Snow Day Wishes and Mid-Year Transcripts

Before I get into the main point of this post I want to mention that throughout the day today I have received several texts through Remind and emails from students asking me if I think we will have a snow day tomorrow.  It cracked me up because obviously I have no idea what will happen with the weather and truthfully, I doubt it.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this hopeful feeling from students was likely connected to normalcy.  You're seeking that normal feeling in life from the hope of a snow day... and I actually TOTALLY get that!  We need a little normal in our world right now.  And so even though I don't know that tomorrow will be our snow day, we can hope... and for you, I will hope that you get some of that normal joyful feelings either tomorrow or sometime soon!

Ok, so now on to the real topic of this post...

Seniors, there are some colleges which ask for mid-year transcripts to review your 1st semester grades in order to help them when making their admissions decisions.  If you applied to a college who requests mid-year reports and you applied using Common App then I have already uploaded your Mid-Year Transcripts this past week so that they will have them.  However, if you applied to a college through a different application system other than Common App and they are asking you to submit Mid-Year Transcripts then I need for you to let me or Mrs. McDaniel know so that we can send a copy of your most up to date transcript ASAP.  I know that waiting for admissions decisions is hard and this is just one more piece of information that can help the colleges when making their final choices.

Graduation Requirements

When picking out your classes it is helpful to start with the end goal in mind - Graduation! It is important to be aware of the graduation requirements as you plan your course selection.  And if you can't remember what classes you have already completed, please check out your transcript on Infinite Campus - it has now been updated with your 1st semester grades!  (You can find it in the Reports section.)

Below you will find the list of the courses required in order to graduate.  (In addition to these classes, you will also have the additional state requirement components to fulfill, but let's just focus on classes for today.)   

- 4 credits of English: the place where this can sometimes get confusing is senior year when students get to select what classes they want to take to fulfill this 4th credit requirement.  You can either take one of the year long classes (AP Literature, IB English, or Contemporary Voices) or if you are taking two electives then you will need to make sure the English elective classes that you select fall into two separate categories and that you get one which fulfills the English Reading component and one that fulfills the English Writing component.  They are marked on the course selection sheet for your reference.

- 4 credits of Math: this must include passing Math 3.  Most students will fulfill the requirements by taking Math 1, Math 2, Math 3, and then their 4th credit of Math through Financial Algebra, Transitions to College Math or Pre-Calculus.

- 3 credits of Science

- 3 credits of Social Studies: this must include Government

- 1/2 credit of Health

- 1/2 credit of Physical Education: this can be met through 2 semesters of PE classes - each worth 1/4 credit or if students plan to use the PE waiver then this requirement can be substituted for 1/2 credit of any other elective.

- 5 credits of Elective: Any classes beyond those meeting the above requirements will fall into the category of meeting elective credits.  So, for example, if you take 4 credits of Science (which most of you should plan on doing) then the extra science credit will count as an elective credit.

- When planning your classes you need to be sure that you have fulfilled your other course requirements related to Fine Art and Financial Literacy.  The fine art requirement can be met between the grades of 7-12 and all students must pass 1 full year of fine art courses.  (This can include art, music, or theater.)  For the Financial Literacy requirement, students can meet this component through Personal Financial Management (a business elective course), Economics & Financial Literacy (a Social Studies elective course), Financial Algebra (a 4th year math course), or through the IB History or IB Business courses.

Curriculum Night

Tonight starting at 6:30pm there is a Curriculum Night Q&A opportunity for students and parents to learn more about various course options next year.  Because of COVID, this experience will be held over zoom.  Every teacher has created a video highlighting information about what to expect about their classes and the experiences students will have in the classes.  This video library is linked on the Counselor Website.  Then, after watching those videos, if you still have additional questions, these Q&A zoom sessions are the perfect opportunity to learn more!  I will be honest, the administrator introductory session from 6:30-7:00pm is primarily for 8th grade parents who will be transitioning to high school.  But other parents are still welcome to sit in with that session.  Then beginning at 7pm, there will be 4 different 15 minute information sessions and you can select which ones appeal most to you based upon your questions.

Here is the link to access the Curriculum Night Q&A sessions.

College Credit Plus (CC+)

College Credit Plus (CC+) is a great opportunity for high school students to be able to earn college credits free of charge.  The state helps to facilitate the costs of this program so they have established very specific requirements for students to complete in order to participate.  One of those requirements is that students have to attend a mandatory meeting every year - even if you have taken CC+ classes in the past.  Due to COVID, this meeting requirement will be fulfilled by watching a 2 part video series that is posted on the WKHS Counselor website.

With CC+ classes, there are some classes that will have WKHS teachers teaching the classes all year just like normal, but you get college credit for it.  This includes the PreCalculus and Calculus courses taught by Kilbourne's math teachers.

