School Counselor Update

Feeling overwhelmed? Anxious? Nervous? Here are some strategies to try to help you manage your stress.

• Make To do lists- prioritize and check off completed items
• Journal- write down how you are feeling or things you are grateful for
• Exercise- Go for a walk, try yoga
• Try Square breathing- take deep breaths
• Take a break from technology, social media and the news
• Color or make a fun craft
• Ask for help

We plan to have final Semester 2 schedules available on PowerSchool starting December 17th.

Schedule changes will take place the first 2 days of the semester. Changes are only for students who have a hole in their schedule, a class they have already taken or a level change where parent and teacher have discussed and approved.

The Illinois Career Information System is a great tool for college and career exploration. Students can complete interest inventories, search majors, colleges and compare schools.

It's never too early to start researching college and career possibilities.

https://portal.ilcis.intocareers.org/

Choose IL Residents

CIS High School

Search Highland 62249

Counselors will be meeting with students individually to talk about career and college plans and request courses for the 2022-2023 school year. Appointment times will be randomly assigned. If you miss your appointment you need to see your counselor to reschedule. Students will bring home forms that require a parent signature with the due date written on the top. Failure to turn the form in by the due date will force the student's priority number for scheduling to move to the end of their grade level.

Week of Nov. 29th- meetings with Class of 2023

Week of Jan. 10th- meetings with Class of 2024

Week of Jan. 18th- meetings with Class of 2025

Juniors will be taking the SAT with Essay as part of State testing in March. College board accounts can be used for Khan Academy practice and to see and send scores. These accounts are free. See your school counselor if you need help setting one up. http://www.collegeboard.org

It's time to get those College Application and FAFSA- Financial Aid forms submitted.

FAFSA info can be found at www.fafsa.gov

Students must complete their FAFSA online or turn in a signed NonParticipation Form to their School Counselor.

Transcripts will be sent electronically through parchment and can be requested online using this link: https://www.parchment.com/u/registration/10480/account

If you have any problems or questions contact Sarah Wiegman in the HHS Office.

Members of the Class of 2023 just had a presentation by their school counselors. Students should begin to research for life after high school- complete an interest Inventory and start researching college and career opportunities to prepare for life after high school. Students will be meeting with their school counselors to pre-register for senior classes so having an idea about what they want to do after HHS will help lead those course selections.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FM6UQoI2cv6MZRcF76bC4wTtr0hNUxu0J3CMUtxxUG0/edit#slide=id.p

• Final Exams for 9-12 grade students are encouraged, but considered optional in most cases.

• Students are only required to attend class on Dec 20-22 if a Final Exam is taken or make up work is being completed.
  

• Final Exams may be required for certain AP, Dual Credit (SWIC and SLU), Collinsville Vocational, PLTW, and other classes per teacher and course expectations.

• End of term course activities taken prior to or during finals may include cumulative and/or chapter tests, semester reviews, projects, skills assessments, portfolios, writing samples, course summary, reflection activities, etc.

• Students taking an OPTIONAL Final Exam can improve their overall grade, but not lower it

• Grading for Students Taking Final Exams: Qtr. 1 & Qtr. 2 40% each, Final Exam 20%

• Grading for Students Not Taking Final Exams: Qtr. 1 & Qtr. 2 each count 50%

• Students are required to take exams on scheduled days

Counselors do not determine which exams are optional- please contact classroom teachers for clarification. Teacher email addresses can be found at: https://www.highlandcusd5.org/o/highland-high-school/staff

Students interested in taking a National ACT test can sign up and find out information about test dates and locations online at http://actstudent.org/start

Mrs. Amber Spaeth- Student's Last Names: A-G

Mrs. Mary Jackson- Student's Last Names: H-M

Mrs. Carrie Lieberman- Student's Last Names: N-Z

Google classroom join codes:

CLASS OF 2022-lpqojct
CLASS OF 2023-bg6tct6
CLASS OF 2024-odm7j3e

CLASS of 2025- kbh6n4g

Website: https://sites.google.com/highlandcusd5.org/hhs-school-counselors/counselor-info
Location: 12760 Troxler Avenue, Highland, IL, United States
Phone: 618-654-7131