Senior Survival Guide

Senior Survival Guide Class of 2018 In preparation for graduation and other Senior Class events, important information will be distributed and deadlines will occur throughout the school year. SAVE THIS GUIDE AND USE IT AS A REFERENCE! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact any of the individuals listed below: Mr. Greg Ruzicka Class of 2018 Principal gruzicka@mehlvilleschooldistrict.net 314-467-6004 Mrs. Laura Pizzella Class of 2018 Administrative Assistant lpizzella@mehlvilleschooldistrict.net 314-467-6014 Mrs. Joanna Van Der Tuin Class of 2018 Counselor jvanderdtuin@mehlvilleschooldistrict.net 314-467-6106 Mrs. Melea Genthon MHS Registrar genthonm@mehlvilleschooldistrict.net 314-467-6106 Mrs. Beth Neighbors College & Career Counselor neighborse@mehlvilleschooldistrict.net 314-467-6103

Wall of College Acceptance & Scholarships Recognition Dear Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s), Welcome to the 2017-2018 school year and, more importantly, Senior Year for your student. As we embark on this exciting year for you and your child, it is important that we emphasize the partnership required to ensure the academic success of each student in the Class of 2018. Along with your support at home, Mrs. Laura Pizzella,(Administrative Assistant for the Class of 2018), Mrs. Joanna Van Der Tuin (Class of 2018 Counselor), Mrs. Beth Neighbors (College & Career Counselor) and I will work diligently to help your student reach the goal of graduating on June 1, 2018 and preparing them for the new beginning that Commencement represents. The first focus for us should be to look at the year ahead, the classes your student is taking, and the credits required for graduation. All students must earn at least 25 credits to graduate and should take courses that will prepare them for the next phase of their life. Whether it be a four-year university, the military, community college, or entering a career, our goal is to help prepare students to be successful citizens and learners as they grow and move on from Mehlville. Mrs. Van Der Tuin and I continue to keep track of grades, attendance, credits, and other key aspects of their education here at Mehlville to make sure that happens for all 471 students in our class. If you have not already signed up for Parent Portal, please stop by the office and fill out a form so you can have access to these same important pieces of information that will ultimately contribute to everyone working, hand in hand, towards the same goal. Your child can be featured on the Wall of College Acceptance in the main hallway at Mehlville High School. The student s name along with the college he/she plans to attend will be posted in the hall outside the Counseling Center. Only one certificate per student will be posted, so make sure the final decision has been made before requesting the sign be put on the wall. Students must submit a copy of the official acceptance letter to Mrs. Van Der Tuin, Mrs. Genthon, or Mrs. Neighbors in the Counseling Center. Any scholarships and awards must also be turned in to Mrs. Van Der Tuin or Mrs. Genthon by May 1 in order to be recognized in the program for Senior Awards Night. Graduation Checklist Students need a minimum of 25 credits to graduate: (Note: *Credit requirements) 4 credits of English* 3 credits of Social Studies* 3 credits of Mathematics* 3 credits of Science* 1 credit of Fine Art* 1 credit of Foreign Language or Fine Art* 1 credit of Practical Art* 1 credit of Physical Education* ½ credit of Health* ½ credit of Personal Finance* 7 credits of electives

