Counselor's Corner
May 2023 ❁
We are in the last stretch of the school year!
Senior Decision Day FIESTA 😎
Summer School 2023
Do you need to recover credits from previous classes? ✏️
Summer School is intended to provide students the opportunity to earn back credits they missed from previous classes or to make up 'D' letter grades for those students hoping to attend a 4-year university after high school. Daily student attendance is required: Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 12:30pm.
◈ If you have questions regarding Summer School, please be sure to reach out to your designated School Counselor as they will be able to walk through the details, including eligibility for Summer School ◈
SENIORS
Will you be attending Palomar College in the Fall? 🏛
If you have not accessed your Student Center portal, applied to The Promise, or completed your New Student Orientation, you need to see Ms. Wendy in room 237 or Ms. Oxley in the College and Career Center ASAP! You must complete all the items mentioned above to enroll for classes.
There's still time to apply 🎓
New student orientations and advising sessions are offered each term to welcome new students and familiarize them with academic policies and procedures, on-campus services and the registration process. Review the New Student Checklist once you apply to stay updated on 'next steps'.
Final Transcripts for Colleges ✔️
Senior Survey 💭
Important Upcoming Dates ☟
May 16- 17┃11th Grade FAFSA/ CADAA Lesson
May 26┃Edgenuity Course Deadline for Seniors at 3pm
May 29┃Memorial Day (Holiday)
May 31┃Senior Awards Night at 5:30pm
June 1- June 2┃Senior Finals
June 5- June 7┃Finals (9th, 10th, and 11th grade)
June 6┃Seniors: all fines and debts must be cleared (includes textbooks and devices)
June 7┃Graduation Ceremony/ Last Day of School
June 12- June 30┃Summer School Session 1
June 23┃Transcripts Request Deadline
July 3- July 21┃Summer School Session 2
Mindfulness Zone ⋒
Mindful Word
Being mindful helps people do better in just about every part of life, like focusing on homework or feeling less stressed out. Practicing mindfulness a little bit every day helps you to build this valuable skill.
Below is an exercise that can help you practice mindfulness. As you do the exercise, you will probably find that your mind wanders after a minute or two. That's normal — minds do that. Your job is to gently bring your attention back to the thing you are focused on. The more you practice doing that, the better you train your brain to pay attention.🌱
- Think of a word that seems calm or soothing. This could be a word like "peace" or "love" or "peaceful" or "snowflake" or "sunlight" or "hum" or "calm."
- Think the word to yourself. Say it silently and slowly in your mind. Say your word to yourself with each breath you take, in and out. Keep your attention gently focused on your word.
- When your mind wanders, guide your attention back to your word, and keep saying it gently and slowly while you relax and breathe.
- Can you do this for a whole minute? Can you do it for 5 minutes?
For more ways to boost your mental health, click here.
Your Counseling Team ✼
Counseling Support Staff
Samia Felix︱Counseling Secretary ✉ samiafelix@vistausd.org
Sylvia Oxley︱College & Career Center Technician ✉ sylviaoxley@vistausd.org
Carmen Kash︱Registrar ✉ carmenkash@vistausd.org
Lynne Stewart︱Data Coordinator ✉ lynnestewart@vistausd.org
Spotlight Chats 🗨️ Mr. Cardenas, Teacher & Girls Varsity Basketball Coach
What is one of your guilty pleasure foods?
Flaming Hot Munchies!
What are some of your hobbies?
Playing, coaching, watching, and studying basketball.
Favorite song at the moment?
Sunshine by Earth, Wind, and Fire.
College/ University you attended?
UC Santa Cruz
What is a fun fact about you that not many people know about?
When I was 9 years old I won the State Championship in BMX racing.
Where is your happy place in California?
Riverside, California. That is where my family lives, and my family will always be my happy place!
A motto/ phrase you live by?
Growth takes place outside of your comfort zone.
What is your go-to mindfulness activity?
Walking is my go-to mindfulness activity. I started walking during COVID and found it to be a useful practice for resetting myself.