2.  Opening day of school is Wednesday, August 15!!  Report to the gym first thing Wednesday morning.  Be ready to represent your class for the spirit stick!

3.  Mr. Thomas – Senior principal  Mr. Muntz – Junior principal  Mrs. Dedic – Sophomore Principal  Mrs. Barnes – Freshman Principal  Mrs. Thompson – A-F Counselor  Mrs. Palmer – G-O Counselor  Mrs. Sterrett – P-Z Counselor  Ms. Shelton – Freshmen Counselor

4.  New student lunch prices for 2012-2013:  Breakfast - $1.10 for paid  $.30 for reduced  Lunch - $2.15 for paid  $.40 for reduced

5.  Parents may access grades, attendance, behavior, etc. online through the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus. Parents need to bring a picture ID to the front office for information on how to do this.

6. Grade Letter Grade Point Value 90-100A4 80-89B3 70-79C2 60-69D1 0-59F0

7. What can your counselors do for you?  Help you explore the different programs and career fields that interest you.  Help you find a college/university that has the course of study you wish to pursue.  Provide you with resources to help you in your college/career search.  Provide guidance on writing letters of admission.  Provide information to help with scholarships and financial aid.

8.  Mrs. Thompson distributes scholarship information as she receives updated scholarships.  Email brenda.thompson@madison.kyschools.us to sign up for the scholarship email list.brenda.thompson@madison.kyschools.us  Also, posted in the guidance office is the updated list of scholarships.  Check announcements on our website as well for upcoming scholarships.  Visit your counselor to get help finding scholarships that meet your individual needs as well.

9.  There will be several opportunities to attend financial aid workshops both at colleges and at MCHS this year.  Dates of these workshops are yet to be determined. Watch the announcement page to see when the next one will be.  Your counselor can also aid you in the completion of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. (FAFSA) Visit www.fafsa.gov for more details.www.fafsa.gov  The FAFSA is to be completed in the spring of your senior year – after you and your parents have completed your 2011 income taxes.

10.  Seniors, expect an individual meeting this year with your counselor to discuss all of the above information. Your counselor will set up the time for this meeting.  In addition to this, ANYONE can set up an appointment with their counselor ANYTIME.

11.  Athletes should register with the Clearinghouse early in the fall or spring of their JUNIOR year. NCAA now wants athletes to register on line at www.eligibilitycenter.org www.eligibilitycenter.org

12.  YOUTH SALUTE APPLICATIONS FOR JUNIORS ONLY MAY BE PICKED UP IN THE GUIDANCE OFFICE AND ARE DUE BACK IN SEPTEMBER. MORE INFO WILL BE PLACED ON THE ANNOUNCEMENTS.

13.  English – 4 credits  Math – 4 credits  Science – 3 credits  Social Studies – 3 credits  Health -.5 credit  PE -.5 credit  Humanities – 1 credit  Electives 6 credits  Total – 22 credits to graduate

14.  English – 4 credits  Math – 4 credits  Science – 3 credits  Social Studies – 3 credits  Health -.5 credit  PE -.5 credit  Humanities – 1 credit  World Language – 2 consecutive credits  Electives 4 credits  Total – 22 credits to graduate

15.  Commonwealth Diploma Requirements:  Pre-College Curriculum PLUS:  One AP English  One AP Science or Math  One AP Foreign Language  One additional AP course  Student must also take the AP exam in 3 of the 4 AP areas listed above.

16.  English Language  English LiteratureCost of AP exam:  Spanish Language$87  French Language  Latin – Vergil  Calculus  Physics  Biology  Chemistry  World History  US History  Music Theory  Statistics  European History  Human Geography

17.  Weighted GPA  Possible College Credit  Distinguished course of study  Looks good on college applications!!

18.  EKU Now! is the dual credit program offered through EKU and Madison Central.  EKU Now allows students to earn college credit while simultaneously earning credits towards graduation from MCHS.  These credits are transferable to most colleges/universities in Kentucky.  A student may take 2 courses per semester.  Many courses are offered through EKU NOW! and more are being added each year.

