November Counseling Newsletter

Newsletter

November 2022

In This Issue: 1

Greetings

2 Middle School and High School Information 3 College Counseling Information - Preparing 4 College Counseling Information - Applying

Midterm Exam Dates:

We hope you are having a great experience at Saint Joseph Academy. As school counselors, we are committed to seeing that all students are given the support that they need to grow personally, academically, socially, and spiritually.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we encourage you

to

review

grades

and

make

note

if

better

organization and study habits are needed. The end of the quarter was on October 14, and we want students to finish strong in the fall semester. Remember that tutoring is available Tuesday-Friday from 7:55 to 8:20 am, so make

English, English, Science, Science, Math, Math, Social Social Studies, Studies, Religion, Religion, Modern Modern Languages Languages Friday, Friday, Dec. Dec. 16 16 Mon., Mon., Dec. Dec. 19 19 Tuesday, Tuesday, Dec. Dec. 20 20 Exams Exams for for core core classes classes will will be be one one hour hour long. long. These These will will be be early early dismissal dismissal days. days.

Some Some eexams xams for for non-core non-core classes classes will will be be given given before before these these days days during during regularly regularly scheduled scheduled class class periods, periods, e.g. e.g. Art, Art, Theater, Theater, or or Computer Computer Science.

Science.

a plan with the corresponding teacher.

In October, students in grades 8th-11th took the PSAT; we look forward to reviewing the scores to continue with the process of getting them ready for the SAT/ACT which is used for college admissions.

Positive Peer Leadership Team For two weeks at the end of August, PPLT members welcomed the SJA middle school students by having lunch and playing music as a way of engagement and socialization.

During Red Ribbon Week, PPLT prepared a week of activities and on Thursday, Oct. 27 held a middle school rally as well as rallies at EDS and SMS. Here is an article for parents to be informed if a drug prevention talk

Learn More

is needed https://www.naturalhigh.org/what-to-do-when-you-suspect-your-kids-using-drugs/ On October 31 we had UNITY DAY to help prevent bullying by uniting for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.

SJA SJA Counseling Counseling Department Events

Page Page 11

November 2022

SJA Middle and High School Information 7th and 8th Grade Counseling presentations were given through the Religion classes at the end of August. Students met their school counselor Mrs. Wolfe and learned about the counseling services provided at SJA. In addition, students got to understand the meaning of CHARACTER and engaged in interactive activities that help with self-reflection and self-awareness. In November, the presentations will focus on REFLECTION and GRATITUDE. As we finish the quarter, are you realizing that your child might be having difficulty focusing? This article "Helping kids get organized, focused, and out the door on time" may help.

School Success Kit for Kids With Executive Functioning Issues

11th and 12th Grade

9th and 10th Grade At the beginning of the first quarter, Ms. Martin

During the first quarter, Mrs. Cisneros went into

visited ninth and tenth grade classrooms to

the 11th and 12th grade Religion classes to

introduce herself and to provide an overview of

introduce

school

additional

information for each grade level. Discussions

presentation was offered to freshmen and

with the 12th grade students included the

sophomores to explain the skills tested on the

application process, financial aid, scholarships,

PSAT as well as how to prepare for this

requesting letters of recommendation, and

important

learning more about Cialfo, the platform used to

counseling

services.

assessment.

An

Students

were

introduced to the purpose of a resume as a record

of

high

school

achievements

and

extracurricular activities that would be very useful

in

the

college

application

process.

Upcoming presentations include a discussion of leadership skills for tenth graders and an exploration of personal communication skills for ninth graders. https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/p df/everyday-lead-skills.pdf

herself

and

discuss

pertinent

track all college applications. Students were encouraged to make contact on a weekly basis with their college counselor. With the 11th graders, information was given on the PSAT, the preliminary test for the SAT, which is required by some

colleges/universities.

The

PSAT

students’ knowledge on Reading, Writing, and Math, sills needed to be successful in college.

Interpretation of these scores will be given in mid-January, 2023. Upcoming presentations to both grade levels will focus on Character Education.

SJA High School

test

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November 2022

SJA College Counseling Information

Preparing for College The summer provides an opportunity for students to reenergize and be (get) involved in meaningful activities and connections. Whether it’s an overnight precollege program, a local day camp, or a sleepaway adventure experience, summer programs for teens are a great way to pursue new interests, improve existing skills, and make new friends outside of the classroom.

At SJA we encourage learning outside the classroom. Not only is it a great way to gain exposure, but it also helps a student become more self-aware as to possible career interests. In the process, a student is able to start building a college résumé.

For that reason, we have compiled a list of some summer programs (see link) that might help in deciding what to do after the school year ends.

For older teens, we also recommend searching early on for volunteer, internships, and/or work opportunities preferably that align with career interests and exploration.

SJA 2023 Summer Programs

The College Search!

The best way to know about a college is to take an official campus tour, listen to current students' experiences, and explore clubs/organizations offerings, study abroad opportunities, and most importantly, academic programs. However, in-person visits can be costly, so that is why we highly recommend virtual tours as a great alternative. The College Tour is a free website where families can get admissions information, student perspectives and greater insight on many institutions.

Mrs. Olga Cisneros, M.Ed.

11th and 12th Grade School Counselor

www.thecollegetour.com Ms. Mary Beth Martin, M.Ed.

Mrs. Vilma Wolfe, M.Ed.

9th and 10th Grade School Counselor

7th and 8th Grade School Counselor

and College Counselor

and College Counselor

and Lead College Counselor

ocisneros@sja.us * ext. 354

mbmartin@sja.us * ext. 368

vwolfe@sja.us * ext. 353

SJA Counseling Events

Page 3

November 2022

SJA College Counseling Information

College Applications This year, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University joined the Common Application, so if these are schools of interest, then students have another platform besides the Apply Texas.

Besides the REGULAR DEADLINE, some schools have a PRIORITY, EARLY DECISON OR EARLY ACTION deadlines for November 1. For example, there is a PRIORITY deadline for The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University; other schools may have an EARLY DECISION/ACTION. The latter schools also have a REGULAR deadline for around January 1.

Therefore, it is important that students meet with their college counselor to finalize applications by or before the deadline.

Common Application Apply Texas

Scholarship Applications Securing scholarships is important, so students need to be aware of which available scholarships they may qualify for: Institutional Scholarships Departmental Scholarships Additionally, we have compiled a working list of scholarship programs and search engines (see link) that students may find helpful, but of course, there are many more that exist.

SJA 2023 Scholarship Programs Apply for financial aid using the following options: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - US Citizens and legal permanent residents OPENED OCT. 1 Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TSAFA) - Non-US Citizens who have lived in the US for 36 consecutive months College Scholarship Services (CSS) Profile - Requested by some higher-ed institutions

FAFSA

SJA Counseling Events

TASFA

CSS

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