This fall has been a whirlwind of excitement...see the list below to see what counselors have been up to the past few months:
We presented the following information to different classes:
- Freshmen created academic and personal goals for the year, they received information and strategies for coping with stress, and they took a career interest survey in Naviance that linked them with 16 federally designated career clusters (i.e. healthcare, education, business, etc.). To read more about career clusters, check out this link.
- Sophomores revised academic and personal goals, and they took a more specific career survey based on Holland codes. This survey matched them with various specific careers (i.e. environmental engineer, pediatrician, teacher, etc.).
- Juniors worked on their resumes, something they can use for both teacher letters of recommendation, as well as jobs/college applications. They also took a more in-depth dive into Naviance Student, the resource we use to send transcripts and letters of recommendation electronically, and also a source of TONS of information regarding colleges and careers. They used Super Match to put in criteria they want in a college and spent time researching various "good fit" schools.
- Seniors met as a whole class to review requirements regarding the application process. We continue to support students one-on-one as they apply to various colleges. As a reminder, seniors should be following up with various universities and ensuring that all application materials are received by the university.
FYI: All class meetings for semester courses will be repeated in the spring.
We also presented to all junior lifetime classes regarding signs of suicide, a research based program that helps students develop the skills needed to assist friends who may be suicidal.
We will hold lunch information sessions to all junior students who opted out of Lifetime later in January. During this time, we will discuss course registration, as well as the college related information students missed by not being in Lifetime.
Many students also attended a number of events sponsored by the school or other organizations, such as:
The NACAC college fair, a fair that occurs every fall at the Wisconsin Center. Hundreds of universities set up informational booths and met with prospective juniors and seniors:
Nelson Brown took a number of students to a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) fair as well. A number of students were admitted on the spot to various HBCUs throughout the country.
SHS hosted their second annual University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on-site admissions in early November. Students were able to interview with UWM and receive on the spot admissions offers. A large number of students were admitted on that date!
SHS hosted a Financial Aid Night with Susan Teerink from Marquette. Parents were able to hear about the ins-and-outs of financial aid, including how to fill out the FAFSA, how to evaluate different types of aid (loans, grants, merit aid), and how to deal with unique financial situations.
Here is the link to Susan's presentation:
https://sites.google.com/shorewood.k12.wi.us/shsgreyhounds-sss/everything-college/financial-aid
SHS also hosted a parent forum in November, where parents discussed the college application process regarding their students who graduated the previous year.
SHS also hosted a parent forum in November, where parents discussed the college application process regarding their students who graduated the previous year.
SHS hosted Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) in early December; representatives from MATC helped students with applications, discussed the Promise program, and reminded students to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Here is some information regarding the Promise Program, an offer of free tuition if eligible:
In Other News
Junior Conferences
All junior students, as well as their parents/guardians, have been meeting with their respective counselors to discuss post-secondary planning. These junior conferences are typically one hour long and focus on two purposes: a back and forth regarding the students' plans for the future and a discussion of the nuts and bolts of the college application process. We also discuss:
- Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Admission Criteria
- Letters of Recommendation
- Use of Naviance Student and other important websites (Big Future, College Scorecard, etc.)
- Timelines
- Standardized Testing
- College Visits
Each student receives a folder filled with useful information that students can reference as they begin the college search process.
Application Process
Just a reminder that the "typical" college application consists of the following (seniors should try to do all of this AT LEAST one week in advance of a deadline):
- Completing the online application (see the admissions page to access this). In the application, students will list activities, grades, current courses, demographic data, and write the personal essay.
- Stopping in our office and completing a blue transcript request form. Once we receive this, along with five dollars per transcript, we will electronically send your transcripts and your letters of recommendation (as well as anything your counselor might need to do).
- If required, sending in your ACT scores directly from act.org.
Some highly selective schools may have more requirements! Remember to always review the university's admissions page to see what you need to submit.
It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the university receives all supplementary materials. Technology can fail, so it is important that you monitor what has and has not been received.
It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the university receives all supplementary materials. Technology can fail, so it is important that you monitor what has and has not been received.
Scholarships
Now that many students have applied to various colleges, it is time to begin the search for scholarships. This article by Forbes presents good information regarding the various types of scholarships.
Here is the link to the article: Finding, Earning And Debunking Myths of the Coveted College Scholarship.
Here is the link to the article: Finding, Earning And Debunking Myths of the Coveted College Scholarship.
Generally speaking, scholarships are awarded in one of three ways:
- Through the university (find out if you need to apply or if they are awarded automatically to incoming freshmen--look every year for new ones!)
- Through national search engines (the College Board, Fastweb, etc.). These scholarship searches will match students with scholarships from companies, foundations, etc. We also list some of these scholarships on Naviance Student.
- Through SHS--we offer a number of competitive scholarships. This information is given out in homeroom during the winter months.
