Counselor's Corner
February 2023 ✾
HERE WE GO!
Let's chat about your future ✨
An important part of ensuring success for every Longhorn is supporting students in the selection of the courses you take during high school and ensuring that the course selection process represents a partnership between students and counselors.
We encourage you to have conversations about your interests, passions, and goals for the future so you feel prepared to make decisions during the course selection process.
Below, you will find more information about course selection, the course catalog and other resources to ensure all Longhorns feel informed throughout this process.
We strive to create learning experiences that are relevant to your lives as Longhorns, while preparing you for life beyond high school. Please visit the course catalog for details of RBV courses offered- we have a wide variety of courses that are tailored to enhance your knowledge and personal ability.
Not sure about the future? 🤷♂️
My Futures Fair will also have representatives from colleges, universities, community colleges, technical schools, postsecondary institutions and the Military who will be available to meet with students and families one-on-one.
All students are welcome! Be sure to REGISTER HERE for updates and more information! 🚀
Do you need to recover credits from previous classes? 📚
SENIORS 🎓
Don’t miss your opportunity to
get financial assistance for college.
- For those attending community college, a 4-year university or career education programs, please be sure to apply for financial aid through the FAFSA or the CADAA. Student's can use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) as one of the forms to apply for financial aid for college.
- Also, The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is another option for financial aid that allows access to all students regardless of immigration status and/or documentation who are interested in attending eligible California Colleges, Universities, and Career Education Programs to apply for state financial aid.
SENIORS: WILL YOU BE ATTENDING COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THE FALL?
Palomar College is located in San Marcos, California. At Palomar, you may choose from over 150 associate degree and certificate programs, complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, train for a career, or enjoy personal enrichment classes for lifelong learning. Click here to apply to Palomar College!
The Palomar Promise, which provides two years of tuition assistance at Palomar, is on a first come first serve basis and requires that students fill out the FAFSA/ CADAA. Applications are still being accepted for the Palomar Promise program for 2023-2024 academic year: Apply Here!
Need assistance?
Palomar Academic Counseling Sessions
Every other Thursdays 12-2pm starting February 9th
Sign up by emailing Sandra Perez Orozco at sperezorozco@palomar.edu (on RBV campus) or feliciatican@palomar.edu (virtual appointments)
INTERESTED IN MIRACOSTA?
MiraCosta College also offers 2 years of free college to students who quality for the MiraCosta Promise. Go ahead, click around, and get to know MiraCosta College a little better! If MiraCosta interests you, be sure to apply as soon as possible.
SENIOR CLASS OF 2023 REMINDERS ✍️
Check your email and college portals regularly for College/Financial Aid updates
Student Aid Report (SAR) - summary of financial aid comes directly from the schools you’ve applied to
Apply for scholarships 💲
Parents or Student employer
Stay updated with scholarships offered to you on our scholarship bulletin! Please see Ms. Oxley our College & Career Center Technician for more information.
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES ☟
February 9┃Palomar Academic Counseling Sessions begin (every Thursday)
February 15-16┃11th Grade Course Selection Lessons
February 17- 21┃President's Day Weekend (Holiday)
February 22-23┃10th Grade Course Selection Lessons
March 1-2┃9th Grade Course Selection Lessons
March 2┃FAFSA/ CADAA Financial Aid Application Priority Deadline
March 6┃Elective Fair
March 9┃Palomar Academic Pathways Workshop
March 27- 31┃Spring Break
April 26┃My Futures Fair
May 1┃College Decision Day
MINDFULNESS ZONE ⋒
Being mindful helps people do better in just about every part of life, like focusing on homework or feeling less stressed out. Practicing mindfulness a little bit every day helps you to build this valuable skill.
Mindful Walking is an exercise that you can do to help you practice mindfulness. As you do this exercise, you will probably find that your mind wanders after a minute or two. That's normal — minds do that. Your job is to gently bring your attention back to the thing you are focused on. The more you practice doing that, the better you train your brain to pay attention.
Mindful Walking
This exercise is about paying attention to how your body moves as you walk slowly.
- To start, pick up one foot and take a step forward, in slow motion. Pay attention to how you naturally keep your balance.
- Now walk in slow motion, step by step. Notice how your arms and legs and feet move. Pay attention to how your knees bend and straighten, as you lift one foot and then the other, nice and slow.
- Breathe in and out, in time with your steps. See if you can keep your attention focused on walking slowly, step by step, as you relax and breathe.
- Whenever your mind wanders, gently guide it back to your s-l-o-w motion moving. Keep breathing, in and out, as you enjoy moving in slow motion.
Your Counseling Team ✼ Helping Students Dream Big! 💫
Counseling Support Staff
Samia Felix︱Counseling Secretary ✉ samiafelix@vistausd.org
Sylvia Oxley︱College & Career Center Technician ✉ rbvcollegeandcareerc@vistausd.org
Carmen Kash︱Registrar ✉ carmenkash@vistausd.org
Lynne Stewart︱Data Coordinator ✉ lynnestewart@vistausd.org
SPOTLIGHT CHATS 🗨️ RBV Counseling Team
Mr. Arciniega
1. What is one of your guilty pleasure foods? Freshly baked bread and Donuts
2. What are some of your hobbies? Mt. Biking, Hiking, Camping, Karate, Basketball, Football, Gardening, Fishing, basically anything outdoors.
