Take a deep breath, and imagine this year will be better than the ones before it! We are all a little tired of hearing how we are living in historic times, (you know, the global pandemic and all..) but we are HERE and we are taking steps to move forward to creating a new normalcy. 

     I admire your courage in how you are willing to enter this year with an open mind and heart, while still adjusting to the last few semesters. Many of you have endured huge losses in the form of losing loved ones, struggling with your own health issues, feeling lost with online schooling and missing the relationships formed in the school setting. We educators feel that in our soul too, and are here for you!

   How do you want this school year to look and feel like?  What types of learning experiences do you want to create?  What activities do you want to either try or resume that are meaningful to you in meeting your personal goals?  If you imagine it is already May of 2022 and you are reflecting back on this past year, what will you be glad you accomplished?

     Questions like these help you set your "intentions" or goals for the year. If you know what you want to do, you have a better chance of making the day to day decisions that will keep you on track.

     You will have lots of support in this process. School Counselors, as a collective group, are in your school settings to help you succeed academically, emotionally & socially, while helping you plan for your future career success. Let us know how we can help!

     One way you can feel supported in your academic and career planning in high school is to check this website frequently. Updates on college and career opportunities will be posted here and on the other pages, giving you resources to help you plan your goals.


     Welcome back and again, I hope this is your BEST year yet!!
     

Come by to see me or email me at hmcshane@jeffcityschools.org if you are interested in beginning this program in the fall!!  Classes offered on campus at JHS!

Student registration for the Spring 2021 Virtual Probe Tour opened February 15.

Sign up now
Students can receive tour alerts and get information on participating colleges by signing up in advance of tour registration at www.gaprobe.org/college-tour-signup/.

Registration opened February 15
I'll send you a reminder when student registration goes live with the link and a QR code to share with your students.

Students that complete the sign up process above will be notified directly.

The Spring 2021 Virtual Probe Tour will be held Monday evening, March 8, beginning at 5:00 PM EST. Students can choose from sessions offered at 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 7:00 PM EST.

Important Dates!

Current 10th and 11th graders that are currently enrolled in Dual Enrollment:  You may schedule a time to meet with your Counselors to plan courses you intend to take over the summer (6 hours or 2 classes is the max) or for your fall schedule. Your appointment dates are from February 16th-26th and after that it opens up for all new applicants.  Stop by to see Mrs. Coleman to schedule your Counselor appointment.

Rising 10th, 11th & 12th grade students who are new applicants to dual enrollment:  an introductory video will be sent to your class drive. Please view the video and then sign up to attend a Q&A session during your lunch on any date between February 23-25th to be held in the Seminar Room in the Arena. Feel free to bring your lunch and your questions, but make sure you watch the video first!  After you complete these two items, you may schedule an appointment through Mrs. Coleman in Student Services to fill out your paperwork beginning March 1st and ending April 1st.   All paperwork and online items must be completed no later than April 1st to be considered for approval.

Below is a link to relevant article addressing potential trends of the college admissions process and the impact is has on students. I highlighted some points below that I felt were spot on, but I encourage you to read the article in its entirety. Please let me know if you have questions that I might help answer.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/brennanbarnard/2021/01/13/counseling-for-college-admission-in-2021/?sh=6e575306f857

·      Regarding test optional at selective colleges:  “at some colleges, less qualified test-optional applicants will gain admission over students with more competitive coursework but lower GPAs.”
 
·      Regarding access to BIPOC: “I’m more excited about seeing college counselors encouraging high achieving, low-income Black and Brown students to apply to schools they usually wouldn’t have a shot at, as selective colleges stay test-optional/test free.”
 
·      Regarding universal admissions deadlines: He hopes that “a universal college
 application deadline is the next frontier,” saying, “if we can have a consensus statement of intent to register on May 1, why not the same application deadline? Perhaps we can move towards a universal early deadline (somewhere in mid-November to early December) and a universal regular deadline (somewhere between January 15 and Feb. 1), with the hope of identifying one deadline for all.”
 
·      Regarding resiliency: uplifted by “the resiliency of teens, the heightened self-awareness, their experience of having a high school schedule that more closely resembles a typical college schedule.” She adds, “many students have discovered that they are actually going to be okay if they are not involved in everything, or that they are actually okay being alone sometimes. 
 
·      Regarding the role of educators: What is encouraging is that students have thoughtful educators and school counselors who will continue pushing for the positive. We must keep working to level the playing field so that ALL students have equal access to this high-quality support. This will take intentional effort as we launch into 2021 but there can be no greater responsibility to our students.