From Kevin Kirkley

  • From Counseling Department Chair, Kevin Kirkley, on September 3, 2024:

     

    1.  Dreher plans to administer the PreACT and PSAT on October 16 this year.  On that day, all ninth-graders will take the PreACT, and all tenth- and eleventh-graders will take the PSAT.  The PreACT is a paper-and-pencil test, but the PSAT will be an online test this year.  These tests provide practice for the ACT and the SAT, the two main college entrance exams.  The PSAT is also the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship competition for eleventh-graders. 
    2. Because the PSAT is an online test, all tenth- and eleventh-graders will participate in an online "digital readiness check" on October 9 to set up their laptops and ensure they are ready for testing.  Students should come to school with their laptops fully charged and ready for testing on both October 9 and October 16.  They must use the same laptop on both test days.  More information will be available in the coming weeks.  It is important that students be present and on time on both days in order to complete testing successfully.  Free practice is available for the PSAT via the Khan Academy at www.satpractice.org.  
    3. Counselors will send invitations to all seniors and their parents to invite them to senior IGP (Individual Graduation Plan) conferences beginning in the month of September.  The senior conferences provide an opportunity to discuss student goals and plans for next school year.  
    4. In the meantime, parents of seniors can download senior-planning resources from the counseling department available on the Dreher webpage here:  https://www.richlandone.org/Page/12701.  That site includes an overview of senior-year processes and provides links to useful websites.
    5. This year, the FAFSA (the federal financial aid form) will become available December 1.  Richland One is sponsoring a number of financial aid webinars for families targeted at parents of students from all grade levels.  Details about these webinars are available here: https://www.richlandone.org/Domain/3535.
    6. Frequently Asked Questions:
      1. Students can order official transcripts by creating an account at www.parchment.com.  
      2. Official SAT and ACT scores are available by logging into student accounts at www.sat.org or www.actstudent.org.
      3. Dreher sponsors a scholarship listing at this link (please also check the Dreher social media channels regularly):  https://www.richlandone.org/Domain/706
    7. The Richland One College Fair will take place September 27 for juniors and seniors.  Permission forms must be received in the counseling office by the end of the school day on Friday, September 13, in order for students to attend the fair.