Sometimes with worries looming large, one of the most helpful things is to take a mindfulness break. Here are some tools that might help you and your family!

• 10 Grounding Exercises for Kids
• ​Meditation and Sleep Stories
• Mindfulness and Social Emotional Learning Videos
• Headspace Meditations for Kids 
• Mind Yeti Mindfulness Videos 
• Mindfulness Resources for Families

Podcasts can be an easy way to learn while cooking or walking- these podcasts may be helpful in our current situation as we social distance and manage anxieties.

• The Happiness Lab: A powerful podcast from a Yale professor all about the science of well being. She has new episodes about social connection and more in light of the Coronavirus.
• Ten Percent Happier: A mindfulness based podcast with lots of great interview and helpful tips. I especially liked the recent episodes: #231 Parenting in a Pandemic & Bonus episode titled How to Handle Cornona virus Anxiety
• Unlocking Us: A new podcast by Brene Brown. I especially like the episodes about “settling the ball” and creating what she calls a “Family Gap Plan”.
• Daily SEL Moment: A podcast and blog by a local Seattle School Counselor offering a daily social emotional learning opportunity in a short 5-10 minute podcast recording.

This section is for other assorted items that may be of help:

• CASEL: Bringing you high quality supportive information that integrates Academics, Social and Emotional Learning in this time of stress and change. 
• Bringing Peace Home: Looking for some strategies and tools to bring more peace to your home? Check out these tools from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence!
• Making Repairs: We aren’t perfect and everyone makes mistakes! Have you had a less than perfect parenting moment? Remember to give yourself grace and check out these tips about repairing and learning from mistakes together. 
• Parenting Supports: Sound Discipline has a great weekly parenting support email with easy supportive tips for helping you and your child at home. They also have free weekly online workshops. Learn more about Sound Discipline!
• Mood Meter App: Help you and your child recognized, label, and manage emotions using this fun tool.
• Books That Heal Kids: An amazing blog with books organized by topic. Help your child process big feelings through a read aloud and discussion. Don’t own the book? Do a quick Google or YouTube search to try to find the book read aloud online!
• ​Puzzlements: Looking for a way to spark creativity, inquisitiveness, and good conversation? Sign up for the Puzzlement weekly newsletter to receive 5 puzzling links to explore and learn with your child. All kid friendly and always awe inspiring!
• ​Good News Network: Feel like you need some good news during this hectic time? Check out inspiring and hopeful stories here.

• Child Care Assistance Program
• Seattle Parks and Recreation Child Care
• Seattle Preschool Program (ages 3 & 4)

• Free & Reduced Price Lunch Application Good news! All breakfast and lunch at school is now free.
• Emergency Food Vouchers

Planning for the college can be a daunting process, even through it is many years ahead for our elementary school students. There are many resources, scholarships, websites and SPS provides many resources too. To learn more about long term financial planning advice for college, watch this presentation and review the slides and weblinks.

• Paying for College
• Finding Money for College
• college and Career Readiness

Post High School Options – How to Choose

1. Student’s goals and dreams should line up with thier post-secondary choices.
2. Students and families should consider location, size, areas of study, etc. when choosing their path.
3. No option is better than others, it depends on the desired outcome.
4. Students should not be “stuck” with a path because they did not have accurate, timely information.

Post High School Options – Choices

Colleges and Universities

• 4-year (Bachleors) and Graduate Degrees (Masters and Doctorate)

Community Colleges

• 2-year Degrees (Associates) with ability to transfer to 4-year

Technical and Trade Schools

• Programs vary in length

Apprenticeships

• Vary in length

Military

• Varies in length of service

The Data – Training after High School

Why is education and/or training after high school important?

