Counseling Department Newsletter
Canon-McMillan High School ~ MAY 2023
Inside this Edition:
- Mental Health Resources
- College & Career Corner
- Financial Aid
- Scholarships
- Advanced Placement (AP) Information
- Trendy Trades - Become an Electrician
- Military: Branch of the Month - U. S. Marines
- More Mental Health Resources
- Post-Secondary Planning
- Helpful Resources for Parents & Students
- School Counseling Department Directory
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
JUNE 30, 2022
10 mental health awareness tips for older teens and young adults
Summer can be especially turbulent for high school graduates and others in their late teens and early 20s. Whether preparing for higher education, starting a new job, or joining the military, teens are entering or navigating a new stage of life, which comes with intense emotions and feelings, often increasing the risk for mental health concerns.
Additionally, this time of life comes with the desire to be more independent, making it a critical time for you, as a parent, peer, teacher and co-worker to understand what your child, friend, student or colleague is going through and how it may be affecting their mental wellness.
1. A mental health condition is the result of multiple causes, not just one
2. There are no bad emotions
3. Be aware of new or sudden changes
4. Understand that social media isn't just a teen problem
5. Know that the pandemic will continue to have lasting impacts on many teenagers and young adults
6. Avoid tying self-worth to an outcome
7. Help a teen or young adult get care or be more involved in the care they're receiving
8. Ask questions about their treatment
9. Create more welcoming, safe spaces for those who identify with the LGBTQ+ community
10. Have constructive conversations around suicide
If you or someone you know experiences a mental health crisis, chat online with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline(link is external) or call them at 800-273-8255. For veterans experiencing a mental health crisis: Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1, chat live(link is external), or text 838255. Starting in mid-July, a suicide hotline will also be available by dialing 988(link is external) from any phone.
Read the full article at: https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/psychiatry/news/archive/202206/10-mental-health-awareness-tips-older-teens-young-adults
College & Career Corner
Career Exploration Websites for CMHS Students
CAREER OUTLOOK: BUREAU OF LABOR & STATISTICS
O*NET On-Line
Career One Stop
FEATURED CAREER SITE: Vault's "A Day in the Life...."
Check out this collection of written “Day in the Life” from hundreds of professionals in all kinds of career fields.
A Day in the Life of...a CYBERSECURITY SPECIALIST
By: Billy Hajime
Published: Jan 12, 2022
Financial Aid
12th Grade College Prep Checklists - Federal Student Aid
PHEAA Offerings - Re-Posting
Education Planner
Use the link to explore careers, search for the perfect school, learn about student aid, find grants and scholarships, identify your learning style, or plan a campus visit. A lot of valuable information for parents and students!
Scholarships
Below, please use the links provided to learn more about scholarship types, ways to win scholarships, and Big Future's scholarship directory.
College 101: TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS {via Shmoop}
12 Ways to Win a College Scholarship {via US News & World Report}
Big Future: Scholarship Directory
General Overview & Scholarship Resources
Life after high school can be pricey and there is money out there to help ease the financial burden. Visit the school counseling office for a copy of the scholarship bulletin, or visit on-line on the high school website. Once the college applications have been submitted, students and parents should immediately turn their attention to researching scholarships. There is a great deal of scholarship money available for students, but it does require research! There are many free scholarship websites to find the money you need for college, some of which are:
Fastweb.com: https://www.fastweb.com/
Scholarship.com:https://www.scholarships.com/
The College Board: https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/?navId=aru-cbos
CSS Profile is requested by many private colleges. Click on the link for the list of universities who need this completed: https://profile.collegeboard.org/ profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
Pay close attention to what each school requires from you once your application is submitted! It is important to be knowledgeable of the different scholarship programs available to high school students. If you have any questions, please feel free to request a meeting with your school counselor or contact the admissions counselor from your prospective college/university.
Raise Me
ADVANCE PLACEMENT (AP) INFORMATION
5 Benefits of Taking AP Classes in High School {via The Princeton Review}
AP COURSES OFFERED AT CMHS
CMHS 2023-2024 Course Catalog - including AP Course Descriptions
Trendy Trades
May Spotlight: BECOME AN ELECTRICIAN
Military: Branch of the Month
Branch of the Month: U. S. Marine Corps.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
To even consider an endeavor of this magnitude is admirable, but just as the Marine Corps may not be right for everyone—not just anyone can be a Marine. To enlist as a Marine, you must obtain your high school diploma and be a legal U.S. resident between 17 and 28. To commission as a Marine Officer, you must be a United States citizen between 20 and 28 and have obtained both a high school diploma and a bachelor’s degree. Both enlisted and officer candidates must pass a criminal background check and have no felony convictions. New recruits must pass The Initial Strength Test, or IST, to demonstrate their physical fitness. The IST consists of pull-ups or push-ups, plank pose, and a 1.5-mile timed run.
ASVAB: TESTING MENTAL FITNESS
The Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test is a multiple-choice test taken by all who aspire to become Marines. To pass the test, aspiring Marines must achieve a score of 31 or higher, and those with nontraditional degrees or a GED must score at least a 50. The test covers a range of subjects from arithmetic to electronics to mechanical comprehension. This measures the ability of aspiring Marines to adapt and overcome any threat or obstacle on current and future battlefields.
Learn more at:
https://www.marines.com/become-a-marine/requirements/general.html
Frequently Asked Questions:
https://www.marines.com/explore-the-corps/frequently-asked-questions.html
US Marines - Sergeant Jacob Aleman - Local Recruiter
(724) 222-0412 Jacob.Aleman@marines.usmc.mil
Student Assistance Program
Teen Mental Health: How to Know When Your Child Needs Help
Signs of Self Harm that Parents Should Know
Helpful Resources for Parents & Students
Class of 2023 Application Support
Transcript Release Form
Remember, students will still have to communicate where transcripts should be sent. This will occur in Xello.
Transcript Requests in Xello
Requesting Recommendations in Xello
Syncing the Common Application with Xello
Resumes
Postsecondary Planning
College Board's BIG FUTURE
Finding colleges and careers that are right for you doesn’t have to be stressful. Sign in to your dashboard for help planning for life after high school. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE FOR SENIORS
COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE FOR JUNIORS
General Information
Are you Moving? How To Ensure PowerSchool Is Up To Date
School Counseling Resources Group
Every high school student is encouraged to join the School Counseling Resources group in Schoology! Resources including academic development, career development, employment, community service opportunities, scholarships and more can be found there! Students can join the group by using the following access code: DB7QW-K4WWP
Registering with the Selective Service
Selective Service registration is required by law as the first part of a fair and equitable system that, if authorized by the President and Congress, would rapidly provide personnel to the Department of Defense while at the same time providing for an Alternative Service Program for conscientious objectors. By registering, a young man remains eligible for jobs, Federal student aid, State-based student aid in 31 states, Federally-funded job training, and U.S. citizenship for immigrant men. Registration begins at age 18. Click here to learn more and register.
Resources
Bullying Prevention
CMHS School Counseling Department
School Counselors
A-Beb & Seu-Z Molly Nuri nurim@cmsd.k12.pa.us X 5021
Bec-Brow & Mil-Set Julie Hughes hughesj@cmsd.k12.pa.us X 5023
Bru-Chu & Hoh-Mik Nadia Abbondanza abbondanzan@cmsd.k12.pa.us X 5027
Cic-Dea & Deb-Hog Susan Humbertson humbertsons@cmsd.k12.pa.us X 5020
(724) 745-1400 - Phone Number (724) 873-5173 - Fax Number