IT TAKES A TEAM – WORKING WITH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR

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There’s lots of buzz in the community about potential cuts in counseling resources within East Side Union High School District (ESUHSD). A 2017 report by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) listed the national average for student-to-counselor ratio was 482:1. California ranked second highest with a ratio of 760:1 behind Arizona; ASCA’s recommended student-to-school counselor ratio is 250:1. American Counseling Association President Gerard Lawson stated “In today’s schools, counselors are also relied on for their expertise in working with broader mental health needs…we know that counselors can server their students, schools and communities more effectively, when the ratio of students to counselors is lower and sustainable.”

When I launched my educational consulting practice 9 years ago, it was during a time when the counseling staff at Evergreen Valley High School was experiencing cuts.  I frequently met with them to offer support and assistance, and shared pertinent information with them from conferences, college visits and other professional development activities I attended.

I still remember a very poignant conversation I had with them.  When asked “As a counselor, what keeps you up at night?” the unanimous response was “Knowing that I am not able to serve students in the way that I would like, given the extremely high caseload I’m forced to carry.”  Remembering those words, speaking with counselors in other parts of the country, and knowing first-hand the challenges of assisting students through the college preparation and application process, I wanted to share some strategies for students and parents to consider in order to build successful relationships with their school counselors.

Remember that Counselors DO want students to be successful!

Understand and Value the important role of the Counselor – S/he helps the student plan their college preparatory curriculum; submits recommendation forms and releases your official transcript to colleges; arranges visits by college admission reps; conducts student and parent workshops about the college-going process; administers state-mandated tests as well as SAT, PSAT, ACT and AP exams; processes fee waivers for standardized tests and college applications; and so much more!

Encourage students to initiate and maintain contact with their counselor – I’m always amazed at the number of students who do not even know their counselor’s name.  Don’t seek out your counselor only when you need them to do something on your behalf.

Make appointments – This is especially true for parents.  Often parents just “stop by” and then become frustrated when a counselor is not available to see them. Given heavy caseloads and a multitude of other responsibilities, counselors often have specific hours dedicated to meeting with students and/or parents. Adhering to those times whenever possible is advisable.

Familiarize yourself with the Counseling resources at your school – Most schools have a section on the school’s website that contains information such as staff bios, processes/procedures, hours of availability, and upcoming events.  If your schools has implemented online tools such as Naviance, take advantage of those resources as well; that is often the primary vehicle to communicate college rep visits, scholarship opportunities and other important information.

Parents, it’s not about You – Frequently, counselors get bogged down in conversations with parents whose focus is more on their own needs/wants vs. the student’s.  An unintended consequence is that students may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable by that interaction and many times it puts more pressure on the student!

Communication is key – Positive communication goes a long way and is a cornerstone to building a healthy relationship.

Pack your patience – Remember that it’s a balancing act for the counselors – regardless of the student-to-counselor ratio.

Creating a proactive, positive relationship with the school counselor can help ease the stress of the college preparation and application process.  It’s a partnership between the student, parents and counselor, where each person has a role.  The counselor’s role is to work on behalf of the student, utilizing his/her expertise.  Good luck!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.

HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS: HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU!

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It’s February and the pace of the school year is picking up.  The holiday break is a blur and Winter Break (sometimes called “Ski Week”) is around the corner.  Also waiting for you during second semester is the “testing season,” along with extracurricular activities, planning for summer programs and internship opportunities, and finishing strong academically.  Yes, sometimes you won’t be sure if you are juggling multiple balls in the air or balancing all that needs to be accomplished.

You’ve already figured out that Junior year is critical – the time to get serious about your plans beyond high school.  This is the time to assess your educational path, academic interests, extra-curricular activities, and your current thoughts about college.  Review your current academic standing and your plan with your counselor and continue working hard and smart to get good grades.  It’s important that you continue getting to know your teachers and counselors, because you will be asking them to support your college and scholarship applications with letters of recommendation; start identifying whom you will ask to write those letters.

Hopefully you took the PSAT in October and have received your scores.  Have you linked your scores with Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/sat)?  Did you know that by doing so, you can receive a test prep plan that is tailored to your PSAT results?  This adaptive learning approach to test prep will focus more on areas where you need assistance (based on your scores) so that you are not spending a lot of time reviewing material in which your scores already show strength.

