Welcome Astro Parents!

1. Welcome Astro 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 708-371-1111 ext. 3751

2. Counseling Department708-371-1111 ext. 3751 Counselors A- CoaMrs. Alderden Lead MTSS/504 Plan Counselor Cob-Gh& ELL Mr. Shama Lead ELL Counselor Gia - KhMrs. McCormick Lead College Counselor Ki - Maj Mrs. Pappas Counseling Dept. Facilitator Mak-Pes Ms. Gray Lead Freshman Advisory Counselor Pet-SlMr. Benes Lead Special Education Counselor Sm-Z Mrs. O’Brien Lead Career Counselor Interventions Mrs. Sekula Counseling Intervention Assistant Careers Mrs. Bennett Part-time Career Facilitator

3. Student Support Services708-371-1111 ext. 3750 Social Workers Mrs. DeFosset Ms. Gaddis Mrs. Hurley School Psychologists Mrs. Lyday Ms. Lyons Mrs. Masek Speech Therapists Mrs. Larisey/Ms. Firnbach Ms. Rago

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 (but not during class and NEVER for an emergency!!) Students are assigned to counselors by first letter of last name or to a specific lead counselor if part of a specific group Check your school’s Counseling webpage for up-to-date phone and email contact information

5. 3 Domains

6. 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?”

7. Shepard Counseling Webpage http://shepard.chsd218.org/

8. Counseling throughout 4 years • Communication of • Graduation requirements • Course selection options • The significance of GPA • Goal setting and 4 yrplans • 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Is your student College Ready? Our students are MORE than just a TEST SCORE! College Success Indicators GPA 2.8 out of 4.0 AND one or more of the following: • Advanced Placement Exam (3+) • Advanced Placement Course (A, B or C) • Algebra 2 (A, B or C) • SAT Reading & Writing: 480 Math: 530 • ACT English: 18, Reading: 22, Science: 23, Math: 22 • College Readiness Placement Assessment (determined by the institution) • Additional Factors that contribute to college success: Earning As, Bs, Cs; FAFSA completion, enrollment in career pathway course sequence, college academic advising, participation in college bound bridge programs, senior year math class, completion of a math class after Algebra II

12. Is your student Career Ready? • Career Cluster/Interest has been identified PLUS two or more of the following benchmarks: • 90% Attendance • 25 hours of Community Service • Workplace Learning Experience • Industry Credential • Dual Credit Career Pathway Course • Two or more organized Co-Curricular Activities www.RedefiningReady.org

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

14. 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)

15. Why start exploring early? • Junior year – high stress to prepare for SAT/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

16. Testing www.asvabprogram.com/ www.collegeboard.org/ www.nationalmerit.org/ www.act.org www.actstudent.org https://www.khanacademy.org/sat

17. Calendar Highlights September/October: November: Freshmen: Intro to Career Clusters & 4 year plans; what are Final exams? Sophomores: Narrow Career Clusters of interest Freshmen/Sophomores: Class/Career Connections Fair Juniors: Career Cruising college research Freshmen – Juniors: Course Selection preview during Career Cruising (& Freshman Advisory) Seniors: Bring in acceptance letters; Career Cruising Scholarship Search; Universal Scholarship application • All: attend College/Career fairs; Digital Citizenship presentation • Freshmen: successful transition to high school; health class lessons on depression awareness; intro to Career Cruising • Sophomores: add to resume; prepare for PSAT • Juniors: prepare and take PSAT • Interested Sophs – Seniors: take ASVAB; sign up for career field trips • Juniors/Seniors: Meet with college reps visiting campus; add to resume • Seniors: narrow down colleges and apply early! Complete FAFSA after Oct 1; Oct 4&11: help sessions for apps and FAFSA

18. Calendar Highlights, continued January: February: Freshmen:health class lessons on depression awareness Juniors: Continue ACT/SAT prep; deadline to register for April ACT Seniors: Bring in acceptance letters; keep searching scholarships; look for financial aid notifications • Freshmen – Juniors: Course Selection / Finalize courses with counselor • Sophomores: add to resume; prepare for PSAT • Juniors: Prep course for SAT/ACT if needed; Job Shadow Day • Seniors: No senioritis! Keep working hard! Bring in college acceptance letters

19. Calendar Highlights, continued March/April: May: Freshmen: Final Career Cruising session, create resume Sophomores – Seniors: AP Testing Juniors: Plan summer campus visits Seniors: May 1st is decision day; notify schools that you were accepted to but are not attending • Sophomores: Career Day! add to resume; plan summer campus visits • Juniors:SAT in school April 10th • Seniors: No senioritis! Keep working hard! Bring in college acceptance letters

20. Tools Overgrad ABS Counseling webpages Under Student Services College visits on campus Paperwork Scholarships Summer opportunities • Portfolio saves info • Career exploration • College searches by factors • Learning Styles inventory • Course Planner • Employment information including resumes Career Cruising • Portfolio saves info • Similar features to Career Cruising • College match feature

21. 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.

22. Thank you for your attentionPlease feel free to contact us in the Counseling Office with any questions. Counselors are available for college and career planning appointments.