A Blue Ribbon Exemplary High School Clinton River Road, Sterling Heights MI

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1 THE Henry Ford II High School Mar 7 Jostens Senior Announcement Delivery during lunch hour Mar 7 Parent/Teacher 4-7 pm Conferences Mar 7 SAT Workshop begins after school Mar 16 Falcon Advisory 9 am Mar 22 Career Expo pm Eisenhower High School Mar 22,23,24 Drama Play Addam s Family 7 pm Mar 26, 27 Manditory Senior & 7 pm Parent Meetings Mar 30 No School - Good Friday A Blue Ribbon Exemplary High School Clinton River Road, Sterling Heights MI Kenneth L. Cucchi III - Principal Heather Blum - Associate Principal Mark McLoughlin - Associate Principal Rose Sinishtaj Administrative Intern Main Office (586) Attendance (586) Fax: (586) March 2018 From The Principal... Dear Parents and Friends of Henry Ford II: March is a month of transition to begin to prepare and plan for the next school year. The scheduling process for the school year is under way as well as preparation for the spring assessments. Below are the highlights of upcoming events and key information Scheduling Students are in the process of scheduling for the school year. Parents, please take the time to read over scheduling materials your child received during the week of February 26th- March 2nd. Review your student(s) goals and career pathways as you work together to select appropriate classes. Parent involvement is very important as you assist your student(s) in making the best choices for next year s schedule. A curriculum guide describing each course is available on the UCS website under the tab: Academics Secondary Student Curriculum Guides. Research has proven the more challenging and rigorous schedule a student takes while in high school the more prepared he/she will be for college. More than 95% of our senior class reports attending a college, university, or technical training school after high school. EVERY student should consider taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses when choosing classes for next year. A high school student may earn college credit and thereby save parent/guardian the cost of college tuition by passing AP tests given in May with a qualifying score of 3, 4 or 5. Every year many students here at Henry Ford II High School earn college credits by participating in our AP program. We have over 20 AP classes for students to choose from. There is something for everyone! If you would like further information regarding courses please use Naviance and/or your student s counselor as a resource. A LOOK AHEAD... Apr 2-6 No School - Spring Break Apr 9 School Resumes Apr 27 Falcon Advisory 9 am May 28 No School - Memorial Day Jun 9 Graduation at DTE 9:30 am Jun 15 Last Day of School Wednesday, March 14, 2018 is AP and Curriculum Night for our incoming 9th graders. This event is mainly for 9th grade students/families (Class of 2022) to discuss courses (including AP) and curriculum. We will begin in the Performing Arts Center at 7:00 p.m. We encourage parent(s)/guardian of current 8th graders to attend. AP night begins at 6:00 in the ECC. The AP courses available for 9th grade students will be discussed at this meeting. At 6:45PM families should then transition to the PAC for Curriculum night. Spring Testing Students should attend all days of spring testing and bring with him/her a The mission of Henry Ford II High School is to involve family, school, and community to educate our students through a supportive environment and a stimulating curriculum.

2 From the principal (continued) calculator, picture ID and two #2 pencils. It is a graduation requirement that students complete the Michigan Merit Exam. They should do their personal best. Upon entering the building on testing days all students should turn off their cell phones and place it in his/her locker. If a student s phone goes off or is visible during the test, a student s test will be voided and not receive a college reportable score. 9th Grade PSAT Ninth grade students will take the PSAT test on Wednesday April 11th. Students will test in the morning, have lunch and their afternoon classes. Upcoming Events 11th Grade SAT Preparations Our SAT prep class begins on March 7th with Mr. Julien and Mrs. Cowells. The prep classes run through March 27th. Sessions are held on Mondays through Thursdays after school. Students should attend a Monday/Tuesday session and a Wednesday/Thursday session each week to receive all of the preparation materials. Make plans for your junior to attend. You may also refer to our HFII website for other SAT resources and test preps. 11th Grade SAT Test March 6th- Scheduling Day March 7th- Spring Conferences 4:00-7:00PM March 7th- SAT Workshop begins after school March 14th- AP and Curriculum Night (mostly for the class of 2022) March 16th- Principal s Advisory 9:00AM in the Principal s Conference room at HFII March 22nd is the Career Expo held at Eisenhower High School from 7:00 9:00 p.m. March 22nd, 23rd, 24th - School Play, Addam s Family March 26th and 27th- Mandatory Senior Meetings- Choose one of the dates. The first day of Michigan Merit Exam testing is the SAT test on Tuesday, April 10, School breakfast will be provided for all 11th grade students free of charge. Testing will begin promptly at 7:30 AM. Students should bring multiple number two pencils and a calculator. Upon completion of the SAT 11th grade students are dismissed for the day around 12:45PM. 10th and 12th grade students report to the building by 12:15PM. 11th Grade WorkKeys Test Juniors will take the WorkKeys assessment on Wednesday, April 11th. This is part of ACT s Work Readiness System and the second portion of the Michigan Merit Exam. Testing will end around 10:50 AM, students will have lunch and attend their afternoon classes. I strongly encourage students and parents to attend the Career Expo. The easiest way to become more engaged in school is to know what you might like to do for a career. This event showcases a variety of careers and helps students understand the course patterns they need to be on track for their career as they enter college. Sincerely, Kenneth L. Cucchi III Kenneth L. Cucchi III Principal 11th Grade M-STEP The third portion of the Michigan Merit Exam is an online assessment in Social Studies and Science for students. Students will take this portion of the assessment within their Science and Social Studies courses during the week of April 16th-20th. 9th and 12th grade students report to the building at 12:15PM. 10th Grade PSAT Tenth grade students will take the PSAT test on Wednesday, April 11th. Testing will be completed around 10:45 AM, students will have lunch and attend their afternoon classes. 9th and 12th grade students report to the building at 12:15PM. PRINCIPALS FALCON ADVISORY MEETINGS Parents are always encouraged and welcome to join the principal at his Falcon Advisory meetings held each month. Hear firsthand the issues and ideas that define the high school environment at Ford II. Meeting time is 9 am. March 16 April 27 May 18 Are you ready to STRIVE?? TUESDAY - THURSDAY 2:15 to 3:15 In the Media Center OUR VISION: All students will be college ready as measured by the College Readiness Benchmarks by the time they graduate.

