COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
RICHMOND HILL HIGH SCHOOL
September 2020 Newsletter
WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE HILL?
- First day of school August 17th
- Missed the August 2020 newsletter?
Upcoming Events:
- PSAT-10/14/2020
- ASVAB- 11/5/2020
7 Mindsets
7 Mindsets 2020-2021
This month our mindset is Everything is Possible. Everything is Possible focuses on four main concepts: Dream Big, Embrace Creativity, Think Positive, and Act and Adjust. Dream Big teaches us to reach for the stars and set high expectations for our lives. Embrace Creativity is about trying new ways to make your dreams come true. Making your dreams come true can’t happen if you don’t Think Positive. Act and Adjust teaches us to find ways to move around the obstacles that get in the way of our dreams. Below are the videos and challenge questions your students will be seeing this month.
Dream Big Videos – September 10, 2020
9th grade students https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=25&v=dlWnLebdwIM
Challenge Question: “This week think about your dreams and what steps you will take to move towards them”
10th – 12th grade students https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPFmq2x_0Mg
Challenge Question: “Kyle climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro, but then sets his eyes on bigger, higher peaks. Choose one goal you have. Write down a way you can push that dream further or make that dream bigger.”
Embrace Creativity Videos – September 17, 2020
9th grade students https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=LWTyqhdXg3s
Challenge Question: “Try to identify at least two creative solutions for a current personal challenge in your life or something you’d like to change”
10th – 12th grade students https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=oWUp55UfDpE
Challenge Question: “Set aside 15-30 minutes this week to be creative. Come up with a dance, draw a picture, write a poem, or solve a problem in an innovative way”
Think Positive Videos – September 24, 2020
9th grade Students https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4
Challenge Question: “Perform two simple acts this week to foster positivity in yourself and others”
10th – 12th grade students https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=8&v=SPt5XnCUOvg
Challenge Question: “Ask a person who cares about you how they would rate your success on a scale of 1 to 10. Compare this to the score you gave yourself”
Everything is Possible Parent Newsletter – Tips for parents to use at home!
WHAT'S GOING ON IN 9TH GRADE...
Asking for help is a struggle for the average person, regardless of age; everyone needs help at some point in their life. It is because we are independent creatures that we must learn the importance of self-advocating, especially in High School. For those readers that are unfamiliar with the term, self-advocating is the act of speaking up for oneself and the things that matter to us. In the school setting, self-advocating means communicating when you have a need that is not being met such as instruction in class, tutorials, or securing food at school/home. Put simply, we can not help you if we do not know that you need help. Below is a list of ways to develop and strengthen your advocating skills.
Speak up and speak clearly. Lead the conversation with informing others of EXACTLY with what you want help, and how they might help.
Check for understanding. Ask questions and restate the answers to ensure that you understand and to clarify any confusion.
Be open. Solutions and answers may not always come in the form that you expect. Be open to help, regardless of how it is presented.
Bring solutions. If you find that you hold back from asking for help for fear of a “NO,” bring your own solution. The best advocates are the ones that solve a situation prior to presenting for guidance.
Don’t be afraid of disagreements and respect other people’s opinions. Perception is reality, therefore a problem for you may not be a problem for others. However, your perspective and feelings are valid; as are others, so work on listening. If you find that the person that you have asked for help disagrees, ask someone else.
Champion. Once you have learned to advocate for yourself, advocate for others, and teach/encourage them to advocate for themselves.
Tag Team. When all else fails in advocating for yourself, call in reinforcements. We as counselors are always here to be a sounding board and help you work through difficult times. And though you are growing in independence, your parents are a great resource.
Though asking for help is difficult, it is a skill that will help you navigate through the rest of your life. Communicating your needs and concerns will strengthen relationships and ease the stress of day to day living. Be your own hero, ask for help; you would be surprised by how many people are just waiting to be asked.
WHAT'S GOING ON IN 10TH GRADE...
Get Involved!
Don’t forget, Sophomore year is the year to really start diving into new opportunities to start building that resume! A good place to start is by checking out our wide range of clubs that we offer here at RHHS!
WHAT'S GOING ON IN 11TH GRADE...
Coping Skills to Deal with Anger
We are all living through uncertain times and experiencing a collective sense of grief, fear, and at times, anger. Starting a new school year during a pandemic is only one of our challenges. All our emotions are useful in helping us learn to understand ourselves and our life experiences. It is important to learn to avoid letting anger and frustration overwhelm us.
Keep in mind that our usual outlets for venting, such as hanging out with friends, going out for events, coffee shops, are not readily available. We must learn new ways to cope with emotions.
1. Listen to your emotions/feelings. Notice what triggers your anger and find ways to cope with those triggers.
2. Be curious about people. Listen to what people are saying to you. Put yourself in their shoes and think about how and why they think the way they do.
3. Exercise, exercise, exercise. This does not have to be the gym, it can be bike rides, jogging, walks with your dog. You can use resistance bands in place of a crowded gym. There are tons of exercise and yoga videos on YouTube.
