SHNSNewsletter
May 5th, 2024
Happy Sunday!
WASC: Good News!
After all the work on our WASC accreditation this school year, we have finally received our results! The WASC Commissioners gave Susan Nelson High School the highest WASC accreditation award that we could have been given: 6-year accreditation with a mid-cycle report in 26-27! There will be no mid-cycle "visit" by a WASC team. The school will only need to do a short report in the 26-27 school year that highlights the progress we've made (so far) on our goals!
Congrats to the Susan Nelson Staff on this accreditation award!! And many thanks to our parents and students who participated in the process by coming in and speaking with our WASC visiting team!
End of the School Year
As we're only a few weeks away from the end of the school year, I want to keep the focus on having a strong finish to the school year! Seniors especially have a vested interested in making sure that WHATEVER ELSE is happening in life, that they get their assignments completed, finish their unit exams, and complete the FAFSA and their Community Service!
Filling Out The FAFSA
As you know, the FAFSA is a graduation requirement! If your senior student hasn't finished the FAFSA please work to get that done ASAP! Here's the link to the official website: FAFSA
If you need assistance, our "College Success Coach" (Ms. Ruth Ramirez) can help, as well as our counselor. Ms. Ramirez is here every Thursday (in the library) from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm. and Mr. Blanchfield is here every day!
Opting out of filling out the FAFSA is also an option. Families and students may contact our Counselor, Mr. Blanchfield, to complete the opt-out form. Students should talk with their supervising teacher about seeing the Counselor while they are at school for their weekly appointment. Families/Students can also schedule time with Mr. Blanchfield by using this link: http://www.calendly.com/dblanchfield.
Either way, the FAFSA (or the opt out) needs to be completed! I'm happy to report that the number of completions has now risen to 60%!
Community Service: Graduation Requirement
Seniors are required to complete 20 hours of community service as a graduation requirement! There are lots of community service ideas! Check out this link to the TVUSD Community Service Form. The form has an area to record service completed (on page 1) and ideas of where to serve (on page 2). One community service possibility, "No Sew Blankets", is highlighted further down in this newsletter! Check it out!
Last Day To Purchase a Cap & Gown
The last day to purchase a Cap and Gown is...
Wednesday, May 22
10 am to 12 noon
Cash only
Enter the main office doors to get started on 5/22
Teacher Appreciation Week/Staff Appreciation Week
This coming week is "Teacher Appreciation Week" which we are celebrating as a week to honor ALL OF OUR STAFF (Teachers, Clerical, Custodial, Cafeteria, Instructional Assistants). We're super happy to have a great crew that works as a team with you (our families) and our students! If you have a moment, please let any of the staff that you "work with/talk to" know how much you appreciate them!
Final Word
As we end the school year things are getting really busy!!! But we are trying to make sure that we give you all the facts about graduation (and everything else!) up front, and as early as possible, so that there are no surprises!! So, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns about any of the graduation requirements, or any other items that are in this newsletter! 🙂
Thanks for reading and have a great week!
Sincerely,
David Schlottman
Principal
Graduation will be for all three of our schools: Susan Nelson, Rancho Vista, and the Temecula Valley Adult School, and will be on....
Date: Friday, June 7, 2024
Time: 4:30 pm
Where: Great Oak High School Football Stadium
No tickets necessary! First come, first served seating
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Things to know:
Students should arrive at GOHS on 6/7/24 by 3:45 pm get in line for graduation.
We're using GOHS' stadium and will be walking on their super expensive artificial turf. So... Shoes with any type of stiletto heel are not allowed on the turf. We don't want to put any holes in their "lawn"!! (Please also note that shoes must be worn! So...no bare feet at graduation! The artificial turf gets super-hot in the sun!)
As per the rest of the district, no leis (candy, flowers, money) are permitted as students participate in the graduation ceremony. They can be worn AFTER graduation, but not during the actual graduation ceremony. "Stoles" are only allowed for recognized TVUSD Academic Programs such as AVID, International Baccalaureate, Seal of Biliteracy, etc. If you have a question about "stoles" or "leis" please give us a call!
