RHS Counselors Connection
May 2018 Edition
Welcome!
Stay Informed...
RHS School Counseling Website: Click here for the New School Counseling Website
Subscribe to our Remind Text messaging service for specific grade levels- see Parent Resources Page
This May is Mental Health Month with the focus of raising awareness about the connection between physical health and mental health, through the theme Fitness #4Mind4Body. The campaign is meant to educate and inform individuals about how eating healthy foods, gut health, managing stress, exercising, and getting enough sleep can go a long way in making you healthy all around.
A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other chronic health problems. It can also play a big role in helping people recover from these conditions. Taking good care of your body is part of a before Stage Four approach to mental health. Getting the appropriate amount of exercise can help control weight, improve mental health, and help you live longer and healthier. Recent research is also connecting your nutrition and gut health with your mental health. Sleep also plays a critical role in all aspects of our life and overall health. Getting a good night's sleep is important to having enough physical and mental energy to take on daily responsibilities.
And we all know that stress can have a huge impact on all aspects of our health, so it’s important to take time to focus on stress-reducing activities like meditation or yoga. We want everyone to know that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is always the goal. Living a healthy lifestyle may not be easy, but by looking at your overall health every day – both physically and mentally – you can go a long way in ensuring that you focus on your Fitness #4Mind4Body. For more information, visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net/may.
Resources for Seeking Help:
If you feel that you or someone you know is in life threatening danger Call 9-1-1
Domestic Violence Helpline 1-800-799-7233
Sexual Assault Support Services 775-221-7600
Clay County Behavioral Health (available 24/7) 904-291-5561
Dial 2-1-1 to speak with a Resource hotline that can put you in touch with help for mental health treatment, medical services, financial assistance, food, shelter, clothing and so much more (or go to www.nefl211.org)
Tips for Parents to Build Healthy Emotional and Mental Health
Despite the fact that children may not actively seek out a conversation with you, it is important to engage with them on a regular basis so that you become part of the support system they look to when they are in trouble. For example, a poll conducted by KidsHealth found that “kids said they were stressed out the most by: grades, school, and homework (36%); family (32%); and friends, peers, gossip, and teasing (21%).” However, only 22% of these kids dealt with their stress by talking to their parents. [1] So, be prepared for the variety of issues that can “stress out” your children.
Below are some pointers that can help you address the needs of children in various age groups. To see the full article with all age groups listed, go to http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/healthy-mental-and-emotional-development
Summer Reading
If you want to keep up your skills in other ways, check out these resources:
March2Success- a great site to practice for the ASVAB, ACT, SAT or other academic disciplines. Free to everyone. For ACT/SAT practice, sign up for the College Preparation class.
Khan Academy- has free courses in almost all subject areas if you want to review a particular class that was more challenging to ensure you are prepared for the next level course (such as math) or if you want to preview topics that you will cover in an upcoming class (including AP courses).
Clay County Library- don't forget to check out the library this summer to find books of interest, take a class, or join a book discussion group.
Summer Volunteer Work
Community service hours are not required for graduation but are required for the different levels of Bright Futures Scholarships. Earning hours is also a way for you to get to know more about possible career fields, enhance your college admissions resume and to gain valuable experience.
Where can I go to get Community Service Hours? Click on the links below for ideas & sign up to receive notifications from the department when opportunities are shared (see RESOURCES page)
Volunteer Jacksonville - a list of volunteer opportunities in the greater Jacksonville area
Volunteer Match - use this site to enter your availability and it will match you with potential volunteer opportunities
Orange Park Non-Profits - visit this site for a list of non-profit organizations in Orange Park
UNF- Summer Reading Program (Ages 4-Adult)
http://unf.readingprograms.org/ad/
Savannah College of Art & Design
http://www.scad.edu/academics/pre-college-summer-programs/scad-summer-seminars
Florida Film Academy- Winter Garden FL
http://flfilmacademy.com/summer-2018-winter-garden/
iD Tech- University of North Florida
https://www.idtech.com/locations/florida-summer-camps/university-of-north-florida
UCF- SuperCamp
https://www.supercamp.com/high-school/
For more programs available, visit our summer programs page by CLICKING HERE
Clay County Summer School Info
High School Credit Recovery June 18th - July 3rd (Mon-Thurs 8:00 am - 11:30 am)
Students may only take 1 credit during Credit Recovery hours (additional course needs can be met by signing up for Clay Virtual Academy or Florida Virtual Academy)
Curriculum will be delivered via computer with teachers available for assistance
Cost is $100 technology fee (ESE & Free/Reduced lunch qualifies for fee waiver)
Algebra I Credit Recovery June 13th- July 12th (Mon-Thurs 8:00 am - 11:30 am)
Only available for ESE students
No cost
No school on July 4th or 5th
Students will retake the Alg I EOC during the last few days
Algebra I Boot Camp July 10th - July 12th (Mon-Thurs 8:00 am - 11:00 am)
For any standard diploma student who did not pass the Alg I EOC
$50 cost (ESE & Free/Reduced lunch qualifies for fee waiver)
Students will take the Alg I EOC on the last day
The School Counseling Department will mail home invitations to attend summer school as soon as final grades are processed but feel free to contact us as soon as possible if you think your son or daughter may need to attend.
