Counselor Connections
VHS Counseling Department Newsletter - November 2022
ACT & SAT
Need information on the next ACT or SAT test date, registration deadline, cost, or test prep materials. Checkout each tests respective website:
- ACT = https://www.act.org/
- SAT = www.collegeboard.org/sat
Civics Test - Graduation Requirement
Want to learn more about the Civics Test required for graduation in the state of Arizona? Check out the following site: https://www.azed.gov/sites/default/files/2018/07/civics-test-administration-manual_final%281%29.pdf?id=5b5250761dcb250d144f2c57.
Not only will you find background information on how the requirement came to be, you will find a practice test with an answer key!
College & Career Assistance
Mr. Navarro, our Career Specialist, is here to assist you with your college and career readiness. If you have questions or need help with the college selection or admissions process, scholarship applications, the FAFSA, building a resume' or another college/career topic, see Mr. Navarro.
Need help getting started or completing an application? Mr. Navarro can help with job applications, college applications, West-MEC applications, and more!
The Career Center is located upstairs in the Reading Room area. Stop by or click here to request a meeting.
2023-2024 Course Selection Process
Later this month, we will hold an electives fair so that students can be exposed to many of the courses we offer at VHS. In addition, students are encouraged to talk with their teachers as they can offer insights on the next course a student may take, what level they would recommend (including Honors and/or Advanced Placement courses), and other courses their department might offer. Before each grade level registers, information about the registration/course selection process will be shared.
Be sure to listen to the announcements and follow the school's and our department's Remind messaging for updates. Instructions for joining our department's Remind messaging can be found on our webpages, www.aguafria.org/vhscounseling.
Did you know?
A few years ago, the Arizona Board of Regents adjusted the 1.0 credit fine arts requirement for admission into ASU, NAU, and UofA. Now, the 1.0 credit requirement can be met by an Art or Career & Technical Education (CTE) credit.
Please remember that many private and/or out-of-state schools may still only accept credit in the arts. Be sure to check the schools' admission requirements for the schools you plan to apply to.
EMCC Embedded Advisor
Our EMCC Embedded Advisors are here to help students apply to EMCC and so much more! If you are interested in an EMCC program such as Dual Enrollment, ACE, and Hoop of Learning, they can help. Look for them in the Career Center on Thursdays and alternating Wednesdays!
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA opened October 1st for current seniors.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), www.fafsa.gov, determines your eligibility for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid, including grants, educational loans, and work-study programs. Colleges/universities may require you to complete the FAFSA for their merit-based scholarships (even if the scholarships are not need-based)...don't be caught off-guard...complete your FAFSA!
Visit https://studentaid.gov/h/understand-aid, to learn more about the FAFSA.
You and your parents will need an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA.
Go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch to create a FSA ID. This is required to start the FAFSA.
If you want to know the information you will need to complete the FAFSA, go to https://studentaid.gov/help/info-needed.
Get Involved
Did you know that getting involved in your school can increase your happiness with school, improve your time management skills, help you connect with others that have shared interests, and more?
Whether you are joining in with Spirit Week, fundraisers, or participating in clubs or athletics, there are many opportunities to connect with others.
Be sure you sign up for our school's and department's Remind messaging to receive information on activities/events you may want to be a part of.
You can also check out the Clubs site, Athletics page, and/or main VHS Website.
Google Classrooms - Counseling
Each grade level (cohort) has their own Google Classroom that the counselors oversee. Students can find college, career, Wellness Wednesday activities/information, announcements, and more. Be sure you are checking your cohort's Google Classroom throughout the year as it will continue to grow!
Parents - you are welcome to join as well. The links to join are grade-level specific so please join based on your student(s) grade level.
Class of 2023: https://classroom.google.com/c/MjQ5OTExMzc5NTEw
Class of 2024: https://classroom.google.com/c/MjQ5OTExMzc5NTIw
Class of 2025: https://classroom.google.com/c/Mzc4MDk4NTc4MTM3
Class of 2026: https://classroom.google.com/c/NDk3MjMyNDI3Nzc1
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
School Counselors
School counselors work to maximize student success, promoting access and equity for all students. We are members of the school leadership team and work to create a school culture of success for all. School counselors hold, at minimum, a master’s degree in school counseling, meet the state certification/licensure standards, fulfill continuing education requirements, uphold ASCA ethical and professional standards. School counselors help all students: apply academic achievement strategies, manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills, and plan for postsecondary options (higher education, military, work force). -from ASCA's The Role of the School Counselor
Verrado High School has five school counselors on campus. Students are assigned to their counselor based on their advisory class.
Mrs. Schepker - A-wing
Ms. Palmgren - B-wing
Ms. Enders - C-wing
Mr. Pratt - D-wing
Ms. Hink - E-wing
Southwest Family Advocacy Center - Community Resource
Learn more about the work of the Southwest Family Advocacy Center at www.swfac.org, including their educational resources and information, https://www.swfac.org/education, for parents, teens, educators, and more!
Transcripts
Official transcripts can be ordered on Parchment.com for a fee. This method allows you to track your request and expedites the process.
If you prefer to not pay the fee, you can still order through our Registrar, Mrs. Rodriguez. You will need to complete an Official Transcript Request Form in the main Counseling Center.
Please note: If you would like your class ranking on your transcript you must indicate such in your request.
You can also get an unofficial copy of your transcript from Mrs. Rodriguez.
West-MEC 2023-24
The 2023-24 West-MEC program application opened October 31st.
Check out their website at www.west-mec.edu and attend one of their Open House events, https://www.west-mec.edu/cms/lib/AZ50010839/Centricity/Domain/98/22-23%20Open%20House%20Card.pdf, to learn more about their programs and requirements.
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply to attend a West-MEC program; however, completion of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Also, take a look at the various upcoming West-MEC presentations we will have on campus (see the Upcoming Events section of this newsletter).
Upcoming Events
College & Career Wear Day
Mondays
Counselor Cart
Mondays & Fridays
Lunches
Cafeteria
Zen Den
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Lunches
Innovation Lounge
West-MEC Open House Events
October - December
Dates and times vary by campus during this window. Check out the following for details:
https://www.west-mec.edu/cms/lib/AZ50010839/Centricity/Domain/98/22-23%20Open%20House%20Card.pdf
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
November 6
https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/
West-MEC Application Help
November 7
December 5
Lunches
Innovation Lounge
AP Exam - Payment Deadline
November 10
ASVAB
November 10
8:15 AM
Juniors & seniors*
*Seniors that did not test previously
MHS/VHS College & Career Night
November 15
5:30 - 7:30 PM
@ Millennium High School
Open to all students and their families.
VHS Scholarship Marathon
November 16
1:30 - 3:00 PM
@ VHS
Seniors Only
VHS Application Campaign
November 30
1:30 - 3:00 PM
@ VHS
Seniors Only
2023-24 Course Selection Week for Class of 2026
December 5 - 9
EMCC's ACE (Achieving a College Education) Application Deadline
December 16
www.estrellamountain.edu/students/ace
2023-24 West-MEC Application Verification Form Due to VHS Counselor
December 22
EMCC's Hoop of Learning Application Deadline
March 1, 2023