Testing Information Counseling Department E Newsletter

January 2016 Volume 2, Issue 2 Inside This Issue: Parent Teacher Conferences Upcoming Events Testing Information Hope Scholarship Rigor Requirements Counseling Department Programs Other Opportunities Goal Setting Counseling Department E Newsletter We have made it halfway through the year! If you have not visited the Counseling Office or the College and Career Center, now is the time to do it! 9th Grade/Lead Counselor- Dr. Blankenship 10th Grade – Ms. Oliver 11th Grade – Ms. Hines 12th Grade – Mr. Young College Advisor – Ms. Herrington Parent Teacher Conferences How did you do in your classes last semester? Have you had a one on one with your teachers to ensure you are performing at the highest level? Now is the time to schedule a parent teacher conference! Parent-teacher conferences will be conducted on the 1st and 4th Tuesday of each month @ 3:40 p.m. in the Cafeteria. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled online via Grady High School website. Parent-teacher conferences must be scheduled at least 2 business days in advance.

Counseling Department Upcoming Events Date/Time /Location Audience Event January 13, 2016, Advisement, Murray Auditorium 9th & 12th Grade The Should Could Dream Tour Presentation January 20, 2016 11th & 12th Grade Clayton State University Tour January 21, 2016, 9:00 am, Cafeteria 9th Grade Freshman Focus January 27, 2016, 6:00pm, Cafeteria 9th – 12th Grade Students & Parents Financial Aid Information Session January 28, 2016, 9:00 am, Cafeteria 9th – 12th Grade Parents Counselor’s Roundtable February 3, 2016, 6:00 pm, Cafeteria 11th Grade Students and Parents Junior Class Academic Recovery Night Testing Information THE NEW SAT: MARCH 2016 CHANGES THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW It is VERY important for you to understand the changes that are coming to the SAT. March 2016 will be the first administration of the re-designed SAT exam. Students are encouraged to begin taking the SAT spring of their junior year. Date March 5, 2016 May 7, 2016 June 4, 2016 Registration Deadline February 5, 2016 April 8, 2016 May 5, 2016 Late Registration February 23, 2016 April 26, 2016 May 25, 2016

Highlights Of The Major Changes Current SAT Through January 2016 Three sections, Math, Critical Reading, Writing. Each section is worth 800 for a total of 2400. New SAT beginning March 2016 Two Sections: Math, Evidence Based Reading & Writing. The Essay section will now be optional. The new total score will be out of 1600, with numerous sub scores and the option writing score. Deducts ¼ of a point for each incorrect answer. If you have no idea what the answer, you are better off leaving it blank. There is no guessing penalty. You can only gain points towards your score. You should not leave any questions blank. 3 Critical Reading tests, (20-25 minutes each) Critical Reading sections has shorter reading passages, and sentence completions. 1 Evidence-Based Reading & Writing test (65 minutes Reading. 35 minutes Reading & Writing). The Reading section will have longer reading passages on topics such as U.S. & World Literature, History/Social Studies, and Sciences. Students will also have to read and interpret info graphs. No more sentence completions. 3 Math tests (10-25 minutes each). Geometry questions make up 30% of the test. 1 Math test (55 minutes with a calculator, 25 minutes without). Geometry questions will only make up 10% of the test. Will have more algebraic questions, focusing on linear equations and systems. Emphasis will be on mental math. Students will have more time per math questions on the new test, but the new test questions will be more complex. The essay section 25 minutes long, is required, and is opinion based. There is no current penalty for incorrect facts. The optional essay section will be 50 minutes long and requires students to analyze a 650-750 word document and explain how the author builds an argument. You will have to find evidence in a passage to help support the author, or to find holes in the author’s argument. You will lose points for incorrect facts. For a full review of all the changes please visit /redesign/compare-test.

