MDHS Counseling Newsletter
Student/Parent | Week 5
CSF Sealbearer Status
We would like to congratulate and recognize our 190 Senior Monarchs who have earned California Scholarship Federation Sealbearer status. CSF Sealbearer status is awarded to a senior student who has been in CSF for four (4) semesters, (they do not have to be consecutive), and one of the four semesters is for grades earned during the first semester of the senior year. CSF Sealbearers will be given a CSF Gold Cord to be worn with their graduation gown at the graduation ceremony and they will receive a CSF Gold Seal on their diplomas. Congratulations Class of 2020 CSF Sealbearers! A job well done!
Click here to View CSF Sealbearers
*Your CSF Gold Cord will be in your GRADGRAB bag.
NHS Cord Recipients
Congratulations to our Class of 2020 National Honor Society Honor Cord Recipients. The seniors honored with NHS cords have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership since the organization's inception. Our honor cord recipients have participated in all community outreach projects, excelled in academics, and demonstrated high standards of honesty and reliability. It is important to understand that our chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but also challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.
Click here to View Class of 2020 National Honor Society Honor Cord Recipients
*Your NHS Honor Cord will be in your GRADGRAB bag.
- - - - - - - STUDENT ACTIVITIES - - - - - - -
Counseling Chats
As your school counselors we are here for you and would love to connect! We are holding weekly Zoom Counseling Chats by grade level. This is your chance to log on and ask questions that you may have.
- Mondays 3:00 - 4:00 Freshmen Zoom
- Tuesdays 3:00 - 4:00 Sophomores Zoom
- Wednesdays 3:00 - 4:00 Juniors Zoom
- Thursdays 3:00 - 4:00 Seniors Zoom
- Fridays 3:00 - 4:00 International Students Zoom
International Students are welcome to join in their respective grade level meetings as well.
Important AP Exam Update
- Traditional face-to-face exam administrations will not take place this year
- Students will take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home
- All students enrolled in an AP class are already registered for the exam
- Test Dates: May 11-15 and 18-22 -- Exam Schedule Information
- Students approved for extra time will receive automatically in their digital test
- Most tests will use FRQs as questions
- World Language tests will have speaking test questions which can be recorded at home
- Students can now attend free, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country at -- Free AP Classes
- CLICK HERE for more AP Exam information
Sleep Apnea Machine Donations
Do you know someone who may be willing to donate a sleep apnea treatment machine that they aren’t using? Recent MD alumna X Sun (class of 2019) is part of the Ventilator SOS project at UC Berkeley/UCSF, where they are collecting unused sleep apnea treatment machines (BIPAP and CPAP) and repurposing them into ventilators that can be used to assist patients with COVID-19. Go to https://www.ventilatorsos.com/ for more info. MD community, please help us to spread the word about this project!
Logging Your Peer Tutoring Hours
Students please remember to log your hours in MobileServe. For every Office Hour you volunteered you will earn .75 of an hour DIRECT service. Please put the dates that you tutored in the comment section. If you do not remember when you volunteered email Ms. McElroy for confirmation. Her contact email is mmcelroy@materdei.org
For Wellness Counseling Support:
If you need to contact someone about personal concerns we encourage you to contact Mrs. Kellie Bauer via email or call 714-850-9567. Students in need of additional support during this time can utilize the Outreach Concern Crisis Line - 1-800-4-CONCERN, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For additional support for coping that is free and confidential, you may contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline-1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Text Line-Text HOME to 741741.
- - - - SCHEDULING - - - -
COURSE REQUESTS FOR THE 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR
Students, your counselor may have emailed you regarding your course requests for the 2020-2021 school year. Please be sure to check/respond to that email so you can ensure that you are scheduled in the correct amount of courses for the upcoming school year. Please note that, at this time, you are unable to view your course requests via your Aeries Student Portal, but you will be able to view your courses once more, the last week of May.
INTERESTED IN NEWSPAPER/YEARBOOK COURSES NEXT YEAR?
Students, it's not too late. Please complete the MD Student Publication Application.
Deadline to apply is May 1, 2020.
