Partner’s In Your Educational Journey Of Life

This fall the Tivy High School Guidance Counselors provided students the opportunity of participating in small group counseling. The groups focused on study skills, personality traits, interest inventories, career exploration, personal growth, and the development of goals. Twelve seniors joined Mrs. Young and Mrs. Sullivan seven times in the “Do What You Are” group. They had an exiting time learning what their personality traits said about the type of work environment that they would most excel. Mrs. Perez held seven group sessions with multi-level students that highlighted the study skills and academic traits needed to achieve success in and out of the classroom.

All group evaluations indicated that not only were the groups a worthwhile use of their time, but they learned things about themselves as students that would assist them in becoming more organized, prepared, and successful. Next semester brings additional opportunities to the parents and students of Tivy High School. The following groups will be offered to THS students:

1. Study Skills (Repeated) Groups with Micaela Perez- All students eligible to participate
2. “I Am Powerful” Group with Kendall Young- Girls Only- All levels
3. No More Drama Group with Jessica Sullivan- All students eligible to participate
4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens with Kendall Young- All students eligible to participate
5. Making the Transition with John Milner- Students sent to DAEP/KCJDC eligible to participate

If you or your child are interested in signing up for the small group counseling groups listed above, please contact the counselor facilitating the group by January 14th. We look forward to serving your child!

Resources to be used in group:

http://www.miguelruiz.com/fouragreements.html The Four Agreements

http://www.7habits4teens.com/ The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

http://www.attitudeiseverything.com/ Attitude is Everything

http://www.suzeorman.com/ Women and Money

Now that your child has applied for college or selected at least four universities to apply for by December or January, you may be wondering how you are going to pay for it. There are a tremendous amount of dollars available to students to assist in paying for college. In fact, over $4 Billion is available every year to help Texans attend college and Tivy High School graduates from 2009 racked in over $1 million dollars just in Kerr County alone. So, now you are probably wondering how to get your hands on a portion of the money.

First, the English 4 students will be filling out their local scholarship application by December 12th. This application will provide the counseling office with detailed information that will allow the counselors to direct students to scholarship opportunities. For example, if a student is interested in being a teacher then the counselor will know to not only have them apply for the local teaching scholarship, but also have the student fill out the fafsa to identify the student for the Texas Teach Program. Secondly, students and parents need to follow the suggestions provided below by the College Board Program. They are:

Application Tips
Here are some tips your child can use to create solid applications and avoid common scholarship mistakes:

1. Start Researching Scholarships Early
The more time your child can put into a scholarship search, the more options there’ll be. Your child will need time to research scholarships, request information and application materials, and complete applications—plus, some scholarships have deadlines early in the fall of the senior year. Your child can use our online Scholarship Search to get started.

2. Read Eligibility Requirements Carefully
If your child has a question about eligibility for a particular scholarship, contact the scholarship sponsors immediately.

3. Organize All Scholarship Materials
Your child should create a separate file for each scholarship and file by application date. Keep a calendar of application deadlines and follow-up appointments.

Many scholarships require your child to provide some combination of the following:

Transcript
Standardized test scores
Financial aid forms, such as the FAFSA or PROFILE
Parent’s financial information, including tax returns
One or more essays
One or more letters of recommendation
Proof of eligibility (e.g. membership credentials)
Your child may also need to prepare for a personal interview. For students competing for talent-based scholarships, an audition, performance, or portfolio may be required.

4. Proofread Applications Carefully
Your child can use the computer’s spelling and grammar check features to scan for any careless mistakes, however, it’s also a good idea to ask others—you, a teacher, or a friend—to read the essays and share thoughts and ideas.

5. Don’t Leave Items Blank
Blank items will slow down the processing of your child’s application. Your child should contact scholarship sponsors with questions on how to fill out any part of the application.

6. Follow Instructions to the Letter
Make sure your child does not go over the length limit for the essay. Another application don’t: sending supporting materials that are not requested in the application.

7. Make Sure the Application is Legible
Type or print application forms and essays.

8. Make Copies of Everything
If application materials are lost, having copies on hand will make it much easier to resend the application quickly.

9. Double-Check the Application
If your child is reusing material (such as a cover letter or essay) from another scholarship application, be especially careful he hasn’t left in any incorrect names or blank fields. He should not forget to sign and date his application.

