CVHS GUIDANCE NEWS: February 27th, 2008
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:
AP Testing Update:
AP exams will be administered during the period of May 5th through May 16th. Additional information regarding specific test dates, locations, and times will be given to students as the test dates move closer. In the meantime, any questions regarding AP Testing should be directed to Academic Advisor Cassandra Ondryas at condryas@capousd.org
IMPORTANT – Parents of Freshmen – PE Fitness Testing:
All parents of freshman will be receiving an important letter via US mail within the next two weeks regarding recent legislation involving 9th grade PE fitness testing. Per the new legislation (SB78 and SB601), all students in the class of 2011 and beyond must pass five out of six physical education standards as measured by the state Fitnessgram test when it is administered to all freshman during the spring semester. Students who do not pass the pass the Fitnessgram either in grade 9 or by the end of grade 10 will be required to complete additional years of PE in grades 11 and/or 12. Please watch the mail for this important letter and contact the Guidance Department if you do not receive a letter by February 29th.
Last Day to Make Level Changes:
The last day for students to make a course “level change” (moving down within the same subject area) is Friday, March 28, 2008.
“D” and “F” Grades: Implications for College Entrance, Graduation, and Summer School:
Students who receive a “D” or an “F” in a college prep course (i.e. math, science, English, social studies, Foreign Language, Visual/Performing Art, etc.) MUST improve the grade to a “C” or better if they wish the course to satisfy a college entrance requirement. For more specific information on grade and subject requirements for college admissions to CSU and UC campuses, please go to www.cvhs.com Click on “Guidance” and then on “College Info”. NOTE: Current seniors MUST immediately notify their college in writing if they have a change in their academic program from that which was reported during the application process. Students who receive an “F” in any course required for high school graduation MUST repeat the course. Summer school applications will be available sometime in March in the Guidance Office. Please see summer school information directly below.
Summer School – Save the Dates!
Tentative high school summer school dates have been announced. Summer school will be conducted at CVHS this summer on Monday through Thursday each week from 7:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. as follows:
Session I: Monday, June 23rd through Thursday, July 10th
Session II: Monday, July 14th through Thursday July 31st
Students who fail a required class or who must make-up a “D” grade for college admissions should plan to attend in order to stay on track for high school graduation and/or college admissions. NOTE: Some students will need to attend both sessions above, while others may only need to attend one session, depending upon which semester(s) of a given class need to be made-up. In general, a student who fails a class during fall semester will need to attend Session I, while a student who fails a class during spring semester will need to attend Session II. If a student fails a class or classes both semesters, they would need to attend both Sessions I and II.
Attention Seniors Accepted to Cal State Campuses:
Seniors who have been accepted and plan to attend a CSU campus should check the status of their English Placement Test (EPT) and Entry Level Math (ELM) on their acceptance paperwork when received from the university. If the student has not met these requirements, either through the EAP process or SAT/ACT scores, they should plan on taking the tests soon. Click on the link below to see general information and the testing schedules for the various CSU campuses.
“Youth in Business Job Shadow Day”:
The Youth in Business Job Shadow Day will be held on Thursday, March 27th from 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and is open to all CVHS students by application. Students will be matched with local employers to explore an area of career interest. Students and employers will also be attending a luncheon together to share their experiences. Applications may be picked up from Mrs. Deckert in the CVHS Career Center and are due by March 7th. This event is held in cooperation with the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce.
and answer questions. Please save the date and plan to attend!
SAVE THE DATE: Capistrano Valley High School 8th Grade Parent/Student Expo:
Capistrano Valley High School’s annual 8th Grade Parent/Student Expo is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, March 8th from 8:00 a.m. – 12 noon. This is an opportunity for all incoming parents and students to visit the CVHS campus and learn more about high school academics, special programs, college preparation, athletics, and co-curricular programs. Save the date and watch future listserv e-mails for updates!
