The Student Services team is excited to share with you our monthly newsletters for the 2022-2023 academic year! As we continue to look for ways to share important information with our Viking Family, we hope that this newsletter assists you throughout the school year. Our school counselors and social workers look forward to bringing you the latest and greatest from graduation information to college and career highlights. Any questions on what you find here? Please see our contact information at the bottom!

Attention Seniors! As your Fall Meetings have concluded, we wanted to share a few reminders...

• Don't forget to review your Senior Fall Packet - information on the college application process is in there! Remember, students/parents are responsible for deadlines on applications, scholarships, NCAA requirements, and your individual college's requirements.
• Make sure to thoroughly research each of your prospective colleges' requirements - all schools are different.
• Don't wait until the last minute to request transcripts, recommendation letters, or submitting any application materials - Priority Application Deadline is November 1st, so you should have all items submitted 2 weeks prior to this date - October 15th - to allow ample time for staff members to complete recommendation letters and transcript requests
• High school graduation comes first! Remember to review your graduation requirements, make sure you are on track, and keep your grades up. Colleges will eventually see your final transcripts.
• Make sure to watch all video links/steps to the Common App & Naviance parts of your application from your counselor. Many of your questions can be answered by first reviewing these important items.
• Don't forget scholarships! You can start applying for national scholarships now on Naviance, but most local scholarships will open at the end of January.
• Any other questions before you submit your materials? Email your counselor to set up a time to meet!

Helpful Links:

Sending SAT Scores to Colleges:

https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/scores/send-scores-to-colleges/sending-scores

Sending AP Scores to Colleges:

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/sending-scores

Sending ACT Scores to Colleges:

https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/sending-your-scores.html

Application Video: http://www.screencast.com/t/gxEQkElyo1

Transcript Video: https://www.screencast.com/t/Eibj9gqU

Attention all juniors - your Fall Meeting is occurring this month with your assigned counselor. Please look out for a pass and make sure to stop by during your assigned time! We will be reviewing your graduation requirements, SAT information and post-secondary plans.

Attention all sophomores - your Fall Meeting will be occurring between late October through the month of November with your assigned counselor. Please look out for a pass and make sure to stop by during your assigned time! We will be reviewing your graduation requirements and post-secondary plans.

If you are interested in taking the SAT or ACT at VHS, please register at the below links:

SAT - October 1st @ VHS - https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration

November 5th @ Portage HS - https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration

ACT - October 22nd @ VHS - https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html

December 10th @ Portage HS - https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html

Free SAT Prep Available for November and December Testers

Schoolhouse.world, from the founder of Khan Academy, is offering free online tutoring for students who are taking the SAT in November and December. Please make your students aware of this unique opportunity to prepare for the SAT this fall.

• What are the SAT Bootcamps? The Schoolhouse SAT Bootcamps are a four-week long tutoring series and research study to help students prepare for the upcoming SAT. Sessions take place twice a week (75 minutes per session) and students have the flexibility to select the dates & times that best fit their schedule based on the bootcamps available.
• What is covered? Students will learn from a certified peer tutor in a cohort of up to 10 other students throughout the bootcamp. During sessions, students will practice multiple full length SAT practice tests and get personalized support for the most challenging questions & concepts.
• When are they happening? We are currently offering bootcamps to help prepare for the November and December SATs. The November SAT Bootcamp will run from October 8th to November 4th and the December SAT Bootcamp will run from November 5th to December 2nd.
• Why should I participate? These bootcamps are 100% free and have proven highly effective! Students who participated in previous bootcamps experienced a 90+ average score increase across both sections. In addition, learners have reported an increase in content understanding and testing confidence (hear it directly from our learners, Setareh and Kavish).
• How do I sign up? Visit this link to enroll in an SAT Bootcamp! Registrations for the November bootcamp close on October 6th - spots may fill up quickly so sign up soon.

