Guidance Information
Guidance Department Staff
Sondra Cook – Director of Guidance & School Counselor for last names L-Z grades 9-12
Sarah Mettert - Guidance Counselor for last names A-K grades 9-12
Kim Burns – School Counselor for grades 6-8
Allison Rinker – Jr-Sr High School Guidance Secretary & School Registrar
Mission Statement
The mission of the Smith-Green Community Schools School Counseling Program is to provide the assistance and support needed to insure that all students acquire the academic, career, and social/emotional competencies necessary to become successful and productive citizens who are able to compete in a world class economy.
Goals
The goals of the Smith-Green Community Schools Comprehensive School Counseling Program include:
Implement strategies and activities to maximize student learning through high quality work, commitment, and academic success to be prepared for all postsecondary options
Assist students in 1) understanding the connection between school and the world of work and 2) plan for and make a successful transition from school to postsecondary education and/or the world of work and from job to job across the life span
Assist students in acquiring and effectively applying the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions
Planning for College
As a parent, you want the best for your child’s future. Planning should begin as early as middle school. If you wait until the junior or senior year of high school, you’ve waited too long.
What should my child do?
Your child’s ability to read, write and use a computer is the most important and basic skill needed for the future.
Your child needs a firm foundation in rigorous, high level math and English courses.
Your child should take advantage of courses offered in science, social studies, foreign languages and performing arts.
Your child must learn good study habits.
Your child should consider what he or she wants to do after high school and discuss options with the school counselor or teachers.
Scholarships
All scholarship information is sent to both parents and students in an e-mail from Mrs. Cook or Mrs. Rinker to all Seniors’ school e-mail addresses. Please be sure to check your e-mail regularly for this important information. There are also links posted in List of Current Scholarships. Please make sure you listen for announcements.
Where should you look for scholarships?
Career Choice Help
My Next Move is an excellent website that has a career interest inventory and a career exploration program. When you look up different professions, you can find out the skills needed, the personality traits that fit the profession, the training needed, and the job outlook including salary range.
https://www.mynextmove.org
SAT & ACT
Students are not required to take both tests; however, often students will do better on one test than the other. The SAT has only math and English sections, while the ACT has math, English, and science sections. Students are required to sign up online at the websites below:
SAT Registration
Students will need to create a login and password and answer several questions prior to being able to pick a testing date and site. It is recommended that students take the SAT/ACT in the spring of their junior year so if they do not like their scores they can re-take it first thing their senior year. It does take 6-8 weeks for us to receive the scores and a college will not make an acceptance decision until they have the student’s scores. Be sure to plan ahead!
Studying for ACT and SAT
Armed Forces
For programs and resources regarding the army, please visit http://www.goarmy.com/
For programs and resources regarding the navy, please visit http://www.navy.com/
For programs and resources regarding the airforce, please visit http://www.airforce.com/
For programs and resources regarding the marines, please visit www.marines.com
Additional Info
Order My Transcript - Click on this link to order a transcript to be sent directly to the location you specify.
INvestEd is a free resource for Hoosier students and parents looking for help with college planning and financial aid.
Guidance Documents
Senior Brag Sheet - PDF
Jostens Order Information
Churubusco Senior Grad Order Info
Churubusco Freshmen Class Ring Week Info
Scholarships
Cappex - Scholarship Search Website
The College Board Scholarship Search Website
fastweb! - a scholarship search website