
Counseling Corner
March Newsletter
Congratulations to our counselor, Erin Charles!
Congratulations! Your Good Idea Award proposal, Wellness Basket Proposal, has been selected by the Tustin-Santa Ana Rotary Club as a 2024 Good Idea Award recipient. With more than 40 proposals submitted this year, having your project chosen is quite an honor!
Description: Counseling team and stakeholders to determine the tools necessary for students to develop effective coping and self-regulation skills in the classroom. Once tools are determined, the counseling team will purchase the items and put baskets together for each classroom teacher, nurse, school psychologist, and support person on campus. Wellness baskets will be supplied to all classrooms with a brief student training on how to use each of the tools to build student resilience, self-confidence to succeed, and self-regulation. Staff will have the baskets accessible in their space. This is a tier one social/emotional resource for all students on campus. If a student is not able to successfully self-regulate using the tools provided, the staff member will refer the student to the counselor for a Tier 2 intervention. Possible Tools/Materials Needed: Baskets, notecards with breathing exercises, coping skills, and positive affirmations, stress balls, coloring sheets, twistable colored pencils, journals, pens, student resource cards, squeezable sand/foam, play dough, silly putty and fidgets.
Academics
Over the past six weeks, counselors have met individually with all current 9th-11th grade students to plan their course requests for next school year as well as summer school needs.
Here is a link to more information regarding summer school options. If your student was added to the summer school list, you and they should start receiving emails next month to register so be sure to be looking.
Saturday Excel dates have been set for the remainder of the year for your student to receive extra support and/or clear detention hours. Students can sign up with their teachers, scan the QR code on the morning announcements, or on our website.
Social/Emotional Well-being
Springtime can bring a sense of potential and renewal. As the days grow longer, we may feel more energetic and motivated to make a “fresh start.” Spring cleaning is not just for our homes, but it can also be beneficial for our mental health. We can declutter, reorganize, & rejuvenate our bodies, minds, & souls and enhance our overall well-being!
Here are some tips from UCI Health to help you during your spring break:
- Declutter: Take inventory of the areas in your life which are holding you back, and begin taking small steps to let go of them. Maybe it’s a bad habit, an unhealthy relationship, or negative thoughts. Symbolically “pack them up” so you can move them out of your mental, emotional, and physical spaces. This will free up room for the areas that can enhance your life.
- Reorganize: Along with de-cluttering, you can re-organize your mental, emotional, and physical spaces. Examine what is important to you and what lifts you up. Is it your family, relationships, physical/mental health, or hobbies? Prioritize these areas. Showcase them. Make time for them. Taking these small actions each day will remind you of their value and the joy they bring to you.
- Rejuvenate: Create a self-care routine that works for you. This includes things like talking to a friend, spending time outdoors, listening to music, exercising, and eating lunch. Even taking a few minutes each day can help you recharge, rejuvenate, and build resilience against everyday stress.
Lunch and Learn Wellness moved their date to April 3rd. The Neurodiversity Club will be giving a presentation about Neurodivergence and an opportunity for students to learn more about individuals who think differently. Students are welcome to come enjoy pizza and learn more about wellness. Students may sign up here.
College and Career
ROP
- Fall: Course registration for fall is now open. Go to coastlinerop.org to register.
- Summer: There will also be four virtual ROP courses offered this summer including: Careers in AI, Cyberforward, Entrepreneurship, and Supply Chain Management. Registration for these will begin April 22nd.
Postsecondary Planning Event:
TUSD is offering an event April 9th to all grade levels. See flyer below for details.
Grade Level Information
Senior Scene
March is another short month because of Spring break but it’s also a busy month for seniors. Here are some tips to stay focused!
Plan your virtual college visit. If you’re one of the lucky ones who knows now where you will be going next fall, congratulations! Many don’t. Now is the time to schedule any last-minute visits to the schools on your lists. Here are some helpful virtual college websites:
https://www.youvisit.com/collegesearch/
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/virtual-tours
Assembly Bill 469
For our Beckman Parents here is news about recently passed legislation and we are requesting your assistance with completing the requirements of the new regulations. Last year, AB 469 was passed. The legislation requires all California seniors to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to “opt-out” before the end of their senior year, or to complete an application for the California Dream Act (CADAA). Included with this correspondence, you will find instructions on how you can complete your senior’s FAFSA form. You will also find a copy of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the FAFSA, and a copy of the Tustin Unified School District FAFSA opt-out form.
Please review these documents and begin to determine how you would like to proceed with this requirement for your senior. Students will be expected to submit proof of their FAFSA submission or a signed opt-out form. If you have chosen to opt out please return the form to the counseling department.
Federal Student Aid: Filling out the FAFSA Form
FAQs about the FAFSA and CADAA (English)
California Student Aid Commission: CA Dream Act
Stay on top of your scholarship applications. Set a goal to complete 2-3 scholarships a week. It’s tedious, we know, but the rewards are fantastic.
Junior Junction
It is time for the BCAP! What is the BCAP?
