OHS Counseling Office: We're here for you during Virtual Learning!
Counselors are available for students' questions, concerns, and academic or mental health needs during this digital learning period. Students can contact their counselor via e-mail or Schoology message.
Nick DeWaal, Counselor Last names: A-D (grade 9) Last names: A-DAM (grades 10, 11, 12) Nick.DeWaal@fcps.org
Tara Ketteringham, Counselor Last names: E-KH (grade 9) Last names: DAN-HOT (grades 10, 11, 12) Tara.Ketteringham@fcps.org
Judy McGraw, Counselor Last names: Ki-O (grade 9) Last names: HOU-MILE (grade 10, 11, 12) Judith.Whims@fcps.org
Carleigh Rich, Counselor Last names: P-SO (grade 9) Last names: MILL-SIMP (grade 10, 11, 12) Carleigh.Rich@fcps.org
Christy Polce, Counselor Last names: SP-Z (grade 9) Last names: SM-Z (grade 10, 11, 12) Christy.Polce@fcps.org
Need Help?
Does Your Family Need a Little Help This Coming Winter/Holiday Season?
The extraordinary efforts of this year have put significant strain on many families in our community. If you are a family in need of assistance during the winter/holiday season this year, please contact Sherri.Krivos@fcps.org so we can assist you in locating the resources you need.
FREDERICK FOODBANK
Rental & Eviction Assistance: https://www.thereligiouscoalition.org/programs-services/campaigns-children/
MEALS - UPDATED SCHEDULE !!
Due to the FCPS Thanksgiving break, the schedule for FCPS Food and Nutrition Services meals distribution will be different for Monday, November 23-Sunday, November 29. All school and community locations will distribute to-go breakfast, lunch and supper meals as follows:
Meal distribution will go back to the normal schedule on Monday, November 30.
Please visit www.fcps.org/meals for locations and meal distribution details.
Schoology Groups
In order to keep students up to date, OHS has created Schoology groups for students by graduation class year (ex: class of 2022). General reminders for students in all grades will be posted on Schoology in the class specific group.
How to Apply to Attend the FCPS Career and Technology Center (CTC)
The Career and Technology Center (CTC) is part of the Frederick County Public Schools system. With more than 24 programs to choose from, students have the opportunity to gain college and career experience in a variety of areas. They can earn college credits as well as valuable industry certifications and licenses through a CTC program. CTC programs are taught in half-day blocks, and students attend their high school for the other half of the school day.
Shadowing a CTC program is the first step in the application process and is open to students in grades 9-11. Interested students should sign up for shadowing now by going to this link or visiting the www.careertech.net Admissions tab and filling out the online request for a virtual shadow form.
Shadowing runs Thursday, November 12 through Friday, February 26. Once a shadow date is scheduled, students will receive an email to their my.fcps.org email account informing them of the date and time of their virtual shadow and providing the Google Meet link needed for their virtual shadow experience. A student may shadow and apply to up to two programs. On the day of their virtual shadow, students will log on at the designated time to the Google Meet session provided from their my.fcps.org account. A brief orientation will be provided to all students shadowing before they move into their program's virtual shadow experience.
During the virtual shadow students can expect to meet with the instructor, other students interested in the program, and possibly current students. Students will be able to ask questions about the program and hear the instructor's expectations.
Instructors will evaluate students during their virtual shadow on their enthusiasm and attitude, how well they follow directions, and their participation in the virtual shadow. In addition to the virtual shadow evaluation, attendance and GPA are also considered for acceptance into a CTC program.
After their virtual shadow experience, students can apply to CTC online at the following link: https://education.fcps.org/ctc/APPLY
For additional information about the CTC, the application process and more go to http://education.fcps.org/ctc/, email Kristen.Daly@fcps.org or call 240-236-8493.
FCPS Academy for the Fine Arts (AFA)
During virtual learning at FCPS, students interested in the FCPS Academy for the Fine Arts (AFA) are encouraged to sign up for a virtual Shadow Day, held once monthly on a Thursday from 12:30 - 1:30 PM.
During the visit, students will get a virtual tour of the program and have the opportunity to meet staff and students while participating in a question-and-answer session.
Open to students countywide in FCPS grades 10-12, the AFA is a college and career pathway program that offers focus areas in dance, music, theatre and visual arts. Based at Governor Thomas Johnson High School, the AFA meets during the first two instructional blocks only, permitting students to attend their neighborhood school programs for the afternoons. Transportation to and from TJ High is provided via FCPS Career and Technology Center shuttles.
The AFA provides an intense curriculum that challenges and engages serious high school students while fostering refinement of individual artistic styles, techniques and portfolio development through enrichment opportunities like field trips, concerts, plays, museums, workshops and interaction with professional artists and mentors.
Auditions for the AFA will take place on Saturdays, February 20 and 27.
