Counseling Department Newsletter
Canon-McMillan High School/January 2022
Reset Those Study Skills With 10 New Year's Resolutions for Students (click on the picture below to read more!)
Study Skills Week provided by the Princeton Review
We are excited to announce The Princeton Review’s upcoming Study Skills Week in the beginning of 2022. From January 11th to 13th, experts will discuss the importance of high school grades in college admissions, strategies to enhance study skills, and tips for improving academic essays.
I have listed the events below as links to register and attached a flyer HERE.
EVENT DATE TIME Tuesday, January 11, 2022 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 12, 2022 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 12, 2022 9:00 PM Thursday, January 13, 2022 7:00 PM Thursday, January 13, 2022 9:00 PM
2022-2023 Scheduling Overview
February 8: Parent Scheduling Night (See Flyer Below)
February 9-11: School counselors discuss course selection and scheduling with all students
February 17: Scheduling Day for the 2022-2023 School Year
February 22-25: School counselors meet with all students to review course selections
9th Grade Students Invited to tour Western Area Career and Technology Center
The tour will take place on Tuesday, January 25th, and 26th, 2022. Students will leave the high school during period 2 and will return for 7th period lunch. All students who eat during earlier lunch periods will be permitted to eat lunch during 7th period. Students are responsible for all missed work. Click here to obtain a copy of the permission slip.
School Supports
CMHS Offering a Grief/Loss Group
School Counseling Resources Group
Every high school student is encouraged to join the School Counseling Resources group in Schoology! Resources including academic development, career development, employment, community service opportunities, scholarships and more can be found there! Students can join the group by using the following access code: DB7QW-K4WWP
Student Assistance Program
Postsecondary Planning
Junior postsecondary planning meetings
Requesting Recommendations in Xello
Syncing the Common Application with Xello
Common App Resource Round-up
The CSS Profile
ACT/SAT Test Preparation
Big Future Scholarships for the Class of 2023
Ahead of these changes, this week, we’re launching BigFuture Scholarships (formerly known as College Board Opportunity Scholarships) for the class of 2023 to reward efforts to plan for college on BigFuture.
Transcript Process
Transcript Release Form
Students who are 18 may sign for themselves; students under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign this form giving consent. Remember, students will still have to communicate where transcripts should be sent. This will occur in Xello.
Resumes
Transcript Requests in Xello
Financial Aid
PHEAA PAForward Webinars Announced
Deep Dive Into Credit Related to Education Funding 1/11 @ Noon and 1/20 @ 6:30pm
For most families, borrowing for education is part of the equation and can be confusing as families look for the best options to fit their needs. Join Dan Wray and Linda Pacewicz of PHEAA’s PA Forward Private Student Loan Program for a one-hour webinar to increase your financial literacy and knowledge on the process of credit, how to maintain or improve ratings and comparison points to help make informed and affordable education borrowing decisions.
Learn about Education Loans – which loan is right for me? 1/13 @ 6:30pm and 1/18 @ Noon
As families receive their financial offer letters from schools and determine that education loans may be needed, they’ll find that there are many options to consider – including loans from the Department of Education and private loan programs. Doing the research and knowing what to compare and consider will be important to overall education debt, keeping it affordable, and finding the right fit. Join Dan Wray and Linda Pacewicz of PHEAA’s PA Forward Private Student Loan Program in a one-hour webinar review of the different options and details associated with education loans to assist in sorting out the information to make decisions that are right for you and your family.
FAFSA Changes
FSA Financial Aid Toolkit
Find out what’s new on the 2022-23 FAFSA® Form and check out 2022-23 FAFSA resources in the FSA Financial aid toolkit. Changes on the 2022-23 FAFSA form include:
· Drug convictions no longer affect federal student aid eligibility. As students complete the FAFSA form, they will be asked whether they had a drug conviction for an offense that occurred while they were receiving federal student aid. If the answer is yes, students will be provided a worksheet to help students determine whether their conviction affects their eligibility for federal student aid. Students should answer the questions correctly; however, the questions won’t impact students’ eligibility.
· Registration status with Selective Service no longer affects students’ eligibility to receive federal student aid. However, students can still register through the FAFSA form.
PA State Grant Process Simplified
PA Forward Student Loans
From our friends at PHEAA: If your PA students and families need additional financial assistance after exhausting state and federal aid, our experienced loan counselors are here to help! PHEAA devotes energy and resources to developing innovative ways to ease the financial burden of higher education. Contact us at PHEAA.org/PAF or 1-844-PAForward (1-844-723-6793).
Work Permits
Are you Moving? How To Ensure PowerSchool Is Up To Date
The College Transition: Tips for Students with Disabilities
Preparation is key for all college-bound students, but thinking through what you’ll need to be successful is especially important for students with disabilities.
Here are some ideas and insights to help you settle into college. source.admitted.nacacnet.org
More than 75% of Colleges don't require SAT or ACT
How Important are Class Grades in College Admissions? Experts Weigh In
9 Personality and Character Traits Colleges Look For in Applicants
The Common Application Releases the 21/22 Essay Prompts
Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Click here to learn more. source:commonapp.org
Rejected By a Safety School? Here Are Some Possible Reasons Why
Throughout the months of March and April, students across the county are repeatedly clicking “refresh” on college admissions websites, anxiously awaiting the outcome of three and a half years of hard work in high school While most will be preoccupied with whether or not they’ll get into their dream school, many will be shocked to receive something completely unexpected: a rejection from a safety school — a school assumed to be easy to get into If you’ve been rejected by a safety school, you may be feeling completely devastated and wondering how this could possibly have happened. Here are some reasons that might help explain what may have gone wrong. Click here to read more. source:road2college.com
Scholarships
Dollars for Scholars opens December 1!
