Counselor Connections

An Academic Letter/Pin is given each semester to students achieving a 3.7 GPA on a weighted 4.0 scale for the previous semester. An Academic Letter is given for the first semester a student achieves the 3.7 GPA; students earning a 3.7 GPA during any semester thereafter, they will receive a “Lamp of Learning” pin.

Our seniors and juniors qualifying for an Academic Letter/Pin based on their 1st semester grades for this school year will be recognized this month

Congratulations to all of our students that earned this recognition!

A special thank you to Mrs. Groves, Counseling Clerk, for coordinating this recognition for our students!

On April 4th all juniors will be taking the ACT plus Writing Test at VHS.

Prior to Spring Break, juniors registered for their MyACT.org accounts in their advisory classes. Juniors will receive additional account information in their US History classes the week of March 27. Students Without a US History class will be called up to receive this information. Students will be able to click on the right corner button to complete all pre-test actions, this includes selecting locations for scores to be sent and completing the non-test questions.

Students DO NOT need to register for the April 4 date, the district has already pre-registered all juniors. The MyACT.org account that they have created can be used in the future if students wish to register for additional national test dates. There is additional test prep information and practice tests on MyACT.org.

AskBenji is a digital FAFSA assistant. Have a FAFSA question? Text "Hi Benji" to 602-786-8171. Learn more about AskBenji at https://www.askbenji.org/.

According to the Arizona Department of Education, “the Arizona Professional Skills are recognized by business and industry leaders as being the most critical knowledge and skills necessary to obtain a job, be successful in the job, and advance in any career pathway.” These skills are a part of all CTE programs in the state of Arizona and important for all students to be aware of. The Arizona Professional Skills are:

• Complex Communication
• Collaboration
• Thinking and Innovation
• Professionalism
• Initiative and Self-Direction
• Intergenerational and Cross-Cultural Competence
• Organizational Culture
• Legal and Ethical Practices
• Financial Practices

Learn more at https://www.azed.gov/cte/profskills.

Have you missed one of our Counselor Connections monthly newsletters? You can find this year's past newsletters on our department's webpage at www.aguafria.org/vhscounseling.

The Counseling Department offers support to our students in regards to their academic progress, social/emotional well-being, and post high school pursuits. The following can help you stay connected to us.

Appointment Link (for students)

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Er3RgMUdtZsIf-2nDGGuuYSxA1hLul-q4Qtbw7wXdRE/edit?usp=drive_web&authuser=0
  

Counselor Connections

• www.aguafria.org/vhscounseling > Counselor Connections (Monthly Newsletter)

Google Classrooms - Cohort-specific

• Class of 2023 Google Classroom
• Class of 2024 Google Classroom
• Class of 2025 Google Classroom
• Class of 2026 Google Classroom

Remind

Parents and students can join by texting the following cohort-specific message to 81010:

• Seniors message = @verrado23
• Juniors message = @verrado24
• Sophomores message = @verrado25
• Freshmen message = @verrado26

Social Media

• Instagram: vhscounseling
• Twitter: @Counselors_VHS

Website

• https://www.aguafria.org/VHSCounseling

Cox offers low-cost internet options (maybe even free). Learn more at https://cox.com/digitalequity.

EMCC embedded advisors are on our campus twice a week. They can help you with all things EMCC related. You will find Ms. Burton or Mr. Penaloza in the Career Center when they are on campus so be sure to stop by, say hello, and get your EMCC questions answered!

Seniors, be aware that graduation is closer than you may think! You need to be attending your classes, doing your coursework, working with your teachers, passing your classes, and retrieving anything additional you may need to graduate. All credit, subject, and test requirements must be met in order for you to earn your diploma and participate in the graduation ceremony.

Be sure to regularly check the Class of 2023 Information section of Verrado's website, https://www.aguafria.org/vhs, for the latest graduation information.

The VHS Class of 2023 Graduation Ceremony is scheduled for May 20th.

If you have a student starting at Verrado next year, be sure you have submitted ALL registration materials! To have the best chance at getting classes your student wants for next year, ALL registration materials must be turned in. Registration materials include, but are not limited to, the registration form, proof of residency, birth certificate, immunizations, etc.

We are already working on the master schedule so the sooner the materials are turned in, the better!

If you have any questions about the registration materials, be sure to reach out to Ms. Groves or Ms. Reyes at 623-932-7400 x4009 or x4027.

/ˈnetwərkiNG/

noun

"The action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts." - Google/Oxford Languages

Remember the process of networking can start in high school! Whether it is with your teachers, counselors, administrators, staff, coaches, club advisors, employer, peers or others, you are establishing connections that have the potential to help you with your future plans. Your attendance, attitude, effort, skills, and knowledge can all factor into how you are perceived by others so be sure to put your best self out there and start networking!

Looking to take an original credit class this summer to advance your studies and/or free up your schedule to take other classes/programs (such as West-MEC)?

You can request to start a class that you have not taken before. You can work on the class through the summer school session and schedule your final with the Summer School Office. You can only take 1.0 credit worth of classes through the online, original credit summer program.

Reach out to your counselor if you are interested in an online original credit class.

Credit Recovery Summer School registration is slated to open after Spring Break. If you need to recover credit that is required to graduate, be checking our district's website for Summer School information and updates. www.aguafria.org

West-MEC will be sending out acceptance letters & next steps information later this month. Waitlisted students and students on action plans will also be notified.

March 1 & 2

College Board's Real Talk: HBCU Edition

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/communities-events/real-talk?SFMC_cid=EM890428-&rid=47161662

March 4

April 8

April 22

Discover NAU Days

https://nau.edu/admission/discover-nau/

April 1

Phoenix Zoo’s Virtual Teen Career Conference

9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Register at https://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/virtual-teen-career-conference/

April 2

RMACAC Spring College Fair

@ ASU

12:00 – 2:00 PM

https://www.rmacac.org/phoenix

Be sure to check your Remind messages for updated and additional event information. If you have not signed up for our department's Remind messaging, you will find directions on our department's webpage, www.aguafria.org/vhscounseling.