Counselor Connections
VHS Counseling Department Newsletter, 2023-24 (1st Quarter)
The 2023-24 School Year is Underway!
It seems amazing that we are almost a month into the school year. The Counseling Department is settling into the year and we hope you are too!
You will find the contact information for all of our department listed below. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.
College & Career Specialist
Ms. Smith
x4131
Counseling Center Clerk
Ms. Groves
x4009
Counseling Center Clerk
Ms. Reyes
x4027
Data Information Specialist
Ms. Zavala
x4028
Registrar
Ms. Rodriguez
x4029
School Counselor (A-wing)
Ms. Schepker
x4047
Advisories: Barlow, Cruz, Eisen, Ereno, Johnson, Leoni, Mager, Martinez (S)/Mwangi, Mata, Morris, Nuno, Orth, Renaldi, Silva, Webster
School Counselor (B-wing)
Ms. Palmgren
x4065
Advisories: Barnes, Carmen, Cronk, Diehl (R), Hobel, Howard, Lovett, Marin, McCloud, Meldrum, Navarette, Reyna, Sherman, Studts, Wentz
School Counselor (C-wing)
Ms. Enders
x4083
Advisories: Alvarez/Garnepudi, Auble, Cain/Burgos, Carrasquillo, Diehl (A), Ferere Harrell, Kastenbaum, Les, Lopez, Lotocky, Manak, Martindale, Mattei, Savage, Summers
School Counselor (D-wing)
Mr. Pratt
x4101
Advisories: Ballew, Fernandez, Garcia, Jackson, Kneisel, Littrell, Martinez (G), May, Moreno, Neu, Rodgers, Schafer, Thomas, Wadding, Werner
School Counselor (E-wing)
Ms. Hink
x4016
Advisories: Barnhill, Beard, Bott, Brown, Carlson, Donze, Farrington, Greenwell, Ham, Kinsey/Solomon, Marks, Shadley, Spiegel, Walker
Academic Success
Here are a few things that you (or your student) can do to be successful in each of your classes:
Attend class
Turn in assignments on time
Work with your teacher
Attend tutoring (Viper Connect and/or after school)
Make-up work when you have been absent
Study your notes and information regularly
Prioritize studying
ACE & Hoop of Learning Programs
ACE Program
Who: Available for sophomores to apply for their Junior and Senior year of high school. Additional criteria on the flyer below.
What: Scholarship and success program. Students can earn up to 24 college credits during their time in the program.
Where: Students take classes on the EMCC Main Campus on Saturday during the school year and during the week in the summer. EMCC is a fully IN-PERSON Program. Rio Salado's ACE program is our online ACE option for Maricopa.
When: Applications will likely open mid-October and are usually due in December. Accepted students begin the program in Summer 2023.
Interest Form: Interested students who would like information prior to October, should complete the following interest form: https://bit.ly/EMCCACEINFO
HOL Program
Who: Available for all Native American students who are enrolled in a federally recognized tribe. Additional criteria on the flyer below.
What: Scholarship and success program. Students can earn college credits during their time in the program.
Where: Students take classes on the EMCC Main Campus.
When: Applications are accepted year-round as space becomes available in the program. Students may submit their application to be placed on a waiting list for the upcoming semester by visiting: https://bit.ly/EMCCHOLAPP
ACT & SAT
The ACT and/or SAT are tests used by many 4-year colleges/universities for admissions purposes. Seniors are encouraged to check admission requirements for each college/university to which they are applying. If you need to test, you will register directly with the testing agency. Check out the websites listed below for more information and test date options.
- ACT (www.act.org)
- SAT (https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat)
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
AP Students -
Be sure you have joined your AP teacher's College Board AP Classroom; you need to be on this roster. This is different from their Google Classroom. You will need a separate join code (your AP teacher has this).
If you do not have an account set up, please call the College Board Student Helpline at 888-225-5427.
See your teacher, Mr. Butler, or Mr. Pratt if you have any questions!
Attendance
While the counselors do not handle Student Attendance, we do want to remind you that you can lose credit in a class (even if you are passing), if you are not attending the class. Talk with one of our administrators to learn more about the attendance process. Stay focused and stay on-track to graduate!
