MOWR Information Meeting

If you could not attend the Move On When Ready Information meeting held last night at SCHS, you missed a ton.  If you intend on participating in the MOWR program next school year, you need to look carefully through the two attached documents.  If you have questions, please email mike.kulp@socialcircleschools.org.

MOWR Intent to Participate & Policies and Procedures

MOWR Information PowerPoint

SAT Brochure

ACT Brochure

Social Circle Parents, We Need Your Feedback

The Georgia Parent Survey contains 24 questions.  Parents may complete the survey using their personal computer, smartphone or tablet.  Survey responses are anonymous will be submitted directly to the GDOE to calculate a statewide accountability rating called the School Climate Star Rating within the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). Please CLICK HERE to participate in this important survey that will be published statewide as a component of the accountability system.

Current MOWR Students

We need to make sure that you have completed this survey:
http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/highschool.nsf/Survey.xsp

Ronald McDonald House Charity Scholarships

The RMHC US ScholarshipProgram seeks to invest in seniors who are exemplary role models in their communities and have the initiative to fulfill their educational goals.  Applications are due by January 18, 2017.

RMHC Scholarship Information

RMHC Scholarship Program Application

Walton EMC Scholarship

Walton EMC will offer 32 $4000 scholarships to seniors.  Applications are due by January 30, 2017.

Walton EMC Scholarship Information and Application

Read This if You Are Going to Take a Class from GMC Next Semester!!

Move On When Ready college options abound at SCHS.  If you are interested in getting in to Georgia Military College's all on-line course offerings or are already registered for a GMC class right now, this message is for you.

Complete the registration form below if you would like to participate in the GMC event planned on the 7th of December 7th at 9 am in the media center.  Only students going to GMC are allowed to take the Accuplacer with GMC on this day.  If you were hoping to take the test to use at another school, you will have to take it from the school you are wanting to go to.  Sorry for the inconvenience.


GMC Registration Day


If you are a current GMC student:
You will need to plan on being at this meeting on December 7th at 9 am in the media center.  At this meeting, you will:

• return books from this quarter, 
• turn in the Participation Agreement form (Click HERE to print it out and have your parents sign it). 
• Complete the Move On When Ready Application 
• register for your next class(es)
• Fix your schedule at SCHS to work with your GMC class
• Formally approve your GMC class so that you will have it paid for by the State of Georgia

If you (a 10th, 11th or 12th grader) want to take classes through GMC second semester and are NOT a current student at GMC:

You will be taking the Accuplacer test which you have to have a qualifying score on in order to be a GMC MOWR student.  Also, you must have at least a 2.5 GPA at SCHS to be eligible.  Click HERE to see the other qualifiers.  If you earn a qualifying score on the Accuplacer or have one already on the SAT or ACT, in addition to the testing, you will also complete the following:

• turn in the Participation Agreement form (Click HERE to print it out and have your parents sign it). 
• Complete the Move On When Ready Application 
• register for your next class(es)
• Fix your schedule at SCHS to work with your GMC class
• Formally approve your GMC class so that you will have it paid for by the State of Georgia

*** If you do not attend this event, you cannot take a GMC class in January.

Move On When Ready Information Night

If you are interested in earning college credits while you are still in high school, increasing the rigor of your high school course load, and finding ways to cut the cost of college, then you are definitely interested in Move On When Ready.  Move On When Ready (MOWR) is a program the the State of Georgia has put into place that allows students to take some or all of your classes at a local college and then have those credits be added to the high school transcript and count toward high school graduation requirements.  Parents will remember this concept as "dual enrollment." MOWR options are available to all grade level, high school students and are a great way to jump start your life toward your future goals.

As great as this program is, there are some important things that students and parents have to know about navigating it.  Please make plans to be at the Move On When Ready Information Night on Thursday, December the 1st at 6 pm in the Cafeteria at Social Circle High School.  Due to the complexity of this great option, communication is critical to help you avoid bumps in the road.  At this meeting, you will complete important documentation that will declare yourself a 'MOWR Candidate.'  This will help keep the lines of communication open between you and the counselor.  It will also help the counselor to be aware of your intentions moving forward, anticipate your needs and help with cutting through the red tape.