For example, students that attend the University of Minnesota or the University of Wisconsin-Madison can apply for a full tuition award through the HAMP scholarship foundation. See this link for more information.
In addition, if families have not completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), they should do so ASAP, regardless of parental income; here is the federal website: FAFSA. Read this article about some of the biggest myths surrounding FAFSA:
Some private schools may require that parents fill out a more in-depth financial document called the CSS profile. Check out this link to learn more about it: CSS Profile.
In addition, check out this graphic to determine how student aid is determined:
In addition, check out this graphic to determine how student aid is determined:
This graphic describes the different types of financial aid:
Testing:
- ACT testing will occur for all juniors on February 20th. Students will be in small classes, and the entire school will be empty except for juniors.
- ACT WORKKEYS, a state mandated test meant to evaluate students' workplace skills, will occur February 21st and be in the Arena. All students will be attending school that day. This test in NO WAY is reported to colleges or universities and does not impact admission decisions.
- AP test registration will occur from February 4-13. Students in Advanced Placement classes can sign up to take the tests in May of this year. Next year, the College Board is requiring that students sign up for tests much earlier, perhaps as early as October. More information will come out regarding this over the summer. For detailed information about registration this year, see below:
- Online registration window (through Total Registration): Monday, February 4 (at 6:00 am) through Wednesday, February 13 (at 11:59 pm) (after this date, you must register in the student support office, and you will be assessed a late fee).
- Late Registration begins: Thursday, February 14 ($55 late registration fee applies)
- Registration Website: www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/502112
- This year’s AP Exam fee is: $98 per exam (there is a late registration fee of $55 for anyone who registers after February 14)
- MOST AP Exams will be taken in Room 209/210 of the PE Building* (please note the location of testing listed by the exam--other possible spots include the upper gym and the Arena (also in the PE building)). Students will not leave campus for testing. Exam times are not flexible, so students may miss class to take an exam. Students are responsible for coordinating any missed work with appropriate teachers. (*except Studio Art, which will take place in the art room.)
- Talk to your teachers regarding exam selection: They can help you choose what exams are best for you.
- Visit https://student.collegeboard.org/: helpful information for exam content and format. Please note that afternoon exams may run beyond the normal 3:19 p.m. dismissal time, and other arrangements for after school athletics may need to be made.
- Students with afternoon exams will be excused from their 4th hour class to have more time for lunch. If students are taking two exams in one day, they should bring a bag lunch to eat during the brief break.
Scheduling meetings will begin occurring in January, where counselors will meet with students to discuss course options for next year. Just like last year, students will register online during a specified window of time. Students should discuss course selections with their parents/guardians.
Wellness
Spearheaded by the student REDgen group at SHS, Shorewood High School had its second RECESS! Research shows that adolescents need time to unwind and alleviate stress. This "free period" gave students the time to do just that. It was a resounding success! See the flyer below for more information regarding what occurred on Thursday, December 13:
To learn more about REDgen and its work fostering teen resiliency and balance, check out their website.
In addition, if students feel they need additional support, they should check out free teen wellness circles beginning in January. See the flyer below:
In addition, Pam Miller continues to run "Monday Night Mindfulness for Teens and Young Adults." Please check out the flyer below for more details:
Counselors also have been spending the fall attending trainings on trauma informed care and brief interventions. These trainings help counselors stay up-to-date, learning valuable techniques to effectively attend to students' needs.
If you are interested in learning more about one of the more serious concerns that counselors contend with, feel free to check out this article from the Washington Post concerning the rising rates of anxiety. The article stresses the need to encourage teens to reduce screen time and utilize social media in moderation.
Here is the article.
Communication:
Finally, it is important that parents and guardians understand how we, the counselors, communicate information to students. Below are just some of our methods:
- We utilize a bulletin board outside of our office for announcements, job postings, college visits, and scholarship information.
- We use loudspeaker announcements to convey important meetings, announce college visits, and discuss upcoming opportunities.
- We mass email parents/guardians when needed, particularly concerning testing.
- We send information to the parent bulletin.
- We utilize an application titled "Remind" to text students about upcoming opportunities (those who have opted in).
- We use Instagram to update students with important events and inspiration.
- College visits are also posted within Naviance Student.
Here is our wonderful bulletin board, as an example of some of our communication methods:
To conclude, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out directly to your child's counselor. We are more than happy to help in whatever fashion we can.
Molly Norris-A-G (anorris@shorewood.k12.wi.us) 414-961-3177
Scott Brown-H-O (sbrown@shorewood.k12.wi.us) 414-961-3176
Jennifer Hoffman-P-Z (jhoffman@shorewood.k12.wi.us) 414-961-3179
We wish all families a happy and restful break! Enjoy a little wisdom from our daily quote board outside of our office:
