The Advisor
MISD Counseling Updates for Secondary Students
Need to Know
2020-2021 Course Planning Starting Now!
Students will meet with the high school counselors to review their four-year graduation plan.
During this meeting students will:
- review their current plan as it exists in Skyward
- evaluate their graduation requirements to make certain they are on track for graduation
- make adjustments to their endorsements as necessary
- transfer their course plans from Skyward to Xello. Xello is our new all-encompassing life, college, and career planning tool. (see more on Xello below)
NOTE: Once course requests for the upcoming year are submitted to Skyward we will send out a notice for parents/guardians to review and sign. Details will go out regarding submissions, signatures, approvals, etc. closer to the April 17 deadline.
If you would like more information, please review the guidance lesson that is being presented to students to help them navigate the process.
Guidance Lesson on Course Planning
2020-2021 Academic Planning Guide
Xello. World - MISD's New Life, College, Career Readiness Tool
We rolled out the product this fall to our 8th-grade Career Pathways students for usage in goal setting, career matching, course planning, learning styles, personality styles, and much more. The feedback from teachers and students was positive, especially about simplicity and ease of use.
High school students will kick-start their introduction to Xello with the use of the course planning tool (as mentioned above). We want to also make families aware of the great things Xello provides outside of the course planning tool. The features, currently available to all students, are listed below. (see video introduction on how to access)
Xello Sections
ABOUT ME
- Matchmaker - Matchmaker asks about your likes and dislikes and then suggests careers based on your interests
- Personality Style - Identify the type of work environment and tasks that you'll enjoy
- Mission Complete - Land on careers that make the most sense for you
- Learning Style - Match learning techniques to the described learning style.
EXPLORE OPTIONS
- Careers - Detailed information about careers, including education, skills, salary, typical workday tasks and interviews from professionals.
- Schools FEATURED SECTION includes detailed information about location, cost/financial aid, enrollment details and deadlines, majors, sports, campus maps, and an interactive tour.
- Majors - Information about college majors - gives students the ability to save options, upload notes, and create a portfolio.
- Saved Options - A "page" that stores all of your "liked" or Saved Majors, Careers, and Schools so that you can go back and review.
GOALS & PLANS
- My Plans - A place for students to keep track of their planned colleges or any goals they wish to track.
- Course Planner- Includes individualized course/graduation plans. (Past, present and future)
Each month we will feature some of the exciting Xello tools and provide a quick video tutorial.
This month's feature is the College Search tool. Don't delay, check out this video introduction to College Searches today! College Search.
If you would like more information please reach out to your high school counselor, Career Pathways teacher, or contact the MISD Guidance and Counseling Department.
Check out the Parent Letter and Introduction Video created by Xello.World welcoming you to this exciting new tool.
New Middle School Course Offered Next Year!
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In Coding Basics, students will discover their passion for coding as well as help them determine courses for future career opportunities such as graphic design and video game development. Students will develop computer coding skills by learning various languages (such as Batch, Python, C# & XML, and HTML). Students will create programs and projects while in this course.
Middle school families may contact their upcoming 7th and 8th-grade counselor for more details.
Mark Your Calendars!
INTRODUCTION TO HIGH SCHOOL!
Each of the MISD High Schools is hosting their 8th grade parent night on Tuesday, February 11 at the high school campus.
Students are invited to come and learn more about what is expected and how to be successful in grades 9-12. Find out more about credits, GPA, typical schedules, clubs, activities, and my favorite....your Counselor and how they can assist you as you navigate high school.
See below for times available at each campus. (Note: Counselors will be doing presentations and will be available for questions/answers.)
RSVP TODAY!
Lake Ridge High School 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM in the Cafeteria
Legacy High School 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Mansfield High School 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM in the Varsity Gym
Summit High School 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Timberview High School 5:30 PM -7:30 PM in the Library & Commons
Frontier High School and Early College High School hosted invitation and introduction events for applicants interested in their choice campus. Please contact these campuses directly for more information about Parent and Family Information Sessions.
Early College High School - ericabennett@misdmail.org or latoyabeale@misdmail.org
Frontier High School - michaelfore@misdmail.org
Lake Ridge High School
Legacy High School
Mansfield HIgh School
Destination Success
Join us Saturday, February 22nd from 8:30-12:30 at the MISD Center for the Performing Arts for a half-day of FREE college and career readiness events, activities and presentations!
For more details and to register for the event check out the Destination Success invite.
or copy and paste the link below into your web browser.
Saturday, Feb 22, 2020, 08:30 AM
Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts, West Debbie Lane, Mansfield, TX, USA
Life Readiness
Student Score Cards and Vision 2030
Starting in 8th-grade students are introduced to a curriculum that supports readiness indicators and they measure their readiness by evaluating their student scorecard each year of high school grades, 9-12.
For more information, check out the following scorecard drafts.
College and Career Readiness
SAT Testing Day for Current Juniors
All Juniors in MISD will have the opportunity to participate in SAT School Day. The SAT is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States and SAT School Day is an administration of the test to all MISD juniors during the school day at no cost to the student. The test normally costs students around $65.00 per registration.
For more information about the SAT and preparation please check out the presentation from MISD Advanced Academics or ask your high school counselor.
REMINDER: SAT SCHOOL DAY will take place during the school day on March 25, districtwide. The test sections are broken down and each one is timed. The total time for administering the test is about 4 hours. Students must arrive at their campus on time for testing day.
JUNIORS who have Ben Barber will report to their home campus for testing. The will not report to Ben Barber.
Reminders:
- There is no penalty for guessing.
- Do not leave answers blank.
- The test is timed.
- Approved calculators are allowed.
- Reading is 65 minutes.
- Writing/Language is 35 minutes.
- The essay portion is 50 minutes.
- Math is 55 minutes for the calculator portion.
- 25 minutes for the non-calculator portion.
- To take advantage of practice tests, etc visit satpractice.org.
- Link your to Khan Academy account.
MISD Multi-Scholarship
Don't miss out on an opportunity to receive money for college. Apply today for the MISD Multi-Scholarship. Remember, you can't be considered if you don't apply. And the process is very simple. See below for more details and to apply now!
MISD Multi-Scholarship Details & Application
The deadline to apply is February 23, 2020.
College Expo @Paul Quinn College
College Expo held at Paul Quinn College on Feb. 29th. See the link for additional details
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-dallas-black-college-expo-tickets-72980170655
College Board Opportunity Scholarships
Have you heard about College Board's scholarship program that gives you $$ for college for completing key tasks that ready you for the next step in your educational journey? It is simple, with no application, no essay, and no minimum GPA. For more details visit College Board's website and/or watch the video below.
"Girls Who Code" Summer Immersion Program
Girls Who Code hosts 80 programs across the country including partnerships with Bank Of America in select cities.
For more details, visit Girls Who Code and/or email summerimmersion@girlswhocode.com
Mansfield Guidance and Counseling
Follow us now @misd_counseling
Email: melaniestillings@misdmail.org
Website: https://www.mansfieldisd.org/departments/guidance-counseling
Location: 605 East Broad Street, Mansfield, TX, USA
Phone: 817-299-7601
Twitter: @misd_counseling