03 January 2011
Principal’s Message
Welcome back! Happy New Year! Carpe Annum!
I hope that your holiday break was relaxing and rejuvenating and that you are now ready to seize the New Year with passion and purpose. Whatever resolutions you may have made for 2011, may you achieve them!
I love this time of year as it signifies new beginnings and new opportunities to do good and make good within the universe. It’s a time to focus on what’s most important rather than urgent. So while I have contemplated my own goals and commitments for 2011, I’ve also thought a bit about yours.
When you accepted our invitation to be part of the AHS learning community, you signed a commitment form, which included an agreement to apply to at least two colleges/universities in your senior year. If you are a senior, I know that many of you have already applied and been accepted to your school of choice. If you are among this group of scholars, hearty congratulations! If you haven’t yet defined your plans and taken steps to pursue your education and career goals, there is no time like the present! And, yes…this means freshmen through seniors!
This week in Advisory, review and refine your goals for college and career. Be SMART as you develop and monitor your goals, i.e., make them Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Time-bound.
If you have not already done so:
- Define what you want to do when you enter the workforce. At this point in your life, it’s natural to have questions and very likely that your answer will change over time. Even if you don’t know yet, choose something AND write it down. Starting now will help you gain clarity later.
- List two or more colleges/institutions that you want to attend that offer majors that will help prepare you for your career.
- Research your college options: Do they offer what you want to study? What options will you have that will meet your academic and social needs? What most appeals to you? What concerns you? What are their admission requirements?
- Reflect on what you are doing now to prepare yourself for your top school of choice: Are your actions aligning with your goals? What can you do to enhance your high school resume? Who can help you? Is the résumé you are building well-rounded? While academic achievement is important, college admissions reps also want to know that you have performed community service, participated in extra-curricular activities, been part of a team, held a leadership position, worked part-time or interned, etc. Take stock of all of these aspects so that you can start to fill in the gaps while there is still adequate time.
Reviewing your goals is not a one-time activity. Rather, it is a process that needs to be in perpetual motion. Developing your plan as a freshman allows lots of opportunity to refine your goals and action steps as you gain clarity about what you want to do in life and where you want to go to gain the knowledge and skills that will ensure your future. Without a plan, it’s much too easy to get sidetracked and settle for less than you want and deserve. Put your plan in writing and monitor it along the way; you’ll find it much more useful that way! (And much less useful if you don’t.)
I encourage you not to worry about how you are going to finance your college education when you are first making your plan. Start with a clean slate. Dream big! Believe in all possibilities for your future. In my experience, when passion and preparation come together, the rest falls in place. Go for it! Develop your goals first. And, know that you have a super knowledgeable and helpful counselor and staff to help you! The sky is NOT the limit!
Congratulations to Scott Anderson for being selected as Puget Sound Skill’s Center Student of the Quarter! Scott attends PSCC for part of the school day where he is enrolled in the Autobody Technology program.
The Highline School District will be running a renewal levy in February, which provides significant support to operate our schools. Parents and families: Information is available on the Highline School District website at www.hsd401.org, and if you want additional information, please contact me.
It’s good to be back at school! My best to all for an audacious week of learning and renewed commitment! I am honored to be your principal. ~Reba
NOTE:
o Continue checking the AHS website or logging on to school computers to get updated information on events and meetings.
Quote of the Week:
“We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.”
~Martin Luther King Jr.
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