SHS Counseling Newsletter

Let The Fun Begin!

• Meet Our Team
• Upcoming Events & Reminders
• My Life Plan
• Counseling Needs Assessment
• Direct Admissions
• Counselor Café

You met our team last month, but just as a reminder...

As shared in our last newsletter, for easy access to an appointment with your counselor, click on the link under their name and you can book a time that works for you.

9th-12th College Knowledge Night & Financial Aid Night - Wed October 8th 6-8pm

This night is an opportunity for all students, along with their families, to learn more about the college application process, hear from college representatives, learn how to complete a college search, and much more! We will also have sessions available in Spanish and Somali for students and families to learn more about the college process in native languages. We look forward to having families join us for this wonderful event!

9th - 12th South MnACC College Fair -Tues, October 28 During School Hours

Hosted in our South gymnasium, representatives from colleges and universities throughout the Midwest, will allow students to gather information and explore post-secondary options.

To Keep up with college preparation information, please keep an eye out for weekly CCC newsletters. For more information, click here to go directly to the CCC webpage

Senior Kickoff - Tues-Fri September 16th-19th

Seniors will gather in the Media Center during their Social Studies classes on Tuesday the 16th to kickoff their senior year planning and preparation. They will receive information and support to ensure they have a plan for after high school. On the 17th - 19th, students will have an opportunity to meet 1-on-1 with their School Counselor to verify that they are on track towards graduation and discuss their future plans. If students are not currently on track, they will create a plan to meet those graduation goals.

9th Grade - Study Habits and Skills - Tues September 30th

Students will join the Counseling Team in the Media Center during social Studies Classes to talk about ways to be a successful student in their time here at South!

11th Grade - Postsecondary Research (Part 1 of 2) - Tues October 21st

Counselors will meet with small groups of juniors, in the media center, during social studies classes. We will review the various postsecondary options and terminology and provide resources to research these options.

At the beginning of each school year, all students are required to complete the "Counseling Needs Assessment". This a brief survey that the counseling team uses to ensure we are providing the most comprehensive services to meet students' unique needs.

Students were given an opportunity to complete this survey in their second period classes this week. However, if your student hasn't completed it yet, we ask them to use the following link ... This will walk you through logging into their Xello portal to find the survey.

Thank you for partnering with your Counseling Team to get this complete.

Minnesota's Direct Admissions program holds strong to their core belief: every student is “college material.” This program will notify graduating high school seniors, from selected Minnesota high schools, that there are multiple partner colleges and universities that are eager to admit them based on their academic records and their projected graduation date. This program will allow students to apply with confidence, knowing that the "will I get in?" question has already been answered with a "YES!"

How does Direct Admissions work?

Early in the school year, seniors at participating high schools (including South) who are on track to graduate will receive personalized communication, co-signed by their high school and the Office of Higher Education, that lists all participating Minnesota colleges and universities they are proactively admitted to. Students must then complete a FREE admissions application for each of the colleges and universities they are interested in attending. All participating colleges and universities are waiving application fees as part of the Direct Admissions program.

Although students have received “direct admission” to the institutions on their list, they still must submit applications to their colleges and universities according to their application deadlines. Some schools may require additional materials, such as essays and standardized test scores. Students are encouraged to conduct their own research, visit the institutions’ website and/or campus, look into majors and programs, and consider tuition costs and financial aid options.

Students’ applications will be processed according to the timeline indicated by each college or university’s website. Students will receive an official acceptance letter after they have submitted their application. Students can contact the institution directly with questions about the status of application.

There are over 50 Minnesota colleges and universities participating in the Direct Admissions program, including a full range of community, technical, tribal, public and private institutions. Click here for a full list of participating colleges and universities.

If students are interested in postsecondary institutions that are not on their personalized list, they will want to follow the standard application process for the schools they are interested in.

More information to come, just wanted this to be on your radar!

Each month, on the 1st Thursday, the Counseling Team will host a table in the lunchroom during both lunches. We are there to say hi, answer questions, notify you about events, talk about credit recovery, My Life Plan lessons, or anything else! Having trouble connecting with us? Find us in the lunchroom!