COUNSELOR CONNECTION
La Canada High School
DAILY LCHS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Can't hear the PA Announcements in class? Did you know that all of the announcements are posted on the school website? Just go to the Student Portal on the upper left corner of the website, then "PA Announcements" on the right gold bar. (Or, you can click here for the link.) Stay informed and never miss an announcement again!
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
NEW POST: ATHLETIC UPDATES
BOYS GOLF MEETING:
Is your son interested in playing High School Boys Golf? There will be a parent and interested player meeting TONIGHT November 15th in the IRC at 6:30 PM.
GIRLS LACROSSE MEETING:
Is your daughter interested in playing High School Girls Lacrosse? There will be a parent and interested player meeting on Thursday, November 17th in the IRC at 7 PM.
Athletic Update
If you are planning to play a spring sport, and you have not yet been cleared through the Athletic Office, please visit the Athletic Website ASAP and complete the process listed on the Clearance Tab, The site is http://www.lacanadaspartanpride.net/
NEW POST: WINTER FORMAL
Winter Formal ticket sales start this week! Prices are $60 with ASB and $65 without. Don’t forget your ID card! Get asking and get excited!
NEW POST: Support LCHS Class of 2020 THIS THURSDAY!
Eat out at Blaze Pizza this Thursday, November 17th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. to support your ASB and LCHS Class of 2020! 20% of proceeds goes directly to the LCHS Freshmen Class.
NEW POST: SUPPORT YOUR LCHS MARCHING SPARTANS THIS THURSDAY!
Come to the LCHS Marching Spartan’s friends and family show this Thursday at 7:30pm on the football field. It is your last chance to see their 2016 program and support them before championships this weekend!
NEW POST: SUPPORT LCHS SPANISH CLUB THIS FRIDAY
Hola chicos! Come to Blaze Pizza this Friday, November 18th, from 2-6 pm to support Spanish Club. We will be handing out flyers during lunch and break on Thursday and Friday in the quad, but you can also get them in the Mrs. Price’s room # 125. All those who attend will be given 5 participation points provided that you submit a WRITE UP in Spanish of about 7-10 lines discussing your experience in Blaze Pizza. We hope to see you there!
NEW POST: POWDER PUFF FOOTBALL GAME THIS FRIDAY
Thank you to Powder Puff Football captains Tyler Breneman, David Vardanian, Tyler Rubendall and Raffi Hairapetian and coordinator Reece Damron for decorating 7-year-old cancer and Down Syndrome patient Alonzo’s room at UCLA Medical Center on Saturday. He loves playing in his new superhero room! If you see them in the hallways, give them a high five and thank them for representing LCHS this last weekend. Please continue to support them and come to the Powder Puff game here on Friday, December 2nd. The pep rally is at 3pm and the game starts at 3:30pm. Tickets are $5 and it all goes to kids in the hospital. See you there!
UC Riverside Department of Physics & Astronomy Open House
The Fall 2016 Physics Open House will take place this Saturday, November 19, 2016.
Location: UCR Physics Department
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Parking: FREE!
Click here for more information.NEW POST:
LCHS Yearbook Ad Deadline - December 15
Please show your support for our school by placing a business ad in our Omega Yearbook. It is easy to do! Please click on the link attached and follow the simple directions. The deadline for submissions is December 15. http://adeaze.net/lacanadahsbiz/
Math Tutoring Available
Math support is available on campus every Wednesday after school by Ms. DiFiore in Room 213. (2:45-4:00). Tutoring is open for all math levels.
SAT/ACT Testing Dates
Click below for important SAT and ACT dates and deadlines.
2016-2017 SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines
Freshman Forum
Follow Link Crew this year!
Instagram: @LCHSlinkcrew / Snapchat: LClinkcrew / Twitter: LCLinkcrew
Remind 101 Counseling Text Reminders
- If you would like to receive text reminders and valuable information from your counselor this year, text @yourcouns to 81010 to join the Freshman Forum Remind 101.
SOPHOMORE SCENE
NEW POST: SAT, PSAT, ACT and Subject Tests - A Primer For Beginners
Colleges admissions testing typically begins in the junior year. Come to STEP tomorrow, Wednesday, Nov. 16 or Thursday, Nov. 17, in the IRC for information about each test, when to take it, and how to register for them. Sophomores sign up in the counseling office.