Only students from recognized US Native American tribes may decorate their caps. Once completed, students are requested to show admin their finished cap for final approval. Once again if you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call.
This year Summer School will be at TVHS.
It will run from June 14 to July 12.
Sessions will run Monday through Friday, with two time slots available (most students are in both time slots--taking two classes).
Session 1: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 10:30 am
Session 2: Monday - Friday, 10:45 am - 12:45 pm
Registration opens on April 22, 2024, and closes on May 24, 2024.
It's always a good idea to talk to our Counselor, Mr. Blanchfield, about summer school. He knows best about what students need--so be sure to check with him!
For more info, check out the TVUSD Summer School Information Page at the link shown below:
Click here to access the TVUSD Summer School Information Page
Ruth is our California Student Opportunity and Access Program (CAL SOAP) College Success Coach and works with SHNS students once a week.
Ruth meets with our students in the library and talks with them about their post-secondary options--including attendance at community colleges and trade schools. If a student wants to meet with Ruth, she's in the library at lunch every Thursday!
It is now time to complete your Annual Family Update in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. This update is REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS RETURNING TO TVUSD FOR THE 24/25 SCHOOL YEAR.
Any student who does not have a completed Annual Update:
may not be enrolled in a class for the 24/25 school year
may not receive a schedule
and may not be able to participate in school business days in August.
It is imperative that all families complete the Annual Family Update as soon as possible to prevent any delay in your child's enrollment for next school year.
Click the links below for RETURNING STUDENT ANNUAL UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS:
Please note, this process is for RETURNING STUDENTS ONLY. If you have a child in your family who will be new to TVUSD for the 24/25 school year, you must complete the New Student Enrollment process. Click HERE for New Student Enrollment instructions.
Counselor Corner
Navigating the Transition: Avoiding Common Pitfalls When Planning for Community College
High school students often choose community college for its practicality and affordability, yet this transition poses unique challenges due to misconceptions and inadequate planning. This article identifies common mistakes and offers strategies for avoidance.
Underestimating academic preparation is a prevalent error. Some students assume community college is academically easier, neglecting rigorous high school coursework. However, community colleges offer challenging courses, necessitating strong high school performance. To prevent this, pursue a rigorous curriculum, including Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment courses in high school.
Financial planning oversight is another misstep. Despite community colleges' affordability, tuition and fees remain burdensome for some students. Neglecting to research financial aid options and underestimating additional costs can lead to missed opportunities. To avoid this, proactively seek financial aid information and create a comprehensive budget.
Neglecting transfer opportunities is a common mistake. Many students intend to transfer to four-year institutions but lack planning. Researching transfer pathways early, including articulation agreements and requirements, is essential. Collaborate with academic advisors to ensure course selection aligns with transfer prerequisites.
Failure to utilize support services is detrimental. Resources like tutoring and counseling enhance academic and personal development, yet stigma or pride often deter students. To counter this, familiarize yourself with available services and engage as needed. Seeking assistance is proactive, not a sign of weakness.
Procrastination poses a significant threat to success. Underestimating workload and time management leads to falling behind or missing deadlines. Develop effective time management skills, create a realistic schedule, and break tasks into manageable steps to prevent procrastination.
In conclusion, careful planning is vital for community college success. Prioritize academic preparation, financial planning, transfer opportunities, support services utilization, and effective time management. With determination and foresight, students can navigate this transition smoothly and achieve their academic goals.
Additionally, students can seek assistance from Ms. Ramariz, our Cal-Soap College Success Coach, for community college application and FAFSA completion. Ms. Ramariz is available at the Joan F. Sparkman Alternative Education Center campus every Thursday, 8:00 am-2:00 pm, in the library. Susan Nelson HS students can schedule appointments through her flexbook link: https://a.flexbooker.com/reserve/rivcocalsoap.
