VHS Counseling March Newsletter
March 2023
IN THIS NEWSLETTER YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION ABOUT....
Snapshot of Important Dates
Junior Specific Info
- School Day SAT // March 1
- Register for College Jumpstart
Senior Specific Info
- ACC Enrollment Support // March 9 & 30
- Mid-Year Reports for College Applications
All Grade Levels Info
Course Selection Info & Timeline
Course Opportunity - Join Vipertech!
Subcampus Program Opportunity // Cosmetology // Deadline March 20
- Off Campus PE Applications // Deadline June 2
- TSI Assessment Opportunities in March
ACC Dual Credit - Enrollment for Summer & Fall 2023 // Deadlines Approaching
- College & Career Center Workshop Series
College & Career Exploration Opportunities
- ASVAB Career Exploration Program
- College Visits for VHS Students
- UT-Austin Black Youth Day // March 4
- HBCU College Fair // March 10
- Applied Research Laboratories Summer Apprenticeship Program
Snapshot of Important Dates
March 1 // School Day SAT
March 7 // ASVAB Career Exploration Program
March 10 // HBCU College Fair
March 13 - 17 // Spring Break // Leander ISD Campuses/Offices Closed
March 20 // Student Holiday/Staff Development
March 24 // Priority Enrollment Deadline for Summer ACC Dual Credit
Junior Specific Info
SAT School Day for Juniors // March 1
On March 1, VHS will administer the SAT test to all 11th grade students. Students should be sure to be at school on this day as there is no make-up opportunity for this FREE administration - no registration required. Information about School Day SAT, including the structure of the test and what to bring on test day can be found here. More information will be shared in the coming weeks. Direct questions about School Day SAT to the VHS Testing Coordinator, Delis Golden (delis.torresfigueroa@leanderisd.org).
Students are responsible for bringing:
Photo ID (school ID, drivers license, passport) as required upon check-in
An approved calculator to use on the math section
Water/snacks to consume during scheduled breaks
Juniors - Register now for College Jump Start!
Access the link below for full details and registration links for sessions in June, July & August.
SENIOR SPECIFIC INFO
Seniors ACC Enrollment Support // March 9 & 30
We encourage seniors to take advantage of monthly ACC Enrollment Office Hours, this month set for Thursday, March 9 and 30. Schedule an appointment for individual support with Mrs. Spradling & our ACC Recruiter, Taylor Borchardt. This is available throughout the semester, but the earlier you start, the better off you'll be for financial aid, scholarships (priority deadline of April 1), and first-dibs when it comes to course registration.
Seniors - Mid-Year Reports for College Applications
The method for submitting a mid-year report will differ based on your method of application for each school.
- Common App - if any of your Common Application schools require a mid-year report, no further action is needed on your part for these schools. Your counselor will submit the report on your behalf once mid-year transcripts become available.
- Coalition - if any of your Coalition schools require a mid-year report, your counselor will upload a mid-year transcript to your Coalition Locker once it is available. You (student) will need to then attach it to your applications.
- School Specific Application - if you applied through a school specific portal and need a mid-year report, you will order a transcript via Parchment. Please be sure to select the "Hold for Grades" option. This will ensure the registrar sends the mid-year transcript to include 1st semester grades.
INFO APPLICABLE TO ALL GRADE LEVELS
Course Selection Info & Timeline
- end of March - course requests will be entered and visible in Home Access Center (HAC)
- April 3 - April 28 at 4:00pm - students will have the opportunity to request changes (instructions will be sent in the April Counseling Newsletter and posted in your Class of 20XX Google classroom)
- July 17 - July 23 at 11:59pm - final window for change requests; no student/parent change requests will be honored after this deadline
- Course selections are a year-long commitment. There will not be changes to elective courses past the final change request deadline of July 23, 2023 (NO CHANGES TO ELECTIVE COURSES AT SEMESTER)
Please see the Course Selection Timeline for detailed information specific to each grade level.
Course Opportunity - Join Vipertech!
Interested in hands-on problem solving and helping others by sharing your technical knowledge?
Vipertech needs YOU! Whether it’s helping students connect to Wi-Fi, repairing laptops, or assisting with technology all over campus, Vipertech students are the front-line defense for any technology battle.
Don’t know a thing about computers? No problem! Vipertech will teach you the skills and give you the tools to succeed. We are looking for individuals who are excited to jump in at the opportunity to help, sharpen their people-skills and tackle technology “down-time.”
Subcampus Program Opportunity - Cosmetology
Leander ISD students have the opportunity to enroll in various specialized programs at other district high schools if the program is not available on the home campus. These programs have limited availability, and some are subject to prerequisite course requirements. The Cosmetology program at Leander HS is currently accepting enrollment requests.
Click here to submit an enrollment request for the Cosmetology Program. The enrollment request and due date for the information packet for Cosmetology is March 20, 2023. Do not delay, as several of the packet items require 1-2 weeks processing time.