Please save the date for Military Night which will be held in the VHS cafeteria on October 20th. The event will begin at 5:30 pm. Representatives from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines will be at the event to answer questions for parents and students regarding the careers, scholarships, and programs available in the armed services.

The ASVAB will be given on October 14th for seniors needing to complete Box 3 of the Graduation Pathway requirements. A score of 31 is needed for a passing score. Students can utilize the free Army ASVAB app to study for the test by downloading it. In addition, students can take practice tests to prepare themselves at Asvabtutor.com. Also, the website www.march2success.com is an interactive online test preparation system that can be utilized as well for review. Please check your email and Canvas for upcoming test information!

Each month, we will be highlighting a career from our student's Naviance account. This month, we are featuring the role of a cosmetologist! Below, learn more about what this career entails and check out your Naviance account for more information!

Role: Cosmetologist

Required Schooling/Training: 2 year college and/or technical school

Skills Needed: exceptional customer service, critical thinking, multitasking, marketing/sales, ability to learn new techniques quickly, appreciation for the arts and design

Median National Salary: $24,850

Education Near Me:

• Paul Mitchell School, Merrillville
• Don Roberts School of Hair Design, Schererville
• Tricoci University of Beauty Culture, Highland

Attention Seniors! Remember to visit your Naviance account and click on "Scholarship Search" for new scholarships.

Scholarships Available on Naviance:

• Coca Cola Scholarship... due 10.31
• Heisman High School Scholarship... due 10.18
• Accountability and Morality Scholarship... due 10.31
• 
  

*Applicants are solely responsible for the directions listed for each scholarship!

Register at this link: https://www.infinitescholar.org/student-registration

*Under the "Scholarship Fair you plan to Attend", select Gary, IN October 18, 2022

Please see below information regarding a program put on by Women in Bloom of Valparaiso. Any girls interested in attending must register using the link:

Join us for our first Brand Called Me event to enlighten and empower young women and help them establish goals toward achieving their vision of what they want to be someday. We will introduce young women to career options including both traditional and non-traditional career choices. Breakout sessions with other peers and mentors, goal-planning, branding yourself, and other fun activities are planned. Tickets are free. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Location TBA. 9-2pm.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-brand-called-me-tickets-430806663327

Bullying Presentations

The VCS Social Services team will conduct the state required bully prevention presentations with students in October. Our bully prevention presentation is based on information and guidelines from the Indiana Department of Education.

Personal Safety Presentations

Our VCS Social Services team will begin the state required personal safety presentations with students in October. Personal safety information provided to students is gathered from evidence-based programs for our students. As is our practice each year, more information about these personal safety programs will be sent to families prior to implementation. This will include an opportunity to opt-out of this curriculum, if appropriate for your child.

Each year the VCS Social Services team offers a Holiday Assistance Program. This program helps families have a happy holiday season by providing gifts for children. Look for information to come out in October about how to participate as a recipient or as a donor who shops for a specific child or children.

https://www.in.gov/doe/students/graduation-pathways/

https://www.in.gov/doe/files/core-40-and-honors-diploma-summary-class-2016-updated-june-2018.pdf

VHS SCHOOL COUNSELORS

(A - CU) Mr. Dan McKibben - dmckibben@valpo.k12.in.us

(CV - HOL) Mrs. Jessica Kus - jkus@valpo.k12.in.us

(HOM - MILK) Mrs. Sarah Deakin - sdeakin@valpo.k12.in.us

(MILL - SCHV) Mrs. Tori McCaleb - tMcCaleb@valpo.k12.in.us

(SCHW - Z) Mrs. Kari Owney - kowney@valpo.k12.in.us

(V.A.L.E. Students) Ms. Gordana Sormaz - gsormaz@valpo.k12.in.us

VHS SOCIAL WORKERS

(A-L) Ms. Natalie Miller - nmiller@valpo.k12.in.us

(M-Z) Mrs. Jody Kristoff - jkristoff@valpo.k12.in.us