Clear Creek High School parents of seniors, this slideshow should tell you all you need to know about your child's senior year in high school

1. Senior Parent Night
Class of 2016
October 2015

2. Counseling Center #1 Goal

3. Counseling Center Team
It takes a village!
7 Counselors
2 Registrars
2 Secretaries
Social Worker
Career Specialist
Attendance Officer

4. Counselor
9th Grade Students
Kandyce Gailey
kgailey@ccisd.net

5. Counselor A - D
Ebony Barnett
ebarnett@ccisd.net

6. Counselor E - K
Michelle Wilson
mwilson@ccisd.net

7. Counselor L-Re
Sherre Weatherford
sweatherford@ccisd.net

8. Counselor Rf - Z
Laura Stepp
lstepp@ccisd.net

9. Support Counselor
Diane Briggs
dbriggs@ccisd.net
Available to all students
Support groups
Referral by Parents, Teachers, Students,
& Self-Referral

10. Career Specialist
Shannon Herd
sherd@ccisd.net
• Naviance Lessons
• Career Exploration
• Setting Goals
• Scholarships

11. Communities in Schools
Social Worker
Barbara Stribling
bstribli@ccisd.net
• Homeless Population
• At Risk Students
• Food & Clothing Drives

12. Counseling Center Functions
• Academic Advising
• Career Exploration
• College Admissions
• Personal, Social, & Emotional Counseling

13. Ellen Akers, Dean of Instruction
eakers@ccisd.net

14. STAAR Testing Requirements
Students must also make satisfactory scores on
5 STAAR Exams in order to Graduate
Algebra 1
Biology
English 1
English 2
US History

15. Tutorials
After School - Classrooms
Tuesdays & Thursdays
2:30 - 3:15 pm
Get in Gear – Library
Tuesdays & Thursdays
3:15 - 4:30 pm
Bus at 4:30 pm

16. Online Tutorials
Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/
Sophia http://www.sophia.org/

17. SAT Online Tutorial
www.KhanAcademy.org

18. Stay Connected…….
CCHS Website
http://www.ccisd.net/schools/high-
schools/clear-creek-high-school

19. Keep Connected…..
CCISD Website www.ccisd.net

20. Monitor Progress…..
Skyward : Parent Access to Student’s Schedule,
Daily Grades, Teachers’ Contact Information,
Attendance, Announcements, Calendar of
Events

21. Join the PTSA!
 Be a Part of the CCHS Community
 Join online at www.joinpta.org
 $10.50 per year
 Opportunity to Volunteer
 Keep informed with The Clear Creek Chronicle

22. Naviance Family Connection
http://connection.naviance.com/clearcreekhs
Student Account
• Update profile, including
email address.
• Research colleges & universities,
sign up for visits with college reps
in the CCHS College Center
• Prepare for ACT/ SAT test with free
Method Test Prep.
• Investigate career interests and
options using the Personality
Inventory and Career Interest
Profiler.
• Request Transcripts.

23. Tonight’s Program
• Graduation Requirements
• College & Career Options
• College Application Process
• Timelines for Seniors
• Naviance
• ACT, & SAT
Information

24. Graduation Requirements
Recommended High School Program
 4 credits of English
 4 credits of Math
 4 credits of Science
 4 credits of Social Studies
 2 years of LOTE
 1 credit of Fine Arts
 1 credit of PE or Equivalent
 .5 credit of Speech
 5.5 credits of elective
26 credits

25. Distinguished Achievement Program
 Requires 26 Credits
 3 Years/Levels of LOTE (in the same language)
 Includes 4 Advanced Measures (in any combination)
Advanced Measures
• College courses earning a “B” or higher
• Test Data – AP Exam scores of 3 or higher, Commended or
higher on National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT)
• Original Research in Independent Study course (can be
used for up to 2 measures)
• Advanced CTE Articulated coursework as defined by the
State of Texas (completed in previous years)

26. Minimum Plan
• Requires only 22 credits
• Less math and science required
• Does not require languages other than English
• Post-graduation track ---- Community College
or Work Training Program initially, with
possible transfer to a 4 year University or
College
***Students must obtain approval in accordance
with House Bill 3.

27. New Graduation Plans
House Bill 5 mandated changes to the graduation
requirements beginning with incoming 9th graders in
2014-2015.
Foundation High School Program (FHSP)
22 credits
FHSP with Endorsements
26 credits
Distinguished Level of Achievement (DLA)
26 credits

29. CCISD Alternate Credit Opportunities
Clear Stars
• Three sessions (Fall, Spring
& Summer)
• Located at Clear View High
School in Webster
• Can be for new credit or for
recovery
• Additional information and
courses at www.ccisd.net
Clear Access
• Three sessions (Fall, Spring
& Summer)
• Online courses with a
scheduled final exam
• For new credit only
• Additional information and
courses at www.ccisd.net

30. Student Conferences
Senior Conferences are underway now. Each senior
will meet individually with their academic
counselor.
1. Progress towards Graduation
2. College Application Process
3. Class Rank and GPA
4. Review of Transcript
5. Copy of Conference Mailed Home

31. Senior Conferences
• Graduation Plan & Requirements
• Senior Year Coursework
• STAAR Requirements
• Transcript Evaluation
• Top 10% and Honor Graduate
Expectations
*The completion of a state
approved graduation plan is the
responsibility of the student and
parent.

