Counselor Connection
La Canada High School
Daily PA LCHS Announcements
Can't hear the PA Announcements in class? Did you know that all of the announcements are posted on the school website? Just go to the Student Portal on the upper left corner of the website, then "PA Announcements" on the right gold bar. Click here for the link. Stay informed and never miss an announcement again!
Important upcoming events to help students and families with course selection for the 2016-2017 school year.
The counselors have begun visiting English classes to start the 2016-2017 course registration process. The English class student presentation includes course information, selection, reviewing graduation and a-g college admission requirements, transcript review and summer school. Students will each receive a copy of their transcript and a course selection contract. Students will be given explicit instructions on how to complete the course selection contract, which will be due to their counselor 1 week following the presentation in their English class. Counselors visited junior (rising senior) English classes on February 1st and sophomore (rising junior) English classes on February 5th. The counselors will be visiting freshman (rising sophomore) English classes tomorrow, February 17th. Students will be reviewing their submitted course selection contracts with their counselors during their English classes beginning the last week of February.
If you are considering any Advanced Placement class next year, you should attend a lunch informational meeting THIS WEEK to find out from the teacher of the class what is expected. AP classes are not offered so you can “try them out” nor should they be taken because they offer the extra grade point. Next year, you may not be able to transfer from an AP class to a college preparatory class. This could jeopardize graduation. Please plan far ahead for these courses. Click here for the lunch schedule of information sessions.
Presenting the New Elective Offerings at LCHS 7-12 for the 2016-2107 School Year -TONIGHT, February 22, in the LCHS IRC, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. All parents of students in grades 6 - 11 are invited.
LCHS 7-12 Parent Math Night will give parents the opportunity to meet with the District's math consultant, Heather Dallas, from UCLA who has been working with the LCHS Math Department to design the future course pathways in math. She and Associate Principal, Mr. Jim Cartnal, will describe the process and reasoning behind the course designs and answer parent questions - This Thursday, February 25, in the LCHS Auditorium, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. All parents of students grades 6-12 are invited.
Continuing to notice, choose and act after Challenge Day, here's this week's Challenge:
The quote of the week is . . .
“As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.”
–Andrew Carnegie
Carnegie was a Scottish-born American industrialist, businessman, and a major philanthropist. He built Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Steel Company, which eventually merged with other steel companies to become U.S. Steel. With his wealth he turned to philanthropy and interests in education, founding Carnegie Corporation of New York, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
The Challenge for this week is to live up to your word. Take action on something you have been avoiding or putting off.
LCHS Students in Action!
Spartan News!
Make sure to check out the Spartan Newspaper´s newest video broadcast outlet, LCTV! Every week we will provide highlights of everything Spartan--from sports teams to clubs to school events, we´ve got you covered. If you would like to be featured in one or more of our videos, please contact lchsspartan@gmail.com
9th-11th Grade Announcements
Attention AP Students
AP Exam Sign-Ups have begun and will go through Friday, March 18th. Please see the flyer posted in your AP classes. Sign-ups will not be taken during class time. Be advised that the fee is $95 per exam from February 8th through February 26th, but will increase to $105 per exam from February 29th through March 11th, and again to $115 per exam from March 14th through March 18th. Checks should be made out to LCHS-AP Exams. If paying with cash, please have exact change. Sign up early. ABSOLUTELY NO LATE SIGN UPS WILL BE TAKEN!
Claremont College High School opportunity
Are you wanting to learn interesting things from Claremont College students? Splash is a one-day weekend event (February 27th) where you will come to Harvey Mudd College and take some super-cool classes of your choosing taught by students from the Claremont Colleges. The 2015 course catalog can be found here. Link for further information: https://claremont.learningu.org/learn/index.html
TESTING INFO:
-ACT: The deadline to register for the April 9th ACT test is March 4th. Sign up through ACTstudent.org
-SAT II Subject Test: Some universities request students to take the SAT II subject test to show subject proficiency. Consider preparing for 2 or 3 exams in subjects you feel confident in and plan to take the June SAT II test date. To find out whether a university requires subject tests check out the college admissions page for more details.
Summer Programs
Thinking of summer learning opportunities? Please visit http://connection.naviance.com/lchsca. Click on the College tab, then click on Enrichment Programs to see a full listing of programs available.
Scholarship and Financial Aid
For scholarship and other financial aid opportunities, please visit http://connection.naviance.com/lchsca Click on the college tab, then click on scholarships. Mrs. Erickson will also keep hard copies of any local scholarships on file in the counseling office. She is available in the front office between the hours of Noon-3:45 p.m.
NCAA
Thank you for attending a wonderful NCAA Information Night presentation put on by the LCHS counseling department. The presentation and handouts are available in the counseling section of the LCHS website. Here is a direct link in case you were not able to join us and want to learn more about the NCAA eligibility process.
http://www.lchsspartans.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=359200&type=d&pREC_ID=778738
SAT and ACT Prep Opportunities Click here for a list of local options and La Canada student discounts.
