College and Careeer Newsletter
VUSD/December 2023
It is incredible how quickly the semester has flown. We now find ourselves at the end of the semester and in anticipation of winter break. Our seniors are also ending the year by finishing up their college applications. They now wait in suspense to hear from the colleges this coming spring; their height of anticipation pales to the days of waiting for Santa.
I find myself repeating my previous thoughts about our seniors. It is not unusual for seniors to reflect on their high school career and ask if was it all worth it: the clubs, the Advanced Placement classes, the volunteer work, and the late nights studying. The answer is mixed. If a student shaped their classes and participated in activities only because they thought it would be viewed positively by colleges, there may be regret at this moment. Conversely, some took electives that appealed to their interests and curiosity. They also participated in activities that helped them discover who they were and where they wanted to go in the future. Regardless of which college sends them a letter of admission, these students will look back at their high school days with treasured memories.
As middle and high schools return in January, they will be gearing up to register students for next year’s classes. Your students will be asked to voice their opinions on what elective courses they would like to take for the following school year. Please take a moment and reflect on your choices. There is much to choose from, such as a CTE class, the arts, dual/concurrent college classes, AP courses, or a Linked Learning Academy. Elective courses allow students to learn about themselves and ultimately help them choose a career, major, and college. Seize this opportunity to try new experiences.
Best wishes,
Paige Loverin, MA, PPS
Visalia Unified College and Career Readiness
The New FAFSA and Dream Act Applications will go live December 31!
Seniors! The federal government has been working to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) this year. For this reason, the release of the application will be delayed until December 31. California has extended the deadline for the FAFSA and Dream Act applications to April 2, 2024, for this year only, to make sure students don't miss their opportunity to qualify for the Cal Grant, Middle-Class Scholarship, and Dream Act.
California requires all high school seniors to complete a FAFSA or Dream Act application. These applications help determine grant money, middle-class scholarships, and student loans for college.
Your school sites will be working with seniors to ensure they have access to FAFSA/Dream Act Application Workshops. It is important that all FAFSA/Dream Act applications are launched through your student's CaliforniaColleges.edu account.
In rare cases, if completing the application proves to be a family hardship, you will be asked to complete an opt-out form with your school site.
Linked Learning Academy Recruitment for Eighth-Graders
Linked Learning is a successful approach to education based on the idea that students work harder and dream bigger if their education is relevant to them. The Linked Learning approach integrates rigorous academics that meet college-ready standards with sequenced, high-quality career-technical education, work-based learning and supports to help students stay on track. For Linked Learning students, education is organized around industry-sector themes. The industry theme is woven into lessons taught by teachers who collaborate across subject areas with input from working professionals and reinforced by work-based learning with real employers. This makes learning more like the real world of work and helps students answer the question, “Why do I need to know this?”
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.
Eighth-grade students will be participating in a presentation about the academies during the third week of January. Students will walk away with information on each of the nine academies and what it means to be an academy student.
The Linked Learning Recruitment Parent Nights will take place at the El Diamante Theater on Wednesday, January 24, and Thursday, January 25, starting at 6:00 PM. A Spanish interpreter will be available.
The Linked Learning electronic application will open on Tuesday, January 16, and will close on Friday, February 23. Students must live within the VUSD boundaries to apply to an academy.
For more information, check out our College and Career Website.
Career Technical Education (CTE) Exploration
The College and Career Readiness Showcase took place at the Rawhide Stadium in October. The Showcase was a collaboration of all the high school CTE Pathways and Linked Learning Academies, along with our industry partners, allowing eighth graders to visit, ask questions, and start thinking about planning for their classes in high school.
Eighth graders and high school students will begin registering for classes from February through March. Now is the perfect time to have a conversation to decide if a CTE class would be an ideal fit.
We are grateful to everyone who came out to make this such a great event for our students. To learn more about VUSD's CTE pathways, click the links below.
