Frequently Asked Questions


Questions
1)  How does the Counseling Office help us to plan for college?
2)  What if I plan to apply to several colleges and have counselor forms for each school?
3)  I need general or specific information about a college or university (application, deadlines, academic requirements, costs) where can I find this information?
4)  What if I need to send a transcript and have college application forms – they need to be sent together.
5)  Scholarships – how and when do I find money for college?
6)  How do I request to have a transcript sent?
7)  How do I change my schedule?
8)  Can I request a teacher?
9)  What is the best way to get a quick counselor question answered?
10)  Where do I go to find answers to other questions? (activities, transportation, school calendar, etc)
11)  Where do I find information about my child’s progress in class?
12)  Where can my child go to receive additional help or to get caught up after an absence?
13)  What are the National Honor Society requirements?
14)  What is the Kansas Scholar recognition?
15)  What academic interventions are available at BVN?
16)  Which high school classes may my student take and have the option of receiving college credit through Johnson County Community College or Baker University(College Now Courses)?
17)  What is the difference between AP Exams and College Now?
18)  How will colleges know that Sophomore Chemistry is an accelerated class?
19)  Which class should be taken first, chemistry or physics?
 
Answers
1)  Q How does the Counseling Office help us to plan for college?
A
First, we help by providing 4-year academic planning opportunities for families during grade 9. It is important that students understand the BV graduation requirements and how the course decisions in high school can impact the planning process for college. Second, we meet with all junior students and parents in the fall of the junior year to provide comprehensive information about college admissions testing, college research and planning, and timelines for completion of the many steps and decisions needed to be prepared for college application and admission during the senior year. We (counselors and administrators) meet with seniors several times during the senior year to provide reminders of the many deadlines associated with college applications, scholarships, graduation, and other senior events.
2)  Q What if I plan to apply to several colleges and have counselor forms for each school?
A
Begin with the Registrar to request transcripts; then ask the Counseling Secretary to schedule an appointment with your counselor to review the forms and deadlines.
3)  Q I need general or specific information about a college or university (application, deadlines, academic requirements, costs) where can I find this information?
A
The best answer….go where we go….to the college website. The 5 BVN counselors are ‘experts’ on advising students and parents through the process of completing high school graduation requirements and getting materials (transcripts and applications) to colleges for admission. We are not experts in the details of individual college admission requirements, programs, application of JCCC credits, etc.
4)  Q What if I need to send a transcript and have college application forms – they need to be sent together.
A
Stop by the Registrar’s Office and complete the transcript request card. She will create the transcript and pass your college forms on to your counselor who will complete the addition college forms.
5)  Q Scholarships – how and when do I find money for college?
A
Many scholarship opportunities are listed on the BVN Counseling website. These are available in greater numbers as the year progresses. Most students apply for scholarships (December – May) after completing their college applications. Much of the $$ your child will receive will come directly from the college by way of scholarships, grants and loan programs. It is important that parents complete a FAFSA form so that colleges can award federal $$ to your student. There are many organizations that provide free help with scholarships including the ACT, the College Board, Cappex, and many others. You should never need to pay for scholarship search help…there is an abundance of free information on the web.
6)  Q How do I request to have a transcript sent?
A
Stop by the Registrar’s Office (Sharon Gordon) to complete a transcript request card
You will need to provide an addressed envelope and stamp. We have pre-addressed envelopes for KU, KState and JCCC in the Registrar’s office.
7)  Q How do I change my schedule?
A
In August, our priority is enrollment of new students and correcting schedules for students who have errors. For situations where a student has changed their mind about a class they want to take, they can sign up to get the schedule changed during the first week of the semester.
Anytime after the first week of school a student will need to complete a schedule change form and return it to the counseling secretary.
8)  Q Can I request a teacher?
A
No (and yes). Sometimes parents have a teacher preference because they have had a really good experience with a teacher and want to request that a younger sibling have the same teacher. Sometimes we can accommodate these requests if it helps to balance our class sizes. Often time these requests can not be honored because it would overload a class.
9)  Q What is the best way to get a quick counselor question answered?
A
Email is the best method to get an answer to a counseling-related question. Usually we can resolve a problem or provide information without taking classtime to come in. If we can not resolve things, we are always happy to sit down and talk.
