RHS Counselors Connection
February 2020 Edition
Welcome!
National School Counseling Week: February 3rd - 7th
Take this opportunity to learn more about the ways that your school counselor can help you reach your potential, plan for your future, and "Be a Better Human." Be sure to follow us on Instagram or Twitter for daily posts and information on each topic during this week.
Instagram- @rhsschoolcounseling
Twitter- @SchoolRHS
Career and Technical Education Month
February is Career and Technical Education Month, when the Association of Career and Technical Education (ACTE) focuses on spreading the word about the benefits and successes of career and technical programs.
Career and technical education (CTE) focuses on programs designed to prepare students for high-wage, high-demand careers—a goal that’s completely in step with CareerOneStop’s mission of helping individuals develop their capacity and make sound career, training, and job decisions in the new economy. So we went to ACTE’s website to learn more about the how an why students of all ages can benefit from career and technical education.
To start with, we learned that CTE doesn’t focus exclusively on manufacturing or other blue collar careers. In fact, it covers many different fields, including health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing, hospitality and management and many more. Here’s more of what we learned:
CTE benefits a wide variety of high school students:
- Taking one CTE class for every two academic classes minimizes the risk of students dropping out of high school.
- The average high school graduation rate for students concentrating in CTE programs is 93 percent, compared to an average national freshman graduation rate of 80 percent.
- 91 percent of high school graduates who earned 2-3 CTE credits enrolled in college.
CTE benefits college students and adults:
- Students can attend public community and technical colleges for a fraction of the cost of tuition at other institutions: $3,520, on average, in 2016-2017.
- According to research in Texas, Colorado and Virginia, graduates with technical or applied science associate degrees out-earn bachelor’s degree holders by $2,000 to $11,000.
- 27 percent of people with less than an associate degree, including licenses and certificates, earn more than the average bachelor’s degree recipient.
Think a CTE program might be right for you?
Visit Local Training Finder to locate community and technical colleges in your area. Search by program type if you have a career of interest in mind, or contact the schools to see what programs they have available.
You can also get started at the Interest Assessment, where you can identify career that match your interests–and then see what type of training is required.
Source: https://blog.careeronestop.org/career-and-technical-education-month/
Upcoming Events
ACT & SAT Registration Deadlines
Take note of the approaching deadlines for the next round of ACT and SAT testing! Don't miss the registration deadlines!
SAT Test Date- March 14th (Deadline to register is February 13th)
ACT Test Date- April 14th (Deadline to register is February 28th)
Junior Parent Night- February 18th @ 6:30 pm
If you have questions about your specific student, please reach out to your son's or daughter's School Counselor (list at the end of this newsletter).
Freshman Expo- February 11th @6:00 pm
Course Selection for the 2020-2021 School Year is about to Begin!
Here is how the process works:
1- Students receive course selection sheets during grade level assembly (Feb. 18th)
2- Students should review courses and make selections with parent input (be sure to sign the form parents)
3- Teachers will also begin making recommendations for placement in next year's academic courses and advanced level electives
4- Students will meet individually with their School Counselor through their English classes (Feb. 24th - Mar. 6th)
Please note: Students final placement in courses will be determined over the summer once all state test scores and final grades are processed. This may change students' original selection/recommendation based on meeting prerequisites (see RHS Course Catalog). Course placement is also subject to course availability.
Teen Safety Matters Presentation for All Students
- 9th Grade January 27th
- 10th grade January 31st
- 11th grade February 4th
- 12th grade February 6th
MBF Child Safety Matters®, MBF Teen Safety Matters®, and MBF Athlete Safety Matters™ are evidence-based/ evidence-informed programs that teach children and youth strategies for preventing, recognizing, and responding to unsafe situations, including the four types of child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect), exploitation/trafficking, bullying, cyberbullying, and digital dangers.
The programs are based on 5 Safety Rules:
» Safety Rule #1 – Know What’s Up. Know personal information and general safety information and procedures.
» Safety Rule #2 – Spot Red Flags. Recognize warning signs for yourself and others.
