RHS Counselors Connection
December 2019 Edition
Welcome!
Finding & Maintaining Balance During the Holidays
While the holidays can be a joyous time of year, they can often increase stress for many people. How do we enjoy a meaningful holiday season, rather than trying to meet other people’s or society’s expectations? How do we cope with missing people and holiday rituals from past years that are no longer in our lives? How can we find peace during this season that is so often anything but peaceful?
Consider:
What do the holidays mean to you?
What have been some of your most cherished holiday memories from past holiday seasons?
What are you most thankful for?
What would you most like to remember, looking back on this holiday season?
In what small way can you move forward to creating such memories? In what ways are you already doing so?
Tips for Finding Enjoyment in the Busy Holiday Season:
- If you’re an introvert, make sure to set aside sufficient time to be alone. While extroverts tend to gain energy from socializing, people who are more introverted need time by themselves to recharge.
- Whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, practice effective stress management by taking at least a few minutes each day to sit quietly and to recalibrate your body, mind, and emotions. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and release your hold on your thoughts. Allow yourself to just be. Restore your sense of inner calm. Remember that you are a human being, not a human doing.
- If parties tend to overwhelm you, try speaking one-on-one at such gatherings, attending smaller get-togethers, or reminding yourself that you can leave early if you’re really uncomfortable. Chances are that once you become engaged in conversation and focus on showing interest in someone else, your anxiety will ease and you’ll enjoy yourself.
- If you’re a morning lark, be flexible and enjoy a few late nights, but in general stick with your usual schedule.
- If you’re sensitive to caffeine, alcohol, or sugar, take care not to overdo these substances, even if other people are indulging and seem to having a jolly old time. Know what works best for you, and to thine own self be true.
- Eat moderately. No need to let one instance of excessive intake cause you to blow it all. Get back on track.
- Get sufficient rest. Seven to eight hours of sleep a night is a healthy amount for most people.
Visit these resources for more tips on finding balance during the holidays:
https://blogs.psychcentral.com/cultivating-contentment/2013/12/finding-balance-during-the-holidays/
https://www.doctoroz.com/blog/kulreet-chaudhary-md/finding-balance-during-holidays
https://www.health.com/mind-body/21-simple-tips-for-finding-balance-through-the-holidays
Attitude of Gratitude
In November, the Positive Panther Council sponsored a Thank Our Service Members project. We also launched a Donation Drive for the RHS Panther Closet. In December, we are adding ways to Pay It Forward. Please consider starting this tradition each year with your family.
Upcoming Events
ASVAB Testing
ASVAB will be held here at RHS on Thursday, December 5th
ACT & SAT Registration Deadlines
SAT Test Date- March 14th (Deadline to register is February 13th)
ACT Test Date- February 8th (Deadline to register is January 10th)
Semester Exams
12/16- 5th & 6th period exams
12/17- 3rd & 4th period exams
12/18- 1st & 2nd period exams
Winter Break
First Semester Report Cards
Important Reminders about Graduation Requirements:
- Students' semester grades for all high school courses ever attempted are included in a student's unweighted cumulative GPA. This is the GPA that counts for graduation.
- Students must pass all 6 courses each year in order to remain on track for graduation. If they fail even one course, they need to speak with their School Counselor about options to recover that course. EVERY CLASS COUNTS!
- Juniors and Seniors who have not yet met their FSA ELA or Alg I EOC assessment requirements are encouraged to register for the ACT and/or SAT as soon as possible. They may earn an equivalent score on either of these tests to meet their graduation requirement. See http://fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7764/urlt/GradRequireFSA.pdf for the specific score requirements.
College Corner
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University’s distinguished faculty and professional staff are committed to helping you discover your path to a challenging and rewarding academic experience.
Explore the more than 100 degree programs, with a variety of options, within our six academic colleges:
- Letters, Arts & Social Sciences,
- Business & Technology,
- Education,
- Science,
- Health Sciences, and
- Justice & Safety.
Critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and effective communication skills are paramount for attaining future career goals. Helping students to fully develop these skills is central to the academic programs at EKU where learning occurs in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Career Planning & Spotlight
Center for Adult and Community Education
Orange Park, FL 32073
(904) 336-4450
Call for details and starting dates!
911 Dispatcher Training
- 232- Hours of training
- Online and classroom options
- Affordable Payment Plan Options
- Internship Included
Certified Nursing Assistant
- 165 Hours of training
- Hands on learning
- Clinical Rotations
- Affordable Payment Plan Options
- CPR Certification Included
- Job Placement Assistance
Phlebotomist Training
- 165 Hours of training
- Hands on learning
- Affordable Payment Plan Options
- Job Placement Assistance
- CRP Certification Included
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.
Chick-Fil-A Scholarship
Chick fil a Scholarship due December 3rd. Please use the link below.
https://www.chick-fil-a.com/remarkable-futures-scholarships
Clay County Fair Scholarship
Applications are now open for high school seniors who are members of Future Farmers of America (FFA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) and Clay County Sheriff’s Explorers. Please see College and Career Coach for application. Deadline December 6, 2019
University of South Florida Kosove Society Scholarship
Applicants should possess academic excellence (3.5 GPA, 1250 SAT or 28 ACT), commitment to community service and leadership skills. Apply at https://www.usfkosovesociety.org/ Deadline December 6, 2019
Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship
Have a demonstrated commitment to community service, outstanding qualities in character, integrity and leadership. Be enrolled as a high school senior. Reside in a community served by Comcast and/or participating NBCUniversal or Telemundo markets. Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university or vocational-technical college in the United States for the entire 2020 – 2021 academic year. Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent). Demonstrate financial need. Check eligibily and apply https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/leadersandachievers/ Deadline Dec. 6, 2019
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