OUSD Secondary Counseling
October 2021
For this newsletter, we will be providing you with school counseling updates for October.
OUSD School Counseling Mission:
The mission of the OUSD School Counseling Program is to provide a district-wide comprehensive, equitable, and accessible system of support to all students. Our students will acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to achieve academic success, college and career readiness, and healthy social/emotional development.
OUSD School Counseling Vision:
Our OUSD School Counseling Program fosters student success in a diverse and changing world by graduating students who are prepared to make a positive impact on humanity and meet the demands of their college, career, and life goals.
OCTOBER REMINDERS FOR OUSD SCHOOL COUNSELING
Flyer for districtwide counseling meetings: OUSD District Wide Counseling Meeting Schedule
October 1: Filing period for FAFSA and Cal Grant Verification Form opens for applicants to all terms (filing period open through March 2, 2021)
October 1: Priority application filing period opens for CSUs
October 9th (9am - 11am): SAT / PSAT preparation class session #2 - Math
October 13th (during the school day): Official PSAT and SAT exams administered at each high school
* please see your administration for the dates of your Orenda Guidance alignment sessions
Congrats to the Cerro Villa Wellness Team!
These events are hosted in partnership with Chapman University.
Be in the Know!
Here is our updated OUSD School Counselors' Handbook for you to reference: OUSD School Counselors' Handbook
school counselors with strategies to support student’s social
and emotional wellbeing as they reconnect and reintegrate
to in person learning.
Dual Enrollment
SCC 2021-2022 catalog: https://sccollege.elumenapp.com/catalog/2021-2022Catalog/home#mainContent
SCC Dual Enrollment website (www.sccollege.edu/dualenrollment)
o Under the MORE INFO For HS Counselors & Administrators, SCC posted a new booklet created by OC Pathways – A Guide to UC Requirements and High School Dual Enrollment.
o Under the BENEFITS – Student Success Stories, SCC is featuring an OUSD student who participated in the SCC Dual Enrollment Program and is transferring to UCLA.
Shmoop Test Prep Suite: AP, SAT, ACT, PSAT, SBAC, CAASPP, and more!
- Study Tools
- Who has access: all students/teachers at
- Canyon High School
- El Modena High School
- Orange High School
- Villa Park High School
- EDGE Virtual Academy
Log in to Shmoop:
- Students and teachers will log in through their ClassLink Launchpad
- Please see THIS Shmoop Resource folder with Video Tutorials
OUSD Additional Supports for College and Career Success
Updates from UC:
Fall California College Fairs (Virtual)
This fall California high school and community college students will have the opportunity to attend one of seven virtual intersegmental college fairs sponsored by the University of California (UC), the California State University (CSU) and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AICCU). All UC and CSU campuses, and a majority of independent colleges and universities from the AICCU, will participate. High schools and community colleges will receive more information on the registration process, as well as Save the Date flyers and announcements, later in August. All events are free, and all California students are encouraged to attend! While fairs are scheduled in regions, students can attend any date that is best for them. In the meantime, mark your calendars now!
High School Fairs (in chronological order)
North: Saturday, October 2 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
South 1: Wednesday, October 6 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Central: Saturday, October 9 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
South 2: Saturday, October 16 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
California Community College Fairs (in chronological order)
North: Tuesday, October 12 from noon - 2:30 p.m.
All (evening): Wednesday, October 13 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
South: Thursday, October 14 from noon - 2:30 p.m.
October 5th, 4:00-7:30pm: 4-year College and community college information from college representatives
· Opportunities to engage with representatives from more than 150 colleges and universities throughout the United States and internationally
· Live breakout sessions, topics include
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
California State Universities (CSUs)
Santiago Canyon College Business & Career Education (BCE) Program
October 6th, 4:00-7:30pm: Career information from local business partners and industry representatives from a variety of popular sectors
· Opportunities to engage with industry professionals
· Live breakout sessions, topics include
Digital Media Arts panel
Engineering panel
Construction panel
Medical Pathways/Biotechnology panel
October 2nd and October 9th @ 9-11am: FREE SAT prep sessions. Here is the registration flyer for the SAT Prep Courses: SAT Preparation Courses for OUSD Students. Please share this flyer with our students and families.
October 13: PSAT and SAT school day (the PSAT will be administered for all 9th, 10th and 11th grade students; the SAT will be administered for all seniors).
We know that most universities are not requiring the SAT as part of the admissions process, but many are still using SAT scores as part of their placement practices. By providing these opportunities to our students, we are increasing access and decreasing barriers for college success.
Xello
Here is the OUSD Xello Counseling Curriculum Scope & Sequence that we created together.
Xello lessons will be facilitated twice per school year (once in the fall and once in the spring) for ALL OUSD high school and middle school students.
Xello Course Planner will be used to create, revise and enhance four-year plans for all high school students so that our students are making very informed decisions about their course selections and career exploration opportunities.
Xello Family Portal: the parents and guardians of our students should have access to Xello by our fall Open House. This way family members can see the progress that our students are making with their college and career exploration efforts.
OUSD School Counselors promoting career exploration through Xello lessons!
October 19th, 20th and 21st
The 2021-22 Race to Submit is a statewide campaign that aims to increase the number of financial aid applications for California high school seniors who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Act Application. Filling out these financial aid applications is the first step towards college success and helps students qualify for federal and state aid to help pay for college.
The goal of this initiative is to increase financial aid application completions, using a network of support. During the application period, beginning October 1, and up until the March 2 Cal Grant deadline, each high school, district, and county can use the Race to Submit Dashboard to gauge the submission and completion of the FAFSA and CADAA, along with how many Cal Grants have been awarded to their students.
Career Exploration Resources & Opportunities for Students
Internship Opportunities:
Maintenance Internship Program
The CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program
The Pathways Internship Program
U.S. Intelligence Careers Student Programs (includes cyber, digital forensics, computer science, and more)
Apprenticeship Opportunities:
Sequoia Maintenance Apprenticeship
Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship Program
Department of Defense STEM Opportunities
OC One Stop Center
The Orange County One-Stop Center(s) provide comprehensive employment and training services. There are programs for youth, mature workers, people with disabilities, adults, dislocated workers and Veterans.
DMC Youth Connect:
If you are a youth with a disability ages 14-24 and live in Orange County, please join DMC Youth Connect via Zoom for: Live Out Loud (LOL), Independent Living Skills, Inclusive Improv, How to Work It.
Please reach out to us!
Kristine Nelson
Coordinator, Student & Community Services
Elementary School Counseling Program
Homeless, Foster & At-Risk Youth, 504s, SSTs, Crisis Intervention & Mental Health Support
(714) 628-5424
Lupe Perales, Psy.D.
Coordinator, Special Education
(714) 628-4080
Katie Treat
Coordinator, Career Counseling
Secondary School Counseling Program
College and Career Readiness
Career Technical Education (CTE)
(714) 628-5463