Counseling Newsletter

• Over 8,000 students signed in at the High School Counseling Office in the 2023-2024 school year. That translates to 8,000 one on one meetings with School Counselors.
• School Counselors met with students and families over the summer and enrolled 25 new students for the upcoming school year.
• Need to schedule an appointment with your School Counselor? Click here to access their calendars.

• School Counselors have been working with students on their schedule changes.
• School Counselors evaluate grade reports on a weekly basis and collaborate with teachers to ensure appropriate academic support is in place to promote positive outcomes for all students.
• School Counselors collaborate with families, teachers, and administrators on the academic, career, and social-emotional development of all students.
• School Counselors are working with seniors on solidifying their post-secondary plans (writing letters of recommendation, reviewing applications etc.)

• USCHS hosted a Freshman Parent Meeting on August 22nd. Parents met the 9th grade school counselors, Mr. Marquis and Ms. Wregget, and got an overview of high school life as a 9th grader at USCHS.

USCHS will host an Open House on September 19th at 6:00 pm. This evening will be an opportunity for parents to walk their child's schedule and receive an overview of the class from their teachers.

• FAFSA Completion Workshop wiil be held in January. Amy Sawdey will be here to help SENIOR parents complete the FAFSA application. More information to come.

The 2024-25 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete is now available! The guide is designed to assist your students with understanding the NCAA, NCAA Eligibility Center registration and academic requirements, and how you can help your student-athletes work toward their collegiate dreams.

PartnerUp is a PNC sponsored program that builds connections between career-bound high school seniors looking for an alternative to the college-for-all mentality and employers with career opportunities. From interviewing to skills development, PartnerUp helps students graduate from high school to career-ready. Students and families can find more information here.If your senior has serious interest in moving into a career immediately following high school and would like to participate in the program, please have them contact Michelle Zringibl at mzringibl@uscsd.k12.pa.us for more information.

The Westinghouse Science Honors Institute Westinghouse Science Honors Institute is a free program for high school JUNIORS from Western Pennsylvania and surrounding communities who demonstrate a strong interest in science and engineering and who are of high scholastic standing.

Students should contact Dr. Syme for more information. The registration deadline is September 30th.

• South Fayette is hosting a virtual Financial Aid Night from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24th presented by Amy Sawdey, PHEAA’s Higher Education Access Partner in Allegheny County. Amy will discuss information on the financial aid application process, what types of aid are available for students, and strategies to start thinking about affordability before getting ready to apply for post-secondary school admission. Time will be built into the presentation to allow you to ask any questions you may have regarding the financial aid process. Register for the online event.

• Mt. Lebanon is hosting an in-person Financial Aid Night presented by Washington & Jefferson Financial Aid Office on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Mt. Lebanon Fine Arts Theater.

USC Lunch & Learns are designed to educate students on STEAM career opportunities and inspire them to develop skills to pursue their dreams.

Click here to learn more and to register.

Here are the guest speakers for September:

Rama Bala

Tom Garvey

Will technology kill jobs and aggravate inequality, or bring in more significant work and healthier societies? This question has worried humankind ever since technological advancement took over certain manual jobs. The services of a clock keeper, film projectionist, switchboard operator, etc. were no longer required once we developed better technology. The question still remains as is, what will the future of work look like?

Read more. Source: simplilearn.com

For high school students and their families, the process of applying for college can be loaded with questions, including, how will I pay for it all? If you're preparing for college, know that there are ways to avoid graduating with a massive debt burden. Read on to learn some strategies that can help pay for college without loans.

Read more. Source:USnews.com

In a study published in the journal JMIR XR and Spatial Computing, researchers have explored an innovative approach to addressing the mental health crisis among teenagers: virtual reality (VR). They found that a VR environment designed to reduce stress and improve mood was embraced by teens, who used it regularly and reported feeling less stressed and more relaxed during sessions.

Read more. Source: psypost.com

High School Graduates believe they are college ready, however evidence suggests many are not. College readiness has declined for years, according to testing information. Unfortunately many young people are often told that the college pathway is the best to prepare for a profitable career and adult success-regardless of whether they are ready for college. Thus, many borrow money to attend college but never complete a degree.

Read more. Source: forbes.com

Although attending college is about getting an education, potential students don't pick an institution based solely on available academic programs. There are nonacademic considerations such as cost, size, location and job opportunities post-graduation to evaluate during the college search.

Read More. Source: USnews.com

Cyberbullying has become rampant across the United States. According to a recent survey, 59% of U.S. teens have experienced at least one out of six identified types of abusive online behavior.

Read more.

Source: Center for Parent and Teen Communication.com

Read more. Source: grownandflown.com

• South Hills College and Career Fair- October 8th
• PSAT/NMSQT ALL JUNIORS-Wednesday October 16th----All juniors will sit for the exam at no cost to families. Registration is NOT required. As a junior, the PSAT/NMSQT offers you the opportunity to qualify for scholarships that can help pay for college.
• ASVAB/PSAT- SOPHOMORES-Wednesday October 16th---All sophomores will sit for the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) Exam at no cost to families. Registration is NOT required. Sophomores can opt out of taking the ASVAB Exam by registering for the PSAT Exam. More information to come.
• AP Exam Registration Deadline-October 31st. Click here to register.
• Financial Aid Update

Post secondary planning

Naviance

Niche

Career Planning

• How to talk with educators at your child's school about bullying
  Get advice on how to communicate with teachers and other leaders at your child's school if you're dealing with bullying.
  

• Tips for parents: What to do if your child is being bullied
  Get tips for supporting your child through this very painful experience.
  

• Tips for parents: What to do if your child bullies others
  If your child bullies others at school, it needs to stop. Find out what you can do at home.
  

• What can parents do to prevent and address cyber-bullying?
  Protect your child from indirect forms of bullying that use text messaging, Web sites, and cell phones.

Highmark Caring Place

Grieving Children

Grieving Adults and Families

Support for Children

https://www.sphs.org/

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health/index.shtml

How parents can talk to their kids about suicide

Risk-of-Suicide

Risk and Protective Factors

Washington County Crisis Resources

Underage Drinking: Myths vs. Facts

Facts on Underage Drinking

Tips for Teens: The Truth About Alcohol

The shared content and information is from a third party and is provided for general informational purposes only. The Upper St. Clair School District and High School Counseling Department do not specifically endorse the material and make no representations, express or implied.

Email: hs-counselingoffice@uscsd.k12.pa.us
Website: https://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us/domain/200
Location: 1825 McLaughlin Run Road, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Phone: 412-833-1600