CAHSEE Testing for ALL Sophomores Coming In March:
All sophomore students will take the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) for the first time in March. The test will be administered on Tuesday, March 11th, (English Language Arts subtest) and Wednesday, March 12th (Mathematics subtest). Passing both subtests is required in order to earn a high school diploma. Students will have several opportunities to pass the exam during high school, beginning with this first attempt during the sophomore year. CVHS will be on a minimum day schedule for both days of CAHSEE testing, with regular classes ending at 12:40 p.m. (freshman, juniors and seniors will be dismissed at this time), and testing beginning at 1:10 p.m. for sophomores only. A modified lunch menu will be provided during the break between regular classes and testing, and bus schedules will be modified accordingly on both days, with the last buses leaving CVHS at approximately 4:30 p.m. for those students testing. In order to ensure that each student does his/her very best on these important tests, please keep in mind the following:
1. Attendance is VERY important on testing days, and students should only be absent due to illness. In order to meet state-wide testing goals, all high schools must test at least 95% of their eligible students.
2. Students should get plenty of sleep the night before testing. Proper rest helps ensure that students will be sharp and able to focus.
3. Students should eat healthy meals on testing days, including breakfast. Protein-rich foods and complex carbohydrates are best, and sugary foods and excessive caffeine intake should be avoided since both can contribute to nervousness or “test anxiety.”
4. Studies have shown that attitude can highly influence testing performance. Parents and teachers should remind students of the importance of testing, and encourage their best efforts. Historically, a high percentage of CVHS sophomores pass one or both subtests of the exam on their first attempt.
5. In order to help eliminate “test anxiety,” parents should remind students that their maximum effort is all that is required, and that if students give a best effort and do not pass one or both sections of the exam, they will have several other opportunities to do so during high school.
Attention all California State University (CSU) Eligible Juniors:
A letter will soon be mailed home to all California State University (CSU) eligible juniors (i.e. those juniors who have a grade point average of 2.9 or above and who are also making progress on satisfactorily completing college prep coursework necessary for four-year college admissions after high school). The letter will inform parents that any junior who may decide to attend a CSU campus after high school graduation should sign up to take the “Early Assessment Program” (EAP) tests in math and English. Although the EAP tests are NOT used by the University of California (UC) system, it is recommended that all four-year college eligible juniors (approx. 2.75 or greater GPA with proper college prep coursework) take the EAP tests in case students later decide to attend a CSU after graduation. The essay portion of these tests will be given here at CVHS during tutorial on March 19th and the multiple choice portions will be given later in conjunction with annual STAR testing in May. In order to pass, student MUST take ALL portions of these tests, and although the tests are voluntary, taking the tests will allow CSU admissions to evaluate and place students in college math and English classes. Scoring well on the tests will ensure that students do not have to take remedial math and English classes as CSU college freshman. Students interested in taking the EAP tests MUST sign up in the Guidance Office immediately. Please contact your student’s Academic Advisor with any questions.
Student/Parent Night : “Finding ‘Sleeper’ Colleges Part II – They Really Do Exist!”
Back by popular demand, the Capistrano Valley High School Guidance Department will again this year host a night for parents and students on how to identify and select outstanding colleges that are perhaps smaller or lesser known. “Part I” of this informational program was offered last year, and this year, a selection of entirely different colleges will be discussed. Come and discover the world of great colleges and educational opportunities that exist beyond UC Berkeley, UCLA and USC! Patrick Levens, Executive Director of CUSD Secondary Instructional Services, will be the featured speaker. The presentation will be held Thursday, March 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the Capistrano Valley High School main building.
PAST “OLD” ANNOUNCEMENTS & DATES:
Important Guidance Calendar Dates:
Please read the announcements above and/or below for details regarding each date/event listed.
