Counselor Corner
P-CEP Counseling Department Newsletter
Finishing Strong!
Welcome to the final PCEP Counseling Newsletter of the 2018/19 school year! Can you believe summer break is right around the corner? As we approach the end of the school year, please note that the counseling staff will not in the office during summer break and our last day is June 14th.
Students, we know as the year comes to a close and finals approach it sometimes can be difficult to stay motivated! You can do it, push through, you are almost there!!
Happy reading and we hope you have a wonderful summer!
Summer School Information
Summer school is a great option, especially for those students who need to recover credits necessary toward graduation!
Students can choose to take up to 1 full credits in summer school. A student may only need a semester of a full year course. For example; a student passes 1st semester of English 9 but doesn’t pass the 2nd semester--the student would sign up for “English 9-Semester 2” during summer school.
Questions about credits?!? View transcripts on MISTAR Student Connect/Parent Portal to see what courses are needed to re-take. Please also refer to page 6 of the Course Catalog which lists all of the graduation requirements.
FAQ about Counseling for the Summer
- The records office hours will be limited this summer. You may email Mrs. Donna Hensel at donna.hensel@pccsk12.com if you need assistance. If she doesn't get back with you directly, she will upon her return.
- The counseling office is closed for the summer. Counseling Staff's last day for the school year is June 14th.
How do I get my student's bus route information?
- Information regarding your students bus route will come out in late August through an email and are handled through the transportation office.
When is schedule pick up?
- Schedule pick-up happens at the end of August. More information on specific dates/times will be communicated to families in the district newsletter in August.
Why is my student unable to change his/her schedule?
At PCEP we pride ourselves on being able to offer a plethora of classes that our students want to take. In order to do that, our master schedule is built based on student requests. We tell students to think of this process like ordering a t-shirt. If they order a size large they cannot grab a different size once the t-shirts are delivered. There are only a select number of t-shirts in the same way that there are only a select number of seats in a classroom. We plan for a few changes but not many.
Students were given time (February-April 1st) to continue doing research on classes, talk to their teachers/counselors about recommendations and submit any changes.
SUMMER COMMUNICATION, P-CEP e-COMMUNICATOR COMING SOON
The P-CCS Communications Office will be releasing two major communications this summer to help parents and students prepare for the 2019-2020 school year. The P-CCS Summer Communication, which will be released on the last day of school (Friday, June 14th), will contain important district-wide info, dates, and deadlines for incoming kindergarten through 12th grade students, while the annual P-CEP e-Communicator, which offers all of the essentials for incoming students and families at The Park, is due in mid-July. Both will be released on the official P-CCS website at www.pccsk12.com so stay posted in the coming weeks for these significant publications.
TRAILS Group
What is TRAILS?
The TRAILS Program was developed through The University of Michigan and focuses on bringing awareness and skills to students experiencing anxiety and depression. PCEP Counselors will be running TRAILS groups for the 2019/2020 School Year. This is not a therapy group; rather a skill building group for students to understand their anxiety and depression through awareness and then provide them with the tools necessary to effectively manage what they are experiencing.
How does it work?
This group is facilitated by PCEP Counselors who utilize the TRAILS Program materials provided to us from University of Michigan. Students who participate in this group will the opportunity to attend 10 sessions during the semester. We alternate class period hours, so students are not missing the same class each time and typically meet once a week. If you are interested in this group, please complete the Google Form here. Completing this form does not guarantee you a spot in the group. If you complete this form and decide later that you are no longer interest, this is ok!
What will happen next?
Once our students are identified for the group, their counselor will meet individually with them to provide a permission slip that needs to be taken home to have singed and returned to their counselor. Please reach out to your counselor if you have any additional questions regarding the TRAILS Group. We are very excited and happy to have the chance to work with our students regarding their mental health!
To learn more about the TRAILS Program, click here!
Managing Anxiety In Our Children
IMPORTANT AP TESTING CHANGES FOR 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR
Please visit College Board for any additional questions you may have!
Class of 2020
Class of 2020 Senior Parent Night
The Park Counselors would like to invite all parent(s)/guardian(s) of seniors to attend Senior Parent/Guardian Night on Thursday, September 5th at 5:00 P.M. in the Salem High School Auditorium. Important information on financial aid and the college application process will be reviewed. The program begins promptly at 5:00 and ends at 5:45 so that parents can then attend Open House at 6:00. We look forward to seeing you there!
You're the SENIORS now! Here are some things to do:
This summer, please use your time to EXPLORE! Visit campuses and ask questions about careers, majors, minors, requirements, etc.
The college application process can start in the summer, however please note that on September 12th we will be presenting to all seniors (during the school day) as well as senior parents, on September 5th, to go over this entire process in more detail. We will discuss how to apply, sending a transcript, sending test scores, letters of recommendation, etc. Here are the basics:
COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
#1 - Apply online via the college/University website or The Common Application
#2 - Send transcript electronically via www.parchment.com (every student received a code during junior conferences and set up this account already)
#3 - Send test scores (scores must be sent directly from ACT/College Board to the University)
Students may decide to start on some applications over the summer, especially if there is an essay required. Please know though that this is not mandatory, as students will still have plenty of time to complete applications after we meet with them in September to still meet the early action deadlines.
Transcripts will not be ready to be sent to any college until after we have presented to seniors in mid September. Colleges are aware of this and don’t expect them any earlier.
SAVE THE DATE
Schoolcraft College Night
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
This event will be held at Schoolcraft College, from 6-8 P.M., where over 85 colleges are invited to participate. The purpose is continued exploration for students in finding and learning about post high school options, including both 2 year and 4 year colleges and universities and military universities. Learn about new programs and speak directly to representatives who can answer your questions.
Financial Aid Night
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
This event will be held at PCEP, time tbd. This is a great opportunity to learn more about paying and affording college! Learn about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA and Scholarship opportunities!
Exciting Events from the Counseling Office!
On May 1, 2019 we celebrated "Decision Day" with our AWESOME, INCREDIBLE P-CEP Class of 2019 Seniors! Despite the rain in the morning, it held for the afternoon and students made it outside during 5th hour to form an awesome class picture, play games, listen to music and be applauded for their choices and decisions for their futures. We wanted to let all students know how proud we are of them!!!! We had college representatives out on the field, all of the branches of the military and students sporting their own spirit wear of every kind ! We were so excited to celebrate the future with the Class of 2019!
Congratulations Class of 2019!
We are so proud of you and are going to miss you here at P-CEP!!!!