News from your BP Counselors!
Jan/Feb 2023
Updates:
- National School Counseling Week
- Course Selection Information with Add/Drop Policy
- Meet the Jax, the Student Services Therapy Dog!
- ACT Prep courses for Juniors
- Mental Health & Social Media
- Upcoming Mental Health Events
National School Counseling Week
School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests & talents; work in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today's world, and focus on positive ways to enhance students' academic, career, and social/emotional development. School counselors work collaboratively with teachers & other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential & set healthy, realistic aspirations for themselves.
Follow us on Twitter @BPStudentServic next week for more facts and photos about school counseling!
Course Selection
Course selection timeline for the 2023 - 2024 School Year
Preparation for the course selection process for the 2023-2024 school year has begun. It is important that your child make informed choices regarding their courses and how it relates to their career goal after high school. The master schedule of courses and sections is developed based on courses your child selects in February. Please review the add/drop/withdrawal policy that will be adhered to once schedules are developed. This document can be found here and is linked in the course selection timeline document below. Your assistance in the course selection process is greatly appreciated.
On January 4th, Counselors presented course selection information to students in their PIRATE time classroom. You can access these presentations below:
Course selection information for freshman
Course selection information for sophomores
Course selection information for juniors
The Course Planning Guide can be found on Bay Port’s website. Click on Academics. The Course Planning Guide is in the drop down menu. (Course Planning Guide). The information from the PIRATE time presentations and other useful resources are also available in a Schoology course called Course Selection for the 2023 - 2024 school year in your child’s Schoology account. The access code for this course is: ZPHN-KWGF-F3KRK
A timeline of the entire course selection process can be found here for your reference. Students should be prepared to select their courses on the following dates:
February 7: Juniors will select courses.
February 8 and 9: Sophomores will select courses.
February 13 and 14: Freshmen will select courses.
Please review the information in the Schoology course with your child so they are fully prepared to select their courses on their assigned day. Counselors will be available to provide assistance for students on the day they select their courses. Schedule creation (developing their own schedule) in PowerSchool will be based on the courses your child selects in February! More information on the Schedule Creator process will be coming later in the spring.
Schedule creation (developing your own schedule) in PowerSchool will be based on the courses you select If your child would like to meet with their Counselor individually to discuss course selection, please encourage them to make an appointment to do so! Your assistance and efforts with this process are greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Bay Port School Counselors
Jax - The Therapy Dog!
Social Media & Mental Health
The Pros of Social Media
- Allows teens to create online identities
- Build social networks that offer valuable support
- Entertainment & self-expression
- Meaningful connection to peers might help avoid depression
The Cons of Social Media
- A 2019 study found that >6,500 12-15 year olds in the US spend more than 3 hours a day on social media are at a heightened risk for mental health concerns.
- Other studies have shown a link between High levels of social media use & depression or anxiety symptoms.
- 2016 study found that greater the social media use & emotional investment were linked with worse sleep quality.
- Can be at risk for being bullied, harassed, or blackmailed
Protecting your Teen
- Set reasonable limits - Talk to your teen about social media and the impact it has on activities, sleep, meals, or homework.
- Monitor your teen's accounts - let your teen know you'll be regularly checking his or her accounts & follow through.
- Explain what's not okay - discourage your teen from gossiping, setting rumors, etc. Talk to them about what's appropriate and safe.
- Talk about social media - Talk about your own social media habits, ask them how they're using it and how it makes them feel.
- If there are concerns - Let us help! Contact your child's school counselor.
Upcoming Events
ACT Prep Class
ACT PREP CLASS - provided by teachers
Bay Port High School is offering an ACT Prep Class for Juniors!
The class will consist of a practice test on Saturday, February 25 from 7:45-11:45 a.m. in the FORUM ROOM which will be followed up with sessions on the following Monday through Thursday, Feb. 27-Mar. 2 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. These sessions will focus on the four different subject areas of the ACT; Math, Science, Language and Reading.
NO REGISTRATION FEE!
Please stop in Student Services if you have any questions.
ACT PREP CLASS - provided by seniors
ATTN JUNIORS:
Top-scoring seniors are hosting weekly sessions to prepare for the ACT. These sessions will be after school in Room B113 on Tuesdays. Please fill out this interest form if you are interested or plan to attend at least one session. If you have any questions, please contact Cara Wreen (wreecara@hssdschools.org).
Interest Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwQ8W_4zuhyewEECSYx6GuHWHesi5bNmCmX41aRU6D-ExmPg/viewform?usp=sf_link
February 7th - Reading
February 14th - Math/Science
February 21th - English
February 28th - Math
Mental Health Events
February 8 - Positive Parenting
6:00-7:30 pm
Parenting is hard. Join us as we partner with Triple P Parenting to learn more about addressing behaviors and promoting positive skills for our children. Triple P Parenting will talk about strategies to use for different age levels and offer space to discuss some of the most common struggles parents face regarding these topics.
March 8 -Teen Drug Use–What’s New?
6:00-7:30 pm
The drug and alcohol scene of today is much different than the scene facing teens even ten years ago! Join us as we have experts in the field share current drug trends, signs your child may be using and practical and proactive strategies for talking with your teen about the impacts of drug use.
Provide your child's counselors with feedback
Grade Level Updates
Seniors & Xello
Scholarships
Local scholarships are posted in Xello when Student Services receive them! Please continue to encourage your senior to check Xello for updated lists of scholarships.
FAFSA
FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, officially opened on October 1st. Use the FAFSA form to apply for financial aid for college. For step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the FAFSA, students can check in Xello under "College Planning" tab!
Stay Connected with us!
Deb Hebert (9th Grade) debohebe@hssdschools.org
John Vandermause (10-12th grade, A-E) johnvand@hssdschools.org
Tammy Krueger - (10-12th grade), F-K) tammkrue@hssdschools.org
Trent Noe (10-12th grade, L-R) trennoe@hssdschools.org
Katie Noe (10-12th grade, S-Z) katinoe@hssdschools.org
Kelly Mierow - (Alt. Ed, Captains/SAIL) kellmier@hssdschools.org
Email: katinech@hssdschools.or
Website: https://bayport.hssdschools.org/about-us/student-services
Twitter: @BPStudentServic