Carlson Counseling Corner
End of First Quarter
WHAT NOW?
This school year feels like it started a week ago! Somehow it is almost the end of October and many are just getting out of the crazy whirlwind of activities: Fall Sports are ending, we all survived Homecoming week, and now we are left with the question: What now?
This is a perfect time to do a check in with your students. Check ins can be about academics, but also check in with them and where they are at socially or emotionally.
- How are they feeling about this school year?
- What do they like about their friend group?
- Is there a new activity they would like to try before the end of the year?
We are almost at the end of the 1st quarter (just a few weeks from now) so grades are definitely changing. Some for the better and some could be better.
Here are a few do's and don'ts when looking at your students grades:
Do
- Look at your parent portal often- I would suggest once a week- (if you don't know your login you can have the student log into their own account while you obtain your log in from the parent portal on www.gibdist.net)
- Discuss Missing work with the student- Ask them questions about the work- don't just assume why it is missing. DISCLAIMER- the following questions will sound very "elementary-ish" but they are still kids! and it's important to remember that.
- Did you struggle with understanding the material?
- Do you know where to submit it?
- What can we do to make sure this doesn't happen again?
- Reach out to the teacher - it is appropriate to reach out to the teacher if you're still unsure about your child's status in the class.
DONT'S
- Don't allow your child to give up. Encouragement and praise seems again like it's for little kids- but it works with teens too! So often we resort to punishment and taking away items or social time and school has now become a punishment. Rather focus on the positives- what are their strengths???
- Don't let grades interfere with your relationship with your child. This shouldn't be an argument. The grades are not a reflection of them as a person. The grades are a reflection of what is going on in the classroom. Keep that in mind before you let their grade ruin your day or their day. Again, ask them questions and try to keep it light.
- Don't take away activities- a lot of times I will hear parents tell their child that they can no longer go to their favorite sport or to their job. Those activities teach them skills that the classrooms cannot. Rather try to find a balance between the school work and those activities. Time management is an important skill. When they go to college or work- they will have to balance both; high school is just practice for that
NOVEMBER PRE-VIEW
END of 1st quarter- the grades on that report card are just for 1st quarter- we are Half Way to the end of the term.
THINGS TO DO NOW:
12th grade
Apply to College
Send Transcripts via parchment.com
If you wish to retake SAT sign up at sat.org
Sign up to take the ASVAB
Use fastweb.com to look for scholarships as well as the links in your schoology group!
11th grade:
Sign up to take ASVAB
Explore your interests or career matches on Xello
Explore which colleges offer those programs of study.
Take some practice tests for SAT through the Collegeboard website.
10th grade:
Begin exploring careers that interest you.
Utilize Xello to see which schools offer those careers.
Explore trade programs that interest you and meet with Ms. Palazzolo about CTE programs that are related to those fields.
9th grade:
Get involved! Try a new club or sport this year.
Utilize Xello to start thinking about the future and what direction you may want to go.
Check your grades often.
Up Coming Events:
Thursday, Nov. 9th- 8 am Academic Ceremony for 10th- 12th grade students who have earned a 3.5 or higher Cummulative GPA.
Monday, Nov. 13th - VIRTUAL Financial Aid NIght at 6:00pm. Hosted by the University of Michigan. Get information about the FAFSA, grants, loans, and scholarships. Zoom link and details coming soon.
Tuesday Nov. 14th - The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) will be offered for 10th-12th graders. Sign up with Mrs. Walters if you are interested in taking it.
Seniors: Watch the Counseling Schoology group for information on Scholarships, Job opportunities, and Financial Aid. Remember: the FAFSA opens in December this year.
Manufactoring Day Field Trip
This month we took 45 students to the Ford Rouge Plant and Henry Ford Community College to explore Careers in the Manufatoring Industry.
Hands on experiences
College Fair
We hosted over 50 Colleges and Trade Schools at our College Fair this past September.
Counseling dept.
Last names A-G Mimma Palazzolo - palazzm@gibdist.net 734-379-7114
Last names H-O Jennifer Trush - trushj@gibdist.net 734-379-7133
Last names P-Z Kelly Walters - walterk@gibdist.net 734-379-7113
Website: https://www.gibdist.net/o/carlsonhigh/page/counseling-center
Location: 30550 West Jefferson Avenue, Gibraltar, MI, USA
Phone: (734)379-7101
Twitter: @carlsoncounseli