SCHOOL COUNSELING NEWSLETTER MANCOS SECONDARY SCHOOLS August 2008 I would like to welcome all new and returning students and parents to Mancos High School & Middle School for the 2008/09 school year. As I enter into my second year with Mancos Schools I look forward to a positive and productive year. I also want to announce that I recently got married and have a new last name, as you will see below, although I am still very happy to go by the name “Taylor.” This newsletter is intended to give you a summary of important information, which should be useful in making plans for the school year. It is also a guide to help answer any questions you may have about the role of the school counselor. Much of the information included in this newsletter deals with high school student deadlines and important information regarding the necessary steps to prepare for graduation and college and I have decided to share this letter with middle school students and their parents because it is never too early to start thinking about what you want to do in the future and how you may be able to navigate the college application process! Please find some time to read the information and if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to call. In addition, please make sure you frequently check out the new “Counselor Connection” website that can be accessed through the district’s homepage. The “Counselor Connection” is a new site this year and will allow students and parents to view a calendar of events; such as visits to Fort Lewis College, College Fairs, ACT test dates, financial aid workshops, scholarship information and much more. The site also includes a blog where all the latest information will be posted. Of course you can always visit me in the office and/or request a visit with me if you have questions about up-coming events and/or need a safe place to go to during times of stress. I would also like to thank many of the staff, students, parents and community members that have been active in supporting the Olweus Bully Prevention Program. Thanks to a grant provided through Colorado State University Equity Assistance Program, nearly all staff (teachers, bus drivers, administrators, Para-professionals, lunch-room staff and more) have been trained on the very discrete forms of bullying and will have a second training at the start of the year to learn ways to effectively intervene. Students and staff alike are learning how to recognize bullying behaviors and are now able to understand and name the behavior. Together; as a community of teachers, parents, staff, students and community members; we can assure that all students and staff feel safe and learn in a positive environment. If you are interested in becoming involved in the effort to decrease bullying on campus please contact me. The more involved… the merrier! SCHOOL COUNSELING CONTACTSchool
Counselor: Grades 6-12 Kristen D’Acquisto, MA, NCC (970) 749-1260 Email: kdacquisto@mancosre6.edu website: Visit http://www.mancosre6.edu & click on high school or middle school tab.
Counseling Center OverviewThe Counseling Centers at Mancos Elementary and Secondary Schools provides a comprehensive developmental preventive guidance program that focuses on academic, career and personal/social competencies promoting optimal development for all students. Counselors provide assistance and teach skills in individual, small group and classroom settings in the following areas: * Academic Planning for Four Years * Academic Success in the classroom * Post-graduate planning * College and Career Exploration * Financial Aid and Scholarships * Personal and Social Counseling * Social Skills, Problem Solving and Decision Making * Transcript Evaluation and High School Credit Checks * Parent, Student and Teacher Conferences * Test Interpretation * Crisis Counseling * Course-selection Some common questions about school counseling programs are listed below…
1) When should I call the school counselor and under what circumstances should I expect a call from the counselor? **When something is happening in your family that may affect your child's school performance. **If you need support, information, or counseling related resources. **If you need Mancos staff (teachers, counselors etc…) to be watchful of your child for any particular reason and/or you need feedback about your child while they are at school. **When a student requires coordination of services from multiple professionals (pediatrician, psychologist, academic specialists, etc.). It is often helpful to have one point of contact. **You should expect a phone call from the counselor if concerns about your child are repeatedly brought to the counselor's attention or if the counselor has contact with your child regarding a concern that requires parental help or involvement. 2) What is confidentiality and what does it mean? **Confidentiality means that information exchanged in a counseling session is kept private/confidential unless released by parent or student permission. School counselors are required to follow ethical and legal guidelines in maintaining confidentiality. For the safety and well being of children, limits to confidentiality include the occasional need to consult with a child's teacher or the school administrator; or the need to report to proper authorities if a student discloses that he or she is being harmed, has harmed, or is planning to do harm to him/herself or someone else. Academic Success GuideHIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION GUIDE Students & Parents now have access to the High School Registration Guide through the “Counseling Connection” website. The Guide is a very helpful tool for students and parents. Information pertaining to courses; graduation requirements, concurrent-enrollment options and much more are available in the registration guide. Please be sure to read through it at your earliest convenience. GOOD STUDY HABITS In preparation for a successful year, here are some things to consider. September brings a fresh start – there are no missing assignments, no disappointing test scores, and lots of high hopes. Students are discovering what friends they share classes with and whether they are back with a favorite teacher. The summer seems to provide positive momentum that carries them for several weeks. Attendance is typically good, and teachers have the benefit of students who arrive on time, ready to get to work. Students who have a plan to go along with their high hopes usually can sustain their momentum. These students are organized – they use an assignment notebook, they fit homework into a routine, they have a plan so their schoolwork doesn’t suffer during a theater production or sport season. What about the students who lose their momentum? Sometimes it starts with a tendency to be a little late to class. Other times it’s an assignment that didn’t get completed before the TV went on. All too often it snowballs into big trouble. As much as parents and students may not want to hear it, the less self-disciplined a student is, the more he or she will benefit from an agreed-upon structure with parents. School success is too important to leave to chance or to faith that is not backed up with action. If this paragraph is about your son or daughter, talk about a plan of action that you can carry through the whole school year. Please feel free to consult with the school counselor or a teacher that you know and feel comfortable with. Make life easier on yourself and on us – let’s work toward success from the start rather than on disaster control later on.