Senior Stop
UPCOMING SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Upcoming Scholarships Due between 2-29 and 3-11:
Local
- La Canada Thursday Club due March 4 by 5:00 pm The La Canada Thursday Club Foundation Scholarship The Greenawalt Scholarship application available online at www.lacanadathursdayclub.org
- Community Foundation of the Verdugos Student Scholarship Programs due March 2
- Christopher A. Burrows Memorial Scholarship due March 2
- Phil Ellis Scholarship Gonzales Harris Bilingual Scholarship application available online at www.cfverdugos.org/student-scholarship-programs/ due March 2
Non-local
- Buick Achievers due February 29 need based, merit based majoring in science, technology,engineering, math, design or business application available online at www.buickachievers.com
- Chen Foundation due February 29 senior who plans to attend a CSU or Community College\ application available online at www.apcf.org/2016-chen-foundation-scholarship program/
- Alpha Kappa due March 1 Local San Gabriel Valley area
- Black/African American senior application available online at www.aka-elo.org
- Tzu Chi Scholarship Program due March 11 need based academic achievement community involvement application available online at www.tzuchi.us/scholarships/
Attention AP Students
AP Exam Sign-Ups have begun and will go through Friday, March 18th. Please see the flyer posted in your AP classes. Sign-ups will not be taken during class time. Be advised that the fee is $95 per exam from February 8th through February 26th, but will increase to $105 per exam from February 29th through March 11th, and again to $115 per exam from March 14th through March 18th. Checks should be made out to LCHS-AP Exams. If paying with cash, please have exact change. Sign up early. ABSOLUTELY NO LATE SIGN UPS WILL BE TAKEN!
PCC Spring Symposium
Want to know how to get from high school to a community college, and/or transfer to a highly selective university? Get these answers and much more as Pasadena City College’s President’s Asian and Pacific Islander Advisory Committee presents the annual “Spring Symposium: “Paving a Successful Pathway: From High School to College, Career and Beyond” event on Saturday, Feb. 27 in PCC’s Creveling Lounge.
High school students who attend the event will have on-the-spot acceptance to PCC’s highly successful Pathways Program. Attendees will also learn about Transfer Admissions Guarantee (TAG) to select four-year institutions and gain valuable information on how to finance college expenses.
Workshops include:
· Parent 101: Understanding the higher education system and how to help your children
· Financial: Laying out a financial plan with cost differences for PCC and four-year institutions
· Transfer: What it is and how it works
· Support services at PCC
A campus tour by PCC’s Mirror Pool will begin at 8 a.m., and the event will convene in Creveling Lounge from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more information, please call (626) 585-7878.
GCC 1st Annual Maker Faire
We invite you to attend our 1st Annual Maker Faire. College and high school students from the LA County Region will showcase their original projects. There will be judging for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards. In addition, there will be STEM related workshops and keynotes hosted by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Robotics Academy. Come meet industry professionals and enjoy a FREE continental breakfast and In-N-Out (first come first serve basis) . If you are interested in showcasing your project, please RSVP below and specify your interest by selecting “exhibitor.”
WHEN: Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PMWHERE: Student Center Conference Room - 1500 North Verdugo Road Glendale, CA 91208
PAWS (Pre-Assessment Workshops) are coming to LCHS!
Pasadena City College has announced that it is now offering Pre-Assessment Workshops and Study Sessions (PAWS) for students preparing to take PCC Accuplacer assessment exams. Workshops are free and available until Aug. 15.
First-time college students are required to take math and English/ESL placement exams to assist them in determining which courses to take at PCC. The workshops, led by trained peer tutors, provide online practice tests that simulate the Accuplacer exams. Students are given licenses that allow them to access the tests outside the
workshop. Study skills and important information on how to arrive well-prepared for the exams are also taught, and Math and English tutoring are available as well.
This PAWS workshop opportunity is coming to La Canada High School campus for the first time!
DATE: TUESDAY MARCH 1, 2016
TIME: 7:30am
LOCATION: IRC – please arrive early as we will be using the computers downstairs
Please register for the workshop in Naviance under College visits prior to arrival on March 1st. You will be able to attend the assessment workshop on a walk-in basis as well.
Financial Aid
LCHS is happy to announce that we will be electronically sending the GPA’s for all students this year, so there is no longer a need to submit the Cal Grant GPA verification form. Yay!
What is Cal Grant? Cal Grant is State based aid. It requires the filing of the FAFSA in order for families to be considered. Students must list an eligible in-state (California) college on their FAFSA application to trigger Cal Grant review. The order in which you list the colleges will not impact your eligibility for state aid. Please note that LCHS encourages ALL families to submit a FAFSA.
What deadlines should I mark on my calendar?
- March 2: The most important deadline for Cal Grants is March 2. Be sure you submit your FAFSA and your verified Cal Grant GPA (LCHS will do this automatically for ALL students) by the March 2 Cal Grant application deadline.
- September 2: If you’ll be attending a California Community College in the fall and missed the March 2 deadline, you have a second deadline of September 2. There are only a limited number of awards available for those who apply in the fall, so try to meet the March 2 deadline.
Keep in mind that your college may have earlier deadlines for its financial aid programs, so be sure to check with each college you’re considering. Also, deadlines for private scholarships may be earlier in the year.