University Summer Programs for High School Students
How would you like to attend a summer program at a top-tier university? Each summer, many colleges, including the University of California Campuses and Ivy Leagues, offer students the opportunity to experience college life. The programs do have fees, but there are generous scholarships that include students that may not normally think they qualify. Application deadlines are approaching. Below are links to some of the programs:
COSMOS: California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) strives to motivate the most creative minds of the new generation of prospective scientists, engineers, and mathematicians who will become the future leaders for California, our nation, and the world. The program aims to create a community of students who participate in and contribute to an intensive academic experience delivered by distinguished educators and scholars.
How to Get into COSMOS Summer Program
ACADEMIC CONNECTIONS: The main advantages of attending UC San Diego Academic Connections: college-level academics, residential and extracurricular activities; exposure, and access to state-of-the-art courses, technology, and facilities! Earn college prep units and recognition for program participation on college admission applications! Study with other like-minded academic students from all over the country and the world!
UCSD Summer: offers a variety of programs for all age groups, whether you are a parent looking for a non-credit camp for your children or an undergraduate student in need of a credit-bearing program. Summer programs include a wide range of experiences, including elementary through high school, university, and beyond. You can utilize the Summer Program Finder tool to search for the right program for you.
UCLA Pre-College Summer Institutes: UCLA provides highly-motivated high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while advancing their skill set in one area of study. During this one- to three-week concentrated program, students experience lectures, hands-on learning, field trips, group projects, and other activities that provide an intensive and engrossing study of their chosen subject.
Our Precollege Summer Institutes are open to high school students from around the country and the world. We invite you to come and study in a welcoming environment that appreciates diversity and global perspectives.
The Berkeley Pre-College Scholars offers international and domestic high school students the opportunity to join a community of scholars and pursue their academic goals at the world's No. 1 public institution. Pre-College Scholars participants will have the opportunity to earn college credit with other students from Berkeley and around the world. All of the things that make Berkeley a great place are waiting for you. In addition to academics, we have optional extracurricular activities and events that will give you a chance to expand your personal and social horizons, learn practical information, and enjoy Berkeley outside of the 'classroom.'
UC Davis: UC Davis academic preparation programs can help you get ready for college! From on-campus experiences to offerings right in your high school, we help you get ready for university studies. We also encourage you to explore more UC-approved academic preparation programs.
UC Davis Young Scholars Program: The UC Davis Young Scholars Program is a summer residential research program designed to expose approximately 40 high-achieving high school students to the world of original research within the fields of the biological, agricultural, environmental, and natural sciences.
Participants in the UC Davis Young Scholars Program will work one-on-one with research faculty and research groups in state-of-the-art laboratories for six weeks. Each student will work on an individual project and prepare a journal-quality paper and symposium presentation about their work.
Harvard: Summer Programs for High School Students: Challenge yourself in college-level academics. Meet new friends from around the world. Strengthen your college application. And build important life skills that can make your future college experience a success. Harvard Summer School offers two different programs that both offer a transformative introduction to college life.
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Discover. Explore. Grow. Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute provides a taste of the Stanford classroom experience and challenges students with advanced content not typically found in the high-school curriculum. Explore Your Passions Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is a summer enrichment program that provides academically talented and intellectually curious students currently in grades 8–11 with intensive study in a single course.
Stanford University High School Summer Session: Balance challenging academics with a rich menu of educational and social activities as a visiting Stanford student. Explore a possible career path or future area of study while experiencing genuine Stanford University courses alongside current Stanford students. Study with a dynamic, diverse student body from more than 50 countries, with the opportunity to earn credit and an official transcript from Stanford.
Yale Summer Session seeks motivated high school students who wish to enroll in Yale College courses for credit. While enrolled in Yale courses, qualified high school students will share the classroom with college students and will do college-level work. All participants will be held to the same set of standards.
Pre-College students who wish to apply to Yale Summer Session: Must be entering the senior year of high school (summer after junior year) or freshman year of college (summer after senior year). Must be 16 years of age or older by their program start date.
