We are so happy to start the new school year! Even though this beginning is different than what we are used to, we are ready to make the most of our time together. This is the first of your counseling newsletters for the 2020-2021 school year which will contain pertinent guidance related information. The newsletters can also be found on the school website. Please pay attention to both the calendar and newsletters to keep current on important events, deadlines and processes. Best wishes for a successful school year!

Powerschool is a powerful tool for students and parents to access grades, class assignments, and attendance. It is the responsibility of each student to keep up with their grades and school work.

Here's how to access your account.

Log into www.scstn.powerschool.com

If you do not know or remember your username or password please contact your counselor.

Your up-to-date grades will be visible on your home page. You can click on the individual grade and see the list of all assignments for that grading period. If you have a 0, you need to contact your teacher to see if you can make up that missing assignment. Remember, the best way to make great grades is by attending class every day and completing all assignments!

Why do I feel so tired and what I can do about it

It’s quite apparent that the school year looks vastly different than the start of any other school years in the past. With social distancing and other guidelines in place to keep us safe and healthy, we are faced with adapting to many changes. One of them being the use of technology in new ways to stay connected, and that includes the classroom. If you have asked yourself why you feel so tired at the end of your school day, here are some reasons why and what you can do to prevent it in the weeks to come.

REASONS WHY YOU’RE TIRED:

• Virtual learning requires a different kind of attention than in person interactions
• Because of the barrier of the screen, you have to work extra hard to convey that you’re paying attention
• The screen forces you to use direct visual contact rather than supplement with your peripheral vision
• Your brain is taking in the spaces of each person’s background
• Your brain is trying to filter out your own background distractions

TIPS TO HELP PREVENT EXHAUSTION

• Take a few moments before clicking ‘Join’ to settle and focus your attention on learning.
• Take the time to truly greet whoever is in the room with your full attention
• Choose ‘speaker’ view
• Hide your screen in your own view (people tend to look at themselves more than others)
• Make sure you have a plain background to help your fellow classmates focus
• Resist the urge to multi-task(doing to many things at once)
• Try to take short breaks between classes: get some fresh air, a glass of water, do some jumping jacks, march in place or take a brisk 10min walk at lunch
• Take paper and pen notes instead of double screen duty (this will also help you stay focused and retain the information better)
• Schedule screen-free time from electronic devices and games

Now that we are back in school and you will be staring at a computer screen for an extended period of time, here are some pointers to protect your eyes and minimize fatigue:

Apply the 20-20-20 rule – every 20 minutes look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. That will give your eye muscles a rest.

• Try to blink regularly. Focusing on a screen may make you blink less, which may make your eyes dry and uncomfortable.
  
• Position your computer screen so that it is between 16 to 30 inches from your eyes
• Once you have adjusted your screen, adjust the font size so it’s easy to read.
  
• Use document holders for reading or reference materials. Place them close to the screen at the same distance from your eyes. This will enable your eyes to remain focused as they move between the screen and the documents.
  
• Use a character size that is easy to see. The character size is an important factor since it determines the distance at which you prefer to view the monitor.
  

Start getting ready for the ACT.

Ask your school counselor about programs offered by American College Testing (ACT). They offer programs that help determine your study habits and academic progress and interests; it will also prepare you for the ACT.

Stay on track with your courses.

Work with your grade level school counselor to make sure you’re enrolled in the courses you need to prepare you for college or a career. Move on to the next level of classes in the core subjects (English, math, science, history, and a foreign language).

Begin learning about the college admissions process.

Get familiar with general college entrance requirements. Your grade level counselor, the library, college Web sites, and advice articles are all good sources of information.

Continue exploring potential careers.

Explore your career options in more detail—research possible careers to learn about the tasks, education, and training necessary for each occupation.

College Board is still committed to supporting students on their college planning journey in these virtual times. That's why we're launching a new initiative called Real Talk this fall!

Our inaugural event, "Real Talk: HBCU Edition," will take place on Thursday, October 8, at 7 p.m. ET. This will be the first event in a three-part series featuring HBCUs, Ivy League schools, and Maryland-area institutions. All grades and academic achievement levels are welcome. Although this event will cater to students, we also encourage parents, educators, and community members to participate.

Admissions representatives from eight HBCUs across the country will share pertinent information about the admissions process and campus life. They'll answer questions in real time during the Q&A portion of the event. This will be a great way for you and your students to engage with university representatives directly!

We look forward to connecting with you soon for real talk. RSVP today and spread the word!

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2020
Time: 7 p.m. ET

The following HBCUs will be represented:

1. Hampton University
2. Howard University.
3. Morehouse College
4. North Carolina A&T State University
5. Spelman College
6. Tennessee State University
7. Tuskegee University
8. Xavier University of Louisiana