Assuming that next year will be back to "normal," there will also be classes that will be taught by CSCC instructors who will come to Kilbourne and teach their courses.  These courses are different from traditional WKHS classes in that they will be taught 2 days a week for 2 periods a day.  The extra time available on the other 3 days can either be filled with another CC+ class or as time for you to work on studying and completing the work for your college class.  Below is a list of the classes that are going to be offered (depending on level of interest) and when they will run:

First Semester:
- English Composition 1: M/W
- Psychology: T/R
- Ethics: date to be determined based on other requests for students so that students can take all of their desired CC+ classes without conflict

Second Semester:
- English Composition 2: M/W
- Sociology: T/R
- Government: date to be determined based on other requests

If you are currently in AP Lang, when you take the AP Test at the end of the year, if you earn a 3 or higher then you will have earned the equivalency of the English Composition 1 class.  This would make you eligible to go straight to Comp 2.

One of the keys to understand about the CC+ classes is that this is guaranteed college credit IF you pass the class.  (So, unlike AP classes, no test to take on one specific day to try to earn the college credit.)  The credit is guaranteed for every public college in the state of Ohio.  Private colleges and out-of-state colleges all have the option of accepting or rejecting the credit just like they do with AP courses.

If you need me to help you map out how this would look for the classes you are considering, we can do this during the group or individual meetings.  This is a great, free opportunity and with the cost of college being so expensive, every free class can help so I don't want you to miss out on the chance.  If you are even remotely considering CC+ classes next year, please be sure to watch the videos with your parents, complete, and return the intent to participate form to the Counseling Center!

Register Online

The online registration system opened today!  This means that you can now log into Infinite Campus and select which courses you want to take.  You will be able to see which classes your teachers have recommended when you log into the system.  In addition to those classes you will want to determine which other classes you still want to select to fill out your day.

If you are not sure how to fill out the online course requests, please remember that there is a step by step guide available for you to use on the Counselor Website.

One of the most common questions students have been asking over the last few days is "How many classes do I need to take?"

A general rule of thumb for students planning to attend college is that all freshman, sophomore, and junior students should plan to take at least 6 classes each semester. All seniors that are on track for meeting their graduation requirements can decrease the total number of courses each semester due to the demands of other requirements such as college and scholarship applications, but should still plan to take at least 5 classes each semester.

It is important though to remember that 5 classes is the minimum required in order to be considered a Full Time student.  Being full time is critical for a wide range of reasons - insurance, child support, good driver discounts, etc.  So you will definitely not want to be looking at less than 5 classes in any semester!

If students are behind on earning their credits, then it may be necessary to plan on taking more classes during a semester or the year.  In order to progress forward with your class, all freshman students must earn at least 5.0 credits to be classified as a sophomore. All sophomore students must earn at least 10.0 credits to be classified as a junior. And, to be classified as a senior, students must earn at least 15.0 credits. 

Also, please be sure that you double check and make sure you are taking enough classes to be eligible to participate in athletics and other co-curricular activities. (Remember, any school sponsored activity that involves competition requires you to be eligible. So this includes band, choir groups, Mock Trial, In the Know, Dance Team, etc.)

In order to be eligible you must PASS at least 5 of the half credit courses each quarter. If you are signing up to take a Wellness for Life course, you need to remember that these classes are only worth .25 credits so they do not count in the courses needed for co-curricular eligibility.

If you have questions about eligibility, please stop in the co-curricular office or we can talk about this more during your registration meeting.

Registration Appointment Reminder

I have been so excited to see all of the registration appointment times coming in already and I am excited to start talking to each of you about your future plans and how your academic choices can help prepare you for that future.

There has been 1 question that I have been getting OFTEN over the last few days... and that is about why all of the appointments are for Green Days.  Remember, these are virtual meetings so we will be zooming together.  This is the only way I can make sure that I can move through all of my meetings in the alloted 15 minutes without having to clean the chairs and tables between each student and trying to get you down to the counseling center when we can't really have people just hanging out without me also needing to wipe those areas down too.  So, zooming it is!  And it will be great!

You will sign up for a time slot that works for you on your Independent Learning Day and at the end it will give you a zoom link.  Don't worry if you miss saving the link - I have it posted on the Counselor Website for you in case you lose it.  Then, as you start working on your course plan for next year, jot down any questions or ideas that you have, and we will talk about it all during your meeting.  Also, be aware that because it is the same zoom link for all students, you will be placed into the Waiting Room until your appointment starting time and then I will let you in as the other student before you leaves.

I promise, it will work just so long as you don't forget to join me even though you're not in the school building.  :-)

Also, juniors, don't forget that there is a junior planning form that I need for you to complete and share back with me prior to our meeting.  That is also located on the Counselor website.

