Fatima Counseling Department
Counseling Department
Ms. Jessica Davis, K-5th Grade Counselor
Mrs. Robin Schulte, 6th-9th Grade Counselor
Ms. Kary Brunnert, 10th-12th Grade Counselor
Is a High School Diploma Worth It?
Believe it or not, some students do not eagerly rush to school each day wanting to learn all they can to earn their high school diploma.
Sometimes we need to be reminded about the importance of what we are trying to achieve, so what is a high school diploma worth?
Those with a high school diploma earn more. According to 2021 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals who do not have a high school diploma earn around $619 a week, and the unemployment rate among those without a high school diploma is 11.7%. Individuals with a high school diploma earn around $781 a week, and the unemployment for those with a high school diploma is 9%.
It opens military and college opportunities. The military and colleges require that individuals have earned either a high school diploma or completed the HiSET/GED test.
It makes job offering benefits more available. A high school diploma can help individuals get jobs with companies that offer additional benefits to their employees.
*Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Daniel Boone Regional Library.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
On July 16, 2022, Missouri will join the rest of the United States in beginning to use the 988 dialing code. 988 will be the new three-digit number for call (multiple languages), text or chat (English only) that connects people to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, where compassionate, accessible care and support are available for anyone experiencing mental health–related distress. The chat feature will be available through the Lifeline’s website. People can use 988 if they are having thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
Selective Service Reminder: It is a requirement that men register with the selective service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. They only need to go to SSS.gov. They can preregister at 17 years and 3 months of age and their registration will be held until they reach age 18.
The registration door permanently closes when men turn 26, and that means they are unable to receive federally funded college loans and grants and are ineligible for many state and local government jobs. It takes just 45 seconds!

Selective Service Flyer

Selective Service Information

Selective Service Quick Links
Announcements for Everyone!
Check out the list on the left for ways to stay Connected!

Career Expo!
Missouri State Highway Patrol is holding a Career Expo event for anyone interested! This would be a great opportunity for students interested in a law enforcement career to learn about the opportunities with the Highway Patrol. Check out the flyer to the left!

Voice of Democracy COntest
This contest is open to students in grade 9-12. It is an audio essay contest, so you will write an essay and then record it. Check out the information to the left.
All entries must be submitted to Ms. Brunnert by October 31st, 2023. Be sure you have read the instructions carefully and have included all required parts. If you want a paper copy of the entry form, stop by my office.
AMerican Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program
This contest is open to students in grades 9-12. Check out the attachment below for all the details. Entries must be submitted before the November 30th deadline.
Paper copies of the brochure are available in Ms. Brunnert's office.

NACAC Virtual College Fairs - These are free, virtual events open to students and parents. They contact students to a variety of colleges in order to help students pick their best fit! Visit this website for more information and to register: https://www.nacacattend.org/fairs.

The Army National Guard wants to share information about future career opportunities with students and parents.
Please see the info to the left.
Dual Credit Classes - For the Fall Semester only
Lincoln University - This includes the Psychology, Physics, and Computer Apps II courses. In order to take any of these courses for dual credit, a student must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Please see the link above for more requirements for these courses. Students with a GPA between 2.5-2.99 may be considered with permission from parents and the high school counselor. Registration information has been handed out in class. All registration tasks must be completed and submitted by Tuesday, September 5th. For returning DC students, this is just the paper registration form. For students new to DC at Lincoln, this includes the online application (student and parent portions) and the paper registration form. The paper registration form should be turned in to Ms. Brunnert, the 10th-12th Grade Counselor. A student is able to take any of these courses for Fatima credit without receiving and paying for dual credit. Please visit Lincoln's Dual Credit Page for more information: https://www.lincolnu.edu/admissions/dual-credit-and-dual-enrollment/make-payment.html.
Below is the packet of instructions Lincoln shared with us about how you can access the online portal, check LU email, and pay accounts balances.
Here is a list of contact information for various departments at Lincoln:
Issue Email Phone Number
Login Issues Helpdesk@LincolnU.edu 573-681-5888
Canvas LUOnline@LincolnU.edu 573-681-5208
Human Resources HumanResources@Lincolnu.edu 573-681-5021
Tutoring AcademicSupport@lincolnu.edu 573-681-5124
Missouri Valley - This includes any online DC classes offered by MO Valley during the fall semester. Registration was completed last spring, so students are ready to go. The fall courses started on August 22nd. Payment was sent with the registration, so you only have a payment now if you did not pay the full amount already. A receipt and a copy of the registration form were returned to the enrolled students, so they had it for their records.
Missouri State University - This includes DC Chemistry I and II courses as well as DC Pathways to Teaching and Child Development courses. Registration information will be given to students in class. The registration process is completely online. All steps of the registration process must be completed by September 18th. Here is the link for the MSU Dual Credit page: https://dualcredit.missouristate.edu/. It has helpful information about how to pay and other frequently asked questions.
State Tech - This includes the DC Speech and DC College English courses. The registration process is completely online. Registration information was sent to students prior to the start of school. More information was given to students in class explaining how to use MyTech and to help finish up remaining paperwork. In order to take Speech for dual credit, a student must have a GPA of 3.0 or above, a Math ACT score of 15+, an English ACT score of 1+, and a Reading ACT score of 18+. Students with a GPA between 2.5-2.99 may be considered. A student is able to take this course for Fatima credit without receiving and paying for dual credit. In order to take College English for dual credit, a student must have a GPA of 3.0 or above, a Math ACT score of 15+, an English ACT score of 18+, and Reading ACT score of 18+. This course can also be taken for Fatima credit without receiving or paying for dual credit. Students are able to take the Accuplacer to earn scores comparable to the ACT requirements in order to meet the admission requirements.
Dual Credit Reminder: Before taking dual credit classes, make sure you will need the class for your major, and that it will be accepted at your university. You can check the transfer equivalency guide on the college web page or contact the admissions office to speak with an admissions advisor. Also, be sure to check all course prerequisites to be sure you qualify to take dual credit courses. This information can be found in the Course Descriptions posted on each grade level page (under the What You Need to Know link in the toolbar at the top of the page) or the Dual Credit Offerings chart on the What You Need to Know page (https://sites.google.com/fatimacomets.org/fatima-counseling-department/what-you-need-to-know?authuser=0).
Dual Credit Class Requirements - Each dual credit course has its own specific requirements a student must meet in order to take the course for dual credit. Check out the chart posted on the What You Need To Know page of the Counseling website. Here is a direct link to that page: https://sites.google.com/fatimacomets.org/fatima-counseling-department/what-you-need-to-know?authuser=0.



