ALL GRADE LEVELS – For a more readable version of this newsletter, go download the file at the bottom of the page.

Parent Portal

Are you using Parent Portal yet? If you have not created an account to use the Parent Portal—please do so today!  The Parent Portal allows you to monitor your student’s progress very closely! Once you create your account, you will be able to view your student’s unofficial transcripts, attendance records, class schedule, graduation progress, class assignments, and grades online. Most of our teachers make regular updates to their class records.

The Walnut Valley Unified School district and Diamond Bar High School are very excited to offer this new online service. Most Brahma parents and students have already started using their accounts, and are able to monitor student progress.

To get started using your account, go to the PARENT PORTAL web page at www.dbhs.org. On the DBHS website, you can find the Portal page by clicking on the PARENTS drop down menu and choosing PARENT PORTAL. If you need any assistance registering or using PARENT PORTAL, feel free to e-mail or call our technology coordinator Randy Thomas at [email protected] or (909) 594-1405 ext. 33227. He will provide you with your verification code to get started.

 

Grades

You should have received six-week progress reports in the mail. You can also view grades for each progress report and semester grades in the PARENT PORTAL. After logging into PARENT PORTAL, click on the GRADES drop down menu and choose GRADES.  

If you have concerns about grades, please contact your student’s teacher directly so you can get immediate information about most current progress.  While the progress reports do not represent final grades, they do provide a good indication of what a student’s final semester grades could be.  Now is the time to refocus and pull grades up so final semester grades are as high as possible. Your GLC can direct you to several of our on-campus tutoring programs and provide you with off-campus tutoring information.

The 12-week grading period ends on November 19, 2010 and will be the second progress report this semester.

 

Reminders for all of us …

Electronic devices such as IPODs and CD players etc. are not to be used on campus during school hours.

Cell phones are a major disruption and a safety concern. They should be turned off at all times during the school day except at brunch and lunch.

Hats cannot be worn on campus unless they are a DBHS logo hat. Many different styles can be purchased in the student store.  Please help your students clear up any absences by writing notes or calling the attendance office the very next day after the absence.

Thank you for your continued support in these areas.

CLASS OF 2011                                         Mrs. Burns, Mr. Goode, Ms. Salas

 

Here we are in senior year!  As we reminded all of our seniors in the first week of school, we have high expectations that our twelfth graders will do the right thing and set a good example for those younger Brahmas.  That means getting to class on time, having good attendance, maintaining good grades for college and graduation, resisting the urge to cheat, and exhibiting respectful behavior.  Everything you do is the result of a choice – make us proud by making good decisions this year!

 

Please visit our website frequently www.dbhs.org. Click on the Guidance-GLC link. We post many announcements for seniors there. You don’t want to miss out on any information this year!

 

UC and CSU Applications

College application deadlines are quickly approaching.  Both the UC and CSU have online applications, which were available October 1^st.  The UC website is www.ucop.edu and the CSU website is www.CSUMentor.edu.  The deadline for the applications is November 30, 2010.  Do not wait until the last minute to submit the application.  Online traffic is heavy toward the end of November. 

 

Private School Applications

Private school applications must be obtained directly from those universities and can be downloaded from their websites.  Private schools require a letter of recommendation from your GLC.  We receive hundreds of requests for letters of recommendation so we cannot guarantee any requests that are given to us less than three weeks from their deadline.  And as we told all of you this summer, the absolute last day to turn in letter of recommendation requests is Friday, October 29^th.

To review the guidelines for requesting letters of recommendation, please refer to the link on dbhs.org and click on the link for Guidance-GLC.

 

SAT and ACT

We’re quickly reaching the last possible dates for taking the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT.  If you still do not have a score, you need to sign up today at www.collegeboard.com for the SAT and www.act.org for the ACT. The last chance to test is December. Don’t miss out.  As we mentioned last year, at the UC Counselors Conference, Sue Wilbur, the UC Director of Undergraduate Admissions, stated, “The UC is concerned about the College Board’s new ‘score choice’ policy.  We do not want students to delay sending scores.  We want students to send all of their SAT scores as soon as possible and we assure you that the UC will continue its long-standing policy of using only the best SAT scores from one sitting.”  As a result, we continue to recommend sending all of your SAT scores to the UC’s when you apply for admission next year.

 

Financial Aid

The FAFSA is the one application that is used to apply for all state and federal grants, loans, and work study programs.  It is recommended that everyone submit an application no matter what you think your financial status may be. 

The FAFSA can’t be started until January 1^st with a deadline of March 2, 2010.  What can you do now?   Go to the FAFSA website www.fafsa.ed.gov and work on the FAFSA worksheet and also use the FAFSA forecaster website www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov .  In addition both student and parent need to secure a PIN (Personal Identification Number).  This can be done on the FAFSA website.

There will be a FAFSA Workshop on December 6, 2010 to help you with the financial aid process.

Senior Information

Throughout the year, Seniors will receive the Senior Bulletin and For Seniors Only in their English classes.  These bulletins are full of good information regarding scholarships, college admissions, and graduation.  Please keep an eye out for this essential information.

CLASS OF 2012                                          Ms. Auten, Ms. Irving, Ms. Salas

 

We’re glad to see everyone again and have high hopes and expectations for the Class of 2012 in their junior year.

