College, Career and Counseling
Canyon High School
DECEMBER 2021
COUGAR COUNSELING NEWS
Dates to Note
Dec 1-Advanced Academic Night @6:00 in the PAC
Dec 6- TAMU visit @ 9:45
Dec 7- Tarleton visit @ 9:45
Dec 7-10- STAAR EOC for absent or retest students from spring/summer
Dec 13-14- TSI for seniors
Dec 17- Early Release Day
Dec 20-Jan 3- Winter Break
Turkey Feather Fundraiser Results: A huge shout out to Cougar Nation for raising almost $2400 to support Canyon students and families in need. Thank you to all who contributed in big and small ways to this first annual fundraiser. The top teams were:
Valdez's Team
Berny's Bomb Students
Gerlach's Crew
Livingston's Class
FACS Flock
Parker's Class
Counseling Department
EA Department
Administration
Front Office
First Semester- Final Countdown: We are in the final days of the first semester. Please review grades with your student- especially projected semester final averages. If they are at risk of failing one or more classes, help them create a plan to bring their average up. Encourage attendance to WIN tutorials and Cougar Academy for help with classes they may need extra support in. Cougar Academy is available in the library every Thursday from 4:45-6:45. This is a great time to makeup any test/quiz that your student has a zero for. Let your teacher know you will be attending and what you need to makeup.
PSAT: Student scores on the PSAT/NMSQT will be available on Monday, Dec 6 in their online student account at studentscores.collegeboard.org. Scores for the PSAT 8/9 are released on a rolling basis after Dec 6. Watch this video to learn what's on your score report.
How to Access Your Scores
If you provided your email address on your answer sheet on test day, you'll receive an email notifying you of when your scores are available.
The email will have a unique access code that will connect you to your scores online. If you haven't already done so, you'll be asked to set up a free College Board account before you can view your scores.
If you didn’t provide an email address on your answer sheet on test day, you can still access your scores online. If you haven't already done so, you'll be asked to set up a free College Board account before you can view your scores.
STAAR EOC (End of Course Exams): December EOC testing is for students who were absent for the STAAR EOC exam last spring/summer or who need to re-test. The testing dates are:
Tuesday, Dec 7- English 1
Wednesday, Dec 8- Algebra 1 and USHistory
Thursday, Dec 9- English 2
Friday, Dec 10- Biology
Semester Exams: First semester exams will be Dec 15-17. See the detailed schedule below. Students can not take an exam early. If they miss an exam, they can take that on Monday, Jan 3 which is a student holiday.
SchooLinks: All students 9th-11th grade have been introduced to the Schoolinks platform by now. As a parent or guardian, you can follow your student’s tasks in SchooLinks with an invitation from your student. See the SchooLinks Onboarding for Guardians guide if you need help with this. Please note that while you will be allowed to see their tasks, you will not be able to participate in their tasks. Encourage your student to explore the many features that Schoolinks has to offer.
Counselors began meeting with students in November to discuss course planning and this will continue through December. Students are mapping out their 4 year plan and thinking about the electives they want to take. We do want to emphasise that this is a ‘plan’ only. Course selection will begin in January- look for more details to come on this.
Credit by Exam: Applications can be found here. Please visit your counselor to register for Credit by exam. Registration Closes on Monday, January 10, 2022.
Testing Dates:
Sat. February 5, 2022 - Canyon Lake High school
Sat. February 5, 2022 - Davenport High School
Sat. February 12, 2022 - Canyon High School
Sat. February 26, 2022 - Smithson Valley High School
Cougar Academy: Free tutoring is available for students who need extra support in a class or need to makeup a quiz or test are encouraged to attend Cougar Academy. Cougar Academy is offered every Thursday night from 4:45-6:45 on campus in the library. A certified classroom teacher for math, social studies, English, science, and foreign language will be available.
NEW to Dual Credit information
COUGAR COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER
Cougar Nation, check out the updated College and Career Center website.
Individual appointments are available for students/parents. Please email Mrs. Conger at robin.conger@comalisd.org if you have any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Next ACT/SAT Testing Dates:
**SAT (register at CollegeBoard)
*December 4
**ACT (register at ACT registration)
*December 11
*CHS is a test center
What's the difference between the SAT and ACT? Check out this comparison.
Important upcoming events:
Throughout the year, we will have virtual/in person college admissions updates available for our juniors and seniors. The list will update often so check the weekly Cougar Connections and listen for announcements. A QR sign up will be available outside the College and Career Center.
Scholarships:
- Coolidge Scholarships: https://coolidgescholars.org
SERVICE CORD INFORMATION: Students can earn a service cord for graduation by engaging in a high level of service to the community. Service cord guidelines, letter of intent, and 2021-2022 log forms are available in the college and career center. HOURS from 2020-2021 year need to be turned in ASAP!!!
