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Parkville High School
Administration

School Principal
Stephen Edgar

Class of 2010
Ms. Linda Govignon

Class of 2011
Mrs. Maria McClung

Class of 2012
Mr. Russell Valentine

Class of 2013
Mrs. Michele Patras

A Message From Our Principal, Stephen Edgar

Greetings! Now that summer is rapidly approaching, Parkville High School is preparing the schedule for the next year; as we give students and parents preliminary information about their course load for next year, please continue to keep in mind this information taken from ACT’s News You Can Use:

                        Five Reasons to Take Challenging Courses

1. Colleges look at the challenging high school courses you’ve taken and want to see that you weren’t coasting through.
2. Tough courses give you give you the knowledge and skills you need to do college work and prepare for a career.
3. Students who take challenging courses score higher on college admissions tests, and a higher score means a higher chance to succeed in college. Scholarships are awarded to students who work hard to earn good grades.
4. You’ll be less likely to need remedial courses in college, and you may be able to finish college sooner.
5. You will have more options for college and a career.

 Finally, I also wanted to let you know that the fantastic Class of 2009 amassed $2,256,121 in scholarship money this year. Wow!!! These numbers are up considerably from last year and from previous years as well.

Have a great summer!

Stephen A. Edgar

Academic Resources and Links

Planning: Your Life After PHS

Scholarship & Financial Aid Information

Contact Your Counselor

Are You Ready for the SAT?

College Info & Resources

March Counselors’ Corner

SENIORS – Congratulations on your college admissions! Remember to drop off a copy of each acceptance letter to the School Counseling Office so that we may post and share your wonderful news!

Important Dates/Events to Remember

College Fair 2009 – More than 100 colleges, universities, military schools!
March 9, 6-8pm, CCBC Essex
March 10, 6-8pm, CCBC Catonsville

Local Scholarships – information and applications available in the School Counseling Office starting March 16

Breakfast with the Counselors – Roundtable discussion on “Talking with Your Child about College” - March 25, 8-9am at PHS (free event – email jallen5@bcps.org to register)

SAT and ACT College Admissions Testing Registration Deadlines (Juniors)
March 31 – for May 2 SAT
May 5 – for June 6 SAT
May 8 – for June 13 ACT

Final Payment Due for Advanced Placement (AP) Tests - March 23 (exams scheduled May 4-8 and May 11-15)

University of MD-College Park Sophomore/Junior Visit Day - April 25 (Maryland Day)

AVID College Tours

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination-College Prep Program) is now opening seats for its Annual College Tour to non-Avid students. The trip takes place during Spring Break from Monday, April 6th through Wednesday, April 8th. Students will leave Monday morning and return on Wednesday evening. The tour will include college/university visits in Delaware, New Jersey, and New York. The visit in New York includes a stop at Ground Zero. The cost of the trip is $200.00 and includes transportation and hotel fees. A $100.00 deposit is due ASAP to reserve a spot and the balance is due by Friday, March 13th. This is a great opportunity for students to visit college campuses while classes are in session! If you are interested, please contact our AVID Coordinator, Ms. Khaliah Blackwell at kblackwell@bcps.org or Ms. Zillah Ingram, AVID Counselor, at zingram@bcps.org.

“Breakfast with the Counselors”

PHS family members, you are cordially invited to join the PHS Counseling Office at the second Breakfast with the Counselors. The free event will be held at PHS Wednesday, March 25, 8-9am. This roundtable discussion will be co-sponsored by PTSA to provide PHS family members with information needed to help their students to be successful. The topic, determined with parent feedback, will be “Talking with Your Child about College.” Please RSVP and/or send your suggestions for future breakfast event discussion topics to Ms. Jennifer Allen at jallen5@bcps.org. We look forward to seeing you at these events throughout the year!

Important Graduation Requirement

Parkville students - don't forget that one of your graduation requirements is to earn 75 Student Service Learning Hours. Look at your report card to determine whether you have met this requirement. If not listed as “met,” you may pick up the Student Service Learning forms in the School Counseling Office and inquire about some available volunteer opportunities. Give your completed forms to the Counseling Office secretary, Mrs. Gast, as you complete service projects.  Mrs. Gast will make sure your hours are recorded.

Scholarships!!!

Local scholarship information is starting to arrive in the School Counseling Office. Starting March 16, check for specific local applications and be cognoscente of deadlines. Students should also review the two comprehensive binders of scholarship information and applications currently available to PHS students. These binders can be found in the School Counseling Office and the school library. The binders are available before and after school, during a student’s lunch period, and with a scheduled appointment. CHECK OFTEN – the binders are constantly updated! By appointment, students may also browse the “college library” across from the School Counseling Office.

Advance Placement Update

Advanced Placement (AP) Exam registration is underway for students currently taking AP classes. Final payment for exams is due in the counseling office on Monday, March 23. This year’s AP exams are scheduled for May 4-8 and May 11-15. Parkville currently has 219 students enrolled in one or more AP classes. Last year, 151 students took 332 AP exams. Students who do well on their AP exam may earn college credits in the tested subject. Over the years, Parkville has had several students enter college as second-semester Freshmen or even with Sophomore standing! Think of the $avings!! If you are interested in finding out more about AP classes at Parkville, please contact your child’s school counselor

Parallel Enrollment at CCBC

There’s another way to get a leg up on college credits… Thanks to a CCBC partnership, starting the summer after 10th grade students may take community college courses for 50% off. During senior year, students meeting program criteria can even apply for a half-day at PHS to leave and take CCBC classes in the afternoon. It’s another great way to save on a college education! Contact your child’s counselor with questions.