Graduation Diploma Name Check Parent Portal to ensure correct spelling of your name. This is how your name will appear on your diploma. Graduation is on Friday, June 1 2018 at 7:00 pm at The St. Charles Family Arena. Graduates should arrive at the St. Charles Family Arena at 6:00 pm. Graduation Practice is TBD at this time and will be announced closer to Graduation. Graduation practice is mandatory to participate in the Graduation Ceremony. Jostens will be meeting with the senior class on October 3, 2017 to discuss caps/gowns and graduation announcements. Students will purchase these items with Jostens on October 11, 2017 at all lunches. Graduation announcements will be delivered to those who order them in early spring and caps/gowns will be handed out at graduation practice right before Graduation. All students must order a cap/gown. Project Graduation 2018 / Last Blast Last Blast is an all-night, substance-free party following Graduation on June 1. This event is planned and hosted by the senior parents and is a final get together for the Class of 2018 in a safe environment. It starts at 10:00 pm and ends at 4:00 am. There are many activities including games, swimming, and entertainment, plus fabulous prizes and plenty of food. The event is held at Arnold Recreation Center and costs $25. Watch for ticket sales and more information in February! Another key aspect of Senior Year is to enjoy the variety of celebrations and experiences that the students will take with them when they leave MHS. We will do our very best to keep students and parents aware of each of these happenings through postings on the school website, e-blasts, social media, and other mailings. Keeping these lines of communication open is essential as we will be sending out important information throughout the year. By the same token, please keep us informed of your student s achievements and acknowledgements as they come in this school year. We want to take every opportunity to highlight the many successes our class achieves You will find many of the dates for events and activities listed in this guide for you to use as a reference throughout the year. We will continue to update you as more come up. Ultimately, I hope to help each member of the Class of 2018 find a direction or path that they hope to follow when they leave Mehlville. Beyond the homework, projects, grades, and courses they take here, my hope is the most important thing for the students is their education. I hope to foster an environment in which students learn more about themselves, what they want to pursue in life, their values, and how to be productive members of our community. I am looking forward to another great year at Mehlville and working with you and your student. Please email or call me at any time if you have any questions, concerns, or comments. Sincerely, Greg Ruzicka Assistant Principal Class of 2018

1 st Semester Calendar of Events *Events during the school day August 16 First Day of School August 23 Open House September 4 No School September 6 - Senior Parent/College 101 Night September 13 A+ Training & Powder Puff Game *September 15 - Panoramic Picture September 15 Homecoming Game and Parade September 16 Homecoming Dance September 22 6 Week Grades *October 3 -Jostens Presentation: Graduation Announcements October 4 Parent Teacher Conferences October 6 No School October 9 No School *October 11 - Jostens: Graduation Announcement Sales College Application Procedures Once you have made a decision on which college(s) to apply to, the following procedures should be followed: 1. Complete the application online at the college s website. 2. Make sure you have turned in your BLUE Transcript Request Form that is signed by your parent to Mrs. Genthon, Registrar, in the Counseling Center. (Additional forms may be found in Counseling Center.) 3. If a recommendation is required, give the completed Recommendation Information Packet to the teacher, Senior Counselor, or College Counselor a minimum of 10 business days prior to the printed deadline date for the application. (Packet is found in the Counseling Center.) 4. Request that Mrs. Genthon, MHS Registrar, send your transcript to the college by paying the fee and signing your BLUE Transcript Release Form that should already be on file in the Counseling Center. *Note: First and Final transcripts are sent for FREE. Any additional transcripts sent are $4.00 each. October 24 Financial Aid & FAFSA Workshop November 3-12 Week Grades November 7 - No School November 22-24- No School *December 22 - Final Exams / Early Release December 25 January 4 No School

College Planning Calendar Continued... MARCH APRIL MAY Receive housing information; complete and return with housing deposit (do this quickly: some college housing fills fast). Continue scholarship search. Mail any additional financial information requested by the government or colleges. Continue scholarship search. Receive final college admission decisions. Receive financial aid award packages from colleges. Make decision and send in deposit Request housing deposits from colleges you are not attending. Send notice to colleges you are not planning to attend. Complete scholarship search. Prepare for semester exams. Request final transcript to be sent to the college you have decided to attend. Request transcripts for any college credit earned through area universities. 2 nd Semester January 8 First Day of 2 nd Semester January 15 No School February 3 Winter Dance February 15 6 Week Grades February 16 No School February 19 No School February Scheduling/Parent-Teacher Conferences March 26 30 Spring Break April 13 12 Week Grades *April Service Learning *May 1 Awards/scholarships due for Recognition Program *May 3 Special Olympics *May 4 - Senior Picnic May 5 Senior Prom May 10 - Senior Recognition Night May Baccalaureate *May 25 Final Exams / Early Release May 25 Last Day of School May Mandatory Graduation Practice June 1 Graduation @ St. Charles Family Arena @ 7:00 pm June 1 Last Blast The calendar will be updated throughout the year. Be sure to check emails/website for updates (9/8/2017)