Student Job and Internship Opportunities:
SENIORS-CLASS of 2022
- ****ApplyTexas website has changed**** Go to https://goapplytexas.org/ to create your account and work on college applications. This website can be found on the QR code on the handout students received in their English IV class!!!
Important information!!
- December 1, 8, *15 -Workshop Wednesdays-8:10am-10:10am and 3:30-5:15--bring application/essays/resume/letter of recommendation questions and get the help you need to complete college applications or job applications. You are welcome to come and go. *December 15- Finals--8:10-10:10 and 3:00-5:00
- December 6- Texas A&M in person update at 9:45 in the college and career center (open to seniors)
- December 6- Tarleton State University in person update at 9:45 in the college and career center (open to juniors and seniors)
- December 13 and 14-TSI testing for seniors (9:45-12:45 or 1:30-4:30)
SENIOR HOLIDAY TO DO LIST:
At the end of January, the counselors and I will be meeting with students to present them with information on and accessing of local scholarships. To ensure applying to these scholarships is a smooth and easy process, we want them to have the following prepared ahead of time:
Personal Resume
Need to include the following information:
- Name and Contact Information
- Education--list school, GPA, test scores
- Extracurricular Activities--list all activities you participated in throughout high school that are school-related, including any leadership positions
- Community Service--list organizations you have volunteered with
- Work Experience--list any jobs you have had and length of time at the job
- Honors and Awards--list any honors and awards you have received while in high school
Recommendation Letters
You will need 2-3 recommendation letters from teachers or community members that can address with your work ethic, character and academic standing. Make sure it is a generic letter that can be used for multiple scholarships on letterhead from the person’s organization/work. You will keep the originals and make copies as needed.
Essays/Personal Statements
It is helpful to prepare the following essays:
- Personal Statement on why you deserve/need a scholarship. Please do not write in third person. Make it personal to you and brag on yourself. (300-500 words) This essay will be required for most scholarships.
- Community Service Statement--a short essay about your community service experience, the approximate number of hours you volunteered and why it was important to you (150-250 words)
- Leadership Statement--a short essay that speaks to your leadership skills and abilities. It does NOT have to be “I was president of this club” but rather a statement about how and when you have shown leadership abilities. Again, must be very personal. (150-250 words).
- College Transcript Requests - If you are needing a copy of your unofficial transcript, check your Skyward account. To request an official transcript, please click on the following link to request one be sent to the college of your choice: Transcript Request
- Scholarships-
GVEC will be offering scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Students should apply early. There is a separate Trade School application this year for students planning on attending a trade school. Students can access the online application at www.gvec.org. As part of the online application, students will be asked to upload a copy of their high school transcript for the 2021-22 school year. The scholarship application must be submitted online prior to 11:59 pm on Saturday, February 1st, 2022.
- Terry Foundation:https://terryfoundation.org/future-scholars/freshman-scholarship/
- Dell Scholars: https://www.dellscholars.org/
- Jack Kent Cooke Scholarships:https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/
- Coca Cola Scholarships: https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/apply/
- Footlocker Scholarship:https://footlockerscholarathletes.squarespace.com/
- The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation is a great resource for college information and some scholarships. Visit the website at www.mspf.org.
- PEO STAR scholarship is available for senior women. Visit the PEO website for scholarship information and application instructions.
- Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country Scholarships--ses below-open Dec 1-Feb 8
Need help with FAFSA or TASFA?
Parent Education & Empowerment
Each month we will highlight a different topic for parents of teens to hopefully grow in their knowledge and awareness.
Sexting: A 2019 study found that 1 in 4 teens have either sent or received a sext. This can be an uncomfortable topic to address with your teen, but having a proactive conversation is best. Want to know more about sexting and a related concern- sextortion to help start the dialogue? Check out these resources:
Talking about Sexting with your teen Article with overview of topic and links to resources.
Talking to teens about sexting Concise tip sheet with talking points.
Handbook: Sexting Handbook for teen education This is written for teens but provides great information to share and discussion questions to promote dialogue.
Sextortion: What parents should know Short info graphic defining the who, how, and what.
You sent a sext now what? This info graphic is a concise source for help in addressing concerns after an incident has occurred.
Counseling Team
CHS Guidance Counselors:
Brandi Boyd (A - Co) Brandi.Boyd@comalisd.org
Kerri Gamez (Cr-Fl ) Kerri.Gamez@comalisd.org
Natalie Austin (Fo - Jo) Natalie.Austin@comalisd.org
Stephanie Melton (Ju - M ) Stephanie.Melton@comalisd.org
Jennifer Simmons (N - Sc) Jennifer.Simmons@comalisd.org
Michelle Lopez (Se - Z) Michelle.Lopez@comalisd.org
Academic & Career Advisor:
Robin Conger- Robin.Conger@comalisd.org
Campus Student Support Specialist:
Carolina Beletz-Carolina.Navarro@comalisd.org
Alexandra Middleton- Alexandra.Middleton@comalisd.org