“Greetings from the Academic Counseling realm at Bret Harte!
It is November, we are over 1/2 way through the first semester, and Bret Harte's students are thriving in their classrooms, as well as in their clubs and on their sports teams!
Fall Update: School counselors fulfill many roles within a school. At Bret Harte, both administration and office staff contribute to a range of campus needs. As the school academic/college/career counselor, my responsibilities include classroom guidance lessons, academic and at-risk conferences with students and parents, college preparation, career counseling, and managing testing coordination and proctoring. I collaborate with families on academic concerns, college and career planning, personal challenges, and peer issues. While I don't handle discipline, I can provide positive behavior strategies. My goal is to help each student grow socially, emotionally, and academically, fostering a safe and inclusive environment.
Each fall, I visit classrooms for grade-level presentations. So far, I've met with all 12th, 11th, and 10th-grade classes and am scheduled to meet with 9th graders on Monday, December 2nd. I have encouraged all students to speak with their families about my presentations, and to periodically check my google classrooms for updates on Scholarships, Testing, College Information and grade level specific activities towards future goals and aspirations.
Freshman Year: Freshman year is a time of excitement, transition, and growth. It's an opportunity for students to explore the academic and co-curricular options Bret Harte offers while establishing a strong foundation for future success. During this year, I meet with each freshman individually to discuss their class schedules, grades, interests, college entrance requirements, and long-term goals.
Sophomore Year: Sophomore year is all about growth. This is a time for students to push themselves academically and personally, while gaining a clearer sense of post-secondary options and how to stay competitive. Students will benefit from tackling rigorous coursework, participating in co-curricular activities, and researching potential colleges.
Junior Year: Junior year is a time for reflection, as students begin considering their plans beyond high school. Whether looking into potential colleges or career paths, students should start building a list of prospective schools and assess their academic standing in relation to admission requirements. I'll work closely with students and families to ensure they're on track with graduation requirements and post-secondary goals. I will be holding Junior Conferences in the spring, where we will discuss summer planning moving into the college application process.
Senior Year: Senior year is when students bring together everything they've worked toward in high school. It's time to finalize post-graduation plans, whether that means pursuing higher education, entering the workforce, or joining the military. Meeting application and financial aid deadlines is essential, and I'm here to support students as they prepare for their next steps. I completed Senior Conferences the 1st 6 weeks of school, but I am still available to all Senior Families who want to meet in person, on the phone, or via zoom for additional support.
I'm here to support students and their families for success in high school and beyond. I have an open-door policy, so please contact me if I can ever be of assistance. I look forward to serving you and your students!”
Sherryl Godfrey