Free Ride to College- What are the Odds?

Full rides to college seem like a common thing when watching movies or tv shows, but what are the real life chances of receiving a complete full ride scholarship? One thing to always keep in mind is someone's definition of "full ride." A full ride could mean a full academic ride which includes full tuition, but may not cover housing, meal plan, books, fees, and other college costs. It is always important to question the real definition of a full ride to know exactly what is happening with money. Check out this short article to see what research has to say about the odds of actually receiving financial assistance.

By the Numbers: Student Scholarship Chances

College Board Opportunity Scholarship

College Board wants you to go to college! And now they are offering you a scholarship for taking steps to achieving this goal! Students are eligible for this scholarship when they...

1) Build a college list ($500)
2) Practice for the SAT ($1,000)
3) Improve their SAT scores ($2,000)
4) Strengthen their college list ($500)
5) Fill out the FAFSA ($1,000)
6) Apply to college ($1,000)
Complete Your Journey ($40,000)

As you can see, this scholarship isn't looking at your GPA or an essay you wrote, but your efforts through the college application process. Most college bound students are already following this list, so why not take the extra few minutes and apply for this scholarship? This scholarship will have monthly drawings starting in December!

Sign up here to be notified when the scholarship opens!
Click here for more info.

FAFSA Night is Near!

We will be hosting a FAFSA Night here at Social Circle High School to help you through the 2019/20 FAFSA application. This night will take place Wednesday, November 7th from 6-8pm in the cafeteria. We will be providing pizza, refreshments, and free childcare, so please try and make it out to join us for this fun packed night!

PLEASE BRING ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Parent and student's 2017 Federal Income Tax Returns and W2s
- Parent and student's Social Security Numbers
- Parent and student's FSA IDs (if you do not have your FSA ID, we can complete it this night)

Remember!! The first 50 students to complete the FAFSA will receive a goody-bag from Ms. Justice! You must provide proof by emailing your completion page to christina.justice@socialcircleschools.org.

To complete the FAFSA on your own, use this link!

When Achievement Becomes an Unhealthy Pursuit

Thought provoking read for parents as we wonder our way through teenage-rearing-years:

https://growingleaders.com/blog/when-achievement-becomes-an-unhealthy-pursuit/?mc_cid=a8792cc795&mc_eid=7ef211c157

December 1st SAT Mini-Session Schedule

WHAT!
If you are registered/plan on registering for the December 1st SAT (or the December 8th ACT), you are eligible to participate in the SAT Prep Mini-Sessions this month!

Register for the SAT here
Register for the ACT here

If you need help registering, contact Ms. Justice!

WHEN!
Thursday, November 8th from 3:15-5:45
AND
Thursday, November 15th from 3:15-5:45

***There will not be a mock exam for this session due to Thanksgiving Break

WHERE!
Social Circle High School Media Center

REGISTER HERE!

Athens Technical College is Coming to the Circle!

Apply to Athens Technical College for FREE! Athens Technical College admissions representative Ashley Spears will be here November 5th during Redskin period! She will be bringing applications and she will waive the application fee! This is a great option for students that is right in our backyard. If you would like to learn more about what Athens Technical College has to offer, come to this information session. This is open for all students!

Sign up if you are interested! 

Upcoming SAT/ACT Testing Information

If you still need to register for the SAT or ACT, the deadline is November 2nd! That is next Friday! If you need help registering, please contact Ms. Justice.

Register for the SAT here.

Register for the ACT here.



Good luck to those taking the ACT this Saturday (Oct. 27th) and the SAT next Saturday (Nov. 3rd)! If this is you, check out these links for helpful hints and reminders for test day.

Test Day Checklist
What to Expect on Test Day

Grief Group for SCHS Students

In the years past, SCHS has offered a Grief Group.  We would like to offer that again to students who have experienced a loss.  This group would be offered during school hours to a group of eight or less students over the period of four to six weeks. This group is designed for students who have had a loss in the last three years.  If you know of a student who would benefit from being a part of this group, please email Mike Kulp at mike.kulp@socialcircleschools.org. 

SAT Prep Mini-Sessions

Social Circle High School will be offering SAT Prep Mini-Sessions this year!

So what is the SAT and why do you need to study?
- The SAT is a standardized test that many colleges use for admissions
- This exam consists of 4 sections
     1) Reading
     2) Writing and Language
     3) Math
     4) Essay (optional)
- Studying for the SAT is proven to increase test scores!
- Higher scores open more doors to college and scholarship opportunities!

We will be offering three mini-sessions that will take place the three weeks before each SAT administration. These sessions will include two after school sessions and a mock exam the Saturday before the SAT to best prepare our students for the rigor and timing of the exam. The cost of the program is $5 so we will be able to provide snacks, but no student will be denied if cost is a barrier.

