Counselor Connections
VHS Counseling Department Newsletter - January 2022
Agua Fria Online
Did you know that our district has its own online high school?
Since AF Online is a new school, here is some information if you are considering transferring to their school:
- You must withdraw from VHS, then enroll with AF Online. We are two separate schools.
- The school uses an online curriculum. The courses are not tied to VHS and do not use Google Classroom.
- Students start their classes from the beginning. There is not a "transfer or withdrawal grade" that AF Online can use. The farther along in the semester a student is the less likely they may want to start over in their classes if they are currently passing their classes at VHS. The smoothest time to transfer is the start of the school year and the next best time is at semester.
- Students need to be on-track for graduation in order to attend.
- The course offerings are limited (but growing).
- Students need to pass their classes and stay on-track to graduate to continue attending.
- AF Online is waiting for NCAA recognition as a school – while the process is underway, the recommendation is to stay at your home high school if you plan to participate in college athletics.
Agua Fria Online's website is accessible from the district's website, www.aguafria.org, under the Choose School dropdown menu (top half of page on right) or under the Our District > Our Schools tabs.
Appointment Request - VHS School Counselors
Need to talk with your counselor? Sign-up with our Appointment Request.
Arizona Community Foundation Scholarships
If you need help searching for other scholarships, stop by and talk with Mr. Navarro in the Career Center.
2022-23 Course Selection/Registration Continues...
In December, current freshmen students selected their course requests for the 2022-23 school year. They were encouraged to discuss their course requests with their parents and have their parents sign their Course Selection Sheet. Freshmen met individually with their counselor to finalize their requests prior to Winter Break.
This month, current juniors and sophomores will complete their 2022-23 course selection process. Current sophomores will have an Advisory lesson during the first week of January in which they will receive their Course Selection Sheet and instructions for entering their course requests in StudentVue. They will begin meeting with their counselor via their English class on January 11th. Current juniors are slated to have an Advisory lesson on January 10th and begin meeting with their counselor on January 18th via English class.
It is important for students to choose classes (including alternates) that they are truly interested in and can balance with other commitments. Students should consider the level of the course (AP vs Honors vs Regular) and be aware if there are any prerequisite courses.
Students and parents are encouraged to discuss the course selections and sign the Course Selection Sheet prior to the student's meeting with their counselor.
Students should be checking their student email each day through this month in case their counselor needs to communicate with them regarding their Course Selections.
There are only a few reasons we can change schedules so taking the time now to learn more about a class and think through their selections tends to save frustration and stress later. Questions regarding courses offered and course content can be found in the Course Description Book on our district's website, www.aguafria.org.
ENGAGE Arizona
The Agua Fria Union High School District has partnered with ENGAGE Arizona. ENGAGE Arizona supports students who are chronically absent, academically at risk, or not engaged with school. This is a free program and students/families who opt-in will be provided a free academic coach. Please see the attachments below.
- English: rmd.me/70xPQRW1q3x
- Spanish: rmd.me/hVuLXoGL266
- Parent Request Participation Form: rmd.me/mRqlyghPWJo
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Seniors and families - Just a reminder that the FAFSA opened this past October (2021) for students applying for Fall 2022 college admissions. The sooner you complete the FAFSA the better! The colleges/universities have their own deadlines so be sure to check out their websites.
The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal grants, work-study, and loans that can help you pay for college. It is also commonly used for state and institutional aid, including merit based scholarships. Learn more at https://fafsa.gov. The filing process is FREE...if you are asked to pay any amount, you are on the wrong site!
FAFSA (& more) Resources in AZ
There are a number of community-based organizations that provide AZ students with a variety of support. Two programs that exist to help student with college and career readiness are Education Forward Arizona and College Depot. They offer virtual advising to assist AZ high school students with their post high school plans. Presentations and appointments are available to discuss:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
College applications/Enrollment
Scholarships and Financial Aid
And more!
$$$
The following are scholarship programs that you may be interested in.
Learn more about the Earn to Learn Program, a matched savings scholarship program, at https://earntolearn.org/students-for-applicants/.
Students can earn micro-scholarships on RaiseMe. Learn more at https://www.raise.me/.
The BigFuture Scholarships (previously College Board Opportunity Scholarships) are open to current seniors and juniors. Learn more at https://opportunity.collegeboard.org/; https://pages.collegeboard.org/big-future-scholarships.
PSAT/NMSQT
The College Board posted PSAT results online in December. Sophomores and juniors who took the October test can create an account (if they haven't already) to access their scores. To compliment the score report, students will get their actual test booklet back this month. Students can use both to get assistance on problems they missed. Learn more about your PSAT score at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt-psat-10/scores.
Counseling Department REMIND Messaging
Text the following cohort-specific message to 81010:
Seniors message = @verrado22
Juniors message = @verrado23
Sophomores message = @verrado24
Freshmen message = @verrado25
We have also started one for our incoming freshmen class (Class of 2026) = @verrado26.
Student Emails
It is important for students to check their student emails on a regular basis. Your teachers, counselors, and other staff will use it to communicate with you so be sure to set aside time each day to read your emails.
Summer Programs
Summer programs can be a great way to explore potential careers, learn about a college and/or gain leadership skills. You may want to check out some of the colleges you are interested in and/or specific college departments to see what they may have to offer. Here's an example of a couple summer programs:
Arizona State University Summer Programs (including Barrett Summer Scholars) - https://eoss.asu.edu/access/programs/summer
University of Arizona (Phoenix Campus) Summer Scrubs Program (current 9th - 11th graders) - https://phoenixmed.arizona.edu/summerscrubs
Upcoming Events
January 11 - 14
Class of 2024 ~ 2022-23 VHS Course Selection Meetings w/ Counselors
January 18 - 21
Class of 2023 ~ 2022-23 VHS Course Selection Meetings w/ Counselors
January 19
U of A & AZ Community Colleges Virtual Healthcare Professions Fair
Register at https://bit.ly/31Lzggr.
January 28
EMCC's ACE Program Application Deadline
This program is open to current sophomores.
https://www.estrellamountain.edu/students/ace
April 10
RMACAC Spring College Fair
@ ASU
Viper Showcase - Class of 2026
For our future freshmen, Class of 2026, we will host our annual Viper Showcase on January 19th from 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Information will be shared with students when the counselors visit their middle school but it will also posted on our school's website at www.aguafria.org/vhs. We are excited for all of you to join the Verrado Viper family and can't wait to see you on the 19th!
2022-23 West-MEC Late Applications
The application and supplemental forms, if applicable, were due Friday, December 17, 2021. Late applications will still be accepted; however, students will likely miss out on the initial allocation and be placed on a waitlist.
If you have a question about West-MEC, be sure to talk with your counselor.