniors with making application to GSCC. It is strongly suggested all seniors take advantage of this opportunity. This provides each of you an opportunity to experience completing an application. It also assures you have made application to GSCC should you decide to attend there at the last minute or take summer courses to transfer to your school of choice in the fall. Students will need Chromebooks and driver’s licenses in class on this date. There is no charge for applying to GSCC.
Our GSCC representative will return to senior English classes on October 4 to provide you with information concerning the FAFSA and assist you with applying for financial aid.
Seniors will be notified of any additional college admissions visits through morning announcements.
Seniors interested in attending college admissions sessions should research the visiting school. You should come prepared with general knowledge of the school and with questions for which you may want answers.
Any senior interested in taking the ASVAB must sign up with me by Thursday, October 12, 2017. Permission forms must be returned by this date.
The ASVAB will be given on Thursday, October 19, 2017. Students registered to take the exam should check in with your first period teacher; then, report to the lecture room. Be in the lecture room by 7:30AM. Be sure to discuss your plans to take the ASVAB with your parents and return the required permission form by the deadline.
SCHOOL-RELATED FEES are due Friday, April 27, 2018. These are any outstanding fees for lost/damaged books, class fees,…This is NOT related to Senior Graduation Fees.
SENIOR CREDIT RECOVERY deadline is Friday, May 4, 2018. Seniors must have all credit recovery completed by this date to participate in the graduation ceremony.
JOSTENS
All seniors have a required Senior Fee which covers your cap, tassel, gown, diploma,… for graduation. You should budget approximately $90.00 for this fee. If you order additional items (invitations, shirts, memory books,…) your fee will increase depending on what you order.
Your Senior Fee is paid to JOSTENS. Jostens will assist you with sizing and ordering of your cap, tassel, gown.
Jostens contact information: (205)985-0150
SENIOR MEETING
Friday, September 29 - 8:30 - Lecture Room
Jostens will be here to provide you with information concerning graduation announcements and other “extras”.
Order Announcements/”Extras” - Friday, October 6 during lunch
Jostens will be in the cafetorium to take orders for graduation announcements and “extras”. You will pay at this time.
CAP AND GOWN INFORMATIONAL MEETING - Friday, January 12, 8:30 - Lecture Room
Jostens will provide you with information relating to ordering your senior cap and gown.
ORDER/PAY FOR CAP AND GOWN - Tuesday, February 6 - Order cap and gown during lunch this day. You will pay for your cap and gown at the time of ordering.
Scholarship information available at this time: (Listen to announcements and check our website for additional information.) There is NO MAGIC TRICK to getting scholarships. It takes hard work, digging for information, being organized, and applying on YOUR part.
Elks Lodge Scholarship – applications are available online via their website - www.elks.org - Click on “Our Programs” to see scholarships.
US Senate Youth/William Randolph Hearst Scholarship Exam - sign up to take exam with Mrs. Stallings
These scholarship searches have been suggested by colleges or financial institutions:
Fastweb
SRN Express
Broke Scholar
College Board
The Princeton Review
College Answer
wellsfargo.com/collegesteps
tuitionfundingsources.com - A database with more than 7 million scholarships totaling more than $41 billion to help pay for college.
Mrs. Cindy Turner, Calhoun County Career Coach, will be here on Mondays. She will be available to assist seniors with college applications, scholarship searches/applications, career searches, job shadowing,... She will be in the JHS media center. Seniors should email her ahead of time so she brings the appropriate materials. Her email is .
Financial Aid – Financial need is based on information you and your parents provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA is available online at fafsa.ed.gov. The FAFSA is available beginning October 1 of your senior year and requires information from your parents’ 2016 W-2 Forms.
Be sure to inform colleges to which you are applying that you have also applied for financial aid.
Some scholarship applications require that you apply for financial aid.
Check college websites under Financial Aid and/or Scholarships for any additional information specific to colleges in which you are interested.
POINTS TO REMEMBER DURING YOUR SENIOR YEAR
Compare the colleges on your list. Have you weighed pros and cons carefully? Which colleges will meet your needs?
Continue visiting colleges. Organize your information into detailed, useful comparisons. WRITE YOUR RESUME.
After selecting your top three schools begin to fill out the applications. Some are lengthy and involve a great deal of time and thought. If you send your application online, be sure to follow up with sending the other required materials (application fee, transcript, ACT/SAT scores,…). Verify that the college received your application.
OBSERVE DEADLINES!!!!!!!!!
TRANSCRIPTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Request transcripts through the office. You must complete one “Transcript Release Form” for each transcript you are requesting. A minimum two-week notice is required for transcripts. The first three transcripts are free. Each additional transcript is $5.00. BE SURE TO INCLUDE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION ON THE TRANSCRIPT FORM (your name and DOB, the institution/organization to which the transcript is to be mailed, the address to which the transcript is to be mailed,…). I will calculate an unofficial GPA to be included.
Secure your letters of recommendation. Provide stamped, pre-addressed envelopes if letters aren’t to be returned to you. Also provide each person with a copy of your resume’. Give at least a two-week notice to anyone writing a letter of recommendation for you. Recommendations are required for many scholarships.
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO ASK YOUR FACULTY TO WRITE A LETTER FOR YOU. Remember, they are doing YOU a favor. Don’t forget to say, “Thank you.”
Counselor Recommendation Forms – It is your responsibility to be aware of requirements for these forms. Students are to bring Counselor Recommendation Forms to the counselor at least two weeks prior to the date required.
Counselor contact information for forms:
Ms. Marcia Stallings, 256-782-8853,
Make sure you have completed all required student information on any and all forms you bring to faculty members to complete.
MOST OF THE SCHOLARSHIPS COME UNDER THE COLLEGES’ FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIP OFFICES. However, all scholarship information I receive will be announced and added to the JHS website under “Counseling & Career Services” then “News”. Directions will be provided through announcements and on our website as to how to pursue these scholarships. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PURSUE SCHOLARSHIPS and to check weekly for scholarship updates.
Some colleges mail scholarship information directly to students after their application has been accepted. It is important to mail your application by the college deadline in the event your college choice mails the scholarship information directly to the student and not to the counselor.
LET YOUR COUNSELOR KNOW ABOUT ALL SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS YOU RECEIVE. Even if you don’t accept all offers, let me know what has been offered to you. I will make a copy of offers for our awards program.
LET YOUR COUNSELOR KNOW WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AND WHERE YOU WILL ATTEND.
FINAL TRANSCRIPTS
After graduation, your FINAL TRANSCRIPT must be mailed directly to your choice college before you will be allowed to attend classes in the fall. These are mailed the day after graduation.
Late spring, you will sign a FINAL TRANSCRIPT RELEASE FORM for me. This lets me know where to send your final transcript once you have graduated. If you do not complete and return that form, your final transcript will not be sent.
FINAL TRANSCRIPTS AND DUAL ENROLLMENT STUDENTS
In order for JSU and/or GSCC to send your college transcript to the college you will attend, you must be closed out on their end. You must have us send your final JHS transcript to them. Once they have received your JHS transcript, you may then request that JSU and/or GSCC send your college transcript to the college you will attend.
STUDENT ATHLETES -- NCAA Clearinghouse/Eligibility Center– Be sure you have applied online early senior year, if you didn’t apply junior year. When you apply, you are to print the NCAA Transcript Release forms (two of them) and bring them to me. I will take care of your NCAA transcripts from that point.
*Colleges/Universities may rescind scholarship offers to students who take courses over the summer after graduation. Do not take any chances. Before you take any summer course(s), verify with the college/university as to whether or not it will change scholarship offers.