Capstone Announcement for Dual Enrollment Seniors- Third Announcement

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

Fine Arts Full Tuition Scholarship Opportunity!

Andrew College will be offering 6 full tuition scholarships to seniors beginning Andrew College this Fall in the Visual Arts, Theatre, and Music programs. We will be receiving more information in the next few weeks regarding requirements and audition/portfolio presentation information.

If you have any questions, contact Ms. Justice at christina.justice@socialcircleschools.org, or their admission counselor, Breanna Harkins, at breannaharkins@andrewcollege.edu.

UGA Summer VetCAMP Program!

UGA is now accepting applications for their Summer VetCAMP Program! This is scheduled for June 16-22, 2019. This program is open to current sophomores, juniors, and seniors to evaluate their skills and competitiveness as future veterinarians, provide mentorship and help them experience veterinary medicine as an exciting new career path. It's a great experience and the students have a lot of fun while also learning about the profession.

The cost of attending the program is $900 and covers lodging, meals, instruction, and social activities. Financial assistance is available to students with demonstrated need. For more information regarding scholarship opportunities and general questions, please contact vetcamp@uga.edu.

You can apply here!
*The deadline to apply is January 25, 2019.

Deferred from UGA? What next?

***This is also relevant if you are applying for regular decision!

If you applied to UGA for early decision and you were deferred, you are still in the running for UGA admissions! A deferral just means UGA wants to know a little more about you before determining your final decision.

So, what's next? Always keep an eye on your UGA MyStatus page. This will show you what they have received, and what they still require. Even though the teacher recommendation says optional, you should still complete it for the strongest application possible. It is best to ask an academic teacher (math, science, literature, or social studies). There will be a text box at the top where you can let UGA know about anything new they should consider when reviewing your application. These might include retaking the SAT or ACT, new community involvement, new awards/recognitions, accomplishments, and anything else that you think might make you a more competitive applicant.

If you would like any help, please come see me in my office, text me on Remind (text @SCHS2019CA to 81010), or email me at christina.justice@socialcircleschools.org.

Good luck!!

Student of the Year Scholarship Competition

What: Student of the Year is a philanthropic leadership development program during which students utilize professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The title of "Student of the Year Winner(s)" is awarded to the candidate/co-candidates who raise the most funds during the 7 week competition.

Who: Candidates are highly-motivated high school students enrolled in public or private schools who are inspired by LLS's mission, compassionate leaders, and driven to make a difference in the fight against cancer. Students may participate as an individual or 2 or 3 students as co-candidates together.

When: Application deadline in December 18th, 2018 at www.lls.org/ga/soy/apply.
Campaign Kickoff: January 31, 2019
Grand Finale Gala: March 23, 2019 at the Georgia Aquarium

Why: High School Students raise money in the fight to find a cure for blood cancer. This campaign offers visibility and recognition within the community, ensuring that candidates stand out when preparing for college and beyond. This is an opportunity for students to elevate themselves through leadership and philanthropy. Not only does this youth empowerment initiative allow students to gain leadership skills and network with peers and business leaders, but candidates are also eligible for scholarship awards. We award $5,000 in college scholarships to students based on leadership in fundraising, community involvement, mission awareness, and volunteerism.

How: Candidates form and lead a team to help with fundraising, planning, and communications. Along with their own websites, candidates and team members receive guidance and support from LLS staff and past candidates mentors to develop and execute an action plan to reach their personal fundraising goal/ Suggested fundraising methods include a letter writing/email campaign, personal asks, and corporate sponsorship.

Kacey Danley
Greater Atlanta Area Director
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

A "Dear Senior," Letter

Dear Senior:

I hope you are doing well this senior year.  What I mean by "doing well" is that you are getting all of your next-year plans settled out, making the grades that will at least graduate you (but also will not harm your HOPE GPA) and that you are being intentional about closing out a great four year experience as you look to the future.  I am writing this letter to give you some good advice and guidance as you finish up these next six months.  Please indulge me the three minutes it will take to carefully read this letter.

1) If you are going to technical college, a two year college or a four year college, do your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  This application will help a student find funding for college, and it is one of the ways that a student can apply for HOPE Scholarship or HOPE Grant.  The other way is by completing a HOPE application on www.gafutures.org.  We have offered Parent/Student Nights for help with this, and we will offer one or two more going forward- stay tuned to the Guidance Blog for updates...

2) Please do the little bits every day that are required to pass your classes.  It is amazing what just coming to school every day can do for your grade, but if you REALLY want to see that grade go up, do your classwork and study for tests.  There is no substitute for this.  SCHS does not give diplomas; we award them to the students who have earned them.  If you are not doing the work of passing your classes, we cannot give you a diploma in May.  Your teachers work overtime helping students who seek it out.  Be one of those students they are helping.  We love you too much to give you an easy diploma; we are trying to prepare you for a world that isn't easy.

