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Dec 1st, 2008 by counseling
GRADUATION, June 15th
Seniors!
Mandatory graduation rehearsals are Monday, June 14th (8am) and Tuesday, June 15th (10:00am) in the Franklin Gym. Be on time.
Graduation is June 15th, at Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center. Senior students need to be lined up by 6:45pm at the Stadium. Do not be late! The graduation ceremony will begin at 8:0opm.
Here is a link to a map for Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center:
Congratulations Class of 2010! We are all very proud of you.
Ms. Olsen will miss you, so make sure to come back and visit! 
Final Transcripts:
Seniors, if you need a final transcript sent to your college, please bring Ms. Nakano in the Counseling Office, a stamped envelope with the address of your college written on it, as well as your name written neatly in the bottom left hand corner. Your transcripts will be sent once final grades are posted.
April: Reminder for Seniors
Hello Class of 2010!
Graduation, on June 15th, will be here before you know it!
Make sure you are prepared for graduation by having the following things completed, before graduation (or stated deadlines):
1. 21+ credits completed in the required categories.
2. Pass Math, Reading, & Writing sections of the WASL/HSPE tests, or be working with Mr. Jeffreys on completing the Collection of Evidence for Reading and Writing. If you have not passed the math section of the WASL/HSPE, please remember that you need to have passed 1.0 credit in math your junior year and 1.0 credit in math your senior year in order to meet WASL/HSPE graduation requirements.
3. Complete your High School and Beyond Plan and return to Ms. Olsen, by May 7th.
4. Complete your Senior Project.
5. Complete 60 hours of Community Service, and turn in your hours by Friday, May 7th.
6. Turn in PE Waivers by Friday, May 7th.
7. If you do not have a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.0 core GPA, you will need to petition to waive this graduation requirement. Ms. Olsen will be sending letters out to students who are at risk of not graduating due to a GPA below 2.0, which will explain the process. GPA waivers are due May 14th to Ms. Olsen.
8. Please check in at the Main Office to make sure that your name is spelled correctly, and to see if you have any fines.
9. If you have not ordered a Cap and Gown, you should call National Achiever Services immediately, at 1 800-800-4083, to see if you can still place a late order.
10. For those of you who are applying for scholarships, check out the April Scholarship Bulletin, on the scholarship page on this site.
11. Complete these things as early as possible, so that you are not stressed out, and are more able to enjoy graduation! :)
March 1st: Reminder for Seniors
Hello Class of 2010!
Graduation, on June 15th, will be here before you know it!
Make sure you are prepared for graduation by having the following things completed, before graduation (or stated deadlines):
1. 21+ credits completed in the required categories.
2. Pass Math, Reading, & Writing sections of the WASL/HSPE tests, or be working with Mr. Jeffreys on completing the Collection of Evidence for Reading and Writing. If you have not passed the math section of the WASL/HSPE, please remember that you need to have passed 1.0 credit in math your junior year and 1.0 credit in math your senior year in order to meet WASL/HSPE graduation requirements.
3. Complete your High School and Beyond Plan and return to Ms. Olsen, by May 7th.
4. Complete your Senior Project.
5. Complete 60 hours of Community Service, and turn in your hours by Friday, May 7th.
6. Turn in PE Waivers by Friday, May 7th.
7. If you do not have a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.0 core GPA, you will need to petition to waive this graduation requirement. Ms. Olsen will be sending letters out to students who are at risk of not graduating due to a GPA below 2.0, which will explain the process. GPA waivers are due May 14th to Ms. Olsen.
8. Please check in at the Main Office to make sure that your name is spelled correctly, and to see if you have any fines.
9. If you have not ordered a Cap and Gown, you should call National Achiever Services immediately, at 1 800-800-4083, to see if you can still place a late order.
10. For those of you who are applying for scholarships, check out the March Scholarship Bulletin, on the scholarship page on this site.
11. Complete these things as early as possible, so that you are not stressed out, and are more able to enjoy graduation! :)
Updates: December 14th
(also on the NEWS page)
Evening School Sign ups have begun!
All students may sign up for needed classes through their counselor until January 29th. Seniors have priority registration until January 4th, 2010 (our first day back after break). Students may take up to 2 classes (classes are 50.00 each). Don’t delay! Get signed up for your classes today.
If you need more than 2 classes to catch up in credits for graduation, talk to Ms. Olsen about online options (Before signing up for classes, you need pre-approval forms and signatures from one of our principals. You can get a pre-approval form from your counselor.)
December 15th- Last day to order your Cap and Gown from National Achievers
If you have yet to order your cap and gown, please call National Achievers directly at 1-800-800-4083, by December 15th.
FAFSA FRENZY- January 19th, 6:30 pm (see College/Career page for details)
Seniors: Letters of Recommendation and College Application Due dates over Winter Break-
Ms. Olsen will be accepting requests for letters of recommendation with due dates of January 1st and 15th up until the end of the day, this Friday, December 18th. She will not be accepting requests by phone, or email after the bell rings on Friday, but will be accepting requests in person up until 4:oopm that day. To make a request, the student must have a completed ”Request a Letter of Recommendation” form filled out, any application forms to be signed by the counselor, as well as envelopes stamped and addressed to the appropriate colleges and scholarship committees.