» Safety Rule #3 – Make a Move. Respond to warning signs and unsafe situations to stay safe.
» Safety Rule #4 – Talk It Up. Use a strong or assertive voice to say NO and talk to a Safe Adult.
» Safety Rule #5 – No Blame | No Shame. If you are hurt, you are never to blame and you should never be ashamed to tell.
Drop In RHS
College & Career Corner
Florida Southern College - Lakeland, FL
Each month we highlight one college, university, or training program for students to explore.
Florida Southern College (Florida Southern, Southern or FSC) is a private college in Lakeland, Florida. In 2019, the student population at FSC consisted of 3,073 students along with 130 full-time faculty members. Florida Southern academic programs offer students a wide variety of active learning experiences: stimulating class discussions; student-faculty collaborative research; student faculty collaborative performance; internships, study abroad; independent study; and service learning. The faculty members are dedicated teacher/scholars and have outstanding records of accomplishment that support dynamic, personalized instruction.Florida Southern is distinctive in promoting adventures of the mind and spirit. All aspects of College operations are aligned to ensure that Florida Southern students attain the educational preparation and skills to distinguish themselves through their contributions to society. We offer a transformational experience to our students and remain true to our 1883 founding principle of values-driven excellence.
For more information and to schedule a tour go to https://www.flsouthern.edu/home.aspx
Career Planning & Spotlight
Civil Engineer
A civil engineer is someone who designs and maintains buildings, roads, bridges, and other structures. Ever since humanity started building huts and roads, there has been a need for people to make sure the construction is safe and stable. This means the civil engineering profession will continue as long as there's a need for housing and maintenance. To fully answer, "what does a civil engineer do," you have to look at the background, the skills, and the day-to-day life of the people who work in the field.
What can you expect from a civil engineering job?
Responsibilities:
Civil engineers can be found in almost any industry, working to optimize the construction of structures while maintaining safety regulations. They're also found in the aerospace and automotive industries, evaluating the weight load and balance of the latest models. However, there is a common thread of what civil engineers do daily, so check out a few examples below.
- Analyze landscape, potential risks, opportunities, and barriers
- Draft blueprints and possible alternatives to reduce risk
- Evaluate timeline, budget, resources, and labor needed
- Test the soil, materials, and land for stable foundations
- Develop blueprints and prototype models for the project or building
- Manage repairs and maintenance for damage and aging structures
- Utilize software to model possibilities and dimensions
- Calculate resource needs, size, and length for maximum structural security
- Brainstorm regional challenges that could damage the structure and how to avoid them
- Propose plans to client and management, then adjust them based on their feedback
- Manage teams that build the structure to make sure all skill sets are available
Salary expectations:
Entry-level civil engineers typically make $47,000 annually but they can quickly earn $62,000 -the national median salary, after spending a few years in the field, is around $70,000 annually. On the high end, civil engineers can earn $75,000 and up to $93,000 in the top 10 percent. To answer "how much does a civil engineer make," you have to evaluate experience, the industry, the projects, the company, and even the location of the firm.
Career trajectory:
There are multiple specializations that civil engineers can choose from once they have a few years of experience in the field. These include land development, transportation, and road/highway management. This allows them to focus on something they're passionate about and make improvements to a more niche market.
Other civil engineers become structural engineers or senior civil engineers. They might manage a team of civil engineers or lead a major project from blueprint through completion. Some companies might want their senior civil engineers to have a Master's degree or for their candidates to have relevant leadership and communication skills. If this is the case, ask about tuition reimbursement opportunities to grow your knowledge base within the company.
As a civil engineer, you have a chance to really make a mark on the landscape around you. You can improve the roads and highway layout, create buildings that drive commerce to the region, and strengthen the current infrastructure. The public is counting on you to keep the roads maintained and the buildings stable. It's all part of the civil engineer job description.
Scholarships 101
Now is the time to set up accounts on the scholarship databases listed in the left hand column. Start applying early and for as many as you can. A lot of scholarship money goes unused because students don’t apply. Also check with the schools you plan to apply. They each have their own scholarship applications and deadlines.
