April 17, 2024
 
CLASS OF 2025 GLC NEWSLETTER:    Volume 3  Issue 7
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.
 
MESSAGE FROM MR. PATTERSON
After much heart-wrenching thought and discussion with my family, I have recently decided and announced that I will be retiring from education after 40+ years.  I started at Diamond Bar High School in 1984 as a teacher (Business and English), and as a high school basketball coach at San Dimas High School, 1979-82, and Diamond Bar High School, 1985-87.  I also spent 7+ years, 1987-1994, as the basketball coach at Cal Poly Pomona University.  In 1994, I returned to DBHS as a Grade Level Coordinator.   I have had the pleasure of guiding 8 DBHS graduating classes (1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021 and 2025) as a Grade Level Coordinator.  It comes with a heavy heart to leave DBHS.  I have absolutely loved my work here with my students, parents, DBHS staff and especially my GLC partner, Mrs. Duenas for the past 8 years and prior to that Mr. Jack Galeener who retired in 2016.  My family and I are excited to continue enjoying many activities and adventures and finding additional adventures.  My last official day as GLC for the Class of 2025 will be May 30, 2024; however, I will be on campus for summer school classes.  DBHS leaders will be active in the next few weeks finding my replacement.  Once my replacement is settled in, I will work with him/her to discuss my students in detail and assist with preparation for this summer’s GLC meetings. I am confident that my replacement will take care of our students and be a great partner for Mrs. Duenas starting with this summer’s GLC meetings.  Through May 30th, I will continue to work with and enjoy my students.  I am very grateful for the many students, parents and staff I have had the pleasure to work with over the years.  All my best,  Kevin Patterson
 
Workshops for University Bound Students Coming this May-Save the Dates!
Mr. Patterson and Mrs. Duenas will be conducting College Application Workshops for our college-bound 11th graders on Wednesday, May 1st and Thursday, May 2nd during lunch in the DBHS Theater.  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, we will provide our students with the Personal Insight Questions (PIQ) used by the UC campuses during the admissions’ process so students can work on their responses over the summer.  Students will leave this workshop knowing Application dates/deadlines for the CSU and UC campuses, as well as learning how to navigate the Common Application for most private universities and many out-of-state public universities. GLCs will also review the timelines and the process for students looking to start their college work at the community college. 

SAT/ACT REQUIREMENTS-UPDATE
In the past, we have discussed with our students the SAT/ACT requirements for the Class of 2025 in regards to admission to a 4-year university for Fall-2025.  Keep in mind that the UC and CSU schools DO NOT require the SAT or ACT for admission purposes.  UC and CSU campuses will not look at an SAT or ACT test score when our students apply for admission during the admission’s process next fall.  Private universities will vary in their SAT/ACT admission requirements.  Some will not require a score, some may state that it is “optional” for a student to submit a score but it is not required.  This information has not changed since we reviewed it with our students.
 
The purpose of bringing this topic up again is to review recent developments by some universities.  Students and parents may be hearing, in the news, of universities adjusting their admission policies back to requiring an SAT/ACT score for admission. This may be changing the Test Requirement from “Optional” to “Required”.  Important:  As we have stated in the past, students need to do their research on admission requirements for universities to which they may apply for Fall 2025 admission.  Some universities may adjust their SAT/ACT requirement for the Class of 2025 from “Optional” to “Required” as you see below.  Do your research!  A recent announcement from Harvard is below with a link to pursue more information. 
 
Most universities will accept SAT/ACT scores from test administrations from this August and other fall dates.  Students should check the dates of test administrations and dates of when scores will be posted to ensure these align with University Application deadlines.
 
Update from Harvard College:
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/application-requirements
 
  

PLANNING FOR COLLEGE
Class of 2025 students planning on starting at a 4-year university immediately after high school should be structuring a list of prospective universities to which they will apply.  As we have stated in the past, making a list of universities which have the desired characteristics is important.  Students may add schools to the list or drop schools from the list as we approach the admission’s process which will begin in August and continue through the fall.  Making a list of prospective schools will allow students and families time to plan campus visits to these schools during the spring and summer months.  
 
Students planning on beginning their college studies at a Community College or Trade/Technical School should also be making a list of campuses which meet their desired characteristics.  Keep in mind, the process for applying to Community College or Trade/Technical colleges takes place later in the senior year.  Students will begin the admission’s process in December and continue the process into second semester of their senior year.
 
SCHOOL SAFETY AND CRISIS-PREVENTING TEEN SUICIDE-TIPS FOR PEERS:
Suicide rarely happens without warning.  As a peer, you may be in the best position to recognize when a friend might need help and help them get it.  You may see signs in person, hear about them secondhand, or see them online in social media.  Never ignore these signs.  
CHECK OUT THIS HELPFUL INFORMATION BULLETIN:
https://4.files.edl.io/d859/04/11/24/195433-9f106fa0-9121-4d57-a8b9-280fab7e5c8c.pdf

MATH BOOT CAMP
Use the link below to register and to view future Math Boot Camp dates.  Registration is required.                       Next March Boot Camp:  April 20, 2024
https://dbhs.wvusd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=2087727&type=d&pREC_ID=2136131
 
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!
 
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]