College and Career Newsletter
Visalia Unified/March 2022
Director's Corner
March is an especially exciting time for high school seniors, as they begin seriously planning their next steps in their lives as young adults. Some will be going through financial aid packages; others will be registering for a trade school or interviewing for their dream jobs. This is the perfect season for all students to map out the last months of school and make plans for summer.
Our Work Based Learning coordinators are working with industry partners to plan for summer internship opportunities for high school students. We are also planning for a few teachers to participate in externships - spending time with industry experts, allowing teachers to further connect their classrooms to the world of work and bring that knowledge and experience back to their students.
This is such a great time for all students to consider planning for summer activities that will allow them to explore their interests and talents. For some, that may be taking a Summer School class, and for others that may be looking for a job or visiting relatives or simply hanging out with friends, talking about issues that spark their passions and lead them to a path that will bring joy and fulfillment in the future.
We in the VUSD College and Career Readiness Department strive to support students on all paths to success! And, we wish a very happy Springtime to all!
Vicki Leoni
Director, College and Career Readiness
Linked Learning Academy Recruitment Deadline Extended
The Linked Learning Academies are located at our district's four comprehensive high schools: El Diamante, Golden West, Mt. Whitney, and Redwood High Schools. Incoming eighth-grade students may choose to apply for an academy at any of the four high schools based on their career interests. Applications are now being accepted, and are due by Friday, March 4.
Linked Learning Recruitment Night 2022
Business and Finance Academy Video
First Responders Academy Video
Computer Science Academy Video
Ignite Your Curiosity
Ignite Your Curiosity is a monthly series of webinars for students and parents to hear from various industry leaders. Each month a new industry-themed panel will help your child explore career possibilities.
This month's speaker is Rick McNeil who is a Media Broadcast Program Director.
Join us for the webinar on Wednesday, March 23, at 6:oo PM.
To register for the event, Click Here. The week before the event, Zoom will send an email containing the webinar link. To view previous Ignite Your Curiosity events, Click Here.
Dream It Be It Conference for Young Women in High School
The Soroptimist International of Visalia will be hosting the DREAM IT BE IT Conference on April 30, 2022, 9 am-12 pm for girls attending Visalia/Dinuba/Orosi high schools (grades 9-12). The girls may attend the conference either in person at COS/Visalia campus or via Zoom.
This year Soroptimist of Visalia is partnering with COS MESA Department to bring in STEM activities and mentors.
Last year the Soroptimists gave away $1000.00 in scholarships just for participating. This year they plan to go above and beyond last year and give away more!
To register please follow the link below.
https://www.sivisalia.org/dream-it-be-it
If you have any questions please feel free to contact alison.recendez@cset.org or 559-713-5193.
UC for Everyone
UC will offer a free event for students and families who are interested in learning more about UC admission and our campuses. The program theme is Destination UC: Fuel Your Future, and welcomes students in grades 9–11, or in their first year at community college. Students who have already applied should plan to attend campus events in April and May.
UC is a destination for students who are intellectually curious, seek professional and personal growth, and believe that education is an investment in their future.
This event will help students discover what kinds of learning and engagement opportunities are available in and out of class. They will learn more about what current students are researching and why. Alumni will discuss their perspectives on why UC is a valuable investment. They will get tips on preparing for both freshman and transfer admission. Finally, they will hear from current students and parents about their experiences with UC. Campus admission staff will present, and each undergraduate campus will have admission representatives available to answer questions.
There will be no registration fee, but registration is required. Counselors and parents may also register.
Date: March 9
Time: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time
Registration: Students, parents, and counselors can register on the UC for Everyone site beginning on February 23.
University of California Office of the President <UCNOTES@UCOP.EDU>
For Our Elementary Set: Visalia Chamber Jr. CEO Program
The Visalia Chamber’s Jr. CEO Program, presented by ServiceMaster by Benevento, is a five-week digital business education course that teaches children the basics of starting their own company.
The fall program revolves around the scenario of opening a hot chocolate stand (Hot Chocolate Day), and for the spring, an orange juice stand (Orange Juice Day) (or another concept they have created). The spring program starts in March and the fall program in September.
The program is produced to communicate at a sixth-grade learning level and covers five main categories:
- Business Fundamentals (filing a DBA, setting up a bank account, etc.)
- Cost Models
- Safety/Food Prep
- Marketing & Customer Service
- Money Management
Each session is produced by Visalia Chamber staff and includes relevant and real-world knowledge from area business leaders. Webinars will be released weekly over the course of five weeks.
Tuition: $25 per student.
Linked Learning and CTE Pathway Seniors: Scholarship
The College & Career Readiness Department is offering scholarship opportunities to Linked Learning Academy and CTE Pathway high school seniors who have participated in an internship during the 2021-2022 school year (including summer interns). The scholarship is funded through Walmart Local Community Grants.
Click Here for the application. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 4
SAT School Day
Please keep in mind that both the UC and CSU systems are test blind. This means that they will not take into consideration SAT exam scores when determining student admission. If you have any questions on deciding if you should take the SAT, please check in with your school counselor or learning director.
If you currently have a 504 or IEP and need testing accommodations, you must submit the paperwork to CollegeBoard by March 7, 2021. You should contact your school counselor or learning director to help you with this process.
For Our Elementary Set
UC Undergraduate Admission
The University of California was founded on a bold idea: All students should have a shot at a world-class education. Across our campuses — each of which rank among the best in the world — more than 225,000 hardworking, ambitious and creative undergraduates hail the blue and gold. Most undergraduates are from California (80 percent) and 38 percent are the first in their family to go to college. UC is committed to transfer students, and 27 percent transfer to UC from a California community college. As a public institution, over 70 percent of undergraduates receive financial aid, and 46 percent graduate from UC with no debt.
Freshman admission requirements
Transfer admission requirements
Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
Financial Aid and Scholarships
University of California Office of the President <UCNOTES@UCOP.EDU>
Work Ethic Scholarship
Apply now for the Work Ethic Scholarship.
Study Tips for College Students
Contact us!
Keep in touch with the VUSD College and Career Department by following us on social media.
Past VUSD College & Career Newsletters
Office Phone Number: 559-730-7510