Shorewood Counseling Newsletter
December 2020. We are all in this together!
Hello Parents, Guardians and Students -
Can you believe we're still in remote learning?! Neither can we. ;) We sure miss seeing and helping students in-person.
We hope you and your family are finding ways to stay safe, take care of yourselves, and find joy in some simple things.
One Semester is completed. Only 2 & 1/2 to go!
Hang in there, students and families! We will get through this crazy school year by taking it one day at a time.
Huge props to teachers, students and parents for all you are doing to figure this out.
1st Semester report cards were mailed mid November
If you have questions about grades, reach out to teachers directly.
Note about GPAs: GPAs listed on report cards are based on students' cumulative GPA, not just Semester 1. Please see the note about middle school grades, below, which impacts some students' GPAs.
Grades Not Where You'd Like Them?
Some ideas we're hearing from students:
- Remember that SW teachers have many impressive skills, but they aren't mind readers, especially without seeing you in person. Let them know how you are doing and what questions you have. They care about their students and want to help.
- Use a timer and do short chunks of time for school work, such as 20 minutes. Most of us can do a task, even if we don't like it, for 20 minutes. Then take a break to do whatever you want. This makes it kind of like a game.
- Try to make it fun. Some students use favorite music for when they do homework, as sort of a treat.
- Many students have told us that they are making themselves get their work done during the class period (if possible) so that they are school-free from 3pm on, if not earlier. That's a great position to get yourself in if you are able.
- Try creating daily routines that work for you. This can be a helpful life skill, especially nowadays. Routines remind you to have balance in your life, because you can assign time for 1) tasks that must get done and 2) activities that are important to you. Here are a few examples we have heard recently: I get as much homework done as possible on M, T, Th and F from 12:45-1:30. I use Wednesday afternoons to recharge and not think about school. Every morning when I wake up, I take a deep breath and think of something I'm grateful for. Routines also help you to notice how you spend your time. It's worth trying!
- Just take it one day at a time! If you've gotten behind, that's okay. Try one small step, such as emailing a teacher or picking one assignment to try. Give yourself grace!
This is a 4 Semester Year
This year Shorewood has 4 semesters instead of 2.
- Students take 3 classes at a time
- Each class passed is worth .5 credit
- Students should earn a total of 6.0 credits, which is the same amount as previous years
- A total of 24 credits (in specific subject areas) is required to graduate
Seniors: We are here to help
If you're not sure of options after graduation, are curious about a technical degree or other training program, or need help with a college application, just let us know. We'll figure it out together.
Related: If you're applying to a private college/university or any college that uses the Common Application, a recommendation letter from the school counselor is required (in addition to the teachers' rec letters). The counselor letter is part of the "Secondary School Report."
Give your counselor at least two weeks notice, along with your brag sheet. If you have a January 1st deadline, that means we need your brag sheet a.s.a.p. so we can get it done before winter break. Brag sheet is here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FAGWivpmuBwbphsn4q9T72eJvQKlzaevKsxDNScIblg/edit
December or January College Application Deadlines?
If you are applying to colleges that have December or early January (up to 1/15), be SURE that you do the following by December 11, if not earlier. Since the office is closed for winter break, we need your information before then.
Double check that:
- your colleges are listed in Naviance
- you have selected the application type (Common App or Direct to Institution; Coalition App colleges will be Direct to Institution). If you have any icons with ?, you must correct them by selecting your application type
- you have selected the correct deadlines
- you have requested transcripts for all colleges
- if you have Common App colleges, you have matched your Common App & Naviance accounts and your colleges are in both lists
Enter your requests and information into Naviance so that we can send what you need.
Your counselor, Ms. Roma and/or Ms. Stephens are all available to help with questions about Naviance and applications. Ms. Roma's email is sharon.roma@shorelineschools.org
Seniors and Ninth Graders! It's Canvas Survey time!
Ninth graders: Emails went to k12 email accounts the first week of December.
Seniors: emails went to both Canvas and k12 for seniors in October and November.
These "counselor check-ins" are normally done in person, but this year they are in Canvas.
They let us know a bit about how the school year is going, remind students of ways we can help, and include questions about students' personal interests and goals.They also support the High School and Beyond Plan, which is a graduation requirement.
Be sure your student has completed their Canvas check-in survey. It should only take about ten minutes. We have enjoyed "hearing" from students in this way, even though it does not compare to our in-person check-ins! Students are reminded that they can schedule meetings via phone or zoom, or email us with any questions that come up throughout the year.
SW's Counseling Department
Here is a reminder of the counselors' caseloads (1 full time counselor is assigned to 350 students). This is also on our SW counseling webpage, too.
Tips to Take Care of Mental Health
Washington COVID-19 Immigrant Relief Fund
Help spread the word: This relief fund provides a $1,000 one-time direct payment (up to $3,000 per household). Eligibility includes: WA resident; at least 18 years old; been significantly affected by the pandemic (such as losing work, being infected by the virus, or caring for a family member who was infected); ineligible to receive federal stimulus dollars or unemployment insurance money due to immigration status. Application and documentation required. For assistance, email relief@immigrantreliefwa.org or call 1-844-724-3737 (Mon-Fri, 9AM-9PM).
Let's talk about Transcripts & Middle School grades
High school courses taken in middle school during the 2019-2020 school year and subsequent years are automatically added to the high school transcript (including the grade earned) if the grades were passing, and applied towards graduation requirements. Students and families can request the course be converted to a “P” (pass) grade.
Previously, the grades and credit from high school coursework (such as math and world language) completed in middle school were not automatically added to the high school transcript unless requested by the student and parent/guardian.
These options must be decided upon by the end of your student’s junior year:
1. Change the letter grades from the 8th grade course to “P” grades (Pass), which does not impact the GPA but does leave the credit on the transcript.
2. Change the “S” (Satisfied) and the 0.0 credit from 7th grade courses to the actual grade(s) earned, and add the credit, which will impact the GPA.
These changes are done through submitting a signed form to the counseling office. The form is currently being revised, according to the new policy, and should be available by Semester 3 of this year (February 2021), when students are given registration materials for next year. Registration materials include the student’s latest transcript, which will show the automatic roll-ups of any middle school courses.
Once submitted, these decisions cannot be reversed. We recommend students and parent/guardians wait until junior year to decide, because the decision will impact the GPA.
Reminder about the Calming Room
https://sites.google.com/k12.shorelineschools.org/calmingroom/home
Family Advocates are here to help!
Erin Maurer: erin.maurer@shorelineschools.org
Kristin Harrington: kristin.harrington@shorelineschools.org
Need some tech assistance?
Need Any School Supplies?
It Takes a Village
Principal: bill.dunbar@shorelineschools.org
Assistant Principals: nancy.elder@shorelineschools.org and elaine.swanson@shorelineschools.org
Dean of Students: wayne.hoskins@shorelineschools.org
Main Office Secretary: jordan.davidson@shorelineschools.org
Athletic Director: joann.fukuma@shorelineschools.org
College and Career Coordinator: marianne.stephens@shorelineschools.org
Prevention/Intervention Counselor: amber.langon@shorelineschools.org
Shoreline families/students home tech help site: https://www.shorelineschools.org/hometechhelp
(School counselors, Family Advocates, Registrar and Counseling Secretary are listed above)
The newsletter contains information about numerous subject matters. The information is not advice, and should not be treated as such.