Counselor Newsletter
COUNSELOR NEWSLETTER
September, 2010
WELCOME BACK!
Welcome to the 2010-2011 Academic Year!
The counseling staff is excited for a great year and is ready to assist and advise students to have a fantasic year. The members of the counseling staff are as follows, coupled with the students they serve and their direct phone numbers:
| Counselor | Students Served | Phone Number | |
| Doug Bodeen | A-DAV | 743-8824 | dbodeen@molineschools.org |
| Joan Olson | DAW-HOF | 743-8822 | jolson@molineschools.org |
| Matt Woods | HOG-MOP | 743-8827 | mmwoods@molineschools.org |
| Allison Ryser; *Dept Chair | MOQ-SCH | 743-8827 | aryser@molineschools.org
|
| Trista Sanders | SCI-Z | 743-8823 | tsanders@molineschools.org |
ACADEMY TEAM NIGHT
The class of 2014 and their parents were invited to the Academy Team Night, which was held on Monday evening, August 16. The evening started out with the freshmen picking up their schedules from their counselor and being informed which “team” they were on. They then proceeded to a “standing room only” auditorium for a power point presentation which was a Welcome to Moline High School, Class of 2014! Following the presentation, all five freshman teams met in different locations and the parents and students had the opportunity to meet their “team teachers” and get a short synopsis of what was expected of their child for the school year, how to get in contact with the team throughout the year, and the reassurance that their son/daughter would be carefully taken care of.
The next day, Tuesday, August 17, was a half day for freshmen only. Having the “freshmen only” was developed in accordance with the Freshman Academy incorporating our Link Crew as leaders throughout the morning. The freshmen started the day off in the East gym with what resembled a pep rally and they then met their Link Crew leaders who took them through a series of activities before embarking on a “mini” first day of school schedule. The day also included a trip to the cafeteria to learn the “ropes” of the many lunch lines, and concluded with each freshman receiving a maroon and white t-shirt to promote school spirit. All in all, the Academy Team Night and the Freshmen First Day of School continue to be huge successes and a great way to start out the 2010-2011 school year.
WELCOME WAGON
On Friday, August 27, counselors met with new students to the district that were not classified as freshmen or “re-enter” students during period 2 in the cafeteria. After checking with their period 2 teacher, signing in, being treated to donuts, milk, and juice, the period started off with the students participating in an “ice breaker” activity. A power point presentation that was very similar to the one presented at the Freshman Academy Night was given with counselors introducing themselves throughout and elaborating on their specific duties. This was very beneficial in the sense that it went over policies, places of interest in the building, and introduced some “key” people. We also discussed the role of the counselor, answered questions they have encountered during their first week, stressing the importance of having their ID and planner with them at all times, and giving dates of upcoming events such as Homecoming, testing, progress reports, and conferences.
SENIOR ASSEMBLY
The seniors will have their first of two senior class meetings during their advisory period on Wednesday, September 8. Sitting with their advisory class, Seniors will view a PowerPoint that will highlight a variety of important topics pertinent to students' senior year and preparing for post-secondary endeavors. Other topics that will be presented are how to request your transcript, College Night, the panoramic picture, and cap and gown order information.
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITIES’ ARTICULATION CONFERENCES
On Monday, September 13, some counselors will travel to Illinois State University and on Friday, September 17, others will travel to Western Illinois University to attend the State Universities’ Articulation Conferences.
At these conferences, a representative from each Illinois state college gives an update on any changes in overall admission requirements, new programs on campus, building construction, etc. Usually the uniform message conveyed is start getting those college applications in NOW! Although many schools are leaning towards online applications to streamline the application process, information in the form of college applications, college catalogs and view books are still available in the Counseling Center.
It is very important that your son/daughter gets busy on these applications immediately. We all know that teenagers are the biggest procrastinators; however, it is their responsibility to get those applications done, not yours. This is another way of developing their maturity and getting them started down their path after leaving high school.
SENIOR PANORAMIC PICTURE
On Tuesday, September 14, the seniors will report to the grassy area outside of the West gym at 9:00 a.m. for their Senior Panoramic Picture. Envelopes for this picture will be distributed during their Senior Assembly. If you did not get a picture packet, they can be picked up in the Counseling Center. Payment is due at the time of the picture.
Mike Roberts from Herff-Jones will be in attendance and will be handing out important information packets concerning cap and gown ordering. He and his staff will return to the high school on Friday, October 1, to collect the cap and gown, graduation announcements, etc. orders.
OCTOBER 23 ACT REGISTRATION DEADLINE
If you are planning on taking or re-taking the ACT test on October 24, the registration deadline is Friday, September 17. All applications need to be postmarked by midnight on that date. Cost of the test is $32, which includes your score report, a report for your high school, and your choice of four colleges to which you want your scores sent. If you miss that deadline, a late deadline will go into effect and that due date is October 2. However, the cost of the test if registered late, is the $32 fee in addition to a late fee of $21, which brings the cost of the test to $53.
If you are interested in taking the writing portion of the ACT, the fee for that is $15 in addition to the basic $32 test fee. ACT requests that you register online at www.act.org; however, if you do not have computer access, paper applications are available in the Counseling Center.
PSAT/NMSQT SIGN-UP
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is not a college entrance exam, but measures the verbal, math, and writing skills that students have developed over the course of their education that are important for college. Usually, students take the PSAT in their junior year. Juniors with high scores may qualify for scholarship recognition and for enrichment programs that use the PSAT results such as the National Merit Scholarship Program.
