This Week in the Counseling Office.

By: Jeffrey Harper

Week seven has been very busy in the Counseling Office:  By Monday morning, Oct. 1, the Counselors will have hosted over 100 university admissions office representatives in 8 days!  Oh, and did our regular jobs too!  Whew!

If you haven’t already done so, please ask your Seniors to make an appointment with their counselor to discuss their individual university application plan.  There are many details to discuss, such as, Early Decision/Action, financial certificates, essays, etc.

Juniors were given their parent access codes for Naviance, the university and career planning and exploration program, to take home this past week.  If you haven’t seen these, please ask your child!

Freshmen began meeting with the Freedom From Chemical Dependence (FCD) trainers from the 26^th.  FCD is a part of ISB’s substance abuse prevention program. This is a great time to have another conversation about substance abuse . . . and to express your family values about this issue.  Even though you may have had “the talk” about drugs and alcohol, and your children have promised to uphold your family rules, they NEVER leave the decision threshold, and therefore, need regular opportunities to renew their commitments to their family.

ISB does not send or mail any “report cards” home to parents: Parents must consult PowerSchool to monitor your child’s academic achievement in school.  Teachers leave notes to students AND parents on PowerSchool, so you should check once a week.  However, parents should not check their children’s grades too often, as this puts undue pressure on their child and can increase grade anxiety.  A once–a-week chat about school and grades, with PowerSchool open, would be a good family practice, with parents helping their child to find and use resources when or if improvement is needed.

As some parents have noticed, the Internet connection at ISB is under repair for improved performance.  Lately, the system has been very slow, or stopped.  Please be patient: the Counselors will make every effort to reply to any electronic correspondence within 24 hours on work days.  The Counselors are not normally available on week-ends for quick e-mail reply.

Students receive many, many (too many?) e-mails from universities.  Some of these should not be ignored.  Often a university is sending an e-mail because they are actively recruiting your son or daughter . . . and are able to “sweetened the pot” by offering financial help to bring in your application.  If your son or daughter receive an e-mail from a university that may be a good fit, possibly as a “safety” school, you might be wise to apply, especially before mid-October, when colleges and universities have a larger pot of financial aid at their disposal.  Ask your son or daughter to show you, or forward, the college–related e-mail they have been receiving.

What’s Coming Up…
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parents are encouraged to attend Parent-Teacher Conferences this coming Friday, October 5 in the main gymnasium.  The counselors will be seated in the back of the gym and prefer speaking to parents after they have spoken with all of their children’s teachers

College 101
There will be a “College 101” session at 11:30am in association with Parent-Teacher Conference day on Friday, October 5^th.  The session is for parents of 9-11^th graders who would be considering university in The States for their children in the future.  Watch on that day for the posted signs announcing the location.

University Research Lab

The University Research Lab is open EVERY Monday for students who would like to work on their university application, essay, search, etc.  Open from 2:15 – 3:00 in Room 203 and a counselor will be there to help.  Encourage your senior to make this a weekly habit!

Registration for the November SAT is October 4th! The College Board DOES NOT ALLOW any “Stand-By” or “Walk-In” registrations any more!  If you are a Senior taking the SAT in November, remember to use your four (4) FREE score reports when registering – they cost a lot to send them later!  T

University Visits:  All University Representatives’ Meetings occur during lunch period, unless otherwise noted (Please check Naviance for any last minute changes, cancellations or delays.  Parents are always welcome)

Linden Tour (39 GREAT universities mostly from the USA)            Mon. Oct. 1

Cafeteria 10:15 – 11:20 – Check Naviance for full list!