MHS Counseling

Over the past few weeks counselors have processed over 800 student schedule change requests. Now that students have been in classes for 3 weeks, we are no longer making schedule changes.

If a student wants to drop a class, per PPS policy, any class drop must be completed by September 21st to avoid a grade (WF) penalty.

September 29 is our first report card for the year, mid-terms. This is a great time to review Canvas with your student & make sure they're up-to-date with their classwork.

For help setting up parent/guardian observer account in Canvas, check out these instructions.

Students in need of credit recovery or who are interested in retaking a class to improve their GPA should connect with their counselor about night school.

Portland Evening Scholars registration is currently happening. Classes will be held Oct. 3 - Jan. 19, one night per week for each class, 5:00-8:15 pm. No tuition is being charged this term. Classes will be in-person @ various school locations, some at McDaniel.

The Multnomah County Student Health Center offers students access to their medical & mental health services @ McDaniel. School counselors can also make referrals for students interested in receiving ongoing mental health support.

Call for an appointment 503-988-3382

Services:

• COVID-19 testing & vaccines

• Sports physicals

• Regular exams

• Immunizations

• Illness/injury care

• Flu shots

• Mental health counseling

• Reproductive health care

• Prescriptions

• Lab tests

• Dental hygiene

September is National Suicide Prevention month. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between ages 10 to 24.

How to Help: Take your loved one seriously. If your child, friend, or family member confides thoughts of suicide, believe them and get help. Listen with empathy and provide support. Minimizing what your child or friend is going through can increase his or her sense of hopelessness. Don't keep suicide a secret: If your child knows someone is considering suicide, they can't promise to keep it a secret. They should offer to help, but they need to involve other people, like a trusted adult. No one should have to face this alone.

Know the Risk Factors:

• Mental health disorders
• Alcohol or substance use disorders
• Hopelessness
• Impulsive/aggressive tendancies
• History of trauma/abuse
• Major illness
• Previous suicide attempts
• Family history of suicide
• Job or financial loss
• Loss of relationship(s)
• Easy access to lethal means
• Local clusters of suicide
• Lack of social support or sense of isolation
• Stigma associated with asking for help
• Lack of mental health care/treatment
• Exposure to others who have died by suicide (real life or via media or internet)

School counselors will visiting Seniors this week during their Government or Senior Inquiry classes. Our goal is to help each Senior have a post-high school plan whether that's college, trade school, military or work. Students will be using their MaiaLearning account to document their applications.

Students & families should stay tuned for info about the college application process, how to apply for financial aid and help for students if they are undecided about their plan. Info will also be posted to the Senior Add'l Student Support class page in Canvas.

Tuesday, September 27th at 6:00 pm (in English) register HERE.

Thursday, September 29th at 6:00 pm (in Spanish) register HERE.

Participants will be able to use the Q & A function to ask personal questions, which will be answered by some of Oregon's financial aid administrators. Questions may be asked anonymously, as we want families to feel comfortable asking those hard questions!

Tuesday, October 11: 6:00-7:30pm

Seniors & Parents/Guardians - get help completing the required online application for college financial aid (FAFSA/ORSAA).

Bring 2021 family tax information & Chromebook.

Emerson College - 9/20 @ 10am

University of Puget Sound - 9/20 @ 1pm

Southern Oregon University - 9/22 @ 10am

Whitman College - 9/22 @ 1pm

Pacific Northwest College of Art - 9/27 @ 10am

Willamette University - 9/27 @ 1pm

Univ. of Southern California - 9/29 @ 10am

Lewis & Clark College - 9/29 @ 1pm

Seniors should be checking out scholarship opportunities each month.

Here are some highlights:

• Skanner Foundation Scholarship - Oct. 8
• Golden Door Scholars (DACA/undocumented students) - Oct. 23
• Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation - Oct. 31
• Act Six - Nov. 15

Search Tools:

• Going Merry
• FastWeb
• Studentscholarships.org