September 7, 2022
CLASS OF 2025 GLC NEWSLETTER: Volume 2 Issue 1
REMINDERS/ANNOUNCEMENTS ETC…
Greetings Class of 2025 Students and Parents,
Class of 2025-Diamond Bar High School 10th Graders
Welcome to 10th Grade Parents and Sophomores!
As your Grade Level Coordinators-GLCs, we will work with you and guide you through your high school experience here at DBHS. Periodically, we will send out a GLC Newsletter with timely announcements which affect our class. We encourage parents and students to closely read these GLC Newsletters and avoid missing out on important topics, deadlines, announcements etc.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Check out all of our Academic Support/Tutoring programs using the link below. From “free” peer tutoring on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school and free after-school peer tutoring Monday-Thursdays, to select Math and Chemistry instructors making themselves available before school and during their lunch time, to hiring peer tutors, options are available.
https://4.files.edl.io/12cb/09/05/22/194412-e7f69405-2103-4e4f-a81b-b06155e6a63d.pdf
DUE PROCESS MEETINGS WITH OUR 10TH GRADERS-A MUST VIEW FOR ALL PARENTS
Each school year, we meet with all of our students during their English class to review our expectations with them. We reviewed our school rules, policies, practices etc. during the first week of school. We call this our Due Process Meeting. Below is the link for the PowerPoint Slides we use during this presentation. A “Must See” for all parents!
https://4.files.edl.io/57b9/09/05/22/195224-8eb8340e-e8e9-495f-abeb-92a061e530e4.pptx
UPCOMING COLLEGE FAIR
It is not too early for our students to begin the college-search process. DBHS will be hosting the WVUSD College Fair this year. Thursday, September 15th starting at 6:00 pm. We have a guest speaker presenting in the DBHS Theater at 6:00 pm followed up by an opportunity to visit with college representatives in the DBHS Gymnasium. This is a great opportunity for our 10thgraders to stop by and have a dialogue with college representatives about their respective programs and campuses. Check out the flyer below and scan the QR code to register so we know how many attendees to expect.
https://4.files.edl.io/aba5/09/06/22/210238-927d1654-6811-4d85-a5bd-85c159de12af.pdf
END OF 1ST SEMESTER 1 GRADING PERIOD APPROACHING
The first 6-week grading period for semester 1 ends on Friday, September 16th. Parents and students will be able to check progress grades via Aeries. No report card is mailed home at this time, so access Aeries for the most up-to-date progress check.
MISCELANEOUS IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
Drop Date:
- Students are allowed to drop a course without record through September 16th.
- Students are allowed to make an adjustment in class level such as English II Honors to English II-College Prep. through September 23rd which is one week after the drop date. Students must keep in mind that moving from an Honors course to a College-Prep. course is dependent on space availability in the new course.
- Dropping an elective course at this time will result in a student going from 6 periods to 5 periods or moving into a Teacher Aide role.
- See Page 11-12 in the 2022-2023 Student Handbook for complete Class-Change Policies
UNIVERSITY INFORMATION:
INFORMATION ON TAKING THE SAT AND/OR THE ACT-CLASS OF 2025
As addressed this past summer and in past communications, the SAT or ACT exams may or may not be required for university admissions.
- UC and CSU policy is that the SAT and/or ACT IS NOT a requirement for admission to their university. The UC and CSU campuses will not even consider scores on either exam during the admissions process.
- Private Universities in California and out-of-state colleges (private or public) will have varying policies on the SAT and/or ACT for admissions. Many of these universities have adjusted their admission policy and they do not require the SAT/ACT for admission’s consideration. Some of these universities may state that submitting an SAT/ACT score is optional and some others may still require the submission of an SAT and/or ACT score.
- For these universities, our Class of 2025 students must make some early decisions. If our students believe they may pursue admission to a university which requires the SAT/ACT or makes it optional, then taking the SAT and/or ACT will be part of their high school experience.
- Some students may simply pursue taking the SAT and/or ACT just in case they find a university of interest which will accept or require an SAT and/or ACT score for admission’s consideration.
- If students have particular universities in mind, they should do some research on the respective webpages for each university. Admission policies are usually clearly stated on these webpages.
- Preparation for the SAT or ACT:
- The National test date for the PSAT (Practice/Preliminary SAT) is always in the fall. 10th graders do not take this National PSAT which is also known as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test-NMSQT-It is for our current 11th grade students. Our Class of 2025 students will register for this PSAT to take in the fall of their 11th grade year.
- Class of 2025 students may choose to pursue other methods of preparing for the SAT and/or ACT.
