There are just months until your graduation on May 15th! We will be holding a mandatory Senior Class Meeting on Monday, October 9th during 5th period to discuss Caps & Gowns, Yearbook, Graduation Planning, and Counseling Updates. But in the meantime...

WV Counselors will be meeting individually with each Senior beginning on Monday, September 25th to complete your annual Personal Learning & Career Plan (PLCP) meetings. In order to meet with each of you, these meetings will continue through early October. We will be confirming your graduation progress, discussing steps you are taking for your "Life After West Valley", and reviewing important resources.

Newsletter Topics Include:

• GRADUATION CREDIT CHECKS
• PE WAIVERS
• ACT, SAT & WORKKEYS EXAMS
• COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
• CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) OPPORTUNITIES
• TRANSCRIPTS & LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
• AKCIS RESOURCES
• SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID

Please do not be afraid to reach out with any questions. Your Senior year is busy and will go faster than you think - it's never too early to be on top of applications and research. We can't wait to celebrate all that you have accomplished!

~West Valley Counseling Team

Counseling Staff will be sending individual passes to students with your scheduled PLCP date and time. Please be sure to stop by the Counseling Office and let us know if you cannot make your scheduled meeting time.

We are busy ensuring all Seniors have the credits they need for graduation in May. Students and parents can also view graduation progress in PowerSchool -> Academics -> Graduation Progress. Another useful tool is the West Valley Credit Worksheet (shown below). Remember:

Credits to Earn Diploma = 22.5 Credits

Credits to Earn Honor Medallion (to be worn at Graduation ceremony) = 24 Credits

When: Monday, October 9th from 9:45 am - 11:30 am

Where: UAF Wood Center

Who: Open to all West Valley Juniors & Seniors (each local school given a specific time slot)

Transportation will be provided from West Valley HS to the UAF Wood Center for the annual College & Career Fair. Permission slips can be picked up in the Counseling Office and are due back by Thurs., Oct. 5th. For more information, visit: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/8802.

When: Wed., October 11th @ 7:30 am

Where: West Valley Library

Who: Open to all WVHS Students 10th-12th Grade

The ASVAB is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. Not planning to join the military? The ASVAB can provide useful feedback to ALL students to help make plans for after high school. Students can sign up in the Counseling Office.

Still need to submit PE credit forms to meet graduation requirements? Your Counselor needs these forms submitted with your parent and coach signatures by Oct. 27th (unless sport season is not over yet). Forms are available for pick-up in the Counseling office or at https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/8887. Keep in mind:

• 1 Sport Season = 0.25 PE Credit
• Students can submit up to 4 PE credit forms (up to 1.0 credits can be earned)

While some colleges and universities have moved to "test-optional" status, many schools continue to require students to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission. A good ACT or SAT score can also boost a college application. To qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS), students MUST submit qualifying ACT or SAT scores by their graduation date (or WorkKeys for CTE Track).

Schedule Your Exam Online:

ACT: https://www.act.org/

2023-24 Exam Dates: Oct. 28th, Dec. 9th, Feb. 10th, Apr. 13th

SAT: https://www.collegeboard.org/

2023-24 SAT Exam Dates: Oct. 7th, Nov. 4th, Dec. 2nd, Mar. 9th, May 4th

Fairbanks-Area Proctor = UAF Testing Center: https://ecampus.uaf.edu/exam-services/.

West Valley School Code: 020028

Which exam should you take? Compare the ACT & SAT:

https://www.princetonreview.com/college/sat-act

https://kdcollegeprep.com/act-vs-sat-test-difference/

Common App - Apply to multiple schools with one application & fee.

• https://www.commonapp.org/
• Student will provide Counselor's email address in order to submit transcripts & recommendations

Visit School Websites directly - many may have their own online applications.

Fiske's Sizing-Yourself-Up Survey - Take the short survey to learn more about yourself and help choose a college that best fits you.

UAF Campus Preview Days - Saturday, Sept. 30th & Saturday, Oct. 21st

• Tour UAF & Receive an Application Fee Waiver
• https://uaf.edu/admissions/visit/inside-out.php

Local unions require students/applicants to submit WorkKeys scores with their applications. The WorkKeys exam is also another route to qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship (to pay for certificate programs in state). The WorkKeys exams consists of 3 sections: Applied Math, Graphic Literacy, and Workplace Documents.

