Each quarter, the counseling office sends out a newsletter focused on academics, college and career readiness, and social and emotional support. We aim to provide information on community resources, upcoming events for families, and ways the counseling department can help support you in these three important areas.

**Also, make sure you are signed up for IHS E-News for updated information!

For a translated version of this newsletter, please click the "Translate Newsletter" at the top right corner of the page!

Students can always make an appointment by emailing their counselor directly to set up a time to meet!

Alan Waite: A-Ci (waitea@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Emily Combellick: Cj-Ham (combellicke@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Christian McKone: Han-La (mckonec@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Jen Martinson: Lb-Ol (martinsonj@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Amber Claussen: Om-Sta (claussena@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Jen Schwarz: Ste-Z (schwarzj@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Note that confidentiality does NOT apply to communication through email or over the internet. For confidential counseling and other services during our time away from school, please review this document.

Seniors:

• Class of 2021! As we get closer to the end of the year, please keep your eye on enews emails with all pertinent details for Graduation and other senior celebrations! Looking forward to celebrating you all and this huge accomplishment! Please check the Senior Website regularly for updated information.
  
• If you are still working on college applications and/or in need of mid-year reports for next year, please utilize the Senior Announcements as well as the College Tab on the IHS Counseling Website for any questions about senior class statistics, requesting transcripts, etc.

Juniors:

• IHS students had the opportunity to sign up join the Great Careers Conference virtually on Feb 3rd. If you are interested in learning more about career pathways the district's STEM and CTE (career and tech ed) website is a great place to start: https://www.isdstemandcte.com/cte-graduation-pathways You can even click on the IHS grad paths section to see which of our course offerings connect to certain career paths.
  
• For students who registered for the SAT/ACT this Spring, visit College Board's website for updates on the SAT and ACT's website for their FAQ's on testing during COVID-19.

Sophomores:

• 10th grade is a great time to explore interests and programs that can help students gain more base knowledge about careers. IHS students had the opportunity to sign up join the Great Careers Conference virtually on Feb 3rd. If you are interested in learning more about career pathways the district's STEM and CTE (career and tech ed) website is a great place to start: https://www.isdstemandcte.com/cte-graduation-pathways You can even click on the IHS grad paths section to see which of our course offerings connect to certain career paths.

• Running Start is also a great option for exploring career paths. Students can start applying to area colleges now for Running Start 21-22 and then students will have the opportunity to finish up IHS paperwork in Mid April--mid May. https://sites.google.com/site/ishscounseling/RST

• Another option to plan for 11th grade are WANIC (WA Network of Innovative Careers) classes. Students can apply to do summer coursework or can split their time between IHS and a WANIC location in 11th and/or 12th. Applications are currently open: https://wanic.lwsd.org/

Freshmen:

• Typically, the counseling team holds a NEST activity where we get to engage with all of you as you are wrapping up your first year of high school! Since things are a little different this year we wanted to provide a similar type activity remotely. Below is a link to a personality test developed by Myers & Briggs called TypeFinder.
• For those of you who are unfamiliar; the Myers & Briggs personality test/personality types are well-known worldwide and help people get a more introspective idea on how they perceive the world and make decisions. This link will take you through some questions such as, "I have a vivid imagination" you click if this statement is (inaccurate, neutral, or accurate). The test will take about 10 minutes and will then generate a basic report giving you some interesting information on if you prefer structure, do you make decisions based on feelings or facts, do people energize you, etc. The basic report is completely free but just know if you want the full detailed report they will try to make you pay.
• A few counselors took they test and felt it provided very accurate and useful information! Taking time to stop and reflect on who you are helps you understand why you see the world the way you do and helps to give you language to articulate this to others. Since we have some extra time on our hands see if you can get your family members to take it as well!

In preparation for our hybrid return, please take time to have both parents and students read through our In-Person Hybrid Handbook.

In addition to our handbook, students should all watch the Hybrid Intro Video.

2021-22 Course Selections will be open for viewing April 14th-21st! Did you change your mind about a class you signed up to take next year? Did you want a reminder of what you selected? During the week of April 14th, you will be able to log in to STUDENT access to see your current course selections for next school year. They will be updated with any classes that have been cancelled due to low sign ups, alternates that needed to be filled in, etc.