- - - - - - - STUDENT RESOURCES - - - - - - -
GenHERation COMMUNITY CONNECTION SERIES
GenHERation is a network where young women and companies connect through their digital platform and national events. GenHERation is hosting the Community Connection Series to provide meaningful ways to learn from accomplished experts, develop new skills, and prepare for the future. All sessions are free and will take place virtually from 4-4:30 PM. Register here: https://url2.mailanyone.net/v1/?
Schedule
Monday, April 27: Presentation Skills with GenHERation CEO Katlyn Grasso
Tuesday, April 28: Careers in Research and Medicine with Fulbright Scholar Alexandria Cogdill
Wednesday, April 29: Finding Your Community with Adobe Diversity & Inclusion Talent Program Manager Carita Marrow
ACADEMIC ASSISTANT PROGRAM (AAP)
AAP tutoring is still available. The link below will take you to the AAP course in Canvas where you will have access to our AAP teachers. Each teacher has a page/button with contact information and helpful resources. Underneath the buttons you will see the schedule of when teachers are available.Teachers will be available via chat or conference on Canvas, during their scheduled day and time, and may direct you to Zoom if needed.
- Here is the link to enroll in AAP Tutoring on Canvas: https://materdei.instructure.com/enroll/GKND7D
- Students can also use: https://materdei.instructure.com/register | code: GKND7D
SENIOR AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Attention Seniors: Please visit the Senior Awards & Scholarship page for scholarships that you may apply to today. Don’t miss out on an opportunity. -- More Info on Senior Awards
SCHOLARSHIPS
For outside scholarships -- Scholarships List
SUMMER
Summer is just around the corner. You can view a list of possible programs: - Summer Programs List
Student-Athletes
NCAA Eligibility Center COVID-19 Response FAQs
http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/eligibility_center/COVID-19_Public.pdfNAIA Eligibility Center COVID-19 Response
- Q: Are there going to be any exceptions for incoming freshmen for the 2020-2021 academic year since ACT/SAT testing dates have been impacted by the pandemic? (Added 4/17/2020)
- A: Yes. In conjunction with the National Eligibility Committee and Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives, the Council of Presidents has approved an exception to initial eligibility rules for incoming freshmen in 2020-21.
The 2.000 cumulative GPA that is required prior to the student’s next season of competition will be sport specific. For example, a student who becomes eligible in cross country based off of this initial eligibility exception will not be required to have a 2.000 cumulative collegiate GPA prior to indoor or outdoor track and field in 2020-21. Rather, the student will be required to meet the collegiate 2.000 cumulative GPA prior to their second cross country season of competition.
Institutions will verify satisfaction of the college GPA requirement within the ECP software.
All 2020-2021 entering freshmen can still become eligible by satisfying two out of the three requirements, as normal. Any freshmen gaining eligibility this way will not be required to meet a collegiate 2.00 GPA prior to their second season of competition.
Volunteer Opportunities
MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT DURING DIFFICULT TIMES
See our latest online volunteering post.
Teen Mask-Making Volunteers for the VA
- SOLDIER ANGELS
- Virtual Volunteering
Students Sew Face Coverings at Home
- CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF WASHINGTON INC
- Virtual Volunteering
College Student Research Volunteers
- AUTOIMMUNE REGISTRY INC.
- Virtual Volunteering
Student-Led Personal Protection Supply Drive
- AUSTIN DISASTER RELIEF NETWORK
- Virtual Volunteering
- AUSTIN FREE-NET
- Virtual Volunteering
- WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT SERIES INC.
- Virtual Volunteering
Hero Thank You Card Service Project
- OPERATION GRATITUDE INC.
- Virtual Volunteering
- - - - COLLEGE/CAREER RESOURCES - - - -
CHOOSING A COLLEGE WHEN YOU CAN'T VISIT CAMPUS (A GUIDE FOR STUDENTS)
Answer these helpful questions to make a more informed decision about your plans after high school: Click for More Information
VIRTUAL COLLEGE TOURS
Seniors, as you are trying to make your decision about which school to attend in the fall, and you didn’t get the chance to visit the campus in person, there are several great websites that have virtual tours hosted by students:
NAVIGATE 2020 - VIRTUAL CONFERENCE & COLLEGE FAIR - Must Register to attend!
https://virtual.gotocollegefairs.com/
May 4 - 6, 9am - 5pm: Three Days to Master the College Search
Three days of live-stream presentations will help students and families understand:
The impact of COVID-19 on the admission process
Financial aid and financial award programs
How to balance the application: test scores, essay, extracurriculars, etc.
