ST. MONICA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK /25/14 1

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1 ST. MONICA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT HANDBOOK /25/14 1

2 ST. MONICA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT STUDENT / PARENT HANDBOOK PHILOSOPHY St. Monica Catholic High School Guidance Counselors value the uniqueness and potential for success of each student. The Guidance Counselors believe that each student can become self-sufficient, independent critical thinkers, and can make good, morale, and positive choices for their lives. MISSION STATEMENT The Guidance Counselors are committed to providing high quality, comprehensive academic, college, and career advisement services to all the students and parents of St. Monica Catholic High School. GUIDANCE COUNSELORS: Mrs. Danielle Rakowski -- A through G Mr. Lukas Mendoza -- H through O Dr. Yvonne McNeal -- P through Z GUIDANCE PROGRAM: General Information The Guidance Counselors initiate meetings with each student at least once every semester. Generally, the Guidance Counselors send an appointment slip to the student to report to the Guidance Counselor at a specific time and day. If the student is taking a test or quiz or is participating in a lab or group project and cannot attend the meeting, the Guidance Counselor will call the student again at a more convenient time. Students and parents are more than welcomed to request an appointment with a Guidance Counselor at any time. See the Counselor s contact information in this pamphlet or on the school s website. The Guidance Counselors provide guidance and support to all students with the following: Selecting classes for high school graduation requirements and specific college and career requirements 2

3 Making adjustments to the class schedule at the beginning of each semester, if necessary (see school policy) Recommending electives, based on student s grades, skills and interests, and possible college majors Making recommendations for credit recovery classes of failed grades for graduation and college acceptance requirements Exploring and selecting colleges that are the best fit for the student Exploring and selecting careers that are the best fit for the student Providing standardized college entrance exam information that is the best fit for the student Searching for and applying to colleges and universities Searching and applying for scholarships Uploading all information related to the college application process on Naviance Interpreting standardized test score reports Becoming effective students (i.e. learning time management, stress reduction, planning, etc.) Workshops During the school year, the Guidance Counselors will hold workshops of interesting topics to students for all grades levels. Students Religion classes function as homeroom, and some of these workshops will take place during the student s Religion class. Other workshops will take place at other times during school. The Guidance Counselors will announce the dates and locations of these workshops on the Guidance Department s web page, through daily announcements, and through Naviance. Some workshops may be more significant for students at a particular grade-level, however all students are invited to attend any of these workshops. Academic: Review of SMCHS s graduation requirements The importance of school-wide testing Understanding the standardized score report How to select classes that are the best fit for you Selecting classes for the next school year Extra support: peer tutoring, faculty tutoring, STEP/MAP program Applying to college: Introduction to Naviance How to apply to the UCs and CSUs Private Colleges and the Common App The Ivy League colleges Application filing types: regular, rolling, early decision, early action How to write powerful personal essays and supplementary questions prompts How to ask teachers for a letter of recommendation 8/25/14 3

4 Why a community college may be the best fit for you College entrance exams: SAT, ACT, Subject Tests -- understanding the types of tests and scores College test-preps: Kaplan Financial Aid: Cost of attending college FAFSA, CCS Profile, Cal Grant GPA verification Types of scholarships Being Involved: Sports, clubs, and organizations Service Research Internships / jobs Grade-Level Guidance Program In addition to the activities above, the Guidance Counselors work with students according to the needs of their grade-level. In general, the number of meetings the Guidance Counselors will have with students will increase each year over the course of the 4-years. 9th Grade Program The Guidance Counselors help freshmen adjust to high school. The Guidance Counselors help freshmen become acclimated to the family of St. Monica Catholic High School, and help them understand the overarching experiences of attending high school and preparing for college and career. This is an exciting time for students as they transition from middle school, begin their high school journey, and prepare for their future. Reviewing grades is one of the most important duties of the Guidance Counselors, beginning with students in the freshman year. Excellent grades on the student s transcript provide a solid and successful foundation for the student s entire high school experience. With excellent grades, freshmen have the opportunity to Be eligible for future membership into the National Honors Society (NHS) and the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), two of the most prestigious academic organizations in the nation. Be eligible to take more rigorous Honors and AP classes Receive recognition at awards ceremonies 4

