VHS Counseling April Newsletter

All Grade Level Info

• Final Deadline for All Course Request Changes // May 1
• Viper Night // April 10
• Canceled Courses

• Course Opportunities - Join Vipertech! Join AVID!

• Off Period Applications // Deadline May 1

• Student Ambassador/Aide/Peer Advisor Applications // Deadline May 1

• Off Campus PE // Deadline May 31

• ACC Summer Registration

• ACC Dual Credit - Fall Enrollment Priority Deadline

• VOE Requests

Freshman Specific Info

• Counselor Connection Meetings // What's Your Endgame? // April 26 & 29

Sophomore Specific Info

• Counselor Connection Meetings // Healthy Relationships/Dating Violence Prevention // April 12 & 15

Junior Specific Info

• College Jump Start registration

Senior Specific Info

• Reminder - Senior Information Page
• LISD Graduation Packet
• State Graduation Requirement // Financial Aid Application
• Local Scholarship Deadlines
• Additional Scholarship Info
• Senior Awards

College & Career Exploration Opportunities

• College Visits at Vandegrift
• Student Job Board

April 5 // Summer ACC registration opens at 12:00am

April 10 // Viper Night

April 12 & 15 // Sophomore Counselor Connection Meetings

April 16 // English 1 EOC

April 18 // English 2 EOC

April 19 // Fall ACC Enrollment Priority Deadline

April 23 // Biology EOC

April 24 // US History EOC

April 26 & 29 // Freshmen Counselor Connection Meetings

May 1 // Deadline for ALL THINGS Related to Course Selection (final course change window, off periods, aide applications

May 2 // Algebra EOC

May 13 // Senior Awards, 6pm (more info to come)

May 14 & 15// MANDATORY Senior Wrap-Up End of Year Meetings

May 17 // Fall ACC registration opens, 12a (MIDNIGHT!)

May 17 - 24 // Final Exams (final exam schedule for all grade levels)

May 22 & 23 // Elementary Senior Walks (schedules & details)

May 23 // Senior Breakfast/Graduation Rehearsal/Cap & Gown Distribution

May 24 // Last Day of School
May 24 // VHS Graduation, 8p

May 31 // OCPE Applications due by 4p

Next year's course requests are 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 Verification Guide. Please review it carefully prior to requesting any changes.

Please note:

• Counselors are unable to process any change requests submitted via email.
• There will be no additional changes past the May 1st deadline. This includes level drops (moving from an advanced/AP course to an on-level equivalent). Students enrolled in an advanced/AP course as of May 1st will remain enrolled through at least the first progress report period. Level drops can be submitted between weeks 4 - 7 of next school year.
• Course selections are a year-long commitment. (NO CHANGES TO ELECTIVE COURSES AT SEMESTER)

Viper Night is an open house style opportunity for current 8th - 10th grade students/families to learn first-hand about Vandegrift’s academic and elective offerings, as well as relevant clubs and organizations that not only foster student growth and development, but allow students to further explore areas of interest. Please click here for a detailed look at the offerings for the evening. Viper Night is held during the course verification window to help students feel more confident in locking in their course selections by the final district deadline of May 1st.

The following courses will not be offered next year due to staffing concerns and/or low enrollment numbers:

• Computer Integrated Manufacturing
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Kinesiology
• Musical Theater
• Global Business/Human Resource Management

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.” Click here to submit a Vipertech application.

Vandegrift High School is very proud of the AVID Program which has supported students throughout their high school careers. AVID stands for Advancement via Individual Determination, which is a college readiness elective course focusing on critical thinking, collaborative learning via twice-weekly tutorials, academic enrichment, organizational and study skills, and motivational activities. AVID's mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society. Check out the AVID Newsletter for more information.

Using your Leander ISD Gmail account, join the AVID Online Application Google Classroom which provides step-by-step directions to apply. Join Code: pm4gxxt (Current and previous VHS AVID students do not need to reapply.) Application deadline: Monday, April 22nd at 4p.

Questions may be directed to Mr. Adrian, freshman AVID teacher and VHS AVID coordinator, at Joe.Adrian@leanderisd.org.

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.

REVIEW THE VHS OFF PERIOD GUIDELINES PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Juniors/seniors can apply for an off period (application found in the Course Verification Guide). You DO NOT need to submit an additional change request form if you are only requesting off periods.