Thanks to all of the students who have already signed up for appointments.  I believe my Tuesday is almost completely full, but don't worry, there are lots more available times on other days too.

Registration News

Blue day students have had their first day of the new semester and green day students have had two days in the new semester so far, but I am already asking you to start looking ahead to NEXT year!  I know, I'm sorry, but registration really does have to start this early to give the administrators time to be able to build the master schedule.

So, what can you expect?  Some things are new and different and some things are the same.  I am going to try to hit a few of the highlights to help you know what to expect and to make sure that you are prepared for the weeks ahead.

- Registration materials will be handed out tomorrow (for blue day students - green day students received them today)

- The WKHS Counselor Website: www.wkhscounselors.com is going to be your go-to point of reference for any of your needs related to registration!  When it doubt, please go to the Counselor Website!

- All students (grades 9-11) MUST sign up to meet with their counselor.  So, for my students, that means that beginning next week I will be holding individual and group registration meetings during your at-home learning days.  There is a zoom link that you will receive when you sign up for your appointment time slot.  This is the biggest difference from past years!  In the past, we met with everyone after you were done with your course selections to review what you had picked and to make any adjustments that were needed.  But, we know that so many students also wanted to meet with us before hand to get ideas and input into their schedule planning that we have decided to try to do ALL meetings prior to the registration window closing.  You will get to sign up for the times that you want - first come/ first serve - so sign up soon!  Links to sign up are on the counselor website.

- Another big change is that there isn't a homeroom where you will receive the information overview about registration and see the video.  We still have a video - it is on the Counselor Website along with other resources like a step by step guide to help you submit your requests on Infinite Campus.  Go to the website to check out the video about registration.

- The online registration window will open next Monday, January 25th and you have until February 12th to submit your requests online.  

-Teachers will again be making recommendations for courses in the core subject areas.  If you have questions about what they are recommending, please talk to your teacher.  They should be able to adjust the recommendation if you did not want to take the class that they are suggesting or I can also help with that when we meet for your registration meeting.  Please note though that if you are wanting to override a teacher's recommendation into a HIGHER level of a class than they are recommending then you will need to complete the Course Override Form (and, yep, you guessed it, that is also on the counselor website).

- I start meeting with students next week for the registration appointments and all are on your at-home days.  Juniors, your appointments are longer and I have also invited your parents to attend the meeting with us if they want to zoom together for the appointment.  Freshmen and Sophomores, your appointments have the choice of being in a group or individual and either way it should be about 15 minutes long.  If you feel confident about your course selections, a group meeting is the way to go, but if you have lots of individualized and specific questions that wouldn't apply to a whole group, then please sign up for an individual appointment.  I am genuinely excited to have the chance to meet with ALL of my students soon!  I also love that we are able to do this on your at-home learning days because that means that all of your other needs that aren't about next year's schedule can still be focused on during the days we are all in the building together! 

PreACT Results

Students who took the PreACT - we have your results available to pick up in the counseling center.  Please stop in and see one of the secretaries to be given your results and test booklet.

Remember, this was just a practice test so while it is easy to get your scores and just move on, it is even more helpful if you use your scores as a learning opportunity.  Review your results with the test booklet and look at what tends to trip you up so that you are better prepared when you take the actual ACT in the future.

Parent/ Teacher Conferences

Parent/ Teacher conferences are coming up soon.  Conferences will be held on Monday, February 8^th from 3:30pm - 7:30pm and Thursday, February 11^th from 5:00pm – 9:00pm.  Conferences will once again be held over zoom.  They provide a great opportunity for parents to learn about your student’s classroom performance from the teachers, it allows the opportunity for you to ask questions and they provide an opportunity to build a dialogue with the teachers regarding any thoughts and concerns you might have.

Parents, if you are interested in arranging to meet with one of your son or daughter’s teachers during conferences, you should have received an email from the school today to sign up.  Conferences will be scheduled as people sign up for them, so if you want to make sure you have times that work well for you, I strongly encourage you to register right away.

Please follow the steps below to register for a parent/ teacher conference:

•      Go to http://ptcfast.com/schools/Worthington_Kilbourne_High_School.  This will take you to the conference scheduler.
•       Click on the teacher you would like to meet with for a conference.
•       Sign up by entering your child’s last name, first name, your name and your e-mail address and then click Submit.
•     The next screen will direct you to check your e-mail inbox for a message with the subject “Select Date/ Team for Teacher Conference Now.”
•     Open the e-mail and click on the link to select a conference time.  If you do not receive an e-mail, please check your junk/ spam folder.  Please note, you MUST follow the link in the email in order to complete the sign-up process.
•      The link will take you to a Time Picker.  Available time slots will appear on this page.  If there are no available appointments that suit your schedule, please e-mail the teacher directly to set up an alternate meeting time.
•      After submitting your time slot, you will be prompted to finish, schedule another appointment for the same student or register another student.  Once you have completed your reservations, you will receive an e-mail confirming the date and time of your conferences and a link by which you can make changes to your date or time if you need to do so.