Summer Seminar Opportunity for Rising Juniors
Telluride Association Sophomore Seminar (TASS) Opportunity: TASS is a free academic opportunity for sophomores (rising juniors) to participate in a challenging, six-week summer seminar and shape a dynamic African American learning community. The Telluride Association seeks intellectually curious, public-spirited young people from a wide variety of life experiences and backgrounds. They focus on applicants' intellectual promise, interpersonal awareness, and leadership, not on traditional measures of academic performance. It is co-sponsored by Cornell University and the University of Michigan. At each TASS, 12 to 18 students live together in a residence hall at the host university and participate in a seminar led by two professors. Seminar topics vary from year to year within the fields of critical Black and ethnic studies.
If you are interested in being nominated for this opportunity or would like more information, see Mrs. Rogers in the counseling office. Nominations are due no later than November 30th. We will nominate all interested students. Nominees will be given the application information and students will then apply directly to the TASS program.
NEW POST: ASB OPPORTUNITY
Hi Sophomores! Ever dreamed of planning prom? Now’s your chance! Pick up a Prom Commissioner Application in room 125 (Senora Price’s room). Applications are due Friday, December 2nd. See Emma, Lexi, or Sophie if you have any questions!
Remind 101 Counseling Text Reminders
- If you would like to receive text reminders and valuable information from your counselor this year, text @yourcoun to 81010 to join the Sophomore Scene Remind 101.
JUNIOR JUNCTION
SAT, PSAT, ACT and Subject Tests - A Primer For Beginners
Colleges admissions testing typically begins in the junior year. Come to STEP Wednesday, Nov. 16 or Thursday, Nov. 17, in the IRC for information about each test, when to take it, and how to register for them. Juniors please sign up in Naviance for these workshops- click here for directions: How to sign up for STEP classes on Naviance
or see your counselor if you need help signing up.
COLLEGE PLANNING APP:
Students can now get college planning advice and guidance right from their phones, with the College Board’s CollegeGo mobile app. The app is available for free in the Apple and Google Play stores.The app guides students through the essential steps they need to take in order to find, apply to, and attend the right college for them. The interactive, step-by-step platform uses game, video, and search features to help students plan their college journey.
Remind 101 Counseling Text Reminders
- If you would like to receive text reminders and valuable information from your counselor this year, text @juniorjun to 81010 to join the Junior Junction Remind 101.
SENIOR STOP
NEW POST: NOVEMBER/DECEMBER BREAKDOWN:
Applications accepted by the UC and CSU Systems beginning November 1st, deadline is November 30th. Apply online at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions or www.csumentor.edu
Make sure you’ve sent ALL supplemental materials to any early action/early decision schools (test scores, transcripts, portfolios, letters of rec., etc.) and that you have set up interviews at schools that allow them.
Observe all college application deadlines. Use Naviance to track your applications, or you may opt to try a spreadsheet or Google doc, such as this one or this one.
Start gathering financial aid information for your colleges. Check whether the private schools you’ve applied to use the “CSS Profile” (more info on www.cssprofile.org). Continue working on your FAFSA. If you have not started, create your Federal Student Aid ID for FAFSA by visiting the FSA ID website: https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm.
Plan to submit all applications before Winter Break. Remember, many colleges have a January 1 deadline. You will not be able to reach teachers, your counselor or anyone in the LCHS office during the Winter Break if you have forgotten to request letters of recommendation or transcripts.
Are you considering attending Pasadena City College in the fall of 2017?
On Tuesday November 29th, admission representatives and student ambassadors from PCC will be on campus offering an application workshop for students planning on attending PCC in fall 2017. Students will be given a step-by-step workshop and directed to complete the application for fall 2017 admissions. Students are encouraged to submit their application on November 29th to be considered for the Pathways program which guarantees students their freshman year courses. The workshop will start promptly at 7:30AM and end at 8:30AM. The workshop will be held in the IRC downstairs.
* To attend the PCC application workshop, please log-in to your Naviance account. Please sign up as if attending a college visit: Naviance - College Tab - College Visits - then select the PCC application workshop and sign up.
