ADVISORY INFORMATION


It is the goal of Mabank High School to build positive, lasting relationships with all students, parents, and community members. One way to foster such relations is through our advisory program.

Each student at MHS is assigned an advisor. The role of the advisor is one of communication with the parents regarding the child’s grades, attendance, discipline concerns, or any other area that the parent, teacher, or student feels need to be discussed.

Your child’s advisor should contact you  to discuss your child’s progress and answer any questions you may have. The advisor will have every teacher’s email address, phone extension, and conference times in order to assist you in contacting the appropriate instructor with specific questions.

Furthermore, our feeling is that schools should focus, in conjunction with academic preparedness, on the development of our student’s character and decision making skills in order to cope with the pressures of today’s ever changing global society. Therefore, we will teach a character lesson during each advisory period focusing on issues ranging from student interests to the effects of drinking and driving.

Please understand that your child’s advisor is not someone that knows the answers to every question and they are not your child’s counselor, but are a personal contact that can refer you to the appropriate office.

ADVISORY DATES 2019-2020

First Nine Weeks
Wednesday, September 4
Wednesday, September 25
Wednesday, October 16

Second Nine Weeks
Wednesday, November 6
Wednesday, December 4
Wednesday, January 8

Third Nine Weeks
Wednesday, January 29
Wednesday, February 19
Wednesday, March 18

College Applications

About ApplyTexas

ApplyTexas was created through a collaborative effort between the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and many colleges and universities in Texas. The goal of the project is to offer a centralized means for both Texas and non-Texas students to apply to the many outstanding postsecondary institutions available in Texas.

On ApplyTexas you can accomplish a multitude of tasks including:

• Apply for admission to any Texas public university, as well as to participating community and private colleges.
• Apply for undergraduate, international and graduate admission.
• Copy a submitted application to another institution.
• Submit your application essays online.
• Apply for scholarships from participating universities.
• Search for and view both general and university specific information.

Click to access: ApplyTexas

About The Common Application

With more than 600 Member colleges and only one application, The Common Application is comprised of a rich and diverse membership – colleges that are public, private, large, small, secular, and religious. No other college application system matches the diversity of institutions accessible through The Common Application, which is why more than 1 million students, counselors and teachers rely on us every year.

Click to access: The Common Application

Did you know that prospective colleges look at more than your academic performance when is comes to admissions? Community service is one of the top four most important factors that colleges consider along with GPA/Class Rank, SAT/ACT tests and other extra-curricular activities. See your counselor for a service log and please participate in all of the service project opportunities that MHS offers during the school year. You can make a difference!

Volunteering teaches:

• a sense of responsibility.By volunteering, you learn what it means to make and keep a commitment.You learn how to be on time for a job, do your best, and be proud of the results.But you also learn that, ultimately, we are responsible for the well-being of our entire community.
• the knowledge that one person can make a difference.A wonderful, empowering message for a person is that you are important enough to have an impact on someone or something else.
• the benefit of sacrifice.Helping with a task tells us that there are important things other than ourselves and our immediate needs.
• tolerance.Working in community service can bring you in touch with people of different backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, ages, and education and income levels.You will likely find that even the most diverse individuals can be united by common values.
• job skills.Community service can help you decide on your future careers.Learning to work as a team member, taking on leadership roles, setting project goals – these are all skills that can be gained by volunteering and will serve you well in any future career.
• how to fill idle time wisely.If you aren’t involved in traditional after-school activities, community service can be a wonderful alternative.

                                                                                                         (KidsHealth, www.kidshealth.org)

Top 3 Reasons to Volunteer:

            1.  Meet new like-minded people

            2.  Change someone else’s life as well as your own.

            3.  Feel a sense of accomplishment and self fulfillment.

                                                                                         (United Way)

Organizations in our Area that have Volunteer Opportunities:

1. The Senior Center at the Ballpark, Mabank  (903) 887-0067
2. Tri-County Library, Mabank  (903) 887-9622
3. Library at Cedar Creek Lake, Seven Points  (903) 432-4185
4. Special Olympics (903) 880-7236 Jay Arnold
5. Mabank Area Good Samaritans (903) 887-0547
6. Mabank Nursing Home (903) 887-2436
7. Cedarview House Senior Living, GBC (903) 887-0236
8. Family Resource Center, GBC  (903) 887-4711
9. The Genesis Center, Kaufman  (972) 932-4351

Click here for a community service volunteer log.

Financial Aid Resources

Funding Your Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid
Provides basic information on federal student aid programs from the U.S. Department of Education. Grants, loans, and work-study are the three major forms of aid available through the Department's Federal Student Aid office. This booklet tells you about the programs and how to apply for them.
Click here for more information

Federal Student Aid at a Glance
Briefly explains the federal student aid process & federal aid programs students may qualify for. 
Click here for more information

Federal Student Aid - Grant Programs Fact Sheet
The federal government provides grant funds for students attending colleges, career schools, and universities. Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. The major federal student aid grant programs & award limits are briefly described on this fact sheet. 
Click here for more information

Federal Student Aid - Loan Program Fact Sheets
Will you need a loan to attend college? If so, think federal aid/FAFSA first. Federal student loans usually offer borrowers lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment terms and options than private student loans.  This fact sheet lists all types of federal student loans including explanations and award limits.
Click here for more information

If you are taking college classes, be sure to request an IRS Form 1098-T for college expenses from your college account
You can get this information from the college student's account.  Use the student's college login and password to retrieve this form which could possibly save you money on your IRS Income Taxes.
Click Here for more information

IRS Education Tax Credits can possibly save you money from your college class expenses
Use the IRS From 1098-T to see if you can qualify for IRS Tax Credits when you file your IRS Income Taxes.
Click here for more information