January Counseling Focus

January Wellness Challenge

NAMI Mental Health Visit with 8th Graders

High School & Beyond Planning

Selecting a High School

Scholarships & FAFSA

This month we are continuing our lessons on Zones of Regulation! We are working on recognizing the sensations in our body that are giving us signals throughout our day on what our body may need: water, food, movement break, etc... We are learning to name our emotions and using facial and body clues to help us figure out how we are feeling and what others around us are feeling.

We will continue to use the four Zones of Regulation to help us navigate these emotions.

Blue Zone = Moving Slow = Tired, Sad, Sick, or Bored

Green Zone = Optimal Learning = Happy, Calm, Focused, Ready to Learn

Yellow Zone = Moving Fast = Hungry, Frustrated, Nervous, Worried, Silly

Red Zone = Out of Control = Angry, Aggressive, Terrified, Panicked

Please use these zones at home too! All zones are Ok and of course we move through many different zones throughout the day.

This month we are encouraging families to pick a space and tidy up! There are many mental health benefits to decluttering! When your space is clear and tidy, so is your mind and that reduces anxiety! Encourage your students and family members to pick a space this month and work together to organize it! It can be a therapeutic process to let go of the things in your life that you do not want, use, or that no longer bring you joy!

Wednesday, January 24th, Conway 8th graders will be receiving a guest visit from NAMI to learn more about mental health.

NAMI Ending the Silence is a presentation designed for middle and high school students, school staff, and parents or guardians of middle or high school aged youth. Audiences learn about the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, how to recognize the early warning signs and the importance of acknowledging those warning signs.

Our Conway Wellness Committee is also planning and coordinating a parent information night for 6-8th grades with NAMI to give parents/caregivers some training on what signs to look for in your youth with regards to mental health. More to come on this later!

The High School & Beyond Plan revolves around three questions: Who am I?, What can I become?, and How do I become that?

The High School & Beyond Plan, a graduation requirement, helps students think about their future. Students work with school counselors and advisors to create their own individual plan, the “personalized pathway", starting in 7th & 8th grade and continue throughout high school and revise their plan annually to accommodate changing interests or postsecondary goals on what they expect to do the year following graduation from high school. The postsecondary aspirations may include pathways for application to four-year colleges or universities, two-year community or technical colleges, apprenticeship programs, industry standard certificate programs, military training, or on-the-job training.

At Conway, 8th graders are using the XELLO Career Curriculum. This platform allows students to complete interactive career, personality, and learning style assessments to help them better understand their unique interests, skills, and strengths. Each student has a Xello portfolio that captures all of their career assessments, planning, and exploration in one spot. They are able to research career pathways, explore colleges, and create resumes or other employment planning as well!

Ask your student to show you their Xello Portfolio and check out what they have been up to!

Conway students have multiple choices to consider for High School. Later this month 8th graders will begin to explore and learn about their high school options. While most students over the years have selected to attend our "designated" high school of Mount Vernon, many students also choose to waiver into neighboring high schools such as Stanwood, La Conner, Burlington, or Sedro-Woolley.

8th grade students will get a chance to talk with former Conway students that chose to attend both La Conner High School and Mount Vernon High School and meet the high school counselors in February. Parents will be getting more information in February's Counselor Connection on the highlights of each high school that will help you make this important decision with your student before March when Freshmen registration begins.

Attention Middle School Students: Are you interested in health care? Construction? Video game design? Running a business? Whatever your career goals, the College Bound Scholarship will help you attend and pay for the school that is right for you! College Bound is an early commitment of state financial aid to eligible students who fulfill the College Bound pledge. The College Bound Scholarship covers average tuition, fees, and a book allowance at over 65 colleges, universities, and technical schools in Washington. Are you College Bound?

Am I Eligible?

Students who meet one of the following requirements are automatically enrolled in College Bound:

1. Students who are in public school and eligible for free-and-reduced price lunch in 7th, 8th, or newly eligible in 9th grade.
2. Students who are in state foster care, or a dependent of the state between 7th grade and high school graduation.

Other ways to qualify

Some students do not fit into either scenario but are interested in applying for College Bound. Students and families can contact the College Bound program to apply if they meet one of the following criteria:

1. Attend a private school or homeschool program in Washington State and meet the income requirements.
2. Are in another type of foster care and not eligible for free-and-reduced price lunch.

New Updates: The College Bound pledge has been updated, effective fall 2023! Now, students who attend community college or tech school are no longer required to have a 2.0 GPA in high school.

Learn More: Parents click the button below to see the Household Income Guidelines and more about whether your student qualifies for this scholarship!

The 2024-2025 FAFSA opened December 31, 2023. The new FAFSA will have many changes, including the important provisions for homeless and foster youth. The delay from the usual October 1st release will shorten the amount of time students have to complete the FAFSA and to make an informed decision about choosing a college.

I am here to support your students and family!

Email - smiller@conway.k12.wa.us

Phone - 360-445-5785 x 5526

Ms. Sallie's Referral Form

Counseling Website