Welcome to the first VHS Counseling Newsletter of the 2022-23 school year! We hope everyone is soaking up the last days of summer break, and we are excited to welcome back our Vipers in a few weeks.

As a reminder, the monthly newsletter is the way the VHS Counseling team shares information with students and families. We ask that you take a few moments to read through the newsletter when it hits your inbox each month. The answers to your most frequently asked questions are often contained within, and there is always something that applies to each student. Previous newsletters can be found on the VHS Counseling Website under the Stay Connected tab.

This is the first week back for VHS Counselors. Thank you for your patience as we work through the backlog of emails received over the break.

Info for All Students

• New Start Time for High School Students
• Reminder - check your email regularly!
• Who is my counselor?
• Schedule Change Information and Timeline
• New to Leander ISD Orientation // Aug 11, 5:30p
• First Tour // Aug 15, 3p - 6p
• GPA/Class Rank Update
• TSI Assessments // Aug 2 & 11

Senior Section - Class of 2023

• College Application Assistance for Class of 2023
  
• Transcript Requests for the Class of 2023
  
• Letters of Recommendation

Staff Contact Information

Leander ISD High School Hours for the 2022-23 school year have been announced.

8:15a - 3:35p

Please click below to see the full bell schedule for Vandegrift High School

Over the next two weeks, counselors will be finalizing student schedules. If there is a conflict in your schedule that must be resolved (two classes offered only during the same period, too few course requests, a course you requested is full, etc.), your counselor will reach out to you via your school email to address these conflicts. Please be sure to check your email frequently for correspondence from counselors.

With the reduction in counseling staff this year, students' alpha counselor assignments have been adjusted for the 2022-23 school year. Please see below for updated counselor assignments.

VHS Counselors

Kandice Detlefsen, Lead Counselor - A - Bo

Brittany Hernandez - Br - Ep

Shawna Powell - Er - H

Charity Escott - I - Ma

Peggy Morisset - Mc - Po

Jennifer Fisher - Pr - Sti

Melissa Wells - Sto - Z

Want to know a little more about your counselor? Click on the Meet Our Team link link and watch our brief "get to know us" video!

The final window to submit change requests for next year's will open JULY 20 at 9a. The change window will close on Sunday July 31st, 11:59pm.

Please note - course requests/schedules are viewable in Home Access Center ONLY UNTIL July 27 at 12p.

It is strongly suggested you request your changes before then, or take a screenshot of your requests before visibility is turned off as the district rolls over data into the new school year.

Due to the volume of change requests we are processing and other beginning of the year responsibilities, counselors are not able to email course request lists to students/families.

Please access and read the FINAL WINDOW: Course Request Changes for 2022-2023 School Year instruction guide for information on making changes to your course requests. PLEASE NOTE, THE FORM WILL OPEN ON JULY 20 at 9a.

Make sure to pay close attention to the closed courses list. There are many courses that are already at capacity. Requests to change into those courses will not be honored, and there will not be any additional notification from your counselor.

TENTATIVE student schedules will be viewable in Home Access Center beginning 4p on August 12. Please take a moment to ensure your HAC login is working. We will send notice when schedules are viewable - stay tuned!

• Jul 20 // window opens to request changes
• Jul 27 // course requests NO LONGER VISIBLE in HAC (make sure to screenshot your requests before then!)
• July 31, 11:59p // final schedule change request deadline
• Aug 9 & 11 // schedule conflict resolution meetings between student/counselor (by invitation via Zoom, more info to come)
• Aug 12, 4p // tentative student schedules viewable in Home Access Center
• Aug 15 // open schedule resolution session via Zoom (more info to come)
• Aug 17, 8a // OFFICIAL student schedules viewable in Home Access Center
  

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: If students are taking ACC courses as part of their VHS schedule or have Off Campus PE class periods, the student is not eligible for additional off periods due to state attendance policies.

There will be an orientation session for students/families who are new to Leander ISD. This session will be held in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) in Building 2 (also known as the auditorium). Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend with their new to LISD student. (Aug 11, 5:30p)

The VHS Administration Team is holding First Tour on Aug 15 from 3p - 6p.

Who should attend?

• incoming Freshmen
• new to VHS students (all grades)
• parents welcome!
• club/organization fair is open to all students

This is an opportunity to get acquainted with classroom locations, building layout, etc. There will also be a Club Fair happening in Mainstreet during First Tour.

GPA/class rank calculations are still being reviewed by the district's technology department. With this being the first calculation using the new GPA policy (applicable only to the Class of 2025 and beyond), it is taking a bit longer to ensure accuracy.

We will notify students and families via email once GPA/rank have been updated.

Students still seeking to pursue Dual Credit coursework or Class of 2023 students who were notified via mail/email of not meeting the state College Readiness Standards may wish to take advantage of the TSI Assessments being offered at VHS in August.

For more details about the TSI College Readiness standards click here. Test dates, registration instructions and registration link can be found here. Note, the TSI Assessment is always FREE through VHS.

Class of 2023 are invited to take advantage of these opportunities for expert assistance in completing your college applications:

• College Application Workshop hosted by Austin Regional Counselors // August 1, 1:30 PM at VHS // Details & Registration Here
  
• Explore our The College Application Process website outlining the steps and instructions you should be following as your prepare your applications and supplemental materials including Letters of Recommendation and Transcripts (more info below)
  
• Senior Workdays // offered during PIT beginning September 6th, seniors are invited to sign up to get help with all things college application related

Transcript requests for college admissions will begin to be processed on August 1, 2022.

Please click here and expand the drop-down for detailed instructions for ordering transcripts and tips for self-reporting academics (SRAR).

Depending on the school to which you are applying, letters of recommendation from your counselor or teacher(s) may be required. Click here and expand the drop-down for detailed instructions to request a letter.

VHS Counselors

Kandice Detlefsen, Lead Counselor - A - Bo

Brittany Hernandez - Br - Ep

Shawna Powell - Er - H

Charity Escott - I - Ma

Peggy Morisset - Mc - Po

Jennifer Fisher - Pr - Sti

Melissa Wells - Sto - Z

VHS Assistant Principals

Jayme Spexarth, Associate Principal - A - Bo

Nick Asmus - Br - Fi

Jeremy Fry - Fl - Ji

Amanda Wilson - Jo - M

Collin Fletcher - N - Sc

Amanda Toon - Se - Z

Sarah Spradling - College and Career Transition Coordinator

Christa Thompson-Martin - Dean of Instruction

Brandy Kemp - Special Education Team Lead

Lori Tanner - 504 Coordinator

Sherry Green - IB Coordinator