Sophomore Happenings
Important Upcoming Events/Timelines for 10th Grade
CURRENT 10TH GRADE STUDENTS & PARENTS/GUARDIANS
COUNSELOR CONNECTION - WHAT'S YOUR ENDGAME? PRESENTATION
Why the focus on post-secondary planning right now? It's already time to begin the course selection process for junior year. We want to make sure that students are "beginning with the end in mind" and thinking about which courses/pathways will help them get to their Endgame!
KEY UPCOMING COURSE SELECTION EVENTS
November 8 & 9 // Dual Credit Overview (for students, through science classes)
November 9 // 10th Grade Parent/Guardian Info Webinar + ACC Overview, 5:30p // Register here // password: Vipers
November 14 & 15 // Counselor Connection Course Selection Overview (for students, through world history classes)
November 29 - December 4 // 10th Grade Individual Student/Counselor Conferences (for students, during world history classes)
Please read on for detailed information on each of these important events!
Click here for the full Course Selection Timeline for additional dates and descriptions of events.
COURSE SELECTIONS FOR THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR
The time is here to choose our courses for next school year. Below is the timeline of activities to support families during this process. Though there will be opportunities to adjust course requests in the future, it is important that students be thoughtful and intentional in the course decisions they are making right now. Why?
- Choosing accurately during the initial choice window provides the highest likelihood of being placed in the classes you want.
- Staffing decisions for next school year are already underway. Teachers are hired based on the courses students have said they will be taking.
- Scheduling decisions are already in process. Our master schedule team works to build a schedule with the fewest scheduling conflicts based on the course selections that students submit RIGHT NOW!
- Course selections are a year-long commitment. There will not be changes to elective courses past the final change deadline (to be determined by the district). NO CHANGES TO ELECTIVE COURSES AT SEMESTER.
ALL 10TH GRADE PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR
All 10th grade parents/guardians are invited to attend an informational webinar on Thursday November 9 at 5:30pm. We will cover information regarding:
- graduation requirements
- four-year planning
- ACC dual credit program
- course selection process
The webinar will be recorded and posted following the presentation.
PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR // RECORDINGS AVAILABLE
An informational webinar was held November 10 for parents and guardians.
Access the Course Selection Webinar Recording here.
Access the ACC Dual Credit Informational Webinar Recording here.
Access the Course Selection Slides here.
Access the ACC Dual Credit Slides here.
SOPHOMORE COURSE SELECTIONS AND COUNSELOR CONFERENCES
Counselors will be meeting with 10th grade students in November to begin the course selection process for the 2023-24 school year.
- November 8 & 9 // Dual Credit Overview
- November 14 & 15 // Counselor Connection Course Selection Overview
- November 29 - December 4 // 10th Grade Individual Student/Counselor Conferences
Sophomore/Counselor Conferences will take place between November 29 - December 4 during students' world history class period.
During Sophomore/Counselor Conferences, students will have a brief individual check-in with their counselor and will submit their initial course selections for next school year. We encourage parents and students to have conversations about course selection prior to the student's scheduled meeting time.
** While there will opportunities to update course requests, finalizing your requests as early as possible provides the highest likelihood of being placed in the classes you want.**
*If you are a sophomore who is not currently enrolled in World History, please email your counselor so that we may schedule you into one of the World History class periods on presentation/conference days.*
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) INFORMATION SESSION // RECORDING AVAILABLE
Is your sophomore considering pursuing the IB Diploma?
The IB Diploma Program is a rigorous, internationally recognized high school curriculum for 11th and 12th grade students. IBDP graduates are well-rounded, critical thinkers with strong communication and research skills.
Parents and students can find program information in this brochure, or on the VHS IB Website.
An informational webinar will also be held November 13th at 5:30pm for parents and guardians. Students are also welcome to join the webinar.
Don't Forget!! PSAT For 10th & 11th Grades // October 24
All 10th and 11th Grade students will take the PSAT exam in person on October 24th. There is no registration necessary for this exam. The PSAT will begin at 8:15 AM and end at approximately 11:30 AM. There is no make-up date, so please be sure to avoid scheduling conflicts!
All 10th and 11th grade students are strongly encouraged to take the PSAT as it prepares them for the SAT. The PSAT can also be used as a qualifier for ACC Dual Credit courses and allows juniors to compete for the National Merit Scholarship program. Read more about the advantages and importance of taking the PSAT here.
More Than a Teacher offers practice tests and test prep classes, while Khan Academy offers free online SAT prep.
**See the VHS October Newsletter for links to test prep resources and more information.**
Need to Get In Touch?
VHS Counselors
Kandice Detlefsen, Lead Counselor - A - Bo
DeAngelo Freeman - Br - Ep
Becca Ramirez - Er - H
Charity Escott - I - Ma
Peggy Morisset - Mc - Po
Shawna Powell - Pr - Sti
Melissa Wells - Sto - Z
VHS Assistant Principals
Jayme Spexarth, Associate Principal - A - Bo
Becky Azard-Jackson - Br - Fo
Jeremy Fry - Fr - Ke
Parrish McEwen - Kh - Ne
Collin Fletcher - Ng - Si
Amanda Toon - Sk - Z