Counselor’s Corner – March 13, 2020

Social-Emotional Counseling

Dear Parents please read my Letter from The Counselor posted on the Distance Learning at BIS Website with tips on how to talk to your children about the corona virus and school closure.

Please know that I continue to be available online for parent and student meetings and we can arrange times to meet via video chat using Google Hangouts.

I will continue to check in with students, receive  and respond to Teacher referrals, and communicate with students daily via email. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

As nearly all of our students have studied mindfulness this year and learned skills to pay close attention to their feelings, their breath, their surroundings, their thoughts, and even their eating, please engage your child in discussions and practice of what they know in this area.  Teaching you what they know about mindfulness will be a fun way to help them cope, feel confident, and manage the many emotions they are certain to feel over the next few weeks. I use the curriculum from Mindful Schools.

Here is a list of mindfulness apps  each with their own unique features.

Finally, In an effort to support families during this challenging time, I’d like to provide some resources for online counseling. Please contact these organizations, recommended by the International School Counseling Association:

Websites/ Centers for Online Counseling

• The Truman Group at http://www.truman-group.com/ offers psychological care for expats virtually. Sessions are conducted via secure, confidential streaming video.

• Betterhelp.com is an affordable online counseling service used by other practicing international school counselors to support families.

• Common Chord Psychology Services/Dr. Laura Anderson  www.drlsanderson.com or drlsanderson@gmail.com Common Chord Psychology facebook page.

• RNG International a great resource to help find services in the USA or elsewhere for students and families needing learning support, therapeutic services or boarding schools. They also offer college counseling.

• Online counseling directory: Counseling Director in UK

• Expat Nest

• American Well www.amwell.com doctors, therapists and specialists

• Break Through

The Importance of the Parent’s Role in Prevention

Research shows that parent involvement is a key component of effective prevention. Children whose parents talk to them about alcohol and other drugs are less likely to use them. And schools need to have parents solidly behind their prevention efforts and policies. Parents can play a unique and positive role in keeping kids drug-free during adolescence, and in supporting the school’s prevention efforts. Click on the video to learn a little bit about what parents can do to keep their kids healthy.

College and Career Counseling – Career Exploration Week

Dear Grade 10 Students and Parents:

Career Exploration Week is April 13-17 with the possibility for students to  begin their internship as early as April 10. Career Exploration Week is an excellent opportunity to get hands on work experience and make contacts in the industry of their choice. Students must secure an internship and supervisor and must complete a minimum of 32 hours at their work site.

All of the required internship information is on the Grade 10 College Counseling Google Classroom.

Students must turn in the following forms to Indra in the Counseling Center by March 30th at the latest:

• Parent consent Form
• Agreement and Plan Form

Students must turn in the Supervisor letter to the person who has agreed to supervise him or her at their internship site.

If your child is having trouble locating an internship site, please contact Ms. Rachael ASAP so that she can help find contacts in your son or daughter’s area of interest.

Thanks and please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns about Career Exploration Week. I’m here to help! Rachael

Upcoming University Visits – March 16: CANCELLED

University of Kent (contact the rep to learn more about this university: M.Hampton@kent.ac.uk

Top three things about the University of Kent in Canterbury, UK:

• Internationally recognized for Business & Management, Politics, Law, Human Geography & Wildlife Conservation

• Highest UK government award for teaching quality (TEF Gold Award)

• Parkland campus outside historic city of Canterbury one hour from London

Summer Programs and Other opportunities

Please be sure to check and scroll through the tabs at the bottom of the regularly-updated Opportunities for Students document for:

• Upcoming College and University Visits
• Spring Break and Summer programs around the world
• Internships/ Scholarships
• Tutoring Resources

This Week’s Featured Summer School

SCAD SUMMER PROGRAMS – “START YOUR SCAD STORY THIS SEASON”

Make new friends, unforgettable memories and next-level artwork this summer with SCAD pre-college programs at Hong Kong or Atlanta or Savannah. At SCAD Summer Seminars and SCAD Rising Star, you’ll experience life as a student at the most comprehensive and connected art and design university in the world.

From the inspiring learning environments at international locations to cutting-edge resources and one-on-one guidance from accomplished faculty, every element at SCAD is designed with one goal in mind: to help turn your passion into your profession.

Students choose workshops from a host of academic programs, including animation, fashion, film and television, interior design, photography and more. At the end of each week, students display their finished artwork for family and visitors, and explore the university’s inspiring learning spaces and renowned academic programs at an open house.

We take fun very seriously!!

SCAD students get to explore the city and enjoy games, silent discos within campus life!

SCAD Rising Star – Open to current high school juniors.

Participants enroll in two courses over the five-week program and receive individualized instruction from SCAD professors, with a maximum class size of 30 students.

• Atlanta Campus: JUNE 20–JULY 24
• Savannah Campus: JUNE 20–JULY 24
• Hong Kong Campus: JUNE 21–JULY 24

Requirement:

• Online application with $50 app fee

• Official first-term junior transcript

• Proof of English proficiency – TOEFL, IELTS, or can be a letter from you stating that they have been studying at Bali Island School for at least 5 years. Click here for the full list.

Scholarship opportunities:

• Portfolio – 8 to 10 pieces of visual art, time-based art/videos, performance art, writing, etc.

• Resume

• Reference letters from school, community leader, etc.

• Statement of purpose

• SAT or ACT scores (US citizens only, not required for international students)

SCAD Summer Seminar – Open to current high school freshmen, sophomores or juniors.

In this week-long session, students connect with fellow young artists and designers from around the world as they begin the path to college and their dream careers. Students can join more than one session.

Atlanta Campus:

• SESSION I :  JUNE 14–19
• SESSION II :  JUNE 21–26
• SESSION III :  JULY 5–10
• SESSION IV :  JULY 12–17

Savannah Campus:

• SESSION I:  JUNE 14–19
• SESSION II:  JUNE 21–26
• SESSION III:  JULY 5–10
• SESSION IV:  JULY 12–17

SESSION V:  JULY 19–24

Hong Kong Campus:

• SESSION I:  JUNE 28–JULY 3
• SESSION II:  JULY 12–17
• SESSION III:  JULY 19–24

Requirement:

• Online application with $50 app fee

Scholarship opportunities:

• Transcripts

• Portfolio – 3 pieces of visual art, time-based art/videos, performance art, writing, etc.

• Resume

• Statement of purpose

If interested, please contact Vivyan to help you to submit your application.