It's Winter Break!!!

It's winter break already! That means we only have a few weeks left in this semester after we get back!

Today (Dec. 16) your counselors went into classrooms and told you about the blue packet that has been mailed to your homes. Be watching for it! It contains information and deadlines for FAFSA as well as instructions on how to get your PIN number. You will need this number to fill out your FAFSA application for financial aid. The packet will also contain a copy of the Senior Timeline chock full of dates and information about the rest of this school year.

You've worked long and hard this term so far, now it's time for a much needed break! Take some time for yourself to spend with family and doing the things you love before jumping back into the school year.

We hope that you have a wonderful, safe holiday season and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

Don't forget that school starts back on TUESDAY January 3, 2012.

New Year Checklist!

The New Year is approaching and with it come new tasks!

Watch your mail for a packet coming from the Counseling Office. This packet will contain our newsletter, a senior timeline and critical financial aid information. The FAFSA will open on January 1, 2012 and in order to apply for it, you AND your parents have to have a PIN number. You can request this information BEFORE January 1, 2012 and you should do so. You will need to have your name as it appears on your Social Security Card, your Social Security Number and mailing address. This information will be used to issue your PIN number to you. You can either have it emailed to you or send by regular mail. There will be more information about this process in the mailing sent to your home.

The senior timeline will include important dates and tasks that you should be aware of, you don’t want to miss some of these important deadlines. It is a good idea to write these down in your planner to help you keep on top of things.

You will be needing copies of your transcripts to include in scholarship applications. You will need to go to the Registrar’s office (M 103) and pick up a request form to fill out. There is a 24-48 hour turn around time for these so make sure to get your requests in early.

Check the blog and the Scholarship box for upcoming Scholarship opportunities. The scholarship “season” really begins starting in late January and early February and runs until the end of May with a few stragglers in June. Get in the habit of checking the blog and the scholarship box at least weekly as new information begins to come in quickly during this time.

So here are just a few things to keep in mind over the winter break. But of course the most important thing is to enjoy your time off with your family and get plenty of rest! We want you to be ready to get back in the swing of things to finish out the semester with flying colors! You are all doing a great job and we are proud of you and know that you will keep doing so!

Seniors!!! Very Important Information For You!

Are you thinking about dropping that core class that is not your favorite, not getting an "A",  another reason? Before you do, you  need to read this article. Colleges look at your 2nd semester senior year grades pretty carefully so it's something to take seriously.  

Read this

Youth Ambassador Program

Congratulations to Jaylea!

Jaylea Cutter-Falk  has been chosen as a Youth Ambassador working for the Taylor Barton Foundation

Youth Ambassador Program

Meet Jaylea Falk! She's a Youth Ambassador against bullying and works with the Taylor Barton Foundation. Are you a young person who wants to get involved like Jaylea? Consider becoming a Taylor Barton Youth Ambassador too! Youth Ambassadors help spread the word that bullying is wrong and we have fun along the way!  

For more information about the Taylor Barton Foundation, check out their site 

Congratulations to Jaylea! Keep up the good work!

SAT Testing Tools

Preparing for the SAT test can be a daunting task. If you are in the process of preparing for your SAT,  here is a great link that gives you practice questions as they  might appear on the actual test. This website has a lot of links that give you tips, hints and other great information. There is also a complete practice test you can take to give you an idea of what to expect. Check it out!

SAT Practice

Step Up for Youth work-learn-earn

Step Up for Youth- work, learn, earn

Step Up for Youth is a program designed to help students access services for help in finding a job as well the tools to succeed with academic success. This program is for people ages 16-21 that have faced barriers to achieving educational and employment success such as being low income, lack basic skills, are homeless, have a disability or are pregnant or a parenting teen.

Step Up for Youth can provide you with:

• graduation planning and support
• help getting a job
• help writing a resume and cover letter
• getting and filling out job applications
• learning how to interview for a job
• career planning
• college and financial aid applications
• exam preparation
• academic help

There may also be opportunities to earn stipends and you may be able to get help with transportation and clothing for work or school.

If you have or are facing any of the above challenges, this is a wonderful opportunity that may help you get a head start on achieving your goals.

If you are interested in this program, come to the Counseling Office to fill out a slip to see your Counselor.

Eligibility for this program is determined by Workforce Investment Act guidelines.

Scholarships Due in January!