3 March Students of the Month Kamielle Burton Mrs. Cuatt Always doing her best, polite and friendly to everyone. Owen Flockhart Mrs. Vento His wittiness and maturity are a great part of my day. Anton Gjerkaj Mrs. Kort Enthusiastic, positive student who makes lessons fun. Christopher Gray Mrs. Sinishtaj Huge help with the technology issue during the fashion show. Anna Griggs Mrs. Lorenzo Optimistic and complimentary to our student teacher. Olivia Haberski Mrs. Vento Keeps a positive attitude when faced with challenges. Morgan Kozaruk Mrs. Kort Hard working, positive student who brings smiles to our class. Matthew Lewandowski Mrs. Junga Great attitude and great participation in Health class. Madison Mayhew Mrs. Walker A positive role model for others to follow. Brendan Moore Mrs. Cuatt For getting it having a great sense of humor, hard worker. Aimee Nambiathusseril Mrs. Adams Great medical intern, always a positive influence at work. Katya Navaro-Evanick Mrs. Wilt Hard working, polite and just a pleasure to have in class. Joshua Scharver Mr. Trombley Always willing to help students with their Geometry. Jaxon Schuller Mr. Trombley Always willing to help students with their Geometry. Dave Spaenle Mrs. Walker Always going above and beyond to help others. Richard Tharrett Mrs. Sinishtaj Huge help with the technology issue during the fashion show. Andrewval Yacoub Mrs. Junga Works well with others and has a great attitude in Health. Isaac Ybarra Mrs. Wilt Hard working, polite and just a pleasure to have in class. Yousif Yousif Mrs. Lorenzo Showing honesty by turning in money found.

4 UCS Community Education College Readiness Evening Series All seminars will be held from 6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. in the ECC Room (behind the Media Center) at Henry Ford II High School Clinton River Road Sterling Heights, MI College is now a major investment for families, and good advice during all phases of the college preparation, application, and decision-making process can save families time and money and help ensure favorable results for students. To give UCS students an edge when it comes to college, the UCS Community Education Department is offering a College Readiness Evening Series to assist families in accessing the information needed to prepare students for optimal college outcomes and success after high school. To register for one or more seminars in this series, please call (586) or register at All participants must register in advance. No Refunds. Each seminar costs $10/person. See below for each seminar description. Succeed with Scholarships (for high school students and/or parents) 1000-F17B - Tuesday, November 28, 2017 Naviance for Parents Introduction to a Powerful College and Career Readiness Tool (for all parents of secondary students in grades 7-12) 1001-F17A - Tuesday, December 5, 2017 College 101 Getting Ready for the College Search (for high school students and/or parents) 1002-WS18A - Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Test for Success A Game Plan for College Testing (for students in grades 9-12 and/or parents) 1003-WS18A - Tuesday, January 30, 2018 Understanding Highly Selective College Admissions (for secondary students in grades 7-12 and/or parents) 1004-WS18A - Wednesday, February 28, 2018 The Value of a Community College (for high school students and/or parents) 1006-WS18A - Tuesday, March 27, 2018 Building a Right Fit College List and Preparing to Apply (for high school students and/or parents) 1007-WS18A - Tuesday, April 17, 2018 Parents and the College Application and Transition Process Supporting Your Child for Success (for parents of high school students) 1008-WS18A - Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Transition to College Thriving During Your First Year (for 12 th grade students and/or parents) 1009-WS18A - Wednesday, May 2, 2018 Mastering the College Essay (for 11th grade students and/or parents) 1010-WS18A - Tuesday, May 8, 2018 College Opportunities for Low-Income, First-Generation, and Minority Students (for secondary students in grades 7-12 and/or parents) 1005-WS18A - Wednesday, March 7, 2018 About the Presenter Mrs. Kristy Newell, UCS System-wide Counseling Department Co-Chair Mrs. Newell began her career with UCS in She has served the district as a counselor at both the highschool and junior-high-school levels. She is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling and has attended the Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions. She is a Michigan College Access Network Certified College Planner and has guided hundreds of UCS students successfully through the college application and essay writing process. Mrs. Newell is a graduate of Utica Community Schools and is deeply committed to encouraging UCS students to aim high and achieve their college and career goals.

