January 24th, 2012 

-Direction begins here:                                                                     

Happy New Year and Welcome Back!!  

General announcements:

• Financial Aid Night on January 10th was a huge success!  We had two amazing guest speakers with lots of resources to share.  Did you just need more information about the FAFSA, scholarship opportunities, or did you miss it altogether?  Check out all the scoop in this issue's 'Financial Aid Extra' in the 'senior' section...or just click here

• The Princeton Review SAT preparation class is currently underway.  The second set of classes just began last weekend and there is an additional final opportunity for this class later in the Spring.  Check out the flyer here

• Coming soon- Spartan Peer Tutoring! 

  Spartan Peer Tutoring is free after school tutoring in the media center on Tuesdays from 3:45-4:30.  Students will sign up on Tuesday to work with an upperclassman that is experienced in a certain subject area (for example a student may be in AP Spanish and is able to assist Spanish 1 and 2 students who need extra help).  We hope this will be a great resource for all students!  The official start date for the tutoring sessions will be posted on our website as soon as it is determined! 

• Enrollment Information for new families for 2012-2013: Enrollment Application for Magnet Program are still available on North Spring's  website; Application deadline January 30th 2012.  Families to submit completed applications to Counseling Office.  Registration timeline for late registration to be published soon.

• Teen Driving Information:Upcoming 'Car Control Clinic' reportedly reduces chances of a crash by up to 77%.  Check out this flyer about an upcoming car control clinic at John's Creek. $179 per parent/student team, parent required at all sessions.  Students need a Learner's permit or better.  See more here

•  AND FOR THE MOST UP TO THE MINUTE NEWS: FACEBOOK US here  

 Now 270 members and growing!!  Don't be left out!

Navigate further by grade level:

9th Grade     10th Grade     11th Grade     12th Grade 

 9th Grade: Navigating your first year

 10th Grade: Continuing the journey

By now seniors should be mostly finished submitting college applications.  If your student is still undecided on his/her post-high school plans, please have them make an appointment to see their counselor to discuss options.  The Counseling Department is committed to ensuring that every senior leaves in May with plan.

Students and parents should be working on completing their FAFSA.  The application for seniors was made available January 5th and the sooner you submit your application for financial aid the better.

The last day to register for an online class through Georgia Virtual Schools for the Spring term is February 8th.  If you are interested in signing up for an online class, see your counselor. 

Any seniors who have not yet successfully completed a portion of the Georgia High School Graduation Test will re-test in March.  The March week of testing is the last testing opportunity for seniors before graduation.  If any student is unsure of their test circumstance, see your counselor or graduation coach.

Seniors needing to complete credits for recovery through PLATO should be working diligently at home and in the PLATO lab.  Graduation is just around the corner!

 FINANCIAL AID EXTRA$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

• Senior Scholarship Opportunities:  Check out the  information about the North Fulton Council PTA "Sally Fitzgerald Scholarship" by clicking here and then further access the actual application by clicking application 

The application for this scholarship will be similar to our North Springs PTSA Scholarship and a student may be interested in applying for both.  Alisa Coffey, Student Enrichment VP will be a resource for further information about our NS PTSA Scholarship...application materials are not available just yet. 

• Financial Aid Night Information:

  Our first guest speaker was from the Georgia Student Finance Commission, Mr. Ben Meadows who shared important information about the state HOPE program and completing a FAFSA.  For his full presentation, click here

   

  Ms. Joni Towles, a private educational consultant  and financial aid expert shared her presentation about paying for college and scholarships, check it out here

   Also be sure to check out Ms. Towles educational

  consulting website  www.towlesedu.com

• Here is another resource hot off the press: FAFSA guide

PREVIOUS INFORMATION:

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS:

Colleges prefer applications to submitted online.  Make sure your senior is mindful of application deadlines.  Once an applicaiton has been submitted, supplemental documents such as transcripts and letters of recommendations should be sent.

TRANSCRIPTS:

Seniors should request official transcripts in the Counseling Office.  The cost is $2.00 per transcript and students must provide a stamped (we recommend two stamps), addressed envelope.  Please allow 10 school days to process.

COUNSELOR EVALUATIONS:  If your senior also needs a counselor evaluation completed, students should attach the evaluation form to the transcript request form.  Please allow at least 10 school days to process.

SAT/ACT scores:  All SAT/ACT exam scores must be sent through the College Board directly.  Students receive 4 free score reports to colleges at each test administration.  A fee of $10.50 applies for additional score reports.  

Please note, students with free or reduced lunch status are eligible for up to two SAT/ACT fee waivers throughout their high school career.  Your student will have to come by the counseling office to request a waiver.

NS Magnet Info 

How to Study

HOPE

Behavioral Health Link 

Junior Eval Packet

Senior Info Session

College Night Nov. 9th: Riverwood

 Princeton Review Flyer: Spring 2012 

Scholarship Booklet

GA Apply To College Event

Custom College Planning

Edison Prep SAT/ACT Tutoring

Access 2 Admission

Math SP: SAT/ACT/Math Prep

 10th Grade Parent Night

GACollege411 'College Credit Now'

College Credit Now Program Differences

FAFSA Guide

Paying for College

Financial Aid 101

We're here to help.

