POWAY HIGH COUNSELING
April 2023
EVENTS COMING UP
April 10-14: Spring Break - no school
April 25: Career Speaker Series: Military Careers
April 25: PUSD Career Speaker Series: Careers in Business at Del Norte HS
April 27: First Responder & Military Fair at lunch
May 1-12: AP Exams
Counselor Contact Information
The counselors have open office hours for students before school, break, and lunch. Parents can schedule appointments with their student's counselor by emailing them.
Counselors
A - Dag: Karly Wardwell
Dah - Hoc: Jerrah Smith
Hod - McG: Tanya Ibrahim
McH - Rue: Blanca Arreguin
Ruf - Z: Jerilyn Padua-Reyes
Intervention/CTE: Kyle Levesque
For a list of CTE Pathways courses at PHS, just click here! Visit here for the 4-year plan for CTE Pathways. Or...Click here for the blank CTE 4-year plan so you can create your own ideal plan!
Benefits of Pathway Completion:
- Notation of completion on transcript
- Certificate of pathway completion
- Pathway seal on diploma
- Better prepared for college, career & life!
Poway Unified School District College & Career Technical Education website
Xello, a user-friendly career exploration website
Along with career exploration opportunities through our CTE programs, PHS also provides every student with a Xello account, which engages students in building skills, knowledge, and plans for future success. Xello is a career readiness program students have access to over all 4 years while at PHS, and allows them to explore potential career matches through a Matchmaker questionnaire, and develop different insights into their individual strengths through skills and personality inventories. Xello is self directed and self paced, and provides exploration for post secondary education options as well! Students can access the Xello app through their MyPlan account. No username or password should be required. If you have any questions about Xello, please contact our CTE Counselor, Kyle Levesque, at klevesque@powayusd.com.
New Student Enrollment
You can fill out the Enrollment Form at that address. When we receive your form, we will contact you with next steps, which will include how to set up an enrollment appointment (at the end of May) with the counselor to request courses. If you have questions about enrollment, you can email us at enrollment-poway@powayusd.com.
AP Testing
Here are some important reminders for AP Testing:
1. Students are required to be at school no later than 7:30am for the check in process for a morning test. If your student is taking an afternoon test, they will check in at 11:30am.
2. If your student does not show for their exam, you will be charged an additional $40 no show fee.
3. The deadline to cancel a test is April 28th with a $70 refund. In order to do so, please email your student’s name, Poway High School, Poway, CA and the test you would like to cancel to cancel@aptsusa.comGood luck to everyone!
PUSD Summer School
This summer Poway Unified School District will offer Summer School to current high school students (i.e., students who are enrolled in grades 9 - 12 during the 2022-23 school year). High school Summer School is not available to students who are current 8th grade students. Summer School Registration Window closes Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
Courses will be offered for both credit recovery and for acceleration.
Credit Recovery: Students who need to make-up a course previously attempted (i.e., a course in which the student received a grade of D or F) will be accommodated in Summer School.
Acceleration: Students who would like to take a Summer School course for the purpose of acceleration will be accommodated on a limited basis. Applications will be prioritized based on grade level.
For summer school questions, call 858-748-0010 ext. 2723 or email your counselor. If you have questions once summer has started, or did not receive an enrollment email or did not confirm enrollment, please contact tpickard@powayusd.com or phurtt@powayusd.com.
Summer Opportunities Newsletter
The summer is a great time to set yourself apart from other students and get involved in something you can add to your college applications. There are several different opportunities available to students. Whether it’s taking a summer class for enrichment, or attending a summer camp, to working, volunteering or participating in a sport or internship. Find something you are passionate about and interested in. This is your time to shine! See our Summer Opportunities Newsletter, click here.
Seniors, Applying to Miramar and Palomar...
Miramar College is excited to announce they are hosting two events to help with course planning for Fall 2023! Students that attend will directly receive help from our support services and counseling teams so they are prepared for their first semester with Miramar. Students and families are welcome, parent/guardian workshops will also be offered at the Super Saturday event!
Virtual Session event April 6 from 6-7 pm for new incoming Miramar students. FLYER
Super Saturday event April 8 from 9 am-12 pm for new incoming Miramar students. FLYER
Seniors applying to Palomar College need to do the following steps after you submit your application:
- Sign in to MyPalomar and complete the orientation assessment. To find your student ID, click "ID/Password Help".
- Apply to the Palomar Promise Grant to get free tuition for up to two years. This application can be found in the Student Center section, scroll down and the link is on the right side.
- Are you still 18 in August? You need to submit a K-12 form to our Registrar. More details
- Get a head start with classes! Meet with an Admissions Counselor to discuss your Educational Plan.
- Palomar Pathways Mapper will help with courses required for your major/field of interest
You are attending community college next year? It's not too late to complete your FAFSA/Dream Act!
It's not too late to complete your FAFSA/Dream Act application to get tuition-free classes! College students need to maintain a full time class load (12 units/approx. 4 classes), be a first time college student, and maintain a 2.0 GPA.
In order to receive tuition-free funding, the FAFSA/DREAM ACT, college application, and Promise application have to be submitted ASAP
Here's what you need to do:
1. Apply for the FAFSA or Dream Act CADAA. This application is FREE!
2. Apply to community college. Visit the college website directly or CCCApply.org.
3. Apply for the Promise Grant. Students should receive information on the Promise Grant application after they apply to the community college. If not, please search on the college websites for the Promise Grant application. Note: Palomar students need to log-in to the student portal to complete the Promise application. Miramar students can find the Promise application directly on the website or click here.
For the FAFSA application, you will need student and parent Social Security Numbers, Parent Tax Forms from 2021, and Parent W-2s from 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/FederalStudentAidLinks to an external site. has a lot of helpful videos.
