CHS School Counseling Corner
2019-2020 Semester 2
The role of School Counselors
The OPS School Counseling framework is built on a strengths-based foundation, utilizing the American School Counselor Association model. Through classroom curriculum, group activities, and individual sessions, school counselors guide all students toward academic success and post-secondary education goals. Students are sometimes challenged with the demands of school and life. Decision-making, conflict resolution, problem solving, and healthy relationships are some of the topics school counselors discuss with students.
Students who need support beyond the School Counseling Program can also access the Community Counseling Program and School Social Worker at Central High School.
IMPORTANT INFO FOR 12th GRADERS
Seniors will still be recognized for their achievements despite the fact that we will not be able to hold a Senior Recognition Ceremony this year. Please make sure to send copies of all scholarships to Mrs. Meyer at angela.meyer@ops.org. She can accept photos, PDFs, and forwards. To be included in the Senior Recognition document, submit scholarships to Mrs. Meyer by Wednesday, May 6.
SENIOR SURVEY
All seniors will get a special link within their own school email that they click to complete a survey sent out by the OPS research office. The most important question on the survey is the one about where to send your final transcript. Please complete the survey when you know where you will be attending college so that we can make sure to send your final high school transcript to the correct place. IF YOU DO NOT COMPLETE THIS SURVEY YOUR COLLEGE WILL NOT GET YOUR TRANSCRIPT. Check your junk mail in case it goes there.
STAY CONNECTED
All seniors should check their school and personal email frequently for information and updates from OPS, Central, and college/career prospects!
11th grade College/Career Planning
While we were not able to hold our annual 11th grade College Planning Night, there are still things that 11th graders can be doing to prepare for a post-secondary education.
NAVIANCE FOR COLLEGE/CAREER READINESS
In the fall, juniors participated in a college planning lesson in their English classes – at that time they were introduced to many college search/planning tools that are available through the Naviance website. We encourage students to continue to use that resource during their time away from school and search for a school that is a good fit for their future plans. Many schools have some type of virtual tour or videos on their website that can be extra valuable in these times of social distancing. If a student does not remember how to access Naviance, they can do so by following these steps:
- Log into your Office 365 Account
- Find Naviance in the “Waffle” under Other Apps
- Log in with Active Directory
- College search tools are found under the “College” Tab in the upper right hand corner
- EducationQuest also continues to be an excellent resource in the college planning process– they have a lot of valuable tools that are available on their website at educationquest.org. These tools include information on the college search process, information on financial aid/paying for college, and up to date information on how COVID-19 is impacting Nebraska Colleges.
RESUME
Create or update your resume. Students started a resume in 9th and 10th grade on EducationQuest.org website
COLLEGE PLANNING
Create a list of prospective colleges with requirements and deadlines. Attending a Virtual College Fair will help with this!
ESSAY PREP
Start working on your personal statement or essay. Here are some common prompts to help you get started:
- Tell us a little bit about yourself. What are 3‐5 things that someone needs to know about you to understand who you are?
- What are your academic and career goals? How are you currently working toward these goals? How will going to college help you achieve these goals?
- Tell us about a time you worked hard to achieve something in school and why it was meaningful/what you learned. Additionally, tell us about a time you worked hard to achieve something outside of school and why it was meaningful/what you
- learned.
- Tell us about an obstacle or challenge you have faced. What did you learn? How does this challenge or obstacle still impact you?
- How do you help others in your family, school, and/or community? Why is it important to you?
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about making these plans – we are here to help.
2nd Semester for all 9th Graders
- Schedule Updates - one-on-one with assigned counselors
- Personal Learning Plan meetings - one-on-one with assigned counselors
- Course Registration for 2020-2021 School Year
2nd Semester for ALL 10th Graders
- Schedule Updates - one-on-one with assigned counselors
- Personal Learning Plan meetings - one-on-one with assigned counselors
- Course Registration for 2020-2021 School Year
2nd Semester for all 11th Graders
- Job Corps Visits - in counseling office with Job Corps Admissions Staff
- Schedule Updates - one-on-one with assigned counselors
- Personal Learning Plan meetings - one-on-one with assigned counselors
- Course Registration for 2020-2021 School Year
- Credit Check and Graduation Planning
- College Visits
2nd Semester for all 12th Graders
- Job Corps Visits - in counseling office with Job Corps Admissions Staff
- Career/College Visits - in courtyard, schedule using your Naviance account
- FAFSA Appointments - one-on-one with EducationQuest Staff
Supports for Individual Students
- Course Planning
- Academic support
- Social/Emotional concerns and referrals as needed
- Career/College concerns and referrals as needed
- Problem-solving and goal-setting
- Graduation support
- Student advocate during SAT/IEP team meetings
- Scholarship/college application support
- FAFSA support
- Consultations with community agencies
- Access to The Nest clothing and necessities closet
Programming for ALL Students
Counselors continue to meet with students via email, phone, and Teams during building closures to meet all of the above needs. If your child has a need, please have them email their counselor and we will work with them!