JUNIOR NEWSLETTER
From Mr. Clark & Mrs. Kittleson, Guidance Counselors
August 24, 2015
Dear Junior:
On Wednesday, October 14, beginning at 8:05 a.m., we will give the PSAT Test. This test will be held at the high school in the library. The cost is $15.00 and is due when you sign up in the Guidance Office by Wednesday, October 7, 2015. Also, please pick up the study guide in the Guidance Office, which will assist you in preparing for the test.
The PSAT/NMSQT is a 2 hour 45 minute test that measures critical reading, math problem solving, and writing skills developed over many years, both in and out of school. You won't have to recall facts from literature, history, or science, as this test measures your reasoning and critical thinking skills. There are 47 critical reading questions, 48 math questions, and 44 writing and language questions.
Reasons for Taking the Test:
1. The PSAT/NMSQT lets you compare your ability to do college work with the ability of other college-bound students. After the test you will receive a Report of Student Answers and a test book so you can review your performance.
2. The PSAT/NMSQT gives you practice for taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) because the questions and scores are similar. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT helps you plan for college. You can get an idea of how you will do on a college admissions test and can find colleges that seek students like you.
3. Taking the PSAT/NMSQT is the first step in entering the scholarship programs conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition that began in 1955. It is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit organization that operates without government funding.
The 2015 PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for the entry in to the 2017 Merit Program. Of the approximately 3 million students who will take the PSAT/NMSQT in 2015, more than 1.4 million are expected to meet entry requirements for participation in the 2016 Merit Program. This competition will span about 18 months—from the time of entry in October 2015 until the spring of 2017 when scholarships for college undergraduate study are awarded.
Some 50,000 participants with very high Selection Index scores will qualify for Merit Program recognition. NMSC will invite approximately 16,000 of the top performers in this group to continue in the competition for about 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards by submitting academic and other information.
Merit scholarships awards offered in 2017 will be supported by some 500 independent sponsors and by NMSC’s own funds. Sponsor organizations include corporations and businesses, company foundations, professional associations, and college and universities. In addition to Merit Scholarship awards, approximately 1,500 other awards called Special Scholarships, financed by corporate and business sponsors will be offered through Merit program.
4. Through the PSAT/NMSQT you can get mail from colleges and universities that are interested in students like you. The Student Search Service enables colleges to send you information if you want to receive it.
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Wisconsin Education Fair
The Wisconsin Education Fair is at Sun Prairie High School, on October 1, 2015, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This program will have nearly 100 post-secondary institutions represented, both in and out of state. These representatives of community colleges, the State University System, universities and colleges, both public and private, vocational, technical and adult education institutions, trade schools and the military will provide specific information about a variety of education opportunities. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from this activity.
National College Fair
The National College Fair will be held, Sunday, September 27, 2015 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. This college fair provides the opportunity to meet with numerous out-of-state colleges. It will be in Milwaukee at the Wisconsin Center (formerly the Delta Center).
ASVAB (Military Test)
The military sponsors a free, standardized multiple-choice test entitled ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). The test will be offered on November 12, 2015 during periods 1-4, please sign up by November 6, 2015 in the Student Service Office. The series of tests measures your aptitude in five separate career areas. It may be useful for your own general information as well as relating your aptitudes to various military career opportunities.
ACT/SAT
If you are planning to attend college, the best indication of how well you will do in college is a measure of how well you can perform the skills necessary for college course work. The ACT Assessment - you and your classmates probably call it simply “the ACT” - measures these skills in English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. These areas are tested because they include the major areas of instruction in most high school and college programs. It is important to take at least one ACT exam. However, we are encouraging you to take multiple exams because your scores may improve. The results from the test will be used for admissions purposes next fall when you apply to prospective schools, including many programs at Madison College. If you are planning on taking the first ACT, you must register by September 18, 2015 for the October 24, 2015 test. Please stop in the Student Services Office and we will help you with the registration process or go to www.actstudent.org.
Students may register for one of two Test Options: the ACT Assessment, or the ACT Assessment Plus Writing, which includes a 30-minute Writing Test for an additional fee. The ACT Writing Test complements the ACT English Test. The combined results from both tests provide information about your understanding of the conventions of standard written English and your ability to produce a direct sample of your writing. Taking the ACT Assessment Plus Writing will provide you with two additional scores: a Writing Test subscore and a Combined English/Writing score. Taking the Writing Test does not affect your subject area scores on the ACT Assessment or your Composite score.
Not all institutions require or recommend taking the ACT Writing Test. Please check directly with the institutions you are considering to find out their requirements, or ask your high school counselor which Test Option you should take.
ACT TEST DATES REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Test Date Registration Deadline (Late Fee Required)
October 24, 2015 September 18, 2015 September 19 – October 2, 2015
December 12, 2015 November 6, 2015 November 7 – 20, 2015
February 6, 2016 January 8, 2016 January 9 – 15, 2016
April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016 March 5-18, 2016
June 11, 2016 May 6, 2016 May 7 – 20, 2016
Optional ACT prep classes and/or practice tests will be available at Mount Horeb High School and Verona High School throughout the school year. Also, go to www.actstudent.org for more information.
