National School Counseling Week 2023 - February 6th - 10th

The school counselors are excited to share National School Counseling Week with our students, staff, and guardians.  This year the theme is "Helping Students Dream Big!" The role of school counselors is to create an equitable, inclusive school culture promoting success for all. Follow our Instagram @THHSGuidance to see events planned by the guidance department for next week!

View this infographic below for more information on school counselor qualifications and duties. 

"The Meadow" - Trabuco Hills New Wellness Room

The Guidance Department is excited to announce the grand opening of The Meadow, the new mental health room, designed by the guidance counselors and funded by the PTSA. We are so thankful for the PTSA who have helped the guidance department's vision for this new room that supports the well-being of students and staff. The Meadow contains comfortable seating, soft lighting, calming music, and an array of sensory activities like puzzles, coloring, and other calming activities to promote health and wellness. The room is a safe space for those who may be overwhelmed and need a place to relax and refocus, practice healthy coping mechanisms, or talk with a counselor. The Meadow is open every day during lunch for all and is the location for our Mindfulness Monday and Thoughtful Thursday events every week. See our flyer below for more details!

Add/Drop Dates

Students will be allowed to add a new class to their schedule within the first fifteen (15) school days from the start of the semester.  All classes will be subject to this time limitation. No student will be allowed to change to a new subject after 30 days. Students will be allowed to drop a class from their schedule with no penalty within the first thirty (30) school days from the start of the semester. All adds and drops are subject to space availability in the master schedule and District enrollment guidelines. 

Mock ACT

Calling all 9th-11th graders! In partnership with The Princeton Review, THHS is hosting a free virtual ACT practice test on February 25th. Students will receive a full-length practice test, an online proctor who will provide the exact timing of the test, and will receive instant score reporting all from home. Please see the registration flyer below for more information!

Real Talk: HBCU Edition

Real Talk is a virtual college exploration initiative designed to connect Black students and families with Black representatives from colleges and access organizations across the country. We empower Black students to own their futures their way. Real Talk is a safe space for you to learn and engage, while also getting answers to your most pressing questions about life after high school. No matter where you are on your journey, we’re here for you. Family members and educators are also encouraged to participate! The event will take place on two separate nights, Wednesday, March 1st and Thursday, March 2nd at 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PST. To learn more and register, click here!

Scholarships

Seniors! Did you know that we have a webpage full of scholarship opportunities that we update every week? Check out our Guidance Page (scroll down to scholarships) to see all the opportunities from local scholarships to nationwide scholarships. If you have any questions, schedule a time to meet with your counselor who can give you more guidance.

UC Riverside Psychology Winter Camp

Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology at the University of California Riverside, presents their Psychology Winter Camp! This is a free event for students that promotes and stimulates excellence in all fields, particularly in psychology. The camp takes place February 18th-19th. Register using the flyer below!

NCAA Eligibility Profile

Is your student interested in playing a sport at the NCAA level? If your student-athlete is a freshman or sophomore, now is the time to create their profile through the NCAA Eligibility Center linked here! The Eligibility Center recently hosted a webinar for college-bound student-athletes that can be viewed here! The discussion includes a review of the most recent COVID-19 automatic waiver relief. They also go over the requirements you must meet to pursue your dreams of studying and competing at an NCAA Division I, II, or III school.

Junior Parent Information Night

The school counselors will be visiting the junior classes to present about college and career readiness. We will also be hosting a parent information night for our junior students' parent's to discuss post secondary options, preparing for college - application requirements and deadlines, and the parent's role in the application process. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 7th from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm in the MPR. 

HelpNow - Online Tutoring Resource

The HelpNow service is provided by the California State Library system for all K-12 students (and family members) to help with various subjects including math, english, science, and history. Our local resource is provided by the Mission Viejo Public Library and has live online tutors available now. HelpNow also includes a writing lab where tutors review various forms of writing like research reports and college essays. You can visit the website and view the wide range of study tools available as well as the collaboration section where you can schedule sessions with friends in their private virtual study room. This is a great resource to utilize at home when your student is feeling stuck!

How Anxiety Affects Teenagers

Clinical experts, Jerry Bubrick, Ph.D. and Dave Anderson, Ph.D., curated an insightful piece into the difference between anxiety in children versus anxiety in adolescents. 

Anxiety presents itself differently among teenagers. For some, they may avoid certain things, others may be more irritable or lash out, and some may start refusing to go to school or complain about headaches or stomachaches. 

One way that students can treat their anxiety is by reframing their thoughts to respond to anxious feelings differently. Students can benefit from cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) by trained professionals like therapists or they can meet with their counselors to practice these strategies.

Read more about the different types of anxiety and treatment. 

Thoughtful Thursdays (Demerit Recovery)

Starting December 1st - Every Thursday at Lunch*

Starting on Thursday, December 1st, we are bringing back Thoughtful Thursdays! Mental Wellness Counselors from the District Office collaborate with THHS School Counselors to bring students an opportunity to learn more about their mental health, coping mechanisms, stress relief, self-care and so much more. These lunchtime sessions are offered as a way to help serve our student's social and emotional needs based on data that they have provided in our recent Panorama survey. Additionally, this is an alternative way to clear demerits. Students who attend one entire session (and sign in) will be able to clear one demerit. Please see the flyer below for more info!

• When: Thursdays at Lunch*

  • *Thoughtful Thursday facilitation is subject to change based on school events, non-student days, and staff/facility availability. Communications will be provided if there are any changes to the regular schedule. 

• Where: "The Meadow" (Room 129 - aka the "Old" College & Career Center)

• What: Quick lessons regarding student mental health and related subjects. Additionally, a new opportunity for students to clear demerits (1 per 1 Thoughtful Thursday).