1. Children's Grief Awareness

2. Mental Health

3. Senior Spotlight

4. PTHS Underclassmen

5. AP Exam Registration

6. Enrichment Opportunities

7. Upcoming Dates

8. PTHS Counseling Office

Children who have experienced death of someone important to them feel like their struggles are invisible to those around them. Any child that is old enough to love is old enough to mourn. It is important for adults to recognize that children need advocates, support, and care during their difficult time.

Children's Grief Awareness Day began in 2008 by the Highmark Caring Place as a day to bring awareness to grieving classmates. The initiative grew out of an ongoing partnership with the Caring place with hundreds of schools. Since then, this day brings awareness and education to people so they can learn ways to help a grieving child.

(Adapted from: https://www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org/cgad2/about/index.shtml).

We ask that our students, families, and staff please join the PT Counseling Department in wearing the color Blue on November 21,2024 to honor a loved one they might have lost and to show their support for Grief Awareness Day!

The Highmark Caring Place invites you to help shine a light of hope in this darkness through their Virtual Illuminating HOPE Campaign. It is a one of a kind gathering of virtual butterflies, each one a message of love, honor, and support. People from across the world create and contribute virtual butterflies. Butterflies can represent:

• Memory of loved ones who have died.
• Honoring a child or adult who is grieving.
• Supporting those grieving, children, adults, and families everywhere.

The butterflies are added to a special Butterfly Garden to help show children, adults, and families they are not alone - that they are cared for and supported in their grief.

Please visit the Illuminating HOPE website for more information and to complete your butterflies.

The death of a loved one is devastating to all, especially children. The impact can be overwhelming and the children and families often need support. The Highmark Caring Place is located in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Erie, and Warrendale. The Caring Place provides support through peer support programs, education, consultation, and referral services at no cost. For more information and resources available, check out their website!

Ever felt rundown or fatigued during the holiday season? As we move into November and December, we may be socializing more, eating more, doing more, spending more, and of course – sleeping less. Self-care is very important during your everyday routine but during this time of the year your self-care is crucial. If you find yourself putting others before your own needs or just looking to take extra care of yourself over the next several months, try one of these simple ways to take a break and relax!

• Breathe: - be mindful of how you are feeling. It is okay to take a moment to breathe in and breathe out. Sometimes all we need is to take a step back, breathe in deeply, and then handle the situation at hand.
• Establish a Morning Routine - when you are up and moving, the day can fly by and get away from us. You may only add five minutes at the beginning of your day to start but even that will help! Use this time to sit quietly, catch your favorite tv show, walk, meditate, or something that will help you relax and destress.
• Take a Walk - grab your coat and head outside. Take a walk around the neighborhood with the intention of noticing the magic. Take in the nature around you and the decorations that are out. Don’t focus on the calories that you burn or steps that you take. Enjoy the moment.
• Be Intentional – it is very easy to get swept away during this time of year without enjoying the small moments and memories. Be intentional – make plans to see someone you haven’t seen in a while or talk with a family member over the phone.
• Be Grateful - focus your attention on the things that you are grateful for that help contribute to making your life more positive and wonderful.
• Say Goodbye to your Guilt – The end of the year often brings guilt and regret for the goals that we set at the beginning of the year and what we didn’t get accomplished. Sit down and reflect on the small victories you have achieved this year, especially considering everything that 2022 has brought to us. Revisit your goals and see if they are still a priority to you. If they are, plan how you do better next year to achieve your goals and move forward. Celebrate the good and forgive what you cannot control!
• Disconnect – If you aren’t sure how social media and connectivity is affecting your life, think about the last conversation you had that was not interrupted by a phone. The holidays are times to gather and visit with family and friends that we might not see often. Enjoy spending this time with them – put away your phone and disconnect from the social world, it will be there tomorrow for you to connect with again.

(Adapted from: https://bemorewithless.com/take-care/)

The past few months have been a whirlwind of writing, editing, and putting the final touches on your college applications for the Early Action, November 1st deadline. While this can feel like a satisfying achievement, you are probably wondering what comes next while you wait to hear from the admissions office about their decision. Here are a few tips on what to do next and make the most of your senior year!

Breathe: Take a moment to breathe! The big part is done and now the waiting game begins. We know this time can be stressful and anxiety provoking but do your best to rest, relax, and breathe. Be confident in the time and energy you have put into the application process, your grades, your essays and trust the process. Focus on making the most of the rest of your senior year - go to events, hang out with your friends and family. The decision will come!