- Completing parent information-this is optional, but it is strongly recommended that they complete this. This allows the Foundation to follow up with parents/guardians should a student be nearing the deadline to accept and receive the scholarship later.
- Be sure to check spelling and grammar.
- Complete all sections in their entirety.
- Some scholarships require additional information, like essays. Be sure to adhere to the listed guidelines for length as well as ensure you are answering the prompt.
The Pittsburgh Foundation Opens the 2022 Application Window
The Shawn Collingwood Memorial Scholarship Fund For seniors who are on the swim or track and field teams.
The Sophie M. and John F. Yoney Scholarship Fund Three scholarships (one each for a Canonsburg, Cecil and North Strabane student); demonstrated financial need. Applications are due March 31 to Mrs. Rubican in the counseling department.
Joseph "Murph" Irwin Memorial Scholarship Fund Seniors who graduated from St. Louise de Marillac school.
Sage Scholars Tuition Rewards program
Tuition Reward Points accrue like frequent flyer miles and are typically earned through an affiliated financial institution, health insurance, or employer. These include 529 plans, banks, brokerage firms, companies, credit unions, mutual funds, non-profits and diverse financial service companies involved in life insurance, health insurance or retirement plans. Your Tuition Rewards Points represent guaranteed minimum discounts off the "list price" of tuition at many of America's best private colleges. Click here to learn more. source:tuitionrewards.com
RaiseMe
General Information
The key to a happy teen? Listen and support
Six Steps for Keeping Back-to-School Schedules the Right Amount of Busy
The new school year has many families grappling with how busy they want their calendars to be.
As classes, sports and activities resume, the prospect of returning to a jammed schedule makes many parents and children crave the slower pace they kept when so many extracurriculars were canceled. Click here to read more. source:WSJ.com
Ten Questions Students Should Ask When Getting Interviewed For a Job
My Mental Health: Do I Need Help
The Dangerous Experiment on Teen Girls
Instagram Unveils New Teen Safety Tools ahead of Senate Hearing
Registering with the Selective Service
Selective Service registration is required by law as the first part of a fair and equitable system that, if authorized by the President and Congress, would rapidly provide personnel to the Department of Defense while at the same time providing for an Alternative Service Program for conscientious objectors. By registering, a young man remains eligible for jobs, Federal student aid, State-based student aid in 31 states, Federally-funded job training, and U.S. citizenship for immigrant men. Registration begins at age 18. Click here to learn more and register.
8 Socially Distant Community Service Projects
We know it’s been a weird year for students. Between juggling virtual learning, keeping contact with friends and family through FaceTime and social media and everything in between. We truly hope that The Challenge Program, Inc. has been a source of support, motivation and inspiration for you to become your best self.
Did you know what you can earn $200 in cash for your hard work? Every year, TCP rewards 10th, 11th and 12th grade students from each of our participating schools in five award categories: attendance, STEM, community service, academic improvement and academic excellence. Community service is often among students’ favorite award categories to work towards. You’re probably wondering how can you possibly clock community service hours while being responsible and keeping a distance, and we are here to tell you it’s possible! Click here to learn more!
Jobs In Demand
The U.S. economy took a major hit during the coronavirus pandemic, with tens of millions of people filing for unemployment over the course of just several months.
Beginning in May and as states reopened economies, jobs in sectors like hospitality began to open back up. In June alone, as many as 4.8 million jobs were added to the labor market.
For people in search of a job or new career path altogether, career site Indeed made a list of 15 in-demand jobs that it says have “the most anticipated growth rates for the next five years.” Click here to read more.
Signs of Depression During the Pandemic
As the pandemic continues to limit our lives, one thing we need to be alert for is depression, in our children as well as ourselves.
Feeling down in this time of cancelled activities and social distancing is unavoidable, and most of us are struggling to stay positive. But depression is more than just feeling sad or having bad days. A child who seems to be stuck in a negative mood — feeling hopeless and not able to enjoy anything — may have depression and may need help to bounce back. Click here to read more. Source:childmind.org
A Mental Health Check-In: 14 Questions to Ask Your Child
Resources
Bullying Awareness and Prevention
Grief Awareness Resources
College Rankings
College Raptor’s 2021 Best Colleges Rankings
We shine the spotlight on the best colleges and universities that the US has to offer. We’ve divided these rankings into multiple handy categories, allowing students and families to find schools that fit with what they’re looking for.
Niche 2021 Best Colleges
Explore college rankings based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of student and alumni reviews, and see how we calculate these rankings.
Princeton Review: The Best 386 Colleges 2021
For our 29th edition, we surveyed 143,000 students from across the country so we can tell you which college has the best food, best career services, happiest students, and more. Find out if your dream school made one of our 62 lists.
U.S. News Best Colleges
Expert advice, rankings, and data to help you navigate your education journey and find the best college for you.
Washington Monthly 2020 College Rankings
The Washington Monthly magazine released its 2020 College Guide and Rankings ranking colleges on how well they serve the country as a whole.
World University Rankings 2021
The World University Rankings 2021 include more than 1,500 universities across 93 countries and regions, making them the largest and most diverse university rankings to date.
The Impact of Coronavirus
Secondary school updates - NACAC
PA State System of Higher Education - PASSHE
Message Regarding the Coronavirus - The Common App
College and university updates - admissions & coronavirus - NACAC
Counseling Department
Counselors
A-C Karen Rubican rubicank@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5022
D-Hn Susan Humbertson humbertsons@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5020
Ho-Me Nadia Abbondanza abbondanzan@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5027
Mi-Sc Kathleen Sharkady sharkadyk@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5023
Se-Z Molly Nuri nurim@cmsd.k12.pa.us (724) 745-1400 X 5021