Off Campus PE Applications // Deadline June 2
Current Vandegrift students wishing to pursue OCPE for the 2023-2024 school year should turn in their OCPE applications directly to the district office using the Off Campus PE Application Submission form by June 2, 2023 at 4 p.m.
This is a firm district set deadline - no late applications will be accepted.
Please see the LISD OCPE website for information, application, and more.
TSI Assessment Opportunities in March
ACC Dual Credit - Enrollment for Summer & Fall 2023
Students planning to continue taking dual credit coursework (returning students) should start scheduling individual meetings with Mrs. Spradling to plan for 2023-24 courses (summer/fall/spring semesters).
Students new to ACC should be working through Enrollment Steps 1-4 and registering to take the TSI Assessment if needed. Information was presented to all sophomores during the school day, and was included with the sophomore parent webinar last semester. If you missed it and want to learn more, check out the College & Career Website for program details.
Both new and returning students are required to set up an individual meeting with Mrs. Spradling by the following priority deadlines in order to ensure accounts are activated/cleared for on-time registration:
- March 24 for summer semester classes
- April 28 for fall semester classes
College & Career Center Workshop Series
Workshops details and registrations links can be found on the CCC Workshop Series website. Upcoming workshops include:
- Drafting a College Resume // March 6
- Get a head start NOW! Guide to completing the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) // March 27
- Essay Brainstorming // April 3
- Deciphering Degree Plans and Transfer of AP & Dual Credit // April 17
College & Career Exploration Opportunities
ASVAB Career Exploration Program // March 7
The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is a FREE test available to interested 10th-12th grade students. The ASVAB program facilitates career planning and exploration, combining a multiple-aptitude test with an interest self-assessment and a wide range of career exploration tools. The test is open to any student who simply is wanting more career guidance, but is a requirement for students interested in pursuing military options. NOTE: LISD does not release scores to the military; students pursuing the military are responsible for sharing their scores.
The test will take place on Tuesday, March 7 (B-day). Testing will take place in the VHS Lecture Hall from 8:15 AM - 11:54 AM. REGISTER HERE.
College Visits for VHS Students
Click here to access the College Visit Calendar and instructions for registration.
UT Austin's Black Youth Day // March 4
Date: Saturday, March 4, 2023
Location: Engineering Education and Research Center, 2501 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712
Drop off: 9:30 - 10 AM
Event: 10 AM - 2:30 PM
Pick up: 2:30 - 3:00 PM
Black Youth Day is a daylong event for students in grades 8-11 to learn about engineering through hands-on activities led and taught by students within their own community. Hosted by the National Society of Black Engineers UT Chapter and the Cockrell School of Engineering's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office and held on the UT Austin campus, Black Youth Day aims to promote engineering where it hasn't been promoted before in a way that allows participants to see others with the same identity, hoping to show students that they have a community within a Predominantly White Institution (PWI).
The event is geared for high school students in the greater Austin area in grades 8-11 who are interested in the field of engineering. We want students to start thinking about their futures now and show those who come from underrepresented populations have a supporting community within the Cockrell School. Activities include a panel of Black engineers and UT students, geocaching and scavenger hunt, and hands-on experiments and activities.
ALL STUDENTS are welcome at this learning event hosted by the National Society of Black Engineers.
Parents: to register your student(s), CLICK HERE and then choose "New Account - Start Registration"
HBCU College Fair // March 10
HBCU Battle of the Brains, the National Football League (NFL), and 100 Black Men of Austin will host a free HBCU College Fair at the Austin Public Library’s Special Events Center (710 W Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701) on Friday, March 10, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Central.
This event allows 6th through 12th graders and parents/guardians to learn more about our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 40+ HBCU representatives and local college admissions leaders will be present to discuss completing the FAFSA form, resume and application needs, essay and interview prep, independent scholarships, and more.
Graduating in 2023? Bringing transcripts, test scores, and resumes for on the spot college acceptances.
This event is open to the public and is FREE for attendees.
If you have any questions, or if your HBCU wants to participate, contact Alexis Johnson at communications@hbcubattleofthebrains.com.
For additional information on the HBCU Battle of the Brains, please visit hbcubattleofthebrains.com.
Applied Research Laboratories Summer Apprenticeship Program // Due March 10
Each summer Applied Research Laboratories, a component of The University of Texas at Austin, sponsors a Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program for high school graduates who will be attending a 4-year college or university in the next fall semester, and who have applied to UT Austin. Preference is given to students attending UT Austin, and whose intended majors are electrical, mechanical and aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, and computer science.
This program, which began in 1982, involves summer employment at Applied Research Laboratories in northwest Austin and provides a "hands-on" introduction to research and development. This is a competitive, 9-week summer program for graduating seniors, offering a salary of $19.00 an hour. This prestigious group of students also write reports that are published and widely distributed at the end of their summer term.
Application deadline is March 10, 2023 // details & application