Career Center
Please welcome Ms. Smith, our new Career Specialist, to Verrado High School! She is here to assist you with your college and career readiness. She meets individually with students, offers workshops during Viper Connect, arranges lunch visits for college and military reps, as well as plans many of our department's CCR events. If you have questions or need help with the college selection or admissions process, scholarship applications, the FAFSA, building a resume' or another college/career topic, stop by the Career Center (in it's new location in the front foyer of the school) and speak with Ms. Smith.
College Admission Plans
Every college offers a type of admission plan which outlines how they are going to admit applicants. Some colleges offer more than one admission plan. It is important to understand the parameters of the college admission plan(s) for the college(s) you are applying to. Examples of admission plans include but are not limited to rolling admissions, regular admissions, early action, or early decision. Check out your college's admission website for their specific options. For a general overview, you might find this site helpful: https://counselors.collegeboard.org/college-application/early-decision-action.
College Applications: Self Reporting Grades, Transcript Requests, GPA, Rank
Do you need to self-report your grades on a college application? You can use “Course History” in StudentVue.
Do you need an official or unofficial copy of your transcript? You can utilize Parchment.com and/or reach out to our Registrar, Mrs. Rodriguez, at nrodriguez@aguafria.org, as she handles all transcript requests.
If you need to know your GPA and/or rank, you may go to the main Counseling Center for assistance.
College Athletics
Want to compete in college athletics? You need to know the eligibility requirements. Check out the following sites:
National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) - https ://www.njcaa.org
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) - https://www.playnaia.org
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) - https://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future
Cumulative versus Core GPA
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) uses grades from ALL classes taken during the regular school day. Your cumulative weighted and unweighted GPA are reported on your transcript. You can request an official transcript to send to a college throught Parchment.com or with our Registrar, Ms. Rodriguez, in the main Counseling Center. You can also request an unofficial copy of your transcript in the main Counseling Center.
A core GPA uses only the grades of courses required by the college/university for admissions to their school.
We encourage students to research what type of GPA is used for admission and scholarships at the schools they plan to apply to.
Did you know?
ECAP & Major Clarity
Arizona believes all students should have an ECAP (Education and Career Action Plan). The ECAP process should help students clarify their career goals and narrow their initial plans after high school. It can also help shape students’ course selections and involvement throughout high school. The ECAP can be seen as having two components: plan/portfolio and extended learning opportunities.
This year, our district will continue to use Major Clarity, a career exploration platform, to assist students with their ECAP plan/portfolio. This college and career readiness program offers exploration tools, lessons, and information on:
Careers
Programs of study
Specific colleges/universities
Financial aid
Resume’ writing
And more!
In addition to community events, Ms. Smith and the School Counselors provide many extended learning opportunities to assist students with their ECAP. An example of some of those opportunities are:
ASVAB
Scholarship Marathon
College & Career Night
Application Workshops
FSA ID - Seniors & Contributors
1st Quarter Progress Grades
Quarter progress grades will be published in Student/Parent Vue soon. You can view the grades by logging into StudentVue/ParentVue and clicking on the Report Card tab. If you have an F, it is important you work with your teacher regarding what you need to do. If you have any questions about the posted grade, students are encouraged to speak with their teacher; parents are also welcome to reach out to the teacher. Need help accessing Student/ParentVue? Please reach out to Ms. Reyes or Ms. Groves in the main Counseling Center.
PSAT/NMSQT (11th & 10th graders)
The PSAT/NMSQT will be given this October at VHS.
The test is open to current juniors and sophomores. Sign ups will open in September. Seats are limited so do not delay in signing up.
Reasons to take the PSAT/NMSQT include:
Practice for the SAT
Qualify for scholarship programs (11th graders)
Insight into AP courses you may be ready to take
Learn more about the PSAT at https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt.
Stay Connected!
Students can make an appointment with their counselor by clicking here; this link is also posted in their grade level's (cohort's) Google Classroom.
Please keep in mind that we may reach out to you through your student email account so be sure you are checking it daily.
Counselor Connections is our quarterly newsletter that is posted on our webpage, www.aguafria.org/vhscounseling > Counselor Connections (Quarterly Newsletter).
Every grade level (or cohort) has a Google Classroom managed by the counseling department. We post academic, career/college, and social/emotional information and resources.
