January 29, 2024

REMINDERS/ANNOUNCEMENTS ETC…
 
Greetings Class of 2025 Students and Parents,
 
Class of 2025-Diamond Bar High School 11th Graders
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.
 
MATH BOOT CAMP
Please see Math Boot Camp attachment (#1) to view future Math Boot Camp dates.  Registration is required.
 
Workshops for University Bound Students Coming this May…
Mr. Patterson and Mrs. Duenas will be conducting College Application Workshops for our college-bound 11th graders.  The workshops will primarily focus on preparing for the Cal State University-CSU, University of California-UC and Private and Out of State Applications (The Common Application).  We will discuss how to access these application sites and we will review requirements to be a candidate for these universities.  In addition, when available, we will provide our students with the Essay or Personal Insight Questions-UC prompts so students can work on their responses over the summer.  GLCs will also review the timelines and process for students looking to start their college work at the community college.  Specific dates will be announced soon.
 
A-G UC/CSU University of California and California State University Approved Course List/Requirements
Your GLCs keep track of your courses very closely.  We will monitor your progress towards meeting DBHS graduation requirements and we will monitor your progress towards meeting your CSU and UC A-G Admission Course requirements.  Students may discuss these issues with their GLC anytime during their high school career at DBHS-GLCs welcome questions from our students.   GLCs also review theses requirements with students and parents each summer during our GLC summer meetings!   The DBHS Course Description Book will also provide a description of the courses and whether or not the course qualifies as an A-G course.  See Class of 2025 Webpage.  https://dbhs.wvusd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2087727&type=d&pREC_ID=2136131
 
 Students should take responsibility for their graduation requirements and for their CSU and UC A-G course requirements.  See the list below as a reminder of these CSU and UC A-G admission requirements
listed in A-G order.  Courses taken during all four years of high school will be considered for subject requirements as long as grades of C- or higher are earned in the courses.
 

1. HISTORY:  2 years/4 semesters of history social science including 1-year of U.S. History (Modern American or APUSH) and 1 year of World History (AP European History counts as World History)
2. ENGLISH:  4 years of College-Preparatory English.  1 Year of ELD III may be used but not as a 12th grade course.
3. MATHEMATICS:  3 years of Math:  Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II are minimums.
4. SCIENCE:  2 years of Science.  1 year of Life Science (Such as Biology) and 1 Year of Physical Science (Such as Chemistry or Culinary Science-Chem.)
5. LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH/FOREIGN LANGUAGE:  2 years of a language other than English.  The 2 years must be in the same language.
6. VISUAL PERFORMING ARTS:  1 year of a course in the following areas:  Dance, Music, Theater, Visual Arts or Interdisciplinary Arts)
7. COLLEGE-PREPARATORY ELECTIVE:  1 year of elective work chosen from any area on the A-G course list.  This could be a 4th year of math or a 3rd year of Science or a 3rd year of Foreign Language or any other Approved course on the DBHS A-G Approved Course list.

Class of 2025 students should check their high school course work and compare the courses to the list above. Category (F) Visual Performing Arts should be checked carefully by the student to ensure this requirement is satisfied during the four years of high school.
 
Check out the DBHS Approved A-G Course List:
https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist/institution/2580
 
GPAs ON DBHS TRANSCRIPTS
We are often asked about what the different GPAs on your academic transcript represent.  As you may have seen, you have (3) GPAs listed on the bottom of your academic transcript.  First of all, keep in mind that all reported GPAs on your transcript are non-weighted.   When students apply to the universities and report their courses and grades on their respective applications, the university will re-calculate the GPA used for “Admission Decisions” based on their university policies.  This will include applying extra grade points for weighted courses.  Below are the 3 GPAs listed on your transcript with an explanation:
     
12th Grade Course Planning/Registration
Your GLCs will be visiting your English class starting the week of February 20th to introduce and review the Course Registration Process for selecting your 12th grade courses.  You should start giving your 12th grade course selection some thought now.
 
