LCHS Counseling Newsletter
August 2025
Welcome Back Cardinals!
The Counseling Department would like to welcome you to back to Laguna Creek High School. As we gear up for the first day of school, please make sure to get familiar with your school schedule, as it will look a little different this year. We look forward to a successful, meaningful, and exciting school year.
2025-2026 Schedule Changes
Please complete and submit request form no later than Monday, August 18, 2025 at 4:00 pm. All requests should be reviewed with a parent or guardian. Students may adjust a schedule for the following reasons:
Prerequisites to take the class have not been met.
Repeating a class already taken and passed. Same EXACT class.
Too many or too few classes, two classes scheduled at the same time, etc.
Requests for schedule changes will NOT be considered for:
Change in class period or teacher.
No longer wanting to take a class or not wanting an elective choice that was given
Dropping Honors/AP/IB courses will be reviewed through a different processs.
If you meet this criteria, then please complete: Schedule Change Request Form
Dropping Advanced Courses (Honors/AP/IB)
Taking advanced classes in high school has many positive benefits. Choosing the right level for you is a very thoughtful decision. If you have circumstances that have changed since last Spring and are thinking about dropping an advanced course you were previously interested in, we encourage you to do the following:
Consider why you chose the advanced class in the first place. What has changed? Are there supports you need to put in place to help you feel better and increase your chance of success?
Have you discussed pros and cons with both parent/guardian, teacher (either last year’s teacher or the current one), and your counselor? They might offer a perspective you haven’t thought out.
If you still think it is in your best interest to drop the course, please contact your counselor to discuss further. Your counselor will help review advantages, disadvantages, and will discuss the process to dropping an advanced class.
Counselor Led Senior Presentation August 25, 2025
On August 25th, the LCHS Counseling Department will be presenting to all seniors in their English courses. Topics that will be covered are:
- Important Senior Dates
- Graduation Requirements
- Post-High School Options
- College & Career Resources
How To Contact Your Counselor
COUNSELOR- Ms. Alvarez
Email: galvarez@egusd.net & SYNERGY MAIL
COUNSELOR- Ms. Curry (PBIS/College&Career)
Email: bcurryjr@egusd.net & SYNERGY MAIL
COUNSELOR- Mrs. Gossen
Email: agossen@egusd.net & SYNERGY MAIL
COUNSELOR- Ms. Lozano
Email:alozano@egusd.net & SYNERGY MAIL
Counselor- Mr. Nguyen
Email: josnguye@egusd.net & SYNERGY MAIL
COUNSELOR-Mrs. Seyvertsen
Email: decjohns@egusd.net & SYNERGY MAIL
Counselor- Ms. Starr
Email: amstarr@egusd.net & SYNERGY Mail
Come and visit our LCHS College & Career Center
The CCC is a great place to go for:
- College and Career advisement
- Dual Enrollment
- ACT/SAT Information and Fee Waivers
- College and Career workshops and sign ups
- Financial Aid Resources
- Military Information and ASVAB Testing
- Scholarship Information
- Work Permit Applications
- A quiet place to work in the morning, after school, or at lunch.
- Computer and printer use; charging chromebook
Career Center Hours of Operation
- Before school 8:15 – 8:30
- During lunch
- After school 3:45 – 4:15
Mrs. Maria Almeida is our Counseling, College and Career Technician and she oversees the Career Center. She can be reached via email at malmeida@egusd.net.
Get To Know the 2025-2026 Counseling Office Staff
Meet Ms. Alvarez
A message from Ms. Alvarez: " Hi my name is Ms. Alvarez. I am super excited to join the LC Team. This is my first year as a counselor, but it is definitely not my first time at Laguna Creek. I am an LCHS alumni and may have seen a few of you while doing some subsitute teaching. I got my bachelor's degree from San Diego State University and my master's degree from University of Massachusetts Global. Some fun facts about me are that I have a dog named Coco and a cat named Loki. My favorite color is pink and my favorite food is sushi."
Make sure to stop by the counseling office and say hello to Ms. Alvarez! 😊
Resources For Families
1. CareSolace -- is a FREE community resource available for students and families that may need support with mental health. This resource helps to set the student or family member up with a care provider in their area that is accepting new patients. Please visit https://www.caresolace.com/site/egusdfamilies for more information.
2. Crisis Resources (all run 24 hours/day everyday)
--- California Youth Crisis Line: call (800)843-5200
--WellSpace Health: call (916)368-3111 OR text HOPE to (916)668-4226
--- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to get more information use this link https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
3. LCHS/HEMS Virtual Wellness Room- Please check out the wellness room for relaxing music, exercise tips, mindfulness activities, things to watch, creative activities, helpful apps, and additional resources. https://sites.google.com/egusd.net/virtualwellnesscenterlchshems/home