Frequently Asked Questions
The following questions and answers are intended to serve as a parent resource for services available through the GHS counseling program. If you have a question that is not included in this list, please contact our office.
How do I receive a copy of my child's transcript?
See the Forms and Documents button on this website or contact the records secretary in the guidance office.
How will my child be assigned a school counselor?
At the secondary level counselors are assigned either by student's last name or grade level.
Who should I talk to if I think my child's grade is unfair?
Parents first should contact the teacher to determine how the grade was calculated. If a parent is not satisfied with the teacher's explanation, the parent then should contact the principal.
I am going through a divorce. What can I do to help my child get through this?
A parent may want to contact the students guidance counselor so that the counselor may monitor the student's academic progress. Also the parent should check with the school counselor to see what type of individual and group counseling services may be available to assist the student during this difficult period.
My family and I will soon be moving into the area. How can I assure a smooth transition into this school system for my child?
If you are moving into the area and will be registering your child for school it is important to have the proper records for registration such as immunization records, most recent report cards, and proof of residency. At the start of the registration process, please alert the school counselor to any problems that may have impeded progress in the past or other concerns that you may have regarding the transition process to a new school. You may contact the guidance office to make an appointment.
Who should I talk to if I think that my child needs extra help in school?
Parents are always encouraged to talk with teachers about any difficulties that a student may have with a class to determine weaknesses and problem areas. After talking with the teacher, parents then may want to schedule a meeting with the guidance counselor to see what services are available that will best address academic problems.
How can I best communicate with teachers and school counselors so I am a partner in my child's services?
Parents are always encouraged to communicate with teachers about their child's progress. This can be done by participating in back-to-school and orientation programs scheduled at GHS, arranging a meeting with all of your child's teachers and school counselor to monitor progress, e-mailing, as well as telephone conferences. Check students agenda/planner daily for assignments, messages from teachers, due dates, etc. Use SKYWARD to track attendance, academic progress, missing assignments and to email teachers and guidance counselors.
How do I set up a parent conference with a school counselor?
Parents are asked to call the guidance office to schedule a conference with their students counselor. Counselors are also available during the annual Parent Teacher Conferences in the fall.
Can I request a progress report between grading periods?
Parents can monitor student academic progress daily using Skyward. Progress Reports are mailed home once each marking period, after approximately 4.5 weeks. If a printed progress report is still necessary contact the records secretary to set up a plan for printing and mailing or pick up.
As a parent, how do I request counseling for my child?
Parents may contact the guidance counselor to request counseling to guide students to more productive actions at school and home and to assist students in problem solving. Counselors are trained to assist students with complex problems that may impact their academic, social, and personal development. Please note that school counselors are unable to assist students with issues that require therapeutic or clinical interventions and/or strategies. The counselor may recommend or refer to outside agencies and offices.
How can I volunteer at my child's school?
A volunteer form is available on the district website. Volunteers expand and enrich activities for students and staff by serving as tutors, mentors, classroom, office, and library assistants and as participants on curriculum committees and school planning councils. To volunteer, print and complete a volunteer form and contact the building principal.
I understand schools offer parent/student workshops. How are parents/students notified?
Our school offers parent/student workshops throughout the year. To find out what programs are offered through GHS, parents are encouraged to read school newsletters, visit the school website, read the local paper, look for flyers and notes on report cards or progress reports and/or contact the guidance office.
How can I find out about scholarships and financial aid for my college-bound child?
Our high school counselors are working together, as a team, to provide and direct all to scholarship opportunities for proprietary schools, colleges, and universities. The class of 2009 was awarded over $750,000 in scholarships as reported by graduating seniors to the high school counseling office. Parents and students are encouraged to check the website, bulletin board and listen to announcements about scholarship opportunities and financial assistance for post secondary education.
Who should I contact to discuss my child's schedule change?
Parents should contact your child's counselor to discuss reasons that a student's schedule may need to be changed. Schedules changes are done only for academic reasons, such as a student was scheduled for an incorrect course, or did not successfully complete a prerequisite for a course. See the drop and add policy located in the student handbook and on the website.
How can I determine if my child is meeting all graduation requirements?
Parents will need to work closely with your child's high school counselor to ensure that students are meeting the Michigan Merit Curriculum and GHS graduation requirements. Each student has an Educational Development Plan that is tracked through the guidance office. The specific requirements for graduation are found in the curriculum guide and on the website.
My child wishes to drop out of school against my wishes. Who should I speak with?
The first person the parent should contact is their childs counselor to decide on an appropriate course of action to keep students enrolled in school. The school counselor, the student and the parent can review the student's academic profile and provide the student with information on available programs within the school, provide additional resources to the parent, or refer the student to alternative programs if necessary. If the parent wishes to speak staff to gain more information about compulsory attendance laws, the person can contact the attendance office 989.426.8112
If my child is interested in joining a club or becoming involved with their school, what should they do?
All students are welcomed and encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities. Students need to listen for club announcements regarding meetings. Students are always encouraged to participate in clubs that are related to courses that they are enrolled. A good place to start is with the school's Student Government Coordinators.
How do I register my child for ACT's or SAT's?
Registration information for any college admission test is available in the guidance office and on our Website. Parents should contact their child's school counselor for information regarding a specific test or visit the ACT website at http://www.act.org or college board website at: http://www.collegeboard.com. Keep in mind that all juniors take the ACT as part of the MME test. This ACT is free and administered at GHS in the spring of 11th grade.
My child enrolled in high school is interested in continuing on to college. How can I find out about the many college options and opportunities? Check the College Counseling section of our website. Also, each year there are college fairs sponsored by MACRAO. Check the link under College Counseling to their website for dates and locations.
As a high school parent, how am I notified of my child's GPA and class rank?
A cumulative GPA is printed on semester report cards. Class ranking is not available until the end of each school year and may change throughout the high school career. Therefore, the final class rank is not determined until the end of last grading period of the senior year.
Does the school system offer testing designed to measure student interest/aptitude for certain career fields?
Students have access to a variety of websites including Career Cruising. The PLAN and ACT each have a career inventory and are taken by all 10th and 11th grade students at GHS. Additionally students may elect to take the ASVAB and would need to inform their counselor that they are interested in completing the test. Information on all these options can be found on our website.
As a parent, how do I request student records for my child that is currently enrolled in Gladwin Community Schools?
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford parents and students over 18 years of age ("eligible students") certain rights with respect to the student's education records. Parents of students who are under eighteen years of age (or eligible students) may obtain copies of education and/or health records directly from the school where their child is currently enrolled.
A stepparent has the same rights under FERPA as natural parents, provided that the stepparent is present on a day-to-day basis with the natural parent and child, and the other parent is absent from the home. A stepparent, who is not present on a day-to-day basis in the home of the child, does not have rights under FERPA with respect to the childs scholastic records.