PTHS School Counseling Newsletter
April 2022
Topics Include
- From Inner Pieces to Inner Peace Student Presentation Overview
- Promoting Positive Mental Health
- Mental Health Resources
College Planning
- Test Optional Update Article: After MIT Reinstates SAT and ACT Mandate, Will Other Colleges Follow?
- Virtual FAFSA Completion Night - April 4 (Current Seniors)
- College Planning Night - April 5
- South Hills Trade & Technical Fair - April 26
Tip of the Month: Academic Support & Studying Tips
Scholarship Opportunities
Enrichment Opportunities
Upcoming Dates
From Inner Pieces to Inner Peace
On Friday, March 24, our high school students had the opportunity to hear PT Alum and trained speaker, Julia Broglie present "From Inner Pieces to Inner Peace." She presented a powerful message to a captivated audience with her story. Julia provided the vocabulary to describe mental health challenges while normalizing conversation around mental health and suicide. She demonstrated strategies for students to utilize during times of stress and gave resources for students to seek help for themselves and others if needed.
Ms. Broglie shared the following information to provide to parents.
- It has been proven that talking about suicide or asking someone if they are suicidal does not increase the risk of suicide.
- Here are 6 simple questions to ask if you believe your child might be having suicidal ideation.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15 - 18.
Students who were absent due to the band trip will have an opportunity to view a recording of the presentation in class upon their return. Other students who were absent or are remote can receive access to the recording by contacting your School Counselor.
Promoting Positive Mental Health
What is mental health?
Mental health is one’s psychological and emotional wellbeing. Everyone experiences moments of stress and sadness. When those moments impact daily life tasks such as attending school or result in behavioral changes, then it may be time to consider seeking help from a professional. Just as one would seek at an orthopedist for a broken bone, a therapist should be sought out if there is an impact in daily living or behavioral changes. Mental health is just as important to foster as physical health. Below, are some things to consider when taking care of mental health.
Sleep
Sleep can impact mood, academic performance, decision making abilities, and mental illness. Did you know it is recommended that teens receive 9 hours of sleep but average only 7 hours? Establishing routines, prioritizing activities and obligations, and limiting phone use are all methods to assist with sleep.
Physical Activity
Physical activity releases endorphins assisting with mood and decreasing stress hormone levels of cortisol. It is recommended that students engage in 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
Nutrition
Scientific evidence suggests that food significantly impacts mood. It is recommended that students eat 3 balanced meals each day with healthy snacks.
Connectedness
A sense of belonging is important to emotional wellbeing. Participation in class, activities and clubs and athletics are ways to connect to others.
Relaxation
Everyone can benefit from relaxation, down time, and mindfulness. Deep breathing, visualization activities, and general down time away from phones provides benefit to mental health.
Are you or Someone you Know is Crisis?
Call 911
Have a Current Mental Health Crisis?
Text Talk to 741-741
Julia Broglie shared this number with students. Hopefully, you will see it saved in student phone contacts. You never know when someone may need it.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health America—screening.mhanational.org is a non-profit organization that provides Mental Health resources, information, and screening tools.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Mental Health Resources—pa.gov/guides/mental-health is an informational website that provides resources, information, action steps to learn about Mental Health and how to access treatment.
Help Guide—helpguide.org is a non-profit organization that provides information to improve mental health and make healthy changes.
Student Assistance Program (SAP)
Contact your child’s counselor for more information.
Your School Counselor
Mrs. Courtney Wolf - wolfc@pt-sd.org
Ms. Alyssa Simmons - simmonsa@pt-sd.org
Mrs. Heather Prinsen - prinsenh@pt-sd.org
Mr. Jeff Sudol - sudolj@pt-sd.org
Practice kindness and you too can be someone's hope.
College Planning Night - April 5 at 6:00 PM
Parents and students are cordially invited to attend our College Planning Night!
Our goal is to provide you with a wide variety of information and perspectives regarding the college admissions process and future planning. Students & their parents are invited to attend up to three presentations of your choosing.
Representatives from the military will be present to answer questions & provide information about their individual organizations.
Virtual FAFSA Completion Night - April 4
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and the Community College of Allegheny (CCAC) are partnering to offer a virtual FAFSA Completion Workshop on Monday, April 4th, open to any student/family, where one on one assistance will be provided!
Financial aid counselors will be available to assist families one on one in completing the FAFSA and state grant form. Registration is required.
To register for one-on-one FAFSA assistance go here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FNQLLYH. Three time blocks are available from 4-5 p.m., 5-6 p.m., and 6-7 p.m. so be sure to select the time that is most convenient for you! A zoom link will be sent to registrants prior to the event.
For one-on-one assistance be sure to have the following information available. If you are considered a dependent student, you will need your parent’s information, too. For more information on who counts as your parent when you file the FAFSA visit: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/parent-info.
- Student email address
- Your Federal Student Aid account username and password (FSA ID). To create an FSA ID go to: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/sign-in/landing. *For more information on how to create an FSA ID visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=yj1Pn-shze8&form=MY01SV&OCID=MY01SV.