3) If you are not passing a class at SCHS right now that you need to graduate, please do not come to me to seek Dual Enrollment as a way to hit the reset button on your class that you are failing.  This is a terrible idea that will be the equivalency of jumping from "the frying pan into the fire."  Dual Enrollment is not an easier way to a high school credit, and it takes any power that we have to help you out of our hands.  Not a good idea.....

4) Love your mama and your daddy.  Listen to them as they do know what they are talking about, almost all of the time!  Too many reasons for this to list, and you might not see the importance of those reasons were I to list them out.  Suffice it to say, the 30 year-old-version of you will circle this paragraph as the most important pieces of advice the 18 year-old version of you should have listened to.

5) Get to work on your CAPSTONE.

6) Let Ms. Justice help you with your applications for college.  She rocks and you won't find someone who wants to help you get to where you need to go more than her.

That's it.  Thanks for taking the time to read this letter!


Finish strong!!

Mr. Kulp


Mama or daddy, if you are reading this letter to your senior, don't let up.  It is not your job to carry your kid across the finish line, but it is your job to make sure that life is not good if they are not doing what they are supposed to.  Talk to the teachers and check Infinite Campus.  Both are great resources. It is great to be on the same team as you.

Five Apps that Every Parent Needs to Know About

Helping keep your kids safe is a full time job with that little cellular device in their back pockets.  Here is a quick read article that will introduce you some apps that you may have never hear of:

Five Apps...

Tim Elmore is a GREAT resource for every parent of teens or pre-teens.  I highly recommend you subscribing to this email feed.  You will feel better equipped!!

Walton EMC Scholarship Fund

Great new scholarship opportunity that doesn't focus on grades! Walton EMC is offering between 30 and 32 $4,000 scholarships for seniors who's primary residence is serviced by Walton EMC. This scholarship is a good fit for a student who is not necessarily the top in their class, but will demonstrate their willingness to help others, study hard, and succeed despite any obstacles they may have had to overcome.

Eligible students are:
1) You are a:
- High school seniors
- Incoming college freshman with no more than 15 hours of college credit
- Not a currently enrolled full-time college student
- 21 years of age or less
2) Your home is serviced by Walton EMC

To find out more information, please visit Walton EMC's Scholarship Page.
This application is due January 31st!
If you need a printed copy of the application, come see Ms. Justice.
If you need any help, contact Ms. Justice at christina.justice@socialcircleschools.org or stop by her office!

New Scholarship Opportunities!

2019 SACAC Horizon Award Student Scholarship application is now open! 
- This is a $1,000 scholarship due January 15th
- Apply here!

Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Scholarship:
- Check out some great scholarships specific to the Greater Atlanta Area
- Apply here!

College Covered Scholarship
- Check out College Covered website for some great information about the college admissions process
- They cover getting into college, paying for college, campus life, and scholarships
- Complete this scholarship by January 31st!
- Apply here!

It's Still College Application Season!

Now is the time to finish up any college applications still looming over your head! If you need help or are eligible for a fee waiver, please come see Ms. Justice!

Application Deadlines:

Georgia Tech- January 1st
University of Georgia- January 1st
Georgia College- Priority for Bridge Scholars Program: February 1st, Regular: April 1st
University of North Georgia- February 15th
Georgia State University- Priority: March 1st, Regular: June 1st
Columbus State- Priority: March 15th, Regular: June 30th
Georgia Gwinnett College- May 1st
Georgia Southern- May 1st
Middle Georgia State University- Priority: May 16th, Regular: June 13th
Kennesaw State- June 1st
University of West Georgia- June 1st
Albany State- July 1st
Augusta University- July 1st
Clayton State- July 15th
Savannah State- July 15th
Fort Valley State University- July 19th

***If you have already completed your college applications, make sure you also send the schools your transcript and test scores (SAT/ACT/ACCUPLACER). Keep checking your admissions status to see all the documents they have and have not received. The next steps are completing your FAFSA an continuing to fill out scholarship applications. Good luck and please contact Ms. Justice at christina.justice@socialcircleschools.org if you have any questions!

Are You the Parent of a Student Who Is Interested in the Air Force Academy?

The United States Air Force Academy Georgia Parents Club will be hosting the 15th annual US Air Force Academy Candidate Orientation Program on Saturday, December 15, 2018. This event is for students and parents who would like to find out more information about the United States Air Force Academy.

Air Force Academy Candidate Orientation Flyer

Capstone Announcement for Dual Enrollment Seniors- Second Announcement

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

Summer Opportunity for 10th and 11th Graders

Attention highly motivated 10th and 11th grade students:

The Telluride Summer Program offers a six-week summer enrichment program in a variety of areas of disciplines.  This program brings students from around the world to one of three locations: Cornell University, University of Maryland or University of Michigan to engage in intensive learning.  This program is free to those who are chosen to attend.  To learn more about this opportunity, click on your link below:

Summer Program for Juniors (TASP)

Summer Program for Sophomores (TASS)

If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Mike Kulp at mike.kulp@socialcircleschools.org to be considered for nomination.