10. Get Your Applications in Early
Missing deadlines means missing out. Consider using certified mail and/or return receipt.
Scholarships Might Affect the Financial Aid Package
Private scholarships can actually reduce parts of your child’s financial aid package. How? Colleges must consider outside scholarships as a student’s financial resource, available to pay for education costs. If a college financial aid office meets your child’s full financial need, government regulations specify that any scholarship money won lowers the need figure on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

What should matter to you and your child is which types of aid are reduced or eliminated—self-help aid (loans or work-study) or need-based grants. Colleges, following federal regulations, can adjust aid packages in a variety of ways—some will subtract the value of unmet need first, others will reduce self-help aid before reducing grants, still others will use scholarship funds only to replace grant money. Some colleges even give the option of using scholarships to reduce the expected family contribution.

It’s a good idea to contact the financial aid office of colleges that interest your child and inquire about their policies regarding outside scholarships.

To All Students!!

Your diligent and consistent efforts toward your academics and life goals will lead to abundance in your life.  Two six weeks have already flown by and you have been busy studying and getting involved in sports, community service, projects, ect.  I know that sometimes adults in your life think that because you are a teenager that you should not have stress or be anxious, but I realize that the pressures you are experiencing are real.  Simply know that with the application of a system of organization and consistent self-discipline you will be able to succeed through your trials.

It is important, as well, to keep an attitude of gratitude and look for the positive side to your struggles.  Keep your mind focused on your short-term and long-term goals.  In fact, write them down and place them in a location that you routinely visit to refer to them on a daily or weekly basis.  You are the ultimate creator of your future, so the choices that you make every day to study, get involved, attend to details, take time to build yourself up, and maintain your momentum are the essential to your personal growth. 

Speaking of the future, most Tivy Seniors have submitted or are about to submit their applications to colleges or clearly identifying where they were going at the next level.  In fact, some students have shared their college acceptance letters or been accepted into the technical school of their choice.  If you find yourself in need of assistance with this process of applying to college or technical school, please feel free to schedule a personalized appointment with your counselor or me (Mrs. Young).  I will be happy to meet with you on Saturdays or Sundays!  Jostens was here on Monday,  November 17th to discuss the Caps & Gowns, invitations and packages available for graduating seniors.  This was an exciting time!  The “NEW” Senior Bulletin information is attached to this posting and is on the KISD Tivy High School Guidance & Counseling website.  Scholarship information, college references, graduation information and other important resources are highlighted in the Senior Bulletin thanks to the hard work of Mrs. Erica Bell.  As always, we are willing to assist our students (Freshman through Seniors) in anyway necessary to help them live their best life, so let us know what we can do for you.  November is a month that reminds us to be thankful and believe in abundance.  Take the opportunity to extend a hand if you are able to others through volunteering or serving Thanksgiving Dinner at our local Salvation Army!  Have a wonderful November!

Wathching Gayle- That is me on the front row connecting with other powerful women!

I was living my best life last weekend when I attended the O You Event for the Oprah Magazine in beautiful San Francisco, California.  I would like to share this experience with everyone I talk to because it was so powerful, meaningful and life altering.  So many of us, including myself, do not fully realize or appreciate what incredible opportuntities and rich experiences there are in this world.  We stay in our safe bubble and experience our routine life on a daily basis.  I DARE you to take a step out of your world and maybe even your comfort zone, put yourself out there and take a risk!  Do something out of the ordinary that you would not do in a venue, such as the O You Event, that has the potential to magnify your personal, emotional, and spiritual growth. 

Oprah delighted all the 4,000 women on October 25th by closing out the incredible event and she spoke to each one of us in the room when she said that you MUST put yourself at the top of the list.  It is not for selfish reasons, but rather to replenish and renourish yourself so that you are fully fueled to help others in your daily life, including yourself.  She said to stay connected and listen to that inner voice that is whispering to you, because if you don’t listen to it then it will become a shout, a thump on the head, a brick, a brick wall and then the collapsed brick wall.  The positive energy flowing through the event in the seminars, exhibit hall, and at her appearance was simply overpowering.