Here are some strategies for developing good study habits: * Be organized * Seek help when you need it * Get support from those you feel close to * Use self-discipline to get things done
TESTING
PLAN/PACT The PLAN/PACT is typically the first of the standardized tests for students considering college. It is a practice ACT which is normed for sophomores. This exam is not only good practice but serves as a good predictor for the ACT, with ACT scores consistently running two or three points higher than PLAN/PACT scores. The PLAN is optional, but highly recommended. The PLAN will be given at Mancos High School in October (date TBA). Sophomore students will automatically be registered for the exam through the counseling office and the district will pay for all test fees. This is a great opportunity to prepare for the ACT and for your future!
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS The ACT and SAT are the two exams required by many institutions as a basis for admission. All of our students take the ACT at least once; far fewer take the SAT. The college website is the best guide for testing and other admission requirements. Feel free to consult with your school counselor prior to registering for any standardized test to make sure it is the appropriate test. Traditionally the ideal time for college bound students to take the SAT or ACT tests is in the spring of their junior year. Registration information for college entrance exams is available on the web at ACTstudent.org, or collegeboard.com, or in the Counseling Office. You will need our high school code to register. The Mancos High School Code is 060-965. The TOEFL test is an admissions test sometimes required for students who are non-native speakers of English. Registration for the TOEFL can be completed online at: www.ets.org/ell. About the ACT Juniors will be taking the ACT on campus on April 22nd, 2009. This is the Colorado state testing-day, therefore no fees are required and the counseling office will register for you. If you would like to request testing accommodations please notify me no later than December regarding this request. Students may also take the ACT throughout the school year at various testing locations in the area. For other testing dates, students are encouraged to register for the ACT online. Go to www.actstudent.org. All of the information you need to register is available online; you will not need a printed registration packet. If you have registered for the ACT before, you can re-register by telephone at 1-800-525-6926. ACT has added a 30-minute Writing Test as an optional component to the ACT Assessment which complements the English Test. Students can decide whether to take the Writing Test based on the requirements of the institutions they are considering. About the SAT On-line registration for the SAT is also encouraged. Go to www.collegeboard.com. If you have registered for the SAT before, you can re-register by telephone call 1-800-SAT-SCORE. The SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests are often required by highly selective schools (generally private schools or schools on the East and West coasts). The SAT Reasoning Test is a general admissions test which now includes a writing test. This is not optional - all students taking the SAT Reasoning Test must take the writing test. SAT Subject Tests test one content area in depth. Students planning to apply to the most competitive colleges are sometimes required to take three SAT subject tests. TEST SCORES It is the student's responsibility to have the appropriate test scores (i.e., ACT or SAT) sent directly from the testing service to colleges. Most colleges will not accept test scores that are sent from High Schools. You can request that your scores be sent when you register for an ACT or SAT by filling in the appropriate college codes. If you took the ACT or SAT as a junior but did not send your scores to colleges at that time, you now need to go online or call the testing company to have your scores sent for an additional fee. (ACT – 319-337-1313; SAT 866-756-7346). Scores are usually available 4-6 weeks after the test date, and are automatically sent to your home and to the Counseling Office. POST HIGH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS TO CONSIDER Finding the right plan requires an understanding of individual values, skills, and interests. One also needs to work within the framework of family and other support systems. Options include four-year colleges, technical/vocational/ apprenticeship programs, military service, employment, travel, volunteer opportunities, and other unique endeavors. Four-Year Colleges – Prior to enrolling, these students must select colleges at which to apply, complete the required admission tests, and meet curricular requirements set by the institution. Technical/Vocational Programs -- These programs offer training for specific jobs which enhance a student’s employ-ability and starting wage. Programs vary from several weeks to two years or more. Apprenticeships – An apprenticeship is an “earn while you learn” program with a built in formal training contract providing for on-the-job training and classroom instruction. The employer teaches skills of the trade by rotating the apprentice through all phases of that trade under the supervision of a skilled journey person. Sample apprenticeships: bricklayer/mason, electrician, heating and air conditioning, machinist, protective signal installer, locksmith, telecommunications tech. Military Service -- The U.S. Armed Forces provides careers, transferable job training, and many programs to help students finance post high school. These programs include enlistment, ROTC, military academies, and duty in the Coast Guard and National Guard, among others. Employment -- Many jobs do not require post high school education, but students who make use of job training opportunities will be more marketable. Job training may include co-op (i.e., marketing) programs, hands-on classes such as marketing, business, computer literacy, technical/building trades, and life skill classes such as Family & Consumer Education. Travel and Other Unique Endeavors -- If you’re not interested in the pathways previously listed, forge your own trail by volunteering, traveling, adventuring overseas, starting your own service or business, or working part-time while you take time to further discover yourself.POST HIGH SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVE VISITS Throughout the year, students and parents have the opportunity to meet with individuals representing schools from around the state and possibly neighboring states. The schedule of college visits will be posted outside the Counseling Office each week and on our web page, and announced in the Daily Bulletin. We encourage you to attend these sessions, which are held in the high-school library. Students who have a class during the visitation time should get approval from the teacher prior to attending the visit. In addition, please make note of the following college fairs:
