Counselor Corner 2017-2018
May/June 2018 (v.6)
This is the final Counseling Corner for 2017-18
Have a great rest of the school year!
Paul Surdenik, Jennifer Vick, Carrie Laurence & Jim Bowker
Mark your Calendars:
Financial Aid Info Night: May 7, 6:30pm in Learning Commons. Click here for the power point
AP Exams: May 7-18 at Churchill High School in Royal Oak
Senior Final Exams: May 21st and May 22nd
Senior Honors Convocation: May 22nd @ ROMS, 7pm
Senior Prom: May 24th, Shenandoah Country Club
Graduation: June 1st @ Freedom Hill- 7:00
Final Exams (grades 9-11): June 12, 13, 14
May Late Start Days: May 2, May 9, May 16, May 23 (NO late start May 30)
NO June Late Start Days
Summer School Options:
ROHS Summer School: June 25-July 13 (long weekend for July 4th)
- Classes will meet at ROHS (Health and PE will be held at ROMS)
- Courses are $200 each ($100 if your student qualifies for free/reduced lunch).
- Sign up begins May 7 on PAYSCHOOLS (link)
Online Summer Classes:
- Create your own online account at Michigan Virtual High School (link)
- Registration at MiVHS is now through June 28th
- Courses run from June 4 to August 10
Students choosing this online format for their summer course will work with their online instructor from home. Completing the course by the end date is required for course completion; students will work at their own pace and remotely.
Keeping kids productive during summer:
- A summer job: A student need not work 40 hours a week to have a valuable experience, nor does the job need to be in an area of future professional interest. Being a camp counselor, scooping ice cream or working fast food can all offer the opportunity to learn some very meaningful life skills (see above)--and put a few bucks in their pocket as well. Colleges like to see a work experience as well, as it demonstrates student initiative and responsibility.
- Volunteering: Find an organization that could use some extra hands in the summer. Many churches and community organizations have opportunities over the summer for teens to roll up their sleeves and help. An organization like Summer in the City or this link from Metro Parent offer some great opportunities geared toward teenaged volunteers.
- Job Shadowing: "I don't know what I want to do..." is a lament we often hear in the counseling office. And while we let students know routinely they do not need to have that figured out just yet, the question persists. Consider trying to help your teen arrange an informal job shadowing experience over the summer. Have a friend, neighbor, friend of a friend who is an engineer? a salon owner? an accountant? or does HVAC work? If there are career fields or general areas of interest that appeal to your student--help them reach out to people in these fields and try to arrange an informal shadowing experience. This can be a great way of allow your teen a glimpse into the world of work in areas that may appeal to them (or not--there is much to be learned from what we don't like as well).
Your student's Career Cruising account also has a link to help coordinate connections with professionals and opportunities in fields of interest. And the MI Bright Future website also provides a opportunities like job shadows, apprenticeships, mentorships, and part-time jobs with companies that have been vetted/security checked and are looking to work with students. Make this summer count!
FRESHMEN in particular...
SOPHOMORES in particular...
- Plan ahead--most colleges ask for at least 2 weeks prior notice for visits (U o fM and MSU require even more lead time)
- Go on to a schools website and sign up for tours prior to your visit. Click the "visit" tab
- Most importantly--have fun with it. College selection can be a stressful undertaking for students. Keep the visits "light" and remember the visits are just information gathering, not making a decision.
JUNIORS in particular...
April SAT scores should be available May 3rd: Your student can access his/her scores on their account, www.collegeboard.org
This is a good question, and one only you and your student can answer. The advantage of a strong ACT or SAT is primarily two-fold. One, a strong test score strengthens your application for colleges. Two, a strong score may enhance your scholarship options (merit based and private scholarships).
However, it is good to know WHY you are electing to retake the test. Would scoring 1 or 2 (ACT) or 100 (SAT) points higher help you qualify for $1000 more in Merit Scholarships from your college? Are you close to getting into your "reach" school? If so, then maybe. HOWEVER...these instruments are generally very "reliable" metrics, meaning student scores don't tend to vary much from one test to the next.
ACT vs SAT. Check out the link for preparation tips/tools http://www.royaloakschools.org/high-school/career-center/#ACT-SAT
Tips if you DO want to retake:
- Focus on ONE test (ACT or SAT) whichever one you felt more confident and comfortable with. All colleges take either test.
- If you want a different score, take a different approach. If you didn't do any prep work the first time, do some actual prep the second time. Online tutorials, test prep books or tutors/prep classes are all options.
- The ROHS Career Counseling Center website has a lot of information that might also prove helpful. Do a little research.
SENIORS in particular...
All colleges/universities will need to verify your final grades. You will need to go to Parchment.com and request your transcript to be sent after June 1st.
APPLY...APPLY...APPLY...what more can we say
scholarships: http://www.royaloakschools.org/high-school/career-center/scholarships/
New: Stay in touch with class specific announcements with Remind 101
Class of 2018: text code @e74gbc to #81010
Class of 2019: text code @27fgch to # 81010
Class of 2020: text code @kak74f2 to # 81010
Class of 2021: text code @h8g98h to # 81010
If you choose to enroll you'll receive the same announcements from the Counseling Office that your student is receiving (events, deadlines, announcements, etc.)
Junior Leadership Oakland
Click HERE for the application and more information.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
Is Social Media linked to Childhood Depression?
Grief Counseling
SandCastles Grief Support Program is hosting a writing workshop for teens in grades 6 through 11 on May 5, 2018, at the Royal Oak Public Library. The workshop is open to teens who are coping with grief & loss of any kind, not specific to loss due to death. There is no charge for this workshop, and lunch and supplies will be provided.
Please see the attached flyer for more information! If you know of a teen who would surely benefit from sharing their story and coping with grief and loss, please encourage them to attend. Our staff will happily answer any questions you may have. Parents/guardians can register their student using our Facebook event or at this link.
University of Detroit--Summer Reading Program
For additional information http://dawnfarm.org/programs/teens-using-drugs.
Homework Help:
Math Help--free, no appointment needed:
- Tuesday afternoon @ 3pm in Room 215 (Mrs. Hart)
- Thursday morning @ 7am in Room 215 (Mrs. Hart)
- Friday morning @ 7am in Room 211 (Mr. Morgan)
Your Counseling Staff:
Jennifer Vick, alpha C-J, vickj@royaloakschools.org
Carrie Laurence, alpha K- Re, laurencec@royaloakschools.org
Jim Bowker, alpha Ri-Z, bowkerj@royaloakschools.org
Karen Murphy, secretary, murphyk@royaloakschools.org
Phone: 248-435-8500