Counselor's Office

Middle and High School
It is important that the Classes of 2025 and 2026 begin to take the ACT. Please visit ACT.org for testing dates and to register.

College Visits
College visits are an essential component of the college application process as they provide students with the opportunity to experience campus life firsthand. By touring a college campus, students can gain insight into the academic programs, extracurricular activities, and overall campus culture. They can interact with current students, faculty, and staff, and ask questions about the admissions process, financial aid, and other important topics. College visits can also help students determine whether a particular college is the right fit for them, both academically and socially. Ultimately, college visits can play a crucial role in helping students make informed decisions about their future academic and professional paths. At Saint Cecilia, we allow Juniors and Seniors to miss two school days to go on college visits. After that permission from the principal is required.

If you have children who are approaching college age, its important to consider taking them on a college visit over the summer, and potentially incorporating it into your summer vacation plans. Not only can this be a fun and exciting way to explore new places, but it can also provide your child with valuable insights into the college selection process.

By visiting multiple colleges, your child can compare different institutions and get a better sense of what theyre looking for in a college. Additionally, visiting colleges over the summer can help your child avoid the stress of visiting during the busy academic year. So, if youre planning a family vacation this summer, why not add a college visit or two to your itinerary? Your childs future self may thank you for it!

Questions to ask on a college visit: https://www.ontocollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Questions-for-a-College-Visit-Checklist.pdf

Virtual College visit information: https://www.ontocollege.com/virtual-and-alternative-college-tours/

Routine
For children, routines are incredibly important! Knowing what to expect allows children to feel a sense of security, and this in turn provides them with freedom to think and feel and be creative children thrive on routine! Read these great articles on the importance of summer routines:

https://thinkingtreepsychology.com/blog/2019/6/25/summer-behavior-and-the-role-of-routine-n6hz6

Importance of Maintaining Routine During the Summer: Part 1

Coping Skills
Coping skills are crucial for students as they face a variety of challenges during their academic journey. Whether its dealing with academic pressure, social relationships, or personal issues, coping skills can help students manage stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions in a healthy way. Effective coping skills can also improve students mental and emotional well-being, leading to better academic performance, stronger social connections, and a greater sense of resilience. By learning and practicing coping skills, students can develop the ability to overcome obstacles and navigate the ups and downs of school and life with greater ease and confidence. Here is an example of some coping strategies that you can practice with your child:

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFf_Sxuq04/j16SPnkdQjv5e-pV9vh0mA/edit?utm_content=DAFf_Sxuq04&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton

Building Character through Family Interaction
Family members play a crucial role in developing a childs character. By creating opportunities for open and honest conversations about values, consequences, and the importance of doing the right thing, families can foster a positive outlook and strong character in their children. Activities such as creating a family tree, sharing stories about family members who have demonstrated good values, and engaging in real-world conversations about moral dilemmas are all excellent ways to build character within the family unit. Learn more about character building here: https://www.yourtherapysource.com/blog1/2023/04/12/character-building-activities-for-kids-2/

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS:

Start applying today for LOTS of great scholarships! Check them out - click here.

SERVICE HOURS:

Download the Service Hour form - CLICK HERE

Download the Summer Log - CLICK HERE

Great service hour opportunities include:

Chicken Noodle Dinner and Bazaar
Any activities associated with B.L.U.E.
Serving in the school concession stand
Serving at the school gate admissions table
Serving at other school related activities (outside of school hours)
Serving at Catholic Social Services
Mission trip (Christ in the City in Denver, Missionaries of Charity, Gallup N.M., etc.)
Counselor at SKY Camp
March for Life in Washington D.C.; Nebraska Walk for Life in Lincoln
Officiating youth sports (without pay)
Mowing lawns, scooping snow, raking leaves (without pay)
Church-related activities outside of school (e.g., altar server, choir, greeters, Altar Society activities, Knights
of Columbus activities, parish breakfast assistance, fish fry assistance, helping with CCD, church cleaning,
etc.)

SENIORS:

Need your official transcripts sent? Let us know the details by clicking here and completing the form.

DUAL & EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT:

NE Wesleyan Honors Academy (English IV and Spanish) - Read More
Central Community College Early College Credit
- Online Learning Opportunities
- Early College Credit Opportunities
Nebraska Now - Nebraska Now | Undergraduate Office of Admissions | University of Nebraska Lincoln (unl.edu)

Check out more details in our Dual & Early College Credit Brochure!

Customizing Your 4-Year High School Course Plan:

Along with the required high school courses, high school students can enroll in classes to fit their college and career goals. Students need to fill their schedule for an 8-period day.

Example 4 Year Plan. Courses in Italics are the elective course options this student chose. Note: All high school students are required to take Physical Education/Health & Info Tech I/Speech at some point during their high school career. Additionally, all high school students are required to take two years of Fine & Performing Arts per Nebraska Department of Education standards.

Freshman	Sophomore	Junior	Senior
English I	English II	English III	English IV
Theology I	Theology II	Theology III	Theology IV
Algebra I or Geometry	Geometry or Algebra II	Algebra II or Pre-Calculus or Stats	Pre-Calc., or Calculus, or Stats, or NE Math Readiness or General Math
Physical Science	Biology	Chemistry or Physics or Anatomy & Physiology or Environmental Science	Chemistry or Physics or Anatomy & Physiology or Environmental Science
World History	Spanish II	American History	Government/Economics
Spanish I	Info Tech I/Speech	Info Tech II	Band IV
Physical Education/Health	Band II	Band III	Personal Finance/Entrepreneurship
Band I	Introduction to Agriculture	Early College Credit Course (1 course each semester = 6 college credits)	Early College Credit course (1 course each semester = 6 college credits)

Make Course Planning Simple

Step 1: Enroll in High School Required Courses (note: Courses that are required by Nebraska Department of Education for all Nebraska High School students to earn a High School Diploma).

Step 2: Think about your College or Career Path Take courses that will benefit your college program of study or career pathway

Step 3: Enroll in a college or dual credit course

NE Wesleyan Honors Academy (English IV and Spanish) - Read More
Central Community College Early College Credit
- Online Learning Opportunities
- Early College Credit Opportunities
Nebraska Now - Nebraska Now | Undergraduate Office of Admissions | University of Nebraska Lincoln (unl.edu)

FAFSA HELP:

Looking for some help while applying for FAFSA? Check out this demo! This six-part video series will walk you through the entire application, and provides helpful hints along the way. https://eqf.org/FAFSAdemo

HCS CARES:

Need someone to talk to?

Concerned about a classmate or friend?

Have school safety concerns?

Share your concern with our CARES Team through our confidential online form. All reports will be handled with CARE and sensitivity. Help our Hastings Catholic Schools Family BE ONE and grow stronger together.

Click here to fill out the form

Parents - do you think your child(ren) could benefit from speaking with a counselor? Click here to fill out the request form.

Students - would you like to see the counselor? Click here to fill out the request form.

Teachers - do you think a student should see the counselor? Click here to fill out the request form.

Counselor's Hub Resources

Check out this awesome link to resources including information for Class Registration Planning, Volunteer Opportunities, Scholarships, ACT Prep, Resume & Personal Statement Tips, Health & Humor, and general Counselor News. Can't find what you're looking for? Email Mrs. Gapp at tiffany-gapp@cdolinc.net.