Happy February!
Custer Jr./Sr. High School Counselor - February 2023
Time just keeps on flying by!⏳
"Kindness is seeing the best in others when they cannot see it in themselves."
Hello everyone - I'm not sure if it just me, but I feel like this school year keeps going by quicker and quicker each day!💕
The work-based skill that we are focusing on in this newsletter is Kindness and a refresher on Organization.
A few other major pieces of information you will find in this newsletter include:
- Current 7th Graders: Check out a FREE Summer Camp opportunity below!!
- Current 10th & 11th grade students & parent/guardians: There will be a Dual Credit information night on March 6th beginning at 5:30pm in the high school theater. We will be going over the course options, how to register, and much more! See flyer below & additional Dual Credit information.
- Current 11th graders - sign up and take the ACT in April! There are ACT prep dates available, additional information can be found below!
- Current 12th graders - if you have not completed the FAFSA, there is still time! Also be sure to check out the articles at the bottom of this newsletter - awesome tips for choosing a college if you are undecided in a major, and financial help options at college!
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.
✨ATTENTION CLASS of 2024 & 2025!🤯
Current Sophomores & Juniors - your time to start thinking about Dual Credits for next year is now! Registration opens April 1, 2023 - Plan to attend the Dual Credit Information Night on March 6th to learn more!
🤩TIME TO START PLANNING!
Registration for the Fall 2023 semester Dual Credit courses opens on April 1, 2023. If you have any questions, please visit Mrs. French!
Click here to see registration information for Dual Credit courses!
Current 7th Graders - Check out this FREE opportunity!🤩
South Dakota rising 7th and 8th graders are invited to attend FREE Career Explorations Camps, hosted this summer at BHSU, DSU, NSU, SDSU and USD. These five-day camps will expose students to various career paths through fun, engaging and hands-on learning. By the end of camp, students will have a better understanding of themselves, their career interests and how their education prepares them for professions. For summer 2023, the program will accept 600 students total, 100 at each camp.
Work-Based Learning Center
Be Kind!
Kindness in the Workplace can have very positive impacts on a person and how positive they feel while at work. It also impacts the culture of the workplace. Here are 7 steps in creating a kind workplace environment:
- Setting a Tone
- Modeling Behavior
- Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment
- Strengths, Mistakes, and Growth Mindset
- Trust, Boundaries and Belonging
- Communication and Collaboration
- Celebration
Want to learn more? Click on the photo to access the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation website!
A quick refresher on organization...🤔
"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt
📚Job Opportunities📝
Custer Hospitality Hotels & Resorts
We are taking the hospitality industry to the next level. All we need is you! Stop by our Custer Hospitality’s job fair on March 24 from 2 pm - 6 pm, hosted at our Super 8. We have fresh new positions that could be your next career move!🙋
✨ Front Desk Representatives
✨ Housekeeping Attendants
✨ Laundry Attendants
All properties are ready and waiting to accept resumes and conduct interviews. Wages $15-$18 DOE and position. Apply today! http://bit.ly/3DKm8Z1 ✨.🙋 🙋 🙋
Wind Cave National Park
Clerk (OA) position open at Wind Cave National Park - must be 16 years old to apply!
Check it out! South Dakota Week of Work - April 3-7, 2023!
How to Avoid a Senior Year Crisis😲 - Building Your High School Resume NOW!
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 JUNIORS - CLASS of 2024!✨
Time to register to take the ACT!
Class of 2024 - it is time to start registering to take the ACT! There are two upcoming test dates in the spring:
- April 15th* (Registration deadline March 10th)
- June 10th (Registration deadline May 5th)
*I highly recommend that current Juniors register to take the test in April! This gives students a great idea how they score on each test, areas to work on for improvement, and multiple opportunities during their senior year to retake the test to improve their scores!
Check out the link below to create an account and register for the ACT!
🔬ACT Prep Sessions - Sign Up Now!!📚
Students are encouraged to sign up before the first class. Sign up sheets are located in the office!
Check out this article to learn more!
💰Paying for College South Dakota🤑
Do you want little to no debt when you go to college?
Check out the link below to learn how to avoid costly mistakes and how to better manage your investment in a college education! (Special shout out to Custer School District Board Member Heather Grace for this awesome resource!)
What's YOUR Dakota Dream?
Your guide to college and beyond!🎓
📢Free Tutoring - K-12 Students Online!📚
📝💯Upcoming Testing - Dates & Reminders!📚⏳
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
**Please note date change!**
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.
South Dakota State Testing
Custer Jr./Sr. High School
All 7th, 8th, and 11th graders will be testing. Please be watching for additional information in future newsletters!
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
THERE IS STILL TIME!! 🗃️It's Time to Fill Out the FAFSA!!💰
Looking forward...
What to expect in coming newsletters:
- 2023-2024 Registration Information
- Scholarship Updates & Reminders