5 UCS College Readiness Evening Series Seminar Descriptions Succeed with Scholarships (for high school students and/or parents) Tuesday, November 28, 2017 This seminar will help participants develop a scholarship strategy to earn the most cash for college while minimizing borrowing. A brief overview of need-based aid will include a look at the federal and state grants available through completion of the FAFSA. The primary focus of the seminar will be on reviewing the types of merit-based aid available. Participants will learn how to efficiently search for and effectively apply for scholarships. Time-pressed students and parents will leave with a clear understanding of the best scholarship search sites and a game plan for spending their limited time in a way that will pay off the most. Naviance for Parents Introduction to a Powerful College and Career Readiness Tool (for all parents of secondary students in grades 7-12) Tuesday, December 5, 2017 UCS now provides free access to Naviance (an internet-based college and career readiness platform) for all students in grades 7 through 12. Naviance can help your child prepare for a successful future. This seminar will provide an overview of the platform, with a special focus on the features designed specifically for parents. Parents will learn how to best support their child s self-discovery, career and college exploration, and academic planning. Participants will also understand how Naviance can help families manage the college application process. With parent involvement, Naviance becomes an even more powerful tool for ensuring the best possible college and career outcomes. College 101 Getting Ready for the College Search (for high school students and/or parents) Tuesday, January 9, 2018 The college search and application process can sometimes feel overwhelming for students and parents who have never been through it. This seminar will help students and families develop vocabulary and background knowledge that will be useful when meeting with college representatives, visiting campuses, and conducting a college search. We ll review the unique characteristics of community colleges, liberal arts colleges and universities, and explore the differences between public, private, and for-profit colleges. Participants will learn about the types of degrees offered associate s, bachelor s, master s, professional degrees, etc. This seminar will explain majors and minors and how credits are accumulated. Participants will also learn the difference between graduate students and undergraduate students and receive an explanation of the tuition rates for upper and lower division students. Students and families will leave with a clear understanding of how college works and be prepared to speak confidently with college representatives as they make important decisions for the future. Test for Success A Game Plan for College Testing (for students in grades 9-12 and/or parents) Tuesday, January 30, 2018 This seminar will answer the most common college testing questions: Should students take the SAT, the ACT, or both? Should they take the test with the essay or without the essay? How many times should tests be re-taken? What are the best strategies and test prep options for increasing scores? What is super-scoring? What does NMSQT stand for and what does it have to do with PSAT? Which tests will be taken during the high school day and which ones should be taken on the weekend? How do scores get sent to colleges? Participants will leave with a plan for earning the best possible college entrance exam score. Understanding Highly Selective College Admissions (for secondary students in grades 7-12 and/or parents) Wednesday, February 28, 2018 Some of the nation s most highly selective colleges and universities admit fewer than 10% of applicants. Still, many Utica Community Schools students gain admission to these institutions. Learn more about what highly selective colleges look for and how to maximize chances for admission. This seminar will explore how the application process at highly selective colleges differs from the process at less selective institutions. Participants will receive advice for how students can distinguish themselves in every step of the application process.