**It will not show periods or teachers yet, but this will be your opportunity to request changes one more time before schedules for next year are finalized. Requests to edit course selections are DUE by April 21st @ 3pm. Keep your eye out for an email coming with further instructions and a link to follow as it gets closer!

Summer school is a great option for making up a failed credit, improving a grade or getting ahead on graduation requirements like PE or Online Health.

You can register for summer school now, but look out for updates in case format/options change due to Covid19.

Registration for summer school is available online via the district website:

There are several options for coursework:

- In-person credit recovery classes run July 12th - Aug 5th, up to four sessions:

1. 1st period: 8:00am-9:45am
2. 2nd period: 9:50am-11:35am
3. 3rd period: 12:05pm-1:50pm
4. 4th period: 1:55pm-3:40pm

- In-person credit accrual—Food and Fitness (PE) and Northwest Studies follows the same schedule as the in-person credit recovery schedule (above)

- Online classes for Health, credit accrual, or grade improvement. Please note that these classes have earlier registration deadlines, require an orientation session and require in-person proctoring of tests.

- Summer School WANIC courses: registration will be posted in the next few weeks. Visit their website to learn more and to sign up for a reminder when registration opens.

**Note this is summer only, not the same as the WANIC program options during the school year.

Comprehensive information about the options above and registration links can be found here!

Please contact your counselor if you have any questions about graduation requirements/credits that you may be interested in earning or making up through Summer School.

If you or your student are seriously considering the Running Start program for the 2021-2022 school year please be watching for a message from the Counseling Department right after spring break. This message will provide the link to submit Fall Enrollment Forms and the option to sign up for a spring meeting with your counselor to get any outstanding questions answered, adjust your schedule, etc. In the meantime be sure to watching both of our presentations that explain how the Running Start program and Next Steps for processing enrollment work. We look forward to meeting with you all shortly!

Presentation on General Information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t56unwrhE4M

Presentation on Next Steps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqXLKUr7oVg

For more information including all necessary paperwork for the May meetings visit our Running Start Tab on our Counseling Website!

The King County Library System is offering online resources for students and families. There are ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more in their digital library collections. Check out their website to learn more!

Looking for guidance on post-HS planning? Check out the new Issaquah HS College & Career Center (CCC) Blog! The CCC blog includes scholarship information, upcoming college admission rep visits, valuable community events, summer programs to consider, general career and college tips and much more. Be sure to follow or subscribe today to have this valuable resource delivered right to your inbox.

The HSBP is a student-led requirement with the majority of the grade-level assignments completed in Career Cruising. In order for the student to meet the annual requirements, the completion bar (found on the home page of the student's portfolio) should show 100% for freshman, sophomore, juniors, and for seniors. Any previous years' assignments, must be completed to meet the HSBP graduation requirement. NOTE: The Senior Exit Interview requirement is waived for the Class of 2021 due to COVID-19.

If you need help completing the HSBP requirements, you can reach Ms. Stevens by email or by phone at (425) 837-6003.

Most Washington colleges are not requiring high school seniors to take standardized tests like the SAT or ACT for fall 2021 admission. While COVID-19 has led to this increased flexibility, many colleges are making their test-optional policies permanent.

Some colleges require an alternative in place of test scores, such as a letter of recommendation, participation in dual credit courses, or success in certain high school classes. Requirements vary by campus but are generally similar by type:

• None of Washington’s public four-year colleges will require SAT or ACT scores for fall 2021 freshman admission, and most will remain test-optional in future years.
• Washington’s private, not-for-profit four-year colleges offer test-optional pathways, although a few require test scores for students who were home-schooled or received non-standard grades.
• Public two-year community and technical colleges are open access, so anyone with a high school diploma or GED can apply and attend. Test scores are not considered.

So, should students still take the SAT or ACT? There are private scholarships that take test scores into account. And while some test-optional colleges won’t look at test scores, others will consider them if submitted. In that case, not testing won’t hurt, but good scores could help. Always check with each college directly for the latest admissions information.