NEW POST: “10 Most Common Senior Year Mistakes” -Campus Explorer.com, 2015
Senior year is the time to have fun and cherish your remaining moments in high school. It is not, however, the time to shirk your responsibilities or forget about how important your classes are. Things such as the homecoming dance, prom and other activities should be highlights of your senior year, but continuing to do well in your classes should still be a priority. According to the article, “Balance is key: Take breaks to recharge and have fun, but don’t let senioritis overtake you and make your college options slip away” (Campus Explorer, 2015). Please click here to read the full article: 10 Most Common Senior Year Mistakes
Common mistakes to avoid as you are finishing up your college applications:
If you applied early action or early decision, don’t wait on the results before completing your remaining applications.
Do not slack-off in your classes. Colleges offer a “provisional” acceptance, meaning that they expect you to finish each semester of your senior year with similar grades to those you have earned in the past. They can rescind (meaning “revoke” or “cancel”) their offer if you do not finish the same way you started.
Do not send materials that the college did not ask for. Everything they need to review your file was included in their application instructions.
DO make sure to spell check and proofread your applications before hitting submit.
DO keep track of the date/time that you submit your applications and follow up over the next few days to ensure that all of your materials were received. Note that supplemental materials such as transcripts and test scores can take a few weeks to get matched to your account.
For more do’s and don’ts, please review the following articles:
A special note from the Omega Yearbook Staff
Dear Senior Parents,
We are writing to you from the Omega Yearbook Staff. As we prepare for the release of our yearbook in May, we would like to offer you the opportunity to create a tribute to your child that
will be featured in our yearbook. You can send in photos and messages for your seniors to see
as graduation nears. We hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to honor your future graduates. Please follow the link below to order your dedication:
http://adeaze.net/lacanadahs/
Thank you,
The Omega Yearbook Staff
If you have any questions, you can call our advisor Gayle Nicholls Ali at (626) 688-0310.
NEW POST: Upcoming College Visits*:
November 17: Pasadena City College
November 17: Maryland Institute College of Design (MICA)
November 18: Glendale Community College (in the quad during lunch!)
November 29: Pasadena City College Application workshop
December 1: Woodbury University
SAT/ACT Testing must be completed by the December Test Dates. Make sure you have sent your previous scores to the colleges to which you have or will be applying to, and/or informed colleges about a planned December test date.
*For the extended list of visits, please log-in to your Naviance account. Visit sign-ups will take place through Naviance. Please remember to ask your teacher in advance, prior to the visit. When you sign up on Naviance you will be prompted to print a permission slip, available in the document library. You MUST bring the signed permission slip with you to the visit in order for it to be an excused absence.
Important Dates and Events:
October 1 (ongoing): FAFSA submission begins online→ www.fafsa.ed.gov
November 1-30: Be sure to track your application deadlines carefully, especially any Early Action or Early Decision II deadlines
November 1: Was the last day to pay for transcripts for EA/ED applications. Please pay your transcript fees ASAP if you have not done so already.
November 4: Was the last day to see your counselor to request a letter of recommendation and transcripts (i.e. “The Counselor Report” or “Secondary School Report”). Contact your counselor ASAP if you did not sign up for a meeting.
November 19: UC Riverside Discover Day
November 29: Pasadena City College Pathways application workshop for Fall 2017 admissions.
November 30: UC Applications Due
November 30: CSU Applications Due
December 1: USC Scholarship Deadline
December 1: Last day to opt-out of Cal Grant GPA submission
December 1: Last day to pay for transcripts for all other/regular decision applications
NEW POST: UPCOMING SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES
Elks National Foundation - Pasadena Elks is offering 6 - $1000 scholarships.
Apply through www.elks.org and you are also eligible for the top two $50,000.00 awards.
Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarship - deadline is December 5th winner receives $5000 for school and $5000 to their favorite charity. Award is based on students ongoing work to fight hunger.
Milkin Scholars - counselor nominated scholarship - Requirements are: 3.6 GPA, 1250 SAT, 28 ACT, active participant in the community, leadership, need-based. See your counselor for more information. Due date is December 9th
Burger King McLamore Foundation Scholarship - up to $50,000.00 deadline is December 15th
AXA Achievement Scholarship - $2,500, $10,000 or $25,000 deadline December 15th
Footlocker Scholar Athlete - $20,000 Deadline December 16th
NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award - Apply by December 18th
Check out Naviance for more information on these and many other scholarships available.