We will see you this Thursday night!

Valdosta State University Is Coming to The Circle

Brittany Blaschke from the Office of Admissions at Valdosta State University (https://www.valdosta.edu/) will be here at Social Circle High School on December 8th during your advisement period to meet with any student who is interested in learning more about Valdosta State as a great option for higher education.  Whether you are a freshman or a senior (or somewhere in between), you are welcomed at this meeting.  All that is asked is that you complete the following registration form no later than December 6th.

Register for the Valdosta State Visit to SCHS

Are You Worried Where Your Next Meal Is Coming From?

FoodFinderGA is a free smartphone app developed by a Georgia public school graduate. It is available on the Apple App Store or Google Play right now (search: foodfinderga)

The app creates a 100% anonymous, direct connection between students who need food with their closest free food provider.

Both the FoodFinderGA app and the website - www.foodfinderga.org - are year-round resources, but data shows a dramatic increase in use when school is out of session, and the need for food is greatest.

Please download the app today and tell your students about it before the Holiday breaks.

Free Virtual College Fair- Cheaper than gas!

You are invited  to a free virtual college fair for the Southern United States!  This fair is scheduled for November 14th-19th.  Students can log on any time during this week to get information from many colleges.  There is a question and answer section for the students to get answers directly from college reps.  Students must go to www.collegefairsonline.com to the students tab to register ASAP, and College Fairs Online will send them a reminder e-mail.  This service is completely free.  

Tell Us What You Think

We need to know what is going on in your child's school, and you have a perspective that is valuable to us at Social Circle High School.  Please take a few minutes to complete this survey that is attached to help us become even better at serving you and your students.  Parents may complete the survey using their personal computer, smartphone or tablet.  Survey responses are anonymous will be submitted directly to the GDOE to calculate a statewide accountability rating called the School Climate Star Rating within the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).

Survey Link
http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/parents.nsf/Survey.xsp

Move On When Ready Parent Night- Save the Date!

Attention 9th, 10th and 11th Graders and their parents:

On December 1st at 6 bpm in the Cafeteria, The Social Circle Guidance Office will host a huge Move On When Ready information meeting for all who are interested in earning college credits while still in high school.  This meeting is a vital introduction for all who would seek to participated in the awesome, yet complex, program.  Attendance at this meeting will be the necessary ground work for all who would want to participate in 2017-18.  We will see you there!

Mike Kulp

Various Nation-Wide Scholarship Possibilities

National level scholarships have many students who are eligible, which increases the amount of competition that a student can possibly face when applying.  On the other hand, national scholarships have a tougher time getting the word out about their scholarship than local scholarships do.  With this in mind, you may be very wise to look at these scholarships and apply for them, as you simply never know who you are competing against.  The more a student applies, the higher the likelihood that he or she will actually win a scholarship.  Attached below is a link to a newsletter from StudentScholarships.org.  Happy hunting!

November Edition

Georgia Scholar Recognition for Seniors

We are always looking for ways to recognize our students and their accomplishments!  This is a program that can provide your student with recognition at the state level.  Through the Georgia Scholar program, the Department of Education identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life. The program is coordinated by the Department’s Excellence Recognition Office and through local coordinators in each public school system and in private schools throughout the state. Each Georgia Scholar receives a seal for his or her diploma.

Students eligible for Georgia Scholar recognition are high school seniors who:

• exhibit excellence in all phases of school life, in community activities, and in the home.
• Georgia Scholars are students who have carried exemplary course loads during the four years of high school; who performed excellently in all courses;
• who successfully participated in interscholastic events at their schools and in their communities;
• who have assumed active roles in extracurricular activities sponsored by their schools.​

The recognition is open to any student who qualifies.  Please review the application closely before applying.  Page 2 lists specific criteria for applicants.  The application is due on January 31st, 2017.  Please let your Mr. Kulp know if you are completing this application.

