The Counselor CARE-ier

October 2024

We need your help!

Upcoming Career Fair

The Campus will host a Career Fair on Wednesday, November 20th, from 12:00 - 2:30 pm. We are looking for professionals to represent their career pathway and share their experience and expertise with our students. Professionals will have a table where they can set up props, photos, videos, etc., that highlight their career field. Students will visit with the various professionals, engage in conversation, ask questions, and learn more about the career pathway.

We are looking for a wide variety of career professionals, but here are some of the career pathways our students have specifically requested: Game Developer, Film Producer, Baker/Chef, Animator, Genetic Engineer, Paralegal, Wildlife Biologist, Anesthesiologist, Neurologist, Dermatologist, Surgeon, Dentist, Orthodontist, Attorney, Social Worker, Tattoo Artist, Music Producer, Actor/Actress, Film Producer, Mortician, Auctioneer, Minister/Religious Leader. If you can represent one of these professions and are able and willing to participate in our event, please reach out to Katy Swann (katy.swann@d49.org) or Mike Masino (michael.masino@d49.org). We are happy to have other professionals join us as well! Thank you!

Tax Professionals Needed

Are you a certified tax professional able to help us with an event in February/March? If you are, please reach out to Katy Swann (katy.swann@d49.org) for more information. Thank you!

Community Resources

Colorado Springs Food Pantry Program

Times are tough, and everyone can use a little help from time to time. Click HERE for access to various Colorado Springs food pantries.

2-1-1 Colorado

211 is a confidential and multilingual service connecting people to vital resources across the state. No matter where you live in Colorado, you can find information about resources in your local community.

Job Fair

Looking for a job? Come to this upcoming job fair with over 100 employers ready to hire! All job seekers are welcome!

Attention Athletes

Upcoming NCAA Seminar

Are you a student-athlete dreaming of playing your sport at the NCAA level? Invest in your future and spend an hour on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 4 - 5 p.m., understanding the requirements and how to prepare for NCAA certification. Join NCAA Eligibility Center staff, who will walk you through what you need to do to compete at the NCAA Division I, II or III level. Staff will be answering questions live during the presentation, so come prepared to learn how to take your game to the next level! Click here to register.

Kudos to our Kids

Ella Moon Owens (12th) recently earned the Gold Level Award for Graduating Seniors by U.S. Figure Skating. U.S. Figure Skating Graduating Seniors Award recognizes the hard work of student-athletes who have participated in figure skating throughout high school. Congratulations, Ella!

Do you have something amazing to share about your student? Please let us know, and we will add a "Kudo to your Kid" to an upcoming newsletter. Send your Kudo to katy.swann@d49.org.

College Readiness

How To Prepare for the 2025–26 FAFSA Form

Prepare now so you can complete the 2025–26 FAFSA form as soon as it’s available on or before Dec. 1, 2024. Here are some ways you can get ready:

Create a StudentAid.gov account (if you don’t already have one).
Learn about the documents you may need to fill out the FAFSA form.
Determine your dependency status and whether your parent(s) or spouse will be required to contribute information on your FAFSA form.
If you’re a dependent student, use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on your form.

Even if you don't think you qualify for financial aid, please fill out the FAFSA application anyway. You might be surprised what you may qualify for. Additionally, many schools require students to complete FAFSA for merit and other scholarships.

Shared from the FAFSA Website: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/fafsa-support

Event Information

D49 FAFSA Night

Amy Sutz, the Associate Director of Compliance, Loans, and Financial Aid at UCCS, will be on campus to provide FAFSA information and support. Open to all families (your student does not have to be attending UCCS).

When?

Wednesday, Nov 20, 2024, 06:30 PM

Where?

6113 Constitution Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

location_on Open maps

Career Readiness

Career Exploration Opportunities

CD CLUB (Career Development Club): Wednesday, November 6

A Community where students are supported, encouraged, and guided in career development and exploration. Pizza and drinks are provided! Permission form required! CD Club meets during lunch - 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. in Room 167

Hybl Sports Medicine & Performance Center Site Visit: December 5th

This site visit will provide students interested in health-related careers or sports medicine career pathways with an in-depth tour of this world-class facility.

December 5, 2024

8:50 - 11:30 am

Interested in attending this site visit, participating in CD Club, or participating in an Internship or a job shadow? Contact Mr. Masino, Choice & Success Advisor, at michael.masino@d49.org

Social Emotional

Caffeine, the Lack of Sleep, & the Teen Brain

Did you Know? By age 16, ONLY about 50% of the prefrontal cortex is developed, meaning our kids have HALF of the impulse control of an adult! A couple of ways to ensure our adolescents' brain development is protected is to ensure we limit our children’s caffeine intake and to allow for better sleep. Check out these two important articles to learn more:

Caffeine Effects on Children

What the Science Tells Us About Adolescent Sleep

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 is a free, confidential service available to anyone in Colorado experiencing a mental health, substance use, or emotional crisis. People can reach out for themselves or for someone they are concerned about, such as a friend, neighbor, or loved one.

Colorado Crisis Services

Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential, and immediate support from trained professionals and peer specialists, available 24/7/365 by calling 844-493-TALK (8255) or texting TALK to 38255. Colorado residents can also seek services in person at our walk-in centers, regardless of ability to pay. If you don’t know where to begin getting help with a mental health, substance use, or emotional concern—for you or for someone you know—start here.

IMatter

IMatter provides up to six free therapy sessions for youth in Colorado and reimburses participating licensed therapists, who are licensed clinicians from agencies and independent contractors. IMatter is open to youth 18 years of age or younger. Youths 12 and older do not need permission from their parents or guardians to sign up. Signing up takes only 10 minutes. You can learn more and sign up HERE.