SENIOR SPECIAL!!!! Mancos High School Code is 060-965. College Application Process: Electronic/Online Application – This is the preferred method for applying to colleges and universities. It is quicker and easier for you, and in many cases, college responses have been quicker. When you apply online, the college typically requires the student to print off a form you submit to your counselor requesting that your high school transcript, school profile, and/or counselor recommendation (if required) be sent. Follow these steps: (1) Obtain a College Application Checklist through the colleges you are interested in. (2) Complete the application online following all directions. Be sure to include signatures. (3) Send application fee online via charge card or mail a check or money order to the college. (4) Include/attach any additional information you feel would enhance your application (a resume, letter of special circumstances, etc.). Be sure to complete the personal statement for all schools that require a statement. (5) Make sure you have requested official test scores be sent directly from the testing company, either ACT or SAT, to the colleges you are applying. Mancos High cannot send official test scores. (6) Print out the counselor page or secondary school report (required by private colleges and universities). Give this to your school counselor, along with a stamped, addressed envelope for each application. In addition, please consider the following: (a) If a counselor recommendation is required, I may ask to include a sheet of your goals and accomplishments so that I can highlight your successes! (b) If your application requires teacher recommendations, put these teacher recommendation forms in stamped, addressed envelopes and give them to the teachers you are asking to provide recommendations. (September is not too early.) (c) The “Mid Year Report” (required by private colleges and universities) can be given to your counselor at any time – the earlier the better. Your name should be filled in, and you should include stamped, addressed envelopes. (d) If you are applying for early decision or early admission, include a note to your school counselor indicating deadlines. Early Decision Candidates: Because these applications are due between October 15 and December 1, start your application process soon! Processing of Applications: Counselors will complete the counselor recommendation form(s). The front office attaches your transcript and a school profile, logs the applications, and sends them to the admissions offices. Reminder: It is your responsibility to furnish stamped, addressed envelopes. Place 2 stamps on regular 9x4 business-size envelopes, and 3 stamps on larger envelopes. Do NOT put your return address on the envelopes. We will stamp them with the return address for MHS.
ALL COUNSELOR SECTIONS OF APPLICATIONS MUST GO THROUGH THE COUNSELING OFFICE SO AN "OFFICIAL" TRANSCRIPT (including school seal) CAN BE INCLUDED. Suggested Timeline for Submitting College Applications Beginning in October through November – Submit private and out-of-state college applications December 1 – All applications are due in the Counseling Office to meet January 1 deadlines for private schools, and if you wish your application to go out before Winter Break. No applications will be processed during Winter Break. NCAA: All potential athletes are reminded to complete the NCAA Clearinghouse Initial Eligibility Student Release Form no later than the fall of their senior year if you plan to participate in Division I or II sports. Go online for this: www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. NCAA Telephone: 877-262-1492
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATIONIf you are interested in/considering
applying for financial aid and/or scholarships, please be sure to pick up a
copy of the FAFSA Guide to financial aid in the counseling office and
frequently review scholarship opportunities through the Counseling Connection
website. An
overview of financial aid and scholarships will be presented in early January
(Date TBA). However, please contact me
if you have questions that arise before then. There are many different sources of financial aid, including federal grants or loans, loans from private lending organizations, state scholarships and grants, and other scholarships. Seniors (and their parents) seeking financial aid and/or scholarships should make sure to attend the financial aid meetings, regularly review the “Scholarship Website” which is updated through out the year, pick up a copy of the FAFSA guide to financial aid , and check into the other scholarship resources available in the Counseling Office. The FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid – is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. FAFSA requires that the application be completed online. Scholarships: Search local, state and national scholarship opportunities on the Counselor Connection website located through the district homepage
It is a privilege to work with many of you for another year and I am thrilled to welcome the incoming sixth grade graduating class of 2015! I certainly look forward to getting to know each of you more. Once again, please do not hesitate to call with questions, specific needs, or suggestions. Best wishes to you in this 2008-2009 school year!
Sincerely, Kristen D’Acquisto, MA, NCC |