- The DBHS USB office provides opportunities to register for PSAT via outside Test-Prep companies. Revolution Prep. is working with our USB and offering a PSAT next February, 2023. Seek out this option via our DBHS USB office-Room 276 to register.
- Test-Prep Guru is an outside test-preparation firm which provides an option to assess both the SAT and ACT to see which test may be the best fit for the student. See the link below for additional information.
- Most students who choose to pursue taking the SAT or ACT will take the test sometime during their 11th grade school year. This provides additional class time in our academic courses taken during grade 10 and 11 and it provides next summer, summer-2023, time to pursue additional preparation and practice for the exam.
CLASS OF 2025 WEBPAGE/STUDENT EMAILS
A wealth of information is available to our students and parents via the Class of 2025 Webpage and by our students reading emails from DBHS. We strongly recommend students to visit often the DBHS Webpage as well as our Guidance Webpage and the Class of 2025 webpage.
DBHS Webpage: https://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/
Guidance Webpage: https://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=64577&type=d&pREC_ID=116937
Class of 2025 Webpage: https://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2087727&type=d&pREC_ID=2136131
PRINCIPAL’S WEEKLY BRAHMA BRIEFINGS
Dr. Jones, DBHS Principal, sends out a very helpful update every Sunday to primary parent email addresses. This “Brahma Briefing” is a thorough review of DBHS events and the upcoming school week. A great way to stay updated on DBHS activities and opportunities. The Brahma Briefings will also be posted on the Class of 2025 webpage.
STUDENTS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY
Check Student Email-Recommended Daily
Check Class of 2025 Webpage-Recommended Weekly
Read TEXT Messages via REMIND APP.-GLCs will send out periodic Remind APP text messages. Please read when received. If a student or parent has not registered for the Remind APP text message service, please go to the DBHS Class of 2025 Webpage for directions to register!
ATHLETICS: ATHLETIC CLEARANCE PROCESS-MANDATORY FOR PARTICIPATION
Any student wishing to compete in our Athletics program, must complete the Athletic Clearance process prior to any tryout and/or competition. This process includes completing important paperwork and having a physical examination completed by a doctor. See link below:
https://dbhssports.org/sports-physicals-info/
DBHS DRESS CODE
DBHS students are expected to follow the published DBHS Dress Code Policies. These policies were reviewed during our Due Process meeting week 1 of the school year. Please consult our DBHS Student Handbook page 14 for specific dress code policies.
GLC LOCATIONS-AVAILABLE TO TALK
Mr. Patterson and Mrs. Duenas along with all DBHS Grade Level Coordinators are out on campus during our morning break (Brunch) and during lunch. It is a great time to stop and talk with us. Mr. Patterson floats to all parts of our campus and Mrs. Duenas is near the DBHS Theater and the main quad/Brahma Statue. As we discussed during our summer meeting, emailing us is also a great way to reach us. Email addresses are below. In addition, any GLC on campus and our guidance secretaries in Office 106 (Mrs. McCurry and Mrs. Tampio) can reach Mr. Patterson or Mrs. Duenas for your student.
TARDY SWEEPS/ATTENDANCE
Being in class daily and on time is very important for many reasons. Reminder: Random Tardy Sweeps are conducted on campus so students should be in class on time daily and each period. If students are not in class when a Tardy Sweep is taking place an academic detention will be assigned.
HELPFUL ARTICLES FOR PARENTS OF TEENAGERS
We encourage parents to communicate with their teenagers at home. This can be a challenge for many of us. Below is an article which provides helpful guidance on how adults are able to talk with teenagers while checking on their wellness and mental health. Check it out:
WELLNESS
In addition to having Mr. Patterson and Mrs. Duenas as sources of support on campus, we have these professionals listed below also available to support students:
Mrs. Lauren Osajima-Intervention Counselor-Office 277
Mrs. Stacy Woodward-School Psychologist-Office 252
Mrs. Inger Turner-School Psychologist-Office 252
Wellness Center-Peer Counselors available for all students during periods 2-3-4 and during lunch-Room 254
Workshops-THRIVE
The Wellness Center's first big event is coming up on Thursday, September 29. Thrive is a wellness workshop day designed to promote connectedness, empowerment, and mindfulness.
The Wellness Center invites 9th & 10th-grade students to sign up. (The Wellness Center will host Thrive for all grades November 3.) Students can stop by the Wellness Center-Room 254 during periods 2-3-4 and during lunch to sign up to attend Thrive.
Students attending Thrive will miss class on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 1st period - lunch.
Kevin Patterson
Students Last Name A-Lio
Stephanie Duenas
Students Last name Lip-Z
Julie Salas
Pathways Academy