VHS Counseling Newsletter
July 21, 2021
Welcome to the 2021-2022 School Year
Today is the first day back for VHS Counselors. Thank you for your patience as we work through the backlog of emails received over the break.
IN THIS NEWSLETTER YOU WILL FIND INFORMATION ABOUT.....
Info for All Students
- Counselor Connection Initiative
- Reminder - check your email regularly!
- Who is my counselor?
- Schedule Change Information and Timeline
- New to Leander ISD Orientation // Aug 9, 5:30p
- First Tour // Aug 10, 4p - 7p
- GPA/Class Rank Update
- TSI Assessment // Jul 30
Senior Section - Class of 2022
- College Application Assistance for Class of 2022
- Transcript Requests for the Class of 2022
- Letters of Recommendation
Staff Contact Information
Counselor Connection Initiative
To meet the needs of students, we are launching a new Counselor Connection Initiative (CC-PIT) for the 2021-22 school year. Grade level groups of students will meet in groups 2-3 times per semester with their OWN ASSIGNED COUNSELOR during PIT. This, in addition to annual individual 1:1 conferences, will ensure at least five designated student/counselor connection points each year.
We look forward to building and strengthening the bonds with our students. More information and the fall semester Counselor Connection – PIT schedule will be sent out soon!
Students - please check your email regularly - it's important!
Who is my counselor?
For the first in maybe EVER, there are no changes to your alpha counselor assignments for next year! See below to confirm who your counselor will be for the 2021-2022 school year.
Kandice Detlefsen, Lead Counselor - A - Bo
Brittany Hernandez - Br - Di
Maureen Wheeler - Do - Harp
Shawna Powell - Harr - K
Charity Escott - L - M
Peggy Morisset - N - Rh
Jennifer Fisher - Ri - St
Melissa Wells - Su - Z
Want to know a little more about your counselor? Click on the Meet Our Team link below and watch our brief "get to know us" video!
Schedule Change Information
The final window to submit change requests for next year's courses is now open. The change window will close on Sunday August 1st at 11:59 pm.
Please note - course requests/schedules are viewable in Home Access Center until July 21 at 12pm.
It is strongly suggested you request your changes before then, or take a screenshot of your requests before visibility is turned off.
Due to the volume of change requests we are processing and other beginning of the year responsibilities, counselors are not able to email course request lists to students/families.
Please access and read the VHS Course Request Verification Guide for information on making changes to your course requests.
Make sure to pay close attention to the closed courses list. There are many courses that are already at capacity. Requests to change into those courses will not be honored, and there will not be any additional notification from your counselor.
Student schedules will be viewable in Home Access Center the week of August 9th. Please take a moment to ensure your HAC login is working. We will send notice when final schedules are viewable - stay tuned!
Timeline for 2021-22 Student Schedules
- Jul 19 // window opens to request changes
- Jul 21 // course requests NO LONGER VISIBLE in HAC (make sure to screenshot your requests before then!)
- Aug 1, 11:59p // final schedule change request deadline
- Aug 3 & 4 // schedule conflict resolution meetings between student/counselor (by invitation via Zoom, more info to come)
- Aug 10, 2p // tentative student schedules viewable in Home Access Center
- Aug 11 // schedule resolution session via Zoom (more info to come)
- Aug 12, 8a // OFFICIAL student schedules viewable in Home Access Center
New to District Orientation // Aug 9, 5:30p
First Tour // Aug 10, 4p - 7p
Who should attend?
- incoming Freshmen
- incoming Sophomores
- new to VHS students (all grades)
- parents welcome!
This is an opportunity to get acquainted with classroom locations, building layout, etc. There will also be a Club Fair happening in Mainstreet during First Tour.
GPA/Class Rank Calculations
Current rank/GPA information can be found in Naviance (updated June 2021).
TSI Assessment // July 30
For more details about the TSI College Readiness standards click here. Test dates, registration instructions and registration link can be found here. Note, the TSI Assessment is always FREE through VHS.
College Application Assistance for Class of 2022
- Texas Tech Application Workshops // multiple virtual sessions offered through August 6th // more information
- College Application Workshop hosted by Austin Regional Counselors // August 4, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM or 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM // Join using this Zoom link, password: arc21
- College Jump Start Office Hours // RSVP here for come & go office hours in the VHS College & Career Center to get your questions answered, feedback on resumes and essays, or just time work on your applications
- Explore our The College Application Process website outlining the steps and instructions you should be following as your prepare your applications and supplemental materials including Letters of Recommendation and Transcripts (more info below)
Transcript Requests for the Class of 2022
Transcript requests for college admissions will begin to be processed on August 1, 2021. Students’ transcript requests are processed and tracked through Parchment. Please use your existing student account to place orders instead of creating new accounts. If the student does not have an account, students can create one by choosing “new learner account.”
Prior to August 1, use your final report card from the 2020-21 school year if you need information about classes completed during your junior year.
If you are choosing to WITHHOLD your class rank, you must send a completed Class Rank Choice Form (pg.4) to Mrs. Stich (Stephanie.Stich@leanderisd.org) BEFORE you submit your transcript request on Parchment.
Letters of Recommendation
Depending on the school to which you are applying, letters of recommendation from your counselor or teacher(s) may be required. Click here and expand the drop-down for detailed instructions to request a letter.
Counselors and Asst. Principals are assigned alphabetically by STUDENT last name
VHS Counselors
Kandice Detlefsen, Lead Counselor - A - BoBrittany Hernandez - Br - Di
Maureen Wheeler - Do - Harp
Shawna Powell - Harr - K
Charity Escott - L - M
Peggy Morisset - N - Rh
Jennifer Fisher - Ri - St
Melissa Wells - Su - Z
VHS Assistant Principals
Jayme Spexarth, Associate Principal - A - B
Nick Asmus - C - Ga
Amanda Wilson - Ge - K
Jeremy Fry - L - O
Brittany Skillern - P - Sh
Suzie Neuenschwander - Si - Z
Additional Staff Contact Information
Christa Thompson-Martin - Dean of Instruction
Kristin Gunter - Special Education Team Lead
Lori Tanner - 504 Coordinator
Sherry Green - IB Coordinator