Parent/Guardian Information Meeting September 11, 2014

1. Parent/Guardian Information Meeting September 11, 2014

2. Introductions • Robin Wheeler, ASA • Leo McDonald, Jostens • Megan Stultz, Senior class sponsor • Laura Schley, Yearbook sponsor • Kristy Poker, Resource counselor • Marcus Jurado, Counselor (Seniors R-Z) • Liz Henry, MC Concurrent Enrollment Coordinator • Susie O’Brien, Accuplacer test coordinator

3. Graduation • Friday, May 29th 2014 • 9:30 a.m. • DHS stadium field.

4. Graduation Rehearsal May 28, 2014 Every graduate is REQUIRED to attend graduation rehearsal.

5. Caps and Gown Information • Orders must be in by January 17th, 2014. • Jostens Reps: • Leo McDonald: lmcdonald@tlsservices.net • Tom Scarry: tom.scarry@Jostens.com

6. Class Sponsor: Mrs. Stultz Senior Event Information • Megan_K_Stultz@mcpsmd.org • 301-253-7060 • President: Douglas Yeagar • Vice President: Melissa Melvin • Treasurer: Brandon Zammit • Secretary: Jenny Thornley • PR: Mathew Torrence Class Officers

7. Senior Portraits for the Yearbook • Each senior needs to be photographed by Victor O’Neill Studiosfor inclusion in the yearbook • Their last make up sessions will be September 29th and 30th between 3:00pm-8:00pm. • You need to select the image that you would like to be included in the yearbook and make any requests for retouching BY December 1stin order to be included in the yearbook. Need an appointment?    The BEST way to schedule is via EMAIL to: janet@vosphoto.com Or call (703) 532-0013 ext. 500

8. Senior Panoramic Picture • October 14th • If you have not already turned in your order forms, you can call or mail in your orders to Victor O’Neil Studios. • vosphoto.com • $16 for non-laminated

9. Convertibles Wanted! • We need enough parent drivers and convertibles to transport 16 senior homecoming court members. • Please contact Mrs. Stultz.

10. Homecoming Week: October 20th – October 24th

11. Senior Banquet • Bowlmor Lanes! • 15720 Shady Grove Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 • 6:00pm-8:30pm • Wednesday, April 22, 2015 • Tickets • $35.00 • Includes: • Pizza, Caesar Salad, garlic rolls, soda • bowling and shoe rental • Billards & game room

12. AP and Senior Exams • AP Exams: 5/4/15 - 5/15/15 • http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ap/about/dates • Senior Exams: 5/18/15-5/22/15

13. Dates to Note • Senior Parent Meeting: 5/5/15 @ 6pm • Senior Awards Night: 5/5/15 @ 7pm

14. Volunteers Wanted! • Senior Breakfast: May 15, 2015 • Class Picnic: May 28, 2015 • Post Prom:Post Prom is open to all seniors even if they do not go to Prom!

15. Yearbook Information Sponsor: Laura Schley • Laura_J_Schley@mcpsmd.org Sponsor: Laura Schley • Laura_J_Schley@mcpsmd.org

16. Senior Ads for the Yearbook ***The early-bird catches the deal!!!*** • Cheapest price range runs NOW - Sept 26th • Mid price range runs Sept 27th - Oct 30th • Regular price range runs Oct 31st - Nov 26th **You must submit all photographs and text at the time you place your order** We offer this incentive to guarantee that our yearbook staff has enough time to create a high quality product!!

17. Senior Ads for the Yearbook Ads will be created by Yearbook Students  • Affords yearbook students ownership of the product • Assists in unifying the look and feel of the book • Levels the playing field - One ad will not be emphasized over another due to it’s design elements or focal points. • Saves you money!! We will not include ads created beyond our staff.

