Counselor Corner
La Vernia High School February 4, 2021
February Dates
February 1st-5th National School Counseling Week
February 3: Air Force Recruiter Lunch Visit
Course Selection Timeline
February 2-4: 9th-11th grade Course Selection Presentations
February 5-10: Students complete course planning worksheets
February 6: Collegeboard "Big Future" Virtual College Fair
February 11-26:
• Students select and submit (lock in) courses in Xello.
• This may be completed at home. The library and Career Center will also be available.
• All CTE students will have dedicated time in their CTE classes to submit their choices.
February 26:
• Last day for course selection changes.
• Course selection sheets are due to English teachers.
February 15: President's Day (School Holiday)
February 16-19: District Kindness Week
February 17-19 Senior/DC TSI Testing
CollegeBoard: Big Future
Collegeboard is bringing together experts from colleges to engage with you about the college planning topics you’re most interested in. Go beyond college websites, and discover what admissions officers are really looking for in your application. You’ll have opportunities to participate in Q&A sessions in small groups, large groups, and through live sessions as well as chat.
- Explore colleges in a way that’s not overwhelming, and show them you're interested.
- Take action on key college planning steps like searching for colleges and exploring careers and majors.
- Listen, learn, and participate in live Q&A and online chat with admissions representatives and current students who have been through it all.
- Download college planning resources, and drop in with questions for a college adviser.
You can register for any event and more than one.
You can attend all or parts of the event.
BigFuture Days West + Southwest
Saturday, February 6, 4:00-8:00 PM ET/1:00-5:00 PM PT
BigFuture Days Southeast
Tuesday, February 23, 5:00-9:00 PM ET/2:00-6:00 PM PT
BigFuture Days Northeast
Sunday, March 7, 4:00-8:00 PM ET/1:00-5:00 PM PT
BigFuture Days Midwest
Thursday, March 11, 5:00-9:00 PM ET/2:00-6:00 PM PT
GVEC Scholarship
Encouraging our area’s youth to work hard and follow their dreams is the purpose behind the GVEC Scholarship Program. More than $37,000 is awarded each year to graduating high school seniors who want to continue their education at college or trade school. Once scholarship recipients are selected, GVEC holds a recognition luncheon to celebrate their accomplishments along with their families and school administrators.
See Mrs.Ayers to apply
Healthy Ways to Deal With Conflict
Almost every relationship will be affected by conflict at some point.
Whether it's with a spouse or a child, a co-worker or friend, there are healthy ways to address and resolve these problems, according to experts at the University of Texas at Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center.
Differences of opinion are usually at the root of conflict. These might be about values, perceptions or concrete concepts, from how to give a presentation at work to differing parenting techniques.
Conflict can ruin personal as well as business relationships, so knowing how to resolve differences is an important life skill. It starts with accepting that the other person's point of view is legitimate and being willing to discuss your differences in an open, non-judgmental way with the goal of problem solving, and not to determine a winner and a loser.
4 keys to resolving conflict:
- Recognize and address important differences -- don't bury or stew over them.
- Be able to "forgive and forget."
- Compromise without retribution.
- Accept that a resolution can accommodate both people.
How to put these into action?
Your approach matters: Try to stay calm and focus on the specific problem, not those five other things that have been bothering you. Acknowledge your emotions, but don't let them dictate the conversation. Be aware of any negative body language you're showing, such as avoiding eye contact, a negative facial expression, a harsh tone of voice or angry posture.
Think about it: Crossed arms don't convey open-mindedness. A caring tone and using humor can help diffuse tension as you start to talk.
Be specific as you use words to reframe the situation and honestly express your feelings without anger or other emotions. Then do the most important thing: Listen to the other person's viewpoint and make sure you understand it by repeating it. Together you can find a solution.
High School Counselor Contact Information
Please make an appointment with Mrs. Ayers by phone or email.
Office hours are from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
- Jackie Simmonds Advanced Academics Coordinator
- jackie.simmonds@lvisd.org
- Melinda Ayers Counseling Secretary
- Suzette Castilleja-Decker Counselor Ge-O
- Theresa Frucht Counselor A-Ga
- Briana Wilde Counselor P-Z