Counselors Newsletter

I know how stressful the college search journey can be for students, especially when it comes to handling the pressure of writing a "perfect" application essay. That's why I wanted to let you know about Oglethorpe University's upcoming College Essay Writing Workshop!

This free workshop will be held on OU's campus from 10 AM - 1 PM on Saturday, November 9th. During the event, Dr. Courtney Mullis, Director of the Oglethorpe Writing Center, will help give students the tools necessary to create an authentic and inspired college essay.

When students attend this workshop, they'll leave knowing how to:

• Identify potential writing topics
• Define a clear essay structure
• Create an engaging hook
• Review real college essays and — so much more!

Students are encouraged to bring their prompts, in-progress essays, and questions regarding any application they're working on, regardless of whether or not Oglethorpe is on their list. After the workshop is finished, campus tours will be available and lunch will be provided for all registered attendees.

RSVP HERE

Please share the RSVP link above with any students who may be interested in attending. If you have any questions about our writing workshop, feel free to email me at vbeck@oglethorpe.edu.


Sincerely,
Victoria Beck
Assistant Director of Admission
Oglethorpe University

Hello!

I hope your day is going well! We are excited to invite your students to join us for GLIMPSE Weekend at Georgia College & State University, happening November 3rd through 4th. This event provides a unique opportunity for students to experience life at Georgia College, explore our campus, and participate in engaging activities designed to help them envision their future here.

During GLIMPSE Weekend, students will:

• Tour campus

• Participate in a classroom experience

• Engage in a panel discussion led by current students

• Attend information sessions about academic programs and student life

This event is a wonderful way for students to get a feel for our inclusive community and see what Georgia College has to offer. Please encourage your students to register and participate in this special event. More information and the registration link can be found at https://www.gcsu.edu/admissions/glimpse.

For any questions, please reach out to India Jackson, Coordinator of Diversity Recruitment, at (478) 445-2523 or via email at india.jackson@gcsu.edu.

We look forward to welcoming your students to GLIMPSE Weekend!

With Bobcat Pride,

Interested in applying? Click here to get started.

You belong here. Tour your future home.

Keely Dixon, '20

Regional Admissions Counselor

Campus Box 023

Mayfair Hall

Milledgeville, GA 31061

Office: (478) 387-5501

Cellphone: (478) 387-5501

Keely.Dixon@gcsu.edu

November 14th at 7PM

Register online:
https://www.applerouth.com/events/group-classes and use event code: EVT83E84

Get insider knowledge on what colleges really want to see from applicants; how to craft a standout application; and explore the latest trends shaping the admissions landscape.

Whether you're a student, parent, counselor, or educator, this webinar is essential for navigating the evolving admissions process. Stick around for the live Q&A to get your questions answered by the experts!

Can’t attend live? Register anyway, and we'll send you the recording.

If you have a passion for conservation, biology, or environmental science, this is the volunteer opportunity for you!

The student government is planning a gun violence vigil for the victims of the Apalachee High School shooting on October 28th, from 6:30 to 8:00pm. We will be selling candles underneath the spaceship with all proceeds going to the affected community. At 7, we will walk from the high school to the square, where we will have a few speakers there to encourage conversation and urge people to take action.

Welcome to a guide on changing your name and gender marker in Infinite Campus and other school systems! Before we begin, here are a couple of things to note: DHS can only change your name and gender in school-specific systems (such as Infinite Campus, your email, and Google Classroom); they cannot make changes to legal documents (such as your transcript or on standardized tests) unless you undergo a legal name/gender change. Additionally, please note that your parents will be able to see this and are a part of the process.

If you want to change your name/gender in Infinite Campus, the first step is to fill out this form. The various scenarios regarding who fills out the form can be seen below:

In summary, either the student meets with the school counselor to submit the form and assess the student’s support needs, or, once the form is submitted, the student will meet with the school counselor to assess support needs.

Other things to note:

• Faculty and staff are expected to address students by the name and pronoun corresponding to their gender identity as asserted at school.

