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: The GSA is hosting AIDS Awareness Week all week! Stop by the quad during lunch to get pins to show your support! There will be a bake sale after school Friday and all profits will be donated to AIDS Project LA.
UPDATED POST: Winter Formal tickets are for sale this week! Get yours at the ASB room during lunch, $65 with ASB and $70 without. Prices go up next week! Don’t forget your ID card. Don’t want to wait in line? You can buy your tickets online in the virtual student store. Check the school website for details! The dance is Saturday, December 10th from 7-11pm at the Belasco Theatre -Address: 1050 Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90015 .
NEW POST: Winter Formal Posters
Hey Spartans! Need some help asking someone to Winter Formal? Don’t have the best handwriting for posters? Well stop by the ASB room during lunch. For only $9 you can get a Personalized Poster and flowers for that special someone.
NEW POST: Varsity HOME games this week:
Wed. 11/30: Boys Soccer vs CV at 3:30 PM at the Stadium
Wed. 11/30: Girls Water Polo vs Westridge at 3:30 PM at the Pool
Thurs. 12/1: Girls Basketball vs Upland at 3:30 PM in the North Gym
Thurs. 12/1: Boys Soccer vs Mountain View at 3:30 PM at the Stadium
Fri. 12/2: POWDER PUFF fundraiser for Children's Hospital Dec the Room at 3:30 PM at the Stadium
NEW POST: Comedy Sportz is back again!! Come to our match on Friday to start your holiday season off right! Admission is only $5 at the door, and the game starts at 7pm. Don’t forget holiday objects for object freeze.
POWDER PUFF FOOTBALL GAME THIS FRIDAY
For the first time in years, our students, our female 11th and 12th grade students, will participate in a Powder Puff game. The game will take place on Friday, from 3:30-5:00 and will take place on our football field. Please come out in support of our students. They are raising funds that will support a program that creates beautiful hospital rooms for children. Tickets cost $5.00.
UPDATED POST: Annual LCHS Yosemite National Park trip
For 43 years, LCHS has been sending high school students to Yosemite National Park for a week in February to participate in a rigorous field science curriculum delivered by NatureBridge. This year, students will have the opportunity during the week of February 19-24. It is a life-changing experience and a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on learning in the outdoor classroom. There are still spaces available! Click here to apply or see Mrs. Calhoun for a hard copy ASAP.
NEW POST: SPIRIT WEEK NEXT WEEK!
All Gold Monday, December 5th
Pajama Tuesday, December 6th
Ugly Sweater Wednesday, December 7th
Hats & Scarves Thursday, December 8th
Senior Dress Up and Class Color Friday, December 9th
NEW POST: First Semester Finals Schedule
Athletic Clearances for Spring Sports
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/
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/
Freshman Forum
NEW POST: EARNING MONEY FOR COLLEGE DURING HIGH SCHOOL
There is a new opportunity to start earning money towards college as a freshman, through micro-scholarships for various colleges. The program is called raise.me, which is funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. There are over 100 colleges that are partnering with this organization and you can follow that college like an Instagram account. It is easy and free to register on raise.me. You can earn money for every A or B you earn, doing community service, earning your Eagle Scout or Gold Award, taking an AP test, etc… Check it out and let your counselor know if you decided to register. When you are a senior and you are accepted to one of the partner schools (that you have been following and earning money for), you can use this money towards college tuition and expenses.
NEW POST: FRESHMEN NAVIANCE TRAINING
On Tuesday, November 15th most Freshman students participated in the Freshman Naviance training during their science classes. Students learned how to log on to Naviance, were given an overview of the various features and took the StrengthsExplorer assessment, which can link possible careers and colleges as they start to think about life after high school. Students were given the follow up assignments to discuss their strengths with the people who know them best (family, friends, etc…). Hopefully, this opened up a great opportunity for a great topic on your students strengths.
If your student was absent on that date, please have them reach out to their counselor to receive the information that they missed.
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
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: EARNING MONEY FOR COLLEGE DURING HIGH SCHOOL
There is a new opportunity to start earning money towards college, through micro-scholarships for various colleges. The program is called raise.me, which is funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. There are over 100 colleges that are partnering with this organization and you can follow that college like an Instagram account. It is easy and free to register on raise.me. You can earn money for every A or B you earn, doing community service, earning your Eagle Scout or Gold Award, taking an AP test, etc… Check it out and let your counselor know if you decided to register. When you are a senior and you are accepted to one of the partner schools (that you have been following and earning money for), you can use this money towards college tuition and expenses.
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
NEW POST: USA GAP YEAR FAIRS
Are you considering a Gap Year after high school? USA Gap Year Fairs is a national circuit of events that bring together reputable Gap Year organizations, interested students and parents, high school college counselors and Gap Year experts. Click here for a list of USA Gap Year Fairs coming to southern California in February!
NEW POST: EARNING MONEY FOR COLLEGE DURING HIGH SCHOOL
There is a new opportunity to start earning money towards college as early as your freshman year, through micro-scholarships for various colleges. The program is called raise.me, which is funded through the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. There are over 100 colleges that are partnering with this organization and you can follow that college like an Instagram account. It is easy and free to register on raise.me. You can earn money for every A or B you earn, doing community service, earning your Eagle Scout or Gold Award, taking an AP test, etc… Check it out and let your counselor know if you decided to register. When you are a senior and you are accepted to one of the partner schools (that you have been following and earning money for), you can use this money towards college tuition and expenses.
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: Upcoming College Visits*:
November 30: Biola University
December 1: Pasadena City College
December 1: Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles
December 1: Woodbury University
*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.
UPDATED POST: NOVEMBER/DECEMBER BREAKDOWN:
Applications accepted by the UC and CSU Systems due TOMORROW, November 30th. Apply online at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions or www.csumentor.edu
December 1: Last day to opt-out of Cal Grant GPA submission
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.
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.
UPDATED POST: Are you considering attending Pasadena City College in the fall of 2017? There is an application workshop planned just for you!
⧫ DATE: December 1st
⧫ LOCATION: IRC
⧫ TIME: 7:30AM-8:30AM
⧫ The workshop will begin promptly at 7:30AM and will take place in the IRC
downstairs.
⧫ The application will take about 30 minutes to complete.
⧫ The representatives and student ambassadors will be available until
8:30AM.
⧫ Admission representatives and student ambassadors from Pasadena City
College will direct and assist students in completing the application for fall
2017 admission. Students will be given step-by-step instructions to
complete the online application.
⧫ Students are encouraged to submit their application on December 1st
which automatically places them in the Pathways program. Pathways is
a student success program that ensures students from La Canada High
School who apply on December 1st, guaranteed admission and enrollment
in all of their courses for the first two years at PCC. This is an amazing
opportunity for our students. December 1st is considered an "early
admission" application deadline.
⧫ Students must complete their application on December 1st to earn one of
the available 2,500 spots in the Pathways program. Each student will
complete step one of the five required steps to be admitted into PCC.
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.
We look forward to seeing you on December 1st. Please arrive by 7:20AM and go directly to the IRC for check in.
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 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.