I chose to attend the Martha Beck session and Suze Orman session.  Both women were INCREDIBLE!  If you have not read Martha Beck’s books or any of Suze Ormans’ financial “best sellers”, then it is time to save your money, go on Amazon.com, and give yourself a gift.  Martha Beck was brilliant in her seminar and her positive approach to the conflict we face in our lives will be life altering.  Suze Orman is the most authentic and real financial expert I have ever encountered.  She tells it like it truly is-  The Suze Smack Down- as Oprah refers to it.  With the state of the economy as it stands right now there is no better time to reel in spending, save money, and invest wisely.  However, the smart person will educate, educate, educate themselves as to what the most sound financial investments should be for them. 

I journaled the entire experience and will provide the summary in this blog for further insight into my life altering experience.  The reason why I wanted to share this experience as I know it doesn’t seem to fully align with my college points is simply this…

Know that there is an entire world of possibilities out there for you to experience and do not be afraid to go it alone in order to be the designer in your best life.”

If you find something you want to do then find a way to make it a reality, really be present in the experience, and let it manifest abundance in your life in a way that you may not have expected.  Martha Beck made an incredible statement in her seminar when she said “The value of life is our ability to experience joy.”  With that said,  I must ask you to investigate what gives you joy in life or how can you find it?  Listen to the internal voice that is whispering to you (as Oprah said) because it is NOT too late for your life’s mission!

Links to websites:

O You Event Website link:   www.oyouonline.com

Martha Beck Website:  www.marthabeck.com

Suze Orman Website:  www.suzeorman.com

Oprah Website:  www.oprah.com

Peter Walsh (Clear the Clutter!) Website:  www.peterwalshdesign.com

CARE Organization (Great Christmas Gifts that Give to Aspiring Business Women):  www.care.org

Contact me at kendall_st@yahoo.com to get a copy of my journal writings of my O You Event experience!

The crisp, fresh air of fall brings with it a recognition that we have the opportunity to begin anew each year and day as far as that goes.  As introspective individuals, we all try to find our path and understand ourselves along the way.  What a journey, but there are times in our lives where the journey takes a stop and one is left pondering what do I need to take with me to finish this adventure, who can help me get there, and what is there within me that is going to take me in the direction to that destination that I have so clearly imprinted inside my soul?  Those questions are best left to the individual person to discover and answer, but not before an indepth personal reflection on values, goals, and the “why’s” in life are clearly identified.

What is your path?  Are you currently choosing the one less traveled or the path that is worn? Whether a student and parent are exploring a path of colleges, applying to universities, building a business, establishing academic or parental boundaries or expectations there should be a purposeful activity that is undertaken prior to arriving at a decision or conclusion.  The activity should consist of listing important values, pro’s, cons, and consistency with established goals.  The decisions on academic direction, parenting styles, or business direction should be in congruence with one’s values and goals in life.  Each day is a new beginning where you are able to choose your attitude, enthusiasm, and motivation but if what you are choosing is out of the context with your inner purpose or soul then the spirit will not guide you forward like the fall wind that flows into our fields during the months of October and November.  Therefore, take time to examine your inner purpose and drive before making life choices that impact your future direction. 

To assist in this introspective discovery process,  I have listed some references below:

www.morningcoach.com

http://www.humanityquest.com/

Books:  Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson   or   Finding Our Way by John Michael Helms

www.thelastlecture.com

http://www.oprah.com/oafhost/rsmith

http://www.oprah.com/article/health/wellnessandprevention/assess_meaning

http://www.eckharttolle.com/eckharttolle

http://www.drphil.com/articles/article/555 

September is a great time to begin or continue your college search process.  It is also the time to compile your standardized assessment scores, grade point average, transcript, resume, and community involvement participation documentation.  These are just some of the items that you will need before you sit down to fill out the online or paper application to the colleges of your choice.  Your college choices should be narrowed down to at least four colleges or universities.  As well, you need to determine whether it would benefit you to complete the “Early Decision” or “Early Action” process if your selected colleges offer that option. 

The attached podcast will highlight the difference between the two options, as well as, outline other activities that seniors should be considering, doing or finalize this month or within the upcoming months.  I hope you will take some time to listen to the information, make notes, and use the information to get your child on track in the application process.  This is an exciting time in your life and theirs.  The counselors are here to assist you through this process and for some of you it may be the first experience with this while others of you may be pro’s at the college application process.  Let us know what we can do for you and be certain to ask your child for their most recent GPA which we will be giving out during the week of September 15th – 19th.  We look forward to hearing from you and assisting you in the future.