If you need an appointment with your counselor, please contact the secretary at 239-3016.
10)  Q Where do I go to find answers to other questions? (activities, transportation, school calendar, etc)
A
The BVN website has the answers and information needed for most situations. Please begin with a trip to the website for answers before picking up the phone or contacting school personnel by email.
11)  Q Where do I find information about my child’s progress in class?
A
BVN has many good resources of information. Use your Parents Online account to track student progress. This information is not always updated daily, but will give you a good understanding of what is being completed and the grades your student is receiving on daily work and tests. If you need to set up an account, see the counseling secretary (Theresa Jones 239-3016). The best way to get accurate information is by contacting the teacher. Most teachers prefer contact by email. Most have information posted on the website that includes assignments and resources to assist students. Attend Back to School Night and Parent Conferences. These are good opportunities to find out about your child’s performance and participation in class.
12)  Q Where can my child go to receive additional help or to get caught up after an absence?
A
Academic Support is available on Wednesday afternoons. Teachers can answer questions about assignments and provide review of concepts. Math Lab is available everyday before school, during the day, and after school. Math Lab is a good place to get help.
Your student can contact the teacher to schedule time before or after school to get help. This is the best method for getting specific questions answered.
13)  Q What are the National Honor Society requirements?
A
For the classes of 2012 and 2013 a student must have a 3.5 weighted or non-weighted G.P.A. by the end of the second semester of their sophomore or junior year. Forty hours of community service are required which the student may begin to accrue beginning January 1st of their sophomore or junior years through September 30, 2011. All sophomores will be given information about NHS in their Advisory during the month of January. Students will receive teacher recommendation forms, after they have been identified as having the appropriate G.P.A., which must be completed by the teacher by the designated deadline. The induction ceremony usually takes place during the month of November. Additional information and forms are available on the Blue Valley North web site under the National Honor Society link.
14)  Q What is the Kansas Scholar recognition?
A
Students who complete the curriculum listed below will receive a certificate of completion from the Kansas Board of Regents and will be considered for the Kansas State Scholars Program.
Four years of Communication Arts (Journalism, Reading Lab, Literary Magazine, Writer’s Workshop and Adv. Writer’s Workshop, Language Styles and Structures, and Reading Strategies, not approved)
Three years of Natural Science (one year each in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
Four years of math (including Algebra II, plus one additional higher level course)
Three years of Social Studies
Two years of the same Foreign Language
15)  Q What academic interventions are available at BVN?
A
Reading Strategies: This course is for 9th, 10th and 11th graders who do not score at the proficient level on state assessments. The course will focus on teaching strategies that enhance the student’s ability to read.
Study Skills: This class is available for those students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Determination of enrollment is made by the student’s counselor and special education teacher.
16)  Q Which high school classes may my student take and have the option of receiving college credit through Johnson County Community College or Baker University(College Now Courses)?
A
Programming Concepts in JAVA, AP English Literature & Composition, Honors French 4.0, AP French Language, Honors German 4.0, Honors Spanish 4.0, AP Spanish Language, Honors Latin 4, Asian Language (Mandarin Chinese), AP Calculus AB & BC, AP Statistics, Advanced Algebra (Quick Step), AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Physics, AP U. S. History, AP American Government, Economics, AP Psychology.
17)  Q What is the difference between AP Exams and College Now?
A
Most AP Exams are three hours in length and are always administered in May. These exams are scored from a low of one to a high of five. Some colleges will award college credit with a score of three or higher, however most will require a score of four or higher. College Now classes will award college credit to those students who pay tuition to JCCC for the college credit and successfully complete the course. Some courses, i.e. mathematics, science, and Communication Arts, will require a certain ACT score, or Asset score to enroll for college credit. It is always best to contact the college or colleges you are considering regarding their policy of accepting credit from JCCC, and what score they would require on an AP Exam.
18)  Q How will colleges know that Sophomore Chemistry is an accelerated class?
A
Many colleges will ask the counselors to identify any honors or accelerated classes on the college’s school report form that will be submitted with the student’s college application.
19)  Q Which class should be taken first, chemistry or physics?
A
The science department feels students who have completed chemistry before physics perform better in physics. Their recommendation is to take chemistry before physics.