Counseling Corner

In this newsletter, you’ll find important college & career updates, introductions, and information on counseling services at Monte Vista. I look forward to working with you and your family!

Hi Monte Vista families! Allow me to introduce myself! I was born and raised in Simi Valley and grew up going to school right here in SVUSD. When I am not at work, you can find me at country music concerts, Dodger games, or local farmers markets. A fun fact about me is that I adopted a cat during the Covid lockdown and she has since become my pride and joy!

I received my Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychological and Brain Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara. In May of this year, I earned my Master’s Degree in School Counseling from California Lutheran University. As a former graduate of SVUSD, I am especially excited to serve current Simi Valley students and make a positive impact in their educational journey! Please feel free to stop by and introduce yourself, my door is always open.

The A-G requirements are a set of classes that students need to take in order to be eligible for admission at California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) schools. Many other colleges and universities have similar requirements for admission. Students must pass these classes with a grade of a C or better in order to meet the requirments. Track your A-G progress and graduation status using Monte Vista's 4 Year Planner and Tracker.

Simi Valley Unified School District uses Naviance to submit documents electronically to colleges. These documents include School Reports, Letters of Recommendation, and Transcripts. Seniors need to make sure the colleges they are applying to are listed in Naviance and their list is updated to reflect their most current selection of schools.

For students applying through the Common App:

• Match your Naviance and Common App accounts (click "Match Accounts", log into your Common App, complete the FERPA waiver)
• Request Letters of Recommendation (click the "Colleges" tab, select "Letters of Recommendation", click "Add Request", then select the teacher you are requesting from and which colleges you would like your letters sent to
• If you are requesting teacher/counselor letters of recommendation, please complete your Brag Sheet (under "About Me", select "Surveys from Your School")
• For more detailed instructions and FAQs, click HERE

• Priority Deadline: March 3, 2025 (For most state financial aid programs, submit your application by this date. Please note: priority deadlines may vary by school so be sure to double check each college/trade school you are interested in)
• Deadline: June 30, 2026

To help you get started, here is a FAFSA Checklist that provides a list of documents and information you will need in order to complete the FAFSA.

Need Additional Help?

• SVUSD created a FAFSA presentation that walks you through the application, step-by-step. This presentation explains each section of the FAFSA to ensure you understand what is required and to help troubleshoot any questions that come up.
• Here is a short video recapping how to apply for the FAFSA.
• I will also be holding office hours every day in December from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM to assist you with any questions you may have about the FAFSA process. Feel free to drop by the counseling office during these hours for help, or reach out to schedule an appointment if another time works better for you.

Earning college credit while still in high school is a great way to start your college education early. Dual Enrollment not only earns you college credit, but it also puts you on the fast track in your college career. Through dual enrollment, students can begin satisfying General Education requirements which can help them graduate college quicker (and save them money since tuition is free for K-12 students).

Dual-enrollment registration for the upcoming Spring semester opens on November 15th.

For a registration checklist, please click HERE

For a step by step guide on how to register, please click HERE

For a copy of the required MOU form, please click HERE

Now is the time to register and plan a head for the SAT and/or ACT examinations! These college entrance exams may be required for some four-year colleges and universities, and/or scholarships. The UC & CSUs are test blind meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores in your application. Check the other schools you are interested in for direct information about testing requirements. For all administration dates, deadlines, and to register, visit:

• SAT- https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register?s_kwcid=AL!4330!10!73873563991304!73873526083134&ef_id=WFK7MwAAAEpe7B2A:20181130172147:s
• ACT-http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act.html

Its never too early to start thinking about how you'll pay for college.

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
• Financial Aid Student/Family Resource
• California Community College Promise Grant
• Out of State Tuition Assistance: WUE

Check out Monte Vista's Scholarship Bulletin for a list of scholarships you may be eligible for!

• Check out Simi Institute for Careers and Education (SICE) for a list of the programs they offer
• The Ventura County Community College District offers numerous comprehensive career education programs at Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura campuses. These programs include: Fire Science, Radiology, Nursing, EMT, Architecture, and more!

• U.S. Air Force ROTC
• Air Force ROTC Scholarship Information
• Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
• CalVet Education Benefits for Families of Veterans

Social-emotional skills allow individuals to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve personal and collective goals, and establish and maintain supportive relationships. These skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships skills and responsible decision-making. This section of the newsletter is designed to provide information as well as strategies for developing these skills.

Coping skills are strategies or tools we use to manage big or difficult feelings. Coping strategies can look different for every person and the trick is to find what works for you!

From mental health to meditation - these apps can teach you ways to manage your emotions and practice healthy coping skills.

https://kidshelpline.com.au/tools/apps

Ventura County Crisis Team (24/7)
VCBH Línea de Crisis y Remisión (24/7)

+1 (866) 998-2243

National Suicide Prevention Hotline (24/7)
Línea Directa Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio (24/7)

988

California Youth Crisis Line (24/7)
Número de Crisis Juvenil de California (24/7)

+1 (800) 843-5200