32. GPA and Rank: Weighted 5.0 Scale
• Grade Point Average Chart
can be found in CCISD’s
Educational Planning
Guide (p. 99).
• Level 1 courses include
Advanced Academic, Pre-AP,
and AP.
• The 6 semester GPA, at the
end of the Junior year is used
for fall college admissions
applications.

33. Honor Graduates
Cumulative GPA after 7 Semesters***
• Valedictorian Highest GPA
• Salutatorian 2nd Highest GPA
(Both must attend the same HS entire
Senior year and be enrolled in the district
the last 2 years.)
• Summa Cum Laude 5.0 – 6.0
• Magna Cum Laude 4.75 – 4.99
• Cum Laude 4.50 – 4.74

34. House Bill 588 – Top 10% Rule
• Rank in the Top 10% of graduating class.
• Enroll in college no more than 2 years after
graduating from high school.
• Complete application process to a Texas
public university before the application deadline.
• UT Austin has been granted an exception to raise
the admission standard. (The standard for UT
Austin is adjusted each year.)

35. The exception is…..
The University of Texas
• Fall of 2015 Top 7 %
• Fall of 2016 Top 8%
• Fall of 2017 Top 7%

36. Options After Graduation
Options Description/Length of Study
On the job training Specific training offered by employer,
includes military service/less than 6
months
Vocational or Technical Certificate Gain entry level skills; offered at many
high schools & community colleges/1 – 3
years
Private Trade School Specific skill training for an occupation/3
months – 2 years
Associate’s Degree Offered at community colleges/2 years
Bachelor’s Degree Formal course of study/4 years
Master’s Degree Advanced degree-required for certain
careers/1-2 years beyond Bachelor’s
Doctoral or Professional Degree Advanced degree required for certain
careers/3-5 years beyond Bachelor’s

37. Military Service
• Educational & monetary benefits
• Learn useful new skills
• Full-time employment
• Job Security
ASVAB
(Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
• An aptitude test designed to provide career information for
various civilian and military occupations

38. Is College for You?
Advantages
• Expand knowledge and skills
• Learn to express thoughts clearly
in speaking and in writing
• Increases ability to grasp abstract
concepts and theories
• Increases understanding of the
world and our community
Real World Translation
Greater job opportunities
College graduates have greater
opportunities than those who do
not pursue education beyond high
school.
Increased Earning Potential
On average, someone who spends 2
years in college earns $250,000
more in their lifetime than someone
who does not.

39. Choosing a College
Consider a Community College
• Eases the Transition to College
• Economic Advantages
• Allows Additional Time to Choose a Course of
Study
• Can provide a quick and efficient means to
join the work force or gain
certification/license
• SAT or ACT not required for acceptance
• TSI – Exam is needed (Texas Success
Initiative)

40. Choosing a College
• Choice of Majors & Degrees
• Location
• Cost
• Student Activities
• Personal Values
• Reasonableness of
Acceptance

41. College Visit Policy
• Per CCISD District policy, students may have 2 college
visits days in their Junior year and 2 college visits
days in their Senior year, with 2 week prior approval
from their Assistant Principal and a letter from the
college verifying attendance on the campus.
• Absences for pre-approved college visits do not
affect Spring Final Exam Exemptions.

42. Influences on the Admissions
Decision
• Class Rank and GPA
• Academic Record (transcript)
• Must Meet the Admission Course
Requirements
• College Entrance Exams (SAT/ACT)
• Essays
• Extracurricular Activities
• Special Circumstance
• Interviews
• Leadership Roles
• Special Interests/Talents
• Community Service
• Recommendations

43. Application Process
4 Part Process
1. Complete the application in the fall of the senior year for
most colleges and universities (Watch Deadlines!)
2. Send SAT or ACT scores to the university directly from the
testing entity (College Board or ACT.org)
3. Request transcript via Naviance
4. Pay application fee

44. Need to Register for the SAT or ACT?
SAT Registration
sat.collegeboard.org
ACT Registration
act.org

45. www.applytexas.org

46. www.commonapp.org
Begin by creating an account

47. Must match your
common application
with Naviance

48. Some Schools Have a Unique
Application
• Louisiana State University is one example.

49. Application Tips
• Review the application process and
requirements for each university – 3 to 5
schools are recommended.
• Pay attention to deadlines. Do not meet the
deadline, beat the deadline.
• Don’t be modest. Include and describe all of
your accomplishments.
• Visit the colleges.
• Be open-minded

50. Letters of Recommendation
• Required for Common Applications
• Letters are requested via Naviance
• Please complete the Student & Parent Brag Sheets in Naviance
• Submit a Resume via Naviance
• Allow 20 working days for completion

51. NCAA
http://web1.ncaa.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.jsp
• Prospective student athletes need to register online with the
NCAA Clearinghouse to determine athletic eligibility for
Division I or Division II colleges and universities. Be sure to
send a transcript.

