PSAT and PLAN Reminder

I wanted to make sure that all students and parents were reminded that you should be registering to take the PSAT and PLAN tests this week!

Juniors: Take the PSAT.  The PSAT is the practice SAT and qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.  Registration costs $15.00.

Sophomores: Take the PLAN test.  The PLAN test is the practice ACT.  Registration costs $12.00.  Sophomores also have the option of taking the PSAT as a practice for your junior year when you'll be taking it for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.  (Please submit separate checks if you plan on taking both tests.)  If you only plan on taking just 1 test, then you should take the PLAN test.

Freshmen: You have the option of taking either or both or none of the tests and it is entirely up to you if you want to take one of these practice tests.

You register by stopping into the Counseling Center and providing your check (made payable to WKHS) to one of the secretaries.  Both the PSAT and PLAN tests will be held next week, on Wednesday, October 17th.  The PSAT is in the morning and the PLAN will follow it in the second part of the day.

Teen Sleep

Perhaps it is just because it is a Monday, but all day today I had student after student talk about being tired, needing more sleep and being exhausted.  The reality is that we all need to be sleeping more than we are, but especially you – teens are in need of far more sleep than you typically get in a night.

I acknowledge that it is easier said than done.  Today you all are pulled in so many different directions – homework, time with your family, sports, jobs, clubs, community service, time with your friends and perhaps even a little personal time to spend on relaxing – and so, unfortunately, sleep gets pushed to the back burner and becomes what you do with the little time you have remaining.  This is far from a good thing as sleep is essential to your mental, physical and emotional well-being!

I wish that it was easy to just decide that you wanted to get more sleep and be able to make it happen, but I know that isn’t always the case.  It will take a concentrated effort and a decision that you deem to be significant and worthwhile enough to adjust your sleep schedule.

Not sure if you believe me when I say that sleep is essential?   Here are some articles from experts who are addressing the importance of sleep.

3 tips to parents to teach healthy study habits to teens

How lack of sleep plagues college students  (I realize that this is addressing college students, but it applies to you too!)

Should you stay up late to study?

Teenagers: Don’t Stay Up Late

To earn the “A,” set the alarm clock early

Improving teen sleep: helping teens who have too much to doand get too few zzz’s

19 Ways to Fall Asleep Fast

Sleep Prep is a Choice – How Far will you go to catch thebest zzz’s?

Blog, Homecoming & Articles of Interest

Recently I was talking with one of the parents about this blog and I found out that the e-mailed updates of my blog don't get sent out on weekends.  It is an automatic service that I was so excited was available through my blog, but it is not something that I have control over so I was bummed to realize that this means when I post an update on the weekend you are going to get multiple e-mails on Monday's.  So, I have a question for you... would you prefer fewer updates per week so that you don't get multiple e-mails on Mondays or are you ok with receiving multiple e-mails on Mondays?

As we head into the week, I wanted to remind everyone that it is Homecoming Spirit Week.  Each day has it's own theme.  As you celebrate the school spirit, please remember that you still have to follow the school dress code so they are going to ask for no bare shoulders which could impact your selection of attire for several days this week.

Monday is Lax Bro Day
Tuesday is America Day in celebration of Alex Hendrick's and his Olympic appearance
Wednesday is Twin's Day
Thursday is Formal Attire Day
Friday is Kilbourne Spirit Day

Ok, now that some of the details are out of the way, I wanted to share with you some of the awesome articles I have been reading lately that I think you might enjoy.

The Common App essays: Breaking down the questions – Part 1

What not to do when applying to college

College Admissions: Why GPA’s lie

Applying to College

Advice from college admissions directors

The 5 most important connections you need as a high school senior & how to make them

Focus on 7 Strategies to get into college

Application advice from college admissions officials

Know your Ivies (This article gives a brief overview of the different Ivy League colleges.)

Create great scholarship applications with these 6 answers

The grass is greener: The impact of the (actual) campus on college life

3 tips for parents to help their kids with SAT’s

Four steps to time management success

When someone you care about is depressed: the duties of friendship

The best way to study

Scholarship Search Resource

Do you need to take SAT subject tests?

Have I written a good college application essay?

