ACT Practice Exams
The Valencia High School Counseling Department is offering students an opportunity to take an ACT practice test on Saturday, September 11th from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm.  This is a great way to experience the ACT exam without the pressure of actually taking an official version!  Students can sign up in the counseling office.  Hurry—seats are limited.  The Results Workshop night will be held on Thursday, September 16th, 2010 from 7 – 8 pm.

Study Skills Seminar

On October 20th and 27th  from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the VHS library, Ty Devoe will again offer his 2-part study skills program to train VHS students in the key concepts of academic and personal success, and to train parents on effective educational support techniques.  Both students and parents will be given information and assignments both weeks to reinforce the methods covered in each night’s course, and parents will learn to solidify their role as an academic support system.  Give your student the academic advantage that comes from simply knowing how to study more efficiently.  The cost is $60 per team (one student/one parent) for materials and both nights of instruction.  Sign up ASAP in the counseling office by bringing cash or checks made payable to VHS Counseling.  Seats are limited, so sign up today!

PSAT Workshop

The VHS counseling department and the Princeton Review are sponsoring a two-day PSAT workshop on Saturday, October 9th and Sunday, October 10th.  Saturday’s hours are from 9:00 am until 5:30 pm.  On Sunday, students will meet from 1:30 am until 5:30 pm.  This class will include 8 hours of instruction that’s loaded with valuable information regarding the PSAT, as well as administering a full-length, new-format PSAT. Come and pick up information and a registration form in the counseling office.

PSAT Exam

The PSAT test will be administered on Saturday, October 16th beginning at 7:45 am (no late arrivals will be admitted), and end at approximately 11:00 am at Valencia High School. The PSAT gives valuable information about academic weaknesses that will help students prepare effectively and raise their SAT scores.  Juniors wishing to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship recognition should sign up for this test.  Space is limited and will quickly sell out! To sign up, have your student bring $20, (checks are payable to Valencia High School), to the ASB office beginning September 7th.

CSU Application Help Session
Counselors will be available to help students answer questions and complete/finalize their CSU applications during two different sessions on Saturday, October 16th.  The first session is from 8:00 until 10:00 am and the second session is from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.  The cost is $20.00, and there are only 40 spots available.  Sign up with Mrs. Long in the counseling office beginning Tuesday, September 7th.

UC Personal Statement Help

There will be a “UC Personal Statement 101” session for seniors planning on applying to a University of California campus.  It will take place on Tuesday, October 19th from 7:00 to 8:00 pm and will be hosted by Christian Tanja, an admissions representative from UCLA. No reservation is necessary!

UC Application Help Session
Counselors will be available to help students answer questions and work on their UC applications during two different sessions on Saturday, October 30th.  The first session is from 8:00 until 10:00 am and the second session is from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.  The cost is $20.00, and there are only 40 spots available.  Sign up with Mrs. Long in the counseling office beginning Tuesday, September 7th.

Support Groups

The counseling department would like to invite students to participate in one of our support groups.  Students from any grade level may sign up for one or more of the following groups:  Families in Transition, Male Issues, COPE- Creating Other Problem-Solving Skills (through) Education, IRATE- I Reduce Anger Through Education, and TAG- Teen Age Grief group.   To sign up for any of these groups, contact Ms. Iyashema Redd at 294-1188, ext. 423.

Changes to COC Concurrent Enrollment Policies

Due to budget cuts, the COC summer course offerings have reduced drastically from past years. Because of this, it will be extremely difficult for high school students to get in to a COC class. Students should plan to have back-up arrangements in place, just in case they are not able to get in to a summer COC class. Furthermore, College of the Canyons has changed their concurrent enrollment policies for high school students. Please be aware of the following changes:

1) 9th or 10th grade students will no longer be allowed to enroll in

    COC courses.

2) No high school students will be allowed to enroll in any COC  

     Physical Education courses.

NCAA Clearinghouse

If you have a junior or senior student who plans on being an athlete at the college level, he/she must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.  The registration website can be found at:  www.ncaaclearinghouse.com.  Students/Parents should be very careful when reviewing this website, as there are many details that the students must adhere to in order to be eligible.  If your student needs additional help with eligibility issues, he/she can contact Mrs. Stroh in the counseling office or by email at kas@hartdistrict.org.