EUSD Newsletter

Many of our high school seniors have just applied to college or are planning the start of their careers! In our English classes, students have been practicing their writing skills and working on personal statements. We are proud to support students as they pursue their higher education and career goals. This is an exciting time for everyone. Our school district is thrilled to have the support of Destination College Advising Corps (DCAC) / Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) Counselor Ms. Kayla Cabrera. Here is more information from Ms. Cabrera:

DCAC/EAOP focuses on Individual Student Advising as well as Whole School Support. In practice, this looks like 1-on-1 academic advising and college planning sessions, transcript evaluations, and college application assistance as well as college information workshops and financial aid workshops. So far, I have met with all seniors individually to discuss their post-secondary plans and am working to meet with the rest of the students at Emery High School this Spring semester to discuss their post-secondary plans and how to stay on track to achieve them.

Our busiest season, college application season, is just now approaching its end. I worked closely with most eligible students to submit at least one application and we are beginning to see some acceptances trickle in! As college application season ends, we are now entering the Financial Aid season. The FAFSA/CADAA applications are now open and I am beginning to plan our financial aid initiatives for January and February to support students and their families in the financial aid application process.

A common question that I have been receiving from students is what the college application process looks like and how to apply. To this question I would say, schedule an appointment with me! There are multiple applications to different college systems so it's important to understand what exactly it is that you are looking for and how we can prepare accordingly.

What advice do you have for students who have just applied to college and career programs and are waiting to hear back?

Be patient and a college/career program decision is not a reflection of you! I firmly believe that rejection is redirection and if a college/career program chooses to deny you then that is probably not the place/program for you and better things are coming your way-- and if something is really your dream there are plenty of ways to get there with proper planning and putting in some work. AND you can always retry! Also, being waitlisted is not a rejection! You still have a chance so be patient.

What advice do you have for students who are not yet seniors?

Familiarize yourself with the A-G requirements and meet with me to see if you are on track! You don't know what you don't know so ask any and all questions you may have!!

It is also super beneficial to begin having conversations about life after high school! What are you interested in? What do you want your life to look like? Do you think you want an office job or a job where you are out in the field or out in nature? Do you enjoy working with others or prefer working remotely? Do you think you would like to go to college in California or out of state? Do you think you want to go to school in a rural place or in a city? College may feel far away but it approaches quickly and the sooner you start thinking about it the less stressed you will be your senior year.

My door is always open! It takes a village to support students in their journeys to higher education and the more people involved in these students' journeys the more supported they feel. If students or their families/guardians have any questions about where students are in their post-secondary planning or what resources are available they are always welcome to schedule a meeting with me at tinyurl.com/EmeryDCAC or contact me via email (Kaylacabrera@berkeley.edu) or phone/text at (510) 424-1748.

Destination College Advising Corps increases college access for low-income, first-generation and underrepresented high school students by placing highly trained, recent college graduates in schools as full-time College Adviser Fellows.

EAOP is one of the University of California’s largest and most successful Student Academic Preparation and Educational Partnership (SAPEP) programs, currently serving more than 40,000 students at more than 200 K-12 public schools throughout California each year. EAOP helps students at underserved schools prepare for college and the work force, complete all UC and California State University (CSU) admissions requirements, and apply for college and financial aid. EAOP also guides families by showing them how to navigate complex college preparation, college application, and financial aid processes.

We are grateful for the support of DCAC and EAOP! We encourage families to contact Ms. Cabrera through our district office for more information. It’s never too early to start thinking about college and career, and we are here to help!

Be sure to follow Emeryville School-Based Clinic, run by LifeLong Medical Care, on Instagram (@emeryville_health_center) for wellness tips and updates!

The Emeryville School-Based Clinic offers pediatric medical and dental services on campus, and appointments are available during the holiday break! Call 510-833-7050 to schedule an appointment.

We welcome Elsie Lee to the Emery Unified School District Board of Education! Elsie Lee is a Domestic Violence Case Manager with the San Francisco County Sheriff's Department Women's Resource Center, helping women overcome challenges and thrive. She is also the founder of Sistas With Voices, an initiative focused on breaking the cycle of mass incarceration through healing, empowerment, and community-building.

Elsie shared, “I am honored to serve on the Emery Unified School District board alongside a dedicated team focused on the success and well-being of our students and staff. My journey began in 2021 when I moved to Emeryville seeking a supportive school district for my son, who is on the autism spectrum. Emery High School provided the nurturing environment we needed, and I’m proud to be part of a community that values every child’s potential.

I believe change starts with our children, equipping them with the tools to succeed and become resilient leaders.

I firmly believe that every child has limitless potential, and unlocking it requires a village. I’m committed to supporting and inspiring our students, ensuring they have every opportunity to reach their goals. Together, we can create a brighter future where our children thrive and lead as the change-makers of tomorrow.”

We look forward to Elsie’s leadership! For more information regarding EUSD’s Board of Education and upcoming meetings, please visit our website.

Winter break is Monday, December 23, 2024, through Friday, January 3, 2025. School resumes on Monday, January 6, 2025. We look forward to seeing you in 2025!

Join us at Emery Unified and be a part of a community that values innovation, collaboration, and student success. Visit our EdJoin page to learn more and apply today!

It is crucial to prioritize mental health and overall well-being. Engaging in self-care activities, spending time with loved ones, and setting limits to cope with stress can all be helpful for families.

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Email: info@emeryusd.org
Website: https://emeryusd.k12.ca.us
Location: 4727 San Pablo Avenue, Emeryville, CA 94608, USA
Phone: 510-601-4000