Husker News From the

Counselor’s Corner

Cindy Bentley, CounselorStephanie Mercer, Secretary

FALLing Into Place

Oh, how quickly time flies! Here we are at the end of the first quarter (only three more to go) and what a busy first quarter it has been. It seems as though the students are back in the swing of things with school work and activities. We have a lot going on here at Lafayette County C-1 this school year. We have been selected to participate in the first national study on school climate and mental health issues. Students and staff were asked to complete a survey and several staff members will be attending Youth Mental Health First Aid training in the near future. I truly enjoy working at Lafayette County C-1 and am looking forward to another successful school year! If I can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Affordable Care Act Information

Health Care Collaborative of Rural Missouri and Network Partners have been working diligently to provide education and outreach about the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace. Enrollment has already started. To assist families and individuals with enrollment, there are several scheduled dates in a seven-county region to provide assistance. If you or someone you know would like more information, call them at 660.259.2440 or toll free at 877.344.3572. They will be at the Higginsville Senior Center, 101 W 21st Street, on November 7 from 7:30am to 7:30pm.

Reminders:

The PLAN test will be administered to ALLsophomoresfree of charge on November 19, 2013. Please remind your sophomore/junior students to get plenty of rest and eat a healthy breakfast before the test. Students will need a #2 pencil and a calculator for the PLAN.

Senior students will be participating in a field test study for McGraw-Hill on October 31-November 1. A letter was sent home in early October and a release form is required for the students to participate. Each senior who takes all five assessments will earn the class $100 towards Project Graduation.

Register for the ACT online at

Test DatesRegistration Deadline

December 14, 2013November 8, 2013

February 8, 2014January 10, 2014

April 12, 2014March 7, 2014

June 14, 2014May 9, 2014

Teen and Young Adult Grief

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Every year thousands of teenagers experience the death of someone they love. Statistics put the number around one in ten adolescents between the ages of ten and eighteen having experienced the loss of a close loved one. Many of these losses are sudden and unexpected losses.The teen years are complicated enough under normal circumstances. From hormones and body changes, to peer pressure, social expectations and academic demands, being a teenager is hard. When you add a death into the mix, the sense of being completely overwhelmed is multiplied.

Many parents and close family members and friends may be tempted to treat their teenagers as children. A teen will cope with grief better if they are acknowledged as someone old enough to grieve deeply. On the other hand, although a teen may look like an adult, it does not mean that they are ready to grieve as an adult. They still need extra support and guidance on a consistent basis to make it through this complicated process.

Though teens are often trying to assert their independence, a time of grief is one in which it can be helpful to rely on an adult for guidance. Teens will watch how adults react to a loss in order to gage how they should respond. If adults are open and honest with teens about their feelings, then the teen is more likelyto be willing to share their feelings as well. Trying to spare teens grief by choosing not to discuss the loss in front of them will not stop them from grieving, it will only reinforce a tendency to keep feelings bottled-up inside.

Making the distinction between the normal mood swings and the signs that a teen is struggling to cope can be difficult. Here are some signs that might indicate that a teen could use some outside help to process their grief:

  • Isolation from friends and family or sudden changes in friends or social groups
  • Changes in behavior, appearance, or sleeping/eating patterns
  • Lack of motivation, skipping school, or dropping grades
  • Depression or unusual levels of anxiety
  • Talk of suicide or a fixation on death
  • Constant feelings of anger or guilt
  • Reckless sexual behavior or drug use

Class of 2014: Senior Salute

This is an exciting time for the seniors and their parents. Three more quarters (one more for early graduates) to go before the big day…GRADUATION!!!! Please review the following information:

  • Daily Bulletin: Many of our seniors take dual credit coursework at Wentworth, attend the Technical Center in Lexington, or utilize work permits during the morning blocks. They may miss out on valuable information shared in the daily bulletin so it is important that you read the bulletin posted on the bulletin board across from the high school office as you arrive, or take time to visit the school website ( announcements are posted each day.
  • Deadlines: Familiarize yourself with the registration/application deadlines for colleges, the ACT test, scholarships, and service opportunities. The main reason students don’t get their first choice college or housing or scholarship dollars is because they miss crucial deadlines.
  • Scholarships: Be sure to check the Husker website for updates on scholarships available and due dates. Get ahead of schedule and don’t wait until March/April to complete all of the scholarship applications.
  • Campus Visits:The fall is the best time to visit the campuses of your favorite colleges. Use one of your college visit days to check them out first hand! See Mrs. Bentley for more information.
  • Priority Deadline of December 1st: Many colleges and universities have a priority deadline for applying which is not only tied to housing and scholarship dollars, but also gives seniors a jump start on college planning. Be sure your senior student has applied to the school(s) of his/her choice as soon as possible!
  • FAFSA: Be sure to log on to and apply for a pin number. This pin number is necessary to complete the financial aid application for grants, loans, work study, and some scholarships. The actual FAFSA will be completed in early 2014.
  • ACT Prep Workshops:Holden High School will be holding ACT prep workshops the Saturday before each ACT national test date. The workshop is $20 and runs from 7:45am to 2:00pm (lunch is provided). UCM will be having an ACT prep workshop on Monday, November 25 from 8am-12pm. This will be available here at school through ITV. Students will do not have to go to Warrensburg for this workshop. It costs $25 and students need to register and pay before November 12. See Mrs. Bentley for more information.
  • Important Dates: Senior year is always so hectic for families. Be sure to put important dates on your calendar now. Here are just a few:

January 15: Financial Aid Night/College 101

May 1: Senior Service Hours Due

May 12: Scholarships & Awards Program 6:30pm

May 18: Graduation 2:00pm