6 UCS College Readiness Evening Series Seminar Descriptions (continued) College Opportunities for Low-Income, First-Generation, and Minority Students (for secondary students in grades 7-12 and/or parents) Wednesday, March 7, 2018 Many organizations and foundations are doing great work to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented students on college campuses. The goal of this seminar is to increase the number of low-income, minority and first-generation (those who will be the first in their family to attend college) UCS students who enroll in and graduate from college. Participants will learn about the many types of assistance available, including summer bridge programs, reduced application and testing fees, application assistance, free fly-in campus visits, and much more! Participants will also learn how to research which colleges have the highest retention rates and do the best job of supporting the success of traditionally underrepresented students. The Value of a Community College (for high school students and/or parents) Tuesday, March 27, 2018 Community colleges can be a great value and can help students and families avoid large amounts of college debt. This seminar will focus on the opportunities and types of degrees available at community colleges. Participants will learn about ways to fund a community college education and will receive recommendations for successfully transferring to a four-year college or university. There will be a special focus on the opportunities available through Macomb Community College. Building a Right Fit College List and Preparing to Apply (for high school students and/or parents) Tuesday, April 17, 2018 Choosing one college from the thousands of colleges in America is a daunting task! This seminar will focus on helping students find a rightfit college. Students will learn the difference between safety, reach and match schools, and learn to narrow down the many choices to those that will be a fit in terms of finances, needs, values, talents and interests. The seminar will also provide students with an action plan for successfully applying to college. Parents and the College Application and Transition Process Supporting Your Child for Success (for parents of high school students) Tuesday, April 24, 2018 College application season can be a stressful time for families. The decisions made during this time can be life-changing and can dramatically impact family finances. This seminar will help parents understand how to best support their child to ensure a successful and harmonious college application process. Participants will gain an understanding of how adolescent development affects the college application process and the transition to college. Parents will leave with an idea of what is considered a healthy level of parent involvement and will receive insight into the process of letting go during the college years. Transition to College Thriving During Your First Year (for 12th grade students and/or parents) Wednesday, May 2, 2018 You ve been accepted, now get ready to not only survive, but thrive during your first year of college. Each year, many students who apply and are accepted to college never end up attending in the fall. A significant number of students begin college, but drop out during their first year. This seminar will review the top reasons why students drop out of college and offer strategies for overcoming those obstacles. Participants will review the ways that college is different than high school and explore the habits of highly successful college students. Participants will leave with action plan and confidence for overcoming the setbacks that can cause difficulty during the first year of college. Mastering the College Essay (for 11th grade students and/or parents) Tuesday, May 8, 2018 This seminar will provide advice for writing highly effective college essays, including the Common App essays, personal statements, and supplemental essays. We ll review which colleges in Michigan require essays and share specific strategies for tackling the U of M and MSU prompts. We ll explore the style of writing that leads to success and examine sample essays that worked. Participants will receive advice for choosing a topic and revising effectively. We ll also review common mistakes and topics to avoid. Participants will leave with a roadmap for completing their college essays with less stress and more confidence.

7 SUNDAY SCHOOL STRIVE WHEN Sunday s: March 4 March 18 April 15 April 22 April 29 May 6 6:30pm 8pm FORM A STUDY GROUP USE TECHNOLOGY OR COMPUTER STUDY FOR A TEST PREPARE FOR YOUR AP EXAM

8 The Annual Utica Community Schools K~12 District Art Show March 19 through March 21, 2018 Rose Kidd Elementary Building Gladstone Drive, MI Sterling Heights Free Admission ~ GALLERY HOURS ~ MONDAY, MARCH 19 ~ 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Opening night shuttle busses available at Stevenson High School TUESDAY, MARCH 20 ~ 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21 ~ 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Carla Villalvazo Grade: 12 Drawing & Illustration Eisenhower High School Teacher: Mrs. Jennifer Ramirez

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10 International Fashion Show Henry Ford II s very active Unity Club brought the staff and students on a trip around the world February 15, 2018 through a fashion show. This international fashion show entertained everyone through the lunch hours modeling traditional costumes combined with music from each country. Kaitlynn Zydbel and Kendal Strohm were our fine announcers. Our first model, Yuehan Yi wore Mrs. Bross s cheongsam from China, followed by Darian Schumacher in a Polish Krakowiak dress donated by Mrs. Zimkiewicz. Next, we had Ashley Dbini wearing Mrs. Korts Can-Can skirt and Richard Jay modeling his menswear from France. Jessica Dimartino dazzled us with her adorned chakra and umbrella pursued by suiter Noor Sabri wooing her with his klong/drum both in Thai clothing from Dr. Su. Serene Thomas donated 2 traditional Indian dresses worn by herself and Ms. Marshall. Haya Najor then modeled her family Arabic abaya dress, followed by Massara Aboona and Aylin Zahrah fashioning their traditional Chaldean dresses. Last, we watched Yuehan Yi and Mrs. Gaydos modeling the Bavarian Dirndl s donated by Mrs. Lamb. The purpose of this event was to build understanding and acceptance of various cultures and to show how much we have to gain from the blended community in which we live and learn. The models really had fun with it, twirling, waving and bowing as they walked around the cafeteria. Special thanks go out to the teachers, staff and community members who allowed us to borrow these festive garments for our show! We hope to make this an annual event so if you can share the traditional costume of your country, please let us know for next year!! Sponsored by Rose Sinishtaj and Karen Chaffee.

