PTA President S Message

PTA President’s Message

May, 2015

Happy Spring to all Colerain High School families, friends, teachers, and administrators. I hope you are doing well and looking forward to summer break.

We had an awesome Prom Fashion Show featuring our seniors in March. Many thanks to our Prom Fashion Show Committee for their hard work. We had a fun night with our seniors and had a lot of laughs! The money raised will go to our PTA to help fund our After Prom event.

A big congratulations to our PTA Educator of the Year, Robin Brockhoff. Also, congratulations to Dawn Ostertag for being awarded the PTA Achievement Award and Tiffany Hosley for Ohio PTA Friend of the Children Award. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful people in our building!

Our annual PTA Staff Appreciation Luncheon was held on May, 1st. This is a wonderful event that the staff enjoys and is celebrated for all that they do for our students throughout the school year!

Our After Prom PTA Committee is busy planning this amazing evening. The After Prom will be held on May 10 at Clippard YMCA. The night will be filled with many activities, prizes, snacks and more. Thank you for the support of the senior class and the planning committee.

Enjoy all of your end of the year activities! Have a great summer, GO CARDS!

Shannon Cormican

Colerain High School PTA President [email protected]

WELCOME TO COUNSELORS’ CORNER

Guidance Staff 2014-2015

Meredith Tilow Freshman A-N 741-5015

Kim Bunn Freshman & Sophomores O-Z 741-5067

Tiffany Hosley Sophomores A-N 741-5030

Heather Snyder Juniors 741-5024

Kelly Young Seniors 741-5031

Ron Russo Butler Tech Students 741-5035

Guidance Web Page

Did you know current guidance information is listed on the CHS website? This includes numerous websites, grade specific information, scholarships, visiting colleges, graduation, summer programs and much more. Check us out at www.nwlsd.org. First, click on “Schools”. Then, click on Colerain High School. Go to “Academics”. Lastly, select the “Guidance Department”.

Daily announcements can be viewed at http://chs.nwlsd.org.

Information for All Parents and Students

Attention All Student- Athletes and Parents:

You are reminded that due to OSHAA eligibility requirements you must be scheduled for and passing 5 credits of courses during the school year. It is strongly advised to minimize and/or eliminate study halls in combination with gym classes in order to maintain eligibility. Please do not hesitate to see your counselor, coach or athletic office with questions or concerns. Fourth Quarter Grades and Attendance

We’re at that critical time of the year when warm weather and outside activities tend to interfere with study habits. It is important to encourage students to keep studying and working hard and to keep reasonable weekly schedules. Remind students that credits earned for second semester will determine whether they are promoted to the next grade, and fourth quarter grades determine fall sports eligibility. To earn a credit, students must earn at least a 70% average. Also, any grade of “I” (incomplete) must be made up within two weeks of the last grading period. Parents will need to contact teachers regarding any incompletes.

Students who accumulate more than nine class periods of absence during a semester course, whether consecutive or not, will receive an automatic course failure. Students who accumulate more than eighteen days or eighteen class periods of absences during a year, whether consecutive or not, will receive an automatic course failure. (See p. 14-16 in Student Tracker)

Need Homework Help?

FREE TUTORING at COLERAIN through National Honor Society on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays before and after school in room 352. Before school it is offered from 7:10am – 7:35am, and after school it is offered at 2:45pm – 3:15pm.

College Corner ** New this year!**

The college corner is up and running in the guidance office! The college corner offers information on over a hundred colleges across the country, scholarship information, financial aid information, and information on the ACT/SAT. Feel free to check it out!

Summer School Information

If a student needs to make up a credit in a core class, Summer School will be available. Summer school will be from 6/12/15 – 7/2/15 from 7:30am-11:30am at the Northwest Passage building on Springdale road. The cost will be $125 per course. Registration will be held on June 8-10 at Colerain High School in the guidance office. Please contact your student’s counselor or administrator for more information.

GPA Information

Grade point averages (GPA’s) printed on the report cards are the unweighted quarter grade point average and the unweighted cumulative grade point average. GPA’s are calculated using quarter letter grades only. Final grade averages are not used in the calculating of GPA’s. Weighted GPA’s are used for class rank and National Honor Society purposes only and include the quarter letter grade and the difficulty level of the course. Information on Military Academies and Enlistment

You must be medication free for at least one year to eighteen months to be considered for any branch of the military or any military academy. This is especially important to consider for those students who take medication for ADHD/ADD.

