Counselor's Corner
CHS Counseling Newsletter, February 2022
Important February Dates
2/7-2/11: National School Counseling Week
2/11/22: Student holiday2/14: Student holiday
2/15: 6 week grade check
2/14-2/18: Random Acts of Kindness Week
2/15-2/18: Women in Need (Teen Dating Violence Prevention presentations for juniors)
2/22: Students regain eligibility
*Please see the tentative course selection calendar below for more specific dates and information*
African American History Month
We are cruising along in our Spring semester and already making plans for next school year!
Please see the tentative course selection calendar below. We have started with our incoming freshman and plan to be complete by the end of February. In march, we will send out final verifications for our parents and students so that you can ask questions or make changes as needed.
If your student is interested in any of our programs or dual credit courses, please make sure you look at the TSI testing information listed below.
SENIORS, the Community Education Foundation has opened their scholarships for 2022. Please see the information below and reach out to the counselors if you have any questions.
We look forward to working with your students to plan their course selections for next year. As always, reach out to us if you need anything or have questions/concerns.
National School Counseling Week 2022
National School Counseling Week 2022 (#NSCW22) is Feb. 7-11, 2022, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February.
The 2022 theme is School Counseling: Better Together.
Course Selection Information
Course Selection Tentative Calendar
The CHS Counselors will be conducting course selection at EMS on the following dates.
January 24th-28th: 8th-grade selection
January 31st-February 4th: 11th-grade selection
February 7th-11th: 10th-grade selection
February 15th-18th: 9th-grade selection
February 25th: Parents will be able to view ONLINE and contact CHS counselors for changes
March 4th: Final selection verification sent to parents and students. No changes can be made after March for the following year.
Need to TSI test?
TSI Sign Up Instructions
Students will not be able to take the TSI Test during the school day.
Please follow these steps to take the TSI Test!
Step 1: Complete the TSI Pre-Assessment using the following link: https://www.tsipreview.com/welcome/Communityisd Make sure you take a screenshot of the certificate once completed! You will need it for the next step.
Step 2: Sign up for a date and time using the following link: https://forms.gle/CyKA5WnDh2bx633HA
Step 3: If this is not your first time to test, you MUST pay a $10 fee. Please make your payment to Mrs. Jo in Room 301.
Step 4: Show up to Room 101 at 4:00pm on the day of your selected time to take your TSI Test!
Test Prep Resources:
1. https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students/prepare-for-accuplacer/practice
2. https://www.tsipracticetest.com/tsi-reading-practice-test/
3. https://search.collegeboard.org/?word=tsi&tp=usearch&searchType=accu_site&x1=u4&q1=ACCUPLACER
Senior Scholarships 2022
The scholarship application can be found here on the website:
Mental Health Videos/Resources for Teens
Seize the Awkward recently released four new videos containing powerful advice for teens and young adults on mental health. Each video features expert advice on practical tips on supporting a friend who may be struggling with their mental health.
- Learn the Signs (https://youtu.be/3jCCxsvYjA4)
- Have the Conversation (https://youtu.be/8evtuxohDvU)
- Tips for Better Conversations (https://youtu.be/gX0cQBL_RzU)
- Conversation Starters (https://youtu.be/H-Q6ieH_Z08)
Sign up is on an individual basis at available testing centers on collegeboard.org
A Parent's Guide: Getting your teen ready for the SAT
A Parent's Guide: Getting your teen ready for the SAT
A Parent's Guide: Getting your teen ready for the SAT (Spanish)
A Parent's Guide: Getting your teen ready for the SAT (Spanish)
**APPLY TEXAS**
Two Help desks for STUDENTS:
General Help Desk - applytexas@austin.utexas.edu
Account Recovery - applytexas_pw@austin.utexas.edu
Going Merry Resources
Easier for students & parents
- Clearer questions
- Common mistakes highlighted
- Eligibility check for state grants
Extra support for schools & counselors
- Live updated stats on each student's progress
- Searchable database of questions, so you can easily assist any student
- Lesson plans, handouts, and guide
Detailed data for school districts
- Real-time and summary stats, by school
- Student-specific start and completion rates for FAFSA and scholarship applications
Federal student aid resources (English and Spanish)
Federal Student Loans: Basics for Students (Spanish Version)
Check under Loan Information, Booklets and Brochures for more like this.
Scholarships..
Check them out, here:
Post-Secondary Advising Tools (FREE)
Labor Market and Career Information- https://lmci.state.tx.us/
Texas Reality Check- https://texasrealitycheck.com/
Texas Career Check- https://texascareercheck.com/
Jobs Y'All- https://jobsyall.com/
Texas Internship Challenge- https://www.txinternshipchallenge.com...
Texas CREWS- https://txcrews.org/
State Training Inventory- https://lmci.state.tx.us/apps/STI/
Counselors and Teachers- https://lmci.state.tx.us/counselors/counselors.asp
Have you Heard of Bulb?
Using bulb students can create digital portfolios to showcase work and build resumes. bulb can also be used to create your pages to showcase virtual events or information. See examples below.
CCMR Fair Example: https://www.bulbapp.com/CCMRVirtualFair
Example student portfolio: https://www.bulbapp.com/RayneAguilar
To create a free trial account: http://bit.ly/AimeebulbTrial
Contact: Aimee Pavelock
aimee@bulbapp.com | 210.787.6046
Texas OnCourse Academy
Survival to "Thrival" (resources)
The holiday season brings joy and stress for parents. Here's some resources to help kids thrive, courtesy of Child Mind Institute:
- Anxiety and Being Kind to Yourself. Self-compassion can help parents (and anyone else) manage anxiety.
- How Mindfulness Can Help Caregivers. Parents of children with special needs find these techniques reduce stress and anxiety.
- Preventing Parent Burnout. Meeting the emotional challenges of caring for children with mental health issues.
- How Parent Support Groups Can Help. Online or off, communities share experience, comfort and friendship.
- When Parent and Child Both Have ADHD. Treatment for mom or dad may be important for the kids, too.
Learn more about BasePoint Academy
Virtual College Access Week
ESC Region 10, ESC Region 11, and VisitDays have partnered to provide your students the first ever Virtual College Access Week!
North Texas students and families will have the opportunity to learn about topics like:
Navigating the admissions process
Applying for financial aid
Preparing for campus life
and more!
Students can attend live sessions, virtual tours, chat, and schedule meetings with campus representatives. The live sessions can be done at home or during the school day during the week of April 11-14, but students will have access for the entire month of April.
Sign up here: https://northtexas.visitdays.com
Monday, Apr 11, 2022, 08:00 AM
This is an online event
How to reach the counselors
Our website is being updated regularly to give you the most important information about school, future education, mental health, and all other things counseling. Please e-mail us or fill out a counseling request so that we can help!
The CHS counseling team is here for you!
Sarah McKimmey: Advanced Academics Counselor (Last names M-Z)
Tiffany Goff: Braves Support counselor
Email: tiffany.goff@communityisd.org
Website: https://www.communityisd.org/domain/879
Phone: 972-843-6500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/communityhs
Twitter: @CHScounselor3