Are you involved in extracurricular activities?  Are you seeking leadership roles in those areas that are of greatest interest to you?  Perhaps it’s time to step up and me more than just a member of a club at school or a group at church; find ways to lead a project or become an officer. If you are an athlete and would like to continue athletics in college, be sure to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (http://ncaaeligibilitycenter.org).  There are strict guidelines to follow even if you are not planning for Division I athletics.

And yes, Junior year is also the time to begin developing a preliminary college list.  Initially you should target around 20-25 schools for which you will conduct further research.  This initial list should include schools at varying levels of selectivity (often referred to as reach, target and safety schools) and have 2-3 other characteristics that you find attractive about a college.  While 20 schools seems to be a lot, your preliminary list will be refined over time, resulting in a final list of perhaps 8-10 schools to which you actually apply.  So what’s the best way to research schools?  Successful methods include using websites like College Board’s Big Future (http://bigfuture.collegeboard.org), College Navigator (http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/), College Xpress (www.collegexpress.com) or similar programs that allow you to do college matches based on criteria you specify.  BE OPEN MINDED about schools that appear in your college search results that you aren’t familiar with; be willing to research and learn more about them, too!  While conducting your research, remember to explore the need- and merit-based financial aid resources offered by each institution

Probably the best way to get a sense of whether a school is a good “fit” for you is to visit the campus.   Scheduling campus visits during school breaks is often a great time to see campuses without interrupting your normal school attendance.  However, you do want to visit campuses when students are there, too, which may not be the case during the holiday break.  There still is value, however, in cruising a campus, especially if you’re “in the neighborhood”.   Remember, campus visits can be time consuming and expensive, but it is an important part of the college research and application process – you need to “feel” yourself there!

Feeling overwhelmed?  Take a deep breath and as you exhale, begin to formulate a plan – a living “checklist” that captures all of the things you need to do, as your thoughts of college transition from a faraway dream to time for action.  Having a plan that works for you will take a lot of stress out of the process.  I always tell my students “be true to you” as you embark upon this wild and crazy ride called the college application process.  And always remember, The Journey Begins with You…. Good luck!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and 20+ year resident of Evergreen.   She is an active volunteer with many community organizations in Silicon Valley, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Santa Clara County Alliance of Black Educators, Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce the African American Community Services Agency, and the Northern California Association of Morehouse Parents.

SHARING YOUR GIFTS – CHOOSING EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

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In this era of competitive college admissions, students and their parents are often in a quandary about which activities are “best”.  Many even develop a checklist of all the “right” ones so that they can ensure to check all of the boxes.  Surely, that will boost the chances of admission.  But what if that golden list of activities does not represent any of the student’s interests or highlights aspects of his/her personality?

The possibilities for extracurricular activities are endless. Opportunities to engage beyond the academic are plentiful.  The hard part is choosing which one(s) are a good fit for you based on your interest, time, future goals, etc.  Whether the activity is a school-based club, a community-based nonprofit organization, a competitive athletic team or a part-time job, it’s important that you know why you are willing to invest time through participation.  It is also important to gain something meaningful from the experience. Let’s look at some typical activities.

Academic Teams and Clubs – these clubs/teams show a passion for learning more about a particular subject. They often participate in competitions with similar groups from other schools. Examples include Robotics, Science, Math, Astronomy, Writing, Entrepreneur

The Arts – participation in the arts begins as a hobby or casual pastime for many students. It’s an opportunity to allow one’s creative juices to flow. Excelling in your craft is a way to demonstrate leadership skills – becoming first chair in the orchestra, getting a lead role in the annual theatre production are examples.

Student Government – participation in student government is a great option for students who want to have a voice in school matters. This is a natural way to show leadership skills by representing the interests of the student body. And yes, there’s a role for “quiet leaders” within student government organizations so it’s a great way to step out of one’s comfort zone and develop self-confidence.

Culture Clubs – students interested in promoting diversity, inclusion and acceptance find a home in clubs such as Latino Student Union, Desi, Black Student Union, Vietnamese Student Union, etc.  These clubs serve as a vital “safe-space” on many campus for groups with small populations within the student body.