MIT Summer Programs: If you're the kind of student who would like to spend much of your summer learning as much hands-on math, science, and engineering as you can, you might be a good fit for MIT. Visit our website to see a list of summer programs that MIT students have found enriching and enjoyable. We have prioritized selective summer programs, at MIT and elsewhere, that offer compelling intellectual content and a rigorous educational approach, a great community of like-minded peers to make friends with, and that are either free to attend or, like MIT, offer generous need-based financial aid.
USC: You are now invited to apply now for the in-person 2024 USC Summer Programs. USC Summer Programs offers 4-week, credit bearing courses in a variety of subjects from which students choose one course for intense study. Our programs are designed to combine college level coursework, academic field trips, and structured extracurricular activities.
If you are interested in even more programs with the UC system, check out this link.
For Our Elementary Set and Their Grown-Ups
Do you dream of being a scientist someday? Why not start now? Cooking will teach you some essential chemistry reactions. For the winter break, with your grown-ups permission, consider the kitchen your lab; just make sure you don't become the mad scientist!
Read, Read, Read!!
One of the most significant predictors of academic success is reading. Winter break is a great time to cuddle up on the couch, grab a great book and let your imagination be whisked away to faraway lands.
This winter break you may want to consider trying the "Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð, or "Christmas Book Flood," is a unique and cherished cultural practice in Iceland, deeply rooted in the nation's love for literature and storytelling. In Iceland, ‘book flood’ is celebrated on Christmas Eve and revolves around giving and receiving new books, often accompanied by delicious treats like hot cocoa and Icelandic chocolates.. The night is spent in the company of loved ones, reading and sharing stories, creating memories that last a lifetime." Source: https://adventures.is/blog/iceland-christmas-eve-tradition/
Visalia Unified is fortunate to have the Visalia Learning Center, which is located behind the VUSD District Office. Students can find their favorite literary titles to take home. The VLC also offers a digital library with books and magazine access on your Chromebook.
A shout out to our Brooklyn, NY readers!
What is Your Major?
This year the College and Career Newsletter will highlight a different major each month. Majors consist of a group of core classes that a student takes to earn a college degree. Remember, there is an order in choosing your college. In high school, you explore what CAREER fits your personality and interests. This allows you to pick the MAJOR you need to study in college. Finally, because not all colleges have the same majors, your last step is to choose the COLLEGE that best fits your needs and major. CAREER-MAJOR-COLLEGE
Mt. Whitney's Academy of Health Sciences
The Health Science Academy is a popular choice among students.
The Pathway Vision: To provide students with the skills, knowledge, and real-world experience necessary to succeed and thrive in the various careers in healthcare.
The Pathway Mission: Upon graduation, Academy of Health Science students will be able to demonstrate essential employability skills, professional aptitude, and essential knowledge in order to pursue a continually evolving role in the field of healthcare.
Students who enroll in the Academy of Health Sciences (AoHS) belong to grade-level cohorts and are required to enroll in specific coursework. All freshmen and sophomores enroll in Introductory and Capstone courses within the field of Health Sciences. AOHS students may enroll in other health science coursework as appropriate to their academic proficiency and age (Ex: Students must have passed Math 2 to enroll in chemistry; must be 16 to enroll in the Certified Nursing Program, etc.).
AoHS students experience a wide range of work-based learning as they progress through the Academy. All grade levels interact with industry professionals as guest speakers (live or virtual through Zoom) as well as coaches/mentors/judges for projects. Freshmen complete a culminating project in career awareness by presenting their health career research to an industry partner who works in the field they have researched, receiving feedback both in the professional delivery of the information and the content of their presentation. Sophomores are given the opportunity to engage in a 100-hour internship in the summer at any one of the many facilities partnered with AOHS. All grade levels participate in volunteer activities throughout the year. Juniors and seniors may also continue performing internships during the summer, and their projects are mentored/judged by industry partners.
Source: Tim Perrotta-Lead teacher for AoHS
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Past VUSD College & Career Newsletter
Office Phone Number: 559-730-7510