Getting Ready for Senior Year Junior Advisory May 23, 2016

Get Ready Class of 2017!  On June 11, 2016, you will officially be seniors at Fort Bragg High School.  Believe it or not, you’ll need to start planning a few things to help make your senior year a bit easier.

Senior Portraits  You can use a Life Touch picture at registration for your senior picture in the yearbook or you can submit your own.  You can always ask the photography teacher to schedule an appointment with a student photographer to have your senior portraits taken. (No selfies allowed)  Many students hire a private photographer to have their senior portraits taken. Make sure you speak to your parents/guardians to help with this decision. This can be costly!  Senior portraits will be due to the yearbook sometime in November so don’t wait to the last minute.  Many times the summer weather is better for outdoor pictures on the coast, so plan ahead!

Senior Portfolio  Here are the items you will need in your senior portfolio. Look for these items in your advisory folder NOW.  9 th grade Career Essay  9 th grade and 11 th grade Career Fair papers  10 th grade Community Service Verification  Ten-Year Plan papers  Reflection letters to self  Résumé

Senior Portfolio  If you are missing any of these, you’ll need to speak to Mrs. Walker or Mr. Triplett and figure out what to do.  If you haven’t completed your community service, you’ll need to do that this summer.  Your portfolio will be on display for the community during senior boards so be sure you have what you need.

Senior Project  In order to earn a diploma from FBHS you must complete a senior project.  If you take the senior project seriously, you’ll find that it’s pretty rewarding and you’ll appreciate how you’ve spent your time.  All students who looked to an “easy” way out of the senior project have struggled to complete it.  Take advantage of the senior project so you don’t waste your time!

Senior Project  Start considering project ideas NOW!  Choose a topic that you find interesting or that you would like to investigate more seriously.  Remember, you need to produce something for your senior project or learn something that you can show to a panel.  Let’s explore some ideas…

Senior Project Ideas  Earn a certificate of some kind like EMT, CNA, First Aid, Phlebotomy, CPR, etc.  Learn to do something you’ve always wanted to do like play an instrument, make a piece of furniture, fix an engine, weld a project, learn a specific software, etc.  Research a career and create a brochure or video to pass along to other students who want to pursue the same field.  Teach a class or organize an event.

Senior Project Ideas  Speak to Mr. Carr, Mrs. Fishman, and Mr. Kirkley before the end of the school year if you have an idea you think may work. They’ll be able to tell you if you are on the right track.  You can also speak to the counselors and administration for ideas and suggestions.  The best projects come from students who take it seriously and want to learn something for themselves.

Credits  If you’ve failed any classes, speak to your counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate.  If you fail classes this semester, you’ll need to take those classes again next year so speak to your teachers and use these final weeks to get your work done!  Check your attendance! If you lose credit because of absences, you’ll need to re-take those classes next year.

College  If you plan on applying to a CSU, UC, or private college, you need to take the SAT or ACT. Speak to your counselor TODAY so you can register for the fall SAT and ACT dates.  CSU applications open on October 1.  UC applications open on November 1.  Both are due by November 30.  Open an online account with CSU and UC now!  Work on your personal statements now!  Ask for letters of recommendation.

Walking in the Ceremony  If you plan on walking at the graduation ceremony on June 9, 2017, here are the requirements:  Earn 220 credits from required classes for graduation  Have no more than 15 absences in any class including advisory class  Complete and pass all components of the senior project  Have no “F” grades on your final report card  Not be on an activity suspension or school suspension on the day of graduation  Have no fees on record with FBHS or the school district

Senior Year Begins in 3 weeks!  When you step on campus in August, you’ll be ten months away from graduation.  While it may seem like a long time, you’ll discover that the year will speed by you.  Take advantage of your senior year and plan ahead!  This will be your final year at FBHS. Make it count!