M.A. Counseling Newsletter
January 2018
In This Issue
- Upcoming Events
- Celebrating College Acceptances and Next Steps
- FAFSA Reminder
- ACT Tutoring Class
- Junior Classroom Visits and Individual Meetings
- Wellness Corner
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, January 23 from 6:30 - 8:00 PM - Upper School Class Registration Night
This evening program is designed for current 8th grade parents to learn more about the classes offered at the Upper School, the four-year Upper School course plan, and the process for registering for classes for the 2018-19 school year. Dr. Mike DiNardo, Upper School Vice Principal, will lead a general overview session explaining Upper School course plan and show parents how they will register for 9th grade classes with their children. Then parents will have the opportunity to attend breakout sessions to ask more specific questions of faculty members from the academic departments and the counseling team. 8th grade students are welcome to join their parents at this evening, though they will be getting the same information during two other opportunities. Although this event is designed for 8th grade families, Upper School parents are welcome to attend as well.
Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 8 AM
- ACT Exam at Minnehaha Academy
- We strongly recommend that juniors take the February and/or April ACT
Celebrating College Acceptances and Next Steps
Please keep an eye out for information as to next steps from each of your student's colleges. Items like housing contracts, financial aid packages, and how to deposit to secure their spot in the class, are all pieces-to-the-puzzle that colleges will be communicating via email and traditional mail. A reminder that students have until May 1, 2018 to formally commit to their college of choice.
FAFSA Reminder
Reminder for seniors and their parents:
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available. We recommend that all families fill out the FAFSA as part of their financial aid profile as soon as possible. The FAFSA will be based upon your 2016 taxes and takes roughly 30 minutes to complete. Best part? It's FREE!
It is important that families complete registration for the FAFSA ID as well. Be sure to write down your log-in information! https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/fsaid
Here, again, is a helpful how-to video:
ACT Tutoring Class
Dates are as follows:
January 23, 25, 30, February 1, 6, and 8 for the February 10 test
April 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, and 12 for the April 14 test
Cost is $450 per student, paid directly to Erin.
For more information about the course contact Erin at erin_elisa_ward@hotmail.com.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THE FEBRUARY TEST DATE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 12
To register please email Diane Rahm, Registrar, at rahmdiane@minnehahaacademy.net, or have your student see her directly.
Junior Classroom Visits and Individual Meetings
Students will receive a Google Calendar confirmation of the meeting date and time. They must obtain a pass from Mrs. Rahm prior to the meeting to be excused from class.
Parents are welcome to attend, though this is not required.
Wellness Corner
PSALM 118:28–29
“You are my God, and I will give thanks to you;
you are my God; I will extol you.
This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
The one thing all humans have in common is that each of us wants to be happy, says Brother David Steindl-Rast, a monk and interfaith scholar. And happiness, he suggests, is born from gratitude. An inspiring lesson in slowing down, looking where you’re going, and above all, being grateful.
M.A. Counseling Team and Services
WHO WE ARE:
Mike DiNardo, Vice Principal/Director of Counseling
Kristin Overton, College & Guidance Counselor (Last Names A-K) overtonkristin@minnehahaacademy.net
Christine Paton, College & Guidance Counselor (Last Names L-Z) patonchristine@minnehahaacademy.net
Wanda Monroe, Non-Public Counselor
monroewanda@minnehahaacademy.net
Diane Rahm, Counseling Office Assistant, Registrar
rahmdiane@minnehahaacademy.net
WHAT WE DO:
Academic Advising
- Guiding toward an appropriately challenging course load
- Additional support to teachers, parents, and students
Social-Emotional Counseling
- Safe, welcoming and confidential
- Addressing issues around anxiety, depression, and general well-being
- Peer and family relationship challenges
College and Career Readiness
- College fit
- Career/personality inventories
- Counselors visiting various colleges and universities throughout the U.S. to provide firsthand information