Welcome Bulldog

Parents!

The Role of the High School CounselorIf you should have questions or need assistance after this

presentation, please contact your student’s counselor.

Counselors are available for appointments.

Call 708-499-2550 ext.5752

Counseling Department708-499-2550

Ext. 5750

Counselors Social Workers

Jeff Moreland (A-G)

Sheryl Marek(H-O)

Olivia Consola (P-Z)

School Psychologist

Katherine Kain

*Please fill out a form to see your counselor before school, during lunch, or after school.

A Sheri ReiplingerB-Dea Nancy Goesel

Deb-Hua Melanie BenesHub-L Nick Matkovich

M-Per*(ELL) Yolanda RatliffPes-Sol Jane TurnerSom-Z Meaghan

O’SheaCareer/Intervention Counselor

Vanessa NuzzoStudent Coordinator

Nicole Saunoris

Student Support Services

708-499-2550ext. 5751

3 Domains

Academic

Post-Secondary

Social/

Emotional

How to best use your high school counselor

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?”

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 methat will help me get into this college or get this job?”

Counseling throughout 4 yearsCommunication of

Graduation requirementsCourse selection optionsThe significance of GPA

Goal setting and 4 year plans

Information concerning academic resources

Encourage extracurricular participation

Multi-level Advisory Programs coveringStudy SkillsOrganizational SkillsTime managementCollege/Career PlanningUnderstanding 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

Student Role Throughout 4 Yearso Be early, be organized, be responsible, be prepared

o Take care of physical and mental health: helps deal with stress

o Be actively involved in your Freshman Advisory workrooms

o Family first, schoolwork next, all others as time allows: have a good balance

o Get involved: join a club or sport

o Seek out resources (don’t wait until it is too late!)o Academic tutoringo Skywardo Counseling supporto Re-takeso Test Prepo 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

Parent Roles Throughout 4 YearsKeep 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 mediumsPhoneEmail

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

Preparing for Life After HS:

student-centered process

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)

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)

Timeline Overview

Freshman: Successful transition and beginning exploration

Sophomore Year: Exploration Phase

Junior Year: Planning & Refinement Phase

Senior Year: Execution Phase

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

www.asvabprogram.comwww.collegeboard.orgwww.nationalmerit.orgwww.act.orgwww.actstudent.orgwww.kahnacademy.org/test-prep

Grade 9 Grade10 Grade 11 Grade 12

PSAT 8/9 ASVAB

PSAT

ASVAB

PSAT/NMSQT

SAT/ACT for college admissions

ASVAB (Scholarships)

SAT/ACT (re-take if desired)

College placement testing (varies per

college)

Testing

Calendar Highlights

September/October: All: attend College/Career fairs

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 6: help sessions for apps and FAFSA

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

Calendar Highlights, continued

January:

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

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

Calendar Highlights, continued

March/April:

Sophomores: Career Day! add to resume; plan summer campus visits

Juniors: SAT in school April 5th

Seniors: No senioritis! Keep working hard! Bring in college acceptance letters

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

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.

Breakout sessions

Freshman Advisory: Mrs. Benes

Sophomore Advisory: Ms. Reiplinger

Junior Test Prep/College Search: Mrs. O’Shea

Senior College Applications/Financial Aid: Mr. Matkovich

Factors to consider

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

Confusing websites?

Look for or search these

terms:Admissions

Future students

Prospective students

Incoming freshmen

Transfer students

Undergraduate Programs

Academics

Programs of Study

To go away or not to go

away…….

Career choice – educational requirements

Undecided major

Cost

Maturity/Responsibility

Tools

Career Cruising

Portfolio saves info

Career exploration

College searches by factors

Learning Styles inventory

Course Planner

Employment information including resumes

ABS Counseling webpages

Links – Life During HS and Life After HS

Paperwork

Scholarships

College visits on campus

Summer opportunities

More Tools – College Cost

Calculatorshttp://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/

Thank you for your

attention

Please feel free to contact us in the Counseling Office with

any questions. Counselors are available for college and

career planning appointments.