Counseling Corner: Counselors Busy with 2019-20 Student Planning and Registration!

Counselor’s Corner

            Our High School and Middle School counseling staff is starting to get very busy helping our 8^th grade through 11^th grade students get prepared for the 2019-2020 school year. This means a lot of meetings with groups of students to look over possible courses and plan for courses for the next school year. This is an exciting time for students and an important time for students to be thinking not just about next year, but to be thinking about their future after high school graduation.

                Currently, Mr. Barry has been working with 8^th graders using our Naviance software. Naviance Student is an amazing system for students and parents to use to research possible careers and colleges for ALL students in grades 8-12. Eighth graders have taken a few surveys to learn more about their personality and career interests. They have also spent some time looking into other post-secondary options such as 2-year college, 4-year college, military, and other options that students bring up as possible interests. Be sure to ask your 8^th grade child about Naviance and have your child show you how they log in. Once logged in, you will be able to see what careers and colleges he/she has saved and favorited. This site is available 24/7 year round, so feel free to explore it with your child whenever you want!

                Our high school counselors will soon join Mr. Barry and work with 8^th graders to actually learn about high school, learn about the courses the high school has to offer, and eventually create a 4-year plan of courses that will help each student graduate with enough credits. This is a big step for 8^th graders but a fun one.

                Our high school counselors also stay very busy in February and March working with each high school grade of students to help the students get registered for their next year of courses. If you have a high school student or an 8^th grader, February and March is a great time to ask your child about their career and college interests and what courses they are thinking about taking in the next year.

                By the time our students hit Spring Break, with the help of our counseling staff, their parents, and their own hard work and planning, all 8^th graders through 11^th graders should have an updated 4-year plan and should be registered for their 2019-20 courses. From there, our HS counselors have the tough job and getting all the students placed into their courses and adjusting the master schedule to make everything work as smooth as possible. It is a tough job, but getting everything to balance so that our students can benefit and achieve as much success as possible makes it all worth it. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to any of our counseling staff.

Key Dates for Students/Parents with Course Registration

February 13^th: HS Counselors will have met with all HS students on course selections.

February 13^th/19^th: HS Counselors work with 8^th graders on HS course selections and 4-year plans

***February 26^th***:  9^th grade Registration/Orientation Evening for 8^th graders and parents in the HS Auditorium at 6:30pm

March 7^th: By this date, HS students will have registered for 2019-20 courses

March 12^th: 4-year plans from 8^th graders DUE!

April 2^nd: ACT testing for all juniors (no school for 9^th, 10^th, and 12^th graders)

April 5^th: No school for Juniors

Counseling Corner: Our School Food Pantry...What is it, How Do I Use it, and Where Did it Move to?

School Counseling Corner

Our K-12 Counseling team would like to highlight the Carlisle Schools Food Pantry.  The pantry is an extension of the Food Bank of Iowa.  The pantry is open to the public on the 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays of the month from 4-6pm.  The pantry is now located in the elementary just across from the nurse’s office.  Visitors to the food pantry should use the West Entrance of the elementary.    We ask that community members wait until all students and buses are off campus before visiting the pantry (around 3:45pm).  Carlisle students are also able to access the pantry during the school day by contacting a school counselor. 

There is also a Carlisle Community Food Pantry located at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church on the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of the month from 4-5:30pm. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Families and community members of the Carlisle School District. 

ARE THERE INCOME GUIDELINES?

There are no income guidelines. A brief, one-page application must be completed once per calendar year by individuals visiting the school food pantry.  

WHAT FOOD ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE?

Available foods will vary depending on Food Bank of Iowa’s supplies. Basics such as pasta, rice, breakfast cereal, canned vegetables, canned fruits, juice, etc., will always be available. Fresh dairy, produce, and bread are typically available during the times open to the public.

Can I make a donation to the School Food Pantry?

YES!  We accept donations at any time to the pantry.  You can drop off donations at the elementary or high school office during school hours.  We are always in need of personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, deodorant, etc.  We also accept monetary donations that help us purchase milk, bread, and eggs each time the pantry is open. 

We would like to say “Thank You” to many groups in our community that have helped organize collection drives or make regular donations to the pantry.   Some of the groups include:  American Legion Auxiliary, Great Western Bank, Peoples Bank, Carlisle Student Council, Eagle Scout projects, Carlisle Wrestling and Football teams, and many others.  THANK YOU!