GUNN COUNSELING COLLEGE UPDATE
12th GRADE - SPRING
We hope this finds you in good health! With everything going on, we'd like to provide you with a quick update.
Above all, we want to reassure you that we remain available to support students and want to ensure each student has the information and resources to pursue their post-high school goals.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
There is no specific deadline for applying to community college, however, we encourage those of you with students planning to attend community college in the fall to begin the process now. Schools remain available to register students online.
Here is information from some of our local campuses:
4-YEAR COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
Many colleges, including the University of California (UC) system and California State University (CSU) system, have eased admissions requirements to help students and families in the wake of COVID-19.
- The UC system response can be viewed HERE.
- The CSU system response can be viewed HERE.CREDIT/NO CREDIT GRADING
As you may know, Don Austin, PAUSD’s superintendent, recently announced that all current coursework will move to a credit/no credit grading system for final second semester grades. Rather than thinking about credit/no credit grading in terms of points, percentage cut-offs, or letter grade equivalents, teachers were strongly urged to think of student learning in the context of demonstrating mastery of the remaining concepts for the course this semester. We understand this is a change in thinking, and encourage you to reach out directly to teachers if you have any questions about how this impacts your student’s classes.
AP EXAMS
We would like to give you the following updates regarding the changes to AP exams this year.
AP is providing free remote learning resources to students
Beginning on Wednesday, March 25, students can attend free, live AP review courses, delivered by AP teachers from across the country. Click HERE for free remote learning resources and specific exam topics
AP is providing optional at-home testing:
The exams will be 45 minutes and free response questions only.
For students who registered by March 6, students will have two exam dates to choose from.
College Board will have more information for students with approved accommodations at a later date.
The full exam schedule will be available by April 3.
Students will be able to take the exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. Taking a photo of handwritten work will also be an option.
Students already registered for an exam can choose to cancel at no charge.
Students may cancel exams by logging into Total Registration and cancelling their exam(s). A full refund will go back to the original payment method.
For the most up to date information from AP, please click HERE.
FAFSA
- The FAFSA form remains open until June 30, 2020. Any student or family who has not yet completed a FAFSA may still do so.
- For those who have completed a FAFSA, and whose financial circumstances have changed considerably, we encourage you to reach out to your institution’s financial aid office. Financial aid administrators are afforded a degree of professional judgment under the law for state and federal aid, as well as for institutional aid, and can work with students and families whose incomes have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- For other questions related to the COVID-19 outbreak and federal financial aid, visit https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus
COLLEGE VISITS/TOURS
One of the best ways to confirm you have found the right college is to step foot on its campus. With campus closures, colleges and universities are finding creative ways to provide tours and information. Many schools now offer virtual walking tours directly on their websites.
In addition, the following resources will help you learn more about various campuses:
NAVIANCE RESOURCES
WELLNESS
During these uncertain times, it is normal to feel anxious and uneasy. Here's an article we hope will help guide you through conversations with your children:
EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP?
GUNN COUNSELING DEPARTMENT
Email: gunn-counselors@pausd.us
Website: https://gunn.pausd.org/wellness-counseling
Location: 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, USA
Phone: 650-354-8212