All 9th, 10th and 11th grade students and parents - mark your calendars for Thursday, Feb. 11. That's the date Mrs. Hervey (WIHI testing coordinator) and Mr. Nemo (10-12 grade counselor) will be presenting the latest updates and info for PSAT and SAT testing. The info session will be offered in the media center from 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. and then again from 2:45 to 3:30 p.m. - plan to attend the time that works best for you! Topics for the info session include: Recap of October 2015 11th grade testing, review of April 2016 testing schedule, and next steps for students and families to take. If you're unable to attend either session, a recap will be posted on wihi.org/college-counseling.

We received word from the staff at Kaplan Test Prep in Ann Arbor today of the following opportunity:

To better understand your PSAT score report, students and parents can attend a Free PSAT Score Return Seminar held by Kaplan Test Prep on January 23rd at 12:30pm EST (3:30 PST) Please click here  to sign up today. Students preparing for the Spring exams should know that  Kaplan Test Prep is offering up to $300 off all of their SAT and ACT test prep courses and tutoring options from now until January 28. To learn more, visit kaptest.com/january or call 1-800-527-8378.

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Hands Across the Water is recruiting people to join a support group for international teen adoptees ages 12-17.
See attached flyer for further information: Teen Adopted Group

Ann Arbor: For Immediate Release
Gap Year is a trending conversation among families and schools, as many colleges are encouraging students to take a semester or year away. USA Gap Year Fairs is the premiere national circuit of gap year events. The fairs bring together over 100 organizations in total, averaging 40 at each fair that bring together programs, students, families, college counselors, and Gap Year experts. For students and parents interested in taking a Gap Year, these fairs are the legitimate source to connect with reputable gap year programs focusing on Education, Service and Personal Growth. Each fair features a presentation by a gap year expert. Local opportunities are listed below, as well as at: www.usagapyearfairs.org.
USA Gap Year Fairs is a not-for-profit started in 2006 by Dynamy, an internship-based gap year program in Worcester, MA. Over the past 9 years, the fair circuit has grown from 7 events to 35 events nationally with over 5,000 attendees. The popularity of the gap year is growing exponentially in the United States, and the demand for these fairs has increased dramatically, 294% in the last 5 years.
Gap year experiences can range from a semester at sea researching marine life to working at a unique internship in Africa, Asia, or South America, learning a new language to volunteering for a non-profit organization or working on an organic farm. Seamester Representative, Jake Steward, a 2009 Community High Graduate, recommends that,  "Taking time to learn in a non-conventional setting can enhance intellectual curiosity in the real world." 
These are just a few of the many incredible experiences you could learn about when attending the USA Gap Year Fair at Pioneer High.
Kathy Cheng, Director of USA Gap Year Fairs writes, “A gap year as an intentional period of time between completing high school and beginning college when a student steps outside the traditional classroom experience. This is a time to explore the world, reflect on their personal values and goals, and prepare to take the next purposeful step in life.
The USA Gap Year Fairs are an integral part to defining the gap year process, as they showcase the range of options a student can explore. Attending a gap year fair is a unique opportunity for students, families and counselors alike to learn more about a life-changing and often overlooked option. A gap year will increase focus, maturity, and motivation, which ultimately helps students as they enter college,” says Cheng.
We invite the public to the USA Gap Year Fair on Thursday, January 28, 2016.  Leading a panel of Gap participants at6:00 PM will be AAPS Counseling Chair, Wihi and Community High Counselor John Boshoven and Pioneer High School Counselor Colleen Creal. 
Thur, Jan. 28th
6:00-9:00pm
Pioneer High School, 601 W Stadium Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI   John Boshoven, Speaker/Panel Moderator - 6:00-7:00pm
For more information about USA Gap Year Fairs and the entire schedule of fairs, visit www.usagapyearfairs.org or connect on Facebook and Twitter (usagapyearfair).
Contacts: John Boshoven, Chair, AAPS Counseling Department, (734) 994-2027 or boshoven@aaps.k12.mi.us or Kathy Cheng, Director │ kcheng@dynamy.org │27 Sever St, Worcester, MA│ 508-755-2571 x18

Dear 2015 PSAT/NMSQT Test Takers and Families,

Your score reports are now available! In order to receive your scores you will need to login to your College Board account. If you provided your email address on the test answer sheet, you will receive an email reminder from the College Board between January 7th and 9th. If you have not already set up a College Board account, you should do that as soon as possible in order to see your score report. Additionally, if you have not already set up your Khan Academy account, you should also do that in order to link the two together and better prepare for the SAT in April. By January 15th, all test takers will receive their test booklet back with all of the questions. You will be able to use the booklet and your score report to see which questions were correct and which were incorrect. 

I have attached a sample report that will help to answer specific questions about how to read the scores. I hope you find this helpful. 

If you are unable to see your scores or have any other questions about any of this, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Have a great rest of your week!

Mrs. Hervey