5 Compete with students across the nation for admission into excellent colleges and universities Be eligible for scholarship and financial aid opportunities Participate in clubs, organizations, and sports When students struggle to earn passing grades, the Guidance Counselors will communicate with the teachers and parents to determine the best way to support the students. Guidance Counselors strongly advise students to attend tutoring (with the teacher, a peer, or through an outside tutorial service) when they struggle with classes. Under certain circumstances, the Guidance Counselors will suggest that the students and parents explore possible reasons for academic difficulty by referring the student for professional educational testing. If a professional diagnosis is given that explains students academic challenges, the Guidance Counselors will advise the students and parents to inquire about the school s STEP/MAP program that assists diagnosed students will special learning challenges. Promoting participation in activities: We encourage all students to participate in sports, clubs, and organizations throughout their 4-years of high school. Participating in these activities help build character and morale, develop personal growth, strengthen personal and group skills, and contribute to knowledge and skills related to possible college majors and career choices. The Guidance Counselors will help students select the best clubs and organizations in which to participate, depending on the student s skills and interests. Quite often, students will use their experiences as valuable information to communicate about themselves to colleges when writing their personal statements (required for most private colleges and universities) and scholarships! Preparing for standardized test: All freshmen at St. Monica Catholic High School take ACT s Aspire College and Career Readiness test. This standardized test is administered at St. Monica s through the Guidance Department on the same day the sophomores and juniors take the PSAT -- generally the third Wednesday in October. Through a combination of group and individual meetings, the Guidance Counselors will explain the value of the test, provide freshmen with tips for success, interpret the test scores, and discuss score implications for college and career. The Guidance Department administers the IOWA standardized test to all students in March. Preparing for college and career: The Guidance Counselors will give freshman students a general orientation to Naviance. We will teach freshmen to Navigate Naviance Upload their classes on Naviance Begin the college search process, and Begin to create their resume (formally known as a brag sheet). 8/25/14 5

6 Facilitating parent meetings: All freshman parents are highly encouraged to attend the Freshmen Parent Meetings. One meeting is held in the fall, and one is held in the spring. Please refer to the school s calendar on the website for the dates. 10th Grade Program Now, students promoting to their sophomore year have become acclimated to the St. Monica s family. The Guidance Counselors will continue to work with students in the same manner as when they were freshmen, but with the following considerations: Reviewing grades continues to be a top priority for the Guidance Counselors. Sophomore year is a very important year for students because their semester grade point averages will be computed for college, universities, and scholarship / Cal Grant applications. Guidance counselors encourage sophomores to do their academic best: Take rigorous classes (AP and Honors) Take credit recovery classes for graduation and/or college requirements, if necessary to ensure students are on track to graduate on time College-bound student-athletes need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center at the beginning of their sophomore year, make sure that they take and pass the NCAA approved core courses and achieve the minimum grade point average. The Guidance Counselors will assist sophomores with this process. Promoting participation in activities: the Guidance Counselors will encourage qualified students to participate in NHS and CSF, as well as other clubs and organizations on and off campus. Preparing for standardized test: All sophomores at St. Monica Catholic High School take the College Board s PSAT test. This standardized test is administered at St. Monica s through the Guidance Department on a national test date determined by the College Board -- generally the third Wednesday in October. A few weeks before the test, the Guidance Counselors will distribute informational materials published by the College Board to each sophomore. Through a combination of group and individual meetings, the Guidance Counselors will explain the value of the test, provide sophomores with tips for success, interpret the test scores, and discuss score implications for college and career. 6

