National School Counseling Week 2025, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the essential contribution of school counselors and the tremendous impact we have in helping students achieve success. Every student deserves a school counselor to help with academic achievement strategies, managing emotions, applying interpersonal skills, and planning for post-secondary options. I'm honored to work with such a dedicated team at GHS. Please consider thanking a school counselor today!

Please read below for important updates. Our team is here 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.

Our peer listeners will be hosting Kindness Week from February 10th-14th. During that week, students will have an opportunity to practice random acts of kindness and send free heart grams to their friends. All students are encouraged to participate in our activities and spread kindness during this week and every week. Thank you for helping build an inclusive and kind Foothiller community.

Grossmont’s Wellness Center is fortunate to partner with outside agencies to support our students’ mental health. In an effort to do so, we’ll be offering several discussion based support groups during 2nd semester. Topics include healthy coping skills, relationships, self-care and identity. We also will be offering a grief group for students who have experienced a loss in their lives. If you are interested in these programs, please fill out this short google form and someone will be contacting you soon. See the form for a description of each group!

Camp Willow is Southern California's first summer resident camp tailored specifically for youth with mild to moderate ADHD, learning differences, and social anxiety. Located in the beautiful mountains of San Diego County, Camp Willow offers a week-long summer camp experience built on evidence-based programming. Our mission is to create a space where youth ages 8-17 feel welcomed, valued, and understood.

Counselors will visit English classrooms this month to review graduation/college requirements and talk with students about how to plan classes for the next school year. Students will be given course selection forms to complete with parents/guardians and return when they meet with counselors individually in March.

Our district is partnering with the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) to offer students a comprehensive college and career search tool. Counselors recently worked with our sophomores and juniors to use the valuable tools on the CaliforniaColleges.edu website. Students and caregivers are encouraged to refer to the presentations and continue to explore careers and colleges:

Sophomore Work Values Presentation

Junior Career Interest Profiler Presentation

Interested students are invited to use this form to sign up for one of the following sessions with experts from specific career areas, held in the College & Career Center:

Wed. Feb. 5th during Period 3: Center for Employment Training - welding, electrical, green building construction, and medical assistants

Tues, Feb. 11th during Period 3: Plumbing

Thurs. Feb. 20th during Period 2: Carpentry

The Summer Medical Academy is a two-week program for highly motivated 15-19 year olds who have an interest in pursuing a career in healthcare. Applications are due by Feb. 21st. Click here for more details.

Please click here for information on how to register new Grossmont students!

Future Foothillers who do not live in our attendance boundaries may apply for School Choice:

• The School Choice Window will be open until February 28, 2025 at 4:00pm.
• Siblings of current students placed at Grossmont through school choice must also complete a School Choice application as an incoming student.
• Once the Online Registration is complete and approved you'll receive an invitation to create an Infinite Campus Parent Portal account.
• Submit a School Choice application through Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Juniors, would you like to check out Cal Poly Pomona? If you are interested in joining us on this fieldtrip on March 20th, see Ms. Otero or Ms. Cromwell in the counseling office for a permission slip. The deadline is March 7th. However, seats are limited and will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

The CSU/UC universities are no longer using ACT/SAT test scores for admissions purposes. However, other 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 be required by specific programs or scholarships. Please click here for more information and test dates.

Are standardized tests stressing you out? Wondering whether you should submit your SAT or ACT scores when applying to colleges? In this video, Niche School Counselor Lisette "Bo" Bohannon explores the differences between test-optional, test-blind, test-free, and test-flexible admissions policies. Learn how to make the right choice for your future and gain tips and reminders for a successful college application process.

This one-page handout from the Mindset College Collective offers some great tips for parents helping their teens navigate this process!

Will your student be taking the SAT or ACT Exams this school year? Students with disabilities may be eligible for accommodations, but they need to plan ahead. All required documentation must be submitted to our SSD Coordinator at least seven weeks before the registration deadline for the desired exam. For more information and detailed instructions, click here. If you have any questions please email, Mrs. Porfirio at jporfirio@guhsd.net.

Would you like to get paid while you are training for a successful career in the carpentry, construction, or electrical fields? Seniors who are interested in pursuing a trade will have the opportunity to tour the Western States Carpentry facility and the Electrical Training Institute on April 3rd. See Ms. Otero in the Counseling Office for the required permission slip.

The GHS Counselors recently met with all seniors to discuss plans for life after high school. Our goal is to ensure every senior has the information and tools they need to achieve their post-high school goals. During these meetings, counselors provided checklists and handouts with valuable information. Parents/Guardians, be sure to review these with your senior.

All seniors need to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or CADAA (California Dream Act Application) by March 3rd, whether you are heading to community college, a vocational or trade school, a four-year university, or even if you are not quite sure yet. Click here for the information counselors shared with seniors in their economics classes. Please register for a CalSOAP workshop if you need assistance in completing the application. See Upcoming Events above.

This one-page handout from Sallie May provides tips on how to understand the financial aid offers you may have received from universities. Lots of additional helpful information to help you understand and compare offers can be found here on the Big Future website.

In just one application, the Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 100 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000. Some scholarships can be renewed for multiple years to help offset the financial burden for a student’s entire undergraduate career. Check out the flyer and website for more information and to apply! Applications are due by March 5th. Additional scholarship opportunities are available on our counseling website here.