4. Counseling. Push through the stigma and realize that counselors help you find ways to be your best self. We don’t have all the answers, and no one knows you better than you. A good counselor will develop a relationship based on trust, empathy, and care.
5. Music + Art. Art and music help us relax and tap into our creative souls. Find ways to engage in the creative arts and using them for relaxation and mindfulness.
6. Emotional reserves. Negative thoughts and emotions wear us down and prevent us from being our best selves.
7. Find a trust friend. Having someone who “gets” you is the essence of human connection.
To learn more about these suggestions go to: https://mashable-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/mashable.com/article/how-to-deal-with-anger.amp
WHAT'S GOING ON IN 12TH GRADE...
Decisions, Decisions….
What is your plan after high school? Where do you want to go to college? Do you even want to go to college? If not, what’s the plan!? This year can be very stressful in making these big choices, but it’s time to get started on exploring your options. It’s time to focus in on small goals and a plan, rather than having just a thought in your head about what you may do come May.
1. GAFutures is a great place to start exploring your college/career options. This site is not only designed for college-bound students, as it has career opportunities and information available as well. This is also where you will send your transcripts to schools that you apply to. You can search colleges, scholarships, and more! You may not remember your account info, and counselors do no have access to this information. You will need to follow the “forgot password” option to recover this information.
2. BigFutures is another very useful tool to help get started on exploring life after high school. What we especially like from this site is the college search tool. It allows you to type in up to three schools at once and gives a visual chart with breakdowns of each school and how they compare in terms of rigor, location, student population, and more!
Remember to STAY ORGANIZED this year!
Dates and deadlines are the name of the game this fall. Find a system that works to keep you organized and prevent last minute rushing/stress. Break down tasks and set deadlines for yourself in addition to the ones given to you by colleges. For example: if your application is due November 1st give yourself the deadline of mid-October to have sent your scores and essay proof read.
Sometimes a hard copy calendar can help you with getting the visuals of the entire month and many fillable PDF versions can be found online. Use your phone as a tool to help as well with reminders and apps that can help you in prioritizing and organizing this important To-Do list.
College and Career
Dual Enrollment 2020-2021
Who :11th & 12th Grade Students who are motivated, independent, and ready for challenging curriculum level taught at the college level
Eligible 10th grades may participate in technical courses or with Zell Miller Range ACT/SAT scores may take academic courses.
When : Application, Approval & Placement take about 6-8 weeks at the college.
Deadline for Spring 2021 is December 4th, 2020.
Deadline for summer fall 2021 is May 7th, 2021.
Why : Get College Credits!
How : Get accepted to the university of your choice, get approved to take the course to meet RHHS requirements and go to college for FREE
NEW CHANGES ! Participation is limited for 10th grade students. Eligible 11th and 12th grades may participate. Also funding is limited to 30 college credits.
Meeting with the RHHS Dual Enrollment Counselor, Ms. Appleton will begin to take place Sept 1st, 2020 in person and virtually! Visit the DE page to schedule a meeting!
Visit GA Futures for more details about the program!
https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/scholarships-grants/dual-enrollment/eligibility/
Visit this RHHS Dual Enrollment (DE) page for more information
https://rhhs-counselors.wixsite.com/rhhs-counselors/de
Checklists can help facilitate the process!
- Covid-19 has altered some admission requirements for both traditional and/or dual enrollment applications. This varies by program and institution. Check the institutions DE Admission criteria for the most up to date information.
CONTACT Ms. Deanna M. Appleton at dappleton@bryan.k12.ga.us with questions about Dual Enrollment program
MILITARY FAMILY LIFE COUNSELOR
Due to the unique challenges faced by military families, the Department of Defense offers private and confidential counseling services to military service members and their families. The mission of the MFLC program is to provide short-term, solution focused counseling, support and education. Military counselors may assist military connected students with a variety of issues including: communication, self-esteem/self-confidence, school issues, life stressors, resolving conflicts, behavioral management techniques, building resiliency, sibling/parental relationships, and deployment and reintegration. Within a safe, therapeutic relationship, MFLCs help military children and their parents to cope with normal reactions to the varied stresses of military life, to enhance their lives and to boost military readiness and resiliency.
Ms. Imler is the military counselor for Richmond Hill High School. You can find her in the counseling suite, room 515 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. For more information about MFLC services call (912)271-9725.
NOTE: Parents must sign a consent form before the MFLC counselor can talk with their child.
MILITARY RESOURCES
RESOURCES
PERSONAL WELLNESS
RHHS COUNSELOR CASELOAD:
Rhashida Bunyan- (A thru Dausch)
Emily Neff- (Davidson thru Hicks)
Tam Daniels- (Higgins thru McGuire)
Debbie Kilpatrick- (McHugh-R)
Nick Wozniak (S-Z)
Deanna Appleton (College and Career Counselor)
Dawn Imler- (Military Family Life Counselor)
COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Email: rbunyan@bryan.k12.ga.us
Website: https://rhhs-counselors.wixsite.com/rhhs-counselors
Location: 1 Wildcat Drive, Richmond Hill, GA, USA
Phone: 912-459-6403