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HPHS COUNSELING
School Year 2022-23: Semester 1 | Quarter 1
WELCOME BACK GIANTS!
This is the first of our counseling newsletters for the 2022-23 school year, which will contain pertinent counseling related information. The newsletters can also be found on the Counseling website. Please take a moment to read through the information below. Best wishes for an outstanding school year!
Letters of Recommendation for Seniors
Complete the student questionnaire -- the information you share will be used to write your recommendation letter.
Encourage a parent or guardian to complete the parent questionnaire.
Complete the Waiver of Access form (en Español)
Schedule your Senior Recommendation Meeting via your counselor's Calendly link (sent through email or found on your Counselor's Schoology page).
REMEMBER: the deadline to request a recommendation letter is 15 school days before your application deadline.
October is Mental Health Awareness Month
Most suicidal youth demonstrate observable behaviors that signal their suicidal thinking. These warning signs include:
Suicidal threats in the form of direct ("I am going to kill myself") and indirect ("I wish I could fall asleep and never wake up again") statements.
Suicide notes and plans (including online postings)
Prior suicidal behavior
Making final arrangements (e.g., making funeral arrangements, writing a will, giving away prized possessions)
Preoccupation with death
Changes in behavior, appearance, thoughts and/or feelings
Extreme withdrawal from friends and family
What can you do to help a friend?
It is important to learn these warning signs and know how to respond to them. Never ignore these signs. The following actions should be taken:
- Remain calm
- Ask the person directly if they are thinking about suicide (e.g., "Are you thinking of suicide?")
- Focus on your concern for their well-being and avoid being accusatory
- Listen
- Reassure them that there is help and they will not feel like this forever
- Get help! See resources below:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-8255 or 988 (call or text)
Español, 888-628-9454
If you have a concern specific to District 113 that is not urgent, please submit a tip through the D113 Tipline through the D113 app, online or at (847) 262-3363 by phone or text and we will follow up.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
The Jason Foundation (for parents)
Crisis Resources (for parents)
Making the Most of High School for Freshmen
In this presentation, we recommended two books. Please consider these wonderful resources:
- Ready or Not by Madeline LeVine, PhD
- The Power of Showing Up by Daniel J. Siegel, MD. & Tina P. Bryson, PhD
Meet the Counseling Team
Mr. Alvarez
224/765-2048
Ms. Busse
224/765-2058
Ms. Ellis
Mr. Getzendanner
Dr. Gilbert
Mr. Hoskin
Ms. Kastner
224/765-2052
Dr. Morrison
224/765-2056
Ms. Pendergast
Ms. Shepard
Ms. Siegel
Ms. Tran
224/765-2049
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
The goal of MTSS is to identify students who would benefit from a relationship that focuses on their strengths and how to use those strengths to improve grades, skills, and engagement in school. The MTSS team works to support students in general academic growth and engagement through a supportive relationship and skill building curriculum.
Drop-in Center: Mental Health Wellness
Are you a perfectionist?
Those who identify themselves as perfectionists tend to have high and unrealistic expectations of not only themselves, but also of others and life. Perfectionists often view mistakes or anything less than excellent as a threat to the extremely high standards they set for themselves. These standards might revolve around academics, extracurriculars, social activity, or appearance. Perfectionism is often rewarded, especially in academia, but typically has a cost, especially when it becomes maladaptive.
What are some signs of perfectionism?
Having unrealistic expectations for yourself and others
Procrastination
Fear of failure
Needing and asking for approval
Being highly critical of yourself and others
What are some consequences of perfectionism?
Low self-esteem/feelings of “not enoughness”
Stress
Chronically pushing yourself to the point of burnout
Anxiety
Avoiding certain situations and/or experiences
What can you do about it?
Find time for enjoyable activities and connecting with those around you. Making time for what you love is just as important as achieving academic success. Traits like perfectionism can cause us to disconnect from the things and people that help us feel whole. Lack of balance = burnout.
Get comfortable making mistakes. You’re only human! Making a mistake does not make you a failure. In fact, mistakes provide us with opportunities to learn and grow.
Ask for help. Sometimes, we make the mistake of assuming that asking for help is a sign of weakness. In reality, it’s an opportunity for self-compassion, self-awareness, and humility.
Develop the skill of radical acceptance. Oftentimes, we encounter circumstances that we cannot change. Radical acceptance is the ability to look at a situation that you do not have the power to change, process that it might not be ideal, and make a conscious choice to work with what is in your control.
Reference: Perfectionism and Self-Love by Tiffany Roe
IMPORTANT DATES
October 11th: PSAT (11th graders)
October 14th: Deadline to pick up a level change form in A221
October 21st: Last day to turn in a completed level change form to the Department Chair
November 3rd: Kickoff to Post-Secondary Planning (11th graders)
December 19th-21st: Summative Exams
Non-attendance days
November 8th: Election day
November 11th: Veterans day
November 23rd-27th: Thanksgiving break
December 23rd-January 8th: Winter break