School Counseling Newsletter
Osbourn High School, November 2020
How can your counselor support you?
The curriculum is only one part of our interaction with OHS students. We are available by Zoom, email and phone for students who request additional support. We recognize the challenges you are facing and would like to help you navigate your high school experience in a positive way.
What is on Schoology?
How can we keep a healthy mindset?
Stress-
* Play relaxing music in the background.
* Take time for yourself and spend time checking in with other people.
* Talk to friends, relatives, neighbors who may have the same feelings you are experiencing.
* You can create a schedule, provide time for school and for personal time.
* Set achievable short-term goals. Keep a list of those goals and cross them off as you complete each goal.
Create a Growth Mindset-
Our inner dialogue can be very powerful. Consider how you phrase your sentences. Can you turn a negative into a positive? Failure is part of growth. We can not be perfect at everything the first time.
Take a break from the news:
The daily news can be very draining and can cause an anxious feeling for many. When thinking about current events, it is important to rely on accurate information about people and events. Avoid stereotyping people. These statements can have very powerful impacts on others. Try to model compassion. We are all entitled to our opinions and can grow if we listen carefully to what other people have to say.
Do something to spread kindness
Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Examples include, sending a text or a note to a grandparent or someone who may be alone. Write a quick thank you card or email a teacher to let them know you appreciate them. Find opportunities to compliment people. Donate food or resources to those in need. Read a book to a younger sibling. Volunteering can be a great way for you to see how you can make an impact on your community.
How are your grades?
Historically Black Colleges and Universities Festival February 20, 2021
Alfred Street Baptist Church is hosting the 19th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Festival on Saturday, February 20, 2021. In response to COVID-19 concerns, this Festival will be VIRTUAL. Registration has not yet opened; we will be sending another email with instructions and details for registration.
We would like for you to inform your high school students, their parents and/or guardians about this virtual HBCU College Festival. This festival is not just for high school seniors. All high school students who are considering/planning to attend an HBCU college or university should plan to attend. It is never too soon to prepare for college. We will have a host of seminars, admissions directors and recruiters, and exhibitors to assist with your preparation.
On January 25, 2020, close to 10,000 people attended the 18th Annual HBCU College Festival, making this the largest HBCU College Festival in the nation. We welcomed over 70 HBCUs to recruit and approximately two-thirds offered on-site interviews and immediate acceptance to college.
During our 2020 Festival, many of our colleges and universities conducted on-site interviews resulting in over 1,700 offers for admission on the spot. In addition, approximately $5.4 million in scholarships and waived application fees were offered to those accepted. We also had band and chorus directors who conducted auditions. With your help we are hoping to increase the number of high school students, parents and guardians in virtual attendance on February 20, 2021.
Festival Benefits:
* HBCU virtual Drumline competition!
* Over 70 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
* On-site Interviews and Admissions by some schools
* Band and Chorus auditions by some schools
* Application Fee Waiver by some schools
* Seminars for students, parents and guardians (sign up when you register)
We look forward to you, your students, and their parents and/or guardians attending the virtual 19th Annual HBCU College Festival on February 20, 2021. If you have questions, please email: hbcufestival@alfredstreet.org
Seniors: Are you applying to College?
Senior request for counselor letter of recommendation
Make sure that you submit a transcript request form to your counselor 2 weeks before it is due to the college.
If you are interested in attending NOVA, you may want to apply for the Pathway program. (See below)
Upcoming NOVA Application help sessions
Do you need help with your application? Click on the links below to register:
ASVAB Test at Osbourn November 18, 2020 (9:00 am)
Summer Residential Governor's School Information session Tuesday November 10th
This program allows students to focus on one area of interest while living on a college campus for up to 4 weeks in the summer. For more information about Virginia Residential Governor's School, please visit the VDOE website. https://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/governors_school_programs/summer_residential/
Manassas City Public Schools will be hosting an information session on November 10th. See the attached flyer for the zoom links. The application process is extensive and students must demonstrate maturity and meet the application deadlines.
Sallie Mae Scholarship workshop
Lawrence, scholarships can be a huge help to college-bound students and their families, but many don’t know where to find them, or how to apply. During this free webinar students and families will learn key tips on applying for scholarships, how to create a winning scholarship essay, and more. Register now for a free webinar: Scholarships: Finding Free Money for College Space is limited, so please register early! Our free Scholarship Search connects students to scholarship opportunities based on their hobbies and interests. The database now has over 6 million scholarships worth up to $30 billion in free money for college. Borrow responsibly
Plus, when students register, they can enter for a chance to win our monthly sweepstakes. To celebrate National Scholarship Month, we’ve upped the $1,000 prize to $10,000 during the month of November.1
In addition, The Sallie Mae Fund, in partnership with The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, will provide a total of $3 million in scholarships over the next three years to help minority students and other historically underserved communities access higher education and complete their postsecondary education programs. Stay tuned to learn more about the program and how students can apply in early 2021.
We encourage students and families to start with savings, grants, scholarships, and federal student loans to pay for college. Students and families should evaluate all anticipated monthly loan payments, and how much the student expects to earn in the future, before considering a private student loan.