Just a quick reminder that there are several scholarships will be due in January, 2012. Here is a list of them and the dates they are due:



Due Wednesday, January 11, 2012-The Gates Millennium Scholars Program- 

The Gates Millennium Scholars program will select 1,000 students each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship The goal of the GMA is to promote academic  excellence and to provide an opportunity for outstanding minority students with significant financial need. This is a truly awesome opportunity to help fund your college education. 

Qualifications:

Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native*, Asian Pacific Islander American** or Hispanic American
• Are a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the United States
• Have attained a cumulative high school GPA of 3.3 on an unweighted 4.0 scale or have earned a GED
• Will enroll for the first time at a U.S. located, accredited*** college or university (with the exception of students concurrently pursuing a high school diploma) in the fall of 2012 as a full-time, degree-seeking, first-year student. First-time college enrollees can also be GED recipients.
• Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities
• Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria
• Have completed and submitted all three required forms: the student’s application (Nominee Personal Information Form), an evaluation of the student’s academic record (Nominator Form) and an evaluation of the student’s community service and leadership activities(Recommender Form) by the deadline

For application and more information go to GMS

Due January 16, 2012- CAC Educational Scholarship Foundation:

First award: $2,500  Second Award: $2,000  Third Award: $1,500

Candidates will complete the one page application and write an essay on

"Importance of Establishing and Maintaining

Good Financial Credit During Your College Years"

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RULES

Awarded to California High School seniors for their use as full time students at any accredited public or private college, university or trade school. Scholarship recipients must start attendance within 12 months of the award and show proof of enrollment in a minimum of 12 credit hours.

Essay subject is: "Importance of Establishing and Maintaining Good Financial Credit During Your College Years". Entries must be typed, 12 point font, double spaced, and be between 700 and 1,000 words (include word count at the top of your essay). Please DO NOT put your personal information on any page, and please do not staple your essay. Each entry must include the completed application and the essay, and must be submitted at the same time.

Entries must be postmarked by January 16, 2012
Pick up your application in the Counseling office before Winter Break so you can work on it during that time!

Due January 17, 2012-eQuaility Scholarships

The eQuality Scholarship Collaborative awards scholarships to honor and encourage California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community.

Eligible students fall into one of these categories:

• Resident of Northern or Central California who completed or expects to complete high school or equivalent between 1 Jul 2007 and 30 Jun 2012;
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited ADN or BSN RN program in California; or
• Attending an accredited medical school in California or a California resident attending an accredited medical school elsewhere in the United States.

For complete eligibility requirements, see the Apply page.

Take advantage of the upcoming Winter Break to apply for these scholarships.

You will need official  transcripts to send along with your applications so be sure to stop by the Registrar's Office (M103) to pick up a request form today. Allow a 48 hour turn around time to get your transcripts printed and back to you.

Imagine America Scholarship Deadline December 31, 2011

Just a reminder that the Imagine America Scholarship applications are due Saturday, December 31, 2011!

About the Imagine America Foundation Scholarship:

The Imagine America Foundation created its Imagine America High School Scholarship Program in 1998 to help provide scholarships for high school students. This annual scholarship program has helped thousands of high school seniors afford a career education at hundreds of career schools across the United States. Each year, every high school in the United States and Puerto Rico may nominate up to five graduating seniors to receive a $1,000 Imagine America scholarship!

Qualifications:
The Imagine America scholarship program can make it easier to achieve your dreams! If you have the commitment it takes to pursue a career education and meet the qualifications below, apply today!
Only recent high school graduates who meet the following recommended guidelines should apply:

• Likelihood of successful completion of post secondary education
• High school grade point average of 2.5 or greater
• Financial need
• Demonstrated voluntary community service during senior year

Find information and links to the application process here.

Begin your application HERE

Remember, the deadline for this is Saturday, December 31, 2011.

Congratulations to Our First Quarter Honor Roll Students!

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to the 615 EHS students who made the “B” Honor Roll ( 3.0 – 3.9 GPA) and the “A” Honor Roll (4.0 GPA and higher) for the First Quarter this year.  If you are not sure if you made it check the lists that are posted in the classrooms. The lists are also posted in the Counseling Office.

Making the Honor Roll is a wonderful thing to include on job, college, and scholarship applications and to put in your portfolio.  Also, most insurance companies give a “Good Student Discount” to teen drivers who earn a 3.0 or higher.   Being on the Honor roll might also win you a few points at home as well!!!!  

Congratulations on your achievement and keep up the good work! We want to see you on the semester honor roll as well!