• CSD will accept a student’s assertion of their gender identity when there is consistent assertion of gender identity or other evidence that a student’s gender identity is sincerely held.

• CSD will comply with the student’s wishes regarding the disclosure of their gender identity to others. However, keep in mind that teachers and staff can make mistakes.

• If a CSD staff member accidentally addresses a student by the incorrect name or pronoun, they will not be subject to disciplinary action. However, repeated violations may constitute intent.

• Students may use restrooms, locker rooms, and changing facilities that correspond with their gender identity.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your school counselor.

GSW - Georgia Southwestern State University

Agnes Scott College

Oglethorpe

Don’t leave money on the table!

Calling all Seniors! It's not too late to create an account with GA Futures! Create a GA Futures account today through the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Visit https://www.gafutures.org/, create an account and follow the instructions closely. The Registrar will upload all juniors and seniors twice per year to the Georgia Student Finance Commission. This allows each student to be considered for the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships which are available to all Georgia students and can be applied to any HOPE-eligible college or university. Once an account is created, students can track their HOPE-eligibility and plan for any extra expenses. When creating your GA Futures account, use a personal email. Your CSD email account will be deactivated upon graduation.

Parents, please give us your student's Social Security Number. The Georgia Student Finance Commission identifies students using their SSN. If we don't have it in our student information system, better known as Infinite Campus, they will be unable to match your student to transcripts we upload and be purged out of their system. Please email Mrs. Lanum with a good contact number and she will call you to get your child's SSN and enter it into Infinite Campus. Please do not send it via email or voicemail.

This is non-negotiable and not a rule we make at DHS. We must comply with the state and this is how they prefer to identify thousands of Georgia students.

Please email Mrs. Lanum at klanum@csdecatur.net or your counselor if you have any questions or need help creating your account.

Please remember to create an account at Parchment.com if you haven't already done so. Parchment is a one-stop-shop to request and send your transcript to many colleges and universities in the USA and abroad. When you create your account, please use a personal email account, not your CSD account. Once you graduate you will still be able to access any transcripts uploaded to Parchment if you have a personal email address on file with them. Your CSD email will be deactivated upon graduation. Please be aware that the turnaround time for fulfillment of transcript requests is three days, so get your request in well before any deadlines issued by the schools you are applying to. If you need help, please contact the Registrar's office at klanum@csdecatur.net.

Click the logo for parchment.

Parents/Students: The vast majority of your application processes will NOT need a Parchment transcript request. If you are applying through the Common Application, The Common Black College Application, or a college/University that uses SENDedu or other similar document collection service; you will not need to request a transcript through Parchment because your counselor will automatically upload them for you. If you have questions about if you need to use Parchment or not, just send your counselor an email and ask.

Please click on the appropriate link below to address your concern/need:

I Need A New ID

Certificate Of Enrollments (complete this form at least 1 week prior going to the DDS. Form expires 30 days after issuance)

ADAP Card Information

Portal Access Requests

Request for Google Password (email)

College Visit Form

Work Permit Process (only needed for students ages < 15)

Order A Transcript (If you need a transcript mailed, please email klanum@csdecatur with student name as it appears in the portal, college/university name, college/university address)

Students when you graduate your DHS email account will be deactivated. Please use your personal email address so you will have access beyond high school.

There is NO Community Service Hour requirement to graduate from Decatur High School. The PTSA does however have a Community Service Recognition program. For information and requirements to get Community Service Recognition at your graduation ceremony, please view the information linked here.

College Admissions Accommodation Form (Consent Forms for College Admission Tests Accommodation Requests - If you have a 504 or IEP with testing accommodations, a consent form must be completed and turned in to your/your student's counselor in order for the school to request accommodations for the College Board (PSAT/AP/SAT) and ACT. Testing agencies take up to 8 weeks to process requests.)

Summer & PreCollege Programs Google Classroom - CLASS CODE: fkrkuep

Scholarships Google Classroom - CLASS CODE: 43xlcav

Email: rjones1@csdecatur.net
Website: https://www.csdecatur.net/dhs
Location: 310 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404-370-4170