PTHS Counseling Newsletter
February 2020
Topics Covered in this Issue:
1. Your Digital Footprint and Staying Safe in an Online World
2. Tip of the Month - Grounding
3. Focus Activity - Alleviating Stress and Anxiety
4. Everything You Need To Know About Scheduling- Important Scheduling Terms
- Course Description Book 2020-2021
- Course Applications and Where To Find Them
- The Importance of Finding Balance
- Important Scheduling Dates
- Course Scheduling Website
5. Naviance
- Tip of the Month
- Seniors
6. Scholarships
- Upcoming Scholarships
- Scholarship Opportunity for Juniors
7. Western Area Career and Technology Center
- Informational Session
- Tour
8. Important AP Update
9. Introducing Our Interns
10. College Admissions Tips Articles
- 7 Tips for Writing an Amazing College Application Essay
- How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation for College
11. Upcoming Events
Your Digital Footprint and Staying Safe Online
How could we live without our smartphones, laptops, and other devices that allow us to go online? That's how most of us keep in touch with friends and family, take pictures, do our homework, do research, find out the latest news, and even shop. But what does our online presence say - what is our digital footprint?
A digital footprint, in short, is anything that you post or is posted about you online. That includes social media, your own website, articles about you or written by you. It spans all time and doesn’t just include what’s found at the top of the page—it can be information that is both easy and hard to find. This can include things that you actively post but something that also encompasses more passive online activities such as online searches or opening of specific emails. All things online can be tracked and linked to those who use it. Why is this important? Anything you place online, whether text or images, has the potential to be available online forever. All too often employers and colleges are looking at applicants through their digital footprint to assure that students and potential applicants are representing themselves well through their online platforms. Always remember to T.H.I.N.K. before you post: be True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind in all your posts.
Smartphones and online portals offer millions of sites to visit, apps to download and things to do that take up many hours of our day. This gives us access, a way to stay connected to current events, and connect with people we know and even those we do not. Having all of these options online make protecting our information even more important. Tips for staying safe online:
Never post personal information online. This includes, but not limited to, cell phone numbers, home phone numbers, a picture of your driver's license, your address, or your current location.
When creating a screen name, do not include personal information, such as your last name or date of birth.
Censor your photos – they can often provide clues to personal information. For example, posting a picture of yourself in your varsity jacket can show a stranger the school you attend and the activities that interest you.
Never send photos to people you meet online.
Do not meet in person with someone you “met” on the Internet. If someone asks to meet you, tell a trusted adult right away.
Don’t share your password with anyone.
Never download or install anything onto your computer or cell phone without first checking with your parents.
Use privacy settings. They are there for a reason.
It’s not always strangers that you need to be cautious of – always exercise your best judgment. When in doubt, turn to a trusted adult.
Tip of the Month - Grounding
Grounding is a practice that can help you pull away from flashbacks, unwanted memories, and negative or challenging emotions.These techniques may help distract you from what you’re experiencing and refocus on what’s happening in the present moment. Grounding yourself isn’t always easy. It may take some time before the techniques work well for you, but don’t give up on them.
No matter which technique you use, the following tips can help you get the most out of it:
Practice. It can help to practice grounding even when you aren’t dissociating or experiencing distress. If you get used to an exercise before you need to use it, it may take less effort when you want to use it to cope in the moment.
Start early. Try doing a grounding exercise when you first start to feel bad. Don’t wait for distress to reach a level that’s harder to handle. If the technique doesn’t work at first, try to stick with it for a bit before moving on to another.
Avoid assigning values. For example, if you’re grounding yourself by describing your environment, concentrate on the basics of your surroundings, rather than how you feel about them.
Check in with yourself. Before and after a grounding exercise, rate your distress as a number between 1 and 10. What level is your distress when you begin? How much did it decrease after the exercise? This can help you get a better idea of whether a particular technique is working for you.
Keep your eyes open. Avoid closing your eyes, since it’s often easier to remain connected to the present if you’re looking at your current environment.
One simple & discreet grounding technique to try if you are new to the practice is the “5-4-3-2-1 method”. Working backward from 5, use your senses to list things you notice around you. For example, you might start by listing five things you hear, then four things you see, then three things you can touch from where you’re sitting, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. Or, try tensing all of the muscles in your body and slowly relaxing them as you count backwards from 10.
