TCS HS Highlights January 2025

January 2025, Volume 6

Crafted for Cottonwood Homestudy High School Students

Happy New Year 🎉 and welcome back to the Spring Semester!

Let’s kick off 2025 with exciting events, helpful resources, and key dates to keep you in the loop this January. From school activities to important announcements, there’s something for everyone. Stay tuned, stay involved, and let’s make this a great month!

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside:

• School events ✨ to mark on your calendar
• HS Counseling Corner
• Academic opportunities 🎓to help you succeed
• National Honor Society/National Junior Honor Society
• CVHS
• CTE Capstone
• Mindset Mondays
• Student Success Tips
• Spring 2025 Academic Calendar

Stay connected and don’t miss out on everything happening this month!

All My Best,

Mrs. Sweiven

High School Associate Director

Check out these upcoming TCS Events—we can't wait to see you there!

• 1/16 Cottonwood Ski Day #2 (registration opened 11/7)
• 1/31 Bowling & Laser Tag for Teens (registration closed -full)
• 2/21 Snowshoeing Adventure at Chickadee Ridge (registration opens 1/9)
• 2/28 Petroglyph Ceramic Lounge for Teens (registration opens 1/9)
• 3/21 Glowetry! 2nd Annual Glow Poetry Slam (TBA)
• 3/21 Horseback Riding for Teens at Shadow Glenn Riding Stables (registration opens 2/13)
• 3/27 Sacramento Kings Game (registration opens 2/13)
• 4/4 High School PROM 2025!
• 4/11 Maker's Market
• 5/1 Innovation Day (TBA)
• 5/9 Paintball for Teens
• 5/22 TCS Graduation Ceremony

For details on these and more events go to this:

For upcoming Cottonwood Field Trips and Events go to this link

Plan ahead! Registration is required for all events. Registration closes 2 weeks prior to each event.

Our Painting Pouring and Ornament Making Teen Event was a HIT! See the pics below for this December teen focused event. 🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽🔽

"Steps to College" is a collaborative initiative involving various organizations, including the Consulate General of Mexico in Sacramento, the California Student Aid Commission, and others.

It brings together representatives from California and Mexican universities, education experts, and nonprofit advocates each year to help students navigate the college process and explore financial aid options.

The fair aims to guide families and students toward a successful path to higher education, emphasizing education as a key tool for personal growth and California's continued progress.

Click here for more information and to register for the event: https://stepstocollegesac.org/

As part of California's new graduation requirement under AB 469, all graduating students must complete the FAFSA or CADAA if they plan to attend college or trade schools. Students not pursuing further education should complete the Opt-Out survey linked here: Opt-Out Form. Please contact your counselor if you have any questions!

In this episode, we unpack the ASVAB—what it is, how it works, and its role in unlocking career opportunities in the military and beyond. Topics include score requirements, military job options, the Army perspective, the Career Exploration Program (CEP), and post-high school pathways like college, careers, or service. Available on Apple Podcast!

The National Junior Honor Society and the National Honor Society Cottonwood recognizes students who lead, help others, work hard in school, and make a difference in their community.

The NHS/NJHS invites all students who meet these requirements to apply:

• NJHS = Grade 7 - 9 + 3.0 GPA on official semester one report card

• NHS = Grade 10 -12 + 3.5 GPA on official semester one report card

Applications will close on January 10th, 2025.

• For more information go here: National Honor Society - Who are We?

• Go here for Application Information

• For more information email kyle.lutkemuller@cottonwoodk12.org or evan.clark@cottonwoodk12.org

On Dec. 12, CVHS teachers and students enjoyed the Sac Regional Fire Museum Tour. Retired firefighters shared the history of firefighting, human impact on CA wildfires, and the evolution of and innovations in firefighting. After the museum tour, Kimberly Boyd led students in an exploration, From Ashes to Art, where students used charcoal to create beautiful works of art. 🚒🚒🚒 See the pictures below of this CVHS event. 🔽🔽🔽

Did you know Cottonwood has its own awesome high school teachers and classes? This Spring, our theme is Innovation—get ready to think outside the box, get creative, and collaborate! We’ve got some amazing in-person events lined up, like the CSUS Sustainability Tour, the 2nd Annual Glow Poetry Slam, and Innovation Day. Whether you take one class or all of them at CVHS, we’d love to have you join us for the Spring Semester starting Monday, January 6th!

CTE students are gearing up for an exciting spring semester as they dive into their Capstone Courses. Throughout the semester, they will deepen their knowledge in their CTE Pathways, refine job and interviewing skills, and explore a wide range of professional growth opportunities.

Keep an eye out for their amazing Capstone projects showcased at the Maker's Market, Innovation Fair, and in our newsletters.

This month in Mindset Mondays, we will explore the mindset: 100% Accountable. Our Self Facilitator, Kelly McIntosh, will lead through lessons and activities that help you maximize positive relationships, lead with value, and more. Join others at the virtual Teen Mindset Monday Zoom sessions every Monday @11:30AM.

Want a fresh and focused start for the Spring Semester? Be "100% accountable" with these tips for academic success:

• Create Your Success Zone: Set up a dedicated, distraction-free study area. Include good lighting, comfy seating, and quiet surroundings. This is more than a workspace—it's your personal command center for learning.

• Master Your Digital Calendar: Use an online planner to track assignments, tests, and projects. Organizing tasks visually make them feel manageable, and automatic reminders help you stay on top of everything.

• Reach Out and Stay Connected: Regularly check in with your parent/HST/teachers and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Take advantage of ELT, Office Hours, and Pear Deck Tutor to get extra support when needed.

• Break It Down, Step It Up: Divide big assignments into smaller steps. Tackling one piece at a time reduces stress and gives you confidence as you make steady progress.

• Take Care of Yourself: Prioritize sleep, eat nutritious meals, and stay active. Schedule breaks and talk about any academic stress you’re feeling. A healthy mind and body are key to success!