Keep a Look out for Mail: Keep a close eye on your inbox and mailbox for any correspondence from schools. Believe it or not, some schools still utilize the snail mail to communicate through postcards, letters, etc. if they need any additional pieces, they might need from you for your application. However, some of them will utilize email or their online platform and application portals to get in touch with their future students. Keep an eye out so that you do not miss any important information!

Stay in the Loop: The research piece does not end once you hit submit on your applications! Continue to learn more information about each of the schools that you have applied to, so that you can make an informed decision on which school will be the best fit for you to attend. If you feel another visit would be beneficial for you, schedule another tour! Follow the schools on social media so that you can see any upcoming events and day-to-day news surrounding the campuses and what they have to offer.

Follow up on Financial Aid: Complete and/or review your FAFSA application so that you can review your Student Aid Report (SAR). Make sure all of the information is accurate and that all of the schools you applied to are listed. Start looking at the local scholarship applications and what is necessary to complete those applications. Familiarize yourself with the scholarship deadlines!

Stay on Top of Deadlines: If you are planning to apply to other schools that accept applications in December, January, or February – make sure are mindful of when the deadline falls. Get your application and supporting materials submitted in time!

Avoid Senioritis: As you receive acceptance letters, you might feel tempted to take a back seat on academics and your extracurricular activities. Keeping your grades up is essential! Each school can request a Q1 or Mid-Year report from students to see that they are maintaining their academic standing throughout their senior year.

Keep Tabs on your Social Media Accounts: Admissions officers can view a student’s profile or feed while reviewing their application and after they have extended an acceptance letter. Colleges and universities can take back their acceptance if they see a student posting or acting inappropriately through their social media posts. It is important for students to maintain best practices on ALL social media accounts – you never know when or how a questionable or inappropriate picture, comment, etc. will come back to haunt you in the future!

(Adapted From: https://www.ivywise.com/blog/what-to-do-after-submitting-your-college-applications/ and https://oflschools.org/blog/5-things-to-do-after-applying-to-college/)

Choosing your path after high school is all about the right fit. There are many choices available. If you are uncertain where to start, ask yourself questions such as what is success and what makes me happy? Review the career interest inventory in Naviance. This will allow you to explore different options. Do you want a career where you look forward to going to work? Do you want a career that generates a lot of income? Are you looking for both? If you have an idea of what you are working for, then you can better plan with the end in mind. Remember that nothing is forever. Many people change majors and career paths. Exploring careers generated through the completion of the interest inventory can get you on the right track. There are various resources to explore if you are interested in learning more about projections and what careers will be in the most need. Below is a table from the Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information and Analysis. This provides information for the top in demand occupations within our area.

High Priority Occupations for Southwestern Pennsylvania:

• High Priority Occupations (HPOs) are job categories that are in demand by employers, have evolving skill needs, and are likely to provide family-sustaining wages. They are occupations that generally require some amount of training but no more than a four-year college degree. Our local Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board is an organization that develops HPOs in order to determine which careers are in high demand and what areas of training and education will be in most need in the future.

College or University Pathway:

• There are options if college is the right path for you. Choosing a 2-year college can help you obtain your goals if you are looking for a career needing an Associate's Degree or if you are looking to save some money and transfer to a 4-year school. Utilizing SuperMatch in Naviance is a great place to help narrow down some choices. Factors to consider when deciding on the right fit is size, location, available majors, extracurricular activities, distance from home, student body makeup, housing options, and campus atmosphere. Anyone can visit campuses at any time. Junior year is typically a good time to begin formal campus visits. Check out a school of interest's website or contact the admissions department for more information on scheduling a tour.

Military Pathway:

• The military can be a the right choice for you if you are looking to serve our country and/or have assistance paying for college. There is active duty, reserves, and the National Guard. Those that choose active duty work full time for the military. The reserves provides training drills one weekend a month and two weeks per year. This allows for qualified personnel to be available for active duty when needed. This may be in times of war, in a national emergency, or as needed with national security. The reserves is available with all five military branches: army, navy, marines, air force, and coast guard. National Guard is a third option that consists of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. The National Guard is controlled by the state but in times of war, the National Guard can become federalized and deployed. Like the reserves, the National Guard participates in training one weekend a month and two weeks a year. The National Guard assists in emergencies to assist communities with storms, floods, fires, and other disasters. Educational scholarships are provided with all branches of the military.

