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GHS Counselor Connection
November 2023
Thank you, Foothillers!
As we enter a season of gratitude, our team is grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many wonderful students and families. Please read below for important updates and resources. Our team is here to support students and families in the Counseling & Wellness Center on the 2nd floor of the main office. Students may visit during break/lunch, or with a pass from their teachers. Caregivers should contact the counselor to schedule an appointment.
Upcoming Events
College Application Workshops - Let us help you!
Take advantage of this opportunity to work on your college applications with a counselor available for support! Bring your chrome book and drop in during periods 6 or 7, on the following dates in the College & Career Center (Upstairs in the Main Office):
Wed. Nov. 8th
Tues. Nov. 14th
Tues. Nov. 28th (last chance before the CSU/UC deadline)
Upward Bound Information Sessions
Interested in going to college and need assistance? Drop by room 505 (to the right of the library and around the corner) during lunch on Nov. 8th or Dec. 5th to learn more about the Upward Bound program! The program is currently accepting applications from 9th - 12th grade GHS students who are low-income and/or will be the first generation in their family to earn a bachelor's degree. This is an incredible opportunity for students to benefit from free tutoring, mentoring, college fieldtrips, test prep, academic advising, career exploration, scholarship info, and assistance with college and financial aid applications. Please click here for the flyer and check out the GHS Upward Bound website here.
Wednesday, Nov 8, 2023, 12:15 PM
GHS Room 505
NAU College Representative Visit
Students are encouraged to listen for announcements in the bulletin and sign up here to attend college visits with admissions representatives at GHS! Northern Arizona University (NAU) will be here on November 9th during period 1. More colleges will be scheduled soon!
Thursday, Nov 9, 2023, 08:15 AM
GHS College & Career Center
NACAC Virtual College Fair
The National Association for College Admissions Counseling is offering a virtual college fair with hundreds of colleges and universities from all over the country and the world! Students can complete a College Matchmaking Survey to select the attributes most important to them in a college. They will then receive an emailed list of colleges that they may want to visit during the virtual fair. Parents are invited, too. Register here.
Sunday, Nov 12, 2023, 10:00 AM
Virtual
Fieldtrip to SDSU!
Juniors and Seniors: are you interested in attending a field trip to SDSU on November 15, 2023? Stop by the counseling center to pick up a permission slip from Mrs. Otero in Office 159. Permission slips will need to be turned in asap. If you have any questions please stop by or email Mrs. Otero at duotero@guhsd.net.
Wednesday, Nov 15, 2023, 08:00 AM
SDSU (fieldtrip by bus from GHS)
SDSU Virtual Admissions Presentation
Join your admissions counselor to learn about all things SDSU and admissions requirements. Click here for the flyer with zoom link.
Thursday, Nov 16, 2023, 06:00 PM
virtual
Wellness Center
Thank You Veterans and Military Families
Happy Veteran's Day and thank you for your service! Please click here for a list of resources for military families in our community.
Holiday Assistance for GHS Families
The Grossmont High School Educational Foundation has a small Student Assistance Fund, which allows us to assist GHS families in need during the holiday season. If your family is in need of a holiday meal or other assistance, please reach out to your student's counselor. If you would like to donate to the Student Assistance Fund, please visit the Grossmont High School Educational Foundation website. Thank you!
Peer Listening & Peer Mediation Available at GHS!
Students helping students on campus has become woven into our Hiller culture and as such, our Wellness Center is very proud of our Peer Listening program. The program consists of 16 seniors who have been trained extensively in listening skills and conflict mediation. Each period of the day, 2-3 “listeners” are available to students who need a little emotional support or help resolving a conflict. They are a trusted resource on our campus as well. Whether leading an orientation for new students, welcoming new transfer students throughout the year with tours around campus, or teaming up with a peer to ensure they feel connected, they stay busy ensuring a positive school experience for all. Students may request support using this form or by visiting the Wellness Center with a pass from their teachers.
Academic Support & College Preparation
All Grade Levels:
GUHSD Parent Technology Guide
Do you need help with your student's Chromebook, accessing Schoology or Infinite Campus, or communicating with teachers? Click here for the GUHSD Parent Technology Guide. You can obtain a Schoology code from your student's teacher or counselor to view your student's grades, missing work, class materials and more.
SSD Requests for Accommodations on AP/SAT/ACT Exams
Students with disabilities can request accommodations from the College Board or ACT organization. Follow the steps in the link HERE. Please note, it's important to follow the deadlines such as November 17th for the December ACT, January 18th for all AP exams, and Jan. 19th for the March SAT.
Create Your College List
Seniors:
California State University Application Do's and Don'ts
Tips for the Personal Insight Questions on the UC Application
UC applications are due on November 30th! Students, this is your opportunity to let the UC admissions representatives get to know the real you. Think of it like an interview rather than an English essay. You will need to respond in your own voice, with a maximum of 350 words, to each of four out of eight prompts. You should write your responses in a separate document, take time to proofread, revise, ask someone else for feedback, and then paste the final draft into the application. Here are some great resources to help!
UC Website: Personal Insight Questions
Applying for Financial Aid
Have you heard? There is a new FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) - financial aid application - that will be released at the end of December 2023! All seniors need to complete the FAFSA or CADAA (California Dream Act Application) this year whether you are heading to community college, a vocational or trade school, a four-year university - or even if you are not quite sure yet. Counselors will be giving presentations in December to all seniors in their economics classes and we will also have a parent information night for all senior families. Please keep an eye out for future emails and notifications regarding this upcoming important step in the post-secondary planning process!
Requesting Letters of Recommendation
Students who need to request a letter of recommendation from their counselor for colleges or scholarships must complete a brag packet. Click here to download a copy and return it to your counselor. Please allow three weeks notice and keep in mind that counselors do not work during holiday breaks. Letters will be sent directly to the college or scholarship committee. To request a letter of recommendation from a teacher, we have a different form that you may find helpful (optional-click here). Please give your teachers plenty of notice, too.