You can participate in these sessions if you are registered or plan on registering for the SAT or ACT.

Register here!

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2018-2019 SAT Dates
Registration Deadline	Test Date
July 27, 2018	AUG. 25. 2018
Sept. 7, 2018	OCT. 6, 2018
Oct. 5, 2018	NOV. 3, 2018
Nov. 2, 2018	DEC. 1, 2018 *
FEB. 8, 2019	MAR. 9, 2019
APRIL 5, 2019	MAY 4, 2019
May 3, 2019	JUNE 1, 2019

* December 1st will not include a mock exam due to Thanksgiving break

Young Harris College is Coming to the Circle!

Young Harris College Admissions Rep will be here Wednesday, October 24th during Redskin Period! Young Harris has a FREE application, so why not add this school to your list? They are a small private school located in the North Georgia mountains. Come check out what they have to offer and see if this school is a good fit for you!

Sign up here!

Junior Meetings Are Now Available!

Juniors and Parents of Juniors:

One of the best ways to get ready for graduation (yes, it will happen before you know it!) is to schedule a Junior Meeting with Mr. Kulp, our school's guidance counselor.  A Junior Meeting consists of the individual student, the parent and the guidance counselor meeting for about an hour or so.  During this time, a junior and a parents will accomplish the following tasks:

• discover what classes are left to graduate
• build a GAFutures.org account (use this to apply to college, send transcripts, apply for HOPE and Financial Aid)
• discover what your official HOPE GPA is while there is still time to bring it up if it is too low
• learn what admissions testing needs to be done this year or next and how to register for them
• regardless of what pathway a student is on, mapping out the routes to get to a career destination will be explored
• learn strategies for scholarship applications and where to find scholarships
• get to know your school counselor better, as you may need a recommendation later on

These meetings can be scheduled as early as 7 am, throughout the school day and after school.  To get on the calendar, please email Mike Kulp at mike.kulp@socialcircleschools.org.  

Get Better Sleep AND Help Our Basketball Team

Greetings colleagues,

We can use your help spreading the word this week to make this year’s mattress sale a huge success.  Our earnings from this sale will be used exclusively for the basketball team.  Also, all faculty/staff/police/fire/first responders in Social Circle & Walton/Newton Counties will receive an additional 10% off of the already reduced mattresses.  Please take a few minutes to follow the steps (a-c below).  If you need a mattress or if you have one that could be replaced, please come out this Saturday to see us at the High School Gym 'showroom' between 10 am and 5 pm.  (financing available, delivery, etc).  Priced from $199-$6,000. (all sizes available)

                a.  Please forward this email message to your friends and family.  Make sure to include the attachment.

                b.  Go to the Facebook event page, like it, and actually invite at least 20 or more friends.  The page is located here: http://bit.ly/beds4SocialCircle

                c. Please take a picture of one or all of the flyers (attached) and send it in a text message to all your friends and family this week. 

We look forward to seeing you this Saturday between 10am-5pm!

   

Brian L. Anderson, Ed.S

PE/Head Varsity Boys Basketball

Mattress Sale Flyer

Looking for A Community Service Opportunity?

Social Circle Elementary School is in need of high school students who are interested in tutoring an elementary student.  Two requirements- 1) you are a decent student who understands the subject you are volunteering to tutor and 2) you are patient, kind and committed.

Here is what you will get out of it- a sense of deep satisfaction, volunteer service hours, and a better appreciation for how challenging being a teacher can be! 

If you are interested, email Yolandias Colquitt at (Yolondias.Colquitt@socialcircleschools.org) to get started with this incredible opportunity!

Georgia EMC Walter Harrison Scholarship

Walton EMC's Scholarship application is now open for eligible students! There will be eleven $1,000 scholarships awarded this year to students whose parents are served by Walton EMC. This is a great opportunity for students at Social Circle because the competition is here! The odds are in your favor!! Don't pass up free money!! Use this link to go over eligibility requirements and print off a copy. I can also provide a copy if needed. Send to Walton EMC, Attention Jennifer Broun, P.O. Box 260, Monroe, GA 30655 before January 18, 2019. 

Pizza With the SC Police

Here is a great way to get to know our city's police officers:

Pizza With the SC Police on Oct. 25th

ABAC Stallion Day!

Come join ABAC on one of their Stallion Days! You will have the opportunity to:
1) Tour campus and housing.
2) Meet with faculty and current students to learn all about 12 different bachelor degree programs offered.
3) Apply for admissions! Complete the FAFSA! Learn more about funding a college education!
4) Find your niche during Club Connections. This provides prospective students the opportunity to meet with current students to learn how to be involved.

Dates:
November 17
February 2
April 6

Register:
www.abac.edu/stalliondays

Georgia Gwinnett College Visit!!!