Summer School 2024
Information on DBHS summer school courses will be posted to www.dbhs.org (Summer School link) in the next few weeks.  Registration for courses will begin later in February.  We will announce these registration dates often to our students so you won’t miss this opportunity if you plan on attending DBHS Summer School.

Informative Article for College-Bound Students and Parents - College Applications Stress: A Parent Teen Guide with 14 Essential Tips

https://www.effectiveschoolsolutions.com/college-applications-stress/?mkt_tok=MjEwLVlJUi0wODUAAAGQbtCsvAW3recV1H5FpRZ0rK1iMYGMAItaVBiepAVqHwIMqR0PUxJyA91SjoUDLnFkQ7p11AYSZjqoX0Yxs3Gnk2pGBe-i-bxDCbKKlRACUg

Good Book To Read For College-Bound Students and Parents
WHERE YOU GO IS NOT WHO YOU’LL BE -An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania 
Written By Frank Bruni
This book is an interesting read for students and parents as you embark on the college search.  It is a book that may broaden the conversation, make it a little easier and go a long way in helping parents and students keep the college application process in perspective.
 
Volunteer Hours/Community Service
We are often asked about volunteer hours/community service.  DBHS does not have a community service requirement.  We encourage our students to be well-rounded and involved and volunteering is one way of accomplishing this task. We encourage our students to find opportunities in which they will grow as an individual, gain some valuable experience while helping others.  
 
Students should be very diligent in keeping good records of the volunteer hours they serve.  When students state on college applications that they served a number of hours volunteering, the university may want to verify these hours. So, we encourage students to create some time of report or log of their volunteer hours.  Attached is just one simple example.  Students can create their own record which they are comfortable using.  The most important elements would be to keep organized the dates and times of the service, the work that was done and for whom the work was done.  Keep records of the names of supervisors the student reported to as well as the supervisors contact information such as phone number and email address.  Often, universities will ask a student to verify these reported volunteer hours and students need to be honest when reporting these hours on college applications and to have these records available if needed.     
(See Attached Document #2)

Scholarship Opportunity
See the link for Off Campus Opportunities at www.dbhs.org (GUIDANCE) for other programs, scholarships etc.  Here is a scholarship opportunity for young women in the Class of 2025:

• The Distinguished Young Women of Los Angeles County Scholarship Program for the Class of 2025 will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Please note that the deadline to apply is Friday, February 2, 2024 and there is no cost to participate. 
• Apply online at www.distinguishedyw.org
• Who is eligible? Young women from the Class of 2025 who: 
  • are interested in earning scholarships for college
  • are involved in school and/or community activities
  • show outstanding efforts in academics, leadership, athletics, or the arts

Off Campus Opportunities
We hope you have visited our Guidance Webpage and The Class of 2025 Webpage often.  Did you know that on our DBHS Guidance Webpage, we have a tremendous section which lists many Off Campus Opportunities for our students to pursue.  These include opportunities during the school year as well as summer opportunities.   CHECK IT OUT!!
https://dbhs.wvusd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=64577&type=d&pREC_ID=836560
 
Check Out This Summer Opportunity
Summer 2024 National Youth Science Camp-Deadline to Apply is February 29, 2024
(See Attached Document #3)

WVUSD Parent Series 
WVUSD School Psychologists present Part 2 of their Parent Series.  “The Balancing Act of Supportive Parenting”. Tuesday, February 27th from 4:00-5:30 pm at the WVUSD District Office.  Child Care provided. 909-595-1261 www.wvusd.org   
 (See Attached Document #4)
 
COLLEGE SEARCH
As we progress through second semester of 11th grade, we encourage students to begin or hopefully continue with their search for colleges which may be good matches for them upon graduation in May, 2025.  Whether a student is considering starting their college studies at the community college, university, trade school etc. now is a good time to create a list of possible schools/destinations.   In grade 9, we met with our Class of 2025 students and reviewed a helpful Powerpoint presentation on POST HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS.  Now would be a great time to revisit this Powerpoint presentation.  
(See Attached Document #5)
 

