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GHS Counselor Connection

May 2025

GHS CounselorConnectionMay 2025

Let's Finish Strong, Foothillers! Let's Finish Strong, Foothillers!

Please read below for important updates and resources. Our team is available to support students and families in the Counseling & Wellness Center on the 2nd floor of the main office. Students may visit during break/lunch, or with a pass from their teachers. Caregivers should contact the counselor to schedule an appointment.

Counseling Team Contact Info
Click above for contact information for counselors, academics advisors, and administrative assistants.

Upcoming Events Upcoming Events

Event Information

Project Homeless Connect

This event will be on May 9th from 10am -2pm. Services will include connections to housing, DMV/California Identification and social security vouchers, employment, haircuts, hygiene kits, veterans assistance, Medi-Cal/CalFresh enrollment, personal storage, legal aid, clothing, mobile medical clinic, mental health counseling, pastoral care, substance abuse and mental health services, pet sitting, and more.

When?

Friday, May 9, 2025, 10:00 AM

Where?

Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas Avenue, El Cajon

Event Information

Grossmont College Section Registration Day

Did you apply to attend Grossmont College in the Summer or Fall? You should have received a notice of the day and time you will be able to register for specific classes. Do that as soon as possible because classes fill up quickly. If you need any assistance, Grossmont College counselors will be back on campus on May 14th. Call slips will be sent for any seniors who completed the application before March 17th. If you have any questions about this process but did not receive a call slip, please go to the library on your own, anytime during periods 2 -6 on May 14th, for assistance!

When?

Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 08:30 AM

Where?

GHS Library

Event Information

College Bound Webinar: Financial Aid for 11th Graders

This one-hour CalSOAP webinar will help 11th graders and their families understand how to get ready for senior year, including FAFSA and CA Dream Act, FSA IDs, scholarships, and the senior year timeline for college applications.

When?

Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 06:00 PM

Where?

virtual

Event Information

Notre Dame, Wash U, Hopkins & Emory Info Session

Join admissions officers from University of Notre Dame, Washington University in St. Louis, Johns Hopkins University, and Emory University for an in-person information session featuring four of the preeminent research institutions in the U.S.

During the session, we'll give an overview of each university, including academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, and the unique features of each institution, followed by a look at each school's application process. At the end of the program, you’ll have a chance to meet with individual admissions officers to ask questions about each university.

When?

Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 06:30 PM

Where?

High Tech High Mesa, 5331 Mount Alifan Drive, San Diego 92111

Event Information

Summer College Essay & Application Kickoff for Juniors: Session 1

In this session, College Essay Guy Ethan Sawyer will cover:

  • The Purpose of the Personal Statement (i.e., What Colleges Are Looking for)
  • Two Fun Ways to Find Your Personal Statement Topic
  • How (and Why) to Show Your Core Values
  • Two Successful Personal Statement Examples to Get You Inspired
  • Topics to Potentially Avoid
  • A Practical Gameplan for Having a Productive College Application Summer
  • A Quick Preview of My Summer Courses
  • Prize Giveaways!
  • Q&A (We'll Answer Pretty Much Any Question You Have)

Register here!

When?

Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 04:00 PM

Where?

virtual

Event Information

Summer College Essay & Application Kickoff for Juniors: Session 2

In this session, College Essay Guy Ethan Sawyer will cover:

  • What Colleges Are Looking For in 2025
  • The Other Essential Parts of Your College Application
  • Writing Great Supplemental Essays
  • Tips for Creating a Great Activities List
  • How to Make Use of the Additional Info Section
  • A Sample Successful College Application
  • A Quick Preview of My Summer Courses
  • Prize Giveaways!
  • Q&A (Bring those questions!)

Register here!

When?

Thursday, May 29, 2025, 04:00 PM

Where?

virtual

Event Information

Deadline to Apply for the ECPD Teen Academy

El Cajon Police Department will offer a Teen Academy from June 16th - June 27th (8am -2pm). Learn what it takes to be a police officer, gain leadership skills and earn volunteer credit. Topics include police patrol, K9, forensic/crime scene analysis, law enforcement helicopters, and much more. Apply with our School Resource Officer Guillen in the Main Office by June 2nd.

When?

Monday, Jun 2, 2025, 12:00 PM

Where?

GHS SRO Office

Wellness Center Wellness Center

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Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Caring for your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health. On May 6th and 8th, we will have activities and resource tables during lunch to support student mental health. Students can stop by to talk to counselors or peer listeners, and collect information from community partners.


Please click below for important resources:

Teen Guide to Mental Health and Wellness (SDCOE)

GHS Virtual Wellness Center

GUHSD Mental Health Resources Videos with English, Spanish and Arabic subtitles

#MentalHealthFitness | Mental Health Awareness Month

#MentalHealthFitness | Mental Health Awareness Month

This Mental Health Awareness Month, world-class athletes are sharing the importance of prioritizing mental as well as physical well-being. #MentalHealthFitness

launch childmind.org

Grossmont High School Journalists Featured in the La Mesa Courier

"Technology can be frequently seen as a third parent in the lives of children from an increasingly young age, and the numbers are growing." Click here to read more of this thought provoking La Mesa Courier article from GHS student Natalia Cortes. Another one of Grossmont's own, Jose Morales, shares his appreciation for support from his siblings in this article explaining "they understand me, see me, and appreciate me for who I am."

