Counselor Bio
Hi! My name is Melanie Deal and I am the counselor for those students whose last name begins with Dem-Kh. I am also the guidance activities coordinator for the Junior class. I have taught or been a counselor in Kentucky, Texas, Germany, Tennessee, and Virginia and have been at Potomac Senior for seven years.
I have a B.S. in Home Economics (Fashion Merchandising) and a B.A. in Education. I earned both of these degrees at the
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
--Robert Frost
We can only do small things with great love. "
--Mother Teresa
High School Course Catalog link:
http://www.pwcs.edu/curriculum/highschoolcatalog/hscoursecatalog.pdf
What are the graduation requirements for a:
Standard Diploma: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/ForStudents/diploma-std.pdf
Advanced Diploma: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/ForStudents/diploma-adv-studies.pdf
Information on Early College Scholars
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/senioryearplus/
Released SOL Tests:
This website has released SOL tests/answer keys. These are excellent tools for practice.
http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Assessment/releasedtests.html
https://www258.safesecureweb.com/clearinghous/login.php
Student Athletes: Here is a link that will calculate your for NCAA eligibility. Start planning now so qualifying is assured!!!
Action Plan: High School Juniors
Fall
Take the PSAT/NMSQT
- At school, sign up early to take the PSAT/NMSQT® in October. Get PSAT/NMSQT tips and a free practice test.
Start Your College Search
- Start with you: Make lists of your abilities, preferences, and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college.
- Jumpstart your college planning by reading about majors and careers.
- Use College Search to find colleges with the right characteristics.
Start Thinking about Financial Aid
- Talk to your counselor about your college plans and attend college night and financial aid night at your school. Use financial aid calculators to estimate your aid eligibility and college costs.
Winter
Plan Your Spring Testing Schedule
- You can take either the SAT Reasoning Test™ -or- up to three SAT Subject Tests™ on one test day. Plan your testing schedule carefully if you want to take both types of SAT®. See the SAT schedule of test dates and register online for the SAT.
- Your PSAT/NMSQT Score Report arrives in December. Use it to improve your skills and prepare for the SAT. Practice at collegeboard.com/psatextra.
Spring
Get Ready for the SAT
- Visit the SAT Preparation Center™ to take a free full-length official practice test and get a score and skills report. Be sure to sign up for The Official SAT Question of the Day™ for daily practice.
Explore Colleges
- Start visiting local colleges: large, small, public, and private. Get a feel for what works for you. Develop a list of 15-20 colleges that interest you. Search for colleges and use My College List.
Prepare for AP® Exams
- Do well on AP Exams and receive credit or placement at most colleges. Get AP Exam preparation.
Plan Ahead for the Summer & Senior Year
- Review your senior year class schedule with your counselor. Challenge yourself with honors and AP classes and stick with sequences you've begun, in the languages, for example. Read about how to select your courses.
- Plan summer activities early. Enrich yourself by volunteering, getting an interesting job or internship, or signing up for special summer learning programs.
Summer
Keep Your Momentum Up This Summer
- Visit colleges. Take campus tours and, at colleges you're serious about, schedule interviews with admissions counselors. Be sure to bring your campus visit checklist.
- Request applications from colleges to which you'll apply. Check important dates; some universities have early dates or rolling admissions. Consult the College Application Calendar and the Financial Aid Calendar for a basic idea of the applications timeline.
Note: The PSAT test will be given to all sophomores and juniors on October 14th during the regular school day.
The Preliminary SAT®/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC).
PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test™. It also gives you a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
The PSAT/NMSQT measures: critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills, and writing skills.
You have developed these skills over many years, both in and out of school. This test doesn't require you to recall specific facts from your classes.
The most common reasons for taking the PSAT/NMSQT are:
*to receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on skills necessary for college study. You can then focus your preparation on those areas that could most benefit from additional study or practice.
*to see how your performance on an admissions test might compare with that of others applying to college.
*to enter the competition for scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11).
*to help prepare for the SAT. You can become familiar with the kinds of questions and the exact directions you will see on the SAT.
