It's already that time of the year! The counselors are meeting individually with students this month to talk about class registration for the 23-24 school year! Each student will have a form to bring home, review with a parent or guardian and bring back to school before their actual course selection date. Please come prepared by looking over your registration form. Class requests are subject to approval and space availability. Opportunity to make schedule adjustments for 23-24 will once again be available come spring.

In addition, we want to hear from you! Please fill out the survey below regarding Electives and Program interest for the upcoming school year!

For more information or access to forms, please click https://www.jfk.scusd.edu/post/2023-2024-course-selection

Our seniors have been busy submitting applications to California State Universities as well as University of California campuses. Most schools closed their application period on November 30th with the exception of the following CSU campuses:

Cal Poly Humboldt 12/15

Chico, Sac State, Maritime and San Marcos 12/15

Monterey Bay 12/16

Stanislaus and San Francisco* 1/15

East Bay 2/15

*except Business and Nursing

In January, we will start focusing in on local community colleges for those interested in attending some of our fantastic community colleges in the Sacramento region.

Seniors! We will be focusing in on getting the FAFSA or CADDA applications filled out and submitted within the months of December and January. If you are looking to pay for college, university or trade schools, this is the form to fill out. You can work on the application anytime on your own and if you click the link below, you will see a list of information needed to complete the form.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTb7hMVtzco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9apxxQrx-WY

We will also have a workshop with CAL-SOAP on Thursday 12/22. We will be sending out a sign up and reminders to come in and get help from the professionals from Cal-Soap!

Juniors and Seniors who would like the opportunity to take college classes tuition free at one of our local community colleges can now sign up to take up to 2 classes. Application deadline for students to have the form signed by their counselor is December 15th. Please visit the below links for more information and make sure to reach out to your counselor to provide additional support.

Attention Juniors and Seniors! Please click the link below to learn about a great way to become engaged in your community, learn about civics and earn the prestigious State Seal of Civic Engagement on your graduation diploma!

Learn more about the California State Seal of Civic Engagement!

SCUSD will have its kick-off event for the State Seal of Civic Engagement on Thursday, December 8th, at 4PM over Zoom. We highly encourage your attendance, even if you may be unsure about the seal!

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88230567595?pwd=M0xqd0xsVWdsakdmK3FNbUhMYjB2Zz09
Passcode: Q7f2n6

Scores will become available to view online at studentscores.collegeboard.org on Monday, December 5th. If you provided your email address on your answer sheet on test day, you’ll receive an email notifying you of when your scores are available. The email will have a unique access code that will connect you to your scores online. If you didn’t provide an email address on your answer sheet on test day, you can still access your scores online. If you haven’t already done so, you’ll be asked to set up a free College Board account before you can view your scores.

To help you understand your score, visit: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/understanding-scores.

To learn how you can use your scores, visit: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/scores/using-your-score

The Kennedy campus would like to welcome Ms. Bernardette HernAndez, college and career tech to the Cougar family! Ms. Bernie is a recent graduate of Sacramento State Universities Master in Higher Education program!

Ms. Bernie is teaming up with Mrs. Kristina Fraley, who is also new to the Kennedy community! Mrs. Fraley is serving as a full time School Counselor focusing on assisting students with everything college and career!

Ms. Bernie and Mrs. Fraley are here to serve students everyday from 8:00am until 4:15pm and by appointment. Please come by the counseling office and check out the new college and career space.

The holidays can be a joy-filled season, but they can also be stressful and especially challenging for those impacted by mental illness.

Here are some tips for how to reduce stress and maintain good mental health during the holiday season:

• Instead of saying yes to every holiday activity, prioritize the ones that are the most important for you and schedule downtime for yourself.
• Try and move your body every day. Go for a walk or do an at home workout but aim for 20 minutes a day.
• Plan ahead to see your friends over winter break to help keep you feeling connected.
• Each morning, pick 3 things you are grateful for, and spend a few minutes on how these things/people improve your life.
• Stick to normal routines as much as possible.
• Pay attention to your stress level and take breaks when needed.

Remember that you are not alone and that help is available if you need it.

Dial 988 if you are having thoughts of suicide or text HOME to 741741. Crisis counselors are available 24/7 to help.

The Trevor Project https://www.thetrevorproject.org/ serving LGBTQ youth and their families

WEAVE https://www.weaveinc.org/get-help Help for victims of violence.

Dec 19-23 Winter Spirit Week

Dec 24-Jan 8 Winter Break

Jan 16 Martin Luther King Day-NO SCHOOL

Jan 27 Last day of second quarter