Peak to Peak Counseling News and Announcements

NEW: Autism Awareness Month

Did you know that the Autism Society declared April Autism Awareness Month back in 1970?

Join us as Peak to Peak promotes awareness, inclusion, and appreciation for all. Each week you will find information about major characteristics of autism and available resources.

Week 1 - Sensory Integration

In addition to the well-known 5 senses (sight, smell, sound, touch, taste) autism can also impact sense of balance, spatial relations, time orientation, and temperature and pain sensitivity. Any of these can be a case of hyper- or hypo-sensitivities. Indications of sensory overload include repetitive mannerisms (hands over ears, rocking, fidgeting), aggressive behaviors, immature responses, and meltdowns. Hypo-sensitivity can be characterized by under-responsive behaviors such as day-dreaming, staring, wandering, and general zoning out.

Something to read:

• Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew (Ellen Notbohm)
• The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-year Old Boy with Autism (Naoki Higashida)

Something to watch:

• Temple Grandin: The Movie
• The Horse Boy

Resources to check out:

• http://www.autism-society.org/
• https://www.autismspeaks.org/

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UPCOMING – U.S. Service Academy Information Day – Saturday, April 22^nd

This event will offer information about the nomination and application processes for service academies, and it is free and open to the public.

Saturday, April 22 in Denver at 1pm at Denver South High School, 1700 E Louisiana Ave. in Denver. The session will provide students and parents the opportunity to meet representatives from the following institutions:

· U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

· U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY

· U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

· U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY

· U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT

https://www.bennet.senate.gov/?p=release&id=3851

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NEW – Email Etiquette Guide

Check out this helpful table that provides examples of how to properly write emails to teachers, counselors, admissions reps, employers, and other professionals.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mmR-PqFVlge2IKk9ipSr0nFMqxlXvGLEwzAFyk3SNBY/mobilebasic

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COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY – Peak to Peak Garden

Any students wanting outdoors, convenient and meaningful community service soon in the new Peak to Peak Gardens should contact Patrick Crist at Patrick_Crist@natureserve.org. Opportunities for both short and long term volunteering are available throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

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COMPUTER PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITY – Girls Go Code Boulder – Saturday, April 15^th, 9am to 3pm

All Middle and High School girls are invited to attend a free six hour workshop at CU Boulder on how to use HTML to make websites. More details and registration is online here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/girls-go-code-boulder-2017-tickets-32833752638?aff=utm_source%3Deb_email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dnew_event_email&utm_term=eventurl_text

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AP TEST PREP – Princeton Review AP Test Online Cram Courses

https://www.princetonreview.com/college/ap-test-prep

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REMINDER – Leadership Programs

Counselors encourage students interested in leadership opportunities to consider applying to one or more of the following leadership-oriented programs and positions:

The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) at YWCA Boulder County is comprised of young women aged 15 - 18. The purpose of the group is to provide leadership and teambuilding skills. The TAB does this by planning mission-driven events throughout the year. TAB members will create, plan, and execute three of these events this year. The group also provides the opportunity for TAB members to interact with members of the YWCA board and learn more about social justice issues in the community. The application is attached to this email and is due May 26th.

· Current 6^th-12^th grade students: La Raza Youth Leadership Conference (Saturday 4/29 in Denver)– includes potential college scholarships - due 4/26 - http://www.register-larazayouth.com/

· Current 7^th/10^th/11^th grade students: Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Program (RYLA) – due 4/30 (After applying online, contact Bill Rubin, 303-499-6711, bill@wxwax.com, to set up interview.http://www.rmryla.org/

· Current 9^th-12^th grade students: National Leadership Academy – due 4/15 http://www.nationalleadershipacademy.org/academy/#application

· Current 11^th grade students: Boys State – due 5/1 (http://www.colegionboysstate.org/index.html)

· Multiple Opportunities – Colorado Young Leaders – ongoing - http://coloradoyoungleaders.org/get-involved/students/

· Current 9^th/10^th/11^th grade students – Youth Roots – due 4/17 - http://youthroots.org/apply/

Counselors are ready to help with any applications. We have a number of current students involved in many of these organizations, so let us know if you want to learn more about any of these!

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11^th Grade: Upcoming Events & Information

Case Studies Program: Wednesday, April 5^th at 5:30pm This has become a favorite activity for both parents and students to hear directly from admissions representatives about what they are hoping to see (or not see) in your student’s applications.

This is a mandatory event for all Juniors, and we do ask that you dress appropriately (ie no jeans or shorts). All students are expected to attend along with at least one parent/guardian. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from actual admissions representatives and find out what they are looking for when they read applications. What are “red flags” they don't like to see? What are the hidden things they are hoping to see? We will divide everyone into groups of 15-25 each with students separated from their parents/guardians. Each group will work with one college admissions representative and will review four mock applications and then decide whether that candidate would be accepted, denied or waitlisted at the mock college. Following this activity there will be a mini "college fair" for those wanting to get to know the very people who will be reading your applications and making the final decisions.

In order to best use the time of the college representatives, all students and parents should read the four applications ahead of time. Students reviewed Case Studies in Junior Days on Tuesday, April 4th. Parents, please use the following link to access materials: Link to Case Studies Materials

Program Schedule:

5:30 - Check-in begins for Parents/Students in the Auditeria

5:45 - 6:15 – Welcome & Introductions in Auditeria

6:15-7:45 - Break-out Case Studies discussions - HS classrooms in North Building

7:45-8:30 - College Fair – College Counseling Center

Attending Colleges Include:

Dickinson College

Saint Louis University

Case Western Reserve University

University of Colorado Boulder

Miami University (Ohio)

Colorado College

University of Denver

Chapman University

The University of Chicago

Dartmouth College

Sewanee: The University of the South

Texas Christian University

Grinnell College

Rhodes College

The College of Wooster

Smith College

Wesleyan University

University of Redlands

Earlham College

Bates College

Lehigh University

Lafayette College

Lake Forest College

Testing Update: Juniors received their SAT practice scores in Access class last week and created goals for how and what they will study in preparation for the State SAT. Students have access to a digital copy of their score report for only 30 days and so we asked them to save their report to their google drive so that they won't lose access to it. The report, along with the copy of the test booklet they took home on 2/27, is very useful in preparing for the State SAT on April 11th. Through the report, students have information regarding specific areas of content they need to work on. In addition, MTP's blog entry below gives students a great method to conquer areas of difficulty unique to them by using the "Scores by Concept" tool or the "Quiz on Demand" tool.

What is Your SAT Kryptonite? (And how can Method Test Prep help?)

Did you know Method Test Prep's self-paced program includes tracking features that will help you monitor progress, distinguish weaknesses, and target key areas for improvement? Read here to learn more!

The MANDATORY STATE SAT test is on Tuesday, 4/11

Juniors will have Monday, April 10th off to unwind, prepare as needed, and get a good night's sleep before the test on Tuesday.

On Wednesday and Thursday of that week (the 12th and 13th), juniors will either be attending a college field trip of their choice or will be at the Boulder Rock Club for their Balance Day activities.

Please remember that attendance is expected for all activities during this week. We are confident that all students will benefit from each unique experience.