*to receive information from colleges when you check "yes" to Student Search Service.
Start practicing for the PSAT at the following website: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/prep.html
SAT Reasoning Test
The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well you analyze and solve problems—skills you learned in school that you'll need in college. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors.
Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200—800, with two writing subscores for multiple-choice and the essay. It is administered seven times a year in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and U.S. Territories, and six times a year overseas.
For more online sample questions and preparation materials, visit the SAT Preparation Center.
SAT Question Types
The SAT includes a Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing section, with a specific number of questions related to content.
The Unscored Section
In addition, there is one 25-minute unscored section, known as the variable or equating section. This unscored section may be either a critical reading, mathematics, or writing multiple-choice section. This unscored section does not count toward the final score, but is used to try out new questions for future editions of the SAT and to ensure that scores on new editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on earlier editions of the test.
Test Order
The 25-minute essay will always be the first section of the SAT, and the 10-minute multiple-choice writing section will always be the final section. The remaining six 25-minute sections can appear in any order, as can the two 20-minute sections. Test takers sitting next to each other in the same testing session may have test books with entirely different sections.
Register Online at: https://ecl.collegeboard.com/account/login.jsp?applicationId=115&destinationpage=https%3A%2F%2Fnsat.collegeboard.com:443/satweb%2Flogin.jsp
Sign up for the SAT question of the day:
http://www.collegeboard.com/apps/qotd/question
SAT Practice Site:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/prep_one.html
Registration Dates:
SAT
Test Dates & Fees
2009-10
Test Dates
Test
Regular Registration Deadline
(postmark/submit by)
October 10, 2009
SAT & Subject Tests
September 9, 2009
November 7, 2009
SAT & Subject Tests
October 1, 2009
December 5, 2009
SAT & Subject Tests
October 31, 2009
January 23, 2010
SAT & Subject Tests
December 15, 2009
March 13, 2010
SAT only
February 4, 2010
May 1, 2010
SAT & Subject Tests
March 25, 2010
June 5, 2010
SAT & Subject Tests
April 29, 2010
Important Information About U.S. Registration
- U.S. deadlines apply to students testing in the United States, U.S. territories, and U.S. commonwealths
- U.S. registration materials that are mailed must be postmarked by the U.S. deadlines.
- On March 13, only the SAT is offered.
Registering Late
If you are testing in the United States, U.S. territories, or U.S. commonwealths, and you miss the registration deadline, you still have time to submit a registration, but you must pay a late fee.
The late registration period for September has been extended two days. Note that fee waivers can be used for October registrations up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, September 25, 2009. (Fee waivers for all other test dates cannot be used during the late registration period or for standby registration.)
The late registration period for December has been extended one day.
U.S. Late Registration Periods (late fee applies)
2009-10
Test Dates
By Mail
By Phone/Online
Late Registration
Begins
Postmark
Deadline
Late Registration
Begins
Submission
Deadline
October 10, 2009
September 10, 2009
September 25, 2009
September 10, 2009
September 25, 2009
November 7, 2009
October 2, 2009
October 15, 2009
October 2, 2009
October 15, 2009
December 5, 2009
November 1, 2009
November 13, 2009
November 1, 2009
November 13, 2009
January 23, 2010
December 16, 2009
December 30, 2009
December 16, 2009
December 30, 2009
March 13, 2010
February 5, 2010
February 18, 2010
February 5, 2010
February 18, 2010
May 1, 2010
March 26, 2010
April 8, 2010
March 26, 2010
April 8, 2010
June 5, 2010
April 30, 2010
May 13, 2010
April 30, 2010
May 13, 2010
ATTENTION SENIORS AND JUNIORS
(2010 AND 2011 GRADUATES)
Need help studying for the SAT? Trying to increase your score?
Potomac has teamed up with Revolution Prep to help you!
REVOLUTION PREP WILL BE HOLDING SAT PREP COURSES
ON CAMPUS LEADING UP TO THE
NOVEMBER 2009 AND MAY 2010 SAT EXAMS.