Students may not apply for an off period if they are enrolled in any ACC or OCPE Category 1 classes during the school year due to Texas PEIMS attendance code referenced above.

Though you may see off periods listed in your course requests prior to the start of school, please know they are not guaranteed. You must meet all the qualifying requirements in order to earn your off periods.

Junior and Senior students may apply for a position as a Student Aide, Student Ambassador, or College & Career Peer Advisor (application found in the Course Verification Guide). You DO NOT need to submit an additional change request form if you are only requesting off periods.

Off-Campus PE Applications are due by May 31, 2024 at 4pm. Please visit the district website for information and application information. Leander ISD OCPE Information

Summer semester registration for Austin Community College coursework is opening soon!

For 9th-11th graders, new students must have completed Enrollment Steps 1-5 to be eligible, while returning students must have met with Ms. Kendall in order for their hold to be lifted.

12th graders planning to take ACC this summer or after need to transition to an ACC traditional student (no longer dual credit). Details and steps can be found here.

• Students w/15 or more hours of completed coursework at ACC- Registration opens April 4
• Students w/fewer than 15 hours of completed coursework at ACC- Registration opens April 5

Registration opens at midnight. 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 for the 24-25 school year should be scheduling individual meetings with Ms. Kendall now through April 19 to plan for fall & spring semesters. New students should have completed the initial Enrollment Steps (1-4) prior to this required meeting.

We will be holding Counselor Connection sessions for freshmen April 26 & 29 during English 1 classes. These sessions will focus on post-secondary planning and life after high school.

We will be holding Counselor Connection sessions for sophomores April 12 & 15 during English 2 classes. These sessions will focus on healthy relationships and dating violence prevention. As you will soon be moving on to your next steps in life, we feel it is crucial to have conversations on this topic. Student feedback from previous years has indicated students find these conversations to have value and importance.

Understanding that discussing dating violence can be a difficult topic for some students, students are able to exercise an option to not attend this session. Please reach out directly to your counselor if you have concerns.

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 and July.

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.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENT
In accordance with Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.0256, each student must do one of the following in order to graduate:

• Complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Complete and submit a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)
• Submit a signed opt-out form

*Reminder: this is only one graduation requirement component. Counselors and Administrators will continue working with Seniors on ensuring graduation requirements are met.

ACTION REQUIRED
Seniors: To complete this graduation requirement, submit your documentation to this linked form.

**If you have previously submitted a hard copy of the opt-out form, we have this on file and no further action is needed on your part.**

• VHS PTSA Scholarship - Deadline: April 4
• Vicky Jacoby Eastern Star Scholarship - Deadline: April 16
• River Place Elementary PTA Scholarship - Deadline: April 30

The VHS Counseling website is regularly updated with scholarship opportunities. Make sure to check back often for new postings, or visit the Class of 2024 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 $$!

The Senior Awards Ceremony will recognize seniors who have received outstanding academic, service, and military honors and/or awards. The ceremony will take place Monday, May 13 at 5:30 pm in the Vandegrift High School Performing Arts Center. Seniors receiving awards and recognition will receive invitations the week of April 22nd to attend the Senior Awards ceremony, however, all are welcome to join the celebration.

This is a formal celebration - we encourage students to dress up (i.e. slacks, button-ups, dresses).

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.

Other enrichment opportunities can be found on Naviance. Go to Naviance > Colleges > Enrichment Programs: The opportunities listed have been submitted to the district and what is posted is the general information. For specific information (application process, deadlines, etc), search for the opportunity using the name & organization and/or website linked in the posting.

In an effort to promote mental health awareness and reduce the stigma of seeking help for mental health concerns, the Leander ISD Counseling Services team is excited to continue the Mental Health Minute video series.

April Mental Health Minutes:

• Size of the Problem
• What is a Coping Skill? // English // Spanish
• Emotional Awareness // English // Spanish

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.

VHS Counselors

Kandice Detlefsen, Lead Counselor - A - Bo

DeAngelo Freeman - Br - Ep

Becca Ramirez - Er - H

Charity Escott - I - Ma

Peggy Morisset - Mc - Po

Shawna Powell - Pr - Sti

Melissa Wells - Sto - Z