New Dual Credit Scholarship!
Students taking dual credit courses at Fatima should check out the new Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment Scholarship offered through the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. The scholarships requirements did change from last year, so please check over the new eligibility requirements below:
To be eligible for assistance students must meet the following requirements. Please note the requirements related to A+ eligibility have been removed based on the 2022 changes.
Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and a Missouri resident
Enroll in dual credit/dual enrollment classes through an approved Missouri college or university
Have a minimum 2.5 unweighted, cumulative high school grade point average and have otherwise met the high school’s requirements for taking dual credit or dual enrollment classes
Students must submit a copy of their high school transcript to verify they have met the GPA requirement. This documentation is only required once per year.
Meet one or more of the following indicators of financial need:
Immediate family eligible for free and reduced lunch
Living in a foster home
Ward of the state
Homeless as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Immediate family receiving low income public assistance (SNAP, WIC, etc.)
Living in federal subsidized public housing
Students must submit documentation that they meet one of the need criteria above. More information about the acceptable documentation will be provided as soon as it is available. This documentation is only required once per year. Submission of federal adjusted gross income (AGI) documentation is no longer required.
To apply students must create an account through the Student Portal. The flyer to the left explains the steps to do this.
For more information, visit this link: https://dhewd.mo.gov/ppc/grants/DCDE.php?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

Job Opportunities
Oscar's Classic Diner is looking to hire! Check out the flyer to the right for more information.



Check out the flyers to the left about the John Deere Technician Program.
Operating Engineers Local 513 Apprenticeship Program
Below there is a brochure (on the right) and some information about the program (on the left).


The Department of Corrections is looking for interested students looking for a job after high school. Check out the flyer to the right. Business cards are available in Ms. Brunnert's office if you would like one.


Check the flyer to the left for more information about a job opportunity!
Below is some information from the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council about their apprentice and training programs.



Capital Academy
The Academy allows graduating seniors to experience firsthand training with skills professionals while earning industry certifications, and training in heavy equipment operations as well as other trade skills.
See the flyer on the left for more information.
STEM Work Experience Opportunity - Programs are available for students to explore STEM careers by working with professionals in those fields. For more information and registration info, please follow this link: https://investin.org/pages/stem?mc_cid=f4796d18d7&mc_eid=2b52fa0a07.

To see what is going on at Nichols and learn about the programs they offer, check them out on social media.
For any students considering joining the National Guard, here are a few informational videos about the National Guard.
What is the National Guard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pAnefxEENs&feature=youtu.be.
Why join the National Guard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLSHnQCYPFU&feature=youtu.be
How to Join: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9zLcVzepyo&feature=youtu.be
Programs Offered by the Marine Corps for Students
If you have questions, see Ms. Brunnert.

FREE Act Help
This site is offering free ACT and SAT help! To check it out, click the link below.
JUULs and E-Cigarettes: News articles, letters from school officials, and anecdotal evidence indicate that JUUL has gained popularity among youth and young adults across the country, from middle schools to college campuses. A 2018 study found that nearly one-fifth of youth (ages 12-17) surveyed reported having seen JUUL used in their school. (Article found at: https://www.tobaccofreekids.org/assets/factsheets/0394.pdf). Here are links to a couple videos explaining the trend, the effects, and concerns: https://youtu.be/9dZS_Rniak0 and https://www.today.com/video/how-teens-are-hiding-their-vaping-habits-in-plain-sight-69131333600.
Parent Movement 2.0
This website contains a great deal of information for parents about the drug use of students, the effects, and how parents can help their children.
Here is the link: https://parentmovement2-0.org/.
Courage2Report is Missouri's system used to report school safety concerns. Signs are posted around school with information about how students can report any safety concerns. This link is to a video that gives an overview of the system and its purpose - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbktVyxPzQ8.
Each year the state of Missouri runs a report to identify jobs in which there will be a high demand. This year's list has been published, and you can find it below.

For more details and the chance to see more data, please visit this link: https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/high-demand-occupations-fy-2024-enhancement-grant.