Revolution Prep’s group course includes:
· 200-point score improvement guarantee
· 6 three-hour classroom lectures and 5 full-length practice exams
· Engaging, knowledgeable instructors
· Personalized homework and feedback on essays
To enroll,
call 877-REV-PREP
or go online to
www.revolutionprep.com.
Think you might need help paying for the course?
Revolution Prep provides scholarships to students who are unable to cover the full cost of the program and who are prepared to dedicate their time and effort to improving their test scores. No student has ever been turned away from a Revolution Prep program due to financial reasons.
If you are awarded a scholarship you must enroll over the phone. If you purchase a class on our website we cannot retroactively award a scholarship. Please call our office at 877.738.7737 for instructions on enrollment. You can fax your completed form to 323-328-1785.
Please note: The deadline for applications is two weeks before your course is scheduled to begin. If the application is not completed in its entirety you will not be considered for a scholarship.
For specific questions about the program, you can also contact the local representative, Mr. Dan Peanamande at
dan@revolutionprep.com or call (202) 714-1314.
June Class Schedule
Apr 22
Thursday
2:30-6:30pm
Diagnostic Exam
Apr 27
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 1
Apr 29
Thursday
2:30-6:30pm
Exam 2
May 04
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 2
May 06
Thursday
2:30-6:30pm
Exam 3
May 11
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 3
May 13
Thursday
2:30-6:30pm
Exam 4
May 18
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 4
May 20
Thursday
2:30-6:30pm
Exam 5
May 25
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 5
May 27
Thursday
NO EXAM
Jun 01
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 6
To register for the test: www.actstudent.org Dates
Test
-
Test Dates in the U.S., U.S. Territories, and Canada
Test Date
Registration Deadline
(Late Fee Required)
September 12, 2009*
August 7, 2009
August 8 – 21, 2009
October 24, 2009
September 18, 2009
September 19 – October 2, 2009
December 12, 2009
November 6, 2009
November 7 – 20, 2009
February 6, 2010**
January 5, 2010
January 6 – 15, 2010
April 10, 2010
March 5, 2010
March 6 – 19, 2010
June 12, 2010
May 7, 2010
May 8 – 21, 2010
* The September 2009 test date is offered only within the 50 United States and D.C.
** No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.
.S. territories, Puerto Rico, or Canada
** No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.
Registration deadlines for 2010–2011 will be announced in March 2010.
Test Date
September 10, 2011*
October 22, 2011
December 10, 2011
February 11, 2012**
April 14, 2012
June 9, 2012
* The September 2011 test date is not offered in the U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, or Canada
** No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.
Registration deadlines for 2011–2012 will be announced in March 2011.
Test Dates & Fees
| 2009-10 Test Dates |
Test | Regular Registration Deadline (postmark/submit by) |
|---|---|---|
| October 10, 2009 | SAT & Subject Tests | September 9, 2009 |
| November 7, 2009 | SAT & Subject Tests | October 1, 2009 |
| December 5, 2009 | SAT & Subject Tests | October 31, 2009 |
| January 23, 2010 | SAT & Subject Tests | December 15, 2009 |
| March 13, 2010 | SAT only | February 4, 2010 |
| May 1, 2010 | SAT & Subject Tests | March 25, 2010 |
| June 5, 2010 | SAT & Subject Tests | April 29, 2010 |
Important Information About U.S. Registration
- U.S. deadlines apply to students testing in the United States, U.S. territories, and U.S. commonwealths
- U.S. registration materials that are mailed must be postmarked by the U.S. deadlines.
- On March 13, only the SAT is offered.
Registering Late
If you are testing in the United States, U.S. territories, or U.S. commonwealths, and you miss the registration deadline, you still have time to submit a registration, but you must pay a late fee.
The late registration period for September has been extended two days. Note that fee waivers can be used for October registrations up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, September 25, 2009. (Fee waivers for all other test dates cannot be used during the late registration period or for standby registration.)