The test will be given at Moline High School on Saturday, October 16. Priority registration for Juniors is Sept. 8-16 and sophomores and juniors can register for remaining spots Sept. 20-24. The fee is $20 Test is for top-ranked students and is the only qualifier for juniors for National Merit Scholarship.Space is limited so interested students are encouraged to sign up early--slots will be filled on a first-come, first serve basis. Those taking the test should plan on arriving by 7:45 a.m. with a photo ID, two #2 pencils, and an appropriate calculator.
CONSUMER EDUCATION PROFICIENCY TEST
The state of Illinois requires students to take a one-semester course in Consumer Education. In prior years, the Consumer Education Proficiency Test was offered to Illinois students as a means of testing out of this requirement. This test is no longer offered beginning this year. All students must take a course in Consumer Education, which they usually take their junior year.
COLLEGE NIGHT
On Thursday, September 23, Black Hawk College will host its 38th annual College Night from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the upper gym in Building 3 on the Moline campus.
Representatives from more than 80 colleges and universities are expected to attend this free event. High school juniors and seniors along with their parents are encouraged to attend to speak with college and university officials about admission requirements, majors offered, and housing. Financial institutions will also be in attendance to share information on student loans, checking and savings accounts, and credit and debit cards.
*BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR TEEN’S
ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP POSSIBILITIES
Many students focus most of their high school time trying to earn an athletic scholarship. They play on club teams as well as their high school team. They go to special camps.
Then the reality sets in—they aren’t going to get a scholarship. Or, if they do, it won’t be worth as much as they had hoped.
The New York Times looked at the reality of sports scholarships. They found that most high school athletes will not earn a college scholarship. Even if they do, they may receive only part of their total college costs.
So even if your teen is a talented athlete, here are some facts to remember:
Most students will not go to college on their athletic ability. For instance, there are more than 330,000 male soccer players competing for about 2,300 scholarships. Of the 450,000 girls playing basketball, just 6,200 will win scholarships.
Even a talented athlete can’t go to a Division I school without good grades in challenging courses. Your teen should not replace algebra on the schedule with a weight lifting course!
Your teen’s coach can give you a good idea of whether your teen might earn a scholarship.
There are many good reasons to play high school sports. Athletes learn teamwork and discipline. They learn to set and achieve goals. Help your teen focus on these benefits and not on the hope of a scholarship that may never come.
*USE HOMEWORK TO BUILD
RESPONSIBILITY
Do you sometimes feel like there’s nothing you can do when it comes to helping your teen with his homework? One way you can help is to encourage him to create a homework routine.
A homework routine—if he sticks to it—will help him learn to manage his time. It also forces him to take responsibility for his own learning, since you’re not going to be walking by every five minutes to make sure he’s getting it done.
To have a successful homework routine, your teen should:
Choose a time for homework. Doing homework at the same time every day helps your teen’s brain get used to focusing at that time. Let your teen find the time that works best for him.
Find a place for homework. It should be well-lit and free from distractions. Your teen should also make sure he has all of his supplies nearby so he isn’t constantly getting up to go find a calculator or an eraser.
Get organized. He should have a system for keeping track of his assignments. He should also have a calendar where he can track his long-term assignments and projects.
Tackle the toughest assignment first. Doing his hardest homework while his brain is freshest will help him get through it.
*ASK YOUR TEEN TO BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR
PUTTING LIMITS ON SCREEN TIME
Between TV, computers and video games, teens spend an average of six hours and 32 minutes per day staring at a screen of some sort. This is far above the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation of less than two hours per day of entertainment media.
It’s nearly impossible for today’s teens to eliminate screen time from their days. But they can learn to monitor their screen time responsibly. Here’s how:
Encourage your teen to spend one week writing down the amount of time she spends each day on the computer, playing video games or watching TV.
Challenge her to reduce her screen time the following week.
Suggest alternatives to the screen, like reading or exercising. As she learns to take more responsibility for her time, your teen may be surprised at how much she can accomplish in a day!
*ANSWER YOUR TEEN’S REQUESTS
TO MISS
SCHOOL WITH A FIRM ‘NO’
Sooner or later, nearly every teen is going to stumble out of bed in the morning and whine. “Do I have to go to school?” Your answer can be short and simple: Yes. Here’s why—students who miss school:
Earn lower grades than those who attend regularly. Learning builds on previous learning. A student who misses one day of math may not learn the foundation skills needed for the next several days in class.
Are more likely to get into trouble. What else are teens going to do if they’re not in school? They’re more likely to use drugs or alcohol. They’re more likely to get in trouble with the law and even to get pregnant.
Develop bad habits that may carry over to their adult life. Hardly any jobs allow people to show up when they feel like it. Instead, life is filled with things people have to do whether they want to or not. Teens who get to the habit of skipping school are less successful in adult life.
*Reprinted with permission from the Parent Institute.
IMPORTANT SEPTEMBER DATES
6 -- Labor Day—No school
8 -- Senior Assembly (Part 1—auditorium during advisory)
11 -- ACT (Classrooms on 3rd floor B wing, 7:30 a.m.-12:00)
14 -- Senior Panoramic Picture—9:00 a.m. outside West gym
15 -- Early Dismissal at 11:10
17-- Deadline to register for October 24 ACT test
23 -- Black Hawk College Night (6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Building 3)
24 -- Student Food Drive Kickoff