The Counselor CARE-ier
September 2022
Community Care / Community Resources
Free & Reduced Benefits Program
Although The Campus doesn't have a lunch program, we highly encourage families to apply for the Free & Reduced lunch/benefits program as students who qualify can benefit from the program in many other ways (see photo below). Families must apply every year; if you are unsure if you qualify, apply
here anyway.
Safe Place
What is Safe Place? A National youth outreach and prevention program for young people in need of immediate help and safety. Any youth under the age of 18 can get help at a Safe Place site. There are many sites in the Pikes Peak Region to include public libraries & YMCA centers; Find a site here.
If a young person is having problems at home, suffering from abuse or neglect, lost or in a dangerous situation, with a drunk or unsafe driver, or just needs to talk about a problem, help is available at any Safe Place site. Youth may also use TXT 4 HELP to access immediate help; this is a 24-hour text-for-support service for youth in crisis. Text the word "safe" and your current location (city/state/zip) to 4HELP (44357).
How does Safe Place work?
Step One- Enter a Safe Place (identified through the yellow & black sign pictured above) and ask for help
Step Two- The site employee finds a comfortable place for the youth to wait while they call the licensed Safe Place agency
Step Three- Within 20-30 minutes or less, a qualified Safe Place volunteer or agency staff member will arrive to talk with the youth and, if necessary, provide transportation to the agency.
Step Four- Once at the agency, counselors meet with the youth and provide support. Agency staff makes sure the youth and their families receive the help and professional services they need.
*Information shared from the Safe Place website (www.nationalsafeplace.org)
Community Resource Guide
Click on the Community Resouce Guide for a comprehensive list of community resources for the Pikes Peak Region. Resources range from food kitchens to youth programs, to assistance programs and so much more.
Mandatory Senior Information Night
On Wednesday, October 5th @ 6:00 - 7:00 pm Mrs. Swann will be hosting a mandatory information night for ALL seniors (& early graduates) and a parent. Important dates, cap & gown ordering information, college information, etc. will be shared. This meeting will be done via Zoom; the Zoom link will be shared out via email as the date gets closer. Please plan ahead and mark this date on your calendar!
Everything you Need to Know About Scholarships Webinar
The Boettcher Foundation will be hosting a Zoom webinar on "Everything you Need to Know About Scholarships." They will share tips on how to make you/your applications stand out. There are two different opportunities to attend this webinar (recordings will not be done; this is a live event). Click on one of the dates below to register for the event.
Thursday, September 29th (12:00-1:00 pm)
Thursday, October 6th (6:00 - 7:00 pm)
Scholarship Opportunities
Boettcher Scholarship: Learn more
here about this amazing scholarship and see if you qualify & to apply. (Application window: September 1 - November 1, 2022).
Heisman High School Scholarship: Learn more here about this scholarship for student athletes and see if you qualify & to apply (Application window: Now thru October 18, 2022)
GoMerry.com
StudentScholarships.org
College & Career Readiness
El Paso County Public Works Career Day Field Trip
Come check this out!!!! El Paso County Public Works (EPCPW) is hosting a Career Day Event on Friday, September 23, 2022. Students will circulate through a variety of rotations introducing them to many different career fields offered through the Public Works Depts. This is a great opportunity for career exploration for any student whether they have plans to go to college or those heading straight to the workforce. There should also be some upcoming internship opportunities in the near future working with EPCPW so be on the lookout for those. This is a great opportunity to gain exposure to various career fields and build your social network. EPCPW hires D49 students following graduation to fill many different jobs; they offer jobs at $20.00+ per hour, full-time employment with benefits, tuition reimbursement, and will pay for CDL if applicable to the job being hired for.
Interested in attending? Please fill out this Google form and print and return the permission slip to Mr. Mike Masino, Choice & Success Advisor, by September 16th. This is open to all Juniors and Seniors; D49 bus transportation will be available.
The Campus College & Education Fair
On Wednesday, September 28th, there will be a small college/education fair on The Campus from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm. Students are welcome and encouraged to stop by the tables to visit with these different representatives to learn more about their schools & the opportunities offered. Not only will some colleges be represented, but also CTE training schools and Job Corps will be here, as well. We will have food trucks on campus this day (11:00 am- 1:00 pm) so bring your money!
College Preview Days
Below are full-day events that give you a glimpse into college life! This is a great opportunity to check out the college campuses and get a feel for what it will be like, learn more about the school, and get your questions answered.
Western University in Gunnison, CO is hosting several visit days to their campus. Preview Day visitors are eligible for one night of FREE lodging in Gunnison either the night before or the night of a Preview Day event (while supplies last). If you are interested, please indicate your interest when registering for the event. An email with details on how to book your room will be sent after you submit your event registration. Sign up
here.
Adams State University in Alamosa, CO will have an upcoming Discover Day on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Breakfast, lunch, prizes, and tickets to an ASU event will be part of the package as you visit the college campus, take a campus tour, learn about financial aid and so much more. If you are interested register here.
Here are some links to some additional options for visit days!
Explore CU Boulder
CSU
UNC Envision Day
The College Tour TV Series
A FREE TV series that provides an inside look into college campuses from a student's perspective. There are currently over 80 schools from across the country highlighted, including several Colorado schools. Check it out to learn more.
https://www.thecollegetour.com/watch-now/
Social Emotional Resources
A Closer Look at Social Anxiety
Having social anxiety can stop you from doing the things you want to do and close you off from people you’d like to be friends with. It can also make you more likely to get depressed. The article “What is Social Anxiety” by Rachel Ehmke (click on the link below to read the full article) helps to answer the following questions:
- What are the symptoms of social anxiety disorder?
- How is social anxiety different from just being shy?
- What are kids with social anxiety worried about?
If your student struggles with anxiety, please contact a counselor for help. We can provide resources and help with interventions.
Learn about social anxiety in children. Child Mind Institute provides information and helps for parents and kids when fear and embarrassment become crippling.
Article shared from the Child Mind Institute website (childmind.org)
Helpful Crisis Service Contacts