The late registration period for December has been extended one day.
| U.S. Late Registration Periods (late fee applies) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-10 Test Dates |
By Mail | By Phone/Online | ||
| Late Registration Begins |
Postmark Deadline |
Late Registration Begins |
Submission Deadline |
|
| October 10, 2009 | September 10, 2009 | September 25, 2009 | September 10, 2009 | September 25, 2009 |
| November 7, 2009 | October 2, 2009 | October 15, 2009 | October 2, 2009 | October 15, 2009 |
| December 5, 2009 | November 1, 2009 | November 13, 2009 | November 1, 2009 | November 13, 2009 |
| January 23, 2010 | December 16, 2009 | December 30, 2009 | December 16, 2009 | December 30, 2009 |
| March 13, 2010 | February 5, 2010 | February 18, 2010 | February 5, 2010 | February 18, 2010 |
| May 1, 2010 | March 26, 2010 | April 8, 2010 | March 26, 2010 | April 8, 2010 |
| June 5, 2010 | April 30, 2010 | May 13, 2010 | April 30, 2010 | May 13, 2010 |
ATTENTION SENIORS AND JUNIORS
(2010 AND 2011 GRADUATES)
Need help studying for the SAT? Trying to increase your score?
REVOLUTION PREP WILL BE HOLDING SAT PREP COURSES
ON CAMPUS LEADING UP TO THE
NOVEMBER 2009 AND MAY 2010 SAT EXAMS.
Revolution Prep’s group course includes:
· 200-point score improvement guarantee
· 6 three-hour classroom lectures and 5 full-length practice exams
· Engaging, knowledgeable instructors
· Personalized homework and feedback on essays
To enroll,
call 877-REV-PREP
or go online to
www.revolutionprep.com.
Think you might need help paying for the course?
Revolution Prep provides scholarships to students who are unable to cover the full cost of the program and who are prepared to dedicate their time and effort to improving their test scores. No student has ever been turned away from a Revolution Prep program due to financial reasons.
If you are awarded a scholarship you must enroll over the phone. If you purchase a class on our website we cannot retroactively award a scholarship. Please call our office at 877.738.7737 for instructions on enrollment. You can fax your completed form to 323-328-1785.
Please note: The deadline for applications is two weeks before your course is scheduled to begin. If the application is not completed in its entirety you will not be considered for a scholarship.
For specific questions about the program, you can also contact the local representative, Mr. Dan Peanamande at
dan@revolutionprep.com or call (202) 714-1314.
June Class Schedule
Apr 22
Thursday
2:30-6:30pm
Diagnostic Exam
Apr 27
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 1
Apr 29
Thursday
2:30-6:30pm
Exam 2
May 04
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 2
May 06
Thursday
2:30-6:30pm
Exam 3
May 11
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 3
May 13
Thursday
2:30-6:30pm
Exam 4
May 18
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 4
May 20
Thursday
2:30-6:30pm
Exam 5
May 25
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 5
May 27
Thursday
NO EXAM
Jun 01
Tuesday
2:30-5:30pm
Class 6
To register for the test: www.actstudent.org DatesTest
Test Dates in the U.S., U.S. Territories, and Canada
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | (Late Fee Required) |
|---|---|---|
| September 12, 2009* | August 7, 2009 | August 8 – 21, 2009 |
| October 24, 2009 | September 18, 2009 | September 19 – October 2, 2009 |
| December 12, 2009 | November 6, 2009 | November 7 – 20, 2009 |
| February 6, 2010** | January 5, 2010 | January 6 – 15, 2010 |
| April 10, 2010 | March 5, 2010 | March 6 – 19, 2010 |
| June 12, 2010 | May 7, 2010 | May 8 – 21, 2010 |
* The September 2009 test date is offered only within the 50 United States and D.C.
** No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.
.S. territories, Puerto Rico, or Canada
** No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.
Registration deadlines for 2010–2011 will be announced in March 2010.
| Test Date |
|---|
| September 10, 2011* |
| October 22, 2011 |
| December 10, 2011 |
| February 11, 2012** |
| April 14, 2012 |
| June 9, 2012 |
* The September 2011 test date is not offered in the U.S. territories, Puerto Rico, or Canada
** No test centers are scheduled in New York for the February test date.
Registration deadlines for 2011–2012 will be announced in March 2011.
