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Viper Vitals for Juniors

January 2025

Viper Vitalsfor JuniorsJanuary 2025

Junior Info Session for Course Selections & Conference Prep (Plus Parent/Guardian Info Session)

January 17 & 21 - Counselor Connection presentations during students' English class periods - Students taking English 3 through ACC will meet in the Lecture Hall during your ACC off period on Friday, January 17


During this presentation, counselors will review graduation requirements, four-year plans, and the 12th grade course selection process. We will also begin preparing for upcoming Junior Counselor Conferences, discuss post-secondary planning opportunities, and give an overview of the college planning process.


Parents/guardians are invited to join the Counselors for a webinar to view the information that will be presented to juniors during the school day:


Junior Parent/Guardian Night Webinar // January 21, 5:30 PM

Register Here (password - Vipers) // RECORDING HERE


This webinar will be recorded and posted in this newsletter the following day.

Junior Counselor Conferences & Course Selections for Senior Year

Counselor/Student conferences for Juniors will take place January 27 - February 21. All needed information/links for the meetings can be accessed by the students through their VHS co 2026 Google classroom.


Be sure to note:

  • Students will receive the links to schedule their Junior Counselor Conference and select 12th grade courses.
  • Junior Counselor Conferences will be held in person between student and counselor in the VHS Counseling Office.
  • Parents/guardians wishing to participate may do so via Zoom; please discuss whether you will be participating virtually with your student prior to the meeting. If parents will be participating, students will need to select "ADD GUESTS" when booking their appointment and enter the parent's email address.
  • A Zoom link will be generated for each meeting - this is for parent/guardian use only. (Students will need to select "ADD GUESTS" when booking their appointment in order for the Zoom link to be emailed to the parent.) Again, students will meet in the counseling office.
  • Students should review their course selections (Course Plan in Naviance) with parents/guardians prior to meeting with their counselor and bring any questions to the conference.
  • Students will make any necessary updates and submit their Course Plan/Selections during their Junior Counselor Conference.
  • Finalizing your requests during this initial submission provides the highest likelihood of being placed in the classes you want.

  • Course selections are a year-long commitment. There will not be changes to elective courses past the final change request deadline in May. NO SEMESTER CHANGE REQUESTS.

College Admissions Testing - School Day SAT // March 6

SCHOOL DAY SAT ADMINISTRATION

On Thursday March 6, VHS will administer the SAT test to all 11th grade students. This testing session will be FREE and registration is not required. Students should be sure to be at school on this day as there is no make-up opportunity for this free administration. Information about School Day SAT, including the structure of the test and what to bring on test day can be found here.


WEEKEND ACT & SAT TEST ADMINISTRATIONS

  • Various national testing dates with strict registration deadlines
  • Registration fees apply; see your counselor if you have financial need as fee waivers are available
  • Scores typically within 14 days


ACT - register at www.actstudent.org

SAT - register at www.collegeboard.org

Upcoming Test Preparation Opportunities

SAVE THE DATE - School Day SAT

  • SAT (no writing) for all juniors on March 6, 2024 // FREE, no registration required


Test Preparation Opportunities

  • 1/11/25 Mock SAT at VHS ($15)
  • 1/25/25 Mock ACT at VHS ($15)
  • Test Preparation Classes for March SAT after school at VHS ($649) // Classes begin in February
  • Monday/Wednesday
  • Tuesday/Thursday


More Test Prep Opportunities:

  • Prepare for the SAT®

    • Access SAT test prep with Khan Academy and SchoolHouse

    • Bootcamp for March SAT testing - designed for learners scoring between 400-690 on an SAT Math or Reading & Writing section.

  • College and career planning tools - Use Big Future! and Naviance

  • Students review AP® courses


Additional Resource:

Research Foundations: Empirical Foundations for College and Career Readiness

Other Spring To-Do Suggestions:

  • Check out the College Planning & Application Resources link for the 11th Grade College Planning Checklist and Additional Planning Resources on the VHS College and Career Center website.
  • College Visits at Vandegrift – Meet with college reps (register in Naviance)

Need to Get in Touch?

Counselors and Asst. Principals are assigned alphabetically by STUDENT last name:


VHS Counselors

Kandice Detlefsen, Lead Counselor - A - Bo

DeAngelo Freeman - Br - Ep

Becca Ramirez - Er - H

Charity Escott - I - Mar

Tracy Noble - Mas - Pi

Shawna Powell - Pl - St

Melissa Wells - Su - Z


VHS Assistant Principals

Amanda Toon, Associate Principal - A - B

Becky Azard-Jackson - C - G

Parrish McEwen - H - Ma

Collin Fletcher - Mc - Sa

Delis Golden - Sc - Z


Additional Staff Contact Information

Katie Kendall - College and Career Transition Coordinator

Heidi Kalla - Dean of Instruction

Emily Rullan - Special Education Team Lead

Lori Tanner - 504 Coordinator

Alexandra Magness- IB Coordinator

VHS Counseling
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