CHHS 3C's Counselor Connection
CHARACTER - COLLEGE - COPING
NOVEMBER 2020
Hello Everyone!
This newsletter will be sent out every month to keep you up to date on topics related to our 3C's- Character, College & Coping!
Ann Wang- A-Cro
Chandra Manuel- Cru-Holk
Kristin Koulabouth- Holl-Mom
Leslie Walden- Mon-Schu
Faylinn Habermehl- Sco-Z
Amanda Vargas- Lead Counselor
Robin Davis- Student Advocate Counselor
Dr. James DePetro- Licensed School Psychologist
Heather Hedges- Student Data Coordinator
Glenda Cherry- Registrar
Christina Howard- Counseling Office Clerk
CHHS COUNSELING DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT
CHHS Counseling focuses on our 3Cs (Character, College and Coping) to empower the whole student, while enabling us to support the school vision of PRIDE (Personally Reaching and Inspiring Discovery in Everyone). Through our 3Cs approach and collaboration with all stakeholders, we envision that all students will have success in achieving their potential in academics, social interactions and career aspirations while also becoming productive and contributing members of an ever-changing world
CHHS COUNSELING DEPARTMENT VISION STATEMENT
It is the mission of the Colleyville Heritage High School Guidance and Counseling Department to develop and deliver a comprehensive school counseling program that is data-driven, collaborative and promotes our 3Cs (Character, College and Coping) approach. We are committed to focusing on the whole high school student, both present and future, and advocating for all students to have equal access and opportunity to all that our school has to offer in order to prepare them for success in the future.
Our counseling website has SOOOOOOOO much information! Check it out!
- Rankings- Top 10% and Quartile Cutoffs
- Arena Scheduling Information
- GO Center Information and link to website
- Social/Emotional Support Resources
- Transcript Request Information
- Resources for each grade level
- Senior Recommendation Letter Request Form (Under Forms and Presentations)
Need to Speak With Your Counselor?
- Email your counselor directly. You can find your counselor's email address on our website.
- You can also sign-in to see your counselor and we will either call you down from class or schedule a WebEx meeting. The sign-in form is also available on our website.
PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO REACH OUT WITH QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
Upcoming Events
- FAFSA Application Opens for Seniors: October 1st
- 3rd 9 Weeks Instruction Choice - Opens November 15th
Level Down Window
The level down windows for the 2020-2021 school will remain the same as years past.
Level down - The final level down window request is December 2-4. During each leveling window there will be a Google Form on our website.
INSTRUCTIONAL CHOICE FOR 3rd 9 WEEKS
Changing Your Instructional Model: Window for returning to in-person learning will open November 15.
Families that are wishing to change from remote to in-person learning may only do so at the end of a grading period. For families that wish to change at the end of the current grading period, beginning on November 15 you may log in to Skyward Family Access and complete the changing instructional models form. The window to change your instructional model will close on December 5th.
Instructions on where to find the form and how to complete it can be found here. A schedule of when this change can be made can be made for other grading periods can found here.
If you have any questions regarding the timing of when parents may change the instructional model selected, or the associated process, please contact your campus counselor.
NOVEMBER AWARENESS
CBE - Credit by Exam
Colleyville Virtual Cafe - Tutoring for Remote Learners
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Compass Center, 4201 Pool Rd, Grapevine, TX
MASKS REQUIRED
Virtual Cafe is a partnership of Compass Christian Church and Bear Valley Community Church. It will be staffed by a team of young adult volunteers from Bear Valley and hosted in the student ministry building of Compass. We will provide tutoring and internet access for students enrolled in remote instruction at Colleyville Heritage High School and Heritage Middle School. We will provide snacks each day, but not breakfast or lunch.
Registration will be capped at 15 students per day. Registrants beyond this capacity will be placed on a waitlist and informed when we have the capacity to serve more students.
Questions? Contact Kyle Bauman at kyle@bearvalleychurch.com
PREP IS BACK!
Students, both virtual and in-person, may also serve detention and seat time hours during this time. Please see flyers below for more information.
Seat Time/Detention
Testing Services
Math Tutoring - All Levels
USDA
In-Person Learners
The USDA has issued a nationwide waiver, allowing Grapevine-Colleyville ISD to offer meals FREE at no charge through December 2020 at all elementary, middle school campuses, and Collegiate Academy.
On September 22, 2020, GCISD began providing free meals to students as part of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program. Sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), this program will allow any student in elementary or middle school to receive a free breakfast and lunch meal in the school cafeteria.
Remote learners have the opportunity to pick up meals curbside every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at three locations: Cross Timbers Middle, Grapevine Middle, and Grapevine Elementary. All meals are free of charge until June 2021. For more information please visit www.gcisd.net or email child.nutrition@gcisd.net
DUAL CREDIT 2020-2021
Hello Colleyville Heritage Dual Credit Students,
We hope you are having a great semester!
Look for information coming soon for TCC dual spring course enrollment. Instructions will be sent through your GCISD email the week of November 2nd. Counselors will be available in the lecture hall on November 6 for students that need help enrolling in their courses. Social distancing and masks will be required. Webex conferencing will also be available for remote students.