South Hills Trade & Technical Fair - April 26 at 6:00 PM
May 1 - National College Decision Day
College bound, now what? Add the application results to your Naviance account. This is valuable information that adds data to the infamous Naviance Scattergrams allowing students to view GPA and testing data of applicants who were accepted, denied, or deferred from PTHS. With National College Decision Day around the corner, add the college you plan to attend into Naviance. This will trigger where the counseling office will send your final transcript in June. If you are still undecided of what your future plans entail, you have many options to work through this decision. Try making a list of all the positives and negatives for each decision, whether it be different colleges or different postsecondary options. Factors to consider include location, finances, population, learning opportunities, etc. Highlight or circle the most important factors. Ask yourself if any of the positive or negative statements are deal breakers?
Still not sure what to do? Make an appointment with your counselor to help problem solve next steps. Visit Best Colleges, "What is College Decision Day" for additional information.
Sport your College Gear - April 29
Academic Support & Studying Tips
Set Goals
Teach a Parent or Friend
Avoid Procrastination
Try the SQ3R Method of Reading
SURVEY ----- QUESTION ----- READ ----- RECITE ----- REVIEW
Survey: This step takes only a few minutes. Go through the chapter quickly. Glance at the chapter title, the introduction, headings, and summary paragraphs, if any. Notice any pictures, diagrams, graphs, tables, etc. Read any bold print.
Question: Before you begin reading a section, turn the heading into a question. This sparks your curiosity and increases your comprehension. It also brings to mind info you already know. The questions you ask help make important points stand out as you read.
Read: Read with a purpose of getting the answer to your question. Read with concentration identifying the main ideas - highlight or underline them. Read sections at a time, stop to ask questions, jot down notes and ask yourself what you just read. If you can answer your question, read on. If not, look it over again.
Recite: This step requires that you recite out loud the answer to the question you asked prior to reading a section of the text. Say it in your own words. If you find you cannot answer your question, go back and look for the answer, then try again.
Review: After you have read the entire chapter, look over the notes you made to familiarize yourself with the important information. Check your memory
Try the Cornell Method of Note Taking
Questions: As soon after class as possible, formulate questions based on the notes in the right-hand column. Writing questions helps to clarify meanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity, and strengthen memory. Also, the writing of questions sets up a perfect stage for exam studying later.
Recite: Cover the note-taking column with a sheet of paper. Then, looking at the questions or cue-words in the question and cue column only, say aloud, in your own words, the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.
Reflect: Reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for example: “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know? What’s beyond them?
Review: Spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all your previous notes. If you do, you’ll retain a great deal for current use, as well as, for the exam.
See the Cornell Note Taking Method for a visual sample.
Scholarships - Free Money Opportunities!
REMINDER TO ALL SENIORS: Now is the time to apply to local scholarships! Did you know we currently have almost 50 local scholarships available to the senior class? Every student should be taking advantage of these generous opportunities. Please note that some of these scholarships give out multiple awards or are specific to Peters Township High School Students so APPLY, APPLY, APPLY!!
To access our local scholarships, go to: Naviance >> Colleges >> Scholarships >> Scholarship Search
Upcoming Deadlines:
April
4/1: Carol L. Berthold Scholarship Fund For Dance (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $20,000
4/1: Chapman Family Scholarship Fund (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,000
4/1: John & Sophie Choratch Scholarship Fund (Washington Co. Community Foundation)
4/1: Kiwanis Club Scholarship (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,000
4/1: Sam & Bev Minor Fund (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,000
4/1: Olivia Scott Scholarship (Washington Co. Community Foundation - $1,000
4/1: CAS/Dr. Kim Stacher Scholarship (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,000
4/1: Curtis Wachter Scholarship (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,000
4/1: Washington County Gay Straight Alliance Scholarship Fund (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,000
4/1: Washington Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Scholarship Fund (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,000
4/1: William & Sara Litle and Roy & Sara McCullough Scholarship Fund (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,500
4/1: Joseph P. Femiani Memorial Scholarship Fund (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,000
4/1: Ronald T. Miller, II Scholarship (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,000
4/1: Dave Pew Memorial Scholarship Fund (Washington Co. Community Foundation) - $1,000
4/1: Giant Oaks Garden Club Scholarship - $1,000
4/1: Men’s College Scholarship - $50,000
4/1: Washington Area FCU Scholarship - $1,000