11 Counseling Department ~March 2018 HFII COUNSELING CENTER STAFF Please feel free to contact members of the counseling center staff anytime. We are here to assist you with your questions & concerns. Counselors Mrs. Diane Schodowski A- DD ext Mrs. Bettye Kittle DE - I ext bettye.kittle@uticak12.org Mr. Matt Joseph J - MH ext matthew.joseph@uticak12.org Mrs. Catherine Livingston MI- SG ext catherine.livingston@uticak12.org Mr. Greg Jesko SG -Z ext gregory.jesko@uticak12.org Counseling Administrative Assistance Mrs. Denise Burke ext denise.burke@uticak12.org School Social Worker Ms. MaryEllen Bross ext maryellen.bross@uticak12.org Speech Therapist Mrs. Julie Joseph ext julie.joseph@uticak12.org School Psychologist Ms. Sarah Sitarski - Rice ext sarah.sitarski-rice@uticak12.org School to Work (Co-Op) Coordinator Mrs. Cheryl Adams ext cheryl.adams@uticak12.org UTICA COMMUNITY SCHOOLS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 22 Credits required for graduation English Language Arts (ELA) 4 Credits (9 th, 10 th, 11 th and 12 th grades) Mathematics 4 Credits (Geometry, Algebra1, Algebra 2 & Senior Math Class) Science 3 Credits (Must include Biology & Chemistry or Physics) Social Studies 3 Credits (World History, US History, Government & Economics) Physical Education ½ Credit Health Wellness ½ Credit Visual, Performing and Applied Arts 1 Credit Beginning with Class of 2016 World Language 2 Credits Remaining Credits are in Elective Courses CAREER CENTER COMPUTER USAGE PROCEDURE FOR In order to use the Career Center Computers which are located in the Counseling Office the following procedures will need to be followed: Students MUST have the appropriate pass from their teacher to use the computer. No other pass will be accepted. Passes can be obtained from the teacher who assigned the work the student will be completing on the computer. Students must sign in. Only the student working on the assignment will be allowed to sit at the computer. Friends just sitting with the student will not be allowed. No food or drinks will be allowed. Students must not be disruptive. Appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken if a student fails to follow these procedures. Henry Ford II Counselors offer Career Planning and Exploration through NAVIANCE and with the assistance from the Career Development Facilitator Individual Planning to help students plan, monitor and manage their own academic, personal and career development foals and progress towards them. Explorations of post-secondary options for students, including career/technical training, two and four-year college, military and school-to-work transition. Brief Personal and Crisis Counseling and referrals to appropriate resources. Henry Ford II Counselors will Respect, encourage and empower each student to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to be successful, contributing members of a diverse community and global society. We can learn a lot from crayons: Some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all have different colors, but they all have to learn to live in the same box.

12 COUNSELING DEPARTMENT MARCH 2018 PARENT WINTER ACTION PLAN (December March) Parents find out how you can help your child prepare for college, explore majors and careers, pay for college, and more with our easy to follow action plans. 9 th Grade Class of 2021 Start thinking about financial aid. It s not too early to look into types of aid that could help you cover college costs. Start by reading 7 Things You Need to Know About Financial Aid. Discuss next year s classes. Make sure your child is challenging him- or herself and taking the courses college admission officers expect to see. Learn more about the high school classes that colleges look for. 10 th Grade Class of 2020 If your child was not offered the PSAT/NMSQT as a 10th-grader, they may be offered the PSAT 10 in February or March. They are the same test, just offered at different times of the year. Review PSAT 10 or PSAT/NMSQT results together. Log in to the student score reporting portal with your child to learn what she or he is doing well and which skills your child should work on to get ready for college and career. It will also connect your child to free, personalized SAT study tools; AP courses; and college and career planning resources. Start thinking about ways to pay for college. Most families get help paying for college costs. Read 7 Things You Need to Know About Financial Aid to learn more. Encourage your sophomore to consider taking SAT Subject Tests. Many colleges require or recommend taking these tests to get a sense of your child s skills in a certain academic area. In general, it s best to take a Subject Test right after taking the relevant course. Learn more about SAT Subject Tests. Discuss next year s classes. Make sure your child will be challenging him- or herself and taking the courses college admission officers expect to see. Learn more about the high school classes that colleges look for 11 th Grade Class of 2019 Review PSAT/NMSQT results together by logging in to the student score reporting portal. Your child s score report shows what they should work on to get ready for college; lists Advanced Placement courses that might be a good match for them; and connects them to free, personalized SAT practice on Khan Academy based on their results. Help your child prepare for the SAT. Many juniors take the SAT in the spring so they can get a head start on planning for college. See which other tests your high school junior may need to take. Discuss taking challenging courses next year. Taking honors courses or college-level courses like Advanced Placement as a senior can help your child prepare for college work and these are also the courses that college admission officers like to see. Learn more about advanced classes. Encourage your junior to consider taking SAT Subject Tests. Many colleges require or recommend taking these tests to get a sense of your child s skills in a certain academic area. In general, it s best to take a Subject Test right after taking the relevant course. Learn more about SAT Subject Tests. Encourage your child to take AP Exams. If your 11th-grader takes AP or other advanced classes, have him or her talk with teachers now about taking these tests in May. Read more about the AP Program. 12 th Grade Class of 2018 Work together to apply for financial aid. Have your child contact the financial aid offices at the colleges in which he or she is interested to find out what forms students must submit to apply for aid. Make sure he or she applies for aid by or before any stated deadlines. Funds are limited, so the earlier you apply, the better. Learn about college loan options together. Borrowing money for college can be a smart choice especially if your high school student gets a low-interest federal loan. Learn more about the parent's role in borrowing money. Encourage your senior to take SAT Subject Tests. These tests can showcase your child s interests and achievements and many colleges require or recommend that applicants take one or more Subject Tests. Read more about SAT Subject Tests. Encourage your child to take AP Exams. If your 12th-grader takes AP or other advanced classes, have him or her talk with teachers now about taking these tests in May. Read more about the AP Program FOR MORE INFO VISIT

