Counselor's Notes
March/April 2016
Welcome Spring! And the busyness it brings.
Scheduling for 2016-2017
We are in the process of setting up the master schedule and will work with students after Spring Break (Apr 1st-10th) to update their EDP (Educational Development Plan) and to create their course requests for next year. In the meantime, all students (grades 6-12) can access Career Cruising to help them determine career interests, find information on colleges & other opportunities, and begin to plan their courses for their entire high school career. Instructions on how to access Career Cruising can be found on our school website. Click here for that.
Programs for next year's Juniors & Seniors:
Dual Enrollment - For students on the college prep track. Students can take up to 10 courses (either online or in person) at MCC & earn both high school and college credit. There will be an information session on Thursday, April 21st at 1:00 PM in the High School Media Center. Parents are invited. More information & forms for dual enrollment can be found on our website at this link.
Peer Assistance - For students who want to work with and mentor younger students. Applications are required and can be picked up from Mrs. Wosinski or downloaded & printed here.
The Accelerated Technical Institute (ATI): A New Program for the Class of 2019 & Beyond: The Accelerated Technical Institute is a perfect opportunity for students who love science & math! The program combines high school classes, Career Tech Center (CTC) coursework and Muskegon Community College classes in order to earn an Associate's Degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. Students begin taking college classes in 10th grade (College Success Seminar) and if they do well they will move into the Early College and CTC programs. ATI is tuition free, and students are almost guaranteed a job in Muskegon County when they finish! Current 9th graders who are interested should let Mrs. Wolfe know as soon as possible. More information on the CTC and the Early College Program can be found on the school's website under 'Resources' then 'Counseling' - links to the right.
“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love”
– Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Class of 2016 Information
Senior Class Events:
Apr 23rd - PromMay 2nd - Senior Awards Night, 7 PM
May 24th & 25th - Exams for Seniors
May 25th - Senior's Last Day of School (if all courses are completed)
May 25th - Optional - Baccalaureate, 7 PM
May 31st - Senior Breakfast, Awards Assembly, Graduation Rehearsal
June 1st - Graduation, 7 PM
Holton’s School Website
Great resources & information can be found on the counseling page at www.holtonschools.com. From the drop down list choose Resources and then Counseling. Below is a resource article on the unique challenges of Parenting Teens.
Contact Information
Email: hwolfe@holton.k12.mi.us
Website: www.holtonschools.com
Location: 6477 Syers Rd Holton, MI 49425
Phone: 231.821.1728
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before
beginning to improve the world.”
– Anne Frank
Parenting Teens
Parenting teens can be bewildering & challenging for parents and for teenagers. To make things a little less confusing, here are things that might help:
1. Set boundaries. Teenagers may seem to want unlimited freedom (at least that’s what they say!), but they really & truly don’t. It’s not really healthy, and countless studies have shown that firm and measured parental control leads to more successful, emotionally well-developed children.
2. Make the rules clear and be consistent. Even when it’s hard.
3. You don’t have to be “perfect.” Just be real. Kids aren’t looking for perfection; they’re looking for authenticity.
4. Allow them more independence in their jobs. While an elementary-aged child needs to be told how and when to do things, teenagers need to manage the process themselves with parent expectations being on the end result more than on the method used to get it done. They need to figure it out. It might not be your way of doing things, but they’ll learn confidence and become more competent from the experience and by having your trust.
5. Apologize when you blow it. A genuine apology is the best way to teach them how & why to apologize when they mess up.
6. Don’t miss a beautiful moment because you’re trying hard to capture it for social media. Lose the camera, savor the moment.
7. Be there in the moments that are important for your kids, not just the moments that are convenient for you.
8. Through your words and actions, constantly communicate your love for them, even when they seem unlovable.
Adapted from : http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davewillis/ten-parenting-tips-that-can-instantly-impact-your-family/ and http://www.theintentionallife.com/intentionals-parents/#sthash.3shK28PS.dpuf