ROSE TREE MEDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT PENNCREST HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR NEWSLETTER November 2016

CALENDAR 3&5 JV Show, 7:00 PM 7-8 Inservice – NO SCHOOL for students – VOTE! 9 Picture retakes 9 National English Honor Society Induction 7:00 PM 11 End of 1st Marking Period 14 Band Concert 7:00 PM 15 Powder Puff Football 7:00 PM 16 National Honor Society Induction 7:00 PM 18 Winter Sports Organization Meeting 19 Band Holiday Craft Show, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 19-21 Camp Tockwogh Leadership Retreat 21 Report Cards available on HAC 21 Club Photos 2:30 PM 24-25 Thanksgiving Holiday – NO SCHOOL Dec. 3 SAT’s 7:30 AM 8 String Ensemble Concert 7:00 PM . 10 ACT’s 7:45 AM

PSAT/NMSQT - Thanks for your cooperation. Expect to learn the results of your performance in mid December. At that time, your scores will be available online only through Collegeboard. In January, you will receive a report with your scores in Critical Reading, Math, and Writing skills, be told the correct response for each question, and have your own test booklet returned. Don’t just look at the scores. Use the entire test as a learning tool. In mid January, the entire junior class will attend an assembly that will explain your PSAT results and share important information regarding the timing of the upcoming SAT season. Listen for an announcement in January.

SAT IMPROVEMENT COURSES - SAT/ACT Prep is something that almost every junior should consider in some form or another. Here are some options for you to investigate: Kaplan Test Prep: Penncrest partners with Kaplan for SAT Test Prep. Classes are offered throughout the year. The next course will begin in early February to prepare students to take the March 11th test offered at Penncrest. The final course for this school year will begin in May in preparation for the June 3rd SAT. Kaplan also provides all Penncrest students with FREE SAT Prep On Demand. To register for this free service, register at kaplanatschool.com/penncrest.

The Khan Academy has partnered with The College Board to provide free SAT prep. Simply log into your College Board Account and click on the link to The Khan Academy. Your PSAT conintued scores will be released from College Board and the Khan Academy will generate a program tailored to your strengths and weaknesses.

The Penncrest Guidance Department maintains a list of local tutors if you would like to work with someone one on one. Please visit the Guidance Website at http://www.rtmsd.org/Page/19643

FIRST QUARTER GRADES - The first marking period officially ends November 11th when your achievement will be formally evaluated. The grades you receive will reflect your performance in each subject. In most instances, a low grade is the result of a lack of application rather than a lack of ability. You should know why your grades are what they are. Try to earn the best grades possible in this final, full year prior to college application. It’s much easier for us to write a letter of recommendation for a senior who had honor roll caliber grades than it is to write for a student with “D’s” and “E’s”.

WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS - Colleges seek an intelligent, interesting, diverse, and creative student body. When admissions counselors view the records of applicants, they seek reasonable grades in a variety of courses. They treasure high achievement. They openly recruit and encourage the best students they find to apply to their schools. They become very selective when there exists many more applicants than there are openings. In some instances, even students with excellent high school records are denied admission. On the other hand, when applications are at a minimum, the quality of students admitted is lower. In either case, high school grades in traditional academic courses are still considered the best predictor of success in college.

VISITING A COLLEGE – Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to be excused from school to visit a college campus. Students must turn in the paperwork at least one day prior to the visit and obtain official documentation from the college’s admissions office verifying their visit and submit this information when returning to Penncrest. Remember, you are responsible for all missed work!

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES - College representatives are visiting Penncrest almost daily to speak with interested students. Don’t miss learning about the institution of your choice. Expect to hear about programs of study, housing, the student body, requirements for acceptance, admissions procedures, as well as other topics. A good number of juniors are taking advantage of this service, but not all. All juniors planning to continue their education should be.

To see what college representatives will be visiting Penncrest, go to your Naviance account, under the “Colleges” tab, to see a complete list. You must sign up for all visits online. Please print your email confirmation to use as a pass out of class.

Mr. Harple Mrs. Rice-Spring Ms. Kerr Mrs. Douglass-Garrett Mrs. Graham