CVHS GUIDANCE NEWS: May 8th, 2008
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Annual STAR Testing Begins Next Thursday!!
Annual STAR testing will take place for all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students on May 15th, 16th and 19th. There will be no zero period on these days, and students will be testing with their fourth period teacher all three days. All students should avoid absences during STAR testing if at all possible, and parents are asked to assist by speaking with their students regarding the importance of giving a best effort, and eating properly and getting enough rest prior to testing.
AP Testing Update and IMPORTANT Testing Guidelines and Rules:
The following information was recently distributed in writing to all AP students during AP classes. Students are reminded that they MUST observe all testing rules and guidelines as delineated below:
AP exams will be administered Monday, May 5th through Friday, May 16th. AP teachers will advise students about the date, location, and time of their exam. Students’ names should appear on the roster provided to AP teachers.
CHECK-IN TIMES: MORNING EXAMS - 7:30 A.M.
AFTERNOON EXAMS - 12:30 P.M.
PER TESTING GUIDELINES, NO LATE ADMISSI0N AND NO MAKE-UP EXAMS!!
What to bring:
Several sharpened #2 pencils with erasers
Several pens - black or dark-blue ink only
VALID PHOTO I.D.
APPROVED CALCULATOR FOR CALCULUS AB/BC, CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, STATISTICS – bring extra batteries, since none will be available.
Ruler or straightedge for PHYSICS
STUDENTS WHO BRING A SNACK MUST BRING IT IN A CLEAR PLASTIC BAG
What NOT to bring:
No books, reading material, or homework
No electronic equipment of any kind, including cell phones (see below!)
No watches with noisy timers
NO CELL PHONES!!
PER AP TESTING GUIDELINES, CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES WILL BE CONFISCATED and students will be delayed in being released from the test in order to meet with an Assistant Principal to retrieve their phone. According the APRIL 2008 College Board AP Bulletin, “Since May 2004, cell phones and other electronic devices have been prohibited from the exam room and may NOT be used even during the break. If a student uses a cell phone, e-mail/messaging device, MP3 player, PDA, or any other electronic or communication device in the exam room or during a break, the device shall be confiscated and the student dismissed”
All questions regarding AP Testing should be directed to AP Testing Coordinator /Academic Advisor Cassandra Ondryas at condryas@capousd.org
SAVE THESE IMPORTANT DATES!!
**Dates for Summer Registration Packet Pick-up, Walk-through Registration, and Freshman Orientation:
The following dates have been scheduled for registration packet pick-up, walk-through registration, incoming Freshman Orientation and Freshman Parent Orientation:
Drive-through Registration Packet Pick-up in the CVHS Staff Parking Lot:
August 5th 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
August 6th 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
August 7th 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Walk-though Registration:
Freshman Day 1 (January – June birthdays): August 11th 8:30 – 11:50 a.m.
Freshman Day 2 (July – December birthdays): August 12th 8:30 – 11:50 a.m.
Seniors: August 18th 7:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Juniors Day 1 (January – June birthdays): August 19th 7:30 – 10:50 a.m.
Juniors Day 2 (July – December birthdays): August 20th 7:30 – 10:50 a.m.
Sophomores: August 21st 7:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Freshman Orientation – Class of 2012:
Wednesday, August 27th 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. starting in the Main Gym
Freshman Parent Orientation:
Wednesday, August 27th 9:00 – 11:30 a.m. in the CVHS mall area
**Please note that the above dates/times are projected to be accurate and are provided to assist parents with summer planning; however, dates/times may be adjusted if necessary. Also, please note that freshman and juniors have two separate days for registration due to the large numbers of students in these classes. Lastly, even though freshmen register first for logistical reasons, students in upper grades will still be given priority for selection of electives.
College Scholarship Deadlines Approaching!!
Deadlines for many college scholarship opportunities are fast approaching. 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.
FREE Academic Help!! 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, staffed by CVHS science/math teacher, Mr. Eric Johnson, is held every Tuesday and Wednesday from 2:55 – 3:55 p.m. in room M-26. Mr. Johnson can answer questions regarding all levels of math. Volunteer student tutors for other academic areas will also 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.
“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 are now available in the Guidance Office. Please see summer school information in announcement below.
Summer School – Save the Dates!
High school summer school dates have been announced, and summer school applications and flyers are now available in the Guidance Office. Information about summer school is also available on-line at http://www.capousd.org/summer/ 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.
Fall Advisement/Registration Begins:
The process of fall course advisement/registration began Monday April 14, 2008 for all returning CVHS students. On Monday, April 14th, students received advisement and registration materials from their first period teachers. Most students were pre-enrolled in their core classes (English, Math, Science, and Social Science) based upon courses and grades this year. Students were then directed to seek course selection advice from all of their teachers on Monday and Tuesday, and then return their registration forms to their first period teachers on Wednesday, April 16th. The registration form MUST have had a parent signature. Students will then meet individually with their Academic Advisors/Counselors in April and early May during their English classes. Parents with questions should contact their student’s Academic Advisor/Counselor.
Parents and students should keep the following key points in mind when selecting classes for next year:
· Sophomores must take six (6) classes. Juniors and seniors must take at least five (5) classes. However, it is recommended that students planning to attend a community or four-year college after graduation take six (6) classes.
· It is recommended that all students planning to attend college after graduation, including community college, maintain enrollment in college preparatory classes.
· Students and parents should ensure that students choose courses that will satisfy college entrance requirements. The CVHS Curriculum Guide is an excellent source of information and can be downloaded on-line at the CVHS Guidance webpage.
· If a student failed a class this year, that class MUST be automatically placed on the student’s fall schedule for remediation. However, should the student successfully pass the class during summer, then the class will be removed in the fall and the schedule adjusted accordingly. Some elective courses may not be available at that time.
· Students should choose classes wisely. Student course requests to a large degree dictate course offerings; therefore, some course changes may not be possible in the fall once the master schedule is set. Making appropriate and accurate course selections now will help ensure the best possible schedule for each student.
ATMS Students Needing to Complete Geometry:
ATMS students are reminded that completing a geometry course is a condition for college admission. Therefore, those ATMS students who have not yet completed their geometry course requirement should consider doing so this summer through one of the two district-approved methods: either completing the course through Irvine Valley College (the course is unfortunately not available at Saddleback College) or the University of Missouri (on-line). For further information on these options, students should see their Academic Advisor immediately.
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
5/5 – 5/16/08 AP Testing See announcement above for details
5/15 – 5/19/08 Annual STAR Testing More details to come in April
6/23 – 7/31/08 High School Summer School Dates See announcement above for details
8/5, 6 & 7 Registration Packet Pick up See announcement above for details
8/11 & 12 Freshman walk-through registration See announcement above for details
8/18 Senior walk-through registration See announcement above for details
8/19 & 20 Junior walk-through registration See announcement above for details
8/21 Sophomore walk through registration See announcement above for details
8/27 Freshman Orientation 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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.