SAT TEST DATES REGISTRATION DEADLINES
October 3, 2015 September 4, 2015
November 7, 2015 October 9, 2015
December 5, 2015 November 5, 2015
January 23, 2016 December 28, 2015
March 5, 2016 February 5, 2016
May 7, 2016 April 8, 2016
June 4, 2016 May 4, 2016
Very few Midwest schools require the SAT exam. However, it is a common admissions exam for colleges on the East and West coasts. Please go to www.collegeboard.com for registration and more information.
ACT/SAT Prep Books
We have a number of test prep books available for students to check out in the library and the Students Services Office. Many of these books provide test-taking strategies, along with valuable practice tests. Check out sample questions for the ACT at www.ACTStudent.org or visit www.collegeboard.com for SAT information.
University Representatives
Throughout the school year, university representatives will be visiting Mount Horeb High School. You may get a pass from the Guidance Office in order to meet with the individuals of your choice. Listen for announcements for upcoming university representatives that will be visiting.
Career Center
The Career Center, located in the Student Services Office, provides a wealth of information on planning for life after high school. The Career Center allows students to research many aspects of the “real world”: career interests; employment opportunities; colleges, universities, and technical schools; skilled trade apprenticeships; and military careers.
The Career Center contains three computer workstations, handbooks and materials on colleges and universities, career and school videos, career texts, scholarship and financial-aid information; and many other useful resources.
Internet access on the Career Center’s workstations allows students to expand their research (schools, careers, scholarships, etc.) to the World Wide Web. There are recommended Internet sites posted above computers for assistance on career and post-secondary planning. Additionally, students are now able to access the Career Cruising Website online. (For more information, see the Career Cruising article later in this newsletter.)
Students are welcome to visit the Career Center provided they have obtained a pass from the Student Services Office. Additional information about the Career Center can be obtained from either Mrs. Kittleson or Mr. Clark in the Student Services Office.
Career Planning Software at MHHS
Login to Your Future
Tired of hearing the question, “What are you going to do after high school?” To help you answer this question, Mount Horeb Area High School has purchased the online career program titled Career Cruising. It has tools to assist you in making informed decisions about your future career and education.
Have a GREAT Junior Year!!
Mr. Clark & Mrs. Kittleson
MOUNT HOREB AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
YOUTH OPTIONS PROGRAM
POLICY #343.42
The Board of Education shall administer the Youth Options Program in accordance with state law and regulations. The High School Principal shall be responsible for administering the Youth Options Program.
High school students in the district may participate in the Youth Options Program. Enrollment in the program will be limited to eighteen (18) postsecondary credits. Students interested in participating shall inform the Board of Education of their intention to take post-secondary courses under this program, prior to enrollment in the course(s) and within designated timelines.
Technical College
Upon the student's request and with the written approval of the student's parent/guardian, any student who satisfies the following criteria may apply to attend a technical college under the Youth Options Program for the purpose of taking one or more courses:
1. The student has completed the tenth grade;
The student is in good academic standing;
The student has an acceptable disciplinary record;
The student notifies the Board of Education of his/her intent to attend a technical college in accordance with the timelines established in state law;
The student notifies the Board of Education if he/she is admitted to the technical college and notifies the Board of Education if he/she is registered to attend a post-secondary course.
University
Any eleventh or twelfth grade student who is not attending a technical college under the Youth Options Program may apply to attend a participating institution of higher education under the Youth Options Program for the purpose of taking one or more nonsectarian courses in accordance with state law. If a student applies for a course at a private participating institution of higher education and a similar course is offered at a public participating institution of higher education, the district’s financial responsibility will be limited to the tuition cost imposed by the public participating institution of higher education. The Board of Education shall determine whether the institution of higher education course(s) is comparable to a course offered in the district, whether it satisfies any graduation requirements and what, if any, high school credits are to be awarded to the student. If a student is not satisfied with the Board of Education’s decisions, he/she may appeal to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
When a student gains 12th grade status, as determined by the Board of Education (Policy #345.41), the student may participate in the Youth Options Program under this policy for no more than 2 consecutive semesters.
A student must pay for all incidental fees (parking permits, etc.) and for equipment, tools and supplies that will become the property of the student upon completion of the course.
The Board of Education is not responsible for transporting students to or from MATC or institutions of higher education under this program.
If a pupil receives a failing grade in a course or fails to complete the course at an institution of higher education or technical college for which the Board of Education has made payment, the pupil’ s parent or guardian, or the pupil if he or she is an adult, shall be required to reimburse the Board of Education the amount paid on the pupil’s behalf to the school district.
MOUNT HOREB AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
YOUTH OPTIONS GUIDELINES FOR TECHNICAL COLLEGES
POLICY #343.42
APPENDIX A
1. By March 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester, students must notify the Board of Education of their intention to participate in the Youth Options Program. The application for participation must arrive in the office of the High School Principal by the deadline dates. Exceptions to the deadline dates will be granted only when courses offered by Mt. Horeb High School during the January sign-up period are dropped after the March 1 Youth Options Program application date. A separate application must be processed for each semester that a student applies to participate in the Youth Options Program. Applications may be obtained in the guidance office of the high school.
2. List all courses for which you intend to apply.
3. You may list alternative courses in priority order on the reverse side of the application. These courses may be taken if your first choice is not available due to schedule changes by the schools or conflicts with your high school class schedule. A course might not be available because MATC does not offer it in the fall semester or drops the course because of low enrollment. The High School will work down the list of alternate courses to try to develop a schedule that allows students to meet all of their course requirements at the High School.