7 St. Monica Catholic High School participates with the Kaplan SAT test preparation program. The Guidance Counselors mail information about this program to the student s mailing address that is on file in the main office. The Kaplan SAT preparation classes are usually held in early fall (in time for the October administration) and in early spring. Preparing for college and career: the Guidance Counselors will Introduce sophomores to important college resource internet sites Encourage sophomores to enhance their list of prospective colleges on Naviance Encourage sophomores to update their resume on Naviance Discuss possible college majors and careers identified by by the ACT Aspire and the College Board s PSAT test, academic skills, and interests Begin to have more serious discussions about possible topics for student s personal essays (for UCs, and private colleges / universities). 11th Grade Program Juniors are now upper-classmen, and the Guidance Counselors will have an increased number of meetings with the students. Reviewing grades continues to be a top priority for the Guidance Counselors. Junior year is even more important for students because their semester grade point averages will be computed for college, universities, and scholarship / Cal Grant applications. Guidance counselors encourage juniors to do their academic best: Continue to take and pass rigorous classes (AP and Honors) Take credit recovery classes for graduation and/or college requirements, if necessary to ensure students are on track to graduate on time During junior year, college-bound student-athletes need to continue taking and passing the required NCAA approved core courses and achieving the minimum grade point average of 2.3. Juniors are highly encouraged to take the SAT/ACT at the May or June administration. NCAA requires that college-bound student-athletes earn the minimum SAT/ACT scores determined by NCAA. The Guidance Counselors will guide juniors with this process, and send a transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of the junior year. Note regarding Division I and II colleges: any classes that need to be taken for credit recovery MUST be taken at a college-preparatory high school with an instructor present in the classroom for instructional guidance. Classes taken through online schools must also have a teacher available to interact with students. Classes taken without instructional guidance from a teacher are not permitted by NCAA. The Guidance Counselors will suggest appropriate schools for students to take credit-recovery classes. 8/25/14 7

8 Promoting participation in activities: the Guidance Counselors will encourage qualified students to participate in NHS and CSF, as well as other clubs and organizations on and off campus. The Guidance Counselors may also encourage juniors to participate in research and internship opportunities in their fields of interests, especially areas related to their major in college or possible careers. The Guidance Counselors will help students search for these opportunities, if needed. Preparing for standardized test: All juniors at St. Monica Catholic High School take the College Board s PSAT. This standardized test is administered at St. Monica s through the Guidance Department on a national test date determined by the College Board -- generally the third Wednesday in October. A few weeks before the test, the Guidance Counselors will distribute informational materials published by the College Board to each junior. Through a combination of group and individual meetings, the Guidance Counselors will explain the value of the test, provide juniors with tips for success, interpret the test scores, and discuss score implications for college and career. St. Monica Catholic High School participates with the Kaplan SAT test preparation program. The Guidance Counselors mail information about this program to the student s mailing address that is on file in the main office. The Kaplan SAT preparation classes are usually held in early fall (in time for the October administration) and in early spring. The Guidance Counselors encourage all juniors to take the May or June administrations of the SAT and ACT tests. Students will receive their scores during the summer. Guidance Counselors can help students decide which test is the best fit for them, then students will be encouraged to ake the tests again in the fall of senior year. Preparing for college and career: the Guidance Counselors will Encourage juniors to enhance their list of prospective colleges on Naviance Encourage juniors to update their resume on Naviance Continue to discuss possible college majors and careers identified by by the ACT Aspire and the College Board s PSAT test, academic skills, and interests Continue to have more serious discussions about possible topics for student s personal essays (for UCs, and private colleges / universities). Encourage juniors to take the May or June ACT / SAT administration. For students interested in attending the UCs, the Guidance Counselors will identify students who are in the top 15% of their class, request written authorization from parents to submit student contact information to the UCs, and submit the information to the UCs. [This is the UCs Eligibility in the Local Context program] Encourage the juniors to attend group presentations facilitated by the Guidance Counselors (see Group Presentation Topics below) 12th Grade Program 8