College Corner
College of Coastal Georgia
The College of Coastal Georgia is a public college in Brunswick, Georgia, United States and the surrounding historical Golden Isles. The college was established in 1961 and opened in 1964, making it one of Georgia's newest state colleges.
Address: 1 College Dr, Brunswick, GA 31520
Acceptance rate: 92.4% (2014)
Total enrollment: 3,663 (2017)
Undergraduate tuition and fees: In-state tuition: 4,496 USD (2017), Out-of-state tuition: 12,918 USD (2017)
Degree Programs:
American Studies
Applied Science
Biological Sciences
Business Administration
Criminal Justice and Security
Education (Early Child/Special Education/Middle Grades)
Health Informatics
Interdisciplinary Studies
Language and Literature
Mathematics
Nursing
Psychology
Public Management
Career Associate Degrees:
Culinary Arts
Hospitality Management- Hotel Operations
Nursing- ASN
Radiologic Science
For more information go to: https://www.ccga.edu/page.cfm?p=1305
Career Planning & Spotlight
Is Vocational or Career Training Right for You?
Vocational schools and correspondence schools train students for a variety of skilled jobs, including jobs as automotive technicians, medical assistants, hair stylists, interior designers, electronics technicians, paralegals, and truck drivers. Some schools also help students identify prospective employers and apply for jobs.
To decide whether a career school is right for you, consider whether you need more training for the job you want. It's possible you can learn the skills you need on the job. Look at ads for positions that you're interested in. Then call the employers to learn what kinds of training and experience will be meaningful, and whether they recommend any particular programs.
What other options do you have?
Look into alternatives, like community colleges. The tuition may be less than at private schools. Also, some businesses offer education programs through apprenticeships or on-the-job training.
Also, compare the information from other schools to learn what is required to graduate, and what you'll get when you graduate — a certificate in your chosen field or eligibility for a clinical or other externship? Are licensing credits you earn at the school transferable?
Remember that a school is not an employment agency. No school can guarantee you a job when you graduate.
Before You Enroll
It's a good idea to do some homework before you commit to a program. You want to make sure the program you enroll in is reputable and trustworthy. Find out:
- What the facilities are like- Find out as much as you can about the school's facilities. Visit in person and ask to see the classrooms and workshops. Also, ask about the types of equipment — like computers and tools — that students use for training. Is the training equipment the same that’s used in the industry? Call some companies to find out.
- What the school provides- Are there supplies and tools that you must buy? If you need help overcoming language barriers or learning disabilities, find out if the school provides help, and at what cost?
- Who the instructors are- Ask about the instructors' qualifications and the size of classes. Sit in on a class to observe whether the students are engaged and the teacher is interesting. Talk to other students about their experience.
- What the program’s success rate is- Get some idea of the program's success rate. Ask about:
Completion rate: what percentage of students complete the program? A high dropout rate could mean students don't like the program.
Job placement: how many graduates find jobs in their chosen field? What is the average starting salary?
Debt on graduation: of the recent graduates who borrowed money to attend the school, what percent are delinquent in paying back those loans?
Students' experiences: can you get a list of recent graduates to ask about their experiences with the school?
5. What the total cost is- Will you pay by course, semester, or program? What about fees for dropping or adding a class? In addition to tuition, what will you pay for books, equipment, uniforms, lab fees, or graduation fees? If you need financial assistance, find out whether the school provides it, and if so, what it offers. The U.S. Department of Education administers several major student aid programs in the forms of grants, loans, and work-study programs. About two-thirds of all student financial aid comes from these programs. Get details at studentaid.gov.
6. If the school is licensed and accredited- Ask for names and phone numbers of the school's licensing and accrediting organizations, and check with them to see whether the school is up-to-date.
7. If the school gets many complaints- Check with the Attorney General's office, in the state where you live and in the state where the school is based, and with the state department of education to see whether a lot of complaints have been filed against the school. Though keep in mind that a lack of complaints may not mean that the school is without problems. Unscrupulous businesses or business people often change names and locations to hide complaint histories.
Review the Contract
Before you decide on a program, read the materials carefully, including the contract. Check to see whether you can cancel within a few days of signing up and, if so, how to go about it. If the school refuses to give you documents to review beforehand, don’t enroll. A legitimate program shouldn’t pressure you to sign up. Also, if a school official's spoken promises are different from the program's written materials, consider it a red flag. If the promises aren't in writing, the school can deny ever having made them.