18. SENIOR ADs

19. Yearbooks • On sale tonight! – Yearbook and Senior Ad order forms are available outside of room 148 • $70.00 tonight – October 10th • $80.00 October 11th – December 19th • $100.00 December 20th – March 31st OR order online at: www.yearbookforever.com

20. Counseling Office Resource Counselor: Kristy Poker • Kristy_A_Poker@mcpsmd.org • I). College planning video • II). Catalyst Partnership • III). Senior Individual Meetings

21. College Planning Video • September 10th – 6th period students watched a video highlighting the college application process • Students received folders with useful resources and documents • video is on the main page of the DHS website • See counselor with questions

22. Senior Individual Meetings • Counselors are meeting with seniors individually to review their post high school plans • Counselors are also reviewing previous test scores to ensure students are taking the “test of best fit” • Counselors want to make sure that all students have a post high school plan in place

23. How can my student receive help with the SAT/ACT? • SAT II Subject Tests: • Many four year colleges require SAT II Subject Tests • Last testing dates for these tests are in October • Catalyst: • A private company that provides SAT/ACT support • Weekend boot camps for SAT and ACT preparation • SAT - September 27-28 • ACT - October 18-19 • November 5: Mock SAT and ACT • SAT and ACT review booklets available in career center (also online)

24. Montgomery College Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities Program Coordinator: Liz Henry • Liz_A_Henry@mcpsmd.org • Introduction • Program Overview • Advantages • Follow-up Information

25. Montgomery College • As of July 1, 2013 - students eligible to receive reduction in tuition costs at MC • Student must still qualify for MC classes based on their GPA and test scores (SAT, ACT, Accuplacer) • If interested, please speak with your student’s counselor

26. The Damascus Hornet Goes to College Accuplacer Test Coordinator: Susie O’Brien • Susan_S_O’Brien@mcpsmd.org

27. The DHS Statistics! • 56% of MCPS graduates attend a class at MC within two years of graduation. • Over 50% of the last 9 graduating classes at D.H.S. have taken a class at the M.C. Germantown campus within two years of graduation.

28. Taking the Accuplacer • The Accuplacer is a test widely used throughout the country and in all public Maryland colleges to appropriately place students in college courses. • The Accuplacer is produced by College Board, the makers of the SAT, PSAT and AP exams.

29. Why a College Test Now? • By taking the Accuplacer on October 15th, DHS seniors will have over 6 months to work towards improving their placement scores before taking the final Accuplacer in April/May. • Many students do not realize that not all MC offered courses will translate to college credit.

30. How Does My Child’s Reading Affect Their College Placement? Most classes at Montgomery College are: • college level classes that will transfer to a 4 year institution, OR • developmental classes that do not earn transferable credit - these concentrate on building college level skills.

31. If your child’s reading is not at college level, here are some of the courses that he or she CANNOT take…….. • General Psychology • Introduction to Sociology • English Composition • General Biology • College Mathematics • Art History • Introduction to Business • Almost ALL college level courses

32. If your child’s reading is not at college level, here are some of the courses that he or she CAN take…….. • Art Drawing • Art Design • Computer Graphics • Physical Education • Introduction to Dance • (Courses that do not rely excessively on reading skills.)

33. What about Math? • To do well on the Accuplacer and later in college classes, students need to keep their Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 skills sharp. • No calculators can be used on the Accuplacer until they reach the College Level Math portion.

34. You Should Know! • Large numbers of MCPS graduates spend the first semester, first year, and possibly longer, taking expensive remediation courses. • One remediation or developmental course at Montgomery College can cost up to $765.00!

35. No College Credit • Remediation or Developmental classes do not count as college credit, and do not transfer to four year institutions.

36. Damascus Pride! • We want something better for our DHS seniors. • We want our graduates well-prepared and excited about their college experience. • We want our graduates to be successful and comfortable with college level work.

37. October Accuplacer • Seniors need to sign up for the 10/15 Accuplacer with Mrs. O’Brien by 10/1 • Students need to bring: • Both parents full names • Home address including Zip Code • Birth date • Social Security Number

38. What Final Accuplacer Test? • Montgomery College has graciously agreed to give one more complete Accuplacer, free of charge, to our DHS seniors. • By giving theAccuplacer in April/May, students will know their results in time to register for the appropriate classes for the fall.

39. We have plans to help your child succeed! • Oct. 15th Accuplacer will give us initial college placement. • One support class section will be available 2nd semester. • Students should see their counselor if interested in individual test support. • Re-testing will be done in late April and early May 2015.

40. Working Together for Success! Parents, We need your help at home, to make sure students are taking the test seriously and preparing ahead of time – please help them remember to register with Mrs. O’Brien. If we work together, we can help make your children’s dreams come true.

41. Thank you! Thank you for taking an active interest in your son’s or daughter’s future!