Continue checking your TCC Blackboard and communicating with your professors regarding assignments and grades for dual. The grades for dual courses are not available in Skyward until the end of each semester after the courses are completed.
Email leslie.walden@gcisd.net for any questions.
Grade Level Canvas
Please click the link below to join your class Canvas course for announcements and updates from counselors and administrators today:
Prudential Spirit of Community Award
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honors middle level and high school students for making meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteer service.
Applications are now open for 2021 awards!
Now through November 10, 2020, students in grades 5-12 are invited to apply for 2021 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards if they have volunteered within the past year. Top honorees earn cash awards and an invitation to the programs national recognition events. Qualifying honorees also receive President’s Volunteer Service Awards.
Click here for more information.
Nervous or Don't Know How to Contact a Teacher, Counselor, or Administrator
SENIORS READ THIS
GCISD Virtual College and Career Fair: October 21st, more details to come
NACAC Virtual College Fairs (Sept. 13, Oct. 12, Oct. 18, Nov. 8)
TCC College Access: http://tinyurl.com/tcc21
Virtual college and career lessons and resources for high school students: Texas College Bridge, College and Career Support from CollegeForward.org: https://collegeforward.org/college-resources/texas-college-bridge-college-and-career-support/
Request an appointment for help with college search/applications, scholarships, FAFSA, career research…
Virtual College Fairs
NACAC Virtual College Fairs (Sept. 13, Oct. 12, Oct. 18, Nov. 8)
University of Arkansas Virtual Razorback Reveal: September 19 Register Here
Go Center News
We are back and can’t wait to meet with your student to discuss their college, career and post
high school plans! If you are new to GCISD and have yet to meet us, click here to learn about
the Go Center. We look forward to partnering with you and your student this year.
Another great resource we have put together for our students can be found here.
College Applications:
Seniors! College applications are open and the Go Center is available for appointments to assist you with your college process or answer any questions you might have. Due to the changes we are experiencing, you can set up a virtual or phone appointment until we are back in person. Click here to sign-up for an appointment! Please check your school email for follow- up communication.
GCISD Virtual College Visits:
This year we will be promoting Virtual College Visits in the evenings instead of during lunches. Visits will be open to students at BOTH high schools, so please check both calendars to see who is “visiting”. The calendars can be found on the Go Center website as pictured below. Each university will provide their own link for accessing the visit which can be found on the calendar.
Virtual College Visits:
Curious to how you can visit schools virtually and take advantage of their online opportunities? Check out this great resource that links you to each college's virtual experience page! **New Link from previous Panther Pause updates***
You can also visit DARN’s YouTube Channel to catch up on the virtual college fair that they hosted.
There are still opportunities to participate in NACAC’s virtual college fair and the GCISD College Fair (happening October 21, representatives will be “live” for questions).
Scholarships:
Although many local scholarships are not open yet, we encourage you to begin checking the GCISD Scholarship website as this will be actively updated with new deadlines as soon as we receive them. If you have not obtained letters of recommendation, please request them now as most scholarships generally require a minimum of two letters.
Seniors also need to research scholarships that come directly from the colleges/universities to which they are applying. Please reach out to the Go Center if you have any questions about scholarships!
TCC College Access Program:
If you have a possible interest in attending TCC after high school in the Fall of ’21, please know that TCC College Access facilitates the entire TCC registration process and is done during the school day. In order to participate and be included in this process you must complete this interest form questionnaire: http://tinyurl.com/tcc21. You can email Emily.miller@gcisd.net with questions or if you are interested in the program.
We encourage you to come see us (reach out virtually to us) at the Go Center for any questions you may have regarding your post high school plans.
SENIORS - UPCOMING SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES
Please contact the Go Center with further questions about Scholarships:
- Prudential Spirit of Community Awards 2020: 11/10/2020
- Texas PTA Scholarships: 11/15/2020
- Nikhil Desai "Perspective" Scholarship: 2/1/2021
- Rotary Club Scholarship: 2/15/2021 - Contact your Counselor for Information
Information and Virtual Tours of College Campuses
- Harvard
- Princeton
- Virginia
- Wellesley
- Yale
- Midwestern State University
- DARN Virtual Visit Directory
- Contact UNT grouptour@unt.edu to sign up for a virtual tour
- Virtual Visit Directory
Character Strong
This year, all GCISD secondary campuses will be utilizing a new character development curriculum called Character Strong. Each month, in their science class, students will view an introduction video focusing on a specific character trait/skill.
Additionally, students will be presented with daily CHARACTER DARES through Canvas, social media, and daily announcements. These are practical ways students can demonstrate the trait/skill of Commitment. If you are interested in participating in Character Strong at home, the program also provides Family Character Dares. These will be shared with you each week through Panther Pause. It's a great way for parents and siblings to join in some fun, family-friendly activities.
College Board Opportunity Scholarship - Easiest Scholarships to Earn
YES JUNIORS YOU CAN WIN NOW.
Please visit the Opportunity Scholarships Website for more information and to start your journey.
