oacac webinar. counselor roundtable june 3

Transitions in

grade 11 & 12

OACAC webinar June

2015

PANELISTS

Victoria Lidzbarski, Dulwich College Shanghai, China

Cory Miller, Branksome Hall, Canada

Heather Stone, Lincoln Community School, Ghana

FACILITATORS:

Aaron Andersen, University of British Columbia

Counselor Round Table: Preparing for the Future & Year in Review

Topics:•Shared experiences from panel of counselors•Counselor’s role vs. student’s action items•Hot topics Q & AGoals: •Offer programmatic ideas•Foster a dialogue around 11th and 12th grade transitions and hot topics

Prepare your Juniors and Seniors for their next steps

Junior Year: Write and write some more

• In 11th grade students can use valuable time to produce autobiographical writing

• Reflect on: opinions, strengths, memories, impactful texts and teachers

• Use free writes to get the mind flowing and build a body of work

• Look at sample Personal Statements and questions after some writing has been generated

• Structure a detailed outline• Discuss the power of opening lines

Junior Year: spring term recommendations

• Counsellors should…– Host parent information night– 2-3 individual student meetings– Prep leaving teachers about TREC’s– Remind students about finishing strong

• Students should…– Complete CV– Research Initial/long list– Draft 1st Personal Statements Structure a

detailed outline– Confirm summer program or uni visit plans

Junior Year: spending the summer on the intangibles?

• Reflect on your goals• Investigate your fears• Question your assumptions• Pursue your passions• Make your final year easier now– Extended Essay work– Summer/further reading

Senior Year: Preparing for Personal & Social Transitions

• In-class activities: Researching and interpreting Sexual Assault and Harassment policies

• Identify and locate health and safety resources

• Review knowledge of sexual health & STDs• Knowing your limits: Substance Use• Student life documentaries and discussions

Letting Go & Launching the Nest - SPRING

APRIL•join FB groups get to know incoming classmates and perhaps find a roommate•attend workshop about the current realities of drinking culture and campus safety (by recent alumni)

MAY•Make time for meaningful farewells – “build your RAFT” •Write thank you notes to teachers and counselors•Pass on knowledge via seminars to underclassmen “if I knew then what I know now”

JUNE•Attend school functions, listen carefully to the parting words of wisdom•Make concrete plans to stay connected – share personal email, make LinkedIn account

JULY•get prepared (eg. collect ingredients, sing the verses, sew the outfit) to share a traditional dish/song/dance •get a credit card, prepare a budget, learn laundry symbols and how to cook basic meals

AUGUST•read course calendar and reach out to academic advisor about course selection •if necessary, contact disability office early to arrange learning accommodations•make PDF/JPEG files of transcript, passport, visa + accommodations paperwork•know your prescriptions, collect vaccination history, record doctors’ contact details, especially if mental health care required

Letting Go & Launching the Nest - SUMMER

Roundtable: Q & A Please use the “Raise Your Hand” Button

Questions?


Question: What challenges do you find yourself

facing this time of year? And what constructive solutions have you found that work for you?


Question: What was one new initiative or

program you introduced this year that you were really excited about ?


Question: Are schools/counselors offering

programs for internationals students for support as they transition to universities in other countries? (ex. A panel for African students heading to the U.S.)


Questions?

Victoria.lidzbarsk@

oacac webinar. counselor roundtable june 3

Education