13 Counseling Department ~March 2018 VISIT THE COLLEGE BOARD WEBSITE TO START PLANNING YOUR FUTURE SAT & SAT Subject Tests Information Practice for the SAT Get ready for test day with free official SAT questions. Find tips on how to do your best, and take a free practice test so you can feel confident on test day. SAT Subject Tests See what's new in BigFuture Introducing BigFuture : Step-by-step advice and interactive tools to help you get started navigating the college planning process, explore majors and careers, get in to schools you like, and figure out how best to pay for it. ************************************************************************************************ Advanced Placement Showcase your achievements in the college admission process with SAT Subject Tests and potentially receive credit for introductory-level college courses. Learn about the tests, register, and practice. Upcoming SAT Tests Date Deadline * Status * Deadlines expire at Midnight, EDT Click here to See dates Student Tools Learn About AP Earn college credit and advanced placement with AP's college-level courses and exams. Find out how to participate in AP, get information on all 34 courses, and learn how to prepare for the exams. ************************************************* Find Colleges learn about academic life and explore college campuses. Make a Plan Create a customized action plan for college based on your grade level, your interests and your situation. YouCanGo! Not sure college is in your future? These real students didn t think they had college options and made it NEVER TOO EARLY TO START PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE Student Search Service Learn about our free service and get connected with colleges looking for students just like you. Services for Students with Disabilities Ensure that you receive appropriate accommodations for our tests if you re eligible. International Students Attain degrees at top-rated universities by standing out in the admission process. CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE Fill out one online form to apply for nonfederal financial aid from 400 colleges and scholarship programs. ACCUPLACER Assess your academic skills in English, reading and writing for improvement and college course placement.

14 COUNSELING DEPARTMENT MARCH 2018 FINANCIAL AID IN A NUTSHELL Financial aid makes up the difference between what college costs and what a family can afford to pay. Approximately two-thirds of fulltime undergraduate college students receive some sort of financial assistance. *********************************************** A large number of students who qualify for financial aid do not receive it simply because they fail to fill out the necessary forms. TIMELINE October January attend Financial Aid Information Night and beginning applying. Students can begin filing the FAFSA, which is required by most colleges. February: Many colleges have priority deadlines this month urge students to apply by the priority deadline. Late February and March: Colleges may call you to ask questions about your students who have special circumstances. End of March: Admission and financial aid notifications are mailed. April: Students weigh offers of admission and compare aid awards. May 1: Students must tell all colleges whether they are attending or not and make deposits. FINANCIAL AID WEBSITES These useful sites are all administered by the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid A good starting place for students planning for college and looking for financial aid. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) This is the only website to use to complete a FAFSA form (fafsa.edu). Do not use any other website. Takes students line-by-line through the financial aid application process. THREE TYPES OF MONEY GIVEN BY FAFSA Loans that have to be repaid Grants and scholarships that don't have to be repaid Employment programs such as work-study, that allow students to earn money and gain job experience while still in school. SELF-TUTOR RESOURCES DO YOU PLAN TO PLAY SPORTS IN COLLEGE? Become familiar with the NCAA Eligibility Center NCAA Eligibility Center (formerly known as the Clearinghouse) is established to verify academic eligibility. Student athletes must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if they want to participate in college athletics at the NCAA Division I or II levels. It is essential though that all prospective athletes understand the process in order to be deemed eligible to participate. Registration with the NCAA is required for those wishing to play at the Division I and II level. What does being eligible mean? Upon graduation, an athlete that has completed the required core courses, obtained the minimum grade point average, and achieved the necessary standardized tests scores will be declared eligible. Thereby, he/she will be permitted to participate in DI and DII athletics beginning in his freshman year. Athletes who wish to play at the Division III level are not required to register but must be sure to meet the eligibility requirements set by the specific institution and its athletic conference. If you have further questions please see your coach, Mr. Szlaga (Athletic Director) Mr. Joseph (Counselor) Naviance Family Connection is a comprehensive website that helps students manage their career and college search process. Family Connection provides career and college searching capabilities with saved searches and grouping which makes it easy for students to organize their college search process. Family Connection also stores demographics, testing information, personal interest and college information. Students can sign into Naviance Family Connection using their user name and password they use to log on to computers at school. Please visit the link below to access Henry Ford II Family Connection page Student Mobile App Students can take Naviance on the go with the Naviance Student mobile app for iphone and ipod touch. Improve collaboration and help students stay organized with an easy-to-use college research tool. Visit the itunes App Store to get Naviance Student on your Phone today!