NCAA - Are You Planning to Play Sports in College
2020-21 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete
The 2020-21 Guide for the College-Bound Student-Athlete is now available for download! The guide is designed to assist you, athletic directors, coaches, college-bound student-athletes and their families with understanding the initial-eligibility process.Click here to retweet our guide update and share with your student-athletes and their families! You may also find the guide on the High School Portal and NCAA.org. If you'd like to purchase copies of the guide, please visit NCAApublications.com.
NCAA
- Students planning on play sports in college - please remind your counselors every time you see them.
- Make sure to set up an account within the NCAA Eligibility Center.
- Corecoursegpa.com will help facilitate you through the NCAA Eligibility Center
SAT/ACT & AP Testing Dates and Deadlines
Please continue to check both the ACT and SAT Website for information regarding rescheduled testing dates due to COVID-19.
***If you are a student who receives testing accommodations through a 504 or IEP, please contact Mrs. Koulabouth at Kristin.Koulabouth@gcisd.net to get paperwork in order to request accommodations on any of the above tests.***
TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS
SENIORS - RECOMMENDATION LETTERS
GCISD College Visit Videos
Did you know GCISD counselors have had the privilege of traveling to colleges around the state and nation to visit GCISD alumni and admissions officers in order to get an insider's perspective on the college admissions process?
Click here to view the videos from each of our visits. We will continue to add videos as we make more visits. We hope you enjoy this resource!
FAFSA Information
FAFSA https://fafsa.ed.gov/ - CHHS School Code: 441408
- Based on parental/guardian financial status
- Request your FSA ID now - takes 2-3 days for authorization.
- FAFSA - Opens Oct. 1 and should be completed as soon as possible
- 2021-2022 FAFSA application will use 2019 tax return
- FAFSA funds are distributed on a first come first serve basis
- Completion of the application takes approximately 20-30 minutes providing you have information necessary with you at the time of application including parents prior income tax return.
- Types of aid include: Scholarships, Grants, Work-Study, Loans-last option
Selective Service System
School Bus Safety Essay Contest
The Texas Association for Pupil Transportation is pleased to announce the 20th Annual School Bus Safety Speech Contest. The contest is intended to encourage high school students to be conscious of the importance of school bus safety and promote academic achievement. Through our corporate sponsorships, scholarships will be awarded to the winners.
Students will be encouraged to compose and present an original speech based on the theme:
“Be Safe – Know The Danger Zone!”
Go to www.tapt.com
On the banner at the top of the screen select “Events”; then select “Safety Speech Contest”. You will find this letter and a link to the brochure and on-line registration.
Deadline for entry is 4:00 pm on Friday, January 29, 2021. Registration is to be done on-line at www.tapt.com only. No late registrations will be accepted.
Should you have questions regarding this contest, you may contact Pat Garcia at pat.garcia@region10.org
Community Service Ambassador Program
CSAP is coordinated on behalf of CHHS by the Volunteer Community Service Ambassador Committee with support from the CHHS Counseling Office. The program is designed to encourage all 9th-12th grade CHHS students to serve their community by performing at least 100 hours of approved community service. Students meeting this requirement will be recognized as Community Service Ambassadors upon graduation, and will be eligible to purchase a special cord for their graduation robes.
Full program guidelines for Community Service Ambassador Program, and service hour logs can be found on the CSAP Website.
Students may turn their cards directly into the counseling office and place them in the red CSAP collection box OR they may email a copy of their card to their CSAP class liaison.
Due to the limited opportunities for 2021 graduates to complete community volunteer service hours, the CSAP will be reducing the number of required hours to be recognized as a Community Service Ambassador from 100 to 55. If you have successfully completed 55 hours of volunteer service over the course of your 4 years of high school by March 31st, you will be recognized as a CHHS Community Service Ambassador and have the opportunity to purchase a CSAP varsity letter jacket or letter patch from Balfour. If you have questions or need additional information, please see Ms. Howard in the counseling office or email robin.davis@gcisd.net
Class Liaison Contacts:
Class of 2021: chhsambassadors2021@gmail.com
Liaison-Zahra Halai-817-487-0047
Class of 2022: chhsambassadors2022@gmail.com
Liaison-Debra Hurley-817-228-8131
Class of 2023: chhsambassadors2023@gmail.com
Liaison-Tracy Cutrona-214-707-6123
Class of 2024: chhsambassadors2024@gmail.com
Liaison-Terrye Byrd-817-846-7384
GCISD Free and Reduced Applications
Nutrition Services has provided the following links for online applications for free and reduced lunch for the 2020-2021 school year. We strongly encourage parents to use the online portal as processing times are greatly reduced, in comparison to paper applications.
The second link is provided will take a parents to the GCISD website for downloading of paper applications.
Regardless of which avenue is taken, both English and Spanish applications, instructions and household letters are available, as necessary. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Nutrition Services at 817.251.5617.
Nutrition Services appreciates all of your help and consideration!
https://www.schoollunchapp.com
https://www.gcisd.net/cms/One.aspx?portalId=96313&pageId=195229