Attendance Policy Attendance is important and vital to your child s academic success at MHS. Your child is expected to report to school every day unless the absence is verified by a parent and/or guardian. Parents and/or guardians should contact Bev Shannon, the Attendance Secretary, at 314-467-6020 to verify an absence the same day the student is absent. Attendance is monitored and your child will receive discipline for unexcused/ unverified absences. The District s Attendance Policy states: If a student has six absences in a class they will not receive credit for that class. Absences marked A, L, W, and V count against the six absence policy. An NC will appear on the report card, which stands for No Credit. It is important to turn in ALL documentation related to the student s absences to the Attendance Secretary, Bev Shannon. Parent Portal attendance codes may include but are not limited to: X - Doctor notes have been submitted and approved for the date of absence (these dates do not count towards the total of 6 absences ) V - Verified absence by parent and/or guardian (counts towards the 6 total) A and L - Unexcused absence and parent and/or guardian still needs to contact 314-467-6020 T Tardy Tardy Policy School begins at 7:15 am and ends at 2:10 pm. Passing periods are six minutes long and tardies are given out if students are late to school or class. Discipline is assigned when your child receives more than four tardies in a semester. NOVEMBER Take SAT (if you have registered for it). Complete FAFSA. Continue college visits. Completed college applications are due on December 1st. DECEMBER Take ACT or SAT (if you have registered). Check with the colleges to which you have applied to find out if additional forms are needed. Prepare for semester exams (grades still matter)! Complete all applications due by January 1st. JANUARY Complete FAFSA as soon as possible due by February 1. Arrange to have 7th semester transcript sent (if it is required). Register for February ACT (if necessary). FEBRUARY Complete any last college applications. Continue scholarship search. Register and pay for AP exams.

College Planning Calendar *You must complete a Transcript Release Form and turn it in to the Registrar in the Counseling Office allowing MHS to send your transcript to colleges. **Check the Counseling Center s Scholarship Page on the MHS website often to get updated Scholarship information! SEPTEMBER Attend Senior Parent Night on September 6 at 6:00 pm Attend College 101 immediately following the Senior Parent Night on September 6 Register to take/retake ACT or SAT. www.actstudent.org Apply to 3-6 colleges or universities. Be sure to pick a reach, target, and safety school. (Remember this in terms of admission and cost.) Begin or continue scholarship search and applications. Finish high school activity and honor resume. Ask teachers and counselor to complete recommendations for colleges which require it. Provide them with a copy of the necessary materials at least 2 weeks in advance of deadlines. OCTOBER 10/19 Attend the MOACAC College Fair at SLU 10/20 Attend the Collaborative College Fair at Meramec Community College from 6:00-7:30 pm. 10/21 Attend Financial Aid Night at MHS October 24, 2017 Register for December ACT orsat. Request transcripts to be sent. Schedule campus visits or complete required interviews. Attend senior weekends at colleges to which you have applied. Begin FAFSA. Complete college applications which have deadlines of November 1. Make sure you have: A+ Check List for Seniors Attended an A+ Training Session (Last training for seniors to complete tutoring hours is during TAP on 9/13/17.) Signed an A+ Participation Agreement and submitted in A+ Office Attended A+ school for 3 consecutive years prior to graduation A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale A cumulative attendance record of 95% or above based on days Perform 50 hrs. of tutoring at a Mehlville School District school Good citizenship and avoidance of unlawful use of drugs/alcohol Scored advanced or proficient on Alg 1 EOC or equivalent ACT Math Completed the FAFSA. Parents may apply online at: http:// www.fafsa.ed.gov/ Registered for Selective Service by age 18 (if male) at: http:// www.sss.gov/ Additional Information: 1. All A+ log sheets must be turned into the A+ office at least by the end of each semester. Keep copies. 2. A+ summary sheets are mailed home at end of 1 st semester and 2 nd semester. 3. If you are a cadet teacher, you must fill out cadet teaching log sheet (blue) and for up to 20 hrs. total for tutoring. 4. If you are a KONNECT mentor, you must fill out a KONNECT log sheet with Mrs. Wheatley (orange log sheet) and she will turn in to the A+ office the hours that apply to A+. 5. If you are a buddy for Special Olympics, you will need to record 3 hrs. on your A+ log sheet and have Mrs. Ingenthron in the Athletic Office sign off on them. 6. A+ questions? Contact Mrs. Sue Luck (A+ Secretary) at 314-467- 6012 or Mr. Andy Ross (A+ Coordinator) at 314-467-6003.