Date Event Notes
3/8/08 8th Grade Parent Expo See announcement above for details
3/11 & 3/12/08 Sophomore CAHSEE testing See announcement above for details
3/19/08 EAP Testing for CSU Eligible Juniors See announcement above for details
3/20/08 Finding ‘Sleeper’ Colleges Presentation See announcement above for details
3/27/08 Youth in Business Job Shadow Day See announcement above for details
3/28/08 Last day to make a course level change See announcement above for details
6/23 – 7/31/08 High School Summer School Dates
See announcement above for details
**WEBSITE REMINDER:
CVHS Guidance Website Resources:
Perhaps the best source of guidance information for parents and students can be found on the Capistrano Valley High School website at: www.cvhs.com For guidance information relating to college, scholarships, testing, careers, and general information, simply click on the following link: http://www.cvhs.com/guidance.htm or visit the CVHS website at www.cvhs.com and then click on “Guidance.”
Archive of Past Guidance News Listserves Now Available:
An archive of past CVHS Guidance News Listserve messages is now available on-line by visiting www.cvhs.com, then clicking on “Guidance” and looking near the bottom under “Guidance News and Announcements Archive.”
College Scholarship Information Posted:
Current scholarship opportunities are now posted at the following link: http://www.cvhs.com/Scholarship.htm , or go to www.cvhs.com and then click on “Guidance” and “Scholarship Info.” Recommendation: Scholarship information will be updated approximately every 7-10 working days, so students and parents should check the posting periodically throughout the year. In addition, a “Scholarship Notebook” of information will be available in the Guidance Office.
Change of Days and Locations: Spring Semester After-School Tutorial and Homework Center:
Does your student need some extra academic help or a quiet place to study after school? The spring semester CVHS After-School Tutorial and Homework Center will begin on Tuesday, February 12th, 2008. The program will be staffed by CVHS science/math teacher, Mr. Eric Johnson, and held every Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:55 – 3:55 p.m. in room M-26. An Academic Intervention Counselor (Ms. Galasso or Ms. Jordheim) will also be present at every session, and volunteer student tutors will be available whenever possible. Recommendation: This is a great opportunity for students to get extra help and/or improve study habits, and we highly recommend regular attendance for those students who are earning below a “C” in any class.
PTSA Community Service Opportunities List:
Students who are looking for community service hours are encouraged to visit the CVHS PTSA website at the following link: http://www.capoptsa.org/programs/programs.html and then click on “Community Service.” The PTSA keeps an extensive and up-to-date list of community resources where students can look to fulfill various community service hour requirements.
Mid-year Reports for Colleges and Universities:
Seniors who have applied to private Universities must provide their Academic Advisor with the necessary Mid-Year Reports. This must be done as soon as possible as most of the schools have a mid-February deadline.
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid):
It is highly recommended that all seniors who are applying to college complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) application process. This is recommended for all students, even those who feel they may not qualify for financial aide. For information, please click on the following link: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
SAT/ACT Test Preparation through CUSD Community Education and Ivy West Partnership:
The CUSD Community Education Department and Ivy West have partnered in order to provide affordable, quality SAT/ACT test preparation programs to CUSD students. To download information and registration materials, click on the following link (which may take a minute or two to load): http://www.cvhs.com/guidancedocs/Capistrano%20SAT%20&%20ACT%20Flyer%202008.pdf or visit the CUSD Adult and Community Education Website at: http://www.capousd.org/adult/ , then click on “Children and Teens” and look for the Ivy West test preparation section.
California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) Test Dates and Info. for 2008:
March 11th and 12th – held at CVHS during extended school days for all sophomore students only.
May 6th and 7th - held at CVHS during the school day for only those juniors and seniors who have not yet passed one or both sections
California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) Preparation Books Available!
California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) preparation books for Math and English Language Arts are now available in the Guidance Office for all sophomores and any juniors or seniors who have not yet passed one or both portions of the exam. (NOTE: These are the same booklets that will be handed out in all sophomore English II classes during Back to School Night, so students whose parents attended will not need to pick up booklets.)
On-Campus College Visits:
For a listing of the dates and times when various colleges and universities will be on the CVHS campus providing information and answering questions for potential student applicants, please visit the following link on our Guidance website: http://www.cvhs.com/guidancedocs/Collegerepsfall07.pdf Recommendation: Please check the list frequently as it will be updated throughout the year.
CVHS Guidance Team