CASTEEL COUNSELING CORNER
September 2021
Counseling Department Updates:
Counseling Lessons in Advisory
Throughout the schoolyear, counselors will provide school-wide lessons during Advisory. We are excited to use this time to provide important information to all students.
August 9th students viewed a "Get to know your counselors" video. In case you missed it, the video can be viewed here.
August 18th students viewed a grade level specific lesson.
- 7th and 8th grade focused on the importance of grades
- 9th and 10th grade focused on graduation requirements and transcript basics
- 11th and 12th grade focused on how to calculate your GPA and core GPA.
Soon counselors will be sharing a needs assessment through Advisory. This will allow students to indicate different support groups that they may be interested in participating in.
ASU Hispanic Mother Daughter Program
Applications are open for current 8th and 9th grade students. For questions please contact Mrs. Shropshire
If you think your daughter would qualify or you want more information on how to apply, please consider attending the upcoming Zoom meeting.
Date: September 22, 2021
Time: 6pm
Link: https://asu.zoom.us/.../tZYkf--gqD8tHNYY_9eYCWl_Ijab6fhRP15Z
¿Quiere saber más sobre el Programa de Madres e Hijas Hispanas? ¿Cómo aplicar? ¿Cuáles son los requisitos?
Fecha: 22 de septiembre de 2021
Hora: 6pm
Enlace: https://asu.zoom.us/.../tZYkf--gqD8tHNYY_9eYCWl_Ijab6fhRP15Z
Emoji Slang
NEED TO SEE YOUR COUNSELOR?
If you need to report a crisis or safety concern, see Mrs. W. immediately in the front office.
UPDATES FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS:
Dual Enrollment Registration Deadline Coming Soon
Registration for Dual Enrollment closes on September 12th for Fall Semester and Year-Long classes. Please note the deadline for students enrolled in College Prep English at Casteel was August 13. For more information on dual enrollment, please visit our website at https://www.cusd80.com/domain/9204.
PSAT TESTING Payment DEADLINE is September 3rd!
https://www.cusd80.com/Page/104072
11th Graders: Use the following link to read FAQ's on PSAT NMSQT
https://www.cusd80.com/Page/104069
11th-12th Graders: To register for the PSAT please click here
SENIOR INFORMATION
*Cap & Gown orders September 15th during lunches.
EVIT EXPO
EVIT presentation: 10th grade English Classes
To learn more about EVIT visit https://www.evit.com/
UPDATES FROM THE COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER
Need help with College and Career Planning? You can SCAN the counseling department's QR CODE to let Ms. Connolly know you have questions or that you would like to meet with her. Just select her name and she will receive an email.
You can also reach her by email connolly.keri@cusd80.com or by phone at 480-424-8211. She is happy to answer your questions regarding post secondary planning.
Check out the College and Career Center website which has tons of information and resources. Please check it out. https://www.cusd80.com/domain/10941
Mrs. Connolly is available to provide information to students and parents about:
· College planning
· Applying to college
· SAT/ACT information
· Staying organized Senior year
· Career Exploration
· Job opportunities
· Volunteer opportunities
College and Career News:
September 7-11 Tri-University Week
Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona are coming together to ensure you and your family are well informed about the opportunities and resources available to you. https://visit.asu.edu/tri-university
There will be information sessions for students and their families that will discuss the following:
- How to navigate the college admission process.
- Scholarships and financial aid.
- Information about each university.
- The honors experience at each university.
FAFSA
October 1 FAFSA opens for seniors to apply for financial aid www.fafsa.gov
October 21 Casteel will be hosting a Financial Aid Night, 5:00pm-PAC
October 27 Casteel will have a FAFSA Open Lab Night to help our Colt families through the process. We will have experts available to answer your questions, 5:00pm-7:00pm-Casteel Library
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
Thinking about college? Don't miss these one-day events for high school students, transfer students, and families. A great way to connect with hundreds of colleges in a short amount of time to learn about majors, scholarships and more! To learn more and to register, visit NACAC Virtual College Fairs. https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/students/
Greater Arizona Virtual College Fair (save the date)
Class of 2022 students and families are invited to attend the Greater Arizona Virtual College Fair hosted by Mesa Public Schools. Over 68 colleges/universities will be in attendance to meet with students. Students must register to attend. Fair will be October 25th 5-8 p.m. Registration will open October 1st. More information to follow!
College Depot
College Depot at Phoenix Public Library is a free, full-service college access center located at the Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix, Arizona. Their team of college planning and re-engagement advisors offer one-on-one appointments to assist with all action steps necessary to earn a GED, diploma, college degree or apprenticeship, and host workshops including admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and more.
Visit College Depot https://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/collegedepot to learn about scholarships, events and more.
