McAdory High School Guidance and Counseling Department 

McAdory CEEB Code:  011-730 

Emergency change:  Band may no longer be a substitute for PE !!!  Seniors 2008 who took band as Freshmen are the last class to be exempt from PE. 

McAdory’s counselors and staff provide a comprehensive guidance and counseling program and are committed to helping students develop academically, socially, emotionally, and in career knowledge and skills.  The Staff includes: 

Regina Turner – 11th and 12th Grade Counselor as well as College and Career Counselor  

Dee Howard – 9th and 10th Grade Counselor as well as High School Building Test Coordinator 

Leigh Ann Henneke (works Tuesdays, Thursdays, and every other Monday) – 8th Grade Counselor 

Casey Ritchey – 6th and 7th grade Counselor as well as Middle School Building Test Coordinator 

Kathy Solowes – Guidance Secretary (Requests records, mails transcripts, etc.) 

Each counselor targets their assigned grade level, however, when it comes to emergencies or a crisis please know that each counselor is available to assist any student or family. 

Transcript checks: In the fall semester the high school counselors are meeting with students to review transcripts and go over diploma checklists to verify that students are on target to graduate with the desired diploma at the desired time.  Several issues will be cleared up at this time.  A copy of the diploma check list will be home to be used for the 2009-2010 course selection process in February 2009. 

Freshman: will have a meeting to review graduation requirements, explained career Technical endorsements, explained information about the Graduation Exam, and talked to them about GPAs and the college entrance exams discussed below. NOTE: The Freshmen will be bringing a violet pamphlet home from the Alabama State Department of Education.  Please read, discuss, sign, and return it ASAP.  THANKS!!! 

ACT and/or SAT: These are college entrance exams that must be taken to enter most 2-year and 4-year post-secondary programs.  They should be taken during spring of the Junior year and should be taken a MINIMUM of TWO (2) times.  You may register on line at www.actstudent.org or www.collegeboard.com.  You will need McAdory’s code  --  011-730. 

Register NOW to take the ACT:

www.actstudent.org

2008 – 2009 ACT Test Dates

Test Date Registration Deadline

February 7, 2009** January 6, 2009

April 4, 2009 February 27, 2009

June 13, 2009 May 8, 2009 

Next AHSGE March 6-13 Subjects TBA

FINANCIAL AIDE FOR COLLEGE AND POST-SECONDARY PLANS: Most 2-year and 4year colleges will require you to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA).  This is done beginning in January of the Senior year.  Even Scholarships are funneled through this “account” so everyone should fill one out.  NOTE:  IT IS FREE!!! It does take some time, but do not get tricked into paying someone to fill it out for you.  You will still have to provide all of the information some way or another.  You may go ahead and apply for the Pin now.  The parent/guardian And the student must BOTH have separate PIN numbers in order to electronically sign the FAFSA.  You can register for the PIN at www.pin.ed.gov  The FAFSA can be filled out in January at www.fafsa.ed.gov  You will need your tax info for this. 

DUTIES: The counselors have a state mandated curriculum established by the National School Counseling Association.  You may view it by going to the Alabama State Department of Education’s website www.alsde.edu. There are three main methods for providing services to students:  large group guidance, small group counseling, and individual counseling.  The three domains counselors are primarily responsible for are academics, social/emotional growth, and finally, career planning and development.  They can provide these services directly or indirectly via outside sources such as teachers, software, or other programs.  Listed below are some of the ways McAdory’s counseling staff is serving the students: 

Career Cruising -- An on line service that allows student to match skills and interests; research careers, track 4-year plan; create and save a resume; research colleges.

Social Skills and Emotional Health:  Success in Stages and Heritage Panel and Outside in Day

Large group Guidance

Small Group Counseling

PrepHQ – An on-line website to deliver vital college and career information to High school students.

Consultation – with teachers and staff concerning issues which effect students academic, personal/social, or career.

Outside Speakers

Classroom Teachers 

Senior Information Booklet – These were handed out to Juniors last spring.  They were also available at Senior Registration on August 29th.  Instructions on how to get a PIN, how to fill out the FAFSA, how to register for PrepHQ, how to do a Resume’ and more are found within the booklet. 

Middle School: 

Develop good study habits. 

Work on managing your time. Balance academics and extra curricular activities. 

Explore a variety of careers that seem interesting and research their requirements. 

Freshman Year: 

Build academic skills, including good note taking, study habits and time management. 

Be aware of how important your grade point average (GPA) is, it is very difficult to bring up a grade point average once it drops. 

Join extracurricular activities and take part in community service. 

Start a “high school folder” where you put important school information and keep track of your activities and honors. 

Familiarize yourself with the requirements for graduation. 

Sophomore Year: 

Continue working on academics.  

Pass the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. 

Take the PSAT and evaluate the results. This is a preparatory test for the SAT which  serves as the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship program as well as college entrance 

Build on extracurricular activities and take part in community service. 

Keep written track of your efforts for your resume. 

Begin searching for colleges you would like to visit. 

Summer Before Junior Year: 

Visit at least one college of interest. 

Junior Year: 

Take or retake the PSAT. 

Continue working on your GPA. 

Visit the National College Fair. 

Make individual college visits during the year. 

Take the ACT and/or SAT at least once in winter or spring. 

Summer Before Senior Year: 

Narrow your college list and start applying to schools. 

Familiarize yourself with deadlines, including those for admission and financial aid. 

Research scholarship opportunities. 

Improve your essay – writing abilities. 

Develop your resume. 

Senior Year: 

Take the ACT/SAT again in the fall, if needed. 

Keep up a good GPT (even once accepted, a college can pull your admission if the GPA falls below an acceptable level.) 

Continue applying to colleges. 

Apply for scholarships before Oct. 1. Apply for financial aid after January 1 but before the beginning of the 2nd semester. 

News from your school's Counselor:

rturner@jefcoed.com