19.  Must be a junior or senior  Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0  Meet minimum ACT score requirements:  18 in English, 19 in Mathematics, 20 in Reading and a composite ACT score of 21  The cost of EKU Now! is $32.50 per credit hour for the first class and $65 per credit hour for the second class. Also students must purchase textbooks/supplies and a parking permit if needed.

20.  Juniors  Attending Classes on an EKU Campus   One free course per semester   One additional course at $65 per credit hour   Two course maximum per semester (pending availability)  Attending Classes in High School, Online or on ITV   One course per semester at $32.50 per credit hour   One additional course at $65 per credit hour (pending availability)   Two course maximum per semester in high school, online or on ITV (pending availability)  Attending One Class on Campus and One Class in High School, Online or on ITV   One on-campus course free per semester   One additional course in the high school, online or via ITV at $65 per credit hour (pending availability)   Two course maximum per semester (pending availability)  Seniors  Attending Classes on an EKU Campus   One free course per semester   One additional course at $32.50 per credit hour   Two course maximum per semester (pending availability)  Attending Classes in High School, Online or on ITV   One course per semester at $32.50 per credit hour   One additional course per semester at $65 per credit hour (pending availability)   Two course maximum per semester (pending availability)  Attending One Class on Campus and One Class in High School, Online or on ITV   One on-campus course free per semester   One additional course in the high school, online or via ITV at $65 per credit hour (pending availability)   Two course maximum per semester (pending availability)  Senior Whitlock Scholar Candidates (Seniors with 24 ACT Composite and Above)  Attending on an EKU Campus, In High School, Online, or on ITV   Two free courses per semester   Two course maximum per semester (pending availability)

21.  Students interested in the Governor’s Scholars Program MUST take the PSAT on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 of their junior year to qualify for the program. Scores from the PSAT will be used to determine eligibility and student selection for the GSP Program. The GSP will also take ACT scores, but PSAT scores are preferred. ACT registration packets are available in counseling office or register online at www.actstudent.org Fee waivers are available to students who are on free/reduced lunch. Maximum of 2 fee waivers total.www.actstudent.org

22.  The PSAT will be given on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 in the lecture hall to any interested junior. The exam will be administered beginning at 8:10 am. Any interested junior needs to bring $20 to the finance office before October 8, 2012 to register for the exam. At that time each student will receive a 2012 PSAT Student Bulletin, which includes important tips for preparing for the exam as well as including a practice test.

23.  The Governor's Scholars Program is a stimulating, five-week, residential summer program for outstanding Kentucky students completing their junior year in high school.  To be eligible a student must::  Be in the 11th grade  Be a current resident of Kentucky;  Have taken the ACT, PSAT, or SAT in the 9th, 10th or 11th grades.  Students must be nominated by their school districts  The 2013 program will be held on 3 campuses:  Bellarmine University in Louisville  Centre College in Danville  Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky  There are no grades or credits. The program is singularly free from competition, creating an environment that is conducive to building a community of friends and colleagues.  The program offers Scholars a chance to know and make friends with other enthusiastic, energetic students with high intellectual capacities. The give-and-take among Scholars from different backgrounds is one of the most treasured aspects of the program.

24.  Selection Process  The selection process for the Governor’s Scholars Program is multi-tiered. Students compete:  at the school level  at the district level.  At the state level for the final competition ( ONLY IF SELECTED BY DISTRICT )  Academic Achievement (30 Points) – consists of ACT, PSAT, or SAT test score, grade point average, and difficulty of class load.  The Academic Achievement Section is awarded points based on the attached charts.

