MHS Counseling
Mid-September 2023
McDaniel School Counselors
Tracy Morrison
Erin Hale
Crissy Phommachack
Neomi Navarro
Brandon Rawls
Brian Meyer
Welcome Janna!
Janna Holm is new to the counseling office this year & will be helping keep us all organized! She's located at the counseling office front desk helping students & families navigate the counseling department.
Academic
Schedule Changes
If a student wants to drop a class, per PPS policy, any class drop must be completed by September 20th to avoid a grade (WF) penalty.
Mid-Term Reports
September 28 is our first report card for the year, mid-terms. This is a great time to review Canvas with your student & make sure they're up-to-date with their classwork.
For help setting up parent/guardian observer account in Canvas, check out these instructions.
Portland Evening Scholars
Portland Evening Scholars registration is currently happening. Classes will be held Oct. 2 - Jan. 18, one night per week for each class, 5:00-8:00 pm. No tuition is being charged this term. Classes will be in-person @ various school locations, some at McDaniel.
Social-Emotional Support
Multnomah County Student Health Center
Call for an appointment 503-988-3382
Services:
• COVID-19 testing & vaccines
• Sports physicals
• Regular exams
• Immunizations
• Illness/injury care
• Flu shots
• Mental health counseling
• Reproductive health care
• Prescriptions
• Lab tests
• Dental hygiene
National Suicide Prevention Month
How to Help: Take your loved one seriously. If your child, friend, or family member confides thoughts of suicide, believe them and get help. Listen with empathy and provide support. Minimizing what your child or friend is going through can increase his or her sense of hopelessness. Don't keep suicide a secret: If your child knows someone is considering suicide, they can't promise to keep it a secret. They should offer to help, but they need to involve other people, like a trusted adult. No one should have to face this alone.
Know the Risk Factors:
- Mental health disorders
- Alcohol or substance use disorders
- Hopelessness
- Impulsive/aggressive tendancies
- History of trauma/abuse
- Major illness
- Previous suicide attempts
- Family history of suicide
- Job or financial loss
- Loss of relationship(s)
- Easy access to lethal means
- Local clusters of suicide
- Lack of social support or sense of isolation
- Stigma associated with asking for help
- Lack of mental health care/treatment
- Exposure to others who have died by suicide (real life or via media or internet)
College & Career
Pre-ACT & PSAT
All 10th grade student will be taking the Pre-ACT at school on Wednesday, Oct. 18.
10th or 11th grade students want to opt-in to take the PSAT on a Saturday, Oct. 14 at McDaniel (or Ida B Wells) they need to REGISTER by Sept. 15. No late registrations will be accepted. The test costs $15 unless the student indicates they need financial assistance.
If students have questions about either test, they should connect with their school counselor.
Senior Post High School Planning
Students & families should stay tuned for info about the college application process, how to apply for financial aid and help for students if they are undecided about their plan. Those wanting to review resources should check out our MHS College Process web page.
FAFSA/ORSAA Updates
FAFSA is working on some major updates (Better FAFSA) & won't be released until December (this year only!)
Save the Date for Paying for College Night on Nov. 30, 6:00-7:30pm
We'll be sharing more info as it becomes available to help all seniors complete the FAFSA/ORSAA this year, stay tuned!
College admission reps from the following schools will be in the CCC 227 to meet with interested students
PCC - 9/12 @ 1pm
Gonzaga Univ - 9/19 @ 10am
California College of the Arts - 9/19 @ 1pm
Boston Univ - 9/20 @ 10am
UC Santa Cruz - 9/20 @ 1pm
PSU - 9/26 @ 10am
Linfield Univ - 9/27 @ 10am
Washington Univ (St. Louis) - 9/27 @ 1pm
Scholarship Opportunities & Resources
Here are some highlights:
- Skanner Foundation Scholarship - Oct. 8
- Golden Door Scholars (DACA/undocumented students) - Oct. 1
- Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation - Oct. 2
Search Tools: