November Newsletter

Interested in, or planning on applying to college? Fall of senior year is an important time to be considering your post high school plans, and for our friends interested in 4 year college options, November is the time to ensure you're on track with applications and requirements!

The handy November Check List linked above will help you assess where you're at in your college search and application process. Many colleges have application deadlines to be aware of, some of them beginning in November, so it's a great idea to check out the websites of the colleges you're interested in to ensure you don't miss important application deadlines.

Have you filled out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Yet?

The FAFSA opened October 1st, and students interested in applying to college are advised to complete the FAFSA ASAP!

Interested in learning more about post high school planning, college applications, financial aid, and more? Pearson offers Future Focus LiveLesson opportunities throughout the school year for students interested in post high school options and planning.

View the Future Focus 9th-12th Grade Calendar with LiveLesson Links for options, included below!

November ushers in an opportunity to reflect and give thanks, and taking time to consider what we're grateful for is a wonderful practice to help offset the stress, anxiety, and challenges we may currently be facing. Whether you participate in celebrations this month or opt to make every month one of Gratitude, slowing down to consider what you DO have is a great way to move forward intentionally and with purpose.

Gratitude helps to rewire our busy-brain to begin to overpower our ANTS (those pesky Automatic Negative Thoughts), and spending time focusing on what IS working in your life can help you to feel more positive about what's yet to come! Take a minute to consider what you're grateful for, how you're currently feeling, and the goals that matter most to you, and remember- your MNCA Counselors are here for YOU!

We’ve made it to November. Only a few more weeks until Thanksgiving Break. Hang in there.

6th grade conferences are still going on so if you haven’t reached out to your school counselor, do so to get that set up! Mrs. Letourneau, Ms. Clark, and Ms. Anderson are working hard to ensure you succeed!

Do you know what November is? November is National Career Exploration Month and that’s just what we’re going to do; explore some careers. Whether you know what you want to be when you grow up or not, there is always something to learn and explore that you might be interested in. The only way to figure out what you want to do is by figuring out what you don’t want to do.

Doctor?

Dog Groomer?

Yoga Instructor?

President?

You can be anything. I know it’s all a little overwhelming, but it can still be a fun process to explore different careers until you find what really fits. The world is your oyster and you might be surprised by what you find that interests you. Here is a quiz you can take to see what future career you should have based on your answers - Career Clusters Activity.

Do you know what else goes on in November? World Kindness day - November 13! Here’s just a short list of things you can do:

• Write your parents a note thanking them for all they do

• Take out the garbage without being asked

• Listen to a friend that’s having a bad day

• Hold the door for someone

• Offer to help someone with something

What are you going to do to show kindness this month?

Welcome to November! I can tell it’s getting closer to winter with the dropping temperatures outside! I hope November treats you all so well!

November’s Livelesson topic focuses on Career Exploration and how you can use your interests and hobbies to build a career. We will be doing some activities in your Counseling Livelesson to help you explore some areas of interest you have and how you work that into future goals.

Another thing happening in November? World Kindness day! World Kindness day is Saturday November 13. What can you do to show kindness this month?

I know as the school year goes on, it gets harder and harder to focus and login each day. Something I do when I’m feeling stressed or anxious about logging in and getting things done is use my Calm-down jar to help refocus my thoughts and energy. I know it sounds a little silly, but my Calm-down jar sits right next to me at my desk and if I’m having a hard time with something, I pause, shake it right on up, and count to ten while the glitter and stars float to the bottom.

Here’s a link to use to make your own Calm-down Jar.

Career Cluster Spotlight

Each month, for the rest of the school year, we will highlight a different career cluster in the monthly newsletter. If you are undecided about a career, exploring career options by interest is a great way to narrow down your search for a career that is the right fit for you. You can find more information about career clusters on the Minnesota Career Information System website. Our schools login information is below.



Log in: MNTransitions

Password: careers




This months career cluster is Information Technology. People who pursue employment in Information Technology work with computer hardware, network systems, multimedia, and more. This is a fast growing and changing field with opportunities in businesses of all sizes. Some jobs you might find in this field include Computer Engineer, Computer Programmer, Data Base Administrator, Information Security Analyst, or Web Developer. These careers tend to require higher education but also tend to offer higher salaries. Some signs that this career cluster might be a good fit for you could include enjoying working with computers, the ability to learn new technology quickly, being detail oriented, and strong math skills. If you think you have a possible interest in these fields check out some of our technology electives. This is a great way to see if this career cluster may be a good fit for you.

MNCA Technology Electives

• 2-D Animation
• Concepts of Engineering & Technology
• Emergent Computer Technology
• Game Design I A/B
• Game Design II
• Introduction to Computer Applications
• Web Design I A/B

National Apprenticeship Week is taking place this year November 15-21! This is a national celebration that offers leaders in business, labor, and education a chance to demonstrate their support for apprenticeship.

What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a paid period of job training that allows a student to learn a particular skill or set of skills, often from a master of the trade, on the job instead of in school. Carpenters, masons and other professionals often learn their trade through apprenticeship.

Why consider apprenticeship? Apprenticeships can appeal to those looking for alternatives to college, as they take a more hands-on approach to learning. The focus is on training for a specific career or trade by actually doing the job and gaining hands-on experience. According to the Department of Labor, nearly 9 out of 10 apprentices are employed after completing their apprenticeship.

Watch for more information in your webmail as Apprenticeship Week nears.

The School Counseling team will be hosting a Live Lesson about Apprenticeship on Monday, November 15th at 12:00pm!

November can be a month where it feels like you are hitting your stride and understanding your lessons- it can also be a time where finding motivation and managing all your responsibilities can make school feel really challenging- no matter where you are on this spectrum, remember that every small step you take adds up! If you feel like you are hitting your stride maybe try checking out a Live Lesson (like the one about apprenticeship above). If you are struggling and feeling like checking out, try to set a small goal for the day since small steps will still move you forward. Remember to reach out to your advisory teacher if you feel like you need help coming up with ways to succeed!

LiveLessons: We have enjoyed seeing you all at LiveLesson the past few weeks! If you didn't get a chance to join an advisory LiveLesson check out the recordings page! There are lessons about Mindfulness, Coping Strategies, and more for you to review when you have a moment. We will continue LiveLesson Fridays at 10AM and 11AM. See you there!

Days Off: Please remember to enter a V for attendance on November 24th, 25th, and 26th as you have off for the Thanksgiving holiday! Enjoy your time with family and friends!

Tip of the Month: If you feel like you have too many things on your plate that are all important and all need to be done right now you might be surprised to find out that reorganizing the way you think about your day can help make sure you give each task on your plate the attention it deserves! Check out this article on time blocking. Don't forget to check out Learning Coach Central for more tips on how to make a schedule that works for you.

We all need support, positivity, perspective, and reassurance from time to time. 'Take' what resonates with you, and know that You've Got This!

- In Crisis? Need Support? -

Please reach out to your School Counselor, we're here to support you! If it's an emergency, please use the numbers outlined below:

Suicide Hotline: 800-784-2433
Immediate Medical Assistance: 911
Crisis Call Center: 800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863
Crisis Text Line (U.S. only): Text HELLO to 741741