PARENT INFORMATION ON THE SCHEDULING PROCESS

Timeline

February-April

 Counselors review all scheduling requests and adjust as necessary based on student needs and graduation requirements.  Counselors will answer individual questions from students as the schedules are checked.  Teachers will make recommendations for students

 Students will receive a computer print-out of their requested courses to take home to a parent or guardian on April 29th.  Review, sign, and return to your student’s counselor by May 8th.  This is your time to make any changes to the request sheet. It is considered final upon return. Failure to return is considered an acceptance.

August

 Students pick up schedules and report problems with core courses PRIOR to the lst day of school. Electives cannot be changed.  Choose electives carefully. Be sure all pre-requisites have been met.

National Honor Society

Around mid-April, Honor Society applications were given to juniors ranked in the top 10% of the Class of 2014 at the end of Third Quarter. National Honor Society Induction will take place at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 5th, in the Auditorium. Awards Assemblies Coming Soon!

Springtime is full of awards ceremonies. Parents are always welcome to attend these programs and will receive letters of invitation during the month of May. Academic and Presidential Awards of Excellence will be based on the general GPA. Following are some important dates to mark on your calendar.

Honor Society Induction May 5 7:00 p.m.

Senior Honors Night May 21 7:00 p.m.

Undergraduate Awards May 21 8:00 a.m. 9th grade

9:00 a.m. 10th grade

10:00 a.m. 11th grade

NSC Graduation May 22 6:00pm Princeton Pike Church of God

School of the Arts May 26 7:00pm Miami Hamilton Auditorium

DRL May 27 7:00pm Millett Hall, MU (Oxford)

Graduation May 29 7:30 p.m. Millett Hall, MU (Oxford)

More information was sent to senior parents with the third quarter report cards regarding commencement activities.

Honors Display Frames for Sale

The Colerain Guidance Department has partnered with our awesome PTA to offer a glass frame to display your student’s Chenille Academic Letter “C”. These unique frames are currently on sale for $25.00 in the CHS Guidance Department. Please make checks payable to “Colerain PTA”. Feel free to complete the enclosed order form and return with payment to the Colerain Guidance Department. Summer Enrichment Programs

Please check out the guidance web site for information on summer college programs. Information will be posted as it is received. See directions above to access the guidance website.

For Seniors and Their Parents:

o All seniors should check their academic histories (distributed in advisories) to be sure they are scheduled for or have completed all graduation requirements this year. Students who need to make-up courses should see their counselor about options for graduation.

o Caps and Gowns: Parents please check with your child to make sure his/her graduation cap and gown has been ordered. You may call Graduate Services (272-5890) to order a cap, gown, and tassel if you did not place an order in October or visit the guidance department for more information or www.graduateserviceinc.com

o College Applications: Please check deadlines for college applications and allow counselors a minimum of 5 school days to process their records. Please allow teachers 2 weeks for letters of recommendation.

o SCHOLARSHIPS are posted on the CHS link of the district website: www.nwlsd.org. Applications not online are available in the Guidance Office. SENIORS SHOULD TURN COPIES OF ALL SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS (EVEN IF THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED) TO MRS. YOUNG. NOTIFICATIONS THAT WERE RECEIVED FRIDAY, MAY 1st WILL NOT BE LISTED IN THE GRADUATION PROGRAM.

o Many seniors fail to graduate because they fail courses due to attendance; please be sure to provide documentation when absent so this does not become an issue. (See attendance policy on the first page of the Counselor’s Corner)

o Students must have met ALL graduation requirements completed by Wednesday, May 27th at 3:00 to participate in commencement ceremonies. (22 minimum credits, OGT tests passed and all required classes)

o All seniors received the Parent Guide to Senior Activities with their 3rd quarter report card. This has important information, so please read it!

o On April 29th all seniors received the “Student Reminder List for a Successful Graduation Ceremony”. Please review!

o All fees must be have been paid by May 1st @ 3:00 to attend graduation Senior Calendar- Important Dates to Remember 2014-15 Event DATE(S) LOCATION DAY(S) TIME

Senior Cap and Gown Delivery May 8, 2015 CHS Gym Friday 12.00pm

Prom Luncheon May 8, 2015 CHS Gym Friday 12:00pm

CHS Prom May 9, 2015 Newport Aquarium Saturday 8:00pm- midnight

After Prom May 10, 2015 TBA Sunday 12 am- 6 am

Armed Forces Recognition May 14, 2015 Auditorium Thursday 7:00am

Academic Signing May 18, 2015 Auditorium Monday 9:30am

AP Picnic May 18, 2015 Colerain Park Monday 10:30am- 12:30pm

Last Day for Seniors May 21, 2015 Thursday Last Day for Seniors

Yearbook Assembly Signing May 21, 2015 CHS Gym Thursday 1:30 pm

Senior Honors Night May 21, 2015 CHS Auditorium Thursday 7:00 pm

Senior Exams (for those not exempt) May 26,27, 2015 CHS Tuesday/ 10:00- noon Wednesday

Graduation Rehearsal May 28, 2015 CHS Gym Thursday 9:00am

Baccalaureate May 28, 2015 Vineyard Church Wednesday 6:30pm

Graduation May 29, 2015 Millett Hall Friday 7:30 pm

Diploma Pick up May 29, 2015 Millett Hall Friday

Seniors, don’t forget that all fees must be paid before you can purchase tickets to attend Prom. Please see Mrs. Donathan in the Administrative offices if you still need to pay your fees.

Juniors: Your child participated in a College Bound Program on November 6, 2014. Every student was given a College Bound Planner. This book is full of important information that you and your child will use as a resource over the next two years. Please review this book with your child.

For College-Bound Juniors and Their Parents:

 Parents and students need to take time to discuss and visit your college choices. You will want to narrow the list down to three choices so you will be ready to turn in your applications the fall of your senior year.

 Students need to make sure they are keeping their activity list current in advisory. This list should be a part of the official transcript request and used when requesting letters of recommendation.

 Take time to look at the CHS website. There are many sites listed with valuable information on colleges and scholarships. Researching now will save you time, aggravation, and possibly money later.

 All juniors with thoughts of attending college should plan on taking the ACT on June 13th and/or SAT on June 6th . Students can register on line at www.actstudent.org, or www.collegeboard.com, or pick up registration materials in the Guidance Office. When registering, be sure to register for the writing section on the ACT since most colleges are now requiring a writing sample. The materials are completed and mailed to the respective testing company by the student.

Test Dates for Juniors and Seniors:

ACT SAT

Test Date: Registration Test Dates: Registration

Deadline: Deadline:

April 18 March 13 May 2 April 6

June 13 May 8 June 6 May 8

** All juniors planning on going to college are encouraged take the ACT or SAT as soon as possible. Register online at www.actstudent.org and/or www.collegeboard.com or stop by the Guidance Department for a registration packet.

ACT/SAT PREPARATION Free Walk-in ACT/SAT Test Preparation

Mondays 3-5pm and Thursdays 4-6pm

Information Center (Library)

Staffed by Ms. Kristi Patterson

Email : [email protected] with questions

*Please check with the colleges and universities you are considering to see if they require scores directly from ACT or SAT and/or the writing portion.

Important Miscellaneous Information

1. Honors Diploma A list of recipients was sent to advisories on April 29th. Criteria are listed on page 9 of the 2014-15 Course Description book. All Honors Diploma recipients have their name listed in the graduation program..

2. All academic awards are based on grades through Third Quarter. 3. Students unable to attend the Senior Honors Program will pick up their awards at Graduation Practice. Awards WILL NOT be given out before the program on May 21st.

Message to the Class of 2019 – Incoming Freshmen!

Students from WOMS and CMS should have completed freshman year schedule requests and will receive a “Freshman Guide” booklet that will help with the transition to the high school.

Students coming to Colerain from a private school can now enroll. At that time, you will receive information on the different courses offered for freshman and a pamphlet about testing into our honor’s program on June 8th & 9th. After the enrollment process is complete you will receive a call at the beginning of June to meet with the student’s counselor to discuss course requests for the following year.

Remember that eligibility for our sports, clubs, and organizations will be based on 4th quarter grades from the previous year.

Dates to remember:

New Student Orientation Aug 19th 5:00-7:00 pm New students and freshmen will receive their schedule if they attend!

Open House Sept 9th Evening

Have a great summer! We will see you soon!