Happy New Year Nighthawks!

Welcome to the January Counseling Newsletter! Past Newsletters are archived on the Counseling Page and below are highlights for January.

Below are the names of our counselors along with their alpha breakdown. Caseloads are divided alphabetically by student’s last name.

Mrs. Susie Kihneman (A-Cha)

Mr. Shaun Harvey (Chb-Gi)

Mr. Tim Roty (Gj-Kh)

Mrs. Lauren Kennedy (Ki-Mc)

Mr. Jesse Luna (Md-Raj)

Mrs. Brenda Stone (Rak-Tam)

Mrs. Kathleen Marron (Tan-Z)

Counseling Support:

Ms. Michelle Castro, Student Support Services

Mrs. Julie Islitzer, Counseling Assistant

Mrs. Sue Reich, Academic & Career Guidance Technician

UPCOMING 9TH, 10TH, & 11TH GRADE PARENT INFORMATION NIGHTS

Please plan to attend our upcoming parent information nights. Counselors will present information on how to navigate high school and plan for college. Questions regarding course selection, how to read your student’s high school transcript, college requirements, and more will be addressed. These events will be from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).

The dates are as follows:

January 23rd – Current 9th Grade Parent Information Night

January 30th – Current 10th Grade Parent Information Night

February 13th– Current 11th Grade Parent Information Night

We are often asked technology questions in the Counseling Department and thought it would be helpful to share the below district website as a resource. The PUSD IT Department has done a great job explaining the different platforms and technology used at school. Parents and students can watch instructional videos, reset passwords and view frequently asked questions.

https://www.powayusd.com/apps/pages/access-and-support

The Financial Aid Presentation has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 16th at 6:00 pm. Sandra Carrillo, Lead Financial Aid Advisor from CSU San Marcos will be presenting on Zoom. Ms. Carrillo will highlight the changes recently made to the FAFSA form as well as how the FAFSA is used and tips on completing the form.

Log on using the below link.

https://powayusd.zoom.us/s/97890125858

Del Norte welcomed Mariana Iniguez as our new Registrar this fall. One of Ms. Iniguez’s tasks is processing transcripts both official and unofficial for our students. An official transcript is needed when an institution like a school, college or university needs to confirm grades, credits, and classes. The official transcript is stamped with the word “Official” and either sent by U.S. mail, a secured site like parchment or handed to the student in a sealed envelope depending upon the requesting institution.

An unofficial transcript contains the same information as the official transcript, but it does not have an “Official Stamp”. The Counseling team will print and distribute unofficial transcripts for every student in the spring in preparation for completing their Course Request Form (CRF) for planning classes in the next school year. Unofficial transcripts may be needed for scholarships, internships, and summer programs as well.

The steps to request an official transcript can be found on the below counseling website. The process is slightly different if you are a senior requesting official transcripts to be sent to a university.

https://delnorte.powayusd.com/apps/pages/dnhs-transcripts

Check Naviance.https://student.naviance.com/delnorte

Fall college visits have slowed but will pick back up in the spring. Career/trade events will be offered in late winter and spring. Dates will be posted closer to the events.

If you are a parent and would like to volunteer about an hour of your time to share your personal career journey, please email Sue Reich at sreich@powayusd.com to coordinate.

Students can continue researching colleges on their own by going to Naviance. Click on the College Tab on the top menu bar then scroll down to College Compare and College Resources. Additionally, many colleges and universities offer virtual tours as well as fall in person open house events.

Palomar will also be offering two Senior Application Assistance Workshops; February 12th and April 17th (location and time announced closer to the event date).

Prepare your child for future financial success at JA for Everyone. This one-day personal finance workshop equips your child with the knowledge and tools to manage their future finances and grow their wealth.

Participants are guided through a hands-on budgeting simulation where they will learn:

• How to determine their wants vs needs
• Recognize the value of saving and investing
• Understand credit and loans
• Manage bills and other financial obligations

Save your spot at our next JA for Everyone workshop happening this February!

Program Details

When: Saturday, February 17 from 9 AM - 1 PM

Where: Mission Fed JA Finance Park

Eligibility: Open to all ages 12 & up

Cost: $25 per participant

Questions about JA for Everyone?

Please contact Colin Farrell at cfarrell@jasandiego.org.

REGISTER HERE

Check out this internship.

Transferring to a UC can be a cost effective option. The UC system has one of the best financial aid programs in the country. If you are wondering if you can afford to pay for a UC education click on the link below and learn more.

Volunteer hours are not a requirement to graduate from Poway Unified. Many clubs like National Honor Society may require volunteer service hours but it is not mandatory for graduation. There are still many great reasons to volunteer. Giving your time to different organizations builds community pride. The tasks you complete while volunteering can build skills and expand your resume. Colleges also like to see applicants with diversified experiences that reflect their passions as well. The last reason you may want to consider volunteering your time is that it just feels good!

Community Service/Volunteer Log, click

Stone Ranch Elementary has many upcoming volunteer opportunities to offer high school students. If interested, please complete the below Google form.

Interest List Form here: https://forms.gle/NA4GwNY3zaawzk2Y6

• College Entrance Exam page on our Counseling website.
• For the latest updates on SAT exam registration and information, please visit the College Board website.
• For the latest updates on ACT exam registration and information, please visit the ACT website.

Counselors continue to support seniors with the college application process. If you missed any of the college information presentations, College Information Sessions, Common App Presentation, College Information Night , UC Application Presentation, CSU Application Presentation you can find the links to view the power point slides and videos by clicking HERE

You can also find the Senior Packet, Request for Official transcript Instructions and Transcript Order Form on the same link.

FAFSA opens December 1st

Did you know that in order to be considered and eligible for merit aid, many universities require that you have a FAFSA on file? Even if you do not believe that your family income qualifies for need-based aid, it can qualify you for tuition reduction, grants, and merit-based aid. File your FAFSA no later than March 2nd, the earlier the better! The official government site, fafsa.gov.

The 2024–25 FAFSA® form will be available in December 2023, not Oct. 1.

Many schools also require the CSS Profile. Please check to see if this is required at the school where you are applying.

GPA's for CAL Grant verifications have been electronically submitted for all seniors unless you have opted out.

Seniors!

Two big events coming up with Grand Canyon University (GCU).

1/27/24 Carlsbad Team Scavenger Hunt – Flyer posted below.

2/10-2/11 Free senior fly-in with NCAA basketball game - contact information below.

Del Norte High Seniors!

GCU/Grand Canyon University wants to fly you out to our Phoenix, AZ campus for a campus tour & NCAA basketball game. GCU Division 1 men’s basketball is 14-1 this season and wants you to come cheer us on before we leave for March Madness.

Fly out together on Saturday, February 10th. Return on Sunday, February 11th. Please contact Ms. Reich in the Nighthawk Center for more details and to reserve your spot.

This is all expense paid- flights, airport shuttle, overnight stay on campus, ticket to the game, and meal card included.

For more information contact our GCU College Admission Counselor-Lisa Palmer at 619-672-5866.