Junior parents of Clear Creek High School this one's for you. We love keeping our parents informed so check us out daily at creekhilife.com

1. Junior Parent Night
September 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 (10th-12th)
Ebony Barnett
ebarnett@ccisd.net

6. Counselor E – K (10th-12th)
Michelle Wilson
mwilson@ccisd.net

7. Counselor L-Re (10th-12th)
Sherre Weatherford
sweatherford@ccisd.net

8. Counselor Rf – Z (10th-12th)
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 (Begins 9/28)
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. PSAT/SAT OnlineTutorial on
www.KhanAcademy.org

18. Stay Connected…….
CCHS Website
www.ihigh.com/clearcreekhighschool

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

20. Monitor Progress…..
Skyward Accounts : 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 Juniors
• Naviance
• PSAT, 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

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 .
• Junior Conferences will begin in the Spring and will include
planning for the Senior year.
1. Progress towards Graduation
2. Graduation Plan
3. College Application Process
4. Class Rank and GPA
5. Review of Transcript
6. Copy of Conference Mailed Home

31. Junior Conferences – Spring 2015
• Review HS Graduation Plan
• Review & Revise the 4-Year
Plan
• Review Senior Course
Selections
• Review College/Scholarship
Search

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 2016 Top 8%
• Fall of 2017 Top 7%

36. 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.

37. 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
• TSIA– Exam is needed (Texas Success
Initiative Exam)

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

39. College Visit Policy
• Per CCISD District policy, students may have 2 college
visit days in their Junior year and 2 college visit 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.

40. 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

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

42. NCAA
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
• Prospective student athletes need to register online to
determine athletic eligibility for Division I or Division II
colleges and universities.

43. 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. www.fastweb.com
4. www.collegefortexans.com
5. www.scholarshipexperts.com
Grants/Work-Study/Student Loans
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Financial Aid Night –December 2nd CSHS 6:30 pm

44. 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

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

46. AP Exams
• Usually taken toward the end of an AP class
• Students register for these in the Spring
• Exams are May 2nd – May 13th, 2016
• New Texas Law
• https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/creditand
placement/search-credit-policies

47. Junior Timeline
• Continue to work on maintaining a strong GPA
and challenging coursework
• Take the PSAT on October 14th (National Merit
Scholarship Qualifying Test)
• Plan to attend the CCISD College Fair on
November 18th
• Continue building your resume in Naviance
• Attend Financial Aid Night on December 2nd
• Take the SAT and/or the ACT in the Spring
• Plan a college visit

48. Redesigned SAT
• Coming in March 2016
• Replaces the current SAT

49. Choose a Rigorous Schedule for
Senior Year
 Course Selection is in the Spring Semester
 Consider Dual Credit Courses
1. Offered by College of the Mainland
2. English 4, Government, & Economics
3. Must complete the college application,
testing, and register for the classes at COM

50. Important Dates
• PSAT – October 14th
• College and Career Night
November 18th 6:00 pm(Education Village)
• Financial Aid Night – December 2nd (CSHS)
• Dual Credit Night in March 2016

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

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

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

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

55. College Tab
-College
Visits
-College
Research
-College
Match
-Transcripts
-Scholarships

56. Career Tab
- Interest
Profiler
- Explore
Career
Clusters
- Career
Videos

57. About Me
Tab:
-Goal Setting
-Game Plan
-Resume
-Profile
-Test Scores

58. My Planner
Tab:
-Tasks
Assignments
-To-do List
-Goal Setting

59. Operating Continuously at Creek Since 1994

60. 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
ALL sophomores are automatically registered.
All college-bound juniors should register
themselves. That was always true; with the new
tests, it is even more important.

61. What is the PSAT?
• It’s the Preliminary SAT, a slightly shorter
version of the SAT, containing test questions
from the very same test bank as the SAT.
• For junior students, it’s the first required step
in becoming a National Merit Finalist (and by
far the most difficult step).
• It can also predict which students might do
well on AP exams.

62. When do you recommend students
take the PSAT?
We recommend all college-bound students take
the PSAT their freshman, sophomore, and
junior years because:
• it’s an excellent way to measure progress.
• the feedback you receive will help your child prepare
for the SAT OR maybe decide to take the ACT instead.
• it’s good practice for the SAT.
• it allows us to target students for early National Merit
prepation

63. CCISD Scholars program
• Future Scholars—An elite preparation
program by invitation only. Students qualify
based on freshmen PSAT scores.
• Creek Scholars—And An elite preparation
program by invitation only. Students qualify
based on sophomore PSAT scores.

64. 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.

65. FAQs
Q: I want my child to take the actual SAT this
Fall, not wait till the spring. Is that okay?
A: No, not unless it’s required for a particular
scholarship. If your child takes the SAT in the
spring, he/she still has plenty of time to take it
again. There is no point in taking it too early.
Also, the test is changing and the assumption
is most colleges will want the new test results.

66. 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)

67. 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)

68. If your child takes it in the spring of his junior
year and needs to retake it in the fall of his/her
senior year, there is still plenty of time to do
so—even twice if necessary.
So plan on the March, May, or June SAT or plan
on the ACT in the spring.

69. 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.

70. * Students will leave campus for lunch, sometime around noon.

71. Registering
You may register your child immediately after this
meeting with a check for $65. We will also let
your child register before or after school by
bringing a check for $65 payable to CCHS to C200.

74. 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.

75. 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!
Thanks for coming tonight!