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GHS Counselor Connection
December 2023
Happy Holidays, Foothillers!
We wish you a healthy and happy holiday season! Please read below for important updates and resources. Our team is here to support students and families in the Counseling & Wellness Center on the 2nd floor of the main office. Students may visit during break/lunch, or with a pass from their teachers. Caregivers should contact the counselor to schedule an appointment.
Upcoming Events
Grossmont High School Financial Aid Parent Night
Wednesday, Dec 6, 2023, 06:00 PM
Grossmont High School Theater
Find Your Dream Job webinar
Thursday, Dec 7, 2023, 05:00 PM
virtual
All About Scholarships CalSOAP webinar
This one hour webinar will highlight common scholarship application questions, where to find scholarships, and how to make your application stand out. Click here to register.
Wednesday, Dec 13, 2023, 06:00 PM
virtual
Community College Admissions and the Promise Scholarship webinar
Wednesday, Jan 17, 2024, 06:00 PM
virtual
Wellness Center
Expressive Arts Support Group Starting in January!
A counselor from the SDYS Community Assessment Team will facilitate an eight week psychoeducational group right here on the GHS campus! In the Expressive Arts group, students will use art as a medium for identifying, processing, and expressing emotions, with a different theme each week. They will learn coping skills and build connections with peers. The group will meet once a week, alternating between two periods from January through March. Students loved this group last year and space is extremely limited. Contact Laura Dawson or your student's counselor right away if you would like us to talk with them about this opportunity!
Grief Support Group Starting in January!
GHS will be partnering again with a counselor from Elizabeth Hospice to offer a grief support group on our campus from January through March. The group will meet weekly for eight weeks, alternating between two class periods. The holidays can be especially difficult for students who are experiencing grief and loss. This group is a great opportunity to connect with other students and participate in activities to remember their loved ones. If your student is interested, please contact ldawson@guhsd.net as soon as possible and she will send you the required authorization form. (This support group is in high demand and schools will be served on a first come, first served basis, after receiving enough consent forms).
Holiday Assistance for GHS Families
The Grossmont High School Educational Foundation has a small Student Assistance Fund, which allows us to assist GHS families in need during the holiday season. If your family is in need of assistance, please reach out to your student's counselor. If you would like to donate to the Student Assistance Fund, please visit the Grossmont High School Educational Foundation website. Thank you!
Academic Support & College Preparation
All Grade Levels:
Final Exam Schedule
Students will attend school on a final exam schedule from Dec. 19th - Dec. 21st.
Final Exam Planning Sheet
Click here for a tool students can use to help plan and prepare for each final exam.
SSD Requests for Accommodations on AP/SAT/ACT Exams
Students with disabilities can request accommodations from the College Board or ACT organization. Follow the steps in the link HERE. Please note, it's important to follow the deadlines such as January 18th for all AP exams, and Jan. 19th for the March SAT.
Juniors:
College Bound Juniors: Consider Registering for the ACT/SAT Exams
The CSU/UC universities are no longer using ACT/SAT test scores for admissions purposes. However, other universities may require one of these exams, or they may have a test-optional policy, which means an excellent score can add value to an application. They may be required by specific programs or scholarships. Please click here for more information and test dates.
Seniors:
It's Not Too Late to Apply to a CSU Campus!
Some California State University campuses have extended their deadlines to Dec. 15th or Jan. 31st! Click here to look up which campuses and programs are still accepting applications.
Applying for Financial Aid
On December 6th counselors will visit all senior Economics/AP Government classes to discuss the newest version of the financial aid application that will be released at the end of this month! There will be a presentation for parents that evening (see information at the top of this newsletter). All seniors need to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or CADAA (California Dream Act Application) by April 2nd, whether you are heading to community college, a vocational or trade school, a four-year university, or even if you are not quite sure yet.
Preparing Yourself for College Admissions Decisions
Rick Clark, a respected college admissions representative, proposes that high school seniors who have applied to competitive universities must make a pledge. "I will not presume anything in the admission process...I agree that I will not view an admission decision as an indictment of my character, a judgment on my hitherto demonstrated preparation, nor a prediction of my future success." Click here to read more from the Georgia Tech Admission Blog.
Requesting Letters of Recommendation
Students who need to request a letter of recommendation from their counselor for colleges or scholarships must complete a brag packet. Click here to download a copy and return it to your counselor. Please allow three weeks notice and keep in mind that counselors do not work during holiday breaks. Letters will be sent directly to the college or scholarship committee. To request a letter of recommendation from a teacher, we have a different form that you may find helpful (optional-click here). Please give your teachers plenty of notice, too.