52. Paying for College
Scholarships – Many are offered by the universities and can be
researched on their website.
1. Individual Universities/Colleges
2. Naviance Family Connection
3. Other Websites
 www.fastweb.com
 www.scholarships.com
 www.petersons.com/finaid
 www.scholarshipexperts.com
Grants/Work-Study/Student Loans
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Financial Aid Night –December 2nd CSHS 6:30 pm

53. Grants/Work-Study/Student Loans
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
www.fafsa.ed.gov
**Cannot be completed until January 1st of the Senior Year
To estimate your award use the
Fafsaforcaster
https://fafsa.ed.gov/FAFSA/app/f4cForm?execution=e1s1
Financial Aid Night –December 2nd CSHS 6:30 pm

54. Scholarship List
Under the “Colleges” tab in Naviance

55. Senior Timeline
• Register with NCAA if you are planning to play college
sports
• Complete the senior forms in Naviance (Student Brag
Sheet; Parent Brag Sheet; Resume)
• Complete college applications (Watch the deadlines!)
• Retake SAT/ACT if needed.
• Attend College & Career Night on November 18th
• Attend District Financial Aid Night on December 2nd
• Apply for any and all scholarships for which you qualify

56. Senior Timeline
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
beginning January 1st . This important application (FAFSA)
drives grants, student loans, work-study programs, and is also
used for some scholarships.

57. Important Dates
• College and Career Night
November 18th 6:00 pm(Education Village)
• Financial Aid Night – December 2nd (CSHS)
• Graduation – June 5th at 7:30 pm (Sunday)

58. Clear Creek High School
CEEB Code
444087
This is an important number you may need with your
applications. Take a moment to jot it down.

59. Student Support Counseling
Diane Briggs, CCHS Support Counselor
Barbara Stribling, CIS Social Worker
• Individual Counseling
• Group Counseling
• Crisis Counseling
• Community Networks & Resources

60. Counseling Referral Process
• Student self-referral
• Parent referral
• Teacher referral
• Administrative referral

61. Username =
Student ID#
Password =
Student
Cafeteria Pin #
Log In
Page

62. Home Page
- Helpful
Links
- Dates and
Events
- Class Size
- Method
Test Prep

63. College Tab
• Request a
transcript
• College
Search
• Scholarships

64. Request Transcript for My College
Applications

65. Matching the Common Application
(Colleges I’m Applying To)

66. Requesting a Letter of
Recommendation
(Colleges I’m Applying To)

67. Operating Continuously at Creek Since 1994

68. The PSAT and SAT are changing!
The first major revision to the PSAT and SAT in
10 years is underway. The new PSAT debuts Oct.
14. The new SAT debuts in March 2016

69. FAQs
Q: When Should my child take the SAT?
A: No sooner or later than the spring of their
junior year. Students should NOT take the SAT
for practice. This is what the PSAT is for.

70. FAQs
Q: But I want my child to take it 3 times so he
can send in his/her best scores. That’s smart,
right?
A: Not really. While the College Board will allow
you to send only certain scores to colleges,
most of the better schools want you to send
ALL scores. That means they will see all
attempts. (Continued)

71. Test-Taking Mentality
It’s also a bad idea to tell your child he/she will take
it 3 times because it creates the wrong mentality.
It’s like telling your kid that you don’t believe
he/she can get the score needed on the first try. It’s
much better to go into the test prepared for it and
to think, “I’m going to get the score I need on the
first try,” knowing that there is plenty of time to
retake it if he/she falls short.
(continued)

72. FAQs
Q: Should my child take the SAT, ACT, or both?
A: It depends. The PSAT is a good indicator.
Students who score much worse on the PSAT
than their grades would suggest should
probably take the ACT. Students who do better
on the PSAT than their grades would suggest
should take the SAT. Student who perform as
expected can do either or both.

75. Registering
You may register your child immediately after this
meeting with a check for $90. We will also let
your child register before or after school by
bringing a check for $90 payable to CCHS to C200.

76. One Last Important Note
We always have to get a signature when we
receive payment for any of our prep courses.
Therefore, NEVER leave payment for a course
at the front desk. This will NOT register your child in
any of our courses. Your child needs to bring the
check to the cafeteria during lunch or C200 before or
after school during the registration window and sign
our registration form.

77. Final Thoughts
The Counseling Team is here to serve the students
and parents of Clear Creek High School.
We look forward to a successful year and a great
Graduation!
Thanks for coming tonight!