Part time job – while many may not consider a part-time job as an extracurricular, it really is.  For many students, they may not have the luxury of participating in after-school or extracurricular activities because they must work to help support their families.  Jobs provide opportunities for building skills and it’s important for students to recognize the non-monetary value of work experience.

Other extracurricular activities include:  Internships (paid and unpaid); student newspaper (for writing enthusiasts, although there are other skill sets required to produce print or electronic newspapers); and athletics (school-based or community/league teams).  I’m sure you’re wondering why I haven’t mentioned volunteer work and/or community service.  I saved it for last because it’s often what comes to mind first.  By thinking of some of the activities mentioned above, you might think of community service differently, by considering getting involved in an area in which you already have interest. I like to think of community service as “sharing your gifts” to benefit others. This is a chance to think differently and consider “what can I give” vs. “what’s in it for me.” Connect your interests with opportunities to fill a gap or need.  If you enjoy reading or writing, seek out a local literacy program; perhaps you can share your musical talents at a senior center; teach art at a child care center; help assemble bikes for an organization that gives donated bikes to children; utilize your knowledge of American Sign Language to be an interpreter.  Find organizations that whose mission is aligned with your interests and consider approaching them about starting a program or activity – you’d be surprised at how receptive they are likely to be.  Not only would you get to do something you enjoy, but it would demonstrate how you take initiative, develop an idea and implement it – all very important life skills.

Regardless of the extracurricular activities you choose, the common thread is exploration and action based on your interests.  This perspective does not stop with high school or even college, but should be the guide even into your adult years.  When I reflect on my own high school experience, I played volleyball, sang in the glee club, helped coach the girls’ basketball team and tutored Spanish.  My college years were filled with several Afro-centric organizations like Black Student Union, Black Pre-Business Society, Sisters-in-Stanford, along with work-study jobs at the Career Planning and Placement Center (peer counselor) and the Black Community Services Center (administrative assistant).  Today, I am still involved in multiple organizations and because their missions are aligned with my passions, it is work that feeds my soul – “heart work.”

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON IS OPEN – WHAT’S A PARENT TO DO?

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I was always an involved parent – PTA, soccer mom, band mom – so I write this article from the viewpoint of my own struggle of balance.  The old adage “do what I say, not what I did,” is pretty appropriate.  Parents put on your dancing shoes and get ready to “cha-cha” along this journey as your child prepares and submits college applications.

One of the most important ways you can support your children through the process is to know what they need to know – both the big picture and the details.  Encourage your child to meet with his/her school counselor upon returning to school for senior year; the counselor plays an important role in completing and submitting information to colleges on the student’s behalf.

Help your child get organized, as the application process involves managing lots of information, requirements and deadlines for each of the institutions to which applications are submitted. Offer suggestions on good practices for organizing and labeling to alleviate frustration at not being able to locate important documents when needed.

Remember that the college application process is indeed a family affair, however, one driven and owned by the student! Make sure your child feels he/she has the “starring role” and be mindful not to make the process about you.  Be realistic, but supportive, about your child’s college choices – this will help to alleviate stress.  Identify restrictions (financial or geographic, for example) early in the process, which will keep your child from potentially becoming attached to a school that cannot even be considered.  This is a great time to hone your listening skills – let your child talk about his/her strengths or unique talents, or why certain schools are on their college list. Ask meaningful questions and let your child provide the answers; reflect back to them what you hear them saying.

The college admission process can be stressful and strained relations between parents and their children can occur.  This is common and often painful, but you will get through this process together.  Offer your college-bound child plenty of encouragement, a listening ear and gentle guidance.  When you see stress building – especially around critical application deadlines, test dates or school exams – ask what you can do to help. While the offer may be met with immediate resistance, your child will appreciate the offer of help in the long run. Let your child know – by words and actions – that you are in their corner and have faith in their ability to navigate the process and make a sound decision about their college choice.  Most importantly, remind your children that you are their biggest cheerleader and most loyal fan!  Good luck!