Click here to listen:  September- Seniors Checklist for Applying To College

Websites:  www.collegeboard.com    www.actstudent.org   www.applytexas.org  www.commonapp.org

Tivy High School halls were buzzing with the sound of student laughter, enjoyment, and excitement.  The first week of school proved to be a positive start for the students and the staff.  The enrollment in upper level courses grew to new heights and students were actively engaged in dynamic learning.  Positive enthusiasm for school was consistently displayed by students, teachers, counselors, administrators and parents.  Now it is our duty to keep this positive enthusiasm for learning consistently repeated each week.  All parents are encouraged to stay in contact with their child’s teacher and attend our Open House on September 8th. If students need study skills or organizational assistance, the counselors will be starting a study skills group during the lunch periods.  The students can eat their lunch in the counseling suite and learn skills that can help them stay on track with their school work.  Contact the counseling office for more information by calling 257-2212, ext. 232 or by emailing kendall.young@kerrvilleisd.net .  The success of our students is the number one priority of our staff and the more ways we can partner together to make that success a reality the better.  I have inserted some informational and inspirational links for you to view.  Let us know what we can do to better serve our students, parents, and community because we are here for you.  Endurance is the key and completing the fundamentals each day even when we are tired, frustrated or discouraged will help us maintain our momentum and growth throughout the year.

Inspirational Video:  Incredible Young Man

College Scholarship Links: Gates Millenium-  http://www.gmsp.org/

                                           Texas A&M Honors Program- http://honors.tamu.edu/index.aspx

Organizational Skills:  http://specialed.about.com/od/teacherstrategies/a/organized.htm

Time Management Video by Randy Pausch (EXCELLENT!):  http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5784740380335567758&hl=en

Daily Motivational and Organizational Strategies:  http://www.morningcoach.com/

Antler Camp began with over three hundred 9th grade students and one hundred parents entering the doors of Tivy High School at 9:00 a.m.  The staff did not anticipate such an exceptional turn out and we would like to thank the parents for bringing their child to the initial orientation session.  Not only did the turn out excite the Tivy High School staff, but the student and parent participation in the information sessions was of equal performance.  The parents attended a brief 45 minute session and received information about what their child could anticipate during their first year of high school.  As well, Mrs. Jessica Sullivan shared strategies from the Stephen Covey book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families and Teens.  While the parents were attending their information session, the students were rotating through five learning sessions.  They were facilitated by Kerrville ISD staff and the topics were as follows:

1.  Session 1:  Be Proactive!  (Effective Habit #1):  Presented by James Harmon, Assistant Principal- Tivy HS)

2.  Session 2:  Begin With the End In Mind! (Effective Habit #2):  Presented by Micah Wrasse, LSSP

3.  Session 3:  Put First Things First (Effective Habit #3):  Presented by Carol Triola, LSSP

4.  Session 4:  Get Involved at Tivy High School:  Presented by Captain Paul Hill, ROTC

5.  Session 5:  Tour the Campus with the Tivy High School Cheerleaders

If you would like information about the individual sessions, please call the school at 257-2212, ext. 232 and we will try to get you the necessary information requested.  This was a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn about Tivy, strategies to start the year organized, goal setting techniques, and the importance of becoming involved in our school community.  We look forward to seeing the freshman back on Friday, August 15th to pick up their schedules and drop off all of the packet forms.  We are here to serve you and your child, so feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about your child or his/her academics.  We look forward to seeing you all soon on the first day of school!

antler-camp-parent-program

Registration is just a day away!  We are looking forward to greeting our new senior class with information, resources, and strategies to help you achieve your dreams and goals beyond high school.  This podcast session highlights beginning the year with the creation of a mission statement, goals (SMART!), and utilizing a technique called the “Sacred Six”.  Be sure to tune in each week for a new podcast and let me know if you have a particular topic that you would like more information.  This website is designed to be a communication tool and helpful resource to guide you through your school year. 

Listen to the LATEST Podcast here…podcast-2-seniors

Good websites to browse:

www.collegeboard.com

www.fastweb.com

www.franklincovey.com

www.thelastlecture.com

www.morningcoach.com

Click on the link to the first THS Counseling Department Podcast.  We will be providing the latest information regarding THS Counseling Department events to keep you informed and connected.  Simply click here for more information  podcast-1