M.A. Counseling Newsletter
September 2019
In This Issue
- Upcoming Events
- Counseling in the Commons
- Financial Aid Night
- MISP College Fair
- Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, Johns Hopkins, Wash U - St. Louis Information Session
Experience Minnesota: An Open House for Multicultural Students
- ACT/SAT
- Changes in AP Registration
- Four Cases Of Severe Lung Injury Among Teens Who Reported Vaping
- They're here!
- Wellness Corner
Upcoming Events
- Financial Aid Night (for junior and senior parents) - Thursday, September 19 - 6:30-8 PM - Campus Room - Guest Speaker: Brian Lindemann, Dir. of Financial Aid at Macalester College
- MISP College Fair (for 10-12th graders) - Sunday, September 22 - 12:30-3 PM - Mounds Park Academy
- Junior Parent Night - Tuesday, November 12 - 6:30-7:30 PM - Campus Room
- Sophomore Parent Night - Monday, February 10 - 6:30-7:30 PM - Campus Room
Counseling in the Commons
Financial Aid Night
MISP College Fair
We invite and encourage students and parents from the senior, junior and sophomore classes of the six MISP schools to attend the annual MISP College Fair. This event is a valuable opportunity for students in all three grades to connect with college representatives.
This year's MISP Fair will be held at:
Mounds Park Academy
2051 Larpenteur Ave E
St. Paul, MN 55109
on Sunday, September 22, 2019
12:30-3:00 for MISP School Students
Closer to the fair you will be able to click on the following links for important information to help you achieve a valuable fair experience.
- Program Flyer 2019
- Spreadsheet that is sortable by college name, city or state - Registered Schools 2019
Johns Hopkins, Notre Dame, Emory, Wash U - St. Louis Information Session
Here are the details:
St. Paul Academy & Summit School
Sunday, September 15, 1:00 pm
To register, RSVP here: https://admission.emory.edu/portal/nwhe
Experience Minnesota: An Open House for Multicultural Students
ACT/SAT
Juniors are encouraged to take the test of their choosing twice, ideally in the spring of their junior year (i.e. February and April test dates).
Seniors are encouraged to take the test of their choosing an additional time in the fall of their senior year (by the end of October) on a case-by-case basis.
We will be offering a practice ACT exam for juniors, as well as test prep courses for the ACT. Information about these offerings will come at a later date. In the mean time, if you are looking for outside prep (for the ACT or SAT), we recommend Breakaway Test Prep.
If you are curious to know the differences between the two exams, this is a worthwhile article: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/act-vs-sat-how-to-decide-which-test-to-take
If there are questions about ACT/SAT testing please contact your student's counselor.
Changes in AP Registration
College Board has made changes to the AP test registration and ordering process. This will have a minimal impact on our students at Minnehaha Academy, however there are some changes to be mindful of. Students will "join" their AP classroom on the first day of class and thereby register for the test. Tests now need to be ordered by mid fall.
Payment will collected from students in February. If your student wants to take an AP only exam, for a course we do not offer at Minnehaha Academy (i.e.) AP Psychology, students need to register with Diane Rahm in student services no later than November 1st, and pay a $40 test fee to hold their spot. An additional final fee will be collected in February. Any questions contact Christine Paton or Diane Rahm in the counseling office.
Four Cases Of Severe Lung Injury Among Teens Who Reported Vaping
Did you know that one vape pod is the equivalent to an entire pack of cigarettes? Many students go through multiple vape pods in a day. This is alarming and needs to be on your radar.
Vaping might seem a popular thing to do, but it’s sending kids to the hospital. Minnesota’s Department of Health has a strong warning to parents and teens about serious lung damage due to vaping.Children’s Hospital is now treating at least four teens for serious lung damage. And in Wisconsin, 25 more kids are getting medical care for similar symptoms. As WCCO’s Bill Hudson explains, experts are calling it an epidemic. When E-cigarettes first came on the scene, many saw a safer alternative to smoking tobacco. Inside Children’s Hospital lies proof that they’re not.
Click on the link below for a video with further details.
They're here!
Wellness Corner
Phillipians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
M.A. Counseling Team and Services
WHO WE ARE:
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
monroewanda@minnehahaacademy.net
Diane Rahm, Counseling Office Assistant, Registrar
rahmdiane@minnehahaacademy.net
WHAT WE DO:
Academic Advising
Guiding toward an appropriately challenging course load
- Additional support to teachers, parents, and students
- Safe, welcoming and confidential
- Addressing issues around anxiety, depression, and general well-being
- Peer and family relationship challenges
- College fit
- Career/personality inventories
- Counselors visiting various colleges and universities throughout the U.S. to provide firsthand information