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Newsletter #1

October 10, 2020

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NEWS FROM YOUR GUIDANCE COUNSELOR September 2020

MS. CARLA MILLER

PUTNAM COUNTY R-1

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INTRODUCTION TO SENIORS AND PARENTS:

This is the first of two newsletters that will be sent to you from my office.  It is my hope that you will gain information to help you and your child in making good, sound decisions for his or her future.  I will be giving you information about financial aid and other topics.  If you have any questions please feel free to call me at (660) 947-2481 Ext. 308.

ACT TESTING:

ACT registration is at www.actstudent.org.  Practice tests and tip information on the web can be found at www.act.org.  ACT scores determine college entrance as well as scholarship amounts.  Students may take the test more than once.  Colleges accept the highest score.  The following is a list of test dates and registration deadlines:

Test Date: Deadline:  Late Deadline:  Online Score Release:

*Tests may be given at Putnam depending on the number of students.

*The first date is when multiple-choice scores come out, and the second date is when complete scores become available

COLLEGES:

Due to Covid-19, MOACAC is not sponsoring the college fair this year.  Colleges are being forced to come up with new ways to recruit high school students.  Grand River and NCMC are creating a recruitment video to share with high school students.  I will be sharing these with seniors at a later date.  Several colleges are setting up virtual meetings.  I have a schedule for Putnam’s virtual meetings:  MU/Sept 23rd, MO West/Sept 30th, NCMC/Oct 7th, State Tech/Oct 14th, and Northwest/Oct 21st. These virtual meetings will take place in the high school library during activity period on the designated dates.  The plan is to record these meetings so they can be shared with students and parents.

FINANCIAL AID:

Financial Aid Night will be Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. in the middle school auditorium.  Mark your calendar and reserve that night.  You will receive information on grants, loans, and scholarships.  In addition, local scholarships will be given out at that time.  This is a meeting that all parents and seniors should attend.

NCAA/NAIA:

NCAA/NAIA Clearinghouse evaluates academic records to determine if students are eligible to participate in college level sports.  If a senior thinks he/she may play college sports, then they need to enroll in NCAA or NAIA depending on the level of playing.

SCHOLARSHIPS:

Scholarships are sent to my office throughout the school year.  A list of these can be found on the bulletin board outside of my office.  Please encourage your child to check the list on a regular basis.  This list is located on the school website too.

COLLEGE DAYS:

Seniors may take two college days during his/her senior year.  Seniors must have a signed letter from parents PRIOR to the date of the college day(s).  SENIORS MUST ALSO BRING BACK A SIGNED NOTE FROM THE COLLEGE STATING THAT HE/SHE VISITED THE CAMPUS ON THE PARTICULAR DATE OF THE VISIT.  This must be delivered to the high school office the first school day back from the visit.  Both college visits must be used by March 12, 2021.

TRANSCRIPTS (OFFICIAL VS. UNOFFICIAL):

Students may request an unofficial transcript to use when completing applications.  Official transcripts will be sent directly to the college.  Let me know when you need one sent.  Students may also deliver official transcripts as long as the seal is not broken.  Final transcripts with the graduation date/A+ will be sent at the end of May.  Dual-credit courses and ACT scores are on high school transcripts.  However, some colleges require the ACT come directly from ACT.  Seniors must request a transcript from the dual-credit college at the end of the year.