5 ways to help your counselor write an effective recommendation 

A new tool for merit scholarship searches

The difference between the SAT and ACT

5 tips for a college admissions essay on a significant experience

The short answer – common application tips

Start your scholarship search here

The What, When, and How of Wait Lists

4 ways to quickly rid yourself of too much stress

Stuck on the essay? Try writing a letter to an imaginary college roommate

October checklist for juniors

October checklist for seniors

Answers from Princeton’s Dean of Admissions (This is a 5 part series of answers and although it is written regarding Princeton they provide GREAT insight into all competitive college admissions!)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

8 things admissions officers wish you knew about applying tocollege

5 ways to find your college fit

Paid to Live on Campus (This is an article about OSU’s efforts to make the transition to requiring sophomores to live on campus in the future.)

October Students of the Month

Yesterday morning was a ceremony to honor 15 students as being October's Students of the Month.  The recognition of being a Student of the Month can only be earned once during a student's high school career.  7 of the students selected for this month's recognition were "my" students!

Congratulations to (L to R): Jake Byrne, Ryan Adolph, Lindsey Bauer, Anna Bright, Katie Dyer, Leeann Castle, and Shi'aja Craig for being honored!  I am proud of you!

Oh the Places You'll Go...

Don't forget to take a picture on every college campus that you step foot on - even if it is a school you are not seriously considering for your future. We would love to see the pictures, plus, every interaction you have with a college shapes your views on what you are looking for in the future.

I am thrilled with the pictures I have received already, but I also know that many of you have recently taken or are soon planning college visits and we'd like to continue to build on our picture display! (The office workers have been busy helping us create tags for all of the new colleges and will be updating the board again soon!)  As a reminder, the picture can be of you anywhere at the college - a pretty place, in front of a cool building or an area where you expect to spend a lot of time, or, as seems to be the biggest hit - in front of a sign featuring the name of the college.

Hannah Vincent gets the recognition for giving me the first picture for the class of 2013.


Lauren Barnhart gets the recognition for giving me the picture from the college that is the greatest distance from WKHS. (University of Maine)


Anna Bright gets the recognition for giving me the most pictures to date. (6 colleges) 

Thanks again to everyone that has helped with this project by taking pictures! Please continue taking pictures - I love seeing them when you bring them back and hearing more about your visit to the school!

National Merit Semifinalist

Lots of my students impress me with their academic, athletic, or musical talents. Today I am applauding one of these outstanding young ladies, Emily Cantrell, for being recognized as a National Merit Semifinalist.

Students qualify for this recognition based upon their PSAT scores during their junior year. There were 3 other WKHS students who also earned this recognition. They will now participate in a nationwide competition for scholarships based upon their academic successes.

Congratulations Emily!  I'm very proud of you!

PSAT and PLAN Tests

PSAT Test Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Location: WKHS Gym
Time: 7:00 (check-in) beginning promptly at 7:30am – 10:45am
Cost: $15 (checks payable to WKHS)

The PSAT is the practice test for the SAT. Juniors and interested underclassmen can register in the Counseling and Career Center by bringing in a check made out to WKHS. This is an important practice test for the SAT and it is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship competition. Even if you took the test as a sophomore you should re-take the test as a Junior!

PLAN Test Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Location: WKHS Gym
Time: 10:50am (check-in) beginning promptly at 11:15am – 3:00pm
Cost: $12.00 (checks payable to WKHS)

The PLAN Test is the practice test for the ACT. This test intended for sophomores. (Freshman students can elect to take this test, but it is not an option for juniors!) The content of the PLAN test is closely tied to that of the ACT achievement test, which is used for college entrance and placement decisions. It covers the same subjects and gives you estimated ACT scores.

The PLAN test has many benefits. It can help you get started in thinking about and planning for life after high school. It will show you areas where you may want to seek extra help. The results can also be used to help focus your test preparation to improve your ACT scores. Additionally, one of the other valuable aspects is that the PLAN test includes a career component that helps identify career interests and possible career fields. For all of the students who have no idea what they might want to do some day this is one way to help come up with some ideas.

Both of these tests are only practice tests; therefore, scores willnot appear on your transcript.

Students can register for these tests in the WKHS Counseling and Career Center today through October 12th.