SCHOOL COUNSELOR NEWS – September 2019
Welcome to a new school year at Steller and a special welcome to our new families. I have a new office this year. It is next door to my old office but I have much more space and more privacy for confidential conversations. It is nice to have seats for both parents and students when they come in for a meeting. I also have a new phone number: 742-4965. I have not set up my voicemail yet but this will happen soon. Email is always a good way to reach me.
MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)
All students in grades 7, 8 and 9 will be tested in Math and Language Arts. Students are tested three times a year. Next time is early December and the last testing is in April. Steller will start MAP this Friday and end the fall testing next Thursday.
COLLEGE FAIR
The annual Anchorage Alaska College Fair is Sunday October 13 and Monday October 14 at the Alaska Airlines Center at UAA, 3550 Providence Drive. We encourage families to go together on Sunday October 13. This is a great opportunity for students to connect with college admission counselors and also to learn about colleges they may not have heard about before. Many of the colleges present at the fair offer WUE tuition. Private colleges are also present. Remember to ask about scholarships and financial aid.
SENIORS
I would like to meet with all seniors to discuss their college applications and other post-secondary plans. Students can stop by any time to set up a time. I will provide more information about the college application later. If you are applying to universities outside Alaska, please check the application requirements and process for each college. If any of the colleges on your list is a member of the Common Application, please get started on the application as soon as possible.
FINANCIAL AID NIGHT AT STELLER BY THE ALASKA COMMISSION OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION (ACPE)
Seniors and parents – mark your calendar! I have invited ACPE to do a financial aid presentation this fall. They will be at Steller on Tuesday September 24 at 6 pm. The presentation will cover cost of attendance, federal aid, state aid, scholarships, important financial deadlines, financial literacy, and FAFSA overview.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 – 2:30 & Tuesday: 11:30 – 3:30
Marianne