This morning we were able to take some seniors to visit Georgia Gwinnett College in Lawrenceville! While there, the students participated in an information session where they learned all about what it takes to be a student at GGC! After the information session, we all went on a campus tour to check out housing and other amenities GGC has to offer. Overall a great success for everyone who participated!

Don't forget, GGC is offering FREE college applications October 13th through 19th!!!

Georgia Gwinnett College is Coming to the Circle!

Georgia Gwinnett College Admissions will be here Tuesday, October 16th during Redskin Period! This is a great opportunity to make contact with someone in the admissions office! Possibly the person reading your application!! Georgia Gwinnett is a great option that is close to home.

Sign up here if you plan on attending!

Apply to Georgia Gwinnett College for FREE!!!

Apply to Georgia Gwinnett College for FREE! The $20 application fee will be waived from October 13th through the 19th. You have to submit your application within these timelines to be eligible for the free application. Georgia Gwinnett College offers a variety of majors, such as nursing, business administration, and education. Check out their admissions requirements to see if this school is a good academic fit for you! If you have any questions, or would like help applying, feel free to email me at christina.justice@socialcircleschools.org or stop in the Guidance Office! Good luck Seniors!

Agriculture Scholarship

The Georgia Agribusiness Council is providing a scholarship for students pursuing a degree in an agriculture related field. The application requires a letter of recommendation and an essay and is due on October 18th!

Check out this link to access the application!

American Legion Scholarships!

American Legion will be offering two different scholarships this year for high school seniors!

Cpl. Jonathan Ayers Memorial Scholarship:

This scholarship was created to honor Cpl. Ayers, a war hero. You must write an essay based on the prompt found using the link above. The application opens December 1st, but go ahead and get your essay knocked out and ready for submission!

Eligibility requirements:

- Senior in Gwinnett or Walton County

- Someone who is pursuing higher education in an accredited college, university, or trade school

American Legion Oratorical Scholarship:

Check out this link for all the information you will need!

Columbus State is Coming to the Circle!

Columbus State University will be here this Thursday, October 11th during Redskin period! Columbus State offers a wide range of Associate and Baccalaureate degrees, such as nursing, business, computer science, early childhood education, theater, and so much more! Check out their majors here.

Please sign up if you plan on attending!

Warning! All Zeroes Will Become Permanent on Oct. 10th!

Reconciliation Day is this coming Wednesday, October 10th at the end of the school day.  This is the last chance to turn in any make up work or clear up any zeros before they become permanent.  We will do this each grading period to keep students accountable and from allowing the "snow ball effect" from destroying a class grade.  Better get with your teachers to see what is missing!  Fall break may need to be "Get-It-Done" break!!

Dual Enrollment Capstone Project

If you are not taking an English class at Social Circle High School this year because you are a Dual Enrolled student, you will still be required to complete a Capstone Project before you graduate.  This project contains multiple levels of activities that will allow you to further explore your career decisions, build a resume, and map out directions for your future!  This is the third graduating class that has completed these projects, and they can be a meaningful part of a Social Circle education.

This project has been broken down into small parts that can either be done all at once or metered out over the year, meeting the incremental due dates.  Listed below is a link to a Google Classroom where you can read up on this project, complete and turn in project requirements.  The documents provided make the project look long, but included on the google classroom are plenty of great directions and examples.

Dual Enrollment Senior Capstone Project (2018-2019)

When you get there, Click on the plus sign (+) in the top right corner and then click on "Join a class."  The Class Code is 6agyfb.
After that is entered, you will be good to go!


Additional OPTIONAL Activity

If you are interested in earning a Georgia's Best Certificate as one of your exiting credentials from high school, you can also complete the activities on Coach Thomas' google classroom:

Georgia Best Certification Activities

It's Officially FAFSA Time!!!

Today is the day the FAFSA officially opens for the 2019/2020 school year! The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If you are a college bound senior/parent of a senior, the FAFSA is a MUST! This application allows you to apply for things like HOPE Scholarship/Grant, Zell Miller Scholarship, Pell Grant, and federal loans. Even if you are on the fence about school, go ahead and get it knocked out!

Have no fear! We will be hosting a FAFSA Night here at Social Circle High School to help you through this intimidating process. This night will take place Wednesday, November 7th from 6-8pm in the cafeteria. We will be providing pizza, refreshments, and free childcare, so please try and make it out to join us for this fun packed night!

PLEASE BRING ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
- Parent and student's 2017 Federal Income Tax Returns and W2s
- Parent and student's Social Security Numbers
- Parent and student's FSA IDs (if you do not have your FSA ID, we can complete it this night)

The first 50 students to complete the FAFSA will receive a goody-bag from Ms. Justice! You must provide proof by emailing your completion page to christina.justice@socialcircleschools.org.

To complete the FAFSA on your own, use this link!