Counselor Connections
VHS Counseling Department Newsletter - September 2022
Happy 2022-23 School Year!
It seems amazing that we are already a month into the school year. The Counseling Department is settling into the year and we hope you are too!
We are excited to announce that we have new members of our team:
Ms. Palmgren, School Counselor (B-wing)
Ms. Booth, Student Services Support
Ms. Groves, Counseling Clerk
You will find the contact information for all of our department listed below. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.
College & Career Specialist
Mr. Navarro
x4131
Counseling Center Clerk
Ms. Groves
x4009
Counseling Center Clerk
Ms. Sparks
x4027
Data Information Specialist
Ms. Deans
x4028
Registrar
Ms. Rodriguez
x4029
School Counselor (A-wing)
Ms. Schepker
x4047
Advisories: Abbruscato, Eisen, James, Johnson, Leoni, Mata, Morris, Nuno, Orth, Press, Quillico, Steele, Valdizan, Webster
School Counselor (B-wing)
Ms. Palmgren
x4065
Advisories: Barnes, Cronk, DiGiovanni, Diehl (R), Howard, Lyon, McCloud, Meier, Meldrum, Navarette, Reyna, Sherman, Studts, Waddle
School Counselor (C-wing)
Ms. Enders
x4083
Advisories: Auble, Carmen, Carrasquillo, Diehl (A), Ferere Harrell, Fialka, Les, Lopez, Lotocky, Manak, McQuade, Olveda, Savage, Summers
School Counselor (D-wing)
Mr. Pratt
x4101
Advisories: Fernandez, Jackson (C), Kneisel, Littrell, Marinaro, Martinez (A), Martinez (G), May, Moreno, Schafer, Thomas, Wadding, Wentz, Werner
School Counselor (E-wing)
Ms. Hink
x4016
Advisories: Barnhill, Beard, Bott, Brown, DeMarco, Donze, Esparza, Farrington, Ham, Kendall, Long, Marks, Spiegel, Walker
Student Support Specialist
Ms. Booth
x4200
Student Support Specialist
Mr. Maier
x4990
Stay Connected!
Starting this week, the counselors will have a new appointment process up and running so be sure you have a Remind account with our department (see below) so you receive a notice when it is ready.
Please keep in mind that we may reach out to you through your student email account so be sure you are checking it daily.
Our Counselor Cart returned to lunches on Friday, September 2nd. This is a great opportunity to connect with Mr. Navarro or one of the School Counselors. Stop by to ask a question or just say hello!
This year our Google Classrooms are by your grade level/cohort. All should be accessible this month.
We also have a VHS Virtual Counselor Office at https://bit.ly/3gHQ7T3.
Our VHS Counseling & Career Center webpage is located at www.aguafria.org/VHSCounseling.
Counselor Connections is our monthly newsletter that is posted on our webpage, www.aguafria.org/vhscounseling > Counselor Connections (Monthly Newsletter).
We continue to post grade-level specific information via our VHS Counseling Remind accounts. To receive text messages from our Remind, students and parents can text the following grade-level message to 81010:
Seniors message = @verrado23
Juniors message = @verrado24
Sophomores message = @verrado25
Freshmen message = @verrado26
Academic Success
Here are a few things that you (or your student) can do to be successful in each of your classes:
Attend class
Turn in assignments on time
Work with your teacher
Attend tutoring (Viper Success, after school)
Make-up work when you have been absent
Study your notes and information regularly
Prioritize studying
ACT & SAT
The ACT and/or SAT are tests used by 4-year colleges/universities for admissions purposes. Seniors are encouraged to check admission requirements for each college/university to which they are applying. If you need to test, you will register directly with the testing agency. Check out the websites listed below for more information and test date options.
Attendance
While the counselors do not handle Student Attendance, we do want to remind you that you can lose credit in a class (even if you are passing), if you are not attending the class. Talk with one of our administrators to learn more about the attendance process. Stay focused and stay on-track to graduate!
Career Center
Mr. Navarro, our Career Specialist, is here to assist you with your college and career readiness. He meets individually with students, offers workshops during Viper Connect, arranges lunch visits for college and military reps, as well as plans many of our department's events. If you have questions or need help with the college selection or admissions process, scholarship applications, the FAFSA, building a resume' or another college/career topic, stop by the Career Center (off the Reading Room) and speak with Mr. Navarro.