Multicultural, first generation, and accessibility/disability resources on college campuses
How to find the best college fit/choose a major
What to expect the first year on campus
TEST OPTIONAL/FAIR TEST
In light of the COVID 19 and the cancellation of SAT and ACT tests, here is a link to colleges and universities that are test optional (the number is growing by the day) -- More Information
COLLEGES THAT USE ROLLING ADMISSIONS/STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Please reference the 2020 Regional Admission Counselors of California (RACC) Application Deadline Report to see colleges that are still accepting applications!
FIND A CLEARER PATH TO COLLEGE EARLIER
Earn micro‑scholarships from colleges for your achievements as early as 9th grade -- RaiseMe
- - - - INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS - - - -
Video: Welcome Back Message From the Principal to International Students
SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you are experiencing difficulties getting in touch with your teacher or student, or need additional support, please e-mail Janet Lee at jlee@materdei.org.
NEED TO TAKE A TOEFL EXAM?
ETS has launched at-home remote-proctored TOEFL iBT exams. As of April 2, 2020, the test is available everywhere that TOEFL iBT testing is normally available, with the exception of Mainland China and Iran.
If you need to take a TOEFL exam for your college applications or for other purposes, please click HERE for more information.
I-20
Current I-20s are valid for the full 19-20 school year. We will be updating your I-20s in May and the updated I-20 will be directly sent to you.
DISTANT LEARNING
Students, please be sure you’re attending class every day, submitting assignments on-time, and communicating daily with your teachers, especially if you encounter any issues. Remember, if you have returned to your home country and will be completing your academics there, please e-mail your teachers every day during each block to notify your attendance.You are expected to keep up with attendance and assignments, as usual.
- - - - - WEBINARS/PODCASTS - - - - -
Sean Flanagan Podcast
RACC (REGIONAL ADMISSIONS COUNSELORS OF CALIFORNIA)
Virtual Webinars and Additional student resources. RACC is excited to kick off our virtual college webinar series hosted via Zoom! Each webinar will consist of four to five RACC college representatives. The first event will be offered only to schools who had scheduled spring events that were cancelled.
The webinar series will begin with:
- Why Go Out of State?
- Wednesday, April 29 at 6:00pm PST. Students need to register via this Google Form to get the Zoom link.
- May 2020 webinar dates and registration forms will be emailed to you next week.
OTHER RESOURCES
The RACC YouTube Channel is now live! The channel features RACC institution videos and additional content and presentations will be added continuously.
- - - - PARENT'S CORNER - - - -
TIPS FOR PARENTS
The CHOC Children’s blog shared a few ways to build mindfulness into your family’s everyday routine in their article on “Mindfulness and meditation: Practical tools to reduce stress during COVID19” -- Click to View Mindful Tips
The Child Mind Institute recently published an article on supporting teenagers and young adults during the coronavirus crisis. In it, they offered these tips for parents during this time:
Emphasize social distancing
Understand their frustration over not seeing friends
Support remote schooling
Encourage healthy habits
Validate their disappointment
Help them practice mindfulness
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS FROM MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA:
- Talking to Kids about COVID-19
- Cómo hablar con los niños sobre el coronavirus
- Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource
- Supporting Kids During the COVID-19 Crisis
- How to Avoid Passing Anxiety on to Your Kids
- Talking to Kids about Fear and Violence
- List of Live Webcams, Virtual Tours, and Virtual Field Trips
- Scholastic Learn at Home Free Resources
- Smithsonian Distance Learning Resources
- Virtual Field Trips from Discovery Education
- - - - - - - HEALTH & WELLNESS - - - - - - -
CHOC 24/7 Hotline
CHOC 24/7 hotline to speak with a Nurse to answer questions about the Coronavirus
https://www.choc.org/ 1-844-GET-CHOC
Mater Dei High School Counseling Department
Website: https://www.materdei.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=70016&type=d&pREC_ID=237246
Location: Mater Dei High School, 1202 W Edinger Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92707