M.A. Counseling Newsletter
February 2017
In This Issue
- Upcoming Events
- Changes in Counselor Alpha Breakdown
- 2017-2018 Upper School Course Registration Information
- College Visits
- College Admissions and Financial Aid
- Junior Counseling Meetings
- ACT Test Prep Course
- ACT/SAT Exam Information
- "SCREENAGERS" Screening and Discussion
- Wellness Corner
Upcoming Events
- Students must bring their ID and admission ticket
April 4 - Junior Parent Mock Application Night - 6:30-8 PM - Campus Room
- Come learn all about what goes into a college application as your junior prepares to apply next fall
- "SCREENAGERS" probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including the director's own, and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through surprising insights from authors and brain scientists solutions emerge on how we can empower kids to best navigate the digital world.
- Join us for a screening of the film, followed by discussion.
- Parents and students are encouraged to attend.
May 4 - College Decision Day Luncheon
- All seniors are invited to wear their school gear and celebrate each other's commitment to their college of choice while enjoying burgers and hotdogs on the grill!
June 26 - June 30 - Minnesota Private College Week
Find out what Minnesota private colleges and universities have to offer!
Come on your own or with your parents. These introductory campus tours and informational meetings can serve as a first step to help you discover just what you’re looking for in a college — especially if you are early in your search. Sessions are held twice daily, from 9:30 to noon and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Daylight Saving Time), on our 17 campuses across the state.
REGISTER HERE: https://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/mpcw
August 7 - August 11 - College Application Bootcamp at Minnehaha Academy
- More info to come
Changes in Counselor Alpha Breakdown
Due to a high number of students in the first half of the alphabet, we are shifting students to ensure a balanced student to counselor ratio.
- A-M: Mrs. Overton
- N-Z: Mrs. Paton
Current 9th and 10th Graders (and incoming students going forward):
- A-K: Mrs. Overton
- L-Z: Mrs. Paton
2017-2018 Upper School Course Registration Information
The 2017-18 class registration forms can be accessed by logging on to your RORS account found at www.MinnehahaAcademy.net under the Current Parents tab with your child. Instructions can be found under the Course Registration Information link under the Upper School section of the Current Parents tab as well. The AP/Honors applications are available in the Student Services Office or at our website under the Current Students tab. Advanced Placement/Honors applications should be completed and returned to the person listed on the applications.
College Visits
Tuesday, February 14 at 10:30 AM
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln
- University of Wisconsin - Stout
- University of Minnesota - Morris
Visits are subject to change. Other visits may be added.
Check your Naviance homepage often for an updated list of visits.
Don't forget to ask for a pass from Mrs. Rahm prior to the college visit!
Attention Seniors: College Admissions and Financial Aid
Please continue to update Mrs. Overton and Mrs. Paton about the decisions from your colleges.
If you have not yet completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) please do so as soon as you are able as colleges will use this information to put together an accurate financial aid package for you and your family. If you need assistance with this form please let your counselor know.
Junior Counseling Meetings
Parents, be sure to check in with your student as they have a copy of the meeting worksheet.
Mrs. Overton and Mrs. Paton visited the junior classrooms to discuss the application process, essay writing, Naviance, and college selectivity.
ACT Test Prep Course
The six session dates are March 27, 28, 30 and April 3, 4 and 6 after school from 3:15-6:15 in Room C037.
Cost is $400 and students can pick up a registration form in the Student Services Office.
ACT/SAT Exam Information
Upcoming Testing Dates and Registration Deadlines
- April 8 (Deadline: March 3) - hosted at Minnehaha Academy
- June 10 (Deadline: May 5)
Upcoming Testing Dates and Registration Deadlines
- March 11 (Deadline: February 10)
- May 6 (Deadline: April 7) - hosted at Minnehaha Academy
- June 3 (Deadline: May 9)
"SCREENAGERS" Screening and Discussion
About the Film
Are you watching kids scroll through life, with their rapid-fire thumbs and a six-second attention span? Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston saw that with her own kids and learned that the average kid spends 6.5 hours a day looking at screens. She wondered about the impact of all this time and about the friction occurring in homes and schools around negotiating screen time—friction she knew all too well.
In SCREENAGERS, as with her award-winning documentaries on mental health, Delaney takes a deeply personal approach as she probes into the vulnerable corners of family life, including her own, to explore struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.
Check out the trailer below and join us on Tuesday, April 11 at 6:30 PM in the Chapel for an exclusive screening and discussion. Parents and students encouraged to attend.
Registration information to come.
Wellness Corner
Psalm 121:1-2
“I lift my eyes up to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth”
The storms of life are unavoidable. Our high schoolers are not immune to these storms. Whether it be relationship conflicts, an illness or sports injury, or not getting into the college of their dreams... trials will come. How do we help them respond? Where will they go for help in their time of need? The Psalmist, David, directs us to the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth who watches over us now and forevermore.
God has a plan for each of our lives. That plan doesn’t always look as we might expect it to, but we can trust Him and praise Him….even in the storms. Casting Crowns does a beautiful job reminding us of this Psalm in their song “Praise You In The Storm.”
Counseling Office Staff
Mike DiNardo, Vice Principal/Director of Counseling
Kristin Overton, College & Guidance Counselor (Last Names A-K) overtonkristin@minnehahaacademy.net
Christine Paton, College & Guidance Counselor (Last Names L-Z) patonchristine@minnehahaacademy.net
Wanda Monroe, Non-Public Counselor
monoroewanda@minnehahaacademy.net
Diane Rahm, Counseling Office Assistant, Registrar