GA Scholar Application

Have You Lost a Loved One?

Students,

Have you lost a person who was very important to you in the last few years?  This type of loss can cause a person to go through the grief process, which is a roller coaster ride of emotions, often requiring the help of trained counseling.  People who are going through the grieving process without help, often develop coping skills to deal with their pain that are counterproductive to becoming everything they can be in the future.  We know that we have students who have lost some pretty important people in their lives, therefore we are offering a small counseling group designed to help students through this process.  Participants will also be a source of help to (and receive help from) other students in the group.  If you feel that you would benefit from a grief group between now and Christmas, please complete the attached form and return it to Mr. Kulp by November the 3rd.

Permission form to participate in grief group

Scholarship Opportunity for Women in Computing

The Nation Center For Women In Technology is a national non-profit organization that seeks to increase the opportunities and meaningful participation of girls and women in computing and programming.  There are several scholarships and opportunities that our female students can capitalize on through this program.

Below is a link for a scholarship opportunity for a computing award.  If you are a female in the 9th-12th grade involved in computing in some way, this might be a great scholarship for you to apply.

NCWIT Aspirations Recognition Award

Job Posting

Dianne Byron, a Social Circle resident, is looking for a high school studdnt to walk her one year old puppy.  She lives in Town Park in Social Circle.  If you are interested in this job, please contact Ms. Byron at (914) 772-5567.

Take A Minute to Help Social Circle High School to Be Better

We are seeking parent feedback on this state survey.  The results from the survey will be used by the Georgia Department of Education to calculate a statewide accountability rating called the School Climate Star Rating within the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI).  Please visit the following link to participate in this important survey that will be published statewide as a component of the accountability system.

http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/parents.nsf/Survey.xsp

AdvancED:

High School Parent:  http://www.advanc-ed.org/survey/public/1629572

Brenau University Is Coming to the Circle

Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia is a private, liberal arts college which challenges students to live extraordinary lives of personal and professional fulfillment.  This college might just be the perfect fit, and you can take a quick glance of this college by clicking here.

 BriAnn Hammond, Freshman Admissions Specialist at Brenau University in Gainesville, GA will be At Social Circle High School on October  26, 2016 during Redskin Advisement Period.  She will be sharing with interested students information about the exciting opportunities that can be found at this traditionally all-girls school.

Although Brenau is a Women's College they accept male students in several of their Fine Arts and Health Science majors, to be specific: dance, theatre, music, pre-nursing, pre-occupational therapy, and pre-physical therapy.

If you would like to attend this private visit at SCHS with Ms. Hammond, complete the form below.

Register for the Breanau Visit on October 26th

School Safety Week

This week is National School Safety Week.  This week is set aside to focus our minds on strategies that we all can do to help make our campuses safer.  The staff at all Social Circle Schools work closely with law enforcement and have devised school safety plans that aim to create the safest learning environment possible.  Having safe schools is a high priority to all, and it requires cooperation and team work from the whole community.  Please take a moment to see some suggestions on what parents and students can do to increase the level of safety for our students at school.

A Dozen Things Parents Can Do to Keep Their Child's Campus Safe

A Dozen Things Kids Can Do to Keep Their Campuses Safe

Accuplacer Test Option

On October the 19th, Social Circle will give the PSAT to all 9th and 10th grade students.  If your child is in 9th or 10th, the rest of this message is not for you.

The 11th grade students have the option to take one of the following on the 19th:

• ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)- for students who are considering the military as a career or students who have no clue about what they want to do for a career.  This exam will provide students with guidance on careers that fit students well.  There is no charge to take this exam, and all juniors are registered to take the ASVAB automatically if they do not register for the PSAT or the Accuplacer.