15 COUNSELING DEPARTMENT MARCH FACTS ABOUT TEEN DRIVING sources for these facts are below 1. 33% of deaths among 13 to 19-year-olds in 2010 occurred in motor vehicle crashes. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. "Facts." Cross Roads. Accessed April 9, year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age. Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. "Facts." Cross Roads. Accessed April 9, % of teens said they talk on the phone while driving. Statistics on Driving While Texting." Guard Child. April 9, Statistics show that 16 and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger. Newcomb, Doug. "The Staggering Cost of Teen Driving." MSN Autos. Accessed April 9, Only 44% of teens said they would definitely speak up if someone were driving in a way that scared them. Allstate. "Teen Driving Facts." Lovering Family Foundation. Accessed April 9, Teen drivers with involved parents are twice as likely to wear seat belts. Ginsburg, K. R., D. R. Durbin, J. F. Garcia-Espana, E. A. Kalicka, and F. K. Winston. "Associations Between Parenting Styles and Teen Driving, Safety-Related Behaviors and Attitudes." Pediatrics 124, no. 4 (2009): More than 40% of teen auto deaths occur between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Virginia State Police. "Statistics." SafeTeenDriving.org. Accessed April 13, Talking on a cell phone can double the likelihood of an accident as well as slow a young driver s reaction time down to that of a 70-year-old. Statistics on Driving While Texting." Guard Child. Accessed April 13, in 5 of 16-year-old drivers has an accident within their first year of driving. "Teen Driving Statistics." GEICO. Accessed April 14, % of teenagers rely on their parents to learn how to drive. "Teen Driving Facts and Stats." State Farm Teen Driver Safety. Accessed April 14, Crash risk for teens increase incrementally with each mile per hour over the speed limit. "Teen Driving Facts and Stats." State Farm Teen Driver Safety. Accessed April 14, INFORMATIVE ARTILES ABOUT TEEN DRIVING MSP - Teen Drivers - State of Michigan Teen drivers are four times more likely than adult drivers to be involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Parents Are The Key to Safe Teen Drivers Parents Are the Key CDC... Oct 13, Parents Are the Key to Safe Teen Drivers, a campaign from the Centers for... The fact is, more than 2,200 teens lose their lives every year in car crashes.... One of the most important safety features for your teen driver is YOU. Teen Drivers: Get the Facts Motor Vehicle Safety CDC Injury Center Motor Vehicle Safety Teen Drivers Oct 13, In 2014, 2,270 teens in the United States ages were killed and 221, Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System... Distracted driving a real dangers for teens - CNN.com Jul 29, Teens text and drive with deadly consequences--how can parents impart the importance of road safety to young drivers?

16 UCS App Settings The UCS App has undergone a number of recent upgrades. Please check the settings tab (located under the wrench and hammer icon in the lower right corner of the home screen) to ensure you will continue to receive personalized notifications and information specific to (insert the name of your school). You may follow one or more schools. If you have not downloaded the App, we encourage you to do so to receive updated alerts from our school. Links to download the app are available at:

17 Take advantage of Utica Community School s PaySchools to make payments on-line. PaySchools is a system which allows you to make payments on-line using credit card or e-checks at your convenience 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Free or Reduced meal applications online Applications for Free or Reduced Meals are available online at Parents are encouraged to fill out and submit the application found there to request this benefit for their children. Online Lunch Payment Service Please consider using this service to eliminate the need to carry cash or checks as well as having the ability to view account history of purchases and the assurance of private and secure transactions. If you haven t tried it yet, this might be the time. The district s online depositing web site is: For further information, visit the district website or contact the district Food Service department directly at ATTENDANCE IN POWERSCHOOL Henry Ford II Calendar Aug 28 Registration 12th grade 8 am Registration 11th grade Noon Aug 29 Registration 10th grade 8 am Registration - 9th grade Noon Aug 31 Freshmen Orientation 7 pm Sep 5 First Day of School Sep 18 Open House 6 pm Oct 6 Homecoming Game Oct 7 Homecoming Dance 7 pm Oct 12 1/2 Day Conferences Nov 7 No School Election Day Nov No School Thanksgiving Break Dec 25 Jan 2 No School Holiday Break Jan 3 School Resumes Jan 15 No School MLK Observance Jan 24 1/2 Day Exams Jan 25 1/2 Day Exams Jan 26 1/2 Day Exams Feb No School Mid-Winter Break Mar 30 No School Good Friday Apr 2-6 No School Spring Break April 9 School Resumes May 28 No School Memorial Day Jun 6 Prom Jun TBD Graduation Practice Jun 9 Commencement Ceremony Jun 13 1/2 Day Exams Jun 14 1/2 Day Exams Jun 15 1/2 Day Exams Attendance is recorded in PowerSchool late in the school day. Our goal is to have call-ins recorded by the end of the school day. However, if you have any questions regarding your students attendance, please wait 24 hours to insure that all records are complete and up to date. EARLY DISMISSALS AND PROPER ATTENDANCE PROCEEDURES Please call and follow the prompts: 1 = Early Dismissals 2 = Late Arrival 3 = All Day Absences When an Early Dismissal is necessary it is recommended that you submit a note to the office with your student before the start of the day. Students will receive their passes at this time. If a request is left on the attendance line, your student must PICK UP their pass in the Main Office any time throughout the day. PowerSchool is now generating automated phone calls to parents informing them of any absences for their students on a daily basis. Please use your Parent Portal to view your student s attendance. If you have any concerns, the individual teacher directly through the staff tab of the school s web site: or through the PowerSchool access. If a correction is warranted, the teacher will request one.

