SHS Counseling Newsletter
December 2021
IMPORANT: December Graduate Clearance
CANINE ASSISTANTS hosted by S.O.S.
Sources of Strength (S.O.S.) is a best practice youth suicide prevention project designed to harness the power of peer social networks to change unhealthy norms and culture, ultimately preventing suicide, bullying, and substance abuse. Sources of Strength peer leaders and caring adults impact their world through the power of connection, Hope, Help, and Strength.
Sources of Strength begins with a very interactive 4-hour training that encourages peer leaders to connect distressed or suicidal friends with supportive, caring adults so they can get help. These peer leaders also identify the trusted adults they would go to if they needed help. The training of this peer leader group is followed by peer-led activities designed to enhance peer help-seeking attitudes of students and protective factors throughout the school culture. The peer leaders in Sources of Strength are not trained as peer counselors but rather as social change agents.
Sprayberry implemented S.O.S. a few years ago and hopes to grow the organization with more students trained each year. This year, over 50 students were nominated by teachers, and over 30 students participated in the S.O.S. Peer Leader Training. The S.O.S. Peer Leaders have been working diligently to implement different campaigns to help spread Hope, Help, and Strength into every corner of our community. Currently, S.O.S. will have trained Canine Assistants (puppies) visiting on Monday, December 6th during all lunch periods in the PLR to help relieve stress from finals and testing by giving students and staff time to pet, play, and just sit with adorable puppies.
GAfutures Webinar Opportunities
The following webinars are FREE and sponsored by GAfutures.
Apply to College: Follow-ups Webinar - December 2
About this event - This webinar will offer the next steps of the college admissions and financial aid process after the initial applications are submitted.
Click HERE to register
Entrepreneurship Webinar - December 7
About this event - How to start a business and tips for owning a business as a teenager or young adult
Click HERE to register
College Prep: Beyond the SAT - Parent University Webinar Series - December 7
About this event - This webinar will provide: 1) the timeline for preparing for college; 2) how cognitive skills, study skills, and test-taking contribute to success; 3) how the SAT and ACT play a role in college acceptance; 4) the profile of a successful college student and more.
Click HERE to register
Ask the College Admissions Expert - December 8
About this event - This interactive webinar will cover all the basics---from how colleges make their selections to how to make a great college list. Do not forget to bring your questions!
Click HERE to register
APPLEROUTH WEBINAR OPPORTUNITIES
Planning Ahead: Admissions and Testing Strategies for the Class of 2023 and Beyond - December 2
About this event - This webinar will offer strategies for students for the class of 2023 and beyond when it comes to standardized testing (e.g., SAT, ACT) and college admissions.
Click HERE to register
Helping Your Students Survive Final Exams - December 9
About this event - This webinar will offer information about motivation, learning and review strategies, optimizing the study environment, prioritization and time management, help-seeking, peer collaboration, mindset, and more.
Click HERE to register
NOTE: If you have specific questions about their webinars, please contact Applerouth directly.
Important Update: 11th Grade Advisement
Parents/guardians have been able to view the same video presentation that was shown during 11th-grade advisement by clicking HERE. After watching the video, parents/guardians are welcome to reach out to your student's assigned counselor in December if you have additional questions. Each counselor's caseload and contact information is listed at the bottom of the newsletter.
NOTE: This information is also posted on the Sprayberry counseling website under Important Updates (on the main page).
SENIOR FAMILIES: DO NOT FORGET TO COMPLETE THE FAFSA
If your senior is planning to attend college after high school graduation, he or she must complete the FAFSA form. Many colleges, both in-state and out of state, set priority deadlines by which students must submit the FAFSA form to be considered for financial aid. If your senior is HOPE or Zell Miller eligible, he or she must complete the FAFSA form as well.
Update: College Rep Visits
In the meantime, we encourage students to contact college reps and admissions counselors directly through the college's website. Remember, admissions counselors and college reps are the experts of their colleges and their programs, so please do not hold back on your questions. Additionally, many colleges offer in-person and virtual college visits.
Helpful Articles and Resources
ParentVUE and StudentVUE
IMPORTANT: As we near the end of the Fall semester, it is critical that students continue to check and monitor their grades in StudentVUE.
ParentVUE
You are able to monitor your student's grades and attendance through ParentVUE. For assistance with ParentVUE, please send an email to our ParentVUE coordinator, Michelle Pace, at michelle.pace@cobbk12.org. In your email, please include your student's first and last name as well as their student ID (lunch number).
StudentVUE
Please encourage your student to monitor his or her grades regularly through their StudentVUE account. If your student needs assistance accessing their StudentVUE account, he or she can send an email to our media specialist, Paula Axford, at paula.axford@cobbk12.org. In the email, your student must include their first and last name as well as their student ID (lunch number).
Upcoming Events & Reminders
SWAYJ - December 11
Fall Final Exams - December 16 - 17
2021-2022 SHS Counseling Department
Email: lea.ponticelli@cobbk12.org
Mrs. Misty Hawk, Last Names: E - Li
Email: misty.hawk@cobbk12.org
Dr. Brandy Brady, Last Names: Ll - Roc and DE for Chatt Tech
Department Chair
Email: brandy.brady@cobbk12.org
Dr. Tammy White, Last Names: Rod - Z and DE for KSU
Email: Tammy.white@cobbk12.org
Mrs. Marilyn Wagner, Counseling Clerk
Email: marilyn.wagner@cobbk12.org
Ms. Theresa Morales, Registrar
Email: theresa.morales@cobbk12.org
CONNECT WITH US ON INSTAGRAM: @sprayberrycounseling
CONNECT WITH US ON TWITTER: @sprayberrycounse1ing
Website: www.sprayberrycounseling.com
Location: 2525 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA, USA
Phone: (770) 578-3200