UCSD EDGE Girl's Day Out RSVP - Deadline Extended
UCSD EDGE is a mentorship program led by the Society of Women Engineers and Women in Computing at UC San Diego. They will be hosting their largest event of the year, Girl's Day Out, on April 15th, from 12 - 3 pm. Girl's Day Out is a day-long event on UCSD campus in which high school female and non-binary high school students from the San Diego area will have the opportunity to take part in hands-on workshops to build their own projects!
They have extended the deadline to RSVP by Thursday, April 6th by 11:59PM: https://forms.gle/UEsiu63zM2SLqjdG9.
Workshop Information
Participants will have the opportunity to take part in 2 of the 4 workshops that will be hosted!
· Workshop 1: Create your own website!
· Workshop 2: Use Python to create a game!
· Workshop 3: Learn about Arduinos and how to program them!
· Workshop 4: Hands-on workshop to explore different engineering disciplines!
Make sure to RSVP if you are able to join!
https://forms.gle/UEsiu63zM2SLqjdG9
What is EDGE?
Empowerment & Development for Girls in Engineering (EDGE) is a mentorship program led by the Society of Women Engineers and Women in Computing at UC San Diego. Our mission is to encourage more high school girls to consider STEM-related careers in order to bridge the gender gap in engineering fields. This program will provide opportunities to network with undergraduate women in engineering and computer science fields at UCSD, as well as provide various workshops and events to foster interest in a wide variety of STEM fields.
FBI Virtual Career Presentation - April 6
Del Norte is hosting a virtual career presentation with an FBI agent and wants to invite any interested PUSD students on Thursday, April 6th at 4:00 pm. If you've thought about this career path or you're not sure, but you'd like to explore all career possibilities, then save the date and Zoom meeting info below for this virtual event!
Join Zoom Meeting
https://powayusd.zoom.us/j/6131520107Links to an external site.
Meeting ID: 613 152 0107
Career Speaker Presentation - April 25
On Tuesday, April 25, the Titan Center will be hosting Colonel Bill Edwards, a prominent and highly-decorated leader in counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence. Students can join us during lunch to learn all about his 30-year career in the Army and how they too can have a successful military career. This is a great opportunity to ask him questions and get a jump start on future plans! Space is limited. Register here.
CTE Career Speaker Series: Careers in Business - April 25
Save the date for the next Career Speaker Series: Careers in Business.
Students and families are invited to join this event featuring professionals from a variety of marketing, management and entrepreneurial careers.
It will be on Tuesday, April 25th. The event is from 6:30pm to 8pm.
It will be at Westview High School.
Students must register as space is limited.
Let me know if you have any questions!
Military & First Responder Fair - April 27
Palomar Apprenticeships
Getting paid while training is a great opportunity for students looking to enter the workforce immediately after high school! Some of the benefits it offers are listed below:
- Health insurance for the apprentice including:
- Dental care
- Medical
- Vision care
- Good starting wages: $19.50
- Stepped wage increases while attending school
- Pension
- Starts accruing the first day they go to work
Click here for more info. There are seven different programs. Once students finish the program (typically 4-5yrs), they will be earning $68k-$70k starting in the given career path.
There is no cost to the program except for things like their tools. You need to complete the FAFSA, Palomar Application, and Promise Application. Stop by the Titan Center with any questions.
Scholarship Spotlight
2023 Poway High Alumni Association Scholarships - Deadline April 20, 2023 - 4 scholarship opportunities for Seniors, minimum GPA of 3.0 through 2nd trimester of this school year except for the Haskel Todd scholarship. See below:
PHS Alumni Scholarship - pursuing a 2 year degree, 4 year degree, or trade school
Todd Gutschow Scholarship - passion for STEM Majors
Bob Champion Scholarship - passion for athletics and/or coastal environment
Haskel Todd Scholarship - passion for athletics, 2.0 GPA or above
2023 Kiwanis Scholarship - Deadline May 5, 2023 - Seniors attending Poway High School pursing a post educational college education, short application and transcripts are needed.
See Local Scholarships link below:
A Message from Mrs. Struck
Mrs. Struck, our Student Services Specialist is here to listen to students and answer questions in a safe atmosphere of acceptance, non-judgment, and confidentiality concerning the challenges students are facing. Come on into the Counseling Building, K, contact Mrs. Struck at sstruck@powayusd.com, or leave a message at 858-748-0245 x5394.
988 - National Suicide Prevention
People in crisis and those trying to help them have a new three-digit phone number, 988, to reach the national suicide prevention network. Mental health experts are hoping that the three-digit number will deliver a breakthrough in assisting people in crisis who may otherwise try to harm themselves.
People who call, text, or chat 988 will be able to reach trained counselors who belong to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network.
For non-urgent matters on campus, Mrs. Struck, our Student Services Specialist, is in K25 to listen and answer questions in a safe atmosphere of acceptance, non-judgment, and confidentiality concerning a variety of life’s challenges. K25 is in the Counseling Building.
Personality Types That Makes Kids More Susceptible to Drug Use
Learn more about these personality types at:
Natural High for Parents
https://www.naturalhigh.org/for-parents/
Natural High has made talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol easier. Watch a short video by a storyteller they're interested in, and have a conversation…
Drug Free Partnership
https://drugfree.org/prevention-and-taking-action-early/
The teen and young adult years are confusing, complicated and formative. Understanding what's happening socially and developmentally — and how it can intersect with substance use — is fundamental to setting the stage for healthier outcomes.
National Suicide Prevention Resource
Call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
Available 24 hours everyday
OR
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
Free 24/7 support at your fingertips