Technical or Skilled Trade:

• Specific skill-based careers may require training from a technical college. These institutions provide specific training for the skill or trade of interest. The length of time can vary but often students complete a continuous training program in 10-18 months. These programs can include but are not limited to automotive mechanic, culinary arts, paralegal, firefighting, dental hygiene, healthcare, and computer technology.

Seniors, check out our upcoming scholarship deadlines below. To apply, see scholarship details in Naviance.

November

11/4: DAR Good Citizens Program Scholarship Contest – Varies

11/30: Western Pennsylvania Golf Association Scholarship – $4,000 (renewable)

11/30: George Benson Scholarship Fund – $2,000 (renewable)

December

12/1: The Hagan Scholarship – up to $60,000!

12/31: Bud Lutty Scholarship Fund – N/A

12/31: The "No Sweat" Scholarship – $2,500

January

1/8: PA American Legion 90th Annual Essay Contest – $3,500

1/25: Olympus Energy STEM Scholarship – $2,500

February

2/1: William and Debrah Pettigrew Scholarship – $1,000

2/7: South Hills College Club – $2,000

2/24: Good Orthodontics Smile Scholarship – $1,000

March

3/1: Ross F. DiMarco Scholarship – $1,000

3/1: Lions Young Ambassador of the 21st Century Award Program – $500

3/1: National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame – $1,000

April

4/30: Keynotes Music Scholarship Competition – $7,500 – $1,110

Ongoing

Citizens Scholarship – $2,500 or $15,000

PA American Legion Scholarship Program (Multiple Scholarships) – Varies

ROTC Minuteman Scholarship – Varies

The Win Mortimer Trust – N/A

Links to National Scholarships:

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship

Emery Reddy Workers’ Comp Legal Studies Scholarship

Elevate Women in Technology Scholarship

Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship

Bachus & Schanker, LLC Scholarship

The American Indian Services Scholarship

10 Words or Less Scholarships (open to students ages 14-25)

The James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photojournalists

Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards

Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship

Regeneron Science Talent Search Competition Scholarship

Financial Goals Scholarship

Employment BOOST College Scholarships

The Top Essay Scholarships for Students

Attention juniors, the Coolidge Scholarship is now available! This is a full-ride, merit scholarship that covers a student’s tuition, room, board, and expenses for four years of undergraduate study. All application materials are by December 11, 2024, for more information and to apply go to: https://coolidgescholars.org/

The journey to postsecondary planning is an exciting one, and is a gradual process that begins long before your senior year. Whether you're a freshman, sophomore, or junior, there are steps you can take now to pave the way for your future. Here are some tips to help you get started:

Meet with Your Counselor: Schedule a meeting with your school counselor to discuss your goals and aspirations. Your counselor can help you choose the right courses and map out a plan for your future success. Check out the resources they have to offer!

Academic Standing & Course Selections: Maintain good academic standing. Your grades in these early years lay the foundation for your high school transcript and college applications. Remember to focus on challenging courses that align with your goals. Choose courses aligned with your postsecondary goals. Your counselor can guide you on which classes are most relevant.

Set Goals & Build Strong Relationships: Begin setting personal and academic goals for each year of high school. This practice will help you stay focused on your aspirations. Continue to build and foster connections with teachers, counselors, and mentors who can help to guide you in your exploration of postsecondary pathways and connect you with resources.

Naviance Interest Inventories:

• Log in to Naviance with Clever.
• Navigate to the Self-Discovery tab on the dashboard.
• Review your results from the Career Cluster Finder, Career Interest Profile, & Strengths Explore.
• If you want, retake the Career Cluster Finder and Career Interest Profile.
• If you have not taken these, we highly recommend taking the inventories to help you further explore different careers that align with your interests and skills!

Steps To Create a Resume in Naviance Student:

1. Login to your Naviance account & click on the "About Me" Tab.
2. Click on "My Stuff" from the dropdown menu, then click on "resume".
3. To add a new resume, click on the plus sign.
4. If you've already started a resume and want to update it, click "Add/Update Sections". The resume builder contains a list of helpful category titles to aid you in organizing your accomplishments, but you do not have to have something filled in for every category.

