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Counseling Today - March 2024

March 13, 2024

Here is your March CDH Counseling Department newsletter! We encourage you to follow us on Instagram for more regular reminders and updates.

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 take a look at our contact page on the school website to determine the best person to help address your needs

School Counseling

All CDH Students

The last day to change Trimester 3 classes is March 20.

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 nights and weekends. Read further for more information about this resource and to sign up.

The CDH Peer Tutoring Program is still available for any student to receive individual tutoring during Flex or After School. Sign up here.

11th Grade

Juniors will be taking the ACT during the school day on Tuesday, April 9. Students are all pre-registered and tuition will be automatically billed $58 for the exam. This day is a half day and students may leave after the exam.

College Counseling

Juniors

Junior Parent Meetings - Now is your final chance to schedule a meeting for post-high school planning with your student and their college counselor. Dates are available through early April.

Mr. Reynolds, Last names A-K. Junior Meeting Sign Up

Mrs. Nelson, Last names L-Z. Junior Meeting Sign Up

ACT

Juniors will be taking the ACT during the school day on Tuesday, April 9. Students are all pre-registered and tuition will be automatically billed $58 for the exam. This day is a half day and students may leave after the exam.

Sophomores and Juniors

CDH Education Fair

Our annual CDH Education Fair will take place on Wednesday, April 17 in the Joe Mauer Fieldhouse. Sophomores, Juniors, and families are invited to come explore college options! This open house event will be held from 6:30 - 8 pm and a list of attending colleges will be emailed prior to the event.

College admissions officers from the schools you are interested in will want your contact information in order to keep in touch. Please register your information ahead of time to create your personal barcode and make sharing your information with colleges quick and easy!

Chemical Health Counseling

All Students

On March 11 and 12, Hazelden Prevention Solutions visited all 9th grade Values classes. Prevention Solutions is part of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation which is a non-profit organization offering prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults. Prevention Solutions provides alcohol, nicotine, and other drug education to schools and communities around the world. Prevention Solutions prevention specialists will present the most up-to-date information available on the physiological and psychological effects of various drugs, and provide a forum for discussing social, cultural, and personal issues that relate to the choices people make.

Upcoming Know the Truth™ presentations:

March 19 - 10th grade
April 15 - 11th grade

Know the Truth™ is the Substance Use Prevention program of Mn Adult & Teen Challenge.Their mission is to prevent teen substance use in Minnesota. They pursue this by partnering annually with 160+ Minnesota schools to educate nearly 60,000 middle school and high school students, as well as by collaborating with parents, educators, law enforcement, and other community leaders to build awareness and provide education regarding local substance use issues. Ultimately their goal is to reduce risk factors and enhance protective factors that work to save lives and build safer, stronger communities. These presentations will be during their English classes.

Chemical Free Corner

Nicotine pouches

Lately I have discovered how prevalent nicotine pouch use is amongst teens. Zyn appears to be the most popular and is available at gas stations with little or no check for age. They are marketed to teens with enticing candy flavors and as an alternative to vaping. Here are some points to consider if you use Zyn or know someone who does:

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance any way you consume it. Nicotine affects your cardiovascular system, increasing your heart rate and blood pressure. It affects your GI system creating nausea and vomiting in some cases. These pouches can cause gum disease and raise your risk of oral cancer. Nicotine can give you an immediate sense of relaxation but it is short lived. When it wears off there is a spike in edginess and anxiety leaving you craving more to feel normal again. This creates a cycle of addiction.

Signs you may be addicted to nicotine pouches:

Craving them
Using them when you are sick
Using them where you shouldn’t (like in school or church)
Continuing to use them despite knowing these health risks

The good news is there are strategies to help you quit if you are addicted to Zyn. Please contact me with your questions, concerns or anecdotes about how you quit or reduced your use. I would love to hear them.

Ms Esping