• Accuplacer- Athens Tech will be here to admister this test for students who plan on attending a technical college after graduation.  This test is a placement exam for certificate and diploma programs at the technical college.  If you believe that this is the direction that your student is aiming for, then this is a great test option.  There is no charge to take this exam, and we have 28 spots to take this test, which will go to the first 28 who register.  To register, simply click on the following link: Accuplacer Registration

• PSAT- This practice SAT is for students who plan on going to college.  Registration for this test has been going on through Mr. Armstrong for weeks now, and he still may have a couple of more spots for juniors.  The cost is $15.  See Mr. Armstrong if you want to take it and are not already registered.

12th grade students will have a class meeting and will be going on a field trip to local industry.  A permission form should be coming home by your student and must be completed and returned to your 12th grader's advisor.  Seniors are also allowed to take the Accuplacer (see above) that day and must register by going to this link: Accuplacer Registration.  Please note that 12th graders can only do one or the other, not both.

Accuplacer Test Option

On October the 19th, Social Circle will give the PSAT to all 9th and 10th grade students.  If your child is in 9th or 10th, the rest of this message is not for you.

The 11th grade students have the option to take one of the following on the 19th:

• ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)- for students who are considering the military as a career or students who have no clue about what they want to do for a career.  This exam will provide students with guidance on careers that fit students well.  There is no charge to take this exam, and all juniors are registered to take the ASVAB automatically if they do not register for the PSAT or the Accuplacer.

• Accuplacer- Athens Tech will be here to admister this test for students who plan on attending a technical college after graduation.  This test is a placement exam for certificate and diploma programs at the technical college.  If you believe that this is the direction that your student is aiming for, then this is a great test option.  There is no charge to take this exam, and we have 28 spots to take this test, which will go to the first 28 who register.  To register, simply click on the following link: Accuplacer Registration

• PSAT- This practice SAT is for students who plan on going to college.  Registration for this test has been going on through Mr. Armstrong for weeks now, and he still may have a couple of more spots for juniors.  The cost is $15.  See Mr. Armstrong if you want to take it and are not already registered.

12th grade students will have a class meeting and will be going on a field trip to local industry.  A permission form should be coming home by your student and must be completed and returned to your 12th grader's advisor.  Seniors are also allowed to take the Accuplacer (see above) that day and must register by going to this link: Accuplacer Registration.  Please note that 12th graders can only do one or the other, not both.

Senator David Shafer Scholarship

The Senator David Shafer Scholarship was created to encourage research and critical thinking about the character traits that make America great.  Applicants for this $1500 scholarship must write an essay about a person in American history who exemplified great character.  Seniors who wish to apply must do so no later than December 1st, 2016.

Senator David Shafer Essay Scholarship Information

Students Interested in ABAC

Students who are interested in attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) should make plans to attend their on-campus visit day that they call "Stallion Days."  The next one is Saturday, November 12th.  For more details and to register, click on this link:

http://www.abac.edu/future-students/visiting-campus/stallion-day

The Andrew Goldner Scholarship

Attorney, Andrew Goldner, has established a $1000 scholarship that he will award to the student of his choosing.  Applicants must be accepted to a university for the Fall of 1017 (proven by an acceptance letter) AND must write an essay with their plans for their college education.  Application is due not later than August 1, 2017.

The Andrew Goldner Scholarship Application

We had a great meeting tonight learning about Financial Aid and how to find money for college.  If you had to miss, here is the Powerpoint that was used.

Financial Aid Meeting Presentation

Not Sure What to Do with Your Life?

Here is a great resource for students who are not sure of what they would like to be when they grow up.  It is dedicated to educating students to opportunities found in trade industries.  Skilled trade workers can do very well financially!

http://www.gobuildgeorgia.com/

Who Needs Money for College?

Everyone, right?  One of the best places to find help with covering college expenses is from Federal Student Aid.  The only way to find out what help will be available to you and your student is to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), an application that requires tax information from 2015 be entered.  This process is not overly difficult, but can be a little confusing from time to time.