Academic Support & College/Career Preparation Academic Support & College/Career Preparation

All Grade Levels: All Grade Levels:

On Campus Tutorials
Click above for the schedule of free tutorials offered on campus with GHS teachers.
Tutor Me Online Tutoring
Free tutoring available 24/7 online for all GUHSD students. Click above for more info.
Free Resources to Prepare for AP Exams

Free Resources to Prepare for AP Exams

Learn more about these free resources to help you prepare for your AP Exams

launch blog.collegeboard.org

Summer School at GHS on June 9th - 27th

Summer school will be held on the GHS campus on Mon. through Fri. from June 9th - 27th with a holiday on June 19th. Students will have the opportunity to repeat a D or F grade in one or two classes. Classes will be held from 8am - 11am and 11:45am - 2:45pm. Counselors reviewed progress with students in March and signed them up for summer school if they indicated they are able to attend. Any student who still needs to sign up for summer school, perhaps to repeat a current course, should contact their counselor as soon as possible. Space is limited.

Community College Courses for Enrichment

Many students have asked us how to enroll in community college classes during the summer, for example, to challenge themselves with a course we do not offer at GHS. Local community colleges have posted their summer schedules online and courses will fill up quickly. Click here for more information on concurrent enrollment and links to the college websites. Students are responsible for completing all of the steps to enroll and should let their counselor know if they successfully enroll in a course that might affect classes planned for next year.

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Final Exam Schedule

We will be on a Final Exam Schedule from Monday, June 2nd through Wednesday, June 4th. Click here for details.
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Final Exam Planning Sheet

Click here for a tool students can use to help plan and prepare for each final exam.

Work Permits for Summer Jobs

If you need a work permit for a summer job, please see our Registrar, Kimberly Dillard, in the office. The form will need to be signed by your employer, parent/guardian, and approved by our Assistant Principal, so start this process as soon as you are offered the job! Click here for more information.

Interview Coach: Practice Job Interview Skills with Our Free AI Interview Tool

Interview Coach: Practice Job Interview Skills with Our Free AI Interview Tool

Free, personalized support and resources to help you get to college, find your first job, and succeed in both.

launch getschooled.com
Junior Women's Academy

Junior Women's Academy

The San Diego Sheriff's Office invites high school aged girls to attend the Junior Women's Academy. Participants will explore careers in law enforcement, gain practical skills, and build confidence during this free academy in June.

launch sdcoe.net

Summer Reading Skills Programs

This summer, help your child become a more confident and enthusiastic reader. Summer Reading Skills Programs are offered by San Diego State University Global Campus and designed and taught by instructors from the Institute of Reading Development.

launch ces.sdsu.edu

Juniors: Juniors:

Post Secondary Planning Presentations for Juniors

On May 20th, our counseling team will host Post-Secondary Planning Presentations to support juniors as they prepare for life after high school during their Social Science classes. Students will have the opportunity to attend one of two presentations based on their post-high school plans. The first presentation will focus on Pathways to Community Colleges, the Military, Trade Schools, and Apprenticeships. The second presentation will provide important information about planning for 4-year Universities. These presentations are designed to help students start thinking ahead and ease their way into senior year. Beginning the college/career planning process this summer can help reduce stress and make senior year smoother.

College Bound Juniors: Consider Registering for the ACT/SAT Exams

Please click here for SAT/ACT information and test dates. Please note that CSU/UC universities are no longer using ACT/SAT test scores for admissions purposes. However, some universities may require one of these exams, or they may have a test-optional policy, which means an excellent score can add value to an application. They may also be required by specific programs or scholarships.

[What Colleges Require the SAT] - BigFuture | College Board

[What Colleges Require the SAT] - BigFuture | College Board

Find out which public and private colleges require SAT scores for admission.

launch bigfuture.collegeboard.org

Seniors: Seniors:

Senior Awards Night

We will be celebrating our seniors who have earned awards, scholarships, and graduation cords on May 28th. This special evening is for students and families by invitation only. Please be sure you have completed the Senior Exit Survey on our website so we know about your accomplishments!

Scholarships

Did you know that there are sometimes scholarships that go unused because nobody applied for them? We hear about a ton of incredible scholarship opportunities, which our Administrative Assistant Lori Cromwell posts on our GHS counseling website (click here)! Many of these are local opportunities for our students! They are organized with tabs at the bottom for the month the application is due. Please check back regularly and apply for any that seem like a good fit. Scholarship opportunities can also be found at bigfuture.collegeboard.org, goingmerry.com, and niche.com.

Financial Aid Appeal Letter: How to Request More Money For College

Financial Aid Appeal Letter: How to Request More Money For College

Unhappy with your financial aid award letter? Here's how you can request more funding with a financial aid appeal letter, including a sample and template.

launch goingmerry.com
Apprenticeship Readiness Program

Apprenticeship Readiness Program

The Apprenticeship Readiness Program helps you explore career options and train for skills needed for a successful start in construction.

launch workforce.org
Launch Your New Career in Tech with the UC San Diego Extended Studies & Google Career Certificates Program - San Diego Workforce Partnership

Launch Your New Career in Tech with the UC San Diego Extended Studies & Google Career Certificates Program - San Diego Workforce Partnership

Through UC San Diego Extended Studies & Google Career Certificates program, you'll earn two technical certificates: a core certificate from UC San Diego, Division of Extended Studies and a complementary Google Career Certificate.

launch workforce.org
Transcript Requests
Students who need transcripts sent to colleges must use the link above. Thank you!
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