Counseling Corner
April Newsletter
Academic Support
Extra Support: Saturday ExCEL
Social/Emotional Well-being
Did you know April is "Stress Awareness Month"? Part of acknowledging stress is learning what it looks like for your teen and knowing the difference between stress and anxiety. This article and video from John's Hopkins All Children's Hospital helps to provide insight into stress and anxiety, and more importantly, what parents can do to support their teen.
Some parenting strategies in the article include:
- Acknowledge your teen’s fears and emotions.
- Don’t ignore it or dismiss it by saying, “You have a good life. You shouldn’t worry about that.” We need to take their emotions seriously and be ready to listen.
- Don’t meet them with too many questions, let them talk, and sit in the silence.
- Give you child love and empathy.
- Make time to talk to your child every day without distractions.
College and Career
ROP Classes: Fall & Summer 2023
ROP Classes are still available for Fall 2023! ROP offers a variety of career-technical education classes such as nursing, dental, fire technology, EMR/EMT, construction, culinary arts, auto tech, and cybersecurity. Classes are offered after school at locations across Orange County that Beckman students may take for free. Classes are counted towards high school graduation and transcript credit. Internship classes are for students who are 16+ with transportation to their internship site.
Please view the list of Fall 2023 ROP classes and registration links HERE. If a class is full, students may add to the wait list and attend class on the first day to see if space becomes available.
ROP Summer 2023 classes are also available. Classes include: Careers in Artificial Intelligence, Medical Innovations, Research, and Entrepreneurship (MIRE), and CyberForward Cyber Security training class. Please see the FLYER for registration dates and class information. Registration opens at the end of April by grade level for ROP summer courses.
For questions about ROP, please contact Ms. McDonald at mmcdonald@tustin.k12.ca.us or info@coastlinerop.net.
IVC Freshmen Advantage Program
The deadline for IVC’s Freshmen Advantage Program to receive priority registration is May 9. Seniors must complete all steps including the application process and matriculation steps by the deadline. Students may complete these steps online or register to attend a Fast Friday event at IVC. For questions, please contact Beckman’s IVC Senior Matriculation Specialist Rick Chan at rchan@ivc.edu.
To qualify for IVC’s Promise Program which include 2 years of free tuition, students must also complete a financial aid application (FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application) in addition to completing the steps above. Please be sure that IVC is listed as a college on the financial aid application. For help with completing a financial aid application for IVC, please contact IVC’s Financial Aid Office.
Students are also encouraged to apply for IVC’s Honors Program—it is not too late!
Students should check their IVC e-mail and IVC MySite portal consistently for information about Promise Program eligibility and registration dates.
An IVC Counselor will be available at Beckman in the Career Center on a drop-in basis on Wednesday April 19 and May 10 from 8:30-9:30 for student questions.
Community College Promise Programs
Promise Programs consisting of free tuition are offered at CA Community colleges for entering college freshmen. Please check the website of the community college for information including the application process, matriculation steps, and financial aid application completion. Students are encouraged to complete these steps as soon as possible.
Resume Workshop
There will be a resume workshop in the BHS Career Center on Tuesday, April 25 at lunch. Students will learn how to craft a professional resume suitable for a job or internship. Students may register to attend by clicking the LINK. For questions, please contact Ms. McDonald at mmcdonald@tustin.k12.ca.us
Volunteer and Summer Enrichment Opportunities
These lists are not comprehensive and serve to be a starting point. Students and families are encouraged to research all potential opportunities for a good fit:
OC Community Service Organizations
Work Permits:
Students should check their work permit for the expiration date. Most work permits that were NOT issued recently have an expiration date in May and will need to be renewed prior to the end of the school year if the student plans on working at the same location over the summer. Students are encouraged to renew their work permit now for summer employment. For information about work permits including summer work permits, please read the Work Permits link on the BHS website or contact Ms. McDonald in the Career Center at mmcdonald@tustin.k12.ca.us.
Scholarships: Info here.
Grade Level Information
Senior Scene
Scholarship Recognition Info Reminder:
Attention class of 2023 seniors! Have you been notified that you are receiving a scholarship of $500 or more? If yes, Beckman High School wants to recognize you as part of our Scholarship Recognition Video. The scholarship can be from a community organization/business or the college that you will be attending in the Fall of 2023. To be recognized please complete this Google Form on/before May 1, 2023. If you have multiple scholarships, please complete this form separately for each one. Thank you!
College Admissions Decisions... Are Here!
With some exceptions, you should have heard from all of the schools to which you applied. If you’re accepted to multiple schools, weigh all your options before making your final decision. Talk with your family, counselor, teachers, and friends. Look hard at finances, demographics, majors, etc. If possible, visit the campus. Now that you’re accepted, your perspective will be vastly different, and you can ask much more detailed questions.
Notify the other schools that accepted you and tell them of your decision. They will have plenty of anxious waitlisted applicants waiting for seats to become available. If you were rejected from a school, you might be able to appeal the decision. This is an extremely rare occurrence and only applies to certain circumstances so be sure to check the college's website for details.
Don't forget to update Naviance and let your counselor know you got in!
Applied for Financial Aid, Now What?
Once your Financial Aid application has been processed, the colleges you are admitted to will send you a “Financial Aid Package” or “Financial Aid Award Letter.” This will include government grants that have been awarded to you like Cal Grant and Pell Grant, as well as school-based scholarships, loans, and work-study offers. Before making a final decision, review your award packages with your parents. If you need extra support check out this helpful link from studentaid.gov or check out the virtual BHS College & Career Center for more financial aid resources. If you need additional support, see your counselor.
