SHS Counseling Newsletter

• Upcoming Events & Reminders
• My Life Plan
• Credit Recovery
• Senior Information
• Course Registration
• Counselor Café
• Counselor Appointments

Future Tiger Night (Open House) - Tuesday December 9, 6-8pm

This event is geared for 8th grade students and families that are interested in attending South next year and want more information as they are making their enrollment choices. There will be a presentation with school information, a student panel and then a chance for families to tour the school and visit with teachers.

9-11th Grades - Registration Presentations - Tuesday January 13

Counselors will present information to students in their science classrooms on January 13th. Counselors will outline what course offerings there are, encourage students to work with family and teachers to plan out what courses are important to them on their unique academic pathway, and what the process will look like for registration.

9th & 10th Grades - Electives Fair - Thursday January 15

Throughout the day, students will be invited to the auditorium to visit representatives from South's elective courses. Students will have the opportunity to visit tables to get information about the class offerings from teachers and other students who have taken the courses. These include: CTE course offerings, our fine arts, AVID, world languages , MCTC Urban Ed Pathways and much more!

9th - 11th Grades - Course Registration one-on-ones - Dates TBD

Students will each meet with counselors one-on-one to make their course requests. Be ready!!

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

11th Grade - Postsecondary Research (Part 2 of 2) - Tuesday December 9th

Counselors will follow up with juniors, as small groups in the media center, during social studies classes. During part one, we introduced the various postsecondary options and terminology. Students accessed their student Xello portal and navigated where to find information pertaining to each postsecondary pathway. This session will allow students to do a deeper dive a pathway they are interested in pursuing after high school; allowing them to gain information on how and where to start the postsecondary planning process.

9th Grade - Social Emotional Learning - Tuesday December 16th

Students will be learning about conflict resolution strategies and how to apply them to daily interactions.

For any student who has received an 'F' or 'NC' in a core or required class

(including Health or PE):

Winter Break Academy

Please be checking your student emails to get confirmations of your enrollment, instructions for the classes, and reminders as we get closer to break.

South After School Credit Recovery (ALC "Blasts")

If you need to sign up for more credit recovery, please see your counselor!

Upcoming "Blasts Include"

December: English, Intermediate Algebra, Geometry, Physical Science, Biology

January: English, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, Social Studies TBD

February: English, Intermediate Algebra, Advanced Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, Social Studies TBD

March: English, Math and Social Studies TBD

Spring Break Academy

***More information to come

Offered during our MPS Spring Break March 30th - April 3rd

Summer School

***More information to come

For continued, up to date information about graduation and events, visit the South Senior Site. As soon as we know it, you can find it here: Senior Calendar, events, yearbook information, ceremony information, etc.

From your good friends in the CCC...

Seniors, January 1st deadlines happen over Winter Break. If you need materials sent by a counselor or a letter of recommendation from a teacher, please make sure you are requesting all of those materials in Xello by December 18. Materials requested over break will not be sent, as counselors and the CCC will be unavailable.

It is your responsibility to request your transcripts and letters of recommendation in Xello. If you are using Common App, you will need to make sure your Common App is connected to your Xello account. To do this, seniors need to complete their FERPA waiver in Common App to connect the accounts. Students need to waive their rights in order for counselors to send transcripts and fee waivers. Once that is complete, you will need to assign your counselor so they can send your materials to the colleges.

If you are not using Common App, you still need to request transcripts and letters of recommendation in Xello. All of the steps for how to complete parts of your application process can be found here.

If colleges require you to send test scores, you will need to go to act.org and log into your account to send scores. There is a cost associated with sending scores, so students will need to have a debit or credit card ready.

Please stop by the CCC with any questions!

For all you planners out there!

South values student and family choice in building our class schedule! We use students' course selections to create our course schedule each year! Because we put so much emphasis on student/family voice in this matter, we offer multiple opportunities to engage students and families in learning about course offerings and various academic pathways. This includes decisions to take certain electives, participate in college opportunities both on and off our campus (CIS or PSEO or CTE), to take AP classes, and to ensure students are taking the classes that align best with their future academic and career endeavors. Please see the events section (above) and information here about our registration process, so that you can reach out with your questions or ensure your student is on the right path.

In January 2026, the registration process will begin! Counselors will present information to students in their science classrooms on January 13th. We will explain the various course offerings, academic pathways, and options. Students currently in 9th or 10th grade will be attending an Electives fair on January 15th that will expose them to all the elective course offerings and help guide their class selection process. Then, all 9th-11th grade students will have one-on-one meetings with their counselors, to make their course selections for the 2026-2027 school year.

So, we encourage you to start having conversations and reach out to teachers or Counselors with questions!

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 in our offices? Find us in the lunchroom!

This month we shared lunch on December 4th.

We are here and want to partner with you!

Please click here to find your counselor's name and "bookings" link. Under the counselor's picture, you can click on "Book a Meeting". This will only offer appointment times directly with that particular counselor, and only when they have availability. You get to choose what time works for you! You are also welcome to email or call, as all their contact information is accessible as well.