There are many different kinds of grounding techniques and they can be powerful tools to help you cope with distressing thoughts in the moment, but the relief they provide is generally temporary. It’s important to get help from a therapist so you can address what’s causing your distress and gain long-term relief.
Adapted from Grounding Techniques
Focus Activity - Alleviating Stress and Anxiety
Source: https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/effective-yoga-poses-to-cure-anxiety/#gref
Easy Pose
Child's Pose
Triangle Pose
Course Description Book 2020-2021
At this time, the 2019-2020 Course Description Book is available for students to utilize in their scheduling research until the new book is released on February 19th. The Course Description Book is located on the High School Counseling Website under Course Scheduling.
Everything You Need To Know About Scheduling
Important Scheduling Terms
Credit: Value of the class (0.25, 0.50, 1.0).
Core Classes: English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science.
Elective Classes: Course that satisfies the Elective credit section of your graduation requirements. These are courses where students can explore a career interest, a musical or artistic passion, or take a class for the fun of it.
Career Pathway: A collection of courses that provide students with a solid foundation of a specific career.
Courses with Applications and Where to Find Them
- Anatomy and Physiology Mentorship
- Partners in PE
- Applied Engineering and Innovation
- Media II, III, IV Yearbook
- Media III, IV, V, VI Television Production
You must complete the following steps:
- Have met all prerequisite courses to the course before filling out the application.
- Complete the Course Application in its entirety (including any projects or essays that must be completed and submitted with the application).
- Turn the application and all corresponding pieces to the Counseling Office by March 6th.
Applications can be found in the Appendix of the 2020-2021 Course Description Book that is available on the High School Counseling Website under Course Scheduling. The Course Description Book will become available on February 19, 2020.
The Importance to Finding Balance
Just as important as weighing the pros & cons of certain course levels and selecting electives that will enhance your day is considering how next year’s schedule will impact all of the other areas of your life. Have you scheduled courses that will allow you enough time to get a good night’s sleep, spend time with family/friends/enjoyable hobbies, and also allow you to devote adequate time to all of your courses so that you are able to achieve the grades you desire? Have you scheduled down time in your day, such as a study hall where you might get some homework done, seek tutoring in the library, help from a teacher, or just decompress? A deep dive into how much time you plan to devote to after school activities should also be considered before course decisions are finalized.
Remember that the student who is over-scheduled and over-stressed is not likely to achieve the grades they want by the end of the year or if they do, at great cost to their mental health. Colleges want to see that a potential student has challenged themselves appropriately. College admissions representatives worrry about burn out. They want students who are able to balance all aspects of their lives and self-advocate for resources and assistance when needed.
If you aren’t sure how much time the courses you are considering will require outside of school, ask your current subject-area teachers or upperclassmen friends. Find out the topics that you will learn in each course so that you can adequately plan a schedule that challenges you but still allows you to do the things you love and find restorative. Don’t enroll in classes just because your friends are choosing them; everyone has their own strengths/weaknesses and obligations to manage outside of school! Choose courses based on interests and abilities. Remember that ultimately, it is you who will have to live the schedule everyday. If you do the research on your courses and plan ahead now, your future self will thank you!
Important Scheduling Dates
Scheduling Portal Open: February 24, 2020-March 6, 2020
All Course Applications and Appeals due March 6, 2020
Middle School Scheduling Presentations: March 3, 2020
8th Grade Course Scheduling Presentation - Parents & Students: March 4, 2020
Counselor Open Office Hours: March 4-6, 2020
Naviance - Career Exploration
Are you looking to explore possible career opportunities based on your interests? Complete the online career assessment in Naviance called the “Career Interest Profiler." The inventory analyzes your interests and pairs them with potential career matches. The inventory results are based on Holland’s six personality types - Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.
Follow these steps to locate the Career Interest Profiler:
Log in to Naviance (see your counselor if you need help resetting your password).
Click on the Careers Tab
Under the Careers Tab go to 'Explore Careers, Clusters, and Pathways'
On the left hand side click 'Career Interest Profiler'
Naviance: Seniors - Update Colleges Applied to/Decision Information
Seniors, as a reminder - if you receive a decision from a college, don't forget to update us with that decision in the "Colleges I'm Applying To" section in Naviance. Not only is this how our office keeps track of your college admission decisions (& eventually tells us where to send your final transcript), but is also how we gather student data for scattergrams. You know, the ones you used as an underclassman when you were deciding where to apply? Time to pay it forward to the underclassmen below you!
