Lehman High School Career Counselor Allison Tillotson encourages Michelle Carrillo to try on some college gear from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Michelle is wearing a T-Shirt that celebrates Island Day. TAMUCC is home of the Islanders. Michelle is interested in attending the university in Corpus Christi. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
by JIM CULLEN
The first of Hays CISD’s recently-crafted strategic plan objectives states that “every student will develop and complete a challenging, personalized educational plan with guidance from family and school.” Another of those objectives charges the district with making sure every student graduates “prepared to pursue personal aspirations, lofty dreams, and unforeseen opportunities.”
Those objectives are key in campus and district activities this week as local educators, counselors and administrators address them through a full-court press of events and initiatives. Parents and students gathered earlier this week at the Performing Arts Center for the “Planning for Tomorrow... Today” program, designed to educate students and their families about the benefits of higher education and to get them thinking – and planning – that pathway to success.
The official week was mandated by the 80th Texas Legislature and is designed to “educate middle school, junior high school, and high school students about the importance of higher education.” Campuses at those levels are directed to provide students “with comprehensive grade-appropriate information regarding the pursuit of higher education.”
To that end, local campuses are striving to reach every single individual and their families.
At Hays High School, “College – Go Get It” week was actually celebrated in October, with daily college announcements, the PSAT and a huge luncheon with Superintendent Jeremy Lyon that included the popular College Trivia Contest. This week, Hays High counselors will visit with every sophomore and junior, returning the PSAT to those classes, teaching them how to use My College Quickstart on the College Board website and promoting college awareness by encouraging a college-bound atmosphere at the campus.
Hays High College and Career Counselor Kathy Arendt says daily announcements are encouraging college awareness and that the campus will host the January 22 administration of the SAT college entry exam. In early March, half-day field trips will be provided for all freshmen to visit either the University of Texas at Austin, St. Edward’s University, Austin Community College, Texas State University or Universal Technical Institute.
Lehman High School College and Career Counselor Allison Tillotson reports her campus is in the middle of a full slate of activities this week that will culminate with a Friday morning College and Career Coffee Chat. The event brings teachers, staff and other district personnel together outside the Lobo counseling center to informally visit about college and career choices over coffee with students.
“We have high expectations for achieving our goals,” Tillotson says, establishing her belief that one of the most important things students can do is to “think about their career path and have a detailed plan and timeline for that plan.”