18 NEW WEBSITE The UCS Community Education department is introducing a new website that features an easy to use on-line registration system. Please visit LUNCH PRICE INCREASE Please note that the cost of a High School lunch is now $2.95 LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEEERS Ford II School Jacket Jacket orders will be taken by contacting Mike at Basic jacket price includes: Small through extra large wool jacket with quilted lining. Genuine leather sleeve with a two piece leather shoulder insert. Varsity letter sewn on front, three inch high "Ford II" chain stitched and Falcon outline on the back. Student's name on the front and graduation chenille year patches on shoulder. All for the price of $ plus Tax $10.00 of each jacket sold is donated back to the school store. Custom chenille icon patches and embroidery are also available. Samples and pricing will be on display. A $ deposit is required at the time of your order, with the balance due at delivery. Please allow 4 weeks or less for completion. M I C Phone: (248) One of the contributing factors to a successful high school is the parent volunteers who help. If you would like to be involved, WE NEED YOU! Whether it is in an ongoing capacity or for a one time only event, we would love to have your help. Please contact Mrs. Zimkiewicz, in the Principal s Office, INFORMATIONAL WEB SITES *PaySchools Pre-pay your registration fees on-line using PaySchools. The link to is located on the HFII home page. *Food Service Accounts Visit the UCS website at to learn about lunch services and deposit funds into your child s lunch account. Use the School Lunch and Payments tab. KEEP INFORMED WITH POWERSCHOOL We are pleased to announce an system that will allow us to regularly send important school notices and newsletters directly to you. To register for these updates, please log on to your PowerSchool account and sign up under the Notifications tab. Our goal is to have 100 percent of our parents enrolled in this system so that we can keep you better informed and reduce the use of paper in our school. Your help with this effort is greatly appreciated! *Senior All Night Party Visit the HFII website ford.uticak12.org for information and pricing. A check is required, payable to HFII Senior All Night Party. *Athletic Passes - Visit the UCS website Athletics tab for pricing information. *Parking Permits Permits are available on a first come/ first served basis beginning with seniors then juniors at a cost of $40, cash or check payable to Henry Ford II High School.

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20 -UNIFIED CLASSROOM- HOW PARENTS AND STUDENTS WILL CREATE THEIR UC ACCOUNTS 1. Please go to your district s PowerSchool URL. ( 2. Click on Parent or Student Sign In. 3. Click on Create PowerSchool ID.

21 1. Enter your Username and Password (This is your existing Traditional Parent or Student Account information.) Click Next. a. Please note, if you are a parent and you do not have a Traditional parent account, you will need to contact your student s school and ask for your Access ID and Password. i. Once you have your Access ID and Password, you will need to create a Traditional Parent account. ii. Click on the Create Account tab. iii. Click on Create Account button.

22 i. Fill out the Parent Account Details and then click Enter on the bottom of the page. b. Once you created you parent portal account, please continue to #5. 5. You will be taken to a Welcome Screen for the Unified Classroom.

23 a. You will be instructed to create a new username and password. b. Click Continue. 2. Create a new PowerSchool ID and Password for the Unified Classroom website. a. Parents and guardians must use their personal address in the PowerSchool ID section and choose a desired password. b. Students should use their district assigned as their username and choose a desired password. 7. Click Create PowerSchool ID. 8. You will be taken to a screen for the Unified Classroom that indicates that you are all set. 9. Click Continue to Unified Classroom Sign In. 10. You will be directed to the Unified Classroom log in screen and you can sign in with your new PowerSchool ID and password.

24 In the future, families will have to copy and paste the Unified Classroom URL into their internet browser or save it as a favorite/bookmark. ( ) After the initial set up, there will be two ways to access your student s information. 1) The PowerSchool App will remain unchanged. You can continue to use the username and password as before (Please note: This is your Traditional Parent Account.) and you will be able to find the same information. The PowerSchool App is still available in the itunes Store or Google Play. 2) The online PowerSchool Parent Portal will be replaced to allow you to access the resources available through the PowerSchool Unified Classroom. ( ***Please keep in mind that after you set up the Unified Classroom, you will have two separate sets of log on credentials to remember. -One login for the PowerSchool app. -One login for the online Unified Classroom. Some things to remember in regards to some of the issues we have had with UC are: The most significant issue is that if you use a computer that has already accessed UC, it sometimes will open a cached version of the page and you won t be able to access the appropriate page to initiate the set up process.

25 CHECK YOUR CHILD S LUNCH BALANCE

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27 Parents! Your PowerSchool Parent Portal login and password registrations are processed in our Main Office. You will have access to view online attendance and detailed grade information regarding your student s classes. Registering your address through the Parent Portal will allow us to send school notices directly to you. Homework requests during a student s absence may also be arranged through this portal. Please bring photo identification to expedite processing your registration for the system.. IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO KNOW Attendance: (586) Counseling: (586) Athletics: (586) Main Office: (586) This Newsletter is available online at