CHS Counseling Department
Announcements from the
School Counseling Department
Seniors
CHS offers a Senior Internship, which is an opportunity for students to learn more about a specific career while gaining the experience and credit that colleges value in the application process. If interested, contact Gigi Davis, CHS Career Counselor, about the requirements and the process of finding an internship (whether for credit or not).
College bound seniors disappointed by their spring SAT or ACT scores, or who have not yet taken the SAT or ACT but plan to apply to 4-year colleges, should be studying to retake either or both tests this fall. The first ACT test is offered on September 8th (regular registration deadline August 17th, late registration deadline August 24th), while the first SAT test is offered on October 6th (registration deadline September 7th). All admission testing should be completed by the end of December to meet college application deadlines.
All seniors applying to college for early decision or early action, or who have a December application deadline need to submit a transcript request form to the Counseling Department secretary by September 24th. All regular admission transcript requests are due by October 29th. The transcript request form and “Senior Autobiography” prompts can be found on the “College Planning” page of the CHS Counseling & Career Resources website. Counselors will be visiting senior English classes in September to review the college application process and diploma requirements.
All Students
Make an appointment to see your counselor to discuss academic concerns, the college application process, career goals, personal issues, social dilemmas, post high school plans, and for assistance in problem-solving, goal-setting, coping skills, anger management, mental health concerns, and any other issues that are worrying you. Appointments can be made before school, after school, and during lunch. Emergencies do not require an appointment and if a student’s counselor is not available, they will be seen by another counselor. Students need to sign in at the Counseling Secretary’s desk and let her know if they have an emergency situation. Counselors can also see students on a walk-in basis before school, after school, and during lunch when available.
The College Board Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) will be administered at no charge on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at Charlottesville High School to all freshmen, sophomores and juniors enrolled in a mainstream English course.
The PSAT is the practice test for the SAT, the most widely used college admissions test in the country. It measures critical reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills. Taking the PSAT gives students an opportunity to become familiar with the test instructions, the format of the test, and the type of questions asked. The PSAT is basically a shortened version of the SAT that uses questions from previous SAT administrations. Equally important is the individual score analysis each student receives that enables them to develop a study plan for improving their test scores. Juniors taking the PSAT are also eligible for National Merit Scholarship consideration. Students who do not plan on attending college may opt out of the testing with parent permission.
School Counselors will be visiting junior English classes in September and October to review the expectations for the junior year and to review the PSAT format and testing procedure. Freshman and sophomore English teachers will have access to the College Board PSAT preparation Powerpoint to review with their students, however as a practice exam, no formal preparation is necessary.
Early College Scholars Program: A certificate from the Governor of Virginia is awarded to high school graduates who agree to earn an Advanced Studies or Advanced Technical diploma, maintain a “B” average or higher, and successfully complete at least 15 transferable college credits while enrolled in high school. College credits towards completion of this agreement will be considered earned by: completing dual enrolment/dual credit courses and earning a “C” or better in the courses, completing Advanced Placement courses scoring a “3” or higher on the AP exams, and acceptance to a college or university. Early College Scholars agreement forms will be distributed to students and are also available in the School Counseling office. They must be signed by the student and the parent and returned to the School Counseling office.
School Counseling Department personnel
| Counselor | Caseload | Other Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| Lisa Morales Lisa.Morales@ccs.k12.va.us 245-2685 |
ESL Students | Department Chair, AP & PSAT Coordinator, Worthy Program Liaison, Scholarship Committee |
| Carol Easterlin Carol.Easterlin@ccs.k12.va.us 245-2689 |
A-D | AVID Team, Foreign Exhange Student Liaison, Young Women Leaders, Scholarship Committee |
| James Bryant James.Bryant@ccs.k12.va.us 245-2687 |
E-J | Upward Bound Liaison, Olweus Bullying Prevention Team, Principal’s Advisory Committee, Scholarship Committee |
| Melanie Key Melanie.Key@ccs.k12.va.us 245-2686 |
K-R | AVID Team, Madison House Tutor Liaison, Runaway Emergency Services Program (RESP) Advisory Board, Department Website, Scholarship Committee |
Aja Chambers Aja.Chambers@ccs.12.va.us |
S-Z | Project Discovery Liaison, Sisterly Love Liaison, Olweus Bullying Prevention Co-Chair, Scholarship Committee |
| Ms. Davis Gigi.Davis@ccs.k12.va.us 245-2690 |
Career Counselor | CATEC Liaison, Career Counseling Website, Scholarship Committee, Advisory Committee, Chamber of Commerce Representative, Parent-Teacher Organization Representative |
Please check the School Counseling Department website regularly for updates on information sessions and other events for students and parents, planning for college, course applications, resources for students and parents, college scholarships, important deadlines, and many other valuable information items and internet links:
http://www.ccs.k12.va.us/schools/chs/counseling/index.html