SHS Counseling Newsletter

• Upcoming Events & Reminders
• My Life Plan
• Senior Info
• Course Registration 2026-2027
• Scholarship Season
• Step Up Application
• PSEO for fall 2026
• Credit recovery
• Counseling Updates
• National School Counseling Week
• Support Resources

9th - 11th Grades - Course Registrations happening now!

Counselors are working with all students, through their English classes and one-on-one, to instruct and support students as they fill out their Academic Plan (course request) for classes in the 2026-2027 school year. See below for more information about registration.

9th - 11th Grades - Postsecondary Planning Night - Tuesday March 10th

Save the date!! More information to come!

10th Grade - Program Prospects - Tuesday February 3rd

Counselors will join students in Social Studies classes for one class period. This lesson will help students learn about different types of postsecondary programs, such as apprenticeships and degree programs. It explores career options and helps students evaluate options in terms of strengths, academic interests and career interests.

11th Grade - Career Panels - Tuesday Feb 10th

All 11th graders will join counselors in the media center during Social Studies class periods. They will be introduced to professionals, working in various career fields in the Twin Cities, that will share about their pathways leading them into their professions. Students typically learn about: what type of education is needed to access certain careers, what type of income/salary ranges are available, job demand, job mobility, job responsibilities, etc. This is very informative and interactional and a great learning experience for our 11th graders!

9th Grade - Personality Types - Tuesday March 3rd

For this lesson, Counselors will join 9th graders in their social studies classes. Students will investigate personality styles and how their own personality style can help them at home, school, work and other areas of their life.

10th Grade - Getting Experience/Resume Building - Tuesday March 17th

Counselors will join students in Social Studies classes. In this lesson, students will explore skills and behaviors that employers look for, such as time management, dependability, good attitude, communication skills, problem solving, etc. Student will be able to explain why these skills and behaviors are important to various careers, assess their own employability skills, and create their own resume.

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.

This year, students will see changes in Souths' course registration process. The district is updating Infinite Campus and improving the registration portal, creating a more streamlined and effective process for students. Here is a link to some helpful reminders and instructions about the new portal/process.

In all classes, teachers have presented what course offerings there are in each subject area. We also 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.

Currently, counselors are visiting students in English classes and meeting one-on-one, supporting students to enter those course selections for the 2026-2027 school year.

As a reminder, South uses students' course selections to create our course schedule each year. This is why we put so much emphasis on educating students on course offerings and graduation requirements; so students can feel informed making big decisions, including 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 reach out to your counselor with your questions or ensure your student is on the right path.

Below is a screen shot of the new Course Plan Portal.

Dease Scholarship due February 9 (student needs to be accepted to St. Thomas before applying)

The DGV Scholarship Program due February 13

Dell Scholars Program due February 15

Denny Sanford University of Minnesota Twin Cities Scholarship due February 15

Hispanic Scholarship Fund due February 15

Ciresi Walburn Leadership Fellowship due February 16 (student needs to be accepted to St. Thomas before applying)

Groth Music Scholarship due February 16

Richard and Louise Varco Scholarship due February 23 at 3pm

UNCF Eddie Phillips Scholars Program due February 23

AAUW Scholarship due February 27

Minnesota Masonic Charities Scholarship due February 28

TheDream.US National Scholarship due February 28

Step Up places Minneapolis students ages 14-21 (by June 1, 2020) into paid internship opportunities at some of the Twin Cities top companies. A detailed list of eligibility guidelines can be found at www.stepupmpls.org under “Eligibility and Requirements.”

Students who have participated in Step Up have had the opportunity to develop resume building skills at companies like Boston Scientific, Hennepin County, American Institute of Architects, and many more across the Twin Cities.

The online application for Step Up is now open and available at www.stepupmpls.org. The application deadline is Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 11:59pm.

If you plan to take PSEO courses (college courses on a college campuses) in the fall, please be mindful of upcoming deadlines. This is the student's responsibility to apply, meet with their academic advisor at the college, and register for approved courses (list found here).

South's PSEO Checklist is here and must be followed step-by-step.

Upcoming PSEO Info Sessions

Credit Recovery Opportunities are fast Approaching!

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

(including Health or PE):

In order for students to be on track for graduation, students need to recover each failed quarter.

If you believe/know your student is credit deficient, please have them see their counselor as soon as possible to see which option/s are the best fit academically to get them back on track toward meeting graduation requirements.

1. AT South: After School Credit Recovery (ALC "Blasts")

• February sign ups are happening!
• Credit recovery available for:
• English (any)
• World History
• Intermediate Algebra & Advanced Algebra
• Biology & Chemistry

• Spring Break Academy

• Dates: March 30 through April 3

  Classes: 8 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

  Period 1: 8:30-10 a.m.

  Period 2: 10-11:30 a.m.

*** Students must reach out to their counselor to discuss signing up!

Current counselor caseloads are below!

Please click here to find your counselor's name and "bookings" link to make an appointment!

National School Counseling Week celebrates the unique contribution of School Counselors within U.S. school systems, and highlights the tremendous impact School Counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. This year's theme is: School Counselors Amplify Student Success.

Our Counseling Team is grateful to work with our South families and desire nothing more than to support your student's success🎓