One thing that Social Circle Guidance is doing to help parents as they set out to complete this form is to bring in Ms. Emily Culbertson, an expert from the Office of Financial Aid from Emory at Oxford. They help families do these forms all the time and can be very helpful in guiding a parent through the process, which will open up on October 1st of this year.

On September 27th at 7 pm in the Cafeteria, we will hold this Financial Aid Parent Meeting.  This meeting is geared to parents of seniors, but all parents are welcomed to come and get a preview of what you will do in October of the senior year.  We will see you there!

So You Missed the UGA Admissions Meeting Held at SCHS?

There was a UGA Admissions presentation that was given by Mr. Kulp on Thursday, Sept. 22 during advisement.  Here is the Powerpoint that was used in case you were not able to make it.  There was a good bit of bonus material given that is not reflected on the Powerpoint.

SAT/ACT Test Prep Options

Over the years of working with students, I have heard many times that "my child is just not a good test-taker" like it is a genetic disposition.  This is simply not the case... Good test prep can train students to be better test takers and can in most cases raise scores.

Finding test prep options in the area can be a bit challenging, but here is one you won't even have to leave home to get.

UGA offers SAT and ACT preparation courses to help you apply proven principles for successful testing.  In eight live, on-line sessions, you'll interact with an expert instructor, just as you would in a classroom.  These classes will start either October 4th or November  1st and will meet virtually on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

SAT/ACT Test Prep Class Information

If you are looking for FREE test prep, check out www.khanacademy.org.

Who Is Interested in Applying to UGA?

The State's flagship university, the University of Georgia, grows evermore difficult to gain admission to, and yet, with proper coaching and good decisions, the task is certainly not impossible.  As a guidance counselor, one of my great opportunities has been to serve on the School Counselor Advisory Board for the University of Georgia.  This experience taught me a lot about the admissions process at UGA and how to help students navigate the process and the application itself.

On Thursday, September 22nd during Redskin Advisement, I will provide some timely advice about this process and ways to help you plan your application strategy for the UGA application.  All grade levels are welcome.  It is never too early to learn about this process if you are interested in attending UGA.

If you want to come to this meeting, you HAVE TO REGISTER by clicking the link below and following the directions no later than Wednesday the 21st at 4 pm.

UGA Admissions Information Meeting

Students who register will receive a hall pass delivered to their first block class on Thursday the 22nd telling where the meeting will be held.  Can't wait to see all the Dawg-wannabes!

PSAT Will Be Given at SCHS on 10/19

The PSAT is a practice form of the SAT, which is a common entrance exam for college.  As with almost everything in life, to get better at the SAT, you have to practice the SAT.  On October 19th, we will give the PSAT.  Here is a break-down of how the day will work:

 9th and 10th Graders-  You are taking the PSAT.  You will take it the first half of the day on the 19th.  You are all already registered and no action on your part is required.

11th Graders- You have an option for that day.  If your student even thinks that they are going to college (2 year or 4 year) after he or she graduates, then the PSAT is what you need to register him or her for.  This is a National Merit Scholarship qualifier test.  The National Merit Scholarship is a big deal for a talented student and could be a big deal to your family financially as some colleges offer huge scholarships to winners.  The cost for registering for the PSAT is $15.  If your student is not interested in college, the ASVAB will be given as well.  This is a great test to take if you do not know what you want to be when you grow up.  It is also important if you think you might be interested in the military.  Any 11th Grader who does not register for the PSAT will automatically be registered for the ASVAB.  The link below will help you see all of your student's options and how to get registered.

Test Day Options for 11th Graders

12th Graders-  We are finalizing plans for seniors.  We are working on scheduling tours of various local industries, information sessions with Brad Shea (our Herff Jones rep.) and getting a class photo. Though plans are not finalized, this will certainly not be a wasted day.