Juniors – Get Ready for College!   Spotlight on College Admissions Tests

Juniors – it’s time to get into “high gear” for college planning. On the School Counseling section of the PHS webpage (http://parkvillehs.bcps.org/), go to School Counseling then “Planning for Life after High School” and review the Junior Year Timeline for tips. Check out the upcoming College Fair (details in Dates/Events section) and Spring Break is a great time to visit prospective colleges! Also, here are some important details about taking college admissions tests.

• Any student considering application to a four-year college should complete one or more college entrance tests – the SAT or ACT – in the spring of junior year and the fall of senior year. Side note, such test scores are generally not required for admission to community colleges or when a student is transferring to a four-year college after at least two years of credit from a community college.
• Keep in mind that students should be finished (or nearly finished) with at least Algebra I, II and Geometry and English 9, 10 and 11 if they hope to be successful on these college entrance tests. Students who have also completed additional math and English courses and the half-credit Verbal and/or Math SAT Review Prep courses will be even better prepared.
• The difference between the ACT ($46 with writing, $31 without) and the SAT Reasoning Test ($45) is generally described this way: the ACT is curriculum-based (what you have learned), while the SAT is aimed more at general reasoning and problem-solving skills (how you solve problems). Also, unlike the SAT, the ACT includes science and gives you the option to NOT do the writing portion (though students should generally opt to do it). These days, many colleges are accepting either test score and will consider the best out of all attempts, but students should check their potential colleges of choice to confirm. **Students should also check the websites of their prospective colleges (in particular, many Ivy League colleges) to see if any SAT Subject Test ($20) scores are requested.**
• ACT registration and resources: www.actstudent.org. SAT registration and resources: www.collegeboard.com (lots of other cool/helpful goodies here, too, such as “My College QuickStart” to help students plan; a college search feature; personalized PSAT score breakdowns).
• SAT and ACT registration deadlines for remainder of this school year:
• March 31 – for May 2 SAT
• May 5 – for June 6 SAT
• May 8 – for June 13 ACT
• The Counseling Office has registration info, prep booklets, and info about the FREE online SAT course and both in-school and after-school prep classes. Students are encouraged to come and pick up materials and ask their questions. As usual, the best time is before or after school so that they do not miss class, or they should submit a Counselor Request slip and we’ll send a pass..  

Parkville High School
PTSA
2008-2009
Sign Up for the PTSA!

Dear Parents, Teachers , Staff and Students
It is hard to believe that the Class of 2009 has graduated and the school year is over!  This has been a very busy and productive year for all of us.  The Parkville High PTSA has been very busy this year and I am proud to say that we have completed all of the goals that we set and then some!  The largest task that we take on is the After Prom  for the Senior class and this year we had a record number of parent volunteers .   The After Prom committee worked very hard and I want to thank them for a successful  After Prom!

The membership drive for PTSA was better than last year, although still not where we would like it to be.  We did win a membership award from Baltimore County PTA for our increase in membership for this school  year.
The summer is always a time for slowing down, kicking back and taking in the sights and sounds around you.  I am looking  forward to some time on the beach with my family and to reflect on how the past school  year has gone.  My oldest son finished his first year of college and my youngest son completed his first year at Parkville High ; both were definitely eye opening experiences for all of us.  I am sure each and everyone of you has something to reflect on over the past school year.

As you have some down time this summer to think, I would ask that you look at how you can become involved in your child’s high school experience.  Come off of the sidelines and join the team!  The Ptsa is in desparate need of volunteers , we also have the Vice Presidents position open for the 2009-2010 school year.  We are all busy with our “paying jobs”, family, extra-curricular activities; but please consider helping us.  This a job that really pays off in the long run with our children and their educational experiences.

Time is precious to all of us, but in a few years you will not have the ability to be involved in your child’s life.  He or she will be out of high school and pursuing their dreams .  Take the opportunity now to make a difference- 1 person can make a difference.

I will be the President of the PTSA for the 2009-2010 school year, I look forward to meeting parents and family who want to involved with their child’s school!  As always do not hesitate to call or email – if you are in Fenwick Island Delaware this summer look for me on the beach!!

Best,
Suzette Gordon

As always, you can reach me via cell phone 410-913-6336 or email Sgordon0210@yahoo.com

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Who we are and how to reach us:

President: 
Suzette Gordon
410-913-6336
sgordon0210@yahoo.com
              
Vice-President:
Michelle Conneely
mconneely@bcps.org

Secretary:
Lois Busky
410-661-3709
lbusky@comcast.net

Treasurer:
Staci Bondura

The PTSA Mission:  To support and speak on behalf of children and youth in schools, in the community and before government bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children; to assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children; to encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of our nation.
Please support your PTSA through membership!!  Be involved!! 

Meeting dates for the 2008-2009 school year are as follows:

Mondays at 7:00 p.m. in the Guidance Office Conference Room

1. October 27
2. November 24
3. December 15
4. January 26
5. February 23
6. March 23
7. April 27
8. May 18

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The PTSA will be giving out scholarships to qualifiying senior class graduates.  One part of the qualification is that the student be a member of the PTSA.  It is not too late to join, the membership fee is $7 and you can stop in the main office and ask for a PTSA membership form. Complete the form and turn it back in to the office!

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Check out the new After Prom Party Committee for great fundraisers and events!

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