By 2025, 65 percent of all jobs will require postsecondary education and training, up from 28 percent in 1973

How to Get into College – College Admissions

Colleges and Universities may consider:

• Classes a student has taken
• Grades and GPA (grade point average)
• Disciplinary actions
• Test Scores (ACT, SAT, ASVAB, etc.)
• Activities and talents
• Community service
• A student’s story

How Much Does it Cost – All the Fees

College costs are different at different schools. Each college estimates the Cost of Attendance (COA) by adding together some or all of the below expenses:

• Tuition
• Fees
• Room and Board
• Transportation
• Books and supplies
• Other living expenses

How do I pay for it? – Parts of Financial Aid

Most people use various sources of financial aid to pay for college in addition to any savings they may have set aside. Financial aid is money to pay for colelge or career school and it can include the following:

Scholarships

• Funds from the institution and outside resources
• Based on merti, need, and achievement.

Grants

• Money from the federal and state governments and institution that does not need to be repaid.
• Need-based

Work-study Employment

• Students earn a paycheck working for the college or university
• Need-based

Loans (Parent and Student)

• Funds borrowed for educational expenses.
• Need-based AND non-need-based

Seattle Promise – Scholarship

• Two Years of free Community College tuition (up to 90 credits) at Seattle Colleges (North, Central or South).
• Additional financial support for books, transportation, and housing to those with financial need
• Ongoing support guidance to succeed in college
• Eligitibility: All Seattle Public Schools students are eligible regardless of GPA, income, or country of birth
• Students must apply for the program during their senior year of high school and meet the February application deadline

Seattle Promise

College Bound – Scholarship

• Early commitment of state financial aid to eligible 7th and 8th grade students
• Covers the average cost of tuition (at comparable public college rates), some fees, and a small book allowance
• Can be used at 66 two and four year public and private college and universities as well as some Technical programs in Washington State

Elementary Students – Scholarships

• Washboard
• Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
• College Board
• US Dept of Labor Scholarship Finder

Sample of Scholarships for younger students

• Eco-Hero Awards
• Angela Award

How to Qualify – Get Access

• In order to be considered for financial aid, you need to complete the FAFSA or the WASFA your senior year of high school and every year you go to college
• Each college determines financial aid eligibility for federal, state and institutional types of aid based on awarding policies at that campus

Free Application for Federal Student ID

Washington Application for State Financial Aid

What can you do to help? – School Success

• Know what it takes to go to college
• Help them take the right courses
• Algebra in 8th or 9th grade and continue to advance through 12th grade
• English every year
• Laboratory Science (at least two years)
• World Language (at least two years) Students who speak a language other than English may test ofr 2 years of credit
• Get information about SAT and ACT college entrance tests
  • Most Washington college and universities are now Test Optional
• Read, read, read. Reading books and magazines (at 8th grade level or above) is the best SAT/ACt preparation you can do

Resources – More Help

• Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)
• Washington College Savings Plan
• College Bound – Washington
• Seattle Promise
• Puget Sound College and Career Network

Other:

College Admissions Requirements

College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs)

Thank you!

Sarah Waymouth, School Counselor
Coe Elementary
sswaymouth@seattleschools.org
206-252-2002

• Emotional and Mental Health Support (from home)
• Community Mental Health Support (staff login required)

• Financial Support Assistance Washington
• 211 Crisis Connections

• Seattle Public Schools Assorted Resources
• Seattle Community Resources
• Queen Anne Helpline
• Crisis Connections Support & Resources

• Crisis Connections: 
  Crisis Connections Community Resources Online (CRO) is the most up to date and comprehensive database of health and human services available for all of Washington State.
• Queen Anne Helpline: 
  A local Queen Anne organization working to help prevent homelessness and stabilize the lives of neighbors in need through financial and supportive services.
• Sound Discipline: 
  Helps families and schools build respectful relationships with children using Positive Discipline approaches. Workshops and training available for families and educators.
• Books that Heal: 
  A bibliotherapy blog with children’s books on various topics to help address emotions, development, and life’s changes and challenges.
• Parents Helping Parents: 
  A nonprofit parent-directed family resource that provides guidance, support, and services to children with special needs and their families.
• Parent Toolkit: 
  Parent Toolkit is a one-stop resource developed with parents in mind. It is produced by NBC News Education Nation and supported by Pearson. It includes information about almost every aspect of your child’s development.