We also have Instagram (vhscounseling) account.
We continue to post grade-level specific information via our VHS Counseling Remind accounts. This is a great way to get information between editions of our quarterly Counselor Connections newsletter. To receive text messages from our Remind, students and parents can text the following grade-level message to 81010:
Seniors message = @verrado24
Juniors message = @verrado25
Sophomores message = @verrado26
Freshmen message = @verrado27
And last, but not least, is our Counseling & Career Center website that is located at www.aguafria.org/VHSCounseling.
Student2Student (S2S)
Student to Student (S2S) is a program designed to welcome new students and help them transition to our school. S2S was originally established to bring military and civilian students together. The program was adapted on our campus to welcome all new students using the same original program concepts: creating a positive environment, support and academic excellence, and easing the transition process.
If you are a new student or family to Verrado High School, our S2S officers are available to provide extra support through monthly group meetings and a special Google Classroom to help simplify the communication process. Please reach out to Ms. Schepker or Ms. Palmgren should you or your student have any questions or need additional support in the transition to Verrado High School.
Upcoming Events
Wednesdays
Dash - Therapy Dog
Before School
Cafeteria
Subject to change due to schedule and availability
Wednesdays
College/Career Wear Day
all day
August 30, 2023
Six Colleges Event (Amherst, Bowdoin, Carleton, Pomona, Swarthmore, & Williams)
6:30 pm
Register at https://www.sixcolleges.org/.
August 31, 2023
Az College Consortium Fair
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
VHS Aux. Gym
Seniors Only
Seniors can sign up using RTI portal - see Mrs. Smith in the Career Center with any questions
September 10, 2023
October 15, 2023
November 12, 2023
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Click here to learn more & register.
September 10, 2023
Tri-University (ASU, NAU, UofA) Event
2:00 p.m.
ASU West
Learn more & register at https://visit.asu.edu/tri-university/high-school-student-programming.
September 12, 2023
September 26, 2023
University of Arizona
11 - 11:30 a.m. (Advisory)
See Mrs. Smith in the Career Center to sign up.
September 17, 2023
September 18, 2023
Exploring College Options (Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn, Stanford)
Times vary by day.
Learn more about this virtual college fair and register at https://www.exploringcollegeoptions.org/.
September 18, 2023
Northern Arizona University (NAU)
Viper Connect
See Mrs. Smith in the Career Center to sign up.
September 25, 2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Viper Connect
See Mrs. Smith in the Career Center to sign up.
September 27, 2023
VHS Scholarship Marathon
1:30 pm
See Mrs. Smith in the Career Center to sign up.
September 28, 2023
Arizona State University (ASU)
Viper Connect
See Mrs. Smith in the Career Center to sign up.
October 6, 2023
University of Oregon
@ lunches
VHS Cafeteria
October 15, 2023
Taking Steps Towards College Success
9:00 am - 11:30 am
Civic Space Park (Downtown Phoenix)
https://bealeader.org/takingsteps/
October 15, 2023
NACAC National College Fair - Greater Phoenix
11:30 am - 3:00 pm
Phoenix Convention Center
https://www.nacacattend.org/23GreaterPhoenix
October 17, 2023
Colorado State University
@ lunches
VHS Cafeteria
October 17, 2023
Coconino Community College
@ lunches
VHS Cafeteria
October 26, 2023 *
AFUHSD College & Career Night
*tentative date; more information will be available as we get closer to the event.
November 9, 2023
University of Portland
Viper Connect
See Mrs. Smith in the Career Center to sign up.
February 28, 2023
February 29, 2023
ASVAB
More information will be available as we get closer to the test session.
West-MEC
The 2024-25 West-MEC program application is projected to open on October 16th.
Check out their website at www.west-mec.edu and attend one of their Open House events to learn more about their programs and requirements.
Students will apply online at www.west-mec.edu, then print the Application Verification Form (AVF). Once you and your guardian(s) have signed the verification form, you must turn it in to your VHS counselor by December 21, 2023 for consideration in the primary round of allocations.
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply to attend a West-MEC program; however, completion of an application does not guarantee acceptance into the program.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Be sure you are sign up for the Counseling REMIND messaging
and check your grade level GOOGLE CLASSROOM for information and updates between our quarterly Counselor Connections newsletters!