College/Career Resources
8 Tools & Resources for Writing The Best Scholarship Essays
PARENT ACTION PLAN FOR SOPHOMORE COLLEGE/CAREER PLANNING:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/for-parents/parent-action-plan-10th-grade
COLLEGE PLANNING APP:
Students can now get college planning advice and guidance right from their phones, with the College Board’s CollegeGo mobile app. The app is available for free in the Apple and Google Play stores.The app guides students through the essential steps they need to take in order to find, apply to, and attend the right college for them. The interactive, step-by-step platform uses game, video, and search features to help students plan their college journey.
Handouts from the Oct. 12th Financial Aid Night: To download the handouts, please click here.
FAFSA Submission Deadlines:
From the FAFSA Website (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
Deadlines 2017-2018
State Deadline
California - For many state financial aid programs – March 2, 2017 (this is the deadline for FAFSA submission with Cal Grant consideration. Students are encouraged to apply no later than this date).
Federal Deadline
Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, 2018.
Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time, September 15, 2018.
Students are encouraged to submit early (no later than March 2), as federal deadlines fall far later than the state deadline.
College Deadline
Check with the college(s) you are interested in attending. You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline - whether it is the date the college receives your FAFSA, or the date your FAFSA is processed. Some colleges will be looking for FAFSA submission as early as October/November. When in doubt, submit early.
Additional Financial Aid Information/Tips:
Cal Grant also requires submission of a school certified GPA by March 2, 2017 (LCHS does this automatically → for more info, see below). For additional community college Cal Grants - deadline September 2, 2017 (date postmarked).
If you are a non-citizen holding a Social Security card issued through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or for some other work authorization, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application found at www.caldreamact.org. Do NOT fill out a FAFSA. Contact the California Student Aid Commission (www.csac.ca.gov) or your financial aid administrator for more information.
Additional forms may be required (such as the CSS Profile → more information below).
Applicants are encouraged to keep a record of their submission by printing out their online FAFSA confirmation page or obtaining proof of mailing the FAFSA.
With the implementation of Assembly Bill 2160, California public high schools are required to submit a Cal Grant high school Grade Point Average (GPA) for all graduating seniors, unless the student has opted-out of the submission process.
Cal Grant gives funds to every eligible senior student who meets the requirement. A Cal Grant pays for tuition, room and board, or books and other supplies for California colleges. Cal Grant applicants must also file the FAFSA or the California Dream Act application between October 1 and March 2.
If you DO NOT wish to have your student’s information submitted electronically, you must complete the opt-out form (attached below) and return to:
Beth Waas, Registrar
La Canada High School
4463 Oak Grove Drive
La Canada, CA 91011
This form must be returned by December 1, 2016. After that date, the information for all Seniors, excluding those who opt-out, will be submitted electronically to the California Student Aid Commission for Cal Grant consideration. Access the form here: Opt-Out FormCSS Profile:
From the CollegeBoard CSS Profile Presentation (http://css.collegeboard.org/)
WHAT is the PROFILE?
The PROFILE is an online application that collects information used by certain colleges and scholarship programs to award institutional aid funds. (All Federal funds are awarded based on the FAFSA, available after Oct. 1 at fafsa.ed.gov.)
Some colleges may require additional information, such as tax returns or an institutional application. If your parents are divorced, some colleges will also require your noncustodial parent to complete the Noncustodial PROFILE.
WHEN do I file the PROFILE?
You may file the PROFILE as early as Oct. 1, 2016. However, you should file no later than two weeks before the EARLIEST priority filing date specified by your colleges or programs. WHO must file the PROFILE? Check your colleges’/programs’ information to determine whether they require the PROFILE. A list of colleges that require the PROFILE from at least some of their applicants can be found by clicking on Participating Colleges, Universities, and Scholarship Programs on the PROFILE Homepage.
COUNSELING CORNER
Resources:
From LCF Community Prevention Council: "The Small Book of Big Issues"
Books by Challenge Success and Its Founders
Registration 2017-18
Save the Date Reminder - August 7, 2017 for grades 12-10, August 8, 2017 for grade 9.
Links to websites are offered for your convenience in accessing related information, but do not constitute an endorsement of the website or its content. LCHS takes no responsibility for the views, content or accuracy of the information presented by an external website.