5.5 COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Spotlight on Scholarships:
IMPACT CHANDLER SCHOLARS
In addition to classroom enrichment, Chandler Education Foundation is committed to investing in our future by providing CUSD high school students with experiences that directly engage them in strengthening our community. The IMPACT Chandler Scholars program requires a student’s formal commitment in their freshman year. Incoming Freshmen may opt in at anytime throughout the academic year—this is done through their Infinite Campus account.
Please note: *Incoming Sophomores for the 2021-2022 school year may opt into the IMPACT program until September 26, 2021.
Please click here are full details: https://www.chandleredfoundation.org/what-we-do/invest-in-students/impact-program.html
QuestBridge National College Match - Now Open
Are you a low-income high school senior who has excelled academically, but feels that the nation’s best colleges are financially out of reach?
The QuestBridge https://www.questbridge.org/college-partners National College Match can be your pathway to a top college. Through this college and scholarship application process, you can apply for free to the nation’s best colleges https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship from the college.
The deadline to apply is September 28, 2021
Flinn Scholarship Virtual Information Session - September 1
The Flinn Scholarship https://flinn.org/flinn-scholars/ is much more than a full ride. It’s an opportunity to reach your highest potential and make an impact in your community.
With Arizona’s universities, the Flinn Foundation created the Flinn Scholarship—worth more than $120,000—to give students a world-class education. Benefits include funding for the full cost of tuition, housing, meals, and study abroad, plus membership in a remarkable network of current and alumni Scholars.
Join them September 1 for a live, virtual information session to learn about the most prestigious college scholarship available for Arizona high-school graduates. At this information session, students and their family will hear from current Flinn Scholars and university staff about the opportunities and resources available to students who attend Arizona’s public honors colleges.
If you’re unable to attend the live session, a pre-recorded information session https://flinn.org/flinn-scholars/resources/2020-information-session/?web=1&wdLOR=c78FBC3CF-EBE6-4C78-BF03-16C7C1A4DA7D is available on the Flinn Scholars website.
updates from the junior high counselors:
WHAT DOES A SCHOOL COUNSELOR DO??
School counselors are available to support students in many ways. We help students with problems and stressors that are effecting them and possibly their academics. Please select the link below with more information.
MENTORING PROGRAM
Junior High is gearing up to kick start our Peer Mentoring Program for this school year. This program is designed to give extra support to our Junior High students. Students meet with high school mentors one day a week during conference time. Counselors are currently accepting students into the program. Please see your Junior High counselor if you are interested in the extra support. If you are a High School student interested in mentoring please reach out to Ms. Glascom. Glascom.elizabeth@cusd80.com
EVERYBODY MATTERS!
Casteel is excited to welcome Brian Monette from Everybody Matters to campus. Brian is a Graduate Level Social Worker with experience in trauma/crisis work and is excited to meet with students to help support any social/emotional needs. He will be on campus two days a week supporting Junior High students individually and through groups. If you would like to know more information on how he can support your student, please contact your child’s counselor.
Updates from the Social Worker
SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH
Suicide can affect everyone. Someone who is experiencing thoughts of suicide may not talk openly about it for fear of shame, judgment, and the stigma surrounding mental health. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, HELP IS AVAILABLE in many forms.
Here are some resources for help available:
· Teen Lifeline: 602-248-8336
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor
· National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
These hotlines are all confidential and available 24/7.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please encourage them to seek help. Let's work together to break the stigma of mental health.
If you or someone you know if suffering a mental health crisis, please call the crisis hotline at 602-222-9444 (Maricopa County) or 1-866-495-6735 (Pinal County).
Check out this link from the National Alliance on Mental Health to read more about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and efforts being made to break the stigma. https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Awareness-Events/Suicide-Prevention-Awareness-Month
Support Group Opportunity
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
The Career Center is filled with resources to help students make informed decisions regarding their post-secondary goals. Our goal is to help our students navigate through the post-secondary and college/career planning process. The Career Center is open to all grade levels with a focus on juniors and seniors to help with post-high school planning.
If you are looking for a job, interested in the military, needing community service ideas, needing help with test preparation, or if college is your goal, we have information available to help you!
You can attend college visits, where representatives present information about their college and answer any questions you may have. We have scholarship workshops throughout the year, along with resume writing and help preparing for interviews.
Everyone is welcome in the Career Center, stop by and see how we can help you achieve your goals!
Please reach out to Mrs. Connolly in the College and Career Center for questions regarding your post-secondary planning. 480-424-8211 connolly.keri@cusd80.com
OUR DEPARTMENT MISSION
Email: waaramaa.stephanie@cusd80.com
Website: https://www.cusd80.com/domain/6833
Location: 24901 South Power Road, Queen Creek, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-424-8116
Facebook: facebook.com/CCHS Counseling/College & Career Center
Twitter: @cchs_career