4/1: The Washington Financial Charitable Foundation Scholarship - $5,000
4/1: Peters Township Basketball Association Scholarship - $1,000
4/1: Flavorful Futures Scholarship - $5,000
4/1: Flavorful Futures - Go Green Scholarship - $5,000
4/7: Dr. Cartwright Scholarship - $500
4/15: Pittsburgh Italian Scholarship Fund - $4,000
4/15: We the Students Essay Scholarship - $7,500
4/22: Pennsylvania School Public Relations Association Scholarship - $1,000
4/23: Student-View Scholarship Program
4/29: Aaron C. Fayish Memorial Scholarship - $2,500
4/29: Passavant Memorial Homes Foundation Community Service Scholarship - $10,000
4/30: Keynotes Music Scholarship
4/30: Joyce D. Ellis Scholarship - $2,500
4/30: Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation Scholarship - $1,000
4/30: Dreaming of Three (DO3) Scholarship - $1,500 and $500
4/30: The Nicholas Brunetti Memorial Scholarship - $1,000
May
5/2: Peters Township Federation of Teachers Scholarship - $2,500
5/2: Peters Township PTA Area Council Scholarship - $1,000
5/3: Beulah Frey Environmental Scholarship - $2,500
5/4: McMurray Art League College Scholarship - $500
5/6: PTSA Pride Scholarship - $1,000
5/6: PTSA Service Scholarship - $1,000
5/20: Patti & Walter Blenko Scholarship Fund - $4,000
5/28: Design A Better Future - $10,000
5/30: PB&J Scholarship - $1,000
5/31: Pennsylvania Engineering Foundation Scholarship - $1,000
5/31: Alan and Mary Jo Lincoln Scholarship - $1,000-2,000
June
6/30: Citizens Scholarship - $15,000
6/30: Three Rivers Desk and Derrick Scholarship - $500
Class of 2023 Scholarship Opportunity
The Cameron Impact Scholarship is a four-year, full-tuition, impact-driven undergraduate scholarship awarded annually to 10-15 exceptional high school students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, community service, extracurricular activities, and academics. The Cameron Impact Scholar is unique among their peers in their desire to directly impact their communities and in the world at large. Our Scholar aspires to contribute to positive forces for change and plans to tailor their education to that end. We are looking for young leaders with demonstrated passion and commitment to any variety of positive impact.
https://www.bryancameroneducationfoundation.org/scholarship
Application deadlines:
Early application: no later than NOON on May 20, 2022.
Regular application: September 9. 2022, no later than NOON
Speaking Up About Mental Health Essay Contest
Mental health is an important part of overall health for across all life stages. However, far too often, symptoms are not addressed or recognized among adolescents.
Speaking Up About Mental Health! This is My Story is an essay contest for high school students ages 16-18 to address ways to eliminate and/or reduce mental health stigma that young people may need to overcome when seeking mental health treatment.
This contest is soliciting essays that
- Raise awareness of mental health among American youth and their families
- Promote communication and understanding among teens, parents, guardians, and other caregivers to seek help for mental health issues
- Provide students the opportunity for self-expression about mental health concerns
Ideas for essay topics could include:
- Resilience and coping during challenging times
- School policies or practices that could help reduce stigma
- Conversations about mental health or related stigmas
- Barriers to mental health treatment
- Other areas of concern to individuals and their communities with respect to mental health
Visit https://nimhd.nih.gov/programs/edu-training/mental-health-essay-contest/ for more information.
Law Day Contests
U.S. Selective Service System Registration Required for 18 Year Old Males
Registration ensures eligibility for federal benefits such as: • Over $120 billion in federal student aid provided to more than 13 million students each year.
• Job training under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
• Over 2.1 million civilian jobs in the federal government, including nearly half a million U.S. Postal Service.
• Joining the military. Not only is registration important for access to federal benefits, it is also essential to our nation's security in the event of a national crisis.
Please note: registration with U.S. SSS does not lead to enlisting in the armed forces. Registration is quick and easy to complete with the following available options:
1. Online registration: https://www.sss.gov/register
2. Downloadable mail-in form: https://www.sss.gov/forms/
3. In-person at any U.S. Post Office
Save the Date
April 2: ACT @PTHS
April 5: College Planning Night @ 6:00 PM
April 26: South Hills Trade & Technical Fair @ 6:00 PM
April 29: Wear Your College Gear
May 1: National College Decision Day
May 2 - May 13: AP Testing
May 13: Senior Grades Due for Honors Distinction
May 16 & May 17: Literature Keystone Exam
May 18 & May 19: Algebra Keystone Exam
May 23 & May 24: Biology Keystone Exam
May 31: Senior Awards Night
PTHS Counseling Team
Ms. Alyssa Patton; pattona@pt-sd.org
Class of 2021-2023: A-Di
Class of 2024 and Beyond: A-C
Mrs. Courtney Wolf; wolfc@pt-sd.org
Currently unavailable
Class of 2021-2023: Dj-Kl
Class of 2024 and Beyond: D-Hh
Ms. Alyssa Simmons; simmonsa@pt-sd.org
Class of 2021-2023: Km-M
Class of 2024 and Beyond: Hi-Mh
Mrs. Heather Prinsen; prinsenh@pt-sd.org
Class of 2021-2023: N-Sk
Class of 2024 and Beyond: Mi-Se
Mr. Jeff Sudol; sudolj@pt-sd.org
Class of 2021-2023: Sl-Z
Class of 2024 and Beyond: Sf-Z
Mrs. Leyna Steffen; steffenl@pt-sd.org
Dean of College and Career Readiness
Mrs. Courtney Murphy; murphyc@pt-sd.org
Counseling Secretary
Mrs. Evie Lusk; luske@pt-sd.org
Counseling Secretary