Students are invited to attend our annual career fair here at Chesterton High School during SRT on October 3rd! The Counseling Office is working with a variety of community organizations and local industries to provide students the opportunity to explore future career options. Please use the following link to sign up so we can get you a pass to attend that day! You must sign up in order to attend the Career Fair. (this event is for students only)

CLICK LINK TO SIGN UP FOR CAREER FAIR

The CHS Counseling Office is hosting the Dunes Area College Fair in the CHS Gymnasium on October 9th from 9:45 am - 11:15 am. (This event is for students only.) Students must pre-register to attend the college fair. Click on this link to register on StriveFair.com. When you register online you will be given a barcode. Instructions on how to register can be found here.

During the fair, colleges will scan your barcode to send you more information about their schools. There will be approximately 40 colleges at the fair. The day after the fair, you will receive a report with information on the colleges with whom you scanned. This is a great way to learn about colleges, meet representatives, and narrow down your college search!

List of Colleges and Universities that are attending the Dunes Area College Fair

Take advantage of tuition-free training available to eligible Hoosiers through the Workforce Ready Grant. Grants are available to support the education of students pursuing certificates in the following fields:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Building & Construction
• Health & Life Services
• IT & Business Technology
• Transportation & Logistics

Learn more about qualifying programs here.

TO QUALIFY, RECIPIENTS MUST:

Be an Indiana resident and a U.S. Citizen (or eligible non-citizen)

Have a high school diploma (or equivalent) but less than a college degree

Be eligible for state financial aid and file a FAFSA (for certain programs and providers)

Enroll in a qualifying program at an approved training provider

At the end of September, the CHS Counseling Office hosted a series of Express Admit days with area colleges and universities. Purdue Northwest, Indiana University Northwest, Ivy Tech, and Calumet College of St. Joseph all visited CHS and met with students. Over 90 students attended the various events and we are excited to report that 75 students were admitted to college during the Express Admit Days! Many students were also awarded scholarships during these events. The CHS Counseling Office is excited to continue to offer these Express Admit Days for our students in the future!

On Tuesday, September 24th the Counseling Office took 32 students to the Scholarship Fair hosted at Indiana University Northwest. During this field trip students were able to speak with representatives from a variety of colleges, universities, and community organizations. Almost 50% of the students in attendance were able to apply to universities on the spot and at least 10 students were offered scholarships during the Scholarship Fair. One student was offered a full tuition scholarship for Delaware State University and another was given the opportunity to fill out paperwork for a full-ride scholarship to Harris-Stowe State University.

The video below explores symptoms of depression in teens. Depression in teens can look different than depression in adults, partly because of the way the teen brain is developing at a rapid rate. Some warning signs of teenage depression include:

1. Irritability
2. Sensitivity to criticism
3. Social isolation (particularly staying in their room a lot)
4. Selective social withdrawal
5. Throwing themselves into work (distraction)
6. Slipping grades
7. Difficulty focusing
8. Changes in energy or out-of-character behavior
9. Changes in daily habits such as sleep and appetite
10. Physical pain

If you are concerned about these signs and symptoms of depression, we recommend that you reach out to someone for help. You can speak with your parents or guardians, your school counselor, medical provider, or mental health provider. Don't be afraid to ask for help!

The Exceptional Learning department is excited to introduce Mrs. Erishawn Griffin as our new Opportunity Enterprises Student Career Advisor for the 2024-2025 school year. Her position provides transition services for students ages 14-22 who are currently on an IEP or 504 plan. Mrs. Griffin is a great resource for our students, providing support with career exploration, self-advocacy, employability skills, resume writing, interview practice, as well as post-graduate planning and more. Please feel free to reach out to your students’ Teacher of Record or school counselor for more information.

DECIDING WHETHER TO APPLY EARLY DECISION OR EARLY ACTION

Know your deadlines! Some school-based scholarships require you to apply by a certain deadline.

COLLEGE APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS

Read this article to learn more about who qualifies for application fee waivers.

RESOURCES FOR LOW-INCOME OR HOMELESS STUDENTS

Learn more about college costs, financial aid, and available services.

DEMONSTRATED INTEREST

Remember that it’s important to let the colleges on your list know that you’re really interested in attending their schools. Keep connecting with college representatives when they visit your school, your community, or via virtual sessions online.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Check out the School Counseling Website for scholarships.

Sign up for an account on goingmerry.com for additional scholarship information.

If you are interested in apprenticeship programs in our area, check out the following websites:

Boilermakers Local 374

Bricklayers Local 4

Carpenters Cement Masons and Plasterers Local 692

Construction Teamsters Local 142

Cement Masons and Plasterers Local 692

Electricians

Glaziers Local 11654

317-542-7617

Heat and Frost Insulators-Local 17

Ironworkers Local 395 Apprenticeship Program

Laborers Local 41

Laborers Local 81

Operating Engineers

NWI Painters

219-945-0956

Pile Drivers

Pipe Fitters Local 597

Roofers Local #26 Training Center

Sheet Metal Workers Local 20

Sprinkler Fitters Local 281

Technical Engineers

For more than seven decades, this principle has remained at the heart of UNCF, enabling us to raise more than $5 billion and help more than 500,000 students and counting not just attend college, but thrive, graduate and become leaders.

We do this in three ways: By awarding more than 7,000 students scholarships, worth more than $83 million, each year. By providing financial support to 37 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). And by serving as the nation’s leading advocate for the importance of minority education and community engagement.

This three-pronged approach is powerful: Since our founding in 1944, we’ve helped to more than double the number of minorities attending college. The six-year graduation rate for UNCF African American scholarship recipient is 70%. This is 11% higher than the national average and 31% higher than the national average for all African Americans.

If you are interested in the military, check out these websites for additional information.

U.S. Army

Army National Guard

U.S. Navy

U.S. Air Force

U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Coast Guard

Air National Guard

October is Bullying Prevention Month. We want to encourage all students to be aware of what is happening around them and help stop bullying. Bullying is defined as:

• unwanted aggressive behavior
• observed or perceived power imbalance
• repetition or high likelihood of repetition of bullying behaviors

If someone is being bullied, please take action. Talk to an adult that you trust. If someone is being bullied at school, please tell a school employee. You can always talk with your school counselor if you are worried about yourself or a friend.

You can find additional information about bullying prevention at the Stop Bullying website. Anonymous tips can be submitted via the CHS website.

If you plays sports, please familiarize yourself with the NCAA and NAIA athletic recruiting requirements.

The Counseling Office at CHS regularly hosts college admissions reps as well as recruiters from each branch of the military. Students can sign up to attend college rep visits by logging into Naviance. In Naviance choose Colleges-then in the drop down list and choose College Visits. You can see which schools are coming to CHS and register to attend. Don't forget to come to the counseling office to pick up a pass to attend the meetings.

The school counselors have worked diligently to meet with their seniors over the past month. We wanted to pass along information that is shared during these meetings. In this PDF you will find information about the college applicaiton process, apprenticeship and trades careers, and more.

Mrs. Miranda Blue-Administrative Assistant mblue@duneland.k12.in.us

Mrs. Christine Starkey-Registrar cstarkey@duneland.k12.in.us

Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Dial 988

Email: jesmoker@duneland.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.duneland.k12.in.us/domain/145
Location: 2125 South 11th Street, Chesterton, IN, USA
Phone: 219-983-3730
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHS.CounselingOffice
Twitter: @CHS_CCCoffice