Counseling Today - June 2024
June 11, 2024
Here is your June CDH Counseling Department newsletter! We encourage you to follow us on Instagram for more regular reminders and updates, especially until our next newsletter in September. Enjoy the summer!
Our counseling department is a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP), with CDH having earned RAMP status this year. We are the only private high school in Minnesota to have this designation. Feel free to read more about this great honor, what it took to earn, and what it means for our students!
If you need to contact us, please read below for our summer hours. Also look at our contact page on the school website to determine the best person to help address your needs. Note: Contact Information has some changes for the 2024-2025 school year.
School Counseling
All CDH Students
Thay Thao, school counselor, will sadly not be with us at CDH next year. As he moves on to his new position, Mr. Thao’s students will be taken over by two different counselors. A new counselor to CDH, Ms. Julie Roy, will be taking students with last names beginning with “N - R”. Students with last names “S-Z” will now have Br. Michael Phipps as their school counselor.
Kenny Udoibok, student advocate, will also be moving on from CDH for the 24-25 school year. We will miss them both greatly, but are excited for them in their new adventures! Best of luck to Mr. Thao and Mr. Udoibok!
There will be minimal summertime counseling office availability:
Mrs. Mansur, Administrative Assistant: Tues and Thurs mornings.
Ms. Carroll, Registrar: Mon - Fri, available through email or by appointment.
Counselors: available periodically through email. Ms. Shead is also available in person by appointment.
Especially important in the summer: if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call **CRISIS (**274747) or dial 911.
Free tele-health counseling is available to both CDH students and parents through a partnership with Phoenix Counseling. Their availability is outside of school hours, including the summer. Find more information at Phoenix Counseling and sign up.
AP EXAMS
AP scores will become available to students on Monday, July 8. You may view and send colleges your scores at https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/.
College Counseling
Juniors
Both College Application Bootcamp sessions are now full. For those students who signed up, a reminder that The College Application Bootcamp runs from July 30 to August 2. If you have any questions before Bootcamp starts, please contact one of the college counselors: Laura Nelson (last names L-Z) or Mitchell Reynolds (last names A-K).
Seniors
For those students who completed their Class of 2024 Senior Survey in Naviance, final transcripts will be sent to your college by mid-June. If you have any questions or need to change where your final transcript is going, please contact Mrs. Mansur.
Graduation Statistics - Class of 2024
Congratulations to the Class of 2024! We had an incredible group of seniors and it's exciting to see what wonderful things they are embarking on next.
91% of our graduating class is choosing to continue their education with 87% attending 4-year schools, and 4% attending 2-year schools. 12% will be continuing a sport in college. Additionally, 5% of our students are choosing to take a Gap Year, 2% are entering into the Workforce, one student is playing Junior Hockey, and 2% are still deciding.
To see where students are headed, please stop by our Class of 2024 Bulletin Board in the counseling office! We will have CDH students represented in 32 states, Washington D.C., Japan, Russia, and Canada.
Chemical Health Counseling
All Students - Chemical Free Corner
Serotonin
Teens often reach for vapes, edibles and alcohol to feel focused, happy and calm. The neurotransmitter serotonin does the same thing for us. Lack of this chemical is thought to play a role in depression and anxiety.
I have introduced dopamine earlier this year as a feel good chemical. What is the difference?
Both dopamine and serotonin are neurotransmitters, meaning they are chemical messengers that carry messages between nerve cells in your brain. Both are the “happy hormones,” as they create positive mood and emotion. But where dopamine is found mainly in the brain, 90% of serotonin is found in the gut.
Therefore what we eat can greatly affect our serotonin levels. Normal levels of serotonin help us feel emotionally stable. Low levels, as mentioned, are associated with depression. Serotonin is made from the essential amino acid tryptophan. An essential amino acid means it can’t be made by your body. It has to come from the foods you eat.
Here are some foods high in tryptophan: Turkey (we all remember this from Thanksgiving!) eggs, nuts, cheese, salmon, pineapples, spinach, and tofu.
Here are a list of activities to engage in that raise serotonin levels naturally:
- Exercise: something you enjoy doing!
- Managing stress: talking to a counselor, deep breathing, being in nature, laughing, limiting caffeine
- Getting a massage: decreases the fight or flight response
- Getting good sleep: teens need 8-10 hours!
- Sunlight: getting outside each day for 10 to 15 minutes
- Socializing with loved ones: family, friends or cuddling with your pet
- Participating in social activities: building meaningful relationships impacts serotonin levels
- Practicing gratitude: taking a moment to focus on what you are grateful for can improve mood
When we practice, we get good at. Making a few adjustments to our diet and daily routines can make a difference.
So… perhaps eating a turkey sandwich, outside in the sun with friends after a long walk, laughing together and feeling grateful for these connections followed by a good night's sleep? What a great recipe to raise your serotonin. What combinations might you practice?
Have a wonderful summer everyone!
CDH Chemical Health Counselor
Important Dates
July 8
AP scores available online
July 30 - Aug 2
College Application Bootcamp (for registered students only)
Aug 23
9th grade orientation
Aug 26
9th grade culture day
Aug 27
Trimester 1 begins