October 19th will be a big day and students have so much to gain by doing their best on theses tests, like personalized SAT Test Prep from Khan Academy.  It is free and it is very good.  Check it out!

Love Your Community for It Has First Loved You...

The Clean-up Committee would like to encourage school clubs/groups to participate in the Community Clean-Up event in preparation for the Friendship Festival.  The details for the Clean-Up are as follows; Saturday, September 24, 2016, 8:00 a.m. – Kick off at Community Room in the Public Safety Building.

Half of Life's Successes Are Won in Just Showing Up

We love ya and we need ya at school every day. Miss a day, miss a lot. 

Individual Senior Meetings- Appointments Available

When people my age I meet find out that I am a school counselor, the thing that I always hear from them is "I don't ever remember talking with my school counselor."  Times are definitely different for student/counselor relationships, for today's students cannot afford to forgo meeting with their guidance counselor in navigating the complicated waters of high school and post secondary options.  It is my goal that no Social Circle High School student ever say in honesty that he or she did not know me.  One way that I do this is Senior and Junior Meetings.

These meetings (seniors in the fall, juniors in the spring) are a one on one time that affords a student and their parents to be able to have about an hour of my undivided attention to answer things like:

• What do I have left to take to graduate on time?
• What exam(s) do I need to take to be accepted into the school/program that I want to do after graduation?
• How am I sitting with HOPE eligibility?
• How do I handle applications for college and scholarships?

Seniors, I am ready for ya!  Let's get your meeting on the books by emailing me at mike.kulp@socialcircleschools.org.    I can meet before, after or during school.  Email me and let's get your appointment set.  I cannot wait to se what you end up doing with your life.  This meeting will be a great launchpad.  

Athens Area PROBE Fair

In archery, knowing where your target is is the essential first step to hitting the target.  Unless you know what you are shooting for, you cannot possibly ready yourself to take a shot.  College planning and admissions fall under the same principles. Finding schools where you and the college fit together well allows you to make important decisions about high school class and extracurricular choices.

A great way to find targets (colleges), is to attend the Athens Area PROBE Fair on September 14th, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 at the Classic Center in downtown Athens.  There will be over one hundred colleges and tech schools in attendance at this event and is a great place to learn about options for your next chapter of education. This event is free and so is the parking.  A great way to top of the evening would be to grab some dinner as a family and talk about what your student liked and didn't like in the schools that you spoke to at the PROBE Fair.

A really easy way of participating fully in this event is to click on Georgia PROBE Fair and register your demographic information for the Athens Fair.  You will then print off a barcode and take it to the fair with you.  When you stop by a college's table, they will scan your code so that they have record of you stopping by (Demonstrated Interest- a good article about a lesser known concept of college admission factors) and can mail you more information.

I can't wait to see you there!

Good Resource for High School Students

If you are looking for a great website that has scholarships that are super organized and pertinent admissions advice- JLV College Counseling is a great resource.  This site sends out scholarships organized by the month that they are due and provides great insight as to what scholarship committees are looking for in candidates.  It is one that we follow closely in the guidance office- you might want to check it out.

https://jlvcollegecounseling.com/

Recently, a post was made in regards to social media.  Students are very naive and unaware of how easily their accounts can be accessed and reviewed.  This article provides great advice and cautions students to really think before they post.  This is a great read for students as they begin to navigate the world of admissions and eventual a professional job.

Think before you post online

Looking For a Move On When Ready Option That Is All On Line?

Georgia Military College offers Move On When Ready on-line college courses to Social Circle High School students who have at least a 2.5 cumulative average, and a qualifying test score (see the 1st attachment). These classes can substitute for a class that is being taken at SCHS and earn credit at both institutions.  This is a really good option that is built for dependable students who take care of business.

On August 25th, GMC will be with us to test students on the COMPASS (an acceptable substitute for the SAT or ACT to GMC) for anyone who is interested in participating in this program.  If you or your student are interested in them taking the COMPASS, the 2nd link to register is provided below. YOU MUST REGISTER TO TAKE THE TEST BY August 23rd, 2016.