For more information please visit: www.GACollege411.org

APS Free SAT/ACT Preparation http://www.atlanta.k12.ga.us/domain/10126 SAT Prep Class – Success Prep SAT Prep Class (for New SAT Test 2016) Jan 23rd - Feb 27th, Saturdays from 9 - 1 pm Morehouse College, 830 Westview Dr. SW Atlanta, GA 30314 Fee: 480 Payment Deadline: Jan 19th Register now & pay online @ ehousecollege Learn more at www.SuccessPrep.com or call @ 404-351-4955 if you have any further questions. Counseling Department Programs Sources of Strength This program is led by a group of peer leaders and adult advisors with the mission of helping students find “Hope, Help & Strength”. Trained peer leaders effectively share messages of hope with other student’s school wide and encourage them to seek help for trained/responsible adults when experiencing life challenges. Adult advisors provide resources to student that may be struggling emotionally-having a tough time with anger, anxiety or depression. For more information you may see Dr. Blankenship (School Counselor), Ms. Gray (Graduation Coach), Ms. Marable (Parent Liaison), or Ms. Wright (Social Worker). Project Connect “Project Connect” is a program that focuses on assisting students with making healthy lifestyle choices. This group focus on educating students on the dangerous of smoking, alcohol consumption, and effects of non-nutritional eating habits, goal setting and stress management. If you are interesting in joining this group please see Ms. Young (School Counselor) as soon as possible, the new cohort begins January 13th.

No Place For Hate Grady is a “No Place for Hate” school! We are excited a group of 37 students have decided to take the initiative to form a committee to create a welcoming environment that is committed to stopping all forms of bias and bullying. “No Place for Hate” foster a culture of respect and creates a safe, bully free learning environment for students in all grade levels. The coalition members implement school-wide activities that support “No Place for Hate” principles and welcome new members. For more information you may contact Dr. Blankenship or Ms. Hines (School Counselors). Other Opportunities Girls Who Code Girls Who Code is a national non-profit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. Their programs educate, inspire, and equip girls to pursue opportunities in computing. The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a FREE seven-week introduction to computer science for girls going into 11th and 12th grade. http://girlswhocode.com/programs/

Duke Summer Program Duke Summer Program is currently accepting applications for an unforgettable summer at Duke University! You are invited to apply to the Duke Summer College for High School Students (grades 10 & 11) to earn academic credit, or Duke Summer Academy for High School Students (grades 9-12) to enroll in personal enrichment classes with a global perspective. Make friends from all over the globe as you learn in a classroom environment that is intimate enough to gain the individual attention you need to thrive. http://summersession.duke.edu/high-school-students R2L NextGen R2L NextGen is a week-long leadership and civic engagement program for high school students currently in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s will bring approximately 40 Latino high school students to Washington, D.C. to learn about how the Federal Government works, meet key leaders, visit historic sites and develop a deeper understanding of how they can affect positive change in their communities and their nation. The program, which will take place July 10-July 15, 2016, is completely FREE of charge to all selected student participants. Applications are now available online and must be submitted by Monday, March 14, 2016 at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time. http://chci.org/programs/r2l nextgen/frequently asked questions/ Odyssey Program Are you motivated and could benefit from an intense summer program like Odyssey? Odyssey is a free six-week summer academic enrichment program targeting students who want to experience a fun, creative, summer learning environment. Held on the campus of Westminster Schools Free transportation and free meals provided Experiential learning with field trips, overnight camping, college road trips & projects Thematic curriculum at each grade level Apply On-line today! Visit www.odysseyatlanta.org CU Summer Scholars Discover Clemson An academic summer experience for rising 7th-12th grade students. http://www.clemson.edu/summer/summer-science/

The end of the year will be here before you know it! Let’s get focused together! Let’s set some goals! WOOP (Goal Setting Strategy) Wish: Find a time and place where you can focus for 15 or 20 minutes uninterrupted. Identify a goal in your personal life that you think is challenging but possible. Outcome: Keep holding the goal in your mind and imagine the best thing about making it a reality. What does the outcome look and feel like? Let yourself experience this in your mind as vividly as you can. Obstacle: What’s holding you back from achieving your goal? Don’t think only of external obstacles, dig deeply to uncover the internal barriers, whether it’s a behavior, an emotion (anxiety), or a self-defeating thought (I’m not smart enough, I can’t catch on fast enough). Plan: Name one action you can take to overcome the obstacle. An if-then approach can be helpful. For example, if I’m always too pressed by deadlines, then I will prioritize my assignments based on due dates. Another example, if I feel anxious when completing the assignment, then I will explore strategies to address my anxiety prior to completing the assignment. To help reach your goals, make an appointment to speak with your School Counselor today!

the first administration of the re-designed SAT exam. Students are encouraged to begin taking the SAT spring of their junior year. Date Registration Deadline Late Registration March 5, 2016 February 5, 2016 February 23, 2016 May 7, 2016 April 8, 2016 April 26, 2016 June 4, 2016 May 5, 2016 May 25, 2016 Upcoming Events