To register for a virtual shadow day, visit the AFA Website. https://www.fcpsartsacademy.org/afa-virtual-visit.html
Virtual College Visits
Colleges have started to schedule virtual visits for OHS students. During these visits you will meet as a small group with an admissions representative from that college to hear about the school and be able to ask questions.
Sign up is available to current Seniors and Juniors in your Naviance account.
Attention Class Of 2021
What can you do now regarding college applications?
Sign up for your senior meeting with your counselor - Sign Up Genius links can be found on the Naviance home page under "Welcome Seniors."
Students and Parents that have a password in Naviance that does not meet the new password requirements will be required to change their password upon their next Naviance log in attempt.
When a student/parent that has an email address on file goes to the login page and attempts to log in, an email with instructions on how to reset their password will automatically be sent to the email they have on file. When they attempt to log in, they will receive a message that states the following:
“Naviance student password requirements have changed. Please check your email in order to access a temporary password and instructions on how to log in and create a new password. If you do not receive the email, please contact your school.”
If a student/parent does not have an email address on file, you will receive a message that states:
“Naviance student password requirements have changed. In order to regain access to your account, please contact your school so that they can provide you with a temporary password and instructions on how to log in and create a new password.”
Please review the attached pdf instructions here: https://fcps.ezcommunicator.net/edu/frederick/GetFile.aspx?DocId=12653
Virtual Bridge to FCC event next Monday, November 16 from 1:30-3:00 pm. This virtual event is for all FCPS seniors interested in attending FCC. Representatives from Admissions, Financial Aid, Counseling & Advising, Transfer Services, Multicultural Student Services, and Student Engagement will be sharing information on their areas. There will also be current students present to talk about their experiences at FCC. Students can ask questions throughout the event and we will open is up for Q&A at the end for any questions that were not answered during the presentations.
Students can register for the virtual event through Eventbrite. Once you register, you will receive an email confirmation that includes the Zoom details. Here is all the information:
Virtual Bridge to FCC Admissions Event
FCC Admissions Virtual General Information Sessions
Merit Aid: Helps students find merit-based scholarship opportunities before they apply to college. MeritAid.com is the first comprehensive web site dedicated to helping students with the college search by matching them to merit-based scholarships from across the country. Visit www.meritaid.com for more information.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Maryland School Counselor Association is offering a $500 scholarship to two high school seniors for the best essay written in recognition of a school counselor (elementary, middle or high school) who has helped the candidate in some significant way. In a 300 - 500 word essay, the candidates should give specific examples of how the counselor helped make a difference in the candidate's life. Excerpts of the essay submitted may be read at the recognition ceremony. An application will be given priority if the school counselor who is the subject of the candidate's essay is a current MSCA member. Candidates, can complete the form by going to the MSCA website and selecting the Graduating Senior Scholarship Opportunity link on the left side or by clicking on the link below https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SfoLlgXXEecsGMcc17aBIq-elNwEnhl7jqwnngIsj6Y/edit
Applications are due by Feb. 22, 2021.
Davidson Scholar- Belk Scholoarship Due by DEC. 1
The College Board Opportunity Scholarships is an exciting new scholarship program. Students don’t have to write an essay, fill out an application, or have a specific GPA or test score to participate. The program gives students a simple six-step college plan and rewards students with scholarships ranging from $500 to $40,000 for simply completing the actions they need to take in order to apply to college. 4,000 students each year will earn scholarships totaling $5 million, and at least half of all the scholarships ($2.5 million) are designated for students whose families earn less than $60,000 per year. For more information, please see Scholarship Details and the Official Rules.
Towson UTeach, Towson University’s program to prepare future secondary school mathematics and science teachers, is pleased to announce the availability of Kahlert Foundation Scholarships ($2,000 per year for up to four years) to be awarded to incoming freshmen who enroll at the university in Fall 2021 and plan to pursue a career in secondary school mathematics or science teaching. The scholarship application deadline is January 8, 2020
Students who complete the Towson UTeach Program earn a bachelor’s degree in their chosen content area (mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth-space science, or physics) along with the necessary education coursework for secondary school (grades 7-12) teaching certification in Maryland. Towson UTeach incorporates several novel approaches to teacher preparation: 1) early and frequent field placements in local public schools starting in the freshmen year; 2) education courses focused on and dedicated to the pedagogy of mathematics and science; and 3) master teachers, former exemplary public school teachers, who serve as coaches throughout the students’ four years. Additional information about our program can be found at our website www.towson.edu/uteach or via our information video.
WiseGeek Nurse Appreciation Scholarship: Deadline - December 31, 2020
SCHOLARSHIPS AND INFORMATION FOR HOMELESS AND UNACCOMPANIED YOUTH
Application Waivers
Students who qualify as homeless youth can receive price reductions and waivers for AP exams, ACT/SAT entrance exam fees, and college applications. College Board is responsible for administering AP and entrance exams and has information on how to get this cost waived. CB also provides up to 4 requests for waiver of college application fee for qualified students.
DISCLAIMER: