February 7-17, 2012
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ALL GRADES

AP TEST REGISTRATION COMING UP

Are you planning on taking AP exams in May.  The period to register for this year's tests is February 29 - March 23, 2012 (window closes at 1:00 p.m.).  Students must register online, beginning on February 29th, at this website. 

Payment options:  Students are encouraged to utilize the credit card processing online at no additional cost.  However, if a credit card cannot be used, payment in the form of cash/check/money order may be made in the finance office.  If you are eligible for a fee reduction, we will accept cash/check/money order after the application has been approved.

 Students with financial need may be eligible for a fee reduction.  The deadline to request a fee reduction is Friday, March 16, 2012. Fee reduction request forms are available via:

Any student using a fee waiver who does not take an exam will be required to pay a $25 fee per exam.

SYNTHETIC DRUG COMMUNITY FORUM

Poway Unified School District is hosting a parent awareness forum:  "How to Protect Our Kids from the Dangers of Synthetic Drugs".  Come learn about the dangerous and deadly synthetic drugs:  Bath Salts, K2 and Spice readily available to students in our community. Parents, students and all community members are invited to attend.  The next forum will be held on February 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Poway High Performing Arts Center.  Click here to download a flyer with more information.

UPCOMING COLLEGE VISIT ON CAMPUS

Throughout the year, colleges come on campus to meet with students to discuss their academic programs, application procedure, campus life and scholarships.  Students must sign up to attend in their Family Connection account (may only be completed in the student account) and bring a signed permission form with them if the visit occurs during class time.  It is imperative that we know how many students will be attending in the event we need to make a room change to accommodate the large audience, so please RSVP in your student Family Connection account.

The next college visit is:

  • Thursday, February 9th - United States Coast Guard Academy at 1:50 p.m.

EXPLORE SDSU

Explore SDSU offers prospective students a great opportunity to explore what life’s like as an SDSU student.  During this open house event, which will take place on Saturday, March 17th,  take part in the information fair, academic program workshops, tours, open houses, and other entertainment going on throughout the day.  Click here for more information and to RSVP. 

UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES

  • February 6 - Last day to drop/add classes for Quarter 3
  • February 7 - Palomar College Assessment Testing, Day 1
  • Palomar 8 - Palomar College Assessment Testing, Day 2
  • February 11 - ACT Test Date
  • February 20-24 - NO SCHOOL - President's Week

FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES
& JUNIORS

COURSE REQUESTS FOR THE 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR

Mark your Calendars! 

The counselors will be visiting 9th, 10th, and 11th grade classes the first week of March to present information on the course selection process for 2012-2013.  We will be providing students with a transcript, four year plan and information about logging on to their Family Connection account.

We will also be hosting our annual Parent Open House days in the Westview Staff Lounge to answer questions about course selection. 

  • Tuesday, March 13 1-3pm
  • Wednesday, March 14 4-6pm
  • Thursday, March 15 1-3pm

FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES
& JUNIORS (cont.)

TAKING COMMUNITY COLLEGE COURSES

Many students have interest in taking college courses during the school year or summer to get ahead.  Just as high schools are dealing with the impact of budget reductions, community colleges feel the affects as well.  Here are the policies for local campuses:

  • Mesa/Miramar Colleges - high school students are not permitted to take any courses, both during the school year and summer.
  • MiraCosta College - high school students are able to take classes, as long as they have completed a "concurrent" enrollment form, signed by their counselor and parent.  Only students who have completed 9th grade are eligible to take classes and are in the third priority group.  This means they will not be able to register for courses until 2 weeks before classes start during the regular school year and 1 week before classes start during the summer.
  • Palomar College - high school students are able to take classes.  If they are under the age of 18, they will be required to submit a "K-12 form", signed by their counselor and parent.

If you are interested in obtaining high school credit, you must see your counselor for course approval prior to enrolling in the class.

SENIORS

FAFSA:  LISTING COLLEGES & APPEALING FINANCIAL AID DECISIONS

If you have not already filed your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), remember you have until March 2, 2012 to do so.  The sooner you file FAFSA and the CSS Profile (for private schools), the more of a chance you have for maximum aid available at most schools.  Scholarship and grant offers are made on a first-come, first-served basis. 

When completing your FAFSA form, keep in mind you are limited to a maximum of ten colleges to be considered for financial aid.  What do you do if you have applied to more than ten colleges?  Essentially, you will need to choose the ten where you would like to be considered for the most aid.  If you change your mind and would like to delete a college and add another, you always can do that, but think wisely about which colleges to include.  Do they historically give our scholarships and grants?  Is it among your top choices? 

If you have already filed FAFSA and do not agree with the financial aid decision offer (or lack thereof) made in your case, you certainly have the right to appeal to the financial aid administrator of the particular institution in question to reevaluate.  The circumstances under which you may appeal include substantial changes to family income (such as a parent losing their job), serious illness leading to depletion of resources or any other major changes.

PREPARING FOR THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

During the second term of senior year, many activities occur in preparation for graduation and related events.  As we get closer, a special senior activity web page will be posted with important dates and information for graduation.  Part of the graduation process is senior check-out. When it comes time for check-out, seniors will be completing a a short questionnaire online through Family Connection.  To save yourself time at the end of the year, you may begin entering information now into your student account, which will then roll over into the questionnaire when it is published.  This will save you time later when you are working at completing check-out.  Here are the items you may complete now:

  • College information - list each college in which you have submitted an application and the decision for each.  You will also want to indicate where you will be attending college in the fall (if this applies to you).  To enter your college information, click on the colleges tab in Family Connection.  Then, in the my colleges box, click on the colleges I'm applying to link.  (Continued in next column)

SENIORS (cont.)

  • Scroll to the bottom of the screen and add your colleges to the list and indicate the  results.  If you are still waiting for admissions decisions, then you may enter the information at a later time.  You may also indicate the college that you will be attending on the same page as well.
  • Scholarship information - list each scholarship you have been awarded.  To enter your scholarship information, click on the colleges tab in Family Connection.  Then, in the scholarships & money box, click on the scholarship applications link.  You may add or edit scholarships you have been awarded here. If you are still waiting to hear back on scholarships, then you may enter the information at a later time.  If you have been awarded a scholarship that is not listed in Family Connection, you may wait for about a month.  At that time, all of the scholarships in our database will be listed.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are available throughout the year for all grade levels, based on availability.  The scholarships below have recently been posted in Family Connection.  Log into your account to access an up to date list and full details .  Click on the Colleges tab and then click on the Scholarship List link.  Always remember to check the website or paper application of each sponsor for complete details.

Kohl's Kids Who Care (Ref. #226) - 9th-12th graders:  $10,000.  Applicants must be between the ages of 6-18; have not graduated from high school; and, volunteer within the last year.  Requires online nomination.  Deadline:  March 15

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Choir San Diego (Ref. #212) - 12th graders:  $3,500.  Applicants must be graduating high school seniors; minimum 2.75 GPA; resident of San Diego County; U.S. citizen; and, intend to pursue their art by attending an accredited 4-yr college or university, community college, conservatory or art school. Requires scholarship application; short 350-500 word essay; three recommendations; and, official school transcript. Deadline:  March 12

RB Chorale (Ref. #213) - 12th graders:  $1,000-$5,000.  Applicants must have musical talent in voice, string, wind, brass, percussion (no combos), or any other solo instrument; and, must be planning to continue your education in musical performing arts at a 2-year or 4-year college/university.  Requires scholarship application; written summary; parent letter regarding finances; transcript (copy); 2 letters of recommendation; and, participation in audition.  Deadline:  April 21

Resource Conservation District (Ref. #300) - 12th graders:  $1,000.  Applicants must plan on pursuing a career in conservation, agriculture, environmental science, natural resources, biology or natural sciences; min. 2.5 unweighted GPA; expect or have received a notice of intent to enroll in undergraduate college courses related to resource conservation or agriculture; and, reside in/attending school within the RCD of Greater San Diego County’s service area. Requires scholarship application; 2 letters of recommendation; copy of transcript; and, essay.  Deadline:  April 6

Sammy - Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year (Ref. #207) - 12th graders:  $7,500.  Applicants must be legal U.S. residents; minimum 3.0 GPA; and, a participating in a high school sport or club sport during the current school year. Requires scholarship application and short essay.  Deadline:  March 9

San Diego Alumnae Panhellenic (Ref. #263) - 12th graders:  $500.  Applications must be female; planning to attend a 4-yr college that has National Panhellenic Conference Sororities on campus or is a member of a NPC organization at CSUSM, USD, UCSD or SDSU. Requires scholarship application, letter of rec, and transcript.  Deadline:  March 31

Spence Reese (Ref. #285) - 12th graders:  $16,000.  Applicants must be male and majoring in medicine, law, engineering or political science.  Requires application; essay; high school transcript; SAT/ACT scores; letters of recommendation; and, copy of college acceptance letters. Deadline:  April 1

Written by:  Kathy Bloomfield

Page Updated: February 07, 2012