 

SAT and ACT

Students wanting to attend a four-year university should plan on taking the SAT’s at least once before the end of junior year.  Registration for the SAT may be completed online at www.collegeboard.com. This website also features good information about financial aid and a college search feature to help students and parents as they begin looking into possibilities for next year.

 

The SAT Reasoning Test (also known as SAT I) is required for admission to a UC or CSU.  Students planning on applying to a UC are not required to take the SAT Subject Tests (previously known as SAT II).  Sometimes a college or department will require specific Subject Tests, especially if the major is math or science related.  The UC system has stated that students can submit Subject Tests scores for consideration as part of their application.

 

The ACT provides an option to the SAT as the UC and CSU will accept this test in place of the SAT Reasoning Test.  The ACT is different from the SAT in that it:

·        has a science reasoning test,

·        includes some trigonometry while the SAT goes through algebra II only,

·        tests English grammar.

 

Registration for the ACT may be completed online at www.act.org. Remember you must also sign up for the writing portion of this test.

 

Colleges will accept scores from either entrance exam.

 

Students who plan to apply to several CSU campuses can use the code 3495  (CSU Mentor) when they register for the SAT exam.  This will ensure that all scores are sent automatically to all of the CSU campuses of your choice.

 

If you plan to apply to more than one UC campus, you may list one campus on your SAT registration form and your score will be shared with all campuses that you apply to.  So, on your SAT registration form you will only need to list one campus.

 

Junior Year’s Importance to Colleges and Universities

Remember that a student’s UC/CSU GPA is based on grades earned in academic classes taken during tenth and eleventh grades.  Students need to work hard and do their best so they can look back on their junior transcript without regret. Parents don’t forget that you can access your student’s grades and assignments through the Parent Portal. If your child looks as though they are slipping in an academic class, have them see their GLC about tutoring options available on campus or how to get a private tutor.

 

This is also a good time for your child to start getting involved with both DBHS extracurricular activities and service for the community.  It is true that universities like to see well-rounded students who are doing things besides simply going to school and studying for the SAT.  The real benefit of volunteer work, however, is found in the many wonderful ways it impacts us as human beings.

 

UC Notes

At the UC Counselors Conference, the UC Director of Undergraduate Admissions, stated “Testing is not the most important part of comprehensive review.  Achievement in a rigorous curriculum is the most important piece.”  The SAT and ACT are valuable parts of your admission application, but nothing is as important as the grades you earn and the challenging classes you take. 

CLASS OF 2013                               Mr. Galeener, Mr. Patterson, Ms. Salas

 

Sophomores seem to be off to a great start this year! It is important to keep in contact with Mr. Patterson, Mr. Galeener, and Ms. Salas about any student situations. If you have concerns about grades, please contact your student’s teacher directly so you can get immediate information about most current progress.  We hope you’ll use the Parent Portal to monitor your student’s progress very closely! Students who are struggling with an academic situation have several resources available to them here at DBHS and beyond. We have several tutoring programs on campus, so don’t hesitate to get help when needed.   It is imperative that struggling students change their study habits, improve their time management skills and seek support!

 

California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)

This test will be given to all sophomores-(Class of 2013) on March 8 and 9, 2011. Passing this state mandated exam is a graduation requirement. The first attempt begins in the 10^th grade and it can be taken again until successfully passed. It is imperative that all sophomores are in attendance for both days of the test. Watch for more information prior to the March testing dates.

 

College Information

For all college-bound students, both the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems use the sophomore and junior year grades from academic classes to compute the college admission GPA. These are the two most important academic years. The sophomore year academic classes for the class of 2013 are especially difficult. Keep challenging yourselves and if any help is needed, please communicate with your teachers and/or GLC.

Students should also be looking for ways to get involved with their school and community. Colleges like to see students who are well-rounded and exploring their interests and helping others. Your students will also benefit in countless intangible ways.  Remember quality of involvement in a few extra-curricular activities is a better route than being involved in too many activities and not doing well in them.

 

 

CLASS OF 2014                                                     Mr. Desmond, Mr. Ozaki

 

Welcome freshmen!  Mr. Desmond and Mr. Ozaki have enjoyed meeting the freshmen and seeing their school spirit so far this year.  They’ve done a good job of representing the Class of 2014, and we look forward to getting to know each of our students this year.

 

Grades

The six week progress reports came out last week, and while the progress reports do not represent final grades, they do provide a good indication of what a student’s final semester grades could be.  Now is the time to refocus and pull grades up so final semester grades are as high as possible.  DBHS gives progress grades twice a semester (every 6 weeks), with the semester grade being the final grade that goes on students’ transcripts.

Parents should check the Parent Portal to check on current grades and assignments.  See the Parent Portal information on page 1 if you have not yet begun using Parent Portal.

 

Involvement

People often talk to students and parents about the need to be involved in extra-curricular and volunteer activities “for college applications.”  It is true that universities are able to see more of who a student is as a result of the activities in which they are involved, but if college admission is the only reason a student participates in any of these activities, he/she is really missing the point.

Students can find so much personal fulfillment through participation in clubs, sports, and volunteer work, and it often helps them to grow and discover new things about themselves.  We want our freshmen to get involved with activities they’ll truly enjoy rather than simply doing what someone has advised them they “need” to do.