2010-2011 JUNIORS
Summer Newsletter, Class of 2012

Mr. Welch, Junior Counselor / twelch@fvlhs.org  Ph. 920.560.5112

 

WIAA TRANSFER RULE

An electronic copy of this newsletter is available on the main page of the Guidance link in the FVL web site (www.fvlhs.org).

WOW!  In one year from September, you will send your college application(s)!  Are you ready?  Maybe it’s time to do some assessing:

·         If you haven’t chosen a major yet, now is a good time to start. Review the courses you’ve taken and pick your favorites. Explore related career options by visiting Appleton's Career Connection or FVL's Career Center.

  • If you’ve chosen a major, consult with your academic department regarding requirements for completing on time. Also ask about additional projects and cocurriculars that can improve your resume when you graduate.

·         Need career guidance?  Check with teachers, employers and FVL's Career Center to find a mentor to help you.

·         Job Shadow (materials in Guidance)

Next Year's Schedule    A tentative class schedule for next year is attached to this newsletter.  Please see me soon if there are changes you would like to make.  NOTE: Please avoid requesting a schedule change simply to be in a class with friends.  Though counselors strive to meet students' requests, some sections may be too full to accommodate a change.  Over the summer, a change may occur in your schedule as we try to even out the numbers in sections of some courses or because of a failed course that needs to be retaken.

 

Summer School  Are you going to pass all your courses?  I hope so, too.  If you think you may need to re-take a course (especially in math or English), perhaps summer school is your best option.  If you pass the summer course, you'll earn non-GPA credit.  Or you may take an enrichment course.  Please see me as soon as possible for information.  See the Fox Valley Summer School Consortium link (www.aasd.k12.wi.us/sumschool) for start and end dates.  Class hours are usually from 7:40-11:45 a.m. daily.  Please check the Guidance office for details or the website.  Go to www.fvlhs.org, click on “Guidance” then “Summer School and Other Coursework.”  Registration deadlines, and class dates and times vary among school districts.  Attendance is mandatory for receiving credit.

 

Cocurricular Ineligibility Alert    If you receive a Cocurricular Ineligibility Alert form with your report card, follow the instructions carefully and meet all deadlines.  This is especially important if you are involved with cocurricular activities after semester two ends through the first weeks of school next fall.  Ineligibility status determined from Semester 2 final grades continues until Wednesday, October 6, when the Academic Committee for Eligibility (ACE) meets to discuss appeals from Midterm 1 grades next fall.  An FAQ sheet regarding academic eligibility for cocurricular activities is attached to this newsletter.

 

Final Exam Suggestions:

  1. Ask your teacher what will be covered, what type of test will be given (essay, fill in the blank, etc.), how much the final exam will count toward your grade.
  2. Set aside time in your schedule for review and begin reviewing regularly as soon as possible.
  3. Anticipate the most likely questions to be asked. Ask yourself, “If I were the teacher, what would I want my students to remember?”
  4. Form a study group with a friend or two.
  5. Look up FVL’s website on the Internet, look at Guidance and from there “Study Skills.”

Day of Exam:

·   Pray.  Prayer will not make Dallas the capitol of Wisconsin, but it would certainly be fitting to ask the Lord to help you use your gifts to the best of your ability.  Ask that your test results accurately reflect the amount of effort you've put in over the course of the semester.

·   Get a normal amount of sleep the night before exams and eat a nutritious breakfast.

·   Good preparation -  Bring along books or notes for your next exam. If one exam is finished early, use the "extra" time for review.

·   Do a quick 15-minute review before the test if possible.

·   Try to answer all questions.  Normally you should have adequate time to finish.  Don't spend too much time on a difficult question.  If you don't know an answer, circle the number of the question and come back to it later if there's time.

·   Find out from the teacher when you can get your grade if you are anxious to know before the report card is issued.  A self-addressed post card given to your teacher and made out to you for grade and comments is a good idea.

Incomplete Work - Grade of  “INC”  or  “F”    If you are unable to complete the requirements of a course and your teacher gives you a grade of INC, you must take care of this matter as soon as possible. A deadline of June 11 has been set for completing class requirements. On this date, all INCOMPLETES become a permanent F.  An “F” is a serious matter.  If the course is English, science, math, religion, or social studies, arrangements for retaking the course or summer school may need to be made.

 

Report Card    When the report card is received in early June, check it over carefully. If you have a question concerning it, contact the teacher or call your counselor at school (mornings are best).  Report cards will be mailed on June .

 

Honor Roll and Ranks    The honor roll for second semester will be posted mid-June. Your class rank will also be available around the same time.  Incomplete grades hold up this process. Honor roll certificates can be picked up in the front office during the summer. 

 

Ineligibility Status   If you receive a Cocurricular Ineligibility Alert with your report card, follow the instructions carefully.  Ineligibility status determined from Semester 2 final grades continues until Wednesday, October 8, when the Academic Committee for Eligibility (ACE) meets to discuss appeals from Midterm 1.  An FAQ sheet regarding academic eligibility for cocurricular activities is attached to this newsletter.

 

Summer “Hours” for Mr. Welch

I will be at school almost daily throughout the summer.  Though mornings are best, please leave a voicemail or e-mail if you’d like a response.  Please leave contact information if you want a reply.  Walk-ins will likely not provide you the results you desire.

 

Careers    Much information is in the Guidance Career Center.  Prayerfully consider becoming a pastor or teacher.  You may want to discuss this opportunity with one of your teachers or your pastor, and find out about their experiences.  It's never too early to start planning for a future career. 

 

Interest Tests    It’s never too soon to start planning for a future career. If you are unsure about what career you might want to consider, you might wish to stop in Guidance and take a Career/Interest Inventory on the computer system in Guidance, or visit the Career Connection www.career-connection.com at 1401 McMahon Dr., Neenah, WI 54956.

 

Suggestions for Summer Study  Do some leisure reading (yeah, right).  Build your vocabulary and reading skills. Diversify your reading (e.g., newsmagazines, newspapers, novels, and classics). Use your library card. If you took a foreign language this year, talk you your teacher about taking your book home for the summer to review periodically. Ask your English teacher for a recommended reading list. Are you concerned about a tough math or science course you will be taking next year? Ask teachers in those areas what you can do to prepare for those courses.

 

Part-time Jobs    Check out the Job Bulletin Board in back hall of the Guidance area. New jobs are posted as we receive information from employers.

 

August All-School Orientation    Remember August 26, is the date for All-School Orientation.  Later more information will be sent to you regarding plans for that day.

 

Have a great summer!!            Mr. Welch