Financial Aid and Loans
To pay for a vocational training program, you can apply for financial aid through the school's financial aid program. If you take out a loan, be sure you read the agreement and understand the terms of repayment before you sign. Is the lender the federal government, the school, or another private entity? Ask whether you can apply for a federal government loan; it may have better terms — find out more at studentaid.gov. Know:
- how much you are borrowing, and what the interest rate is
- when repayment begins
- how much each payment will be
- how long you have to repay the loan
You’re responsible for paying off the loan whether or not you complete the training program. If you don't pay off the loan, you may run into some serious problems. For example:
- You may not be able to get credit later on to buy a house or car, or get a credit card
- You may not be able to get a loan or grant at another school later on
- Your employer may deduct payments from your paycheck automatically to repay the loan
- The IRS could confiscate your federal tax refunds
- You could be sued for the money you owe
Scholarships 101
American College Foundation- Visionary Scholarship Program $1,000 - $5,000
All applications for the American College Foundation (“ACF”) Visionary Scholarship Program will consist of: 1) a completed ACF Visionary Scholarship Application, 2) a copy of the student’s most recent unofficial high school transcript, 3) a 500 word, typed, double-spaced essay. All components of the application must be received for a student to be eligible for an award. Applications are judged on the ability to follow guidelines (25%), grammar and punctuation (25%), and the merit of the written essay (50%). Applicants must be United States Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens and may be asked to participate in a qualification interview as part of the application process to assist the ACF in ultimately determining the winners. Awards range from $1,000 - $5,000 each; with multiple winners to be selected. Go to www.AmericanCollegeFoundation.org to apply
Paterson Alumni Scholarship- $1,000
The Paterson Elementary Parent Faculty Association (PFA) is pleased to announce a $1,000 scholarship for former Paterson Elementary students. The scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior committed to attend an accredited college or university in 2018-2019. CLICK HERE for the application. The completed, hard-copy application packets are due at Paterson Elementary, 5400 Pine Ave., Fleming Island, FL 32003, no later than May 11, 2013 at 3:00 PM.
ILA Local 1408 Scholarship Fund
The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Port of Jacksonville has partnered with the Jacksonville Business community for many years to provide financial scholarships to qualified high school graduates entering college and continuing college students. For the past 23 years, our Scholarship Program has awarded over 1000 qualified students with scholarships. This scholarship opportunity is open to all high school seniors who demonstrate financial need. CLICK HERE for the online application and requirements. Deadline May 25, 2018.
Navy Wives Clubs of American Scholarship Foundation
The Scholarship Foundation of NWCA is a nonprofit organization that offers 30 scholarships each in the amount of $1,000 to $1,500. Applicants must be a dependent of an active duty, retired with pay or deceased Enlisted member of the US Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard. The applicant must have a valid dependent ID card and show basis of need for financial assistance with a minimum 2.5 GPA. You can download the application by going to www.navywivesclubsofamerica.org. Deadline is May 30, 2018.
Horatio Alger Career & Tech Ed Scholarship Program
Since 1984, the Horatio Alger Association has awarded over $125 million in college scholarships to deserving students. Through nationally recognized educational programs, the Association reaches out directly to our nation’s young people with a message of hope, opportunity, responsibility, and perseverance. The Association will award 1020 scholarships in 2018 with a maximum award amount of $2,500 depending on the cost of the program and need of the student. To be eligible for the Horatio Alger National Career & Technical Scholarship Program, applicants must: have completed high school by Spring 2018, be enrolled in a 2 year or less career or technical degree/certification program in Fall 2018, attend a not-for-profit post-secondary institution, demonstrate financial need (Pell Grant eligible), be under the age of 30, and be a US citizen. To apply go to application.horatioalger.org Deadline to apply is June 15, 2018.
Derek Hatcher Foundation- $5,000
The Derek Hatcher Foundation was founded in efforts to raise awareness of substance abuse and addiction. This organization recognizes the importance of education in the role of prevention. As a result, the Derek Hatcher Foundation is offering a scholarship to an eligible senior in Clay County who has a minimum 3.0 GPA and plan to attend some post-secondary school. The application can be picked up in the Scholarship Box in the RHS School Counseling office. Deadline July 1, 2018.
Student Resources
SAP (Student Assistance Program) Counselor- Kim Barrera
The Student Assistance Program works with identified adolescents to screen for risk factors that may interfere with a student’s ability to positively cope with life challenges and stressors. The program consists of individual and/or group prevention activities where teens work with an SAP team member 1-4 times a month on a short term basis. SAP does not provide direct therapy services but can assist students with accessing services through Clay Behavioral Health. You can ask any of your teachers to go see Ms. Barrera in Building 5 room 554 or you can talk with your School Counselor to be referred for services.
Military Life Counselor- Atrews Bell
Mr. Bell provides a variety of services and/or referrals for students with a parent/guardian on active duty or retired military. This can include academic assistance, personal counseling, help with transitioning from school to school and much more. See your School Counselor for more details or stop by Mr. Bells office in Building 1 room 140.
Contact Us!
Pre-IB & IB Students
(904) 336- 8912
Lori.feathergill@myoneclay.net
Maria Littlejohn
Student Last Names A-E
(904) 336- 8904
Maria.littlejohn@myoneclay.net
Jackie Welch
Student Last Names F-L
(904) 336- 8903
Jacquelyn. welch@myoneclay.net
Margo Whyte
Student Last Names M-R
(904) 336-8902
Tabbatha Johns
Student Last Names S-Z
(904) 336-8906