Counselor

Hello Otterville Eagles!

I am super excited to be here at Otterville as the school counselor! I started in 2018 and I am so happy that I get to be a part of a caring and supportive school district. I grew up on a farm just south of Sedalia and graduated from Sacred Heart School in 2004. I then went on to the University of Missouri in Columbia where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I then took some time off to figure out what I wanted to do next. I eventually went back to school at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg where I graduated with my Master’s degree in School Counseling. In my spare time, I like spending time with my fiancé, family, and friends, especially with my nephews and niece. I also like outdoor activities, watching sports, and reading.

As the school counselor, I am focused on the academic, career, and social/emotional development of every student. My job is to help students develop skills needed for educational achievement, engage in career exploration and plan career goals, and discover a sense of self. Through classroom guidance lessons, students will learn about character education: respect, responsibility, self-control, honesty, and positive attitude, academic success, and career exploration. I also assist high school students with their Individual Career and Academic Plan (originally called Personal Plan of Study) and with their post-secondary options whether it is college, technical school, military, or career. School counseling helps students understand and make the most of their own learning styles and also promotes a positive and safe learning environment.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. I am here to help!

Juniors & Seniors -

The ACT is a standardized test that is required for admission to most colleges.

To register go to www.act.org.

The cost is $68 (no writing) and $93 (with writing). If you need help navigating the website or completing your registration, please see Ms. Staus.

Study materials can be found in the school counselor's office or go to www.act.org/academy for free online ACT test prep.

ACT test dates:

October 28, 2023 Register by September 22

December 9, 2023 Register by November 3

February 10, 2024 Register by January 5

April 13, 2024 Register by March 8

June 8, 2024 Register by May 3

July 13, 2024 Register by June 7

District Testing for the Fall is on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Otterville School with Ms. Staus. This is for any interested Junior or Senior.

District Testing for the Spring is on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. This is for all Sophomores and any interested Juniors and Seniors.

Need Money for College? Complete the FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Starting December 2023, all college-bound Senior students and their parents should go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa to start filling out their FAFSA application. Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Apply early!

You can fill out the FAFSA on a computer or mobile device. Filling out the FAFSA is free. Never pay a company or service to process your FAFSA. By completing the FAFSA, you are automatically applying for a Pell Grant (Free Money).

You must fill out a FAFSA to be able to receive the A+ Incentive!

FAFSA Checklist for students and parents:

First create your FSA ID login at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch
Social Security Number
Driver's License Number (If you have one)
Federal Income Tax Return, W-2s, and other records of money earned. The IRS Data Retrieval Tool can transfer your tax information into the FAFSA. If the "Link to IRS" button is available, click it.
Bank statements and records of investments
Information on untaxed income
List of schools being considered

It takes about an hour to complete the FAFSA online.

Missouri Priority Deadline is February 1. Be sure to check college deadlines as well.

Federal Priority Deadline is April 1.

Click on https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out or https://mofafsa.org/ for helpful information about filling out the FAFSA.

mocollegecareer.org

moslf.org - Missouri Scholarship Foundation

masfap.org - Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel

Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development:
dhewd.mo.gov

Journey to College:
journeytocollege.mo.gov

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education:
dese.mo.gov

Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services
health.mo.gov

Careers:
Missouri Job Center – www.jobs.mo.gov Follow them on Facebook too!
Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) – www.missourieconomy.org
www.jobcase.com
www.ziprecruiter.com
www.indeed.com
State Fair Community College also offers Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Programs – www.sfccmo.edu/apprenticeships.
MissouriHealthCareers.com
Missouri Hospital Association - www.mhanet.com

Missouri Career Connections

http://www.missouriconnections.org/

Missouri Association for College Admission Counseling - www.moacac.org

Central Missouri Community Action - https://cmca.us/

Missouri Association of Student Financial Aid Personnel (MASFAP)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/, or Dial 988

Missouri Suicide Prevention Network: mospn.org, Burrell Central MO Crisis Line 800-395-2132, Text MOSAFE to 741741

Missouri School Violence Hotline 1-866-748-7047, https://www.schoolviolencehotline.com/

Missouri Child Abuse or Neglect Hotline 1-800-392-3738

Missouri Department of Social Services: dss.mo.gov

Missouri Department of Mental Health: dmh.mo.gov

Burrell Behavioral Health - Sedalia Clinic: 201 W. 3rd St. 660-827-2494

Burrell Behavioral Health - Boonville Clinic: 520 Ryan St. Ste. W 660-882-7573

You can also follow Burrell Behavioral Health on Facebook.

Useful Websites

Eight semesters of high school attendance are strongly recommended for all students. Students must complete all required courses and have earned 24 units of credit.

English (4 units):

English I, English II, English III, English IV, Creative Writing, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Practical English

Dual Credit: English Composition I, English Composition II, Public Speaking

Mathematics (3 units):

Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Algebra Support, Applied Math

Dual Credit: College Algebra, Statistics, Trigonometry

Social Studies (3 units):

American History, World History, Civics/American Government, Geography, Missouri History, Criminal Justice

Dual Credit: US History Before 1877, US History Since 1877, Psychology, Sociology

Science (3 units):

Physical Science, Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Anatomy/Physiology, Earth and Space Science

Dual Credit: General Biology, Medical Terminology

Fine Art (1 unit):

Band, Chorus, Art I-III

Dual Credit: Music, Art, or Theatre Appreciation

Practical Art (1 unit):

Computer Apps, Multimedia, Business Tech, Computer Science, Business Leadership, Sports & Entertainment Management, Accounting, Intro to Business, Graphic Arts

FACS, Foods, Adulting 101, Child Development, Career & Family Leadership, Clothing, Housing & Design

Ag Science I & II, Ag Construction, Conservation, Plant Science, Ag Community & Leadership, Animal Science, Supervised Ag Experience

Physical Education (1 unit):

General P.E., Athletic Conditioning, Weight Lifting, Lifetime P.E.

Personal Finance (1/2 unit):

Personal Finance

Health (1/2 unit):

Health

Electives (7 units):

See Course Offerings

Dual Credit: Spanish I & II, Lifetime Wellness

Otterville R-VI School District

School Counselor

Ms. Maria Staus

Senior Information

ACT Information

FAFSA Information

College Information

Scholarships & Deadlines

Scholarship Websites

Mental Health Resources

Legislation

FY25 High Demand Occupations

High School Course Requirements