Welcome Cardinal Parents!

1. Welcome Cardinal Parents! The Role of the High School Counselor If you should have questions or need assistance after this presentation, please contact your student’s counselor. Counselors are available for appointments. Call 708-597-6300 ext. 4750

2. Student Support Services708-597-6300 ext. 4750 Counseling Department708-597-6300ext. 4750 • Social Workers Mrs. Hurley Mrs. Miller-Peters Ms. Davis Mrs. Maravillas • School Psychologists Ms. Burt Dr. Ceja • Speech Therapists Mrs. Clark • Counselors A - Ca Mrs. Sekula Ce - F Mr. Foertsch G - J Mrs. Konzelman K - MiMr. Ugel Mj - Rn Mrs. Foley RO – U & ELL Mrs. Chavez V - Z Mr. Reedy Careers Mrs. Farnan Admin. Asst. Mrs. Louthan

3. 3 Domains

4. How Can Students See Their Counselors? Walk-ins: Before 1st period, during lunch, after school With a pass from a teacher: workrooms or when needed Counselor not in? Fill out a request Email Students are assigned to counselors by first letter of last name. Check your school’s Counseling webpage for up-to-date phone and email contact information

5. How to best use your High School Counselor Day to day issues (Life During HS) • Social/Emotional Counseling “It’s been a bad day and I need to talk!” • Academic Advising “What can I do to improve my grade?” • Credit Evaluations “How many credits do I need to graduate?” • Group Counseling “Am I the only one going through this problem? I need support.” • Community Counseling Referrals “I’d rather talk to someone outside of school about my problems. Who can I go to?” Post-Secondary Planning (Life After HS) • Course Selection “What classes do I need to take to get into college?” • Career Exploration “What do I need to do to get my dream job?” • College Selection & Application “What is the best college for me?” • Scholarships “How can I get some help paying for college?” • Letters of Recommendation “Will you please write some things about me that will help me get into this college or get this job?”

6. Counseling throughout 4 years • Communication of • Graduation requirements • Course selection options • The significance of GPA • Goal setting and 4 yr plans • Information concerning academic resources • Encourage extracurricular participation • Multi-level Advisory Programs covering • Study Skills • Organizational Skills • Time management • College/Career Planning • Understanding of a student transcript • College and career awareness activities • Information about standardized testing and goal-setting • Navigating through post-secondary and financial aid process • Social/Emotional Support

7. Student Role Throughout 4 Years • Be early, be organized, be responsible, be prepared • Take care of physical and mental health: helps deal with stress • Be actively involved in your Freshman Advisory workrooms • Family first, schoolwork next, all others as time allows: have a good balance • Get involved: join a club or sport • Seek out resources (don’t wait until it is too late!) • Academic tutoring • Skyward • Counseling support • Re-takes • Test Prep • Career planning tools • Know and understand graduation requirements • 4 Year planning; take course selection seriously • Career Exploration: interviewing, gathering information, choosing classes that connect to goals, job shadowing • Research financial aid, scholarship and post-secondary opportunities • Research post-secondary schools, visit campuses

8. Parent Roles Throughout 4 Years • Keep family lines of communication open • Set boundaries, follow through • Ask questions • Utilize Skyward with student regularly • Monitor/train/model organization and time management skills • Encourage extracurricular involvement • Help student identify strengths/weaknesses and how they relate to course selection and future career options • Share information about your career path; paths of family or friends • Engaging viable communication mediums • Phone • Email • Participation in parent-focused activities • College campus visits (ie while on vacation, long weekend, family out of town visit); bring a friend • Attend college/career fairs

9. Preparing for Life After HS: student-centered process Student • Attitude • Learn and practice skills to build independence • Collect and organize information • Use resources to research • Practice good phone etiquette; compile questions beforehand • Narrow down options • Abide by timelines and meet deadlines (Sr. Year) Parent • Patience, boundaries • Guidance – set timeline and stick to it • Modeling – organization of materials, questions to schools on the phone, train for independence • Transportation for college visits/open house events – invite friend(s) • Assist in narrowing options and finding the best fit academically, socially and financially • Follow through with financial aid paperwork by March 1st (Sr. Year)

10. Timeline Overview • Freshman: Successful transition and beginning exploration • Sophomore Year: Exploration Phase • Junior Year: Planning & Refinement Phase • Senior Year: Execution Phase

11. Why start exploring early? • Junior year – high stress to prepare for ACT; most challenging year • Senior year – application deadlines as early as September; busy with activities, job, social life, other responsibilities • Don’t be rushed to make such an important decision • Senior exit survey indicated wish to start the process sooner • Knowledge of admission requirements motivates students to be more conscious of grades, set higher goals

12. Testing www.asvabprogram.com/ www.collegeboard.org/ www.nationalmerit.org/ www.act.org www.actstudent.org www.kahnacademy.org/test-prep

13. When it comes to the college search, parents and students are the consumers. Gather as much information as possible to help make the best decision and find the right fit. The right fit may not always be a traditional college but some educational training beyond high school can result in some great career opportunities. The military also offers career training options in a number of areas.

14. Factors to consider when searching for a college: • Career Choice: 2-year or 4-year program? • Cost: public vs. private • Major offered • Location • Size • Admission Requirements: GPA, ACT, etc • Extracurricular activities – clubs, sports, Greek life • Opportunities for internships or jobs (on or off campus) • Cost: public vs. private

15. To go away or not to go away……. • Career choice – educational requirements • Undecided major • Cost • Maturity/Responsibility

16. Tools Naviance DDE Counseling webpage & Skyward Message Center Under Student Services College visits on campus More info to come……. Paperwork Scholarships Summer opportunities • Portfolio saves info • Career exploration • College searches by factors • Learning Styles inventory • Course Planner • Employment information including resumes

17. More Tools – College Cost Calculators • http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/add-it-up/401.html • http://www.myfinancialfit.com/ • https://www.noellevitz.com/student-recruitment-and-financial-aid/recruitment-technologies/net-price-calculator-truecost-calculator • http://www.managingcollegecost.com/

18. Thank you for your attending tonight!Please feel free to contact us in the Counseling Office with any questions.