M.A. Counseling Newsletter
February 2019
In This Issue
- Upcoming Events
- Seniors: Complete the FAFSA
- Pre-ACT Update
- Juniors: Register for the ACT/SAT
- Teen Slang - An Infographic Guide (yes, really)
- Book Recommendation
- Child Mind Institute 2018 Mental Health Report
- Wellness Corner
Upcoming Events
Senior Retreat
- Wednesday, February 27 - Thursday February 28 at Covenant Pines Bible Camp
- Tuesday, April 23 from 6:30-8 PM
Seniors: Complete the FAFSA
Pre-ACT Update
Beginning next school year, our testing schedule will be as follows:
- 9th Grade: No testing
- 10th Grade: PSAT (fall) and Pre-ACT (spring)
- 11th Grade: PSAT (fall) and optional practice ACT through Breakthrough Test Prep (fall)
- 12th Grade: No testing
Juniors: Register for the ACT/SAT
ACT: www.act.org
SAT: www.collegeboard.org
We recommend that students take the exam of their choice twice in the spring of their junior year. If they are unsure which test suits them best (ACT vs. SAT) we encourage them to take both exams once and based upon their results take their best-fit exam a second time.
Any questions? Let your student's counselor know.
Teen Slang - An Infographic Guide (yes, really)
Please note - Some of the language below is alarming. We believe it is best to be in-the-know with the latest lingo so that you can have constructive and thoughtful conversations with your child about the power and weight of the words they use.
Book Recommendation
Renowned neurologist Dr. Frances E. Jensen offers a revolutionary look at the brains of
teenagers, dispelling myths and offering practical advice for teens, parents and teachers.
The root myth scientists believed for years was that the adolescent brain was essentially an adult one, only with fewer miles on it. Over the last decade, however, the scientific community has learned that the teen years encompass vitally important stages of brain development. Samples of some of the most recent findings include:
- Teens are better learners than adults because their brain cells more readily "build" memories. But this heightened adaptability can be hijacked by addiction, and the adolescent brain can become addicted more strongly and for a longer duration than the adult brain.
- Studies show that girls' brains are a full two years more mature than boys' brains in the mid-teens, possibly explaining differences seen in the classroom and in social behavior.
- Adolescents may not be as resilient to the effects of drugs as we thought. Recent experimental and human studies show that the occasional use of marijuana, for instance, can cause lingering memory problems even days after smoking, and that long-term use of pot impacts later adulthood IQ.
- Multi-tasking causes divided attention and has been shown to reduce learning ability in the teenage brain. Multi-tasking also has some addictive qualities, which may result in habitual short attention in teenagers.
- Emotionally stressful situations may impact the adolescent more than it would affect the adult: stress can have permanent effects on mental health and can to lead to higher risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression.
Dr. Jensen gathers what we’ve discovered about adolescent brain function, wiring, and capacity and explains the science in the contexts of everyday learning and multitasking, stress and memory, sleep, addiction, and decision-making. In this groundbreaking yet accessible book, these findings also yield practical suggestions that will help adults and teenagers negotiate the mysterious world of adolescent development.
Child Mind Institute 2018 Mental Health Report
Along with the comprehensive report, the Child Mind Institute also includes a Teen Supplement that outlines ways in which parents and educators can speak to students about their mental health in a supportive and compassionate manner.
Wellness Corner
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"