September 2021

Parents/Guardians are essential partners in promoting positive school attendance. They have the primary responsibility in making sure their children get to school everyday. By setting clear expectations for positive attendance and by monitoring how many times their student is absent, will assist their children in developing key academic and social skills that will make them successful.

School Counselors help all students within the Elementary, Middle, & High School Levels focusing on:

• Applying academic achievement strategies

• Managing emotions and apply interpersonal skills

• Planning for post-secondary options (higher education, military, work force)

The duties of a School Counselor are:

• Individual student academic planning and goal setting

• School counseling classroom lessons based on student success standards

• Collaboration with families/teachers/ administrators/ community for student success

• advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings

• Data analysis to identify student issues, needs and challenges

• Acting as a systems change agent to improve equity and access, achievement and opportunities for all students

Hazelton, Madison, Rio Calaveras received the RAMP Award through the American Association of School Counselors (RAMP) in July of 2021. RAMP is a national recognition awarded to schools who demonstrate an exemplary school counseling program with services that benefit ALL students.

What does caring look like?

• Showing concern for the well-being of others around them.

• Helping others in need

• Treating others with respect and generosity.

Students can display caring as being:

• Kind

• Helpful

• Thoughtful

During this pandemic there has been a concern for our students, families and staff's mental health well being. Remember if you have a loved one or friend who needs additional support have them reach out to your school counselor. If someone you know is in crisis have them reach out to:

Text HELLO to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor

Academic Success Tips:

1. Attend and be prepared for class everyday.
   
2. Get to know your teacher(s), his/her expectations, and go see them. Make an appointment to meet with them.
   
3. Determine your best time of day and schedule it for study time.
   
4. Don’t cram for exams; study everyday.
   
5. Get to know your classmates, join a study group and get involved in student organizations and activities.
   
6. Spend time researching and obtaining resources to help you with writing a research paper, studying, test taking and staying healthy.
   
7. Set goals and write down a plan of action to reach them.
   
8. Keep a daily "to do" list, prioritize and begin completing the most important things first.
   
9. Accept and learn from your mistakes.
   
10. Celebrate and Reward your Success.

Need help with any of these topics see your school counselor and they are willing to assist.

This month school counselors at the high school level are meeting with students and developing their Individualized Learning Plans (ILP's) as well as providing lessons to 9th graders on Guidelines to Success in high school. K-8 school counselors are providing lessons on Attention and Listening, Respecting Similarities and Differences, and being Assertive for academic success.

8 Practical Things Families Can Do at Home to Support Social-Emotional Learning

1. Praise effort instead of ability.
2. Ask questions about your students day.
3. Seek solutions together.
4. Give back to your community.
5. Let them make more decisions.
6. Teach problem-solving strategies.
7. Engage in more family activities.
8. Talk about relationships.

School counselors promote mindsets and behaviors in all grade levels that enhance the learning process and help create a positive school culture for all students in the area of social/emotional development. A school counselor identifies emotional and social skills needs, and encourages positive behavior. School Counselors support students, families and district staff by providing consultation, instruction, and group counseling activities in the area of mental health.

This month school counselors in the K-8 level are delivering lessons on topics that include Responding to Cyber Bullying, What is Harassment, My Interest and Strengths, and Suicide Prevention. At the high school level school counselors are providing lessons on Suicide Prevention and how to be successful at the high school by reducing stress and anxiety. School counselors worked with teachers to implement Community Building Lessons to assist students and teachers reconnect after a long year of distance learning.

School Counselors are essential advocates and partners when it comes to college and career. College and Career is not something that is only discussed in high school but early in a students academic career. Want to learn more about College and Career opportunities? Check out some of the upcoming virtual college fairs on October 5th and 6th. We have a phenomenal program called Xello where kids as early as Kinder can log on and start to explore a variety of career sectors. Have a kid in high school look for your childs' Spotlight report on Parent Vue to see the various college opportunities your child is eligible for. Spotlight reports are a great way to have a conversation about your students graduation and college eligibility with your school counselor. Parents October 1st is around the corner which means college applications will open and the financial aid applications will open. We want all of our students to apply for financial aid. Financial Aid Workshops will be available through out the entire state.

What to bring to a Financial Aid Workshop:

> FSA ID (For FAFSA filers ONLY)
> Driver's License, if you have one
> Social Security Card, if you have one
> Alien Registration Card, if you have one
> ITIN, if you have one
> List of Colleges you are interested in
> Most current bank statements
> Any records of untaxed income
> Prior-prior year tax information (1040s and W2s)

Student Support Services Website

School Counseling Website

College and Career Website

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Website: https://www.stocktonusd.net/schoolcounselors
Location: 1144 Channel Street, Stockton, CA, USA
Phone: 209-933-7130