Antoinette Battiste is an Independent Educational Consultant and resident of Evergreen.   She is the founder of Educational Pathways with Antoinette Battiste, a consulting practice that provides college planning and counseling services to high school students and their parents. We focus on the individual needs and talents of students and guide them to find the best match for a great college experience.  For more information about upcoming workshops, available services and additional college planning resources, go to www.antoinettebattiste.com, email adviser@antoinettebattiste.com or call (408) 270-1930

Making Summers Count! – Tips for High School Students

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MAKING SUMMERS COUNT! – TIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

By Antoinette Battiste

Summertime is upon us.  It’s that time when high school students get to take a break, right?  Well…that’s not entirely true!  There are many things students can do during summer vacation that will benefit them as they begin or continue along the path to college readiness.

Seniors should be finalizing their college lists, working on their personal statements, doing test prep for the SAT and ACT, visiting colleges, and searching for scholarships.  And don’t forget about summer enrichment programs and community service opportunities!  You should also identify those teachers and counselors from whom you will request letters of recommendations. Did you know that the UC application for the 2015-16 admission cycle will open on August 1, 2014 – two months earlier than usual?  While you still cannot submit applications until November 1, 2014, students will have additional time to work on their applications.

Juniors and sophomores should also find opportunities to visit college campuses, prepare for the October PSAT, participate in meaningful enrichment programs (academic, performing arts, athletic, etc.), research prospective colleges, and engage in community service activities.  This is also a good time to update your “brag sheet” with extracurricular activities, awards and honors, work experience, etc.  Now is your chance to take time and think about your goals, interests, strengths, areas for improvement – self-reflection exercises that will help guide you on your college preparation, application and admission journey.

As you enter high school, freshmen students should think about what will be important to YOU to make a successful transition.  What clubs or groups would you like to join? Are there new activities you want to try? Should you brush up on math or other academic subjects so that you can start the academic year strong?

The goal for students is to leverage the summer months to organize and prepare themselves to hit the ground running once the academic year begins.  You won’t be alone as you embark on this journey. Think about the role your support team plays (check out http://www.cappex.com/media/choosingYourTeam.pdf).

Navigating through high school and preparing for college admission is a process.  The Journey Begins With You…

For more information about available services and additional college planning resources, go to www.antoinettebattiste.com or contact adviser@antoinettebattiste.com .

High School Juniors: Let’s Talk About College!

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HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS:  Let’s Talk About College!

By Antoinette Battiste

 Junior year is the time to get serious about your plans beyond high school.  This is the time to assess your educational path, academic interests, extra-curricular activities, and your current thoughts about college.  You should review your academic plan with your counselor and continue working hard and smart to get good grades.  You should continue getting to know your teachers and counselors, because you will be asking them to support your college and scholarship applications with letters of recommendation; you should begin to identify who you will ask to write those letters.  Hopefully you took the PSAT in October and reviewed your test results so that you can develop an appropriate strategy to prep for and take the ACT and/or SAT.  Remaining test dates for this academic year can be found at http://actstudent.org (ACT) and http://sat.collegeboard.org (SAT).

Are you involved in extracurricular activities?  If so, you should seek out leadership roles in those that are of greatest interest to you. If you are an athlete and would like to continue athletics in college, be sure to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center (http://ncaaeligibilitycenter.org).

Junior year is also the time to begin developing a preliminary college list.  Initially you should target around 20-25 schools for which you will conduct further research.  This initial list should include schools at varying levels of selectivity (often referred to as reach, target and safety schools) and have 2-3 other characteristics that you find attractive about a college.  While 20 schools seems to be a lot, your preliminary list will be refined over time, resulting in a final list of perhaps 8-10 schools to which you actually apply.  So what’s the best way to research schools?  Successful methods include using websites like College Board’s Big Future (http://bigfuture.collegeboard.org), College Navigator (http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/), or similar programs that allow you to do college matches based on criteria you specify.  While conducting your research, remember to explore the financial aid resources offered by each institution.

The best way to understand if you would fit at a particular institution is to visit the campus. Scheduling campus visits during your Spring Break is often a great time to see campuses without interrupting your normal school attendance. If there are family plans for vacationing during the break or summer, investigate what colleges are in the area where you are planning to travel.  Colleges and universities that are within driving distance can easily be visited throughout the Spring.  Campus visits can be time consuming and expensive, but it is an important part of the college research and application process – you need to “feel” yourself there!

Good luck!

For more information about available services  and additional college planning resources, go to www.antoinettebattiste.com or contact adviser@antoinettebattiste.com.