3. Favorite song at the moment? Favorite Artist is Bob Marley
4. College/ Universities you attended? CSU San Marcos, Palomar/MiraCosta, SDSU
5. What is a fun fact about you that not many people know about? Grew up in Vista in a farm style community. I had lots of animals to tend to (chickens, cows, ducks, goats, pigeons, dogs, and rabbits)
6. Where is your happy place in California? Home, parents house, and the beach
7. A motto/ phrase you live by? Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain
8. What is your go-to mindfulness activity? Basketball and punching bag
Ms. Morris
2. What are some of your hobbies? I like to cook, outdoor exercise activities (running, walking, hiking), and I like to take care of my fruit trees. I wouldn't say that I like to garden, just take care of my three fruit trees.
3. Favorite song at the moment? Right now, I’m flashing back to high school/college so I’m listening to Depeche Mode, The Cure, Pet Shop Boys, Oingo Boingo, & Erasure
4. College/ Universities you attended? First, CSU Fullerton, then University of Redlands, and lastly, I lived in Mexico to attend the Universidad de Guadalajara to improve my Spanish-speaking abilities.
5. What is a fun fact about you that not many people know about? I thought I was going to be a professional ballerina and auditioned for 4-5 major ballet companies in my late teens.
6. Where is your happy place in California? Definitely, any mountain area (Big Bear, Julian, the Sierra-Nevadas)
7. A motto/ phrase you live by? “Everything comes to you at the right time, be patient.”
8. What is your go-to mindfulness activity? Being active outside (walks, enjoying my backyard, washing my car)
Ms. Ramirez
1. What is one of your guilty pleasure foods? Ice-cream and anything with 'chile y limón'
2. What are some of your hobbies? Hiking, painting, going to the beach and scrapbooking lately
3. Favorite song at the moment? If I had to pick one, I'd go with Sweeter by John Mark Pantana right now
4. College/ Universities you attended? CSU Fullerton & USC
5. What is a fun fact about you that not many people know about? I play auxiliary keys and a little bit of organ
6. Where is your happy place in California? Yosemite National Park & Ocean Beach
7. A motto/ phrase you live by? "Let all that you do be done in love."
8. What is your go-to mindfulness activity? Journaling and doing anything outside in nature
Ms. Smith
1. What is one of your guilty pleasure foods? No one should ever feel guilty about eating!
2. What are some of your hobbies? Surfing, gardening, and anything outside
3. Favorite song at the moment? “No One Knows Me” by Sampha
4. College/ Universities you attended? Cabrillo College, UC Santa Cruz, and San Diego State
5. What is a fun fact about you that not many people know about? I’ve had some really bizarre animal bites: a venomous spider, a raccoon, and a seal!
6. Where is your happy place in California? In the ocean.
7. A motto/ phrase you live by? “Do all that you can with what you have, in the time you have, in the place you are.” - Nkosi Johnson
8. What is your go-to mindfulness activity? Running, stretching, using the Calm app to do short body scans or breathing exercises
Ms. Saltas
1. What is one of your guilty pleasure foods? Just one?! I’m from NY so bagels and pizza go hand in hand. But I also love sweets!
2. What are some of your hobbies? Going on walks, hiking, camping, beachcombing, reading, gardening, listening to music, going to concerts, drinking coffee and people watching. I also love going to the zoo and anything related to animals, like playing and cuddling with my fur babies. Oh yeah, and I’m not sure if this would be considered a hobby but I love gathering with loved ones, eating good food together, and having philosophical conversations.
3. Favorite song at the moment? I don’t have a specific favorite song, but I just got back from Greece so my soundtrack at the moment is Greek music.
4. College/ Universities you attended? State University of New York at Stony Brook, Columbia University, and National University.
5. What is a fun fact about you that not many people know about? Growing up I thought I was going to be a veterinarian. I volunteered at an animal shelter at 14 years old, and they offered me a paid job at 15 which I held through college. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I worked as a veterinary assistant for three years until I finished my graduate program. So I have a lot of experience working with animals.
6. Where is your happy place in California? The beach.
7. A motto/ phrase you live by? The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.
8. What is your go-to mindfulness activity? Going on a walk with my dogs.
Ms. Sando
1. What is one of your guilty pleasure foods? Dark chocolate with almonds, chips, salsa and guacamole
2. What are some of your hobbies? Cardio kickboxing, walking or running along the beach, dancing, going to concerts
3. Favorite song at the moment? I seriously can't think of any, I like all kinds of music and genres
4. College/ Universities you attended? Azusa Pacific University for both my bachelors and masters degrees
5. What is a fun fact about you that not many people know about? I was a cardio kickboxing instructor
6. Where is your happy place in California? North County San Diego and the beach
7. A motto/ phrase you live by? God is within her she will not fall
8. What is your go-to mindfulness activity? Listening to instrumental music or Christian music, exercising, walking in the sand