VHS Counseling April Newsletter

Snapshot of Important Dates

All Grade Level Info

• Need to Make a Change to Next Year's Course Requests?

• Canceled Courses

• Closed Courses

• New to VHS Course Offerings

• Course Opportunity - Join Vipertech!

• Off Period Applications for 2023-24

• Off Campus PE

• ACC Summer Registration

• ACC Dual Credit - Fall Enrollment Priority Deadline

• VOE Requests

Junior Specific Info

• College Jump Start registration
• CCC Workshop Series

Senior Specific Info

• Reminder - Senior Information Page
• Reminder - Order Your Cap & Gown
• Local Scholarship Deadlines
• Additional Scholarship Info
• Cool Car Giveaway

College & Career Exploration Opportunities

• College Visits at Vandegrift
• Student Job Board

April 3 // Summer semester ACC registration opens for Returning students

April 17 // Summer semester ACC registration opens for New students

April 25 // English 1 EOC

April 26 // US History EOC

April 27 // English 2 EOC

April 28 // Course Selection Change Window Closes at 4p

April 28 // ACC Fall Enrollment Priority Deadline

May 2 // Biology EOC

May 3 // Algebra 1 EOC

May 9 & 10 // MANDATORY Senior End of Year Meetings

May 15 // Senior Awards, 6pm (more info to come)

May 15 // Fall semester ACC registration opens for Returning students

May 22 // Fall semester ACC registration opens for New students

May 24 & 25 // Elementary Senior Walks (schedules & details)

May 25 // Senior Breakfast/Graduation Rehearsal/Cap & Gown Distribution

May 26 // Last Day of School
May 27 // VHS Graduation, 8a

June 2 // OCPE Applications due by 4p

July 17 - July 23 // Final Course Change Request Window, Closes July 23 at 11:59p

Next year's course requests are now viewable in Home Access Center (HAC). Click here for instructions on how to view your requests in HAC.

Instructions for requesting updates to next year's course requests are found in the Course Request Verification document. The verification document is lengthy but contains tons of important information. Please review it carefully prior to requesting any changes.

The deadline to request changes during this first window is April 28, 4pm.

Please note:

• Counselors are unable to process any change requests submitted via email.
• While there will be one final change window over the summer, finalizing your requests during this first window provides the highest likelihood of being placed in the classes you want.
• No student/parent change requests will be honored after the final deadline of July 23, 11:59pm.
• Course selections are a year-long commitment. There will not be changes to elective courses past the final change request deadline of July 23, 2023 (NO CHANGES TO ELECTIVE COURSES AT SEMESTER)

Intro to Culinary Arts will not be offered at VHS. All students who initially selected Intro to Culinary Arts were moved to the replacement course titled Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness/Interpersonal Studies. This is a year-long laboratory course that allows students to gain knowledge and skills to make informed decisions that promote lifelong wellness. Nutrition focused instruction will include the principles of nutrition, roles of nutrients, digestion and metabolism, understanding the importance of a balanced diet, safety and sanitation in the lab, and healthy food preparation skills. Throughout the course, students will also learn general human development, interpersonal, and family studies concepts that significantly affects an individual’s quality of life and overall wellness. Students will explore careers related to nutrition, counseling and mental health, and other health and human service fields. If you were moved into this course and do not wish to take it, follow the change request process to select a replacement course.

Kinesiology 1 will not be offered at VHS due to low demand. Students who requested this course will see that it has been replaced by SEE COUNSELOR in their course requests. Please follow the change request process to choose a replacement course.

There are quite a few courses that have reached capacity and cannot accept new requests. Please check the course verification document for an up to date list. Closed courses will not be listed as options on the change requests form.

***Availability of courses is subject to demand. Courses listed below may be canceled if demand does not reach the needed threshold.***

AP CHINESE 4 #5155

Chinese 4 AP will be offered and taught by a VHS teacher next school year.

APPLIED NUTRITION & DIETETICS #8149 (prerequisite: Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness)

This course builds on the fundamental nutritional knowledge gained from the Lifetime Nutrition and Wellness course by reinforcing professional standards, food safety and sanitation, food service and management, and nutrition case for individuals

and groups at a deeper level. The course also introduces and applies career focused and real-world topics related to nutrition such as the nutrition case process, types of nutrition education and counseling, development of nutrition programs, and nutrition industry related

research. Students will research requirements necessary to become a professional in the nutrition and dietetics field such as a registered dietitian, licenses nutritionist, or clinical dietitian. (Grades: 11 - 12)

COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING #8312 (prerequisites: Intro to Engineering, Algebra 1)

This course allows student to build upon their Computer Aided Design (CAD) experience through the use of Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. CAM transforms a digital design into a program that a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) mill uses to transform a block of raw material into a product design by a student. The course culminates with a capstone project where students design, build, program, and present a manufacturing system model capable of creating a product. (Grades: 11 - 12)

CYBERSECURITY CAPSTONE #8454 (prerequisite: Foundations of Cybersecurity or Digital Forensics)

Cybersecurity is an evolving discipline concerned with safeguarding computers, networks, programs, and data from unauthorized access. As a field, it has gained prominence with the emergence of a globally- connected society. As computing has become more sophisticated, so too have the abilities of malicious agents looking to penetrate networks and seize private information. By evaluating prior incidents, cybersecurity professionals have the ability to craft appropriate responses to minimize disruptions to corporations, governments, and individuals. (Grades: 11 - 12)

ENERGY & NATURAL RESOURCE TECHNOLOGY #8052

This course examines the interrelatedness of environmental issues and production agriculture. Students will evaluate the environmental benefits provided by sustainable resources and green technologies including the use of solar and wind power.

