JUNIOR CHECKLIST
September
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Welcome back! The Guidance Program is ready to help you
succeed in high school and plan your future.
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The Guidance Program can help you with questions and concerns in the
following areas:
• Academic Information • Career
Decision Making • Personal/Social Information
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My counselor’s name is
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My BRACE Advisor’s name is
.
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My ESE Specialist’s name is
.
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Your counselor and BRACE Advisor will provide information and
assistance to you through classroom guidance lessons and activities
throughout the year.
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If you need more assistance, ask about participating in a small
group or make an appointment with your counselor/BRACE Advisor.
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If you are an ESE student, meet the ESE Specialist who will work
with you, your family, and your counselor. Find out when your next
Transition IEP meeting will be held and what types of accommodations
you are entitled to for coursework and tests, including the ACT
and SAT.
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If you are an LEP student, talk to your counselor and all your
teachers about your needs. Make sure you are in the courses that
are right for you!
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Review your schedule. Make certain your courses suit your long-term
goals.
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Remember to register for the October PSAT if you think you
may go to college. To qualify for the National Merit or National
Achievement Scholarships, you must take the PSAT in 11th grade.
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Are you behind in credits? If so, see your counselor/ESE specialist
to get options for making up lost credits.
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Do you want to see your grades, test scores, or schedule? That and
much more information is at your fingertips!
At school go to http://web/dwh
and click on Virtual Counselor.
At home, go to
www.browardschools.com/virtualcounselor
October
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Character trait 1 – RESPONSIBILITY is meeting obligations by
being reliable, accountable, and dependable to self and others.
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Talk to your counselor/ESE specialist about exploring and selecting
a career. Ask your counselor to place you in a career group that
will focus on career decision-making.
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Work or volunteer in a field related to a career you’re interested
in.
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If you are an ESE student, be sure to let the ESE specialist know
who to invite to your next Transition IEP meeting and schedule an
appointment with the ESE specialist to discuss Community Agency
Services that may be available to you.
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Get involved in school activities. Go to athletic events, school
plays, and music concerts!
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Plan to attend the Greater Fort Lauderdale National College Fair
on October 19th, 2011, at the Broward
County Convention Center.
November
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Character Trait 2 – CITIZENSHIP is knowing, understanding,
and displaying a high regard for rules, laws, government, heritage,
and for those whom have served and sacrificed for community and
country.
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Take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery).
This test can provide information regarding your aptitude and
interest for postsecondary education and military career areas.
(Note: ESE accommodations cannot be provided on the ASVAB.)
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Add important documents and information about yourself to your
personal portfolio. See your counselor, ESE specialist, or BRACE
Advisor.
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Continue using CHOICES on the Internet. This program can help
you identify your interests and match your personal inventory with
possible occupations. Search for colleges or technical schools. Go
to:
www.FACTS.org.
December
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Character Trait 3 – KINDNESS is being helpful, thoughtful,
caring, compassionate, and considerate.
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Review the Bright Future Scholarship requirements and
your progress toward qualification with your counselor/ESE
specialist. View your current status at www.FACTS.org.
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Continue to build and refine your resume.
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Use Virtual Counselor to make sure your student record is
correct: grades and credits, name, birth date, and social security
number. Notify the registrar of any errors.
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You may be able to take a course through Broward Virtual School.
Find out more from your counselor or http://www.bved.net.
Check out the websites for the Broward County technical schools:
Atlantic Technical: www.atlantictechcenter.com
McFatter Technical: www.mcfattertech.com
Sheridan Technical: www.sheridan technical.com
January
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Character Trait 4 – RESPECT is showing consideration,
understanding, and regard for people, places, and things.
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Prepare for your exams!
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Now that you have decided upon your career goal, plan the education
or training that is needed: on-the-job training, apprenticeship
training, technical training, two-year associates degree, four-year
college degree, or military service.
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Sign up for the ACT or SAT. Fee waivers are available
to students who quality. If eligible for special administration, be
sure to complete the request form at least six weeks before the
test.
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Begin learning about college costs, technical training costs, and
financial aid.
February
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Character Trait 5 – HONESTY is being truthful, trustworthy,
and sincere.
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Meet with your BRACE Advisor to begin preparation for your
future.
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Select your senior year courses carefully by using Virtual
Counselor.
Review coursework necessary to qualify for the Florida Gold Seal
Vocational Scholarship, the Florida Medallion Scholarship, and the
Florida Academic Scholarship. Check your status at www.FACTS.org.
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When selecting your senior year schedule, take the most challenging
courses you can such as Advanced Placement, honors courses,
or dual enrollment courses! That’s what colleges and
universities look for when making admissions decisions.
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Investigate private student aid and scholarship programs. Use
directories and databases available on the Internet such as
CHOICES. The earlier you start, the better chance you’ll have
and the less stress!
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If you school offers a Career Day, take advantage of this
opportunity to talk to professionals from the working world.
March
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Character Trait 6 – SELF-CONTROL is having discipline over
one's behavior or actions.
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Research colleges and technical schools on the Internet. Evaluate
the literature you get from these schools.
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Meet with college/technical school representatives who visit your
high school.
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Narrow your college school choices based upon your needs, rather
than difficult admissions requirements, popularity, national
reputation, or where your friends want to go.
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You may need to take SAT subject tests this year. Do so just
as soon as you finish the 2nd year of foreign language and other
advanced courses and if you plan to apply to a competitive
college/private college. Most private colleges require 3 SAT
subject tests for admissions.
April
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Character Trait 7 – TOLERANCE is recognizing and respecting
differences, values, and beliefs of other people.
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Ask your counselor, ESE specialist, or BRACE Advisor if your high
school provides any career shadowing experiences or internships.
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Continue to evaluate postsecondary options. Begin to eliminate some
choices from your list.
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IT’S TIME! Talk to your counselor, ESE specialist, or BRACE Advisor
about exploring and selecting a career if you don’t know what you’re
going to do after high school. CHOICES and www.FACTS.org
are resources that can help.
May
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Character Trait 8 – COOPERATION is working with others to
accomplish a common purpose.
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Identify teachers, administrators, counselors, coaches, and other
adults (religious leaders, employers) who are willing to write
letters of recommendation.
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Find out which civic, cultural, and service organizations
award scholarships that are available.
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Look for a summer job.
Most colleges and families expect students to help pay for college
costs.
Summer
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Consider volunteer work or employment that relates to career
possibilities.
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Spend time reading and reviewing math concepts this summer.
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Consider a college or technical school visit in
conjunction with summer travel. If you are an ESE student, visit
the Office of Disability Services for assistance.
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If your ACT/SAT scores did not meet your expectations, think about
taking an SAT/ACT preparatory course.
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Check out these websites this summer or any time!
Florida's official student advising site: www.FACTS.org
Career planning:
www.mappingyourfuture.org
Bright Futures Scholarship:
www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf
ACT: www.act.org
College Board: www.collegeboard.com
College Search: http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cool
FastWeb Scholarship Database: www.fastweb.com