25. (30 Points) Academic Achievement : Test Scores GPA’s Difficulty of Course Load (40 Points) Student Profile Leadership Project (10 points) Extracurricular Activities (10 points) Service (10 Points) Honors/Awards (10 Points) Writing Entry (15 Points) Two Teacher Recommendations (15 Points)

26.  Commitment is a major requirement. Each student should be committed to participate enthusiastically in the program and to remain for the entire five weeks without interruption, except for illness or emergencies.  If students have prior commitments for the summer between their junior and senior year that will interfere with the five-week program…..then they should not apply.

27.  If you have a discrepancy in your schedule, you will need to get the request form from your homeroom teacher on the first day of school.  The following reasons are the only schedule changes that will be accepted:  Scheduled for a class already taken  Need to repeat a class  Need to change the level of a core class (i.e. general to AP)  There is a blank on the schedule  There is a duplicate class on the schedule  SCHEDULE CHANGES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER THURSDAY, AUGUST 23, 2012.

28.  The ACT is given at Madison Central on each national test date.  The upcoming test dates are:  Test Day:Registration Deadline:  September 8, 2012 August 17, 2012  October 27, 2012September 21, 2012  December 8, 2012November 2, 2012  February 9, 2013January 11, 2013  April 13, 2013March 8, 2013  June 8, 2013May 3, 2013 The cost of the ACT is $35 – counselors do have fee waiver forms available for junior and senior students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. Registration is available online at www.actstudent.org

29.  All juniors will be given the ACT for free of charge at MCHS on March 5, 2013.  This is a state mandated test for Kentucky.

30.  The benchmarks set forth by ACT are as follows:  English – 18  Reading – 21  Mathematics – 22 (19 for some colleges, including EKU)  Science – 24  Students who meet these benchmarks show that they are on track for college readiness. Also, if these benchmarks are met, students will avoid having to take remedial courses in college.

31.  All Sophomores will be given the PLAN test in the middle of September.  This test is a precursor to the ACT and predicts how well the student will perform on the ACT.  This test is a mandated test by the state of Kentucky.

32.  The following benchmarks have been set forth by ACT (creator of PLAN):  English – 15  Reading – 17  Mathematics – 19  Science – 21  Students who meet these benchmarks show that they are on track to meet the benchmarks on the ACT and are on track for college readiness.

33.  Algebra 2, English 2, Biology, US History  These tests are state mandated and taken at the end of the school year.  All End of Course Assessment classes will be year-round classes, and will be a cumulative average weighted as follows:  Term 1-20%, Term 2-20%, Term 3-20%, Term 4-20%, EOC Assessment-20%

34.  Kentucky students attending a certified high school can earn scholarship money based on their grade point averages (GPA) for each year of high school and bonus money based on the highest ACT score achieved before graduating from high school. Students who receive free/reduced lunch may also earn KEES money by taking Advanced Placement exams

35.  Is my KEES award renewable? Yes, your KEES money is renewable. However, you must be registered full time and meet the GPA requirements in order to renew your full KEES award. If you are registered for less than six hours or have below a 2.5 cumulative GPA, you will not be eligible to continue receiving your KEES award. For more information regarding KEES go to www.kheaa.com. www.kheaa.com  When will I receive my KEES award? Your KEES award will be credited to your school account approximately one month after classes begin. Your KEES money will be disbursed two times per year (fall and spring). If you do not have an outstanding balance, a refund will be issued to you.  10. Can my KEES award be increased after I graduate from high school? No, your KEES award cannot be increased after you complete high school. The amount of the award is based on your highest ACT score and your high school grade point average at the time you graduate

36.  Richmond Rotary Club wants a junior, along with their parents, to attend a Rotary Club luncheon meeting each Wednesday at noon.  Any interested junior with a grade point average of 3.0 or better may attend.  There is a sign up sheet on Mrs. Sterrett’s door in the Guidance Office and it is first come, first serve  Possible Dates are as Follows:  November 7, 14, 28  December 5, 12, 19  January 9, 16, 23, 30  February 6, 13, 20, 27  March 6, 13, 20, 27  April 10, 17, 24  May 1, 8, 15

37. WELCOME TO THE 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR! Remember your counselor is available at any time for any need you may have!