Counselor Newsletter
November 2025
The 9th and 10th graders are going to get logged onto schoolinks this month. Schoolinks is a college and career readiness platform used by many high schools to help students plan for life after graduation. It’s designed to centralize resources for students so they can explore options, set goals, and stay organized. Here’s a breakdown of what it does:
Key Features:
- College Search & Applications: Explore colleges, scholarship opportunities, and track applications
- Career Exploration: Learn about careers that match your interests and skills
- Goal Setting: Create short- and long-term academic and personal goals
- Resume/Portfolio Building: Document activities, achievements, and experiences for college or job applications
During the week of November 17, students will update their Schoolinks Profile, which creates a custom-made resume for students. Topics Include:
- Education: Anticipated High School Diploma Date. GPA (if above 3.0). Any relevant coursework.
- Work Experience: Part time or summer jobs, including restaurant, retail, childcare, grocery store, etc
- Volunteer Experience
- Activities: Participation in clubs, sports, youth group, after school matters, summer camps, religious school
- Skills and Certifications: Computer programs, language fluency, CPR and First Aid certified, etc
- Honors: Honor Roll, Puma of the Month, etc
Although we are creating this profile in November of junior year, students can and should continue adding new activities and work experiences in order to keep the resume up to date.
Now that most students have submitted their college applications, our next big push is for every senior to submit their Financial Aid Application (FAFSA or IL Alternative Application) by Friday, November 21. Learn about the differences between the financial aid forms here: Which Financial Aid Application should I complete? FAFSA or Illinois Alternative Application
Students can work on their financial aid application on their own with their family, or they can get help:
- Thursday, November 13, 5pm-7pm: Financial Aid Completion Family Workshop
- Tuesday, November 18, 12pm-3:00pm: School Day Drop-in Financial Aid Support
Also, if you missed the Early Action deadline for your college you can - and should - still apply. We strongly encourage you to submit all applications immediately to maximize your chances of getting the most acceptances with the most scholarship dollars.
November 11: No School, Veteran's Day
November 16: National Honors Society Blood Drive
November 21: S1 Progress Reports #3
November 24-28: No School, Fall Break
*Students are dismissed at 1:30pm every Wednesday.
Juniors and Seniors: Last names A-Da
Sophomores: Advisories Penn State-Thompson/C Bargielowski, U Wisconsin-Cristi/M Kulig, Ohio State-Vinson/Ruby
Freshmen: Advisories Iowa State-Kaufman/Hayes, Kansas-Latimore/Leonard
Email: lkane@meridiancharterschools.org
Phone: 773-478-3655 x6043
Ms. Askharia
Junior and Seniors: Last names De-Khem
Sophomores: Advisories Minnesota-Rosario/Clark, Iowa-Lindgren/Seeberg
Freshmen: Advisories Denver-McBride/B Bargielowski, Baylor-Hernandez/Uribe, Alabama-Tovar/Cummins
Email: daskharia@meridiancharterschools.org
Phone: 773-478-3655 x6060
Mrs. Boyle
Junior and Seniors: Last names Khen-Pe
Sophomores: Advisories Northwestern-Auger/Kattan, Illinois-Rock/J.Wright
Freshmen: Advisories Oklahoma-Nguyen/Macias, Oklahoma State-Randle/Strohmeier
Email: mboyle@meridiancharterschools.org
Phone: 773-478-3655 x6074
Ms Joyner
Counselor Intern
Email: rjoyner@meridiancharterschools.org
Phone: 773-478-3655 x6034
*Students on Mrs. Rosenberg's caseload have been temporarily reassigned to Mrs Kane, Ms Askharia, or Mrs Boyle while we are interviewing for a new counselor. In PowerSchool, you can see which counselor you'll be working with in the interim listed in your Counselor Corner.