Scheduling the Exam:

Fairbanks Job Center
675 Seventh Avenue, Station D – Fairbanks, AK 99701-4531

To pre-register: Call front desk at (907) 451-5901. Test is offered most Mondays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and Wednesdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm

For more information on the WorkKeys exams and its components, visit www.act.org/workkeys.

There are a wide variety of opportunities available to students who are interested in pursuing highly sought after skilled trade careers. Students can gain industry-standard certifications and direct entry to unions through our district programs.

Intro to Trades Classes (taught at the Pipeline Training Center): https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/7859

Applications available Spring of Senior year.

School to Apprenticeship Program: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/5163

Apply for direct entry to local unions - applications available Spring of Senior year.

North Star Health Science Academy - NEW!: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/11509

Provides students the opportunity to explore various healthcare professions, gain insight into the healthcare industry, complete a pathway, and become employed in the industry.

Certified Nursing Assistant Program (CNA): https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/6704

• TRANSCRIPTS - Request high school transcripts online via Parchment
• Create an Account at https://www.parchment.com/
• If you must have a hard copy, see the Counseling Office Transcript Desk.

• Letters of Recommendation - Allow 2 Weeks MINIMUM!
  • Request letters from teachers & staff who know you well
  • Deadline for Fall Semester = Dec. 1st, 2023 (to request from staff)
    
  • Fill out Student & Parent Input Forms - Available in the Counseling Office or online at https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/10427

Still undecided about your plans for after high school? Utilize the Alaska Career Information System (AKCIS) to research careers, find colleges across the U.S., and search for scholarship opportunities. Some of our favorite tools include:

Career Interest Inventory - Answer questions about your likes/dislikes to create a list of careers that fit your unique interests.

School Sort - Search for colleges and post-secondary education opportunities that meet your criteria (location, major, cost, etc.) across the entire U.S.

Financial Aid Sort - Explore scholarships and grants that you might qualify for.

www.akcis.org

All Alaska students have access to a free account (typically set-up during your English 10 class), or utilize the generic West Valley HS login:

User: westvalley

Password: 4Student

*If logging in with the generic login information, the system will now prompt the student to register for their own account. Please see the Counseling Office if you have any issues!

West Valley Counseling Scholarship Page: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/11425

• Includes many local scholarships, listed by the month they are typically due

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): https://studentaid.gov/

• Apply for federal student aid including federal grants, work-study, and loans
• Required by many states and colleges and used to determine your eligibility for other forms of scholarship and aid
• Application opens this year on December 1st, 2023 (Typically Oct. 1st - view info on the FAFSA Simplification Act)

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): https://www.wiche.edu/tuition-savings/wue/

• Agreement between 16 states (including Alaska) to provide reduced-rate tuition to nonresidents

The APS provides an opportunity for Alaska high school students to earn a scholarship to help cover the cost of an Alaska postsecondary education.

Eligibility requirements for APS include:

• Alaska residents who graduate from an Alaska high school (public, private, or home school);
• Take required coursework in high school;
• Earn minimum of 2.5 GPA;
• Meet qualifying score on college/career entrance exam.

Your application for APS is completing your FAFSA. Find more information at https://acpe.alaska.gov/FINANCIAL-AID/AK-Performance-Scholarship.

Interested in continuing your athletic career at the college level? Make sure your West Valley coursework meets NCAA eligibility requirements. Students who are serious about collegiate level sports should register for an account at https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks offers an opportunity for high school students to take eCampus (engaging online courses) at a reduced tuition rate. Find more information and register for classes through the Alaska Advantage Program at https://ecampus.uaf.edu/advantage/.

Students must complete an Outside Credit Request through the FNSBSD to receive high school credit as well: https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/8880.

Willie Blackburn

Seniors Last Names A-G

willie.blackburn@k12northstar.org

(907) 479-4221 ext. 46525

Carrie Dershin

Seniors Last Names H-K

carrie.dershin@k12northstar.org

(907) 479-4221 ext. 46523

Amanda Ross

Seniors Last Names L-O

amanda.ross@k12northstar.org

(907) 479-4221 ext. 46524

Anna Sprague

Seniors Last Names P-Z

anna.sprague@k12northstar.org

(907) 479-4221 ext. 46527