Counseling Corner: Willowbrook Counseling Department provides grade-level programming for freshmen, sophomores and juniors

The Willowbrook Counseling Department facilitates a student-organized peer mentor program called New Beginnings for all freshmen. The program trains upperclassmen to work with freshmen on academics, teambuilding, social skills, school spirit and pride, etc. This is accomplished through daily tutoring during resource period (Warrior Time) and Friday activities, which are meant to be engaging and interactive. Activities include:

  • New Beginnings Olympics: A competition among the freshmen Warrior Times
  • Videos for Homecoming Week
  • Interactive teambuilding activities
  • Icebreakers: Getting to know your mentor and other freshmen
  • Clubs/Athletics Fair: Leaders share information about the extracurricular opportunities at Willowbrook and encourage freshmen to get involved

There also are interactive presentations/activities given by the counselors, which include:

  • “Family Feud”-style game: Getting to know the Counseling Department
  • Understanding Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) resources and how to utilize them (movie and PowerPoint)
  • “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”-style game: Grades, final exams, GPA, etc.
  • Registration/course-selection presentation

The goals are to make sure every freshman knows he or she belongs with the Willowbrook family and to encourage freshmen to pay it forward when they become upperclassmen.

As part of the Willowbrook Counseling Department’s goal to prepare students for post-high school success, counselors also provide career programming for sophomores. Throughout November, School Counselors will visit sophomore Warrior Times to introduce those students to the career-development exploration process. That process includes using Naviance to complete an Interest Inventory and Career Cluster assessment linked to careers, job outlook information and education requirements. Students will use the results of those assessments to choose a career of interest and begin the career exploration process.

Career Exploration Tips: The Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/ooh) is an excellent resource to explore careers and get up-to-date information about careers. That includes details about work environment, pay, education, job outlook and similar occupations. Students and parents also can review Willowbrook’s Career Exploration Handbook at https://dupage88.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=58437031.

Throughout the school year, counselors work with juniors individually and in groups regarding the college search and planning process. Below are events the department offers to fulfill this goal.

  • Junior Next-Step Presentations: The College Search and Planning Process: In November, counselors meet with juniors during their Warrior Time to discuss the College Search and Planning Process. Topics include post-high school options, junior-year planning timeline, senior-year course selection, components of the college application, an introduction to the college search process and SAT testing. Students also are given an extensive college-planning booklet, which can be viewed at https://dupage88.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=45135326.

  • Junior Parent Night Presentation: The College Search and Planning Process: On Nov. 4, counselors will present to parents of juniors. The event will begin at 6 p.m., and information will include items presented to juniors during their Next-Step Presentation, as well as other important content.

  • Conquering the Challenges of College Costs Presentation: This virtual presentation will begin at 6 p.m. on Nov. 10 and will take place on Zoom. It will focus on helping parents and students manage college costs without excessive debt. It also will provide information about how to find your financial college fit.

  • Naviance and Creating a Balanced College List: Counselors will teach juniors how to use Naviance to create a résumé, search for colleges and create a balanced list of colleges that includes safety schools, match schools and reach/dream schools.

  • Junior Interview/Course Selection: In January, counselors will meet individually with juniors to discuss post-high school plans, review credits and grades and select courses for senior year.

  • This is a semimonthly column that features news from the Guidance Department. The column will alternate between Addison Trail and Willowbrook.