New Semester... Fresh Starts

I have been neglecting my blog.  I could give you all kinds of excuses and justifications about why and all of them would be true and valid, but the reality is, I need to do better.  And so this starts my moment of refocus where I intend to blog more and use this as the communication tool that I have designed it to be for all of you.

The good news is that my refocusing aligns with you having that exact same opportunity to start fresh.  Tomorrow begins the 2nd semester of your school year.  We are half way through the year already... crazy!  It means new classes for some of you.  And it means a fresh start for all of you.  Your grades completely start over again.  You have A's now in every class - your goal is to keep it there... or at least as close to that as you can manage.  Your slate has been wiped clean - no more trying to dig out of the holes from first semester - take advantage and make this your best semester yet!

As you make your fresh start, there will inevitably be many students who come by requesting to make changes to their schedules.  You have this week to be able to add a class to your schedule so you will need to make your mind up quickly.  But, I'd like to point out both the advantages and disadvantages of adjusting your schedule at this point.

If you are struggling in your classes and it isn't just because you haven't put forth the effort that you know you should have been demonstrating, then you NEED to make a change!  Let's adjust your schedule to make it more manageable.  We want you to be successful in the classes you are taking.  So if you are feeling overwhelmed and overloaded, come see me so we can figure out what you can adjust in your day.

However, if you are a senior and just wanting to change your schedule for an easier final semester or because you are mentally "done" with high school, we really need to talk about that decision and I will strongly encourage you against making that switch.  Every year we receive messages from colleges about how senior schedule changes can impact their admissions decisions.  For example, one I received recently said, "Students who have applied to (college) and are requesting a change to their senior schedule should let us know by visiting their (college) status page where they can complete the schedule change form.  Strength of curriculum is an important factor in our admissions decision and a change to a student's senior schedule could potentially impact their final admissions decision."  Now, this school had a portal page where you could upload that information.  Other colleges will ask for you to put your schedule change and reasons in writing for them to review.  Other colleges you can simply call and share your schedule change with your admissions advisor at the school.  But, unless you are doing poorly in your classes, you should think carefully and review your choice with your parents and your intended colleges before you start dropping classes from your schedule.

If you have questions about the decision making related to schedule changes, feel free to let me know!

Back to School

Anyone having the Sunday Scaries today?  After 2 weeks off, tomorrow we return to reality and school starts up again.  Just as a quick reminder, we will be doing remote learning for this first week before we transition back to hybrid the next week.  And that will wrap up the end of the first semester.  So you have 10 days of classes left for the 1st semester to make sure that your grades are where you want them to be.  Don't forget - there won't be any exams this semester so your final semester grade will just be the average between your first and second quarter grades.

Looking forward to connecting with you on zoom or in person again soon!

Here's to 2021 and the Changes Ahead

Happy New Year!

I have written before that I really like the perspectives shared by Brian Kight.  He is a writer and speaker who focuses on reaching your goals.  I get his daily email messages from DailyDiscpline.com and below is today's message.  I thought you might also like the insight from today's message because it is so spot on.  As a high school student, just like we all do, you think you know all that is ahead of you.  But the reality is that change is the only constant and your ability to adapt and make these changes (that have been hard) will be valuable to your future when you realize that you CAN make hard changes and that they can, and will, lead you to success.  Here's to a new year and all the changes that it will inevitably bring.

Remember this day last year? Before you ever heard the phrase “social distancing”. Wearing masks in public was just on Halloween. Lockdowns and quarantines only happened in movies. This day last year you had no idea what was ahead for you. But for the most part, you thought you did. You had schedules. You had plans. You had resolutions. You had a vision for the year. Routines felt relatively secure. Patterns felt pretty normal. Then everything changed. You were forced to change with it. Almost everything around you changed in some way. Your home. Your family. Your work. Emotions. Experiences. Expectations. Here we are again at the starting line of a new year still in the dawn of a new decade. We don’t know what’s ahead but that doesn’t stop us from preparing ourselves. Change is the constant and sometimes it takes a big one that shakes the foundations to remind us of that. Last year was a not-so-gentle reminder that no matter how comfortable you are in a routine, it never lasts. 2020’s legacy lesson is that there is no such thing as normal. There’s just the routine you’re in for the moment. Prepare yourself to grow in the face of an uncertain future. - Brian Knight