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Guiding Your 12th Graders
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Each day, your senior is working with their teachers, counselors, and other school staff to transition to their next steps after high school. This page will help you as you guide them through this important transitional year.
Use this page to sit down with your child and talk through their next steps.
How Do I Support My Child's Goal of High School Graduation?
Students must earn credits for all graduation requirements in order to graduate.
The most important thing for students and parents/guardians to do is stay in communication with teachers. Teachers see your child every day and are the key to supporting their progress in courses. Call or email your child's teacher if you have a question about a course or assignment.
Log into your student's Infinite Campus Portal with them and review their completed credits, current grades, and courses planned for 2nd semester. If you have any questions about their progress toward graduation, contact their assigned counselor.
What Are My Child's Options After High School?
Since elementary school, your child has been working with their teachers and counselors to learn about themselves, about education and careers available, and about how their skills and interests might fit together with a future career. Our goal in Omaha Public Schools is for every student to leave high school with a plan for furthering their education and opportunities. These plans can come in many different forms: 2-year college, 4-year college, United States military, union apprenticeships, Job Corps, or entering the workforce.
Sit down with your child and review the assessments and assignments they have completed in their SchooLinks account. They can show you the careers and colleges they have marked as "favorites" as a way of starting conversations about their interests and needs. If there are assessments available that they haven't taken, encourage them to do so. Help them talk with family members and family friends about their career paths and what they wish they had done.
If your child has a certain career in mind, they can look it up to find out what preparation is required. If they do not have a career in mind, they can look into some general courses or work with their school counselor to find out more about their interests.
Students who plan to go to work directly after high school are encouraged to find internships or programs that offer on-the-job training and have room for growth. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics is an excellent resource to help parents and guardians understand the changing landscape of careers: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm
If your child is interested in investing time in education after high school, they may be concerned about the cost. Federal aid is available for students whose families qualify. You may be surprised at how much support is available for your child! Make sure to complete the FAFSA to find out!
School Counseling Events for Your Child
Omaha Public Schools School Counseling Annual Plan includes opportunities for students to work closely with their counselors on planning their next steps. Your child may be invited to:
- Participate in Apply2College Week events, including completing college applications, reporting college applications, and creating FSA ID
- Participate in classroom lessons about their options and opportunities after high school
- Meet one-on-one with their assigned counselor to review credits, course planning, and post-secondary plans
- Choose an appointment time for parent/guardian and student to meet with EducationQuest
- Review scholarship opportunities with a counselor
- Complete online career interest assessments
- Participate in whole-class or small group college fairs, career speakers, or other events
- Speak to college, military, or career reps during lunch
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How can my child get ready for their education after high school?
The best way to prepare for life after high school is to fully engage and commit to learning and growing in high school. Here are some things all high school students should do:
- Academics: Keep your grades high and take challenging courses. Prepare for standardized tests.
- Extracurriculars: Join clubs or sports. Aim for deep involvement and leadership roles.
- Community Service: Volunteer regularly. Seek long-term opportunities.
- Relationships: Build strong ties with teachers and mentors for guidance and recommendation letters.
- Passions: Dive into personal interests or projects. Your passion may become your future.
- Organization: Use a calendar and folders to keep track of assignments and deadlines.
- Opportunities: Pay attention to emails and announcements to find out about amazing opportunities. Apply and participate in anything you're even a little interested in.
- Communication and Emotional Intelligence: Work to improve the way you interact with your peers and adults. Participate in Advisement class so that you build a community of peers.
- Be Authentic: Let your genuine self shine through in and out of school.
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What is standardized testing, and should my child worry about it?
The ACT and SAT are both standardized tests that high school students in the United States often take when applying for colleges and scholarships. These tests help colleges assess a student's readiness for college-level work.
Many colleges accept both ACT and SAT scores. It's a good idea to check the specific requirements of the colleges your child is interested in to see if they have a preference for one test over the other. All students in Nebraska take the ACT during the spring of their 11th grade year at no cost.
Preparing for these tests can be helpful, and there are various resources available, such as practice books, online courses, and tutoring services. Students can take the tests multiple times to improve their scores, and colleges generally consider the highest scores. Students who qualify for educational benefits can access up to two fee waivers for each test.
Remember, these tests are just one part of the college application process. Colleges also look at other factors like high school grades, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and personal essays to make their admissions decisions.
To learn more about ACT and standarized testing please go to:
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Can my child start applying for scholarships now?
Yes, your child should apply for any and all scholarships that they are eligible for. Even a small scholarship is typically worth the time and energy that it takes to complete the application. Omaha Public Schools maintains a local scholarship database as a way to support students in their scholarship search. Students can log into SchooLinks and select Finances > Scholarship Matching > complete the information needed to see up-to-the-minute offerings.
For more information about scholarships please go to:https://www.ops.org/Page/6999
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How can I support my child's social and emotional health?
Supporting a teenager's social and emotional growth, especially in the context of social media and mental health, can be a challenging but crucial task for parents. Here are some of the best ways to support your child in these areas:
Open Communication:
- Create a safe and non-judgmental environment for your teenager to discuss their feelings and experiences.
- Encourage them to talk about their online interactions, both positive and negative
Educate Yourself:
- Stay informed about the latest social media platforms and trends to better understand your teen's digital world.
- Be aware of the potential risks and benefits of social media.
Set Healthy Boundaries:
- Collaboratively establish screen time limits and guidelines for the use of social media.
- Teach responsible online behavior, including respecting privacy, avoiding cyberbullying, and verifying information.
Be a Role Model:
- Model positive online behavior and healthy tech use to set an example for your teen.
- Show them that you can unplug and prioritize face-to-face interactions.
Encourage Offline Activities:
- Encourage your teenager to participate in extracurricular activities, sports, hobbies, and volunteering to balance their online and offline lives.
Monitor Without Spying:
- Respect your teen's privacy but monitor their online activity to ensure their safety.
- Install monitoring apps or use built-in parental control features to track their online actions discreetly.
Promote Self-Esteem:
- Help your teen build self-confidence and self-worth to resist the negative influences of social media.
- Celebrate their achievements and remind them that self-worth is not solely based on online validation.
Protect Safety:
- Be vigilant for signs of mental health issues, such as mood changes, social withdrawal, or academic problems.
- Seek professional help if you notice significant changes in your teen's behavior. Do not ignore or dismiss warning signs.
- Store guns outside the home. Lock up weapons and medication that your child may be able to access.
Encourage a Balanced Lifestyle:
- Set a routine that allows for adequate sleep and time for healthy activities.
- Emphasize the importance of sleep, physical activity, and a balanced diet for their overall well-being.
Support Positive Relationships:
- Teach your teen to cultivate meaningful, offline friendships and maintain boundaries with online friends.
- Encourage them to talk to you about any online interactions that make them uncomfortable.
Seek Professional Help When Needed:
- If you're concerned about your teen's mental health, don't hesitate to consult a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist.
- Mental health professionals can provide valuable guidance and support.
Stay Informed Together:
- Stay up-to-date with the latest research and resources related to teen mental health and social media.
- Share this information with your teen to empower them with knowledge.
Every teenager is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Be flexible and adapt your approach to your teen's specific needs and challenges. Patience and empathy are key in supporting your child's social and emotional growth during this crucial phase of their life.