Information about Georgia Military College MOWR Options

Register to take the COMPASS Test with GMC

Parent/Student Information Meetings Are Coming Up

Clear your calendars, ladies and gentleman!!

We have big meetings coming up to help you better understand about what it will take to get out of high school and what it takes to get you in to the next thing you are going to do after high school.  We will cover information about HOPE Scholarship and the new website, www.gafutures.org that replaces GACollege411.org.  Bring your mental wheelbarrow, cause we are going to fill it up!  In all sincerity, these meetings will equip you all in navigating the increasingly complex system of education.

The 9th and 10th grade parents and students will have their meeting on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 7 pm in the Cafeteria.

The 11th and 12th grade parents and students will have their meeting on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at 7 pm in the Cafeteria.

I will see you there!

Horatio Alger Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Scholarship ($7000 to $25,000) seeks to reward students who demonstrate integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, financial need, good academic record commitment to pursue a college education and a desire to contribute to society.  Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 2.0, demonstrate financial need of $55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income), be a US citizen, and be involved in co-curricular activities.  The application deadline is October 25, 2016.  For more details and access to the application click on the link below.

Horatio Alger Scholarship Application

If you are interested in applying to UGA, GA Tech or Georgia State in Atlanta, you and your parents will want to attend a meeting hosted by these three colleges on August 24th 6:00 to 8:00 at the Chapel on historic North Campus at UGA in Athens, GA.  There is no cost to attend this event, and you will learn so much about all three schools and what it takes to be competitive in the application process.  To attend, you must register by clicking the link below.

https://apply.uga.edu/portal/peachstate

Ever Feel Like You Don't Know What Opportunities Are Out There? Here is the Solution.

This is the Guidance Blog, and it is where I will keep you informed with everything that pertains to college, career, leadership, scholarships, etc. announcements.  Staying tuned to this blog page will be VITAL for people who want to hear about all the opportunities that are available to them.  Visiting this website every day to see if a new announcement has been posted will certainly work, but aren't you too busy to remember to do that?  Of course you are!  That is why I have made it so easy for you to stay connected.

You can register to receive word-for-word updates that will be sent to your email address by entering your email address in the box located at the right side of this page that is labeled "follow by email."  Two other quick and easy steps follow and you are set to go!  This will be one of the most important things that you will do in preparation for an upcoming great year and for getting ready for the days that will follow graduation. Get ready to be in-the-know on so many things!

Michael Kulp, Your New Counselor

It is a pleasure to introduce myself as your school counselor.  I am so excited to be serving at Social Circle High School as I have already seen so much potential that the students, the school and the community have here. This is going to be an amazing place to work and learn, and I am so thankful to be a part of the Redskin Family. I am coming to Social Circle with 24 years of professional educational experience and have served in the Gwinnett, Newton, Oconee and Rockdale School Systems both as a teacher, a middle school counselor and as a high school counselor.  I grew up in the metro Atlanta area and am a 1988 graduate of Newton County High School.  I attend UGA for both my Bachelors and Masters degrees before making my last stop at Georgia State for my Specialist.  I have a great wife and two amazing kids, Jack (senior) and Caroline (junior).

As a high school counselor, I have enjoyed watching students of every walk of life see the goals that they set for themselves come to reality.  I believe that communication and partnership are key to my efforts in working with parents and students in navigating the next stage of life beyond high school.  Roughly, if you can dream it and are willing to work for it, there is every reason that we can get you where you want to go in life.  To be a part of this work is what I love to do.

In my free time, I enjoy fishing for trout with my son, Jack, showing lambs with my daughter, Caroline, for her FFA project, and goofing off with my best friend and wife, Barbie.  I also enjoy playing golf, singing, and serving in my church.

I look forward to meeting each of you over the next few months as we buckle up for a great year.  Thank you for the opportunity to serve you.