Counseling Connection

A Student Services newsletter to keep you in the loop on all things happening at PHS and specifically information from your Student Services Department. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, concerns, or need for support. We are here to help in any way that we can!

School Counselor - Mrs. Elgersma (A-K): lelgersma@plano88.org; 630-552-3178 ext. 7508

School Counselor - Ms. Voise (L-Z): cvoise@plano88.org; 630-552-3178 ext. 7504

School Social Worker - Ms. DeGarmo (A-K): kdegarmo@pasec.net; 630-552-3178 ext. 7506

School Social Worker - Mrs. Rutsay (L-Z): brutsay@pasec.net; 630-552-3178 ext. 7510

School Psychologist - Mrs. Still: kstill@pasec.net; 630-552-3178 ext. 7512

Assistant Principal for Student Services - Mrs. Adelmann: jadelmann@plano88.org; 630-552-3178 ext. 7507

Director of Special Education at PHS - Kari Pyle: kpyle@pasec.net; 630-552-3178

ISAC College Coach - Ms. Gutierrez: martha.gutierrez@illinois.gov; 630-946-3688

GRIT Counselor - Mrs. Easely cnolan@plano88.org; 630-552-3178

As we adjust to a new and unique school year we have put in place a different way to request to see a counselor, social worker, or principal.

Students can scan the QR code found on the fliers in the hallways and classrooms that will take them to a Google Form they fill out in order to see a member of Student Services. The request form is linked here as well.

Request to see someone in Student Services

Seniors interested in attending Waubonsee Community College in the Fall - Your WCC rep will be hosting Getting Started Virtual Workshops to help you with the enrollment process and first steps that you need to take in order to attend WCC in the fall of 2021.

Your counselors HIGHLY recommend you attend one of these workshops to help you get started enrolling at Waubonsee.

Getting Started Workshops

December 2nd (6pm)

Registration for the December 2nd meeting coming soon!

If you have any questions please reach out to your WCC Rep - Carlos Suarez via email: csuarez@waubonsee.edu OR by phone at 630-466-2366.

• All SAT (seniors) scores from the October 14th test date should now have access to their test scores via their College Board accounts
• All PSAT (juniors) scores from the October 14th test date will be made available to students through their College Board accounts the week of December 7th

Seniors! The FAFSA (financial aid application) is now REQUIRED for all graduating seniors. You must complete the FAFSA in order to graduate from high school!

You can read more about the new State Requirement here

The FAFSA Application opened October 1, 2020! We encourage you and your family to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible!

So what is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and it is a part of the financial aid process for college. It is used to apply for federal student aid such as grants, student loans, and work study opportunities.

Information for completing the FAFSA

Even more information regarding the financial aid process and the FAFSA

Your student's School Counselor and/or The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) College Coach will be available to help you complete the FAFSA and answer any questions you may have. Please reach out with any questions or concerns!

Our ISAC College Coach, Ms. Gutierrez, is still available to ALL of our students and families via email and phone. Please feel free to contact her directly.

Martha J Gutierrez

ISACorps Member (Waubonsee Community College)

Illinois Student Assistance Commission

Phone number (630) 946-3688

martha.gutierrez@illinois.gov

Interested in going on a college visit but not sure how to make that happen? We've got the links for you!

Many of the college/universities are providing virtual experiences for our students.

Click here to see what opportunities are currently available!

Please see this attached flyer (in Spanish) for more information on the Spanish Speaking Parent Info Night being held on Thursday, December 3rd regarding communication platforms and how to best support your student(s)!

Have you been affected by Covid-19? Do you need help paying your rent, mortgage, or utilities?

Please see this attached flyer for more information on how to receive funds to pay rent, mortgage, or utilities!

Does your student need help staying organized? Has remote learning been a difficult adjustment? Does your student want more support to help organize their classes and assignments?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions then your student needs to schedule a time to meet with Ms. Dellorto! Ms. Dellorto is working with students to help them organize their classes, assignments, and remote learning.