It is important to explore opportunities and learn about your interests each year! Whether it is through a school club, volunteering in the community or job shadowing. Getting involved can be beneficial in many ways. Volunteering or shadowing a specific person can provide a ‘day in the life’ of working in that specific field. During these experiences, you will be able to get a sneak peek into the daily tasks/activities they accomplish each day.

Here are a few reasons why getting involved will be beneficial:

It enables you to discover your interests and dislikes: shadowing one job, or multiple jobs, enables you to discover careers or potential areas of interest that you would consider pursuing after high school. It offers practice experience and insight about the typical daily tasks, challenges, activities, and responsibilities that are required for different positions and help you reflect on how these responsibilities will work with your own abilities and skills. These opportunities can also help you discover different career fields you might not have considered before.

It provides you with an honest glimpse into the future: you can watch all episodes of different TV shows that you want, but the reality is, TV shows and movies are not going to give you an accurate depiction of what specific careers involve and look like in a typical day. Volunteering or shadowing can provide you with a glimpse into the typical work environment and the different day-to-day interactions between your mentor and other professional in the field.

Help you network with professionals in the field: these opportunities allow you to introduce yourself to professionals in different careers areas. This can help you begin to build your professional relationships and networks, which can be a source of support as you enter the postsecondary area after high school. Networking now can also help increase the ability of obtaining professional references, internships, future job opportunities, etc. It is never too early to start networking!

How to find opportunities:

• Talk with your counselor!
• Look at local job boards
• Contact Companies specifically
• Ask family or friends for connections

(Adapted from: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/job-shadowing-for-high-school-students)

Registration must be completed through the Total Registration website: https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/390535

Registration opens Monday, September 30th at 12:01am.

Registration closes Monday, November 11th at 11:59pm.

November 13h by 11:59pm Exams must be paid for by this date. Any exam with a remaining balance after this date will be canceled.

November 15th: Last day for a full refund.

If you have general questions of concerns, please contact Courtney Wolf in the high school counseling office: (724)941-6250 x8910 or wolfc@pt-sd.org

The 5th annual South Hills Trade & Technical Fair is on Wednesday, November 6, from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the PTHS cafeteria. All area high school students are encouraged to attend to learn more about trades, technical programs, military, and high demand career opportunities. Check out the High School Counseling Website for an updated list of participants!

The American Math Exam will be given on Wednesday, November 6th at 8:00 am! Any student is eligible to take the exam, but current Algebra II students & above are targeted.

• The exam is free
• Entirely voluntary
• Lasts approximately 75 mins.

Students who score highly enough become eligible to move onto the next level of the test; with the grand prize being a chance to participate as a member of the American team of the International Math Olympiad. Students are responsible to make-up any missed work as a result of participation, but absence from periods missed will be pre-excused.

Anyone who would like to participate or if you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Prinsen at prinsenh@pt-sd.org.

PTHS will be offering the ASVAB on November 8th. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is the most widely used multiple-aptitude test battery in the world.

As an aptitude test, the ASVAB:

• measures your strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future success.
• Provides you with career information for various civilian and military occupations and is an indicator for success in future endeavors whether you choose to go to college, vocational school, or a military career.
• Is a free opportunity for you to explore your potential success.
• Earning a successful score on the ASVAB can satisfy the Keystone Exam Graduation Requirement (See your counselor with questions).

If you have any questions about the exam, please stop by the Counseling Office.

11/6: South Hills Trade & Tech Fair

11/6: American Math Exam

11/8: ASAVAB @ PTHS

11/9: Senior Class Vendor Show

11/11: AP Exam Registration Closes

11/27-12/2: Thanksgiving Break - No School for Students

12/5: Winter Wave Keystones: Algebra I Exam

12/10: Winter Wave Keystones: Literature Exam

12/12: Winter Wave Keystones: Biology Exam

Ms. Patton (Last Names A-C): pattona@pt-sd.org

Mrs. Wolf (Last Names: D-Hh): wolfc@pt-sd.org

Ms. Simmons (Last Names: Hi-Mh): simmonsa@pt-sd.org

Mrs. Prinsen (Last Names: Mi-Se): prinsenh@pt-sd.org

Mr. Sudol (Last Names: Sf-Z): sudolj@pt-sd.org

Mrs. Gobbie & Mrs. Vamossy

Counseling Secretaries

vamossyj@pt-sd.org

gobbiel@pt-sd.org