Federal Financial Aid
It is also time to request your FSA ID. You will need this to complete your FAFSA. CLICK HERE for directions. BOTH you and your parent must request a FSA ID prior to completing the FAFSA. FAFSA opens on October 1, 2018 for the 19-20 school year (the year you plan to attend college or other institution).
Florida Bright Futures
Information about eligibility requirements can be found at the Florida Bright Futures website. Be sure to check your specific status at Florida Shines. Your State ID is your social security number with an X at the end. If you have questions about your status, see your School Counselor.
Institutional Financial Aid
Each college or university also has their own sources of financial aid. You need to check with each school individually to see if they have a financial aid application.
Scholarship Databases
There are several online scholarship databases that provide secure links to apply for private scholarships. We recommend that you use one (or many) of these to ensure that your private information is not stolen. Googling scholarships can lead you to scam or phishing sites that target students for identity theft.
http://studentscholarships.org/
http://tuitionfundingsources.com/
http://college-scholarships.com/
http://www.militaryscholar.org/index.html
Private Local Scholarships
As local organizations contact us with scholarship applications, we will post them on the RHS Scholarship Bulletin. Be sure to check it out often for updates. Here is a sample of what is available right now.
Florida Credit Union Servin-Ellis Scholarship
Open to any high school senior who is enrolled or plans to enroll in the current year in undergraduate study. Students interested in applying must first qualify by having a parent or guardian who is an FCU member, or by being an FCU member themselves. Go to www.flcu.org/scholarships for more information and to apply. Deadline February 10, 2020
The High School 9:12 Scholarship
A one-time gift of $2,500 that is given out to deserving male and female senior students for use at any accredited University or Community College. Go here for more information and to apply https://www.jaxhighschool912.com/scholarship Deadline February 15, 2020
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Must be of Hispanic heritage, U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, DACA, or eligible non-citizen (as defined by FAFSA), minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students; minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for college and graduate students, plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the U.S., during the fall of a scholarship cycle (academic year), submit the FAFSA or state-based financial aid forms. For more information and to apply go to https://www.hsf.net/scholarship Deadline February 15, 2020
Daughters of the American Revolution: Sophia Fleming Chapter
$1,000 Scholarship for a Graduating High School Senior from Clay County pursuing a postsecondary education program. Paper applications are located in the Scholarship Box in the RHS Counseling Office. Applications must be mailed and received by Deadline: February 21, 2020
Student Resources
SAP (Student Assistance Program) Counselor- Kristina Martyn
The Student Assistance Program works with identified adolescents to screen for risk factors that may interfere with a student’s ability to positively cope with life challenges and stressors. The program consists of individual and/or group prevention activities where teens work with an SAP team member 1-4 times a month on a short term basis. SAP does not provide direct therapy services but can assist students with accessing services through Clay Behavioral Health. You can ask any of your teachers to go see Ms. Kristina in P-50 or you can talk with your School Counselor to be referred for services.
Social Worker- Brianna Pemberton
Ms. Pemberton is here to assist students and families with access to community resources, assistance with attendance concerns and so much more. Please reach out to her if she can be of assistance. 904-336-8908
Military Life Counselor- Atrews Bell
Mr. Bell provides a variety of services and/or referrals for students with a parent/guardian on active duty or retired military. This can include academic assistance, personal counseling, help with transitioning from school to school and much more. See your School Counselor for more details or stop by Mr. Bells office in Building 1 room 140.
Contact Us!
Pre-IB & IB Students
(904) 336- 8912
Lori.feathergill@myoneclay.net
Maria Littlejohn
Student Last Names A-E
(904) 336- 8904
Maria.littlejohn@myoneclay.net
Jackie Welch
Student Last Names F-L
(904) 336- 8903
Jacquelyn. welch@myoneclay.net
Margo Whyte
Student Last Names M-R
(904) 336-8902
Tabbatha Johns
Student Last Names S-Z
(904) 336-8906
Tamara Mansel-Tucker
College & Career Coach
(904) 336-8889