Click here for some possible credit recovery options:

Be sure to connect with our graduation coach, Ms. Kira Willis
if you have further questions: Willisk@fultonschools.org

GET TO KNOW THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

GET TO KNOW OUR OWN ROADMAPS... 

Dave Levin, Head Counselor: Levind@fultonschools.org

Now serving Students, last names M thru Q

My Roadmap started here:

Birthplace -St. Louis, MO

Education:  BA, Psychology, Criminal Justice from Indiana University

                   MA, Clinical Psychology from University of Central Florida

                   M.Ed, School Counseling from Georgia State University

Work Experience: Inner Harbour Hospital, Counselor, Therapist, and Clinical Services Manager

                             University of Central Flordia, Academic Advisor 

                             Lead Counselor, Tech High School, Atlanta Charter School

                             David Levin, LLC Private Practice (Licensed Professional Counselor)

Hobbies: Fitness/Health, Boot Camp, Hiking/Camping/Outdoors, Travel, Reality TV, Magic Arts

               and my yellow lab Newman!

North Spring Duties:

• Visual Performing Arts Magnet information
• Leadership Team
• Newsletter
• GAcollege411 liaison

______________________________________________________________________________

Tessa Barbazon, Counselor: Barbazont@fultonschools.org

Now serving Students, last names A thru E 

My Roadmap started here:

Birthplace -Athens, GA

Education:  BA in English at the University of Georgia

                   MA in School Counseling at the University of West Alabama

Work Experience: North Springs HS English Teacher, Gifted Education

                             Birmingham, AL, School Counselor 

                             High School Counselor at North Springs (I returned this year)

Hobbies: Travel, reading (my Kindle!), cooking, UGA football (Goooo Dawgs!), and spending time

               with my husband and two dogs.

North Spring Duties:

• Arts and Humanities Learning Community Advisor 2012/2013
• ESOL support
• Social Media specialist
• Middle School outreach 

_______________________________________________________________________________ 

Ava Butler, Counselor: Butlera1@fultonschools.org

Now serving Students, last names R thru Z  

My Roadmap started here:

Birthplace -Queens, NY

Education:  BA in Psychology from City University of New York at Queens College

                  MS in Education in Guidance and Counseling from Long Island University

                  Ed.S in Educational Leadership from Argosy University

                  Currently pursuing Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership

Work Experience: Head Counselor, Elementary School Level, Cobb County Schools

                             Kennesaw State University Advisory Council Member for Bagwell College of Ed

                             Counselor Advisory Board Member in Cobb County School System

                             Middle School Counselor, Fulton County Schools

                             Georgia School Counselor Association District 3 Chair

                             High School Counselor with Fulton County Schools since 2006

Hobbies:  Reading, International Travel, Long Drives, Writing Poetry, Singing, Cooking,

                Motivational Speaking, and Spending Time with Family/Friends and my Dogs!

North Spring Duties:

• Career/Leadership Learning Community Advisor 2013/2014
• SAT/ACT fee waivers
• Middle School outreach
• Georgia Apply to College Month

________________________________________________________________________________ 

Ariel Petro, Counselor: Petroa@fultonschools.org

Now serving Students, last names F thru L

My Roadmap started here:

Birthplace -Atlanta, GA

Education:  BA from University of Georgia

                   MS in School Counseling from the University of West Alabama

Work Experience: Completed internship at North Springs in 2009 and have been at North Springs for

                              the past three years

Hobbies: Pottery, Horseback Riding, Baking

North Springs Duties:

• Math/Science Magnet information
• Advisory Committee Liaison
• Senior Push
• ASVAB support

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

I'M CAMERA SHY

PHOTO COMING SOON!

Kira Willis, Graduation Coach: Willisk@fultonschools.org

My Roadmap started here:

Birthplace -Newport, RI

Education: BFA in Theatre, Valdosta State University

                 Certification in English and Drama, Kennesaw State University

                 M.Ed in Educational Leadership, Kennesaw State University

                 Specialists in Curriculum and Instruction, Lincoln Memorial University

Work Experience: 19th year in Education!

Hobbies: Gardening, Cooking, Running (well, plodding, really), and chasing after my two precious children

North Springs Duties:

• Primary Testing support/liaison
• 9th Grade transition support
• Senior Support/Credit Recovery/PLATO
• College/Career Center liaison
• Discipline support

__________________________________________________________________________________ 

Leslie Billey, Records Manager:  BilleyL@fultonschools.org

North Springs Duties:

• Record retention/requests
• Transcript support
• Enrollment/Withdraw
• Textbook support

___________________________________________________________________________________ 

PICTURE AND ADDITIONAL INFO COMING SOON

Lori Bryan, Counseling Secretary: BryanL@fultonschools.org

North Springs Duties:

• Office relations
• Student Mentor manager 
• Student/Parent appointment requests
• Enrollment/Withdraw
• Transcript processing


____________________________________________________________________________________  

PICTURE AND ADDITIONAL INFO COMING SOON

Robyn Liebman, School Psychologist: Liebman@fultonschools.org

_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

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