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Grade 10 Course Selection

SWHS School Counseling

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Who Is My Counselor?

School Counselor

Students

Counselor Email

Mr. Daniel Peters

Grade 10-11 A-Dah

djpeters@swindsor.k12.ct.us

Ms. Jillian Dobosz

Grade 10-11 Dai-Hec

jdobosz@swindsor.k12.ct.us

Mr. Nathan Briggs

Grade 10-11 Hed-Mir

nbriggs@swindsor.k12.ct.us

Ms. Julie Wlodarczyk

Grade 10-11 Mis -Sam

jwlodarczyk@swindsor.k12.ct.us

Ms. Michele Brown-Quinn

Grade 10-11 San - Z

mquinn@swindsor.k12.ct.us

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SWHS School Counseling

Ms. Stolarik - Ms Dobosz’s sub. last spring

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How do I contact my School Counselor?

  • Stop by our office in between periods, Bobcat Block, to/from lunch, or ask your classroom teacher for a pass
  • Send an email
  • We can’t help what we don’t know about

When you don’t know WHERE to go for help, come to School Counseling!

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Today’s Agenda

  • Living a Balanced Life Discussion
  • Graduation Requirements Review
  • Selecting Grade 11 Courses

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Creating a Balanced Life

Life often won’t balance itself

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Let’s Reflect…

What does your ‘plate’ look like?

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Your Day…(hypothetically reflect for a minute)

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Is Your Life Balanced?�Does Your Daily Schedule Work For You?��Use those answers to plan next year’s class schedule

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Class of 2027 Graduation Requirements

Subject

Credits

Details

Humanities

(English, Social Studies, Art, & Music)

9

Must include 3 credits in English/Language Arts, 3 credits in Social Studies (including.5 credit in Civics/American Government), and 1 credit in Fine Arts

STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math

9

Must include 3 credits in Mathematics and 3 credits in Science

World Language

2

Physical Education

1

Health & Safety

1

Capstone

1

Electives

2

Total

25

& Completion of FAFSA

& .5 Personal Finance

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Other Graduation Requirements

  • Complete the FAFSA, ACCTUS (students without a Social Security #) or Parent/Guardian Waiver�
  • Achieve Benchmark score on:
    • SAT ELA (at least 480)
    • SAT Math (at least 530)
    • NGSS Science (meet benchmark)
      • Students not meeting benchmark will be contacted regarding their options to satisfy this requirement.

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SWHS Reqs. vs. College Reqs.

  • How many years of English, Math, Science, World Language, etc. for high school vs college?
    • Graduation Reqs. are just the MINIMUM credits needed.�
  • What other things do colleges consider?
    • Rigor of classes, grades earned (Transcript)
    • Progression from one year to the next (grade trends)
    • Sports, clubs, part time job, volunteer service, etc.
    • Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT)

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Important Dates & Numbers

  • Powerschool Portal Open now/editable until February 25
      • Minimum credits needed on schedule for 11th graders: 6.5
  • Credits needed to be promoted to 11th grade: 12.0 credits
  • Preliminary schedule available in PowerSchool in late May
      • Overrides: Your parent/guardian completes a form if you’d like to override.
        • Priority deadline is March 15.

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Preparing for Course Selection

  • Do not do course selection in isolation
    • Talk to counselor, teachers, parents, peers, etc.
    • Reflect on what career path might interest you

​

  • Review the Course Catalog, www.swhscourses.org
    • Be mindful of prerequisites, NCAA approval, and your Mental Health
    • Blend your interests and passions with possible future careers

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  • Utilize 4 Year Planning Guide

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Sample Course Selections for Career Areas

  • Health/Medical Career- Chemistry, Anatomy, Allied Health, Physics

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  • Education- Child Development, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics

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  • Engineering- Physics, Stats, Calculus, Engineering I & II, Interior Design

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  • Business-Statistics, Consumer Law, Marketing, Personal Finance, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Accounting

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  • Communications- Business Communications, Yearbook, Web Design, Broadcast News, Creative Writing,

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Sample PowerSchool Portal

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Now What?

1a. Browse Course Catalog swhscourses.org

1b. Begin entering in your course requests into the PowerSchool portal…..right now!

2. Brainstorm your grade 12 courses too!

-4 year planning guide in Presentations tab of swhscourses.org

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The counselor will be roaming around helping/answering questions

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What to do with the rest of your life?

  • Post-Graduation Options:
    • College, military, trade school, work force, other
  • Self-reflection (what am I good at, what do I like)
  • Conversations/brainstorming with parents, friends & your network
  • Naviance Inventories
    • (Strengths Explorer, Career Interest Profiler, Do What You Are)
  • Job Shadowing
  • Explore SWHS courses!

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What to do When You’re Stressed

Coping Strategies

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What is a coping strategy?

Coping strategies are:

  • Behaviors used to calm unwanted or unhelpful thoughts and emotions

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There are many coping styles that people use. Some may prove more effective than others

Find out what works for YOU

Let’s learn about some popular coping strategies!

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Breathing

Square Breathing

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​

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Hand Breathing

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Movement

Lift weights

Go for a run or a walk

Dance

Stretch

Run up and down the stairs

Do some jumping jacks

SING!

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Other Practical Stress Relief Strategies

  • Hold an ice cube in your palm and squeeze
  • Journal
  • Make a to-do list- accomplishing tasks and checking items off a list can relieve your stress
  • Tear pages out of a magazine one at a time
  • Use a fidget tool

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The #1 Coping Strategy

TALKING TO SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS!

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FREE Apps

CALM App

Helps with sleep and meditation

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Personal Zen App

Helps reduce stress and anxiety by building positive habits of attention

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Headspace App

Meditation strategies for those who are new to meditation

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Colorfy App

Relax with this painting app on your phone