It’s not too late to decide on education after high school. Learn more and plan your future on the Washington Student Achievement Council website.

COVID-19 has disrupted timelines for college entrance exams. Here are the next few test dates for the SAT and ACT.

SAT:

• May 8th - (Registration deadline: April 8th | Late Registration deadline: April 27th)
• June 5th - (Registration deadline: May 6th | Late Registration deadline: May 26th)
• Future testing opportunities and resources for the SAT can be found here!

ACT:

• June 12th - (Registration deadline: May 7th | Late Registration deadline: May 21st)
• July 17th - (Registration deadline: June 18th | Late Registration deadline: June 25th)
• Keep yourself updated on the latest information from ACT here!

• The 2021 exam schedule provides 3 testing dates (Administrations 1, 2, and 3) for each subject between early May and mid-June. Paper or digital exams are offered, depending on the subject and exam date.
• As always, paper and pencil exams and Chinese and Japanese exams have local start times and can begin up to 1 hour after the official start time. However, digital exams have synchronous start times worldwide, and automatically begin at the same official start time everywhere.
• Schools can use any of the testing options, as needs and circumstances warrant, and are free to use multiple options, if available, during a given exam administration window.
• Schools make all decisions about which exams are offered. Students won’t be able to choose exam dates on their own. Beginning in early March, AP coordinators will be able to assign students to Administration 2 and/or 3 exams, if needed.
• We extended the deadline for final digital submission of AP Art and Design portfolios and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP), AP Seminar, and AP Research performance tasks to Thursday, May 20, 2021, 11:59 p.m. EDT.

**For more information, visit College Board's website.

A new resource has been added to student recourses in Canvas. Within the Counseling section of the Teach/Stu Support class students can click on the "Virtual Calming Room" button for access to mindfulness resources, helpful apps, crisis resources and information about district and school level supports as well. Students can also access the Virtual Calming Room by directly visiting this link--when they are logged into canvas: https://issaquah.instructure.com/courses/10459/pages/calming-room

Many attractions are opening up around Seattle with COVID safety measures in place. If you want to get out of the house for a fun, safe, brain break, check out some ideas below!

• MOHAI - The Museum of History and Industry
• KidsQuest Children's Museum
• King County Library System
• Bellevue Art's Museum
• Museum of Flight
• The Seattle Great Wheel
• Seattle Aquarium
• Seattle Art Museum
• Frye Art Museum
• MoPop - Mueum of Pop Culture
• The Burke Museum
• Chihuly Garden and Glass
• The Space Needle
• Northwest Railway Museum
• Woodland Park Zoo
• Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
• Northwest Trek Wild Animal Park
• Cougar Mountain Zoo

**A guide to all activities here!

Free meal distribution for children will be available on the normal schedule during the week of spring break. Kids and parents can pick up five days' worth of meals from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 5, at any of nine school locations. Meal pickup will be offered on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. for the rest of the school year.

Our meals program provides free breakfasts and lunches for any child 18 or under. See more information about the program here, including a list of all pickup locations.

Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank will operate its Lunch for the Break program during Spring Break to help ensure families have enough food. To ensure the Food Bank has enough food boxes, families must register online at issaquahfoodbank.org/lunchforthebreak. Pick up will take place only at the Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank on Friday, April 2nd from 10am - 3pm.

Questions? E-mail Erin at Erin@issaquahfoodbank.org or call 425-392-4123 ext. 16.

Below is a directory of resources in the Issaquah community. It has contact information for agencies offering support for many needs, including homelessness, childcare, counseling, employment, legal, and medical services. See the attachment below for a full list of resources available.

Counselor Alpha Assignments:

Alan Waite: A-Ci (waitea@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Emily Combellick: Cj-Ham (combellicke@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Christian McKone: Han-La (mckonec@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Jen Martinson: Lb-Ol (martinsonj@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Amber Claussen: Om-Sta (claussena@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Jen Schwarz: Ste-Z (schwarzj@issaquah.wednet.edu)

Email: marbutj@issaquah.wednet.edu
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/ishscounseling/
Location: 700 2nd Avenue Southeast, Issaquah, WA, USA
Phone: 4258376140