Fall 2020 Musings

 Welcome to the 2020-21 School Year

What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been (and will be)

As the 2020-21 school year begins, those lyrics from the Grateful Dead seem more apt than ever.  As we begin the school year, students and families are continuing to navigate the virtual learning environment, balancing work, school, and family.  Needless to say, it is an anxious time in our world and our lives, with the virus, social unrest, an election year, and simple daily struggles bombarding us in what can feel like an endless negative cycle.  

Despite all of that, the Shorewood High School community remains strong and supportive.  The school counselors know this year will have its ups and downs, but we are always here to help, to listen, to advise, to advocate for, and to support equity and racial justice.  Please reach out with any questions or concerns.  

We know everyone is getting inundated with information, so I will try to keep this short (not a strong suit for me).  On to the bullet points!

First, here are the counselors at textbook pick up, donning our masks and ready to start the school year!  You can't tell, but I am smiling.  

And soon to debut on our website, our bitmoji selves!  Students will be able to click on various images to get information about a variety of topics.  I think we look rather good, don't you?

Speaking of our website, we have TONS of important information, including information about mental health, college and careers, and course planning, to name only a few resources.  We also created videos last year of all of our major career lessons, so check those out!

https://sites.google.com/shorewood.k12.wi.us/shsgreyhounds-sss/hello-there

Nuts and Bolts

Contact:  the best way to contact counselors will be via email.  We will be working from home some days and on campus other days, utilizing a flex schedule to best meet the needs of families and students.  If you would like to set up a virtual or in-person meeting, please email your child's counselor first.  Do not drop-in, as the school cannot accommodate drop-ins at this time.

Molly Norris (anorris@shorewood.k12.wi.us) last names A-G

Scott Brown (sbrown@shorewood.k12.wi.us) last names H-O

Jennifer Hoffman (jhoffman@shorewood.k12.wi.us) last names P-Z

As the situation changes, we will be sure to keep people informed.  

Academics

Add Class Deadline: Sept. 15

Drop Class Deadline: Sept. 25*

*changing classes is more difficult this year, due to the need to balance classes by alpha if we move to a hybrid model.  Schedule change requests cannot be guaranteed.  All students will need to have a parent/guardian email the counselor approving of any changes.  

Early College Credit Program Application Deadlines: Oct. 1 (for Spring classes; open to juniors and seniors)

We will still be virtually presenting academic and career lessons to all grades in Integrated Health and Social Studies in the fall and spring (hopefully in person).

To see our lessons by video, check out this link:

Grade Level Counseling Lessons

Check out some virtual learning tips!

College and Career

Naviance lessons are linked above in Grade Level Counseling Lessons.  

Juniors and Seniors need to use Naviance to research colleges and careers, send transcripts, and request letters of recommendation.

Website:

https://student.naviance.com/shorewood

Login: email (without the @shorewood.k12.wi.us)

Password: if you didn't reset it last year, you might need to email your counselor; ideally, create a password that is your IC password with your initials in all caps.

College Application Process

• Create a realistic list of 5-8 colleges you want to apply to
• Research admissions requirements and note them
• Apply on the web--pay application fee (Common Application or another method; if common application, waive your right to see your letters of rec.).  Get your essay looked at by others.
• Submit transcripts and letters of recommendation (one week before the deadline): https://sites.google.com/shorewood.k12.wi.us/shsgreyhounds-sss/senior-transcripts
• Send in test scores if required from act.org or another source

College Workshop Video: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UQ_iSJVIyVcKuAFV4kPeUPNNk32iA4vA/view

College Workshop Slides:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1mTZ1hqFm91Bq0iY8Iax1_MEvx4K8edEXz-A30CGVK3E/edit#slide=id.p

Important Deadlines 

• Oct 1: FAFSA opens; do this early to get financial aid
• Nov 1: typical early action (non-binding) and early decision (binding; one school) deadlines
• Dec 1: another common application deadline
• Jan 1-Feb 1: typical regular decision deadlines

Odds and Ends

College Fairs:

NACAC (lots of colleges from throughout the nation): https://www.nacacfairs.org/virtual/

Wisconsin Education Fairs (lots of Regional colleges in the Midwest, with some exceptions): https://www.wefs.org/students/

HBCU Virtual College Fair: https://www.destinationhbcu.org/virtual-college-fair.html

Rep Visits: virtual visits will still occur; log-in to Naviance to see the list and register.  Check on the Naviance website 15 minutes prior to the meeting to get the Zoom link.

The list is also on our website:

Financial Aid Night:

October 12 at WFB High School (this will likely shift to a virtual event, but as of now, this is what we know):

Social and Emotional Support

Lots of great resources on our website:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12-noEdS6NnGT8dLVMxcE7v_KDVHL1T-wpymSu7CVKaU/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lGsXV2hoIPbcbvocmMt_sQIjr-GYfIra-f5T1YVBjws/edit

Our connection with Children's Wisconsin still exists, and trained therapists can meet with your child either in person or virtually.  Talk to you child's school counselor for more information.

Testing

PSAT

Attention junior families. Shorewood High School will be administering the PSAT-National Merit Qualifying Test to any interested juniors during late testing. The PSAT will not be administered at Shorewood High School in October as it normally would. Instead, we will be using the late testing option on January 26th, 2021. Additional information and registration instructions will be sent at a later date.

AP Testing

The following letter will be sent to parents/guardians and students in the first few weeks of class.

As of now, the College Board is saying they intend to administer paper and pencil tests like they did in the past.  If things change, we will let you know.  

Key points:

• Cost: $95 per test
• New this year: fees assigned in IC in October; must be paid by Nov. 2 for tests to be ordered
• Sign up for test in your AP classroom
• No cancellation fees (full refund issued) this year only.  $40 late fee (per test) after Nov. 2
• Once signed up, you can only cancel by emailing Mr. Brown (sbrown@shorewood.k12.wi.us)

Full letter:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EgwGSv4CdAucSepr-8-y2uekBjoMfezjdL10CB4UvOM/edit

A preview of the letter:

ACT Testing

Many colleges have gone test optional, but if you still want to take a Saturday test, check out act.org to see what is available.  Many sites are limited.  

The state test, as of now, will be administered in the spring, either virtually or in person.

ACT WORKSHOPS:

with Fred Silver (414-704-0089), presented virtually.  Call the recreation departments at various schools to sign up:

 

Nicolet (414-351-7566) Mondays – 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23
 
Whitefish Bay (414-963-3947) Tuesdays - 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/13, 10/20, 11/3, 11/10.
 
Mequon (262-238-7535) Wednesdays - 9/16, 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4
 
Shorewood (414-963-6913) Thursdays - 9/17, 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, 10/15, 10/29, 11/5, 11/12

If you've made it this far...time for some fun!

Two Truths, One Lie...Counselor Edition.  Guess the lie!  

Ms. Norris:

1.  Played Division 1 soccer

2.  Met Tom Petty 

3.  Has a dog named Beyonce

Mr. Brown

1.  Has climbed eight 14,000 foot peaks

2.  Got bit by a fish while snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef

3.  Has two cats named after Harry Potter characters

Ms. Hoffman

1.  Got married this summer

2.  Cat's name is Beatrice

3.  Dog's name is Raymond

Answers will be revealed in a later email!

Finally, we sincerely hope you are well.  Do not hesitate to reach out.

Oh, and so much for short!  Someone needs to help me with this:)