Stands for: Beckman Career/College Admissions Process
Lessons, Project, and Breakout Sessions in English Classes during the Spring semester of your junior year.
Includes instructions on the application processes for each type of post-secondary path, how to request letters of recommendation, questionnaires, resume, & much more.
BCAP Lesson: On March 28th, all 11th grade students will participate in a lesson facilitated by the counseling team during their English class. This lesson will provide students an overview of the “big picture” of the BCAP process as well as researching and preparing for the post-secondary option of their choice.
BCAP Breakout Sessions: On April 18th, juniors will choose two of the following sessions to learn more about how to plan for these over their senior year.
Workforce or Apprenticeships
Military
Community College for Associate, Certificates, or Trades
CSUs and UCs
Private School or Out of State University
Art School or Conservatory
BCAP Google Classroom: During their postsecondary planning lesson earlier this month all juniors were given access to their counselor’s BCAP Google Classroom. It is recommended that you get familiar with all of the resources available in the BCAP Google Classroom. It will have detailed checklists of each type of college application, deadlines, college and major exploration tools, military information, trade school/apprenticeship links, financial aid info, how to request teacher letters of rec (if needed) and so much more. This is also where students will submit their four BCAP documents to their counselor in the fall if they need a counselor Letter of Recommendation.
College Admission Testing
SAT/ACT. Those planning to attend a four-year university after high school should plan to prepare for and register for the SAT with writing and/or ACT with writing. Visit collegeboard.org or act.org to learn more.
Naviance
Explore your post-secondary (after high school) options! In your English class you are beginning the BCAP (Beckman Career/College Admission Process) which makes this a great time to log-in to Naviance and research potential careers, college majors, and colleges.
Sophomore Stop
Spring break presents high school students with a precious opportunity to unwind, recharge, and explore new experiences. Here are several enriching ways to make the most of this time:
- Travel: Embark on an adventure to a new city or even a different country if possible. Traveling exposes you to diverse cultures, landscapes, and perspectives, broadening your understanding of the world.
- Volunteer Work: Dedicate some of your spring break to giving back to the community. Engage in volunteer activities such as serving meals at a homeless shelter, participating in environmental clean-up projects, or assisting at an animal shelter. It's a fulfilling way to make a positive impact.
- Outdoor Activities: Take advantage of the improving weather by spending time outdoors. Go hiking, camping, or have a picnic in a nearby park. Outdoor activities not only promote physical health but also provide opportunities for relaxation and connecting with nature.
- Skill Building: Use your spring break to develop new skills or hobbies. Whether it's learning a musical instrument, honing your photography skills, or mastering a new language, investing time in self-improvement can be both rewarding and enjoyable.
- College Visits: If you're nearing the end of high school, consider visiting colleges you're interested in attending. Exploring campuses, talking to current students, and attending information sessions can help you make informed decisions about your future education.
- Quality Time with Family and Friends: Spring break offers a chance to reconnect with loved ones. Plan activities like movie nights, game tournaments, or simply spending quality time together. These moments strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.
- Relaxation and Self-Care: Finally, don't forget to prioritize rest and relaxation. Take time to unwind, read a book, meditate, or pamper yourself with a spa day. Recharging your mind and body is essential for overall well-being.
In essence, spring break is an opportunity for high school students to explore, learn, give back, and recharge before returning to their academic pursuits. Whether you choose adventure or relaxation, make the most of this valuable time off.
Freshman Forum
March is Sleep Awareness Month: Why Is Sleep Important for Teens?
Thinking and Academic Achievement
Sleep benefits the brain and promotes attention, memory, and analytical thought. It makes thinking sharper, recognizing the most important information to consolidate learning. Sleep also facilitates expansive thinking that can spur creativity. Whether studying for a test, learning an instrument, or acquiring job skills, sleep is essential for teens.
Emotional Health
Lack of sleep can affect mood, causing irritability and exaggerated emotional reactions. Over time, the consequences can be even greater for teens who are adapting to more independence, responsibility, and new social relationships.
Prolonged sleep loss may negatively affect emotional development increasing risks for interpersonal conflict as well as more serious mental health problems. Sleep-deprived teens are more likely to report anxiety and depression.
Physical Health and Development
Sleep contributes to the effective function of virtually every system of the body. It empowers the immune system, helps regulate hormones, and enables muscle and tissue recovery.
How Can Teens Get Better Sleep?
- Budgeting eight hours of sleep into their daily schedule and keeping that same schedule on both weekdays and weekends.
- Creating a consistent pre-bed routine to help withrelaxation and falling asleep fast.
- Avoiding caffeine an energy drinks, especially in the afternoon and evening.
- Putting away electronic devices for at least a half-hour before bed and keeping them on silent mode to avoid checking them during the night.
- Keeping your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/teens-and-sleep
As we move forward in quarter 4, here are some tips for Freshman:
· Plan to visit a college or two during spring break
· Have your parent attend Spring "Report Card Night" on March 28th @ 6pm
· Look into summer internships, work, summer programs and community service, community college class to strengthen your academic resume
· Create an academic portfolio file with recent report cards, honors and co-curricular involvement