Also, if you didn't end up applying to a college that is on your "Colleges I'm Applying To' list, be sure to take it off your list to avoid confusion and having your documents sent to places you don't want them sent! If you need help with this, let your school counselor know in an e-mail and they can take it off for you.
Scholarships
Upcoming Scholarships
Below are a list of current, upcoming scholarships for Peters Township High School seniors. Our scholarships database is updated weekly so make a goal to check the database once a week!
February
February 12: Jewish Scholarship Service of Greater Pittsburgh
February 15: WACE National Co-OP Scholarship Program
February 15: National DAR Scholarship(s)
February 20: Owen M. Katz High School Scholarship
February 27: National Army ROTC Scholarship at:
University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg, Duquesne University,
Robert Morris University, Carnegie Mellon University, California University of Pennsylvania, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Washington and Jefferson College, Point Park University, Carlow University, La Roche College, and Chatham University
March
March 1: Clearview Federal Credit Union Scholarship
March 1: First Commonwealth Bank Scholarship
March 1: Ross F. DiMarco Scholarship
March 9: Italian-American Cultural & Heritage Society of Washington Co.
March 12: Western PA Trial Lawyers Assoc. President Scholarship
March 15: Sophie & John Yoney Scholarship
March 15: Lions Young Ambassador of the 21st Century Award
March 23: The Black Association of South Hills Scholarship
March 31: Tim McCaig Scholarship
March 31: Malcolm M. Prine WPFOA Scholarship
March 31: Washington Financial Charitable Foundation Scholarship
Two Junior Scholarship Opportunities
Have you signed up for the College Board Opportunity Scholarship? If so, now is a great time to sign into Khan Academy for SAT preparation. Completing 6 hours of Khan Academy SAT practice is one of the six ways to achieve scholarship through the College Board Opportunity Scholarship.
Western Area Career and Technology Center
Informational Session
WACTC Tour
Free AP Score Reporting
Students must indicate through My AP Classroom the college, university, or scholarship program you would like to receive your free score report. Students MUST indicate this information through My AP. The information is no longer provided on test day through your answer sheets and student packs. The deadline to indicate or change your free score report recipients through My AP is June 20th.
Introducing Our Interns
Ms. Haley Auld: Attends California University of Pennsylvania in the Masters of School Counseling Program. She is currently interning with the PTHS counseling office two days a week and will spend the remaining time at an alternate elementary school. Ms. Auld spent her undergraduate time at Indiana University of Pennsylvania studying Child Development and Family Relations.
Mr. Zach Meads: Attends California University of Pennsylvania in the Masters of School Counseling Program. He spent last semester in our counseling office and will continue his internship three days a week at PTHS and his remaining time at an alternate elementary school site. Originally from Maryland, Mr. Meads spent his undergraduate time at Waynesburg University and currently works at the Bradley Center.
While our interns are with us, they are able to meet with your student to work on organizational/study skills, provide support for emotional/social concerns, check-in meetings for academics, career and college research, etc. If you are interested in this opportunity for your student please contact your child's counselor to have your student meet with either one of the interns.
College Admissions Tips Articles
Upcoming Events
WACTC Freshman Informational Session: February 11, 2020
WACTC Freshman Tour: February 19, 2020
Course Description Book Released: February 19, 2020
Scheduling Portal Open: February 24, 2020-March 6, 2020
8th Grade Move Up Day: March 2, 2020
Middle School Scheduling Presentations: March 3, 2020
8th Grade Course Scheduling Presentation - Parents & Students: March 4, 2020
Counselor Open Office Hours: March 4-6, 2020
All Course Applications and Appeals due March 6, 2020
College Planning Night: March 31, 2020
ACT Exam: April 4, 2020
PTHS Counseling Office
Ms. Riggle: Dj-Kl - rigglec@pt-sd.org
Ms. Simmons: Km-M - simmons@pt-sd.org
Mrs. Prinsen: N-Sk - prinsenh@pt-sd.org
Mr. Sudol: Sl-Z - sudolj@pt-sd.org
Mrs. Steffen: Dean of College and Career Readiness - steffenl@pt-sd.org
Mrs. Lusk - Secretary - luske@pt-sd.org
Mrs. Murphy - Secretary - murphyc@pt-sd.org
Location: 264 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA, USA
Phone: 724-9941-6250 5213