College Admission Plans
Every college offers a type of admission plan which outlines how they are going to admit applicants. Some colleges offer more than one admission plan. It is important to understand the parameters of the college admission plan(s) for the college(s) you are applying to. Examples of admission plans include but are not limited to rolling admissions, regular admissions, early action, or early decision. Check out your college's admission website for their specific options. For a general overview, you might find these sites helpful: https://professionals.collegeboard.org/guidance/applications/early; https://www.mycollegeoptions.org/Core/SiteContent/Students/Advice/College-Resource-Center/Getting-in---Applying-to-College/College-Applications---the-Application-Process/Admissions-Plans-and-Deadlines.aspx.
ECAP & Major Clarity
Arizona believes all students should have an ECAP (Education and Career Action Plan). The ECAP process should help students clarify their career goals and narrow their initial plans after high school. It can also help shape students’ course selections and involvement throughout high school. The ECAP can be seen as having two components: plan/portfolio and extended learning opportunities.
This year, our district will shift to a new career exploration platform, Major Clarity, to assist students with their ECAP plan/portfolio. This college and career readiness program offers exploration tools, lessons, and information on:
Careers
Programs of study
Specific colleges/universities
Financial aid
Resume’ writing
And more!
In addition to community events, Mr. Navarro and the School Counselors provide many extended learning opportunities to assist students with their ECAP. An example of some of those opportunities are:
ASVAB
Scholarship Marathon
VHS College & Career Night
Application Workshops
1st Quarter Progress Grades
Quarter progress grades will be published in Student/Parent Vue on September 9th. You can view the grades by logging into StudentVue/ParentVue and clicking on the Report Card tab. If you have an F, it is important you work with your teacher regarding what you need to do. If you have any questions about the posted grade, students are encouraged to speak with their teacher; parents are also welcome to reach out to the teacher.
PSAT/NMSQT (11th & 10th graders)
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10
The PSAT/NMSQT will be given at VHS on Tuesday, October 25th!
Starting next week, juniors and sophomores should be able to sign up by paying the $18 test fee in the bookstore, Seats are limited so do not delay in signing up.
Reasons to take the PSAT/NMSQT include:
Practice for the SAT
Qualify for scholarship programs (11th graders)
Insight into AP courses you may be ready to take
College Applications: Self Reporting & Transcript Requests
Do you need to self-report your grades on a college application? You can use “Course History” in StudentVue.
Do you need an official or unofficial copy of your transcript? You can utilize Parchment.com and/or reach out to our Registrar, Mrs. Rodriguez, at nrodriguez@aguafria.org, as she handles all transcript requests.
Student2Student (S2S)
Student to Student (S2S) is a program designed to welcome new students and help them transition to our school. S2S was originally established to bring military and civilian students together. The program was adapted on our campus to welcome all new students using the same original program concepts: creating a positive environment, support and academic excellence, and easing the transition process.
If you are a new student or family to Verrado High School, our S2S officers are available to provide extra support through monthly group meetings and a special Google Classroom to help simplify the communication process. Please reach out to Ms. Schepker or Ms. Palmgren should you or your student have any questions or need additional support in the transition to Verrado High School.
Upcoming Events
Tri-University Week (virtual; ASU, NAU, UA)
September 6 - September 10
https://visit.asu.edu/tri-university
NACAC Virtual College Fairs
September 11
October 9
November 6
https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/attend-virtual-college-fairs/
Exploring College Options (Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Penn, Stanford)
September 15
https://www.exploringcollegeoptions.org/
Tri-University Event (in-person; ASU, NAU, UA)
September 18
https://visit.asu.edu/tri-university/high-school-student-in-person-events
Arizona College Consortium College Fair
September 27
11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
@ VHS Aux Gym
2022-23 West-MEC Application Opens (tentative)
October 17
Greater Phoenix National College Fair
October 23
11 AM – 3 PM
Phoenix Convention Center
https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/national-college-fairs/greater-phoenix-national-college-fair/