Counselor Connections
VHS Counseling Department Newsletter - February 2022
Welcome New Vipers!
We have about 35 new students that joined the Viper family this semester! We appreciate everyone welcoming them to Verrado. Go Vipers!
National School Counseling Week & AzSCA Annual Conference
National School Counseling Week is February 7th - 11th. The week brings national recognition for School Counselors and their professional skills, knowledge, and expertise. School Counselors hold a minimum of a master's degree as well as state certification in School Counseling. School Counselors assist students with their academic, career/life, and social/emotional development.
The Arizona School Counselor Association's annual conference provides counselor-specific professional development opportunities. Session topics included: social justice, college & career readiness, mindfulness, trauma informed care, leadership, advocacy, mindsets, best practices and many more. This year's conference is February 6th - 8th. We are always thankful for the opportunity to continue our professional growth!
Your VHS Counselors (below, left to right): Mrs.Faccinto-Cappuccilli, Mr. Pratt, Mrs. Enders, Mrs. Schepker, and Mrs. Hink
Wellness Wednesdays
· For Wellness Wednesday, let’s remember to get some physical activity each day. Whether it be a hike, bike ride, workout at the gym, walk, run, yoga or other type of exercise, let’s get moving! The energy we exert during physical activity can help us release stress, step away from the “noise” of the day, and help our body/mind stay fit.
· It’s Wellness Wednesday! Cognitive distractions are a way we can temporarily shift our focus away from a situation or emotion. If you find yourself in need of a cognitive distraction, here are some you could try:
- How many posters are in the room?
- How many people have short hair?
- What’s the most popular color of shoes/shirts/backpacks in the room?
- How many times can I see the letter “C” in the room?
If you are experiencing a difficult time, please remember your School Counselor is here to help! You can always go to the main Counseling Center (front office area) if you need to meet with us.
2022-23 Course Selection/Registration
Counselors were busy much of January meeting one-on-one with current sophomores and juniors as well as connecting with our incoming freshmen (Class of 2026). We appreciate everyone's understanding regarding the time and focus this takes.
At this time, we are wrapping up with registration.
Later this semester, current students will be given one final chance to review their course requests and request adjustments to their initial requests. After this step, the master schedule and staffing will be determined. There are only a few reasons for which schedule changes can be made after this time so students and parents should be sure to review the course requests this semester.
ECAP/Naviance Requirements ~ Class of 2022
This month's ECAP Advisory lesson for seniors will include access to previous Advisory lessons. This Advisory is February 28th. You can use this information to check that you are up-to-date on your Education and Career Action Plan and on-track for senior checkout. You are responsible for checking that all your requirements are completed.
February is CTE month!
Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares students for a wide range of careers and post-secondary education/training. These careers may require varying levels of education—including industry-recognized credentials, postsecondary certificates, and two- and four-year degrees.
CTE programs are integral part of being “college- and career-ready.” CTE programs combine
academic skills
employability skills
technical skills
At Verrado, we have the following CTE programs/courses:
AP Computer Science: Coding
Digital Photography
Engineering
Film & TV Production
Graphic Design
Live Entertainment Productions/Stagecraft (beginning in 2022-23)
Marketing
Sports Medicine
Verrado students can also apply to West-MEC which offers additional CTE programs. Click here for more information regarding West-MEC programs https://west-mec.edu/central-programs/
Odysseyware
If you are a senior working on a class(es) via Odysseyware that is a graduation requirement, your target completion date is Friday, April 29, 2022. This means all coursework, assessments, and notes are completed. This should ensure everything is graded out and processed in time for graduation ceremonies. Mr. Marks oversees the Odysseyware program on our campus so if you have any questions about the program, be sure to reach out to him at rmarks@aguafria.org. If you have a question about your graduation requirements, talk with your counselor.
Other students utilizing Odysseyware, need to complete all work and assessments in early May. The Odysseyware platform will no longer be used once the school year ends so be sure you finish up your classes.
Did You Know? AZ Professional Skills
"The Arizona Professional Skills are taught as an integral part of all CTE programs. They are recognized by business and industry leaders as being the most critical knowledge and skills necessary to obtain the job, be successful in the job, and advance in any career pathway. They are the result of 11 focus groups conducted around the state by the Arizona Department of Education, Career and Technical Skills Department, working in cooperation with the Arizona CTE Quality Commission, advocates for accountability and excellence in Career and Technical Education." (taken from https://www.azed.gov/cte/profskills)
The nine Professional Standards that were determined to be essential for employability in Arizona are:
Complex communication
Collaboration
Thinking & innovation
Professionalism
Initiative & self-direction
Intergenerational & cross-cultural competence
Organizational culture
Legal & ethical practices
Financial practices
Attending class, working in groups, completing coursework by due dates, classroom interactions with staff and peers, learning, as well as other classroom components help you build and strengthen your professional skills so you are ready for employment during and after high school.
Learn more about the AZ Professional Skills at https://www.azed.gov/cte/profskills.
Learn & Grow in Summer!
The summer months are often a great time for students to explore their potential college options (such as ASU's Barrett Summer Scholars), test-out their career choices (like the UofA's Summer Scrubs Program), strengthen their community by volunteering (for example, with the Maricopa Library System's Summer Reading Program and/or teen events) or working (City of Goodyear summer jobs, https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/goodyear). Whatever interests you, start looking now as many opportunities are posted!
Summer School ~ AFUHSD
By Spring Break, our district should post information on all of our summer school options. If you want to get ahead on credits or need to recover some credits, there is an option for you. You will find information at www.aguafria.org > Parent and Student Resources > Summer School. Be sure to talk with your counselor about the course(s) you want to take! Also, please remember that courses taken outside of our school district's summer program will only be counted toward elective credit so speak with your counselor before registering for another summer school.
Upcoming Events
February 19 (virtual)
March 5, April 9, or April 23 (in person)
Discover NAU Days
https://nau.edu/admission/discover-nau/
March 2 & 3
College Board Real Talk: HBCU Edition
March 7 - 11
Be a Leader's Career Shadow Week
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-be-a-leader-career-shadow-week-tickets-231848484057?aff=ebdsoporgprofile
March 26
Phoenix Zoo Virtual Teen Career Conference
Register at https://www.phoenixzoo.org/events/virtual-teen-career-conference/
April 10
RMACAC Spring College Fair
@ ASU
https://www.rmacac.org/spring-college-fairs
Be sure to check your Remind messages for updated and additional event information. If you have not signed up for our department's Remind messaging, you will find directions on our department's webpage, www.aguafria.org/vhscounseling.