• Students should use the STAIRCASE APPROACH 
  1. This approach will help students find their path in life starting with their college studies.
  2. Please see STAIRCASE APPROACH Powerpoint attached (#6).
• Community Colleges/Trade Schools:
  1. The process for applying to a community college will take place during 12th grade, usually around January 2024 for Fall-2025 enrollment.  MTSAC is our primary community college and staff from MTSAC will be very involved with our students during their 12th grade year. 
• Universities:
  1. Begin making a list of colleges which may be a good match.  Use the Staircase approach above and determine “Must Have/Deal Breaker” characteristics a college being considered offers to the student.  For example:
     • Your major or areas of academic interest.  This should be on your list of “Deal Breaker” characteristics.  If the school does not have the academic area of interest, why pursue attending the campus?
     • Location-does the student want to stay in California or venture out of state?
     • Size of the campus and student population, How active the campus is with social activities may be important to the student.  Things as simple as a student wanting to attend football and basketball games etc. could be an important element of their college life.
  2. Each student should have some criteria which are simply “deal breakers” meaning if the college does not have this, then I am not interested in pursuing the school.  
  3. Your list of colleges should be broken into the following categories and a list of 8-12 schools is just about right.  Find data on each prospective university.  Data should include average GPA of recently accepted applicants, average SAT or ACT scores (If Required or If Optional) of recently accepted applicants.
     • 1-2 REACH schools:  These would be schools in which your averages may be lower than the publicized or researched university averages of GPA and SAT/ACT scores or within the average range.   This type of university is a challenge for admission for any student.  (Regardless of what some website or person tells you about your chances, pursue some of these universities).
     • 3-5 TARGET schools: These are schools based on your research, in which you have a good, legitimate chance of getting in based on your comparison of your GPA/SAT-ACT scores with the publicized averages.

 
COLLEGE SEARCH-Continued

• 1-2 SAFETY schools: These are schools based on your research, in which who should definitely make an offer of admission to you based on your comparison of your GPA/SAT-ACT scores with the publicized averages.
• Key Point:  Only apply to schools which have your main criteria…If only 1 of your 10 schools you applied to accepted you, you should be able to say it has my main criteria and I am happy to accept their offer of admission.   (No point in applying to a back-up school you wouldn’t actually want to attend). What word was mentioned several times just now? Research! You can’t determine a Safety or Target school properly without thorough research. 

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:
Dream-Plan-Pursue…We encourage our students to dream about what they want out of life, make a plan and pursue the plan!

ATTENDANCE
The most important step to achieving academic success is to be present in class.  We encourage our students to only miss class when they are ill.  In the event students miss part of a school day or the entire school day, we encourage parents to call DBHS and communicate with our attendance staff regarding the absence the same day as the absence or at the latest the next morning.  Students may also bring in a note from the parent the next day and provide this note to our attendance staff first thing the next morning.  Failure to clear absences may result in consequences for your student (Academic Detention/SWAP). 
 
If your student arrives to school late, he/she must sign in at the Attendance Office even if they don’t have a note or a phone call has not been made yet.  By signing in, there is a record of official arrival time to school.  Voice Messages may be left 24-hours a day by calling 909-594-1860.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS/TUTORING:
 Below is the link for our Academic Support/Tutoring programs.  We have tutoring programs which are no cost to the student and we have a Peer-Tutor for hire program as well.   Please check this out if you need support with your studies.  
(See Attached Document #7)
 
ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS/INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS GLC NEWSLETTERS
 
DRESS CODE
We ask students to follow our Dress Code.   Violations of the Dress Code policy will be an assignment of a Saturday Work Program-SWAP.  Warnings have been issued via our Due Process meetings newsletters, DBHS Bulletin announcements etc.
 
COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND THOUGHTS:
 We encourage our students to always work hard and do their best.  Great effort and a great work ethic will result in good results and students will feel good about the results.  We encourage students to be well-rounded and involved in activities outside the classroom as well.  Clubs, Athletics, Employment etc. help make our students interesting people and that is what colleges want.  Where a student attends college will not define the student.  Students should pursue colleges which fit their needs academically, socially and will allow them to grow and develop into productive, happy adults.
 
COLLEGE PREPARATION/COLLEGE PLANNING TIPS/ADMISSION 101:
Bentley University shared this information with us recently.  It is not specific to Bentley University; the information is for students who are preparing to attend college.  The tips are good for students pursuing 4-year universities, community colleges etc.   Check it out!
TOPICS INCLUDE:

• Creating a College List
• Campus Visit Tips
• Build a Resume
• Letters of Recommendation
• Prepping for College Admission Questions/Essay Responses
• How to get the most out of College Fairs
• Preparing for College Admission Interviews
• Financial Aid/Scholarships
• Prepping for Standardized Tests

https://www.bentley.edu/undergraduate/school-counselors-resources
 
SHOULD I TAKE THE SAT OR ACT??:
 Please see previous GLC Newsletters for a detailed discussion about the SAT or ACT exams.   We have also included this information at the bottom of this GLC Newsletter.  
 
Common Questions:

• Should I take the SAT or ACT test?
  1. Answer:   Students need to consider the following.   UC and CSU campuses will not use the SAT/ACT score for admissions-it is NOT required and they won’t consider the score if submitted.  Students should consider taking the SAT/ACT if they have found a university they may consider applying to and the university either requires the SAT or ACT score and/or they say it is optional to submit the SAT or ACT score.  Some students may choose to take the SAT or ACT this school year “just in case” they find a college of interest which requires the exam or says submitting the score is optional.
• When should I take the SAT or ACT?
  1. Answer:   Students should take the exam whenever they feel most prepared.  Once a student feels they are at a math level and an English (Vocabulary and reading level) which has prepared them for the type of questions on the SAT or ACT, then they should take the test.  We do recommend that students take the exam during 11th grade (most will wait until the spring semester to take the exam).  12th grade gets pretty busy so having the test completed before the 12th grade is wise.
• How do I sign up for the SAT or ACT?  
  1. Answer:   Students will need to create their own Student Account via the respective websites.  Students will select the test date, test location and pay for the exam via their student account:
     • Collegeboard.org (SAT)
     • Act.org (ACT) 
• Can I take the SAT or ACT more than one time?
  1. Answer:   Yes.  Universities will use the highest score presented to them via your application.

NOTES ON THE CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY-CSU AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-UC
 
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-UC:
The UC Application for Admission will include Student’s Courses, Grades, Personal Insight Question Responses, Activities among other criteria.  The UC uses a process called COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW.  Below are the points of emphasis for the UC Comprehensive Review Process:
The following criteria provide a comprehensive list of factors UC campuses may use to select their admitted class. Based on campus-specific institutional goals and needs, admissions decisions will be based on a broad variety of factors: 

• Academic grade point average in all completed A-G courses, including additional points for completed UC-certified honors courses.
• Number of, content of and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum A-G requirements.
• Number of and performance in UC-approved honors and Advanced Placement courses.
• Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of their high school class ("eligible in the local context," or ELC).
• Quality of a student's senior-year program, as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.
• Quality of their academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in their high school.
• Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas.
• Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.
• Recent, marked improvement in academic performance, as demonstrated by academic GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.
• Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the student's promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.
• Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of a student's high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs.
• Academic accomplishments in light of a student's life experiences and special circumstances.
• Location of a student's secondary school and residence.

 
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY: CSU
The CSU Application is very straightforward and will emphasize Courses completed and Grades.  
 
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
 
Kevin Patterson            Students Last Name A-Lio                  [email protected]
Stephanie Duenas        Students Last name Lip-Z                   [email protected]
Julie Salas                   Pathways Academy                            [email protected]