Stay calm and finish strong! We know that this time of year can bring a flurry of emotions, tasks, and deadlines. As we enter the last quarter of high school, it’s more important than ever to keep your head up and keep moving forward. Make every day of every week count, continue to check your emails, and listen up for important announcements. Don’t be shy to reach out to your counselor for any questions you may have as you navigate financial aid, housing, etc.
AB469 REMINDER
For our Beckman Parents here is news about recently passed legislation and we are requesting your assistance with completing the requirements of the new regulations. Last year, AB 469 was passed. The legislation requires all California seniors to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), to “opt out” prior to the end of their senior year, or to complete an application for the California Dream Act (CADAA). Included with this correspondence, you will find instructions on how you can complete your senior’s FAFSA form. You will also find a copy of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the FAFSA, and a copy of the Tustin Unified School District FAFSA opt-out form.
Please review these documents and begin to determine how you would like to proceed with this requirement for your senior. Students will be expected to submit proof of their FAFSA submission or a signed opt-out form. If you have chosen to opt out please return the form to the counseling department.
Federal Student Aid: Filling out the FAFSA Form
FAQs about the FAFSA and CADAA (English)
California Student Aid Commission: CA Dream Act
UC Admissions Information
Events for Admitted Freshmen:
Admitted students will have a range of options to engage with campuses this spring. Campuses are planning multiple virtual events beginning in late March and continuing throughout April. Events may include (but are not limited to) presentations on financial aid and scholarships, choosing a major, student organizations, support resources, and housing. The date ranges are provided below along with the link for more information on the events.
UC Berkeley
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UCLA
UC Merced
UC Riverside
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz
UC Admissions Next Steps:
Students can accept an admission offer by agreeing to the provisions/conditions outlined in the offer and submitting their Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) with the SIR deposit to reserve their space at a campus. The SIR deposit is $250. Some important things to keep in mind about accepting a UC admission offer:
1. Students can accept only one admission offer from one UC campus.
2. The SIR deposit is applied to the student's first enrollment term tuition.
3. Students that qualified for the UC application fee waiver will have the SIR deposit deferred until financial aid is disbursed.
4. The SIR deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
5. A Statement of Legal Residence (SLR) for tuition determination purposes may be required.
Visit UC Campuses Virtually:
Campuses offer a range of virtual tours for students and families to explore. Options may include a personalized experience, housing tours, guided student tours, and/or student panels. Campuses may increase offerings or add options as needed.
Links to campus virtual tours and engagements:
UC Berkeley
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UCLA
UC Merced
UC Riverside
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz
Junior Junction
Beckman Career/College Admission Process (BCAP):
Counselors will be going into Junior English classes on April 19th and 26th to discuss postsecondary planning and give access to their counselor's BCAP Google Classroom that has most everything students will need to plan for after they graduate.
Financial Aid:
During CCR, all juniors received a lesson on financial aid for postsecondary planning. More information regarding financial aid can be found in each student's BCAP Google Classroom.
You can start researching scholarships now. Check out this list.
Summer Ideas: Check out one or two of the below options to keep you active this summer.
Get active, try something new -- take a recreation class!
Apply for a part-time job.
Check out the job board in the career center
If you get hired, please drop off your B1-1 form (work permit application) to Ms. McDonald in the career center and you will receive form B1-4 (official work permit) in 1-2 days.
Sophomore Stop
Consider Visiting Colleges This Summer:
Visiting colleges before making a final decision on where to attend is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it allows students to get a firsthand experience of the campus and its facilities, giving them a better idea of whether they can see themselves living and studying there for the next few years. Secondly, it provides an opportunity to learn about specific programs, internships, and job placement opportunities offered by the institution.
When visiting colleges, students should consider their academic major and whether the college offers relevant courses and resources that will help them excel in their chosen field. For example, if a student is interested in pursuing a degree in engineering, they should look for colleges that have well-equipped labs and facilities for this program. Additionally, visiting colleges can help students understand the location of the college and whether it is a good fit for them. This includes factors such as the weather, cost of living, and cultural and social environment.
Another crucial factor to consider is internships and job placement. It is essential to research the college's job placement rate and whether they have a robust career services program. Students should also ask about internship opportunities and whether the college has partnerships with local businesses or organizations.
Overall, visiting colleges allows students to make an informed decision about where to attend. It helps them understand the environment, academic programs, job placement opportunities, and other factors that can impact their college experience. By visiting colleges, students can make the best decision for their future and set themselves up for success. Make a plan to visit potential colleges during the summer if time allows.
Freshman Forum
This month 9th,10th, and 12th graders received a CCR lesson on Effective Communication. Below is the Pre/Post survey data. As you can see, our Patriots learned some useful information on communication.
Spring is here and Earth Day is April 22nd! Try to get your student outside!
There are many reasons why it is important for high school students to get outside. Here are a few:
- Physical Health: Being outdoors encourages physical activity, which is essential for maintaining good health. High school students who spend time outside are more likely to engage in physical activities like hiking, biking, or playing sports. Regular exercise can reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions.
- Mental Health: Being outdoors can have a positive impact on mental health. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. High school students who spend time outside are also more likely to have better concentration and improved cognitive function.
- Socialization: Getting outside provides opportunities for high school students to socialize with others. Whether it's through team sports or outdoor clubs, being outdoors can help students develop important social skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership.
- Environmental Awareness: Spending time outside can increase students' awareness and appreciation of the natural world. This can lead to a greater understanding of environmental issues and the importance of conservation.
Overall, getting outside is important for high school students' physical and mental health, socialization, and environmental awareness.
Freshman can prepare for the end of the school year by doing the following:
- Look into internships, summer programs and community service to strengthen your academic resume
- Enroll in summer school classes if necessary
- Plan to visit some colleges over the summer
- Update your academic portfolio file with recent report cards, honors and co-curricular involvement