9 The Guidance Counselors will have very many meetings with seniors throughout the school year due to the college, financial aid, and scholarship applications. Reviewing grades continues to be a top priority for the Guidance Counselors. The Guidance Counselors will encourage seniors to continue taking and passing rigorous classes. Colleges and universities frown upon a relaxed senior schedule. The Guidance Counselors will also advise seniors to continue to challenge themselves academically. Guidance counselors encourage seniors to do their academic best: Continue to take and pass rigorous classes (AP and Honors) Take credit recovery classes for graduation and/or college requirements, if necessary to ensure students are on track to graduate on time During senior year, college-bound student-athletes need to continue taking and passing the required NCAA approved core courses and achieving the minimum grade point average of 2.3. Seniors are highly encouraged to take the SAT/ACT at the October administration. NCAA requires that college-bound student-athletes earn the minimum SAT/ACT scores determined by NCAA. The Guidance Counselors will guide seniors with this process, and send a final transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center at the end of the senior year. Note regarding Division I and II colleges: any classes that need to be taken for credit recovery MUST be taken at a college-preparatory high school with an instructor present in the classroom for instructional guidance and assessments. Classes taken through online schools must also have a teacher available to interact with students. Classes taken without instructional guidance from a teacher are not permitted by NCAA. The Guidance Counselors will suggest appropriate schools for students to take credit-recovery classes. Promoting participation in activities: the Guidance Counselors will encourage qualified students to continue to participate in NHS and CSF, as well as other clubs and organizations on and off campus. The Guidance Counselors may also encourage seniors to participate in research and internship opportunities in their fields of interests, especially areas related to their major in college or possible careers. The Guidance Counselors will help students search for these opportunities, if needed. Activities and Timeline for the College Application process: In the early fall (August - November) the Guidance Counselors: Encourage seniors to take the Kaplan SAT test preparation course at SMCHS in August 8/25/14 9

10 Help seniors narrow down their college choices. On Naviance, students will transfer their list of prospective colleges to active applications. Help seniors complete the online application for colleges. (UCs and CSUs are due October 30th; most private colleges / universities application deadline varies from December through March; early decision / early action deadline may be in November or December) Help seniors complete paper applications, if necessary. Finalize seniors written evaluations [the Guidance Counselor s letter of recommendation] (for private colleges and universities). Help seniors finalize their personal essay for the UCs, private colleges / universities and scholarships, and the supplementary questions for private college / universities. Submit the School Report to the private colleges through Naviance (School Profile, Common App School Report, initial active transcript [10th and 11th grades], and written evaluation) Assist teachers who are writing letters of recommendation for seniors. Schedule college admissions representative visits and notify seniors of the visits (through the school s website, the Guidance Center s web page, daily announcements, the student s Naviance accounts). Follow up with seniors regarding their SAT / ACT entrance exams (the December administration is the final test colleges will accept). Advise seniors of regional college fairs and encourage attending the fairs In late fall (November & December), before Christmas break, the Guidance Counselors: Educate seniors about the financial aid process: FAFSA, CSS Profile, and Cal Grants. Continue to help seniors with private college / university applications. Continue to help seniors write their personal essay for the private colleges / universities and scholarships, and the supplementary questions for private college / universities. Submit the School Report to the colleges through Naviance (Mid-Year Common App School Report, mid-year transcript [10th, 11th, and 1st semester 12th grades], and written evaluation updates if necessary) Continue to assist teachers who are writing letters of recommendation for seniors. Encourage seniors to keep up their GPA, or improve it if necessary! In early spring semester (January, February & March), the Guidance Counselors: Help seniors file the completed FAFSA form and submit online beginning January 1st Upload all seniors Cal Grant GPA verification information to the Student Aid Commission (by March 2nd deadline). Advise seniors of regional college fairs. Encourage seniors to visit college campuses. Help seniors make final decisions regarding college / university acceptances. 10

11 Encourage seniors to keep up their GPA, or improve it if necessary! In late spring semester (April & May), the Guidance Counselors: Help seniors communicate with college admissions offices, if necessary Advise students attending a CSU to register online for the math and English placement tests Remind seniors to send their intent to register to the college they plan to attend by May 1st. Remind seniors to complete the form requesting the Registrar to mail the final official transcript from St. Monica s to the senior s college of attendance (forms are available in the Main Office). 8/25/14 11

Juniors Spring Presentation

Juniors Spring Presentation First of all. Congratulations on all your hard work junior year! Now everyone take a deep breath And get ready for what s next: 1. Finish strong over these last 5 weeks 2. Make