Don’t procrastinate! Start your FAFSA today! www.fafsa.ed.gov
Pasadena City College Application Process
Attention students who are planning on attending Pasadena City College in the fall of 2016. There are 5 steps in the application process.
How to apply:
- STEP ONE: Complete the Application for Admission (apply online as early as possible) ** For those students who attended the PCC Application Workshop “Pathways” back in December 2015, you have already completed this step and need to move on to step two in the process. It is important to apply early. The earlier you apply, the earlier your priority registration date and the best choices for classes. What's next?
- STEP TWO: Apply for Admission and Complete New Student Online Orientation. Steps must be completed before testing.
- STEP THREE: Attend a Pre-Assessment Workshop and Study Session (PAWS) to prepare for the test session. Choosing not to review could result in taking courses that do not count towards graduation and/or transfer. The PAWS is offered through the Learning Assistance Center. Please call 626-585-7230 if you have further questions. ** SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - PAWS WILL BE COMING TO LCHS. PLEASE READ THE INFORMATION IN THIS NEWSLETTER REGARDING PAWS.
PASADENA CITY COLLEGE February 2016: Office and Testing Hours Schedule • September through May: Testing available on a WalkIn Basis (First-Come, First-Served) • June, July and August: Testing available by Online Appointment. No walk-ins accepted.Closed on Saturday and Sunday and on holidays. • March 2016 - May 2016: Hours to Be Announced in Late-February 2016. • Hours are subject to change without notice due to off-campus testing and special events that are held yearly. 1. Bring your LancerPoint ID # (Listed on Emailed Admissions Notice), a pen or pencil, a valid email address to receive your exam results and $2.00 if you plan to park on campus. 2. Bring a Valid Photo ID (See Below): • Acceptable Photo ID Forms: Government Issued Driver’s License, State ID, Military ID, Passport, Permanent Resident Card and (High School ID issued within the last year). The Assessment Office reserves the right to ask for a second form of identification. • Unacceptable Photo ID Forms: Expired Identification, Photo ID Cards from colleges, universities, bankcards, library cards, Temporary DMV License and/or ID Card, photocopies/electronic versions of identification. No exceptions will be made due to test publisher (College Board) requirements.
- STEP FOUR: Take the English or ESL and math placement exams at least 3 weeks before your registration date because classes fill quickly. Registration dates will be posted in LancerPoint.
- STEP FIVE: Register for classes online on your registration priority date.
Spring College Tours
Spring break is right around the corner. If you are planning to visit some of the colleges you've been accepted to, please check out these suggestions from Huffington Post on how to make the most of your spring break campus visit:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/14/how-to-plan-a-college-visit_n_4966229.html
Be sure to take this checklist with you to keep you on track during your visit.
https://drive.google.com/a/lcusd.net/file/d/0B1eLU9CLHNf2TTFTSm9vUnZYTVk/view?usp=sharing
Scholarship and Financial Aid
For scholarship and other financial aid opportunities, please visit http://connection.naviance.com/lchsca Click on the college tab, then click on scholarships. Mrs. Erickson will also keep hard copies of any local scholarships on file in the counseling office. She is available in the front office between the hours of Noon-3:45 p.m.
Winter Timeline Reminders (December-February) from Campus Explorer.com
- Continue to work hard in your classes. Make your last semester count!
- Schedule your college interviews to finish up the admissions process.
- Complete your FAFSA so you can get the most possible financial assistance for college.
- Request that your high school send your first semester grades to every college that you applied to. Remember, schools will continue to track your grades as you finish out your senior year, so now’s no time to slack.
- Verify with your counselor that your transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores have been sent to your prospective schools.
- Send an email or make a phone call to make sure your colleges have received your application. While you’re at it, check to see that they have everything else they need, including your transcripts and financial aid material.
- Continue your hunt for scholarships and apply for scholarships.
- If you do not plan to apply to 4-year universities, continue researching your options by using Naviance and by meeting with your counselor. We have resources oncommunitycollege, trade/vocational schools, Gap year programs and more.
Counseling Corner Resources
Sleep
Sleep is a necessity, not a luxury. Teens often find themselves distracted by electronic devices during their normal sleeping times, which could potentially lead to sleep problems and maybe even lower grades. Please encourage your teen to not only just turn the lights out, but to turn off the electronic devices off as well. Easier said than done, we know, but the more we all promote healthy sleep habits, the better off our teens will be!
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_157111.html
Girl Talk! and Institute for Girls' Development are two local resources for parents of high school girls. (These resources/references are for parent information only. La Canada Unified School District (LCUSD) does not endorse any one specific therapist or treatment center. LCUSD does not claim or make any representation of financial responsibility.)
Tweet! Tweet!
- Click here for La Canada Flintridge Community Prevention Council resources available
The LCHS Counseling Department is on Twitter! Come follow us for important reminders, announcements, and upcoming events. Our Twitter handle is @LCcounselors
- These short video segments featuring Denise Pope and Madeline Levine are based on current research and offer practical strategies to parents on topics such as How Parents and Kids Define Success Differently, Increased Stress in Kids, Developing Self Regulation, Finding the Best Fit College and many more click here