Please see the attached flyer HERE for more information on Ms. Dellorto's Office Hours!

Ms. Dellorto's Zoom Office Hours Link can be found HERE

Staying on track for graduation is important whether you are a Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior! Staying on track for graduation can ensure that you will graduate with your class AND be eligible for extracurriculars, driver's education, and much more!

Click here to view a video that will guide you through specific information regarding what it means to be on track for graduation!

As always, contact your School Counselor with any questions or concerns!

Just a friendly reminder - some students may have scheduled meetings with counselors, social workers, teachers, etc. outside of their regularly scheduled Zoom times. Please make sure you review with your student any scheduled meeting they may have outside of their normal Zoom times.

Examples of this may be: Senior Meetings, Counselor Check-Ins, Meeting with Social Worker, Individual Teacher Conference, etc.

Please reach out with any questions or concerns!

If you have not yet taken advantage of the FREE drive-thru school meals, this week is the time to do so! Since food service is closed the week of Thanksgiving, we will be passing out boxes with 7 days of meals on Thursday, November 19th. Yes, that’s right, 7 breakfasts & 7 lunches on Thursday. The boxes will include half-gallons of milk, instead of little cartons, and many frozen favorites like pizza, burgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken nuggets and fresh fruits and vegetables, like carrots, apples and grapes! Remember, these meals are FREE for all children 18-under. You do not have to be approved for free or reduced meals, no names are taken, and even children who are not in school yet can get their own FREE box!

Pick-up times are Mondays and Thursdays between 8:30-9:30 AM, 11:30-12:30 PM and 5-6 PM at all school buildings (Centennial School does not offer the 5-6 time period, but offers meals all other times). Also, even though Emily Johns is closed to students at this time, they offer a very safe drive-thru meal service for your convenience.

Facebook: PHS School Counselors AND Plano 88

Instagram: Plano High School Counselors @phs_counselors

Twitter: Plano C.U.S.D. #88 @PlanoCUSD88 AND Plano HS Counselors @PHS_Counselors

Student Services Google Site: https://sites.google.com/plano88.org/phs-student-services/home

Download the Plano 88 App from the Apple App store OR get the app on Google Play. See the District website for more information!

A new, free-of-charge emotional support text line, Call4Calm, is now available for Illinois residents experiencing stress and mental health issues related to COVID-19. Illinois Department of Human Services’ Mental Health Division launched the hotline, which connects people with the mental health services and other support systems they need.

Individuals who would like to speak with a mental health professional can text “TALK” to 552020 to connect with a counselor. The service is also available in Spanish by texting “HABLAR” to the same number.

Attached are additional resources from your Student Services Team. Please feel free to contact us with any questions after reviewing this information.

Student Services Support

SAT Practice

Khan Academy

Apps for Students Looking For Extra Academic Support

Mindfulness Exercises

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1800-273-TALK OR Text CONNECT to 741741

Free 24/7 Confidential National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1800-799-7233

WHERE CAN I GO FOR HELP?

Kendall County Health Department - 811 West John St., Yorkville - 630-553-9100

Linden Oaks at Edward Hospital - 801 South Washington St., Naperville - 630-305-5500 or 630-305-5027

Mercy Behavioral Health - 1325 North Highland Ave., Aurora - 630-801-2657

Joi Counseling Center - 674 Veterans Parkway Suite D, Yorkville - 630-553-9686

SASS - 22 South Spring Street, Elgin - 847-695-3680

Centennial Counseling - 106 Countryside Parkway, Yorkville - 630-553-9686 OR Centennial Counseling at 1 County Line Rd, Sandwich - 815-786-8606

Family Counseling Services - 70 South River Street #2, Aurora - 630-844-2662

Suicide Prevention Services - 528 South Batavia Avenue #1, Batavia - 630-482-9696

Academics

Scholarships

Transcript Requests

College