That's Not Cool.com: A Site for Teens Who Have Questions and Thoughts

Just saw a commercial on Saturday morning TV about teens and innappropriate texting. The commercial ended up saying that constantly texting your friends, especially your boyfriend or girlfriend, is "not cool". Then the commercial directed you to a site called thatsnotcool.com. So, I went to the site and did some exploring and found the site had lots to offer our middle school and high school teens. When I clicked on topics like Rumors or Textular Harrassment, they had great submitted questions with great answers from both experts and from other students. If a student has questions about how to handle a difficult issue at school and they cannot reach their counselor, this website might be a possible option to do some research. And maybe an option to submit some of their own strategies as answers. There are other sites out there like this one, but this one is definitely a good one for a student to explore and try more.

Click here to go to ThatsNotCool.com

CHS Wall of Gratitude

Join us this week in celebrating all of the things in our life we are grateful for by adding to the gratitude wall in the high school main hallway. These can be small things, like comfy socks, big things, like our homes, or priceless things, like our families.

Distressing Article

A new study shows that using credit cards can cause a type of euphoria, which makes people tend to ignore the downside of purchases and overspend or make purchases of things they don't really even want or need. Using credit cards, debit cards, or online accounts creates a disconnection between buying and paying. In our high-tech, fast paced society, where we can order almost anything online-from flat screen tvs to pizza- how are we teaching and modeling responsible behavior for our kids?

Check out the full article at http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/17/8860529-using-a-credit-card-induces-euphoria-new-research-shows

The CHS counselors are getting techy!!

Mrs. Lee and Mrs. Heidemann are finally getting with the times!! Follow us on twitter @2CHScounselors. We'll be posting visiting recruiters, scholarships, events, and resources.

Upcoming Recruiters

Here's a list of some of the recruiters we have lined up to visit CHS:
11/15 11am- Southwestern Community College
11/16 lunch hour- La James (Mason City)
11/17 1:30pm- Grandview College
11/21 9am- Creative Center
11/21 11:30am (in Construction Technology class)- Electrical Apprenticeship Coordinator
12/1 11:30am (in Construction Technology class)- Carpentry Apprenticeship Coordinator

Get a pass from Mrs. Lee or Mrs. Heidemann if you're interested in visiting with any of the recruiters.

FREE Groceries, health checks, resources, and fun SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12th!!!

Not going to put a big long post out about this, but I just learned of a great free resource happening tomorrow in downtown Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena. Please pass the word and get the message out. Click "here" to go to the page describing this, but long story short, an event called "Convoy of Hope Des Moines" is happening from 10 a.m. until supplies run out at the Wells Fargo Arena TOMORROW (Saturday!). Everything from free groceries to free haircuts to free vision and health screenings. This is an amazing opportunity for families in area who are in need. So please use this event if you can or need to. If not, please contact someone who can benefit. No IDs are needed, just attend if you need this help. We all need help from time to time....we need to learn to use that help and be thankful for that help when it is offered. This is a great chance to use it. Email or contact a Carlisle counselor if you want more information (although we are just learning about this ourselves)

Convoy of Hope website click here!

Iowa Youth Survey 2010 Data Powerpoint

Parents, Guardians, Students, Community Members, Educators.....anyone....please view the powerpoint below to see how the latest data from the Iowa Youth Survey, taken in 2010 by all 6th, 8th, and 11th graders across Carlisle and the state, figure into the data we have been receiving since 1999. In many cases, our results are trending up and looking much better. This is a great thing! We have less kids using drugs and alcohol, getting their hands on drugs and alcohol, less kids bullying, and more kids feeling better about themselves. But we still have a ways to go to reach goals that I have set for myself and my school. But, the news is good and I am excited to share this powerpoint to many people this year. Feel free to flip through the powerpoint below and email me questions, leave comments, or give me a call if you have questions, concerns, or comments.

Iowa youth survey

View more presentations from Benjamin Barry

Girls and Reality TV

A new study by the Girl Scouts found some interesting things about tweens and teens who watch a lot of reality tv. A few of the notable findings:

• 78% of girls who watched reality tv felt that gossip was a normal part of a relationship between girls (vs. 54% of non-watchers)
• Girls who watched reality tv were more likely to judge their worth primarily on looks
  
• almost half the watchers said they felt happier if they had a boyfriend or significant other
• on the positive side- 68% of the girls who watch reality tv believe they can achieve anything in life and
• 62% of watchers said that they feel they are more aware of social issues
• (Taken from Real to Me: Girls and Reality TV)
  

Not to say that you have to give up your Big Brother, X Factor, or any other reality tv show, but you might want to tune into what your kids are watching and have some conversation about the "reality" of reality tv.