What is School Counseling?
According to the American School
Counselors Association, School Counselors are uniquely
qualified to work with students to address and solve
academic hardships, support social and emotional growth
of students and assist with career and college readiness
to prepare students for the world beyond.
The School Counselor
Michele Serafin is the grades
6-12 School Counselor at Hancock Public Schools. She has
many years of experience in school counseling and is
available to provide a comprehensive school counseling
program that attends to the personal/social, academic,
college and career planning of all students. Services
include group and individual counseling, academic
support, crisis intervention, career and college
planning and student advocacy. The goal is for all
students to succeed in high school and move forward to
become productive members of the community. Students may
make an appointment to see the counselor during school
hours or they may drop into the counselor's office if
she is available. The school counselor’s office is
located at the top of stairs between the middle and high
school. If the counselor feels that more in-depth
counseling is needed, a referral to an outside agency is
made. If you have concerns about your son or daughter,
please feel free to contact Michele at (906)483-2540, ext 8111. If you have concerns about your
son or daughter, please feel free to contact me at
(906) 483-2540, ext 8111.
College & Career Planning
Career Planning Website
All students have a
Xello
account that can be accessed through PowerSchool. Xello
is an online program that helps students create a
successful future through self-knowledge, exploration
and planning.
Career and Technical Education
Students interested in enrolling
in any of the
Career & Technical Education program offerings
should contact their high school counselor to request
the required enrollment forms. Each high school within
the Copper Country Intermediate School District is
allocated a specific number of slots for student
enrollment, based upon the school's total high school
enrollment. Criteria for student enrollment in the
Career & Technical Education programs are determined by
each individual district. Considerations for eligibility
may include the student's attendance record, grades,
citizenship, and a career pathway specific to the
requested program. Students interested in the program
should contact their high school counselor early in
their high school career to obtain information regarding
the requirements of their district.
Skilled Trades
Skilled Trades are careers that
often require less schooling and debt than a four-year
degree. These jobs are in demand for fields like
healthcare, information technology, advanced
manufacturing, construction and automotive. Employers in
Michigan are seeking talent to fill these roles. More
information can be found on the
Michigan Skilled Trades website.
Military
The U.S. Military consists of
six active-duty Service branches and their respective
Guard and Reserve components. Together, they offer a
broad variety of ways to serve. Students are welcome to
meet with Military Representatives when they visit the
school or they can set up their own meeting by
contacting a recruiter. Additional information related
to careers in the military can be located by going to
their webpage.
The
ASVAB Test will be administered yearly to students
interested in pursuing a career in the military.
https://www.asvabprogram.com
College Search
Students will be encouraged to
research colleges and trade schools based on their
career interests. Some of this will be done in the
classroom setting, but students are certainly welcome to
check out the following websites to conduct their own
research. Mrs. Serafin will be available to guide
students through the college selection process.
Applications can be filled out online.
Some schools require students to
use the Common Application Process. Students can explore
colleges and create accounts through the
Common Application.
Transcript Sends on Parchment
Students who wish to have their
transcripts sent to college will need to create an
account on
Parchment. The account is free while they are
current students.
Local College Websites
Standardized Testing
The PSAT NMSQT will be offered
for a small fee to interested students during October.
It is recommended for college bound juniors. Students
need to sign up with the counselor and pay their fee
before the deadline passes. *Fee waivers are also
available.
The SAT will be administered to
all juniors in April at no cost to students. Students
will receive four free score sends if they wish to send
their scores to a college. Most colleges require the SAT
or ACT test for admittance. Students can sign up to take
the SAT or ACT at nearby test centers throughout the
year. Students can retake the tests to improve their
scores.
Once the College Board account
is created, students can link their account to
Khan Academy for additional practice.
SuperTutorTV is an online video test prep site that
can be accessed via YouTube.
Paying for College
In order to receive any student
aid (including loans) for college, students must
complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) form. The forms are available online. If you are
planning to fill it out online, you must apply for a FSA
ID username and password before filling it out.
Click here to create those. Students and their
parents or guardians should also plan to attend FAFSA
Night in October to get a head start on the FAFSA. The
FAFSA Deadline in Michigan is March 1.
Paying for College
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FAFSA
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Keweenaw TRIO Pre-College Programs
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Scholarships and Grants are
available to some Michigan residents after FAFSA
completion. Students can check if they qualify for
the Tuition Incentive Program by going to the
MISSG Student Portal.
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Local Scholarships - TBD
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College Scholarships - TBD
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State and National
Scholarships - TBD
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