Seniors who are currently struggling in Math:
Seniors, who have yet to pass the math WASL/HSPE and currently have low grades in their math class(es), met with Ms. Wiley, Mr. Jeffreys, and Ms. Olsen last week. Students were informed of the support available to them (Homework Center and tutoring available at FHS through our math teachers), warned of the potential of not graduating if they do not pass their math class(es), and were asked to come up with a plan for passing their class(es). Students were instructed to take this plan home and have a parent/guardian sign the plan and return it to Mr. Jeffreys by today, Monday, December 14th. Those who have not returned the plan will have lunch detention until they return the form or have a phone conference with their parent/guardian and Mr. Jeffreys regarding their math courses. (Please see the Math Help at FHS section below if your student is in need of math support).
Update: October
Hello Class of 2010!
I’m proud of each and every one of you for the work you have been doing over the past few years of high school. As you make your way through your senior year, keep up the hard work, support each other, be proud of who you are and what you will continue to accomplish. Press on toward graduation and all your dreams and goals beyond. With hard work, perseverance, and the support of those who love you, you will go far. Dream big, Class of 2010. ~ Ms. Olsen
So, in case you are not sure, here are a few things that you should be doing this year:
#1 Excel in your classes- Finish strong! Your classes are important, as well as the credits you will be earning over the course of the year. For those of you applying to colleges and universities, be aware that some schools (including the U.W.) have the right to recind an offer of admission if the student’s final semester grades are below expectations.
#2 Review your Graduation Check Sheet- Come talk to me, Ms. Olsen, if you have any questions about what classes you need for graduation, if you need evening school, or some other options for making up credits. If anything appears to be incorrect on your check sheet or on your transcript (missing classes, incorrect grades, etc.) make an appointment with me and we will figure it out. (A blank checksheet can be found on the main Counseling Website page under “Forms”).
Other things to take care of on your graduation check sheet:
Grade Point Average (GPA): For graduation you need to maintain a 2.0 GPA overall (includes all your classes), and a 2.0 GPA in your core classes (LA, Social Studies, Math, Science). It takes time to bring up a GPA, so take pride in your work and do your best. Ask for extra credit assignments, re-do assignments when possible, do whatever it takes to keep up your grade.
Service Learning Hours: Make sure you complete your service learning hours and turn in the form to me (the form can be found on the main Counseling Website page under “Forms”. For graduation you will need to have completed 60 hours of service before the end of your senior year (or 15 hours per year you have been in Seattle Public Schools).
WASL/HSPE testing: If you need to complete sections of the WASL/HSPE, please be aware of the test dates (see the school calendar at www.franklinquakers.org ). If you are struggling to pass the Reading or Writing WASL/HSPE test sections, please speak with myself or Mr. Jeffreys to find out your options. If you are struggling with the Math/HSPE WASL, you need to continue to take and pass math classes each semester as well as continue taking the Math WASL/HSPE test. For graduation you will need a total of 2.0 math credits earned as a junior and senior if you have not passed the Math WASL/HSPE test. If you have further questions, Mr. Jeffreys (who can be found in the Main Office) is our great WASL/HSPE guru.
High School Plus Plan: This is a graduation requirement that most of you have completed. Some of you were absent on the days I went into your classroom to work on this with the class of 2010. If you are unsure if you have completed this plan, check your transcript. If it has been completed it will be listed among your classes as “H.S. & Beyond Plan” or come check with me.
#3 Research post high school options- This website was created to help you through high school and to plan for the future. Just remember, you don’t need to panic and don’t procrastinate. Prepare yourself well for the future by taking a look through the pages and links listed in the right-hand column. You will find websites concerning 2 and 4 year colleges, scholarships, apprenticeships, career exploration, and much more.
#4 Take or retake the SAT or ACT tests for 4 year college entrance-You can sign up for the SAT and/or ACT, but be sure to take them by December (check sign-up deadlines online or in the Counseling Office. Depending on which test you want to take, click on the SAT or ACT link in the right had column to sign up. If you are on free & reduced lunch, you are eligible to receive fee waivers for these tests. Ask for these in the Counseling Office.
#5 Start writing your personal essay for college and filling out applications- Writing a great essay takes time and revision. Start now and have your teachers, counselors, family members, and maybe a close friend read it and give you feedback. Filling out applications can be time-consuming. Make sure you read carefully and submit any transcripts, forms, letters of recommendation, secondary school reports, etc. that they might request. If you have free & reduced lunch, you can request an “Application Fee Waiver Request”. Colleges are not required to waive their application fees, but if you send your application in with this request, they may waive the application fee. Ask at the Counseling Office for this waiver.
#5 Ask Early for Letters of Recommendation-When requesting a letter of recommendation, you need to ask 2-3 weeks before you need the letter completed. If the person you ask agrees to write you a letter, be sure to inform them of your deadlines and to whom it should be addressed. It is your responsibility to mail mail it or provide postage to your letter writer, if necessary. You can pick up a copy of “Request a Letter of Recommendation” from Ms. Nakano in the Counseling Office.
#6 Create and update your resume- Keep a file of your accomplishments, service involvement, honors, awards, work experience, etc. This will help you create a resume. For those of you who have already created one, make sure to keep it current- it will help you with college and scholarship applications, applying for jobs, etc.