Happy Thanksgiving!
Custer Jr./Sr. High School Counselor - November 2022
It is time to be thankful and grateful!🍂
“Even in the trials of life, if we have eyes to see them, we can find good things everywhere we look.” - Joanna Gaines
Hello everyone - hard to believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner!🦃
With the school year already flying by, I hope this message finds you doing well. We have quite a bit of information in this newsletter, so please be sure to take some time to check it out!
The work-based skill that we are focusing on in this newsletter is Problem Solving and a look at Hard Skills v. Soft Skills in the workplace.
Also, take a few minutes to view the video below if you need a good smile, a laugh, and a reminder of all the things you can be thankful for!
Looking forward to a continually productive school year,
Mrs. French
Custer Jr./Sr. High School Counselor
ATTENTION
If you're having suicidal thoughts, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 988 to talk to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area at any time (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If you are experiencing an emergency or are in crisis, call your doctor or 911 immediately!
Check here frequently...
for updates regarding current scholarships posted to the Custer School Counselor website!
If you want to reach me...
please contact me via email for the quickest response!
Safe2Say South Dakota
Safe2Say South Dakota is a statewide tip line that allows South Dakota students, school staff, and community members to safely and anonymously report sensitive information that concerns their safety, or the safety of others, including mental health concerns.
How to Avoid a Senior Year Crisis😲 - Building Your High School Resume NOW!
See CHS Student Groups & Organizations below and learn how to join!
Work-Based Learning Center
What is Problem Solving?
Problem-solving skills help you determine the source of a problem and find an effective solution. Although problem-solving is often identified as its own separate skill, there are other related skills that contribute to this ability.
According to Indeed.com, these are seven key problem-solving skills:
- Active Listening
- Analysis
- Research
- Creativity
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Team-building
Hard Skills v. Soft Skills - What's the difference?🤔
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
- Albert Einstein
Custer High School - Student Group Opportunities
Wanting to find ways to build you college and scholarship resumes? Consider joining a student group here at CHS! Check out all the great options below!
FFA
A new chapter of FFA is being started at Custer High School!
Interested in joining or need an online Ag course for the Spring 2023 semester? Talk to Mrs. French!
Click here to learn more!
Educators Rising
Considering education as a future profession? Want to learn more about the education career field? Join Educators Rising! Talk to Mrs. French today - or click here to learn more!
FCCLA
Are you ready for the ultimate leadership experience? Join FCCLA! Talk to Ms. Frederick (jenna.frederick@k12.sd.us) today to get started - and click here to learn more!
HOSA
Are you looking into a career in the medical field? Consider joining HOSA and begin your path to an amazing career today! Talk to Mrs. Dooley (mindy.dooley@k12.sd.us) if you have any questions - or click here to learn more!
SADD
Want to get involved to help your peers make better decisions? Contact Ms. Meyer (danielle.meyer@k12.sd.us) to join SADD today! Click here to learn more.
FCW - Fellowship of Christian Wildcats
Further explore your faith and commitment to athletics through FWA! Contact Patty Evans (patiricia.evans@k12.sd.us) if you want to join - and click here to learn more!
T.A.T.U
Lead the fight against teens and tobacco use! Join T.A.T.U today by contacting Ms. Meyer (danielle.meyer@k12.sd.us)
Knowledge Bowl
Want to test your knowledge in a fun and competitive environment? Contact Mrs. Coats (janice.coates@k12.sd.us) today to join the Knowledge Bowl team!
Gaming Club
Are you into all things gaming? Contact Ms. Meyer (danielle.meyer@k12.sd.us) today to find out more about Gaming Club!
College Preparation
ATTENTION CLASS of 2023
💥THERE'S STILL TIME TO APPLY!💥
📢Free Tutoring - K-12 Students Online!📚
Check out this article to learn more!
ASVAB
Custer Jr./Sr. High School
Class of 2024 - All Juniors!
Class of 2023 - Seniors - if you are interested in retaking the ASVAB please talk to Mrs. French.
National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
Custer Jr./Sr. High School
Make-up test for Class of 2024. Juniors who did not test on the original date will be taking the exam.
ASVAB
Custer Jr./Sr. High School
Class of 2024 - All Juniors who did not test on the original test date.
Class of 2023 - Seniors - if you are interested in retaking the ASVAB please talk to Mrs. French.
🤩THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER for DUAL CREDIT COURSES - SPRING 2023‼️
Registration for the Spring 2023 semester Dual Credit courses opens November 1, 2022. If you have any questions, please visit Mrs. French!
Click here to see registration information for Dual Credit courses!
Are you writing essays for your college classes?🤔
Here's great news: Draft Coach is now active for Google Docs!
What is it?
- Draft Coach the student support extension of Turnitin.com
- It will
- Highlight your grammar mistakes and provide explanations to help you edit your paper
- Run similarity reports within Google Docs to ensure you aren't plagiarizing
- Improve your citation by finding missing references and citations.
Where do you find it?
- Draft Coach lives within Google Docs. In the top menu click Extensions - Turnitin Draft Coach - Turnitin Draft Coach (see picture below)
- You can use Draft Coach for the text of any project (slide show, Microsoft documents); just copy and paste the text into Google Docs and run the draft coach.
- When it opens, a right-hand menu will open and you will have to click through two screens agreeing to terms of service.
Picture 1: Where to find Draft Coach
If you have any questions or issues, please email nora.smolnisky@k12.sd.us
12th Grade Resources & Important Links
Who is Eligible?
Qualified Applicants Must:
- Graduate from an accredited South Dakota high school with a Grade Point Average (GPA of) 2.8 or greater on a 4.0 scale. Home schooled students will be allowed to provide supplemental information if this requirement is not applicable.
- Have a composite ACT score of 27 or greater (or the SAT equivalent).
- Agree, in writing, to stay in South Dakota and work in a critical need occupation after graduation for as many years as the scholarship was received, plus one year. The current critical need occupations for 2023-24 are:
- Teacher - K-12
- Special Education
- Foreign Language
- Vocal or Instrumental Music
- English as a Second Language (ESL) or English Language Learners (ELL)
- Teacher - Secondary
- School Math
- School Science
- Career and Technical Education
- Language Arts
- Accountant / Auditor
- Engineer (all fields EXCEPT mining, chemical, biomedical, and computer hardware)
- Information Technology
- Registered Nurse
- Apply for the Dakota Corps Scholarship for a school period that begins within one year of high school graduation, or within one year of release from active duty of an active component of the armed forces.
- Attend a participating South Dakota college as an undergraduate student in a program that will prepare the student to work in a critical need occupation.
- Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
🗃️It's Time to Fill Out the FAFSA!!💰
Looking forward...
What to expect in coming newsletters:
- December: Communication
- The Spirit of Giving
- Scholarship Updates & Reminders