Instruction is designed to allow for the application of science and technology to measure environmental impacts resulting from production agriculture through field and laboratory experiences. (Grades: 10 -12)

PERSONAL FINANCIAL LITERACY #4557 (0.5 credit course, semester only)

This course is designed to be an interactive and research-based course in which students will apply critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze decisions involving earning and spending, saving and investing, credit and borrowing, insuring and protecting

and college and postsecondary education and training. The goal is to develop the skills necessary to make sound, informed financial decisions that will allow students to lead a financially secure lifestyle and understand personal financial responsibility. (Grades: 10 - 12)

SOCIOLOGY #4491 (0.5 credit course, semester only)

This course provides an introductory study in social behavior and organization of human society. This course will describe the development of the field as a social science by identifying methods and strategies of research leading to an understanding of

how the individual relates to society and the ever-changing world. Students will also learn the importance and role of culture, social structure, socialization, and social change in today’s society. (Grades: 10 - 12)

Interested in hands-on problem solving and helping others by sharing your technical knowledge?

Vipertech needs YOU! Whether it’s helping students connect to Wi-Fi, repairing laptops, or assisting with technology all over campus, Vipertech students are the front-line defense for any technology battle.

Don’t know a thing about computers? No problem! Vipertech will teach you the skills and give you the tools to succeed. We are looking for individuals who are excited to jump in at the opportunity to help, sharpen their people-skills and tackle technology “down-time.”

Students who will be SENIORS next year have the privilege of applying for "off periods," up to one period each day (TWO total).

JUNIORS have the privilege of applying for up to ONE total off period.

This privilege is granted to those students who are on track to meet the following expectations:

• Completing coursework for either the Distinguished Level of Achievement or LISD Distinguished with Honors Graduation Plan
• Completing the required 26 credits for graduation
• Have met the passing standards on all sections of the required EOC exams
• Do not owe attendance hours
• Understand that off periods will be rescinded should attendance hours accumulate during the first semester
• Click here to complete the Off Period Application for next school year.

NOTE: Students taking ACC courses as part of their VHS schedule or have Off Campus PE class periods are not eligible for additional off periods due to state attendance policies.

Current Vandegrift students wishing to pursue OCPE for the 2023-2024 school year should turn in their OCPE applications directly to the district office using the Off Campus PE Application Submission form by June 2, 2023 at 4 p.m.

This is a firm district set deadline - no late applications will be accepted.

Please see the LISD OCPE website for information, application, and more.

Summer semester registration for Austin Community College coursework is opening soon! New students must have completed Enrollment Steps 1-5 to be eligible, while Returning students must have met with Mrs. Spradling in order for their hold to be lifted.

• Returning student registration opens April 3
• New student registration opens April 17

More information about opportunities to earn college credit through the ACC Dual Credit program can be found on the College & Career Center ACC Dual Credit website.

Returning and New ACC students planning to take dual credit coursework through Austin Community College should be scheduling individual meetings with Mrs. Spradling now through April 28 to plan for 2023-24 courses (fall/spring semesters). New students should have completed the initial Enrollment Steps (1-4) prior to this required meeting.

Please visit the Dual Credit website for full details about taking college level courses.

VOE requests are handled by our front office staff. Students can access the VOE request form by visiting the Parent/Student Resources page on the VHS website (found under "forms").

A few things to note:

• students must not owe any technology and/or library fines (see campus technologist or librarian for issues with fines)
• students must not owe attendance hours (see your AP with attendance questions)
• VOEs expire after 30 days
• VOEs will be ready for pick-up the next school day following your request (24 hours processing time) - you will not receive a call regarding your VOE unless there is an issue with processing
• VOEs must be picked up from the VHS front office (they will not be mailed)

Questions about VOE requests can be sent to cheryl.gonzales@leanderisd.org.

Eager to start tackling your college applications this summer? Sign up to attend College Jump Start, a free college application workshop hosted at Vandegrift High School.

Access the link below for full details and registration links for sessions in June (mostly full) and July (wider availability).

The College & Career Center Workshop Series are in-person offerings for students, with resources posted afterward. All grade levels are invited to join - it's never too early to start thinking and planning!

Workshops details and registrations links can be found on the CCC Workshop Series website. Our final workshop of the year is:

• Deciphering Degree Plans and Transfer of AP & Dual Credit // April 5

Seniors, there is a webpage devoted just to you! Please check the Senior Information Page regularly to keep track of upcoming senior events, end-of-year tasks, information about graduation, etc.

Also, this is a reminder to ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN for graduation! Links are found on the Senior Information Page.

• VHS PTSA Scholarship - Deadline: April 3, 2023
• Canyon Ridge Middle School Alumni Scholarship - Deadline: April 14, 2023
• River Place Elementary PTA Scholarship - Deadline: April 16, 2023

Application links are found in the Senior Scholarship Information newsletter that was sent out in March.

The VHS Counseling website is regularly updated with scholarship opportunities. Make sure to check back often for new postings, or visit the Class of 2023 Google classroom, click on the "Classwork" feed, and locate the "Scholarships" topic. Though these applications can be time consuming, the payoff can be huge - FREE $$!

How does a free car sound? Honda Leander is giving away a brand new car to one lucky Leander ISD graduating senior. Make sure to turn in the entry form in to the front office by May 1. If you are randomly chosen as one of Vandegrift's nominees, you will be notified in May so that you can attend the drawing.

Please only submit the form if you are able to attend the drawing on May 21, as you must be present to win.

Don't forget that college admissions representatives are still scheduling visits to connect with prospective applicants! This is a great way to find out more about colleges, develop an understanding about the admissions process, and connect with the representatives who will be reviewing your application.

Click here to access the College Visit Calendar and instructions for registration.

Students, are you looking for a part-time job? Check out the LISD Student Job Board for opportunities.