How or When Will You See Your Counselor & Technician?

While the school year gets rolling into full gear, you might be wondering a bit more about how you can access your Counselors and Technicians.

A little bit about us:

• Each Counselor has about 450 students assigned to them in their caseload. They are responsible for providing College & Career Planning, Academic Planning, and Social/Emotional support to all students. They focus on those three domains as they deliver Tier 1, 2 and 3 supports.

• Each Guidance Technician has about 650 students assigned to them. They are responsible for your registration, class changes, records/transcripts, Aeries information, and enrollment.

General Availability:

• You are welcome to visit the Guidance Department anytime during non-class time (before school, break, lunch, after school) with non-emergency questions.

• If you are in crisis or having a social/emotional concern, you may see your Counselor during class time.

• We are also available for appointments or meeting by request. Please email us!

• We absolutely welcome all students and love seeing you come by. Please say hi!

When else will you see us?

• Your Counselors will present in your classroom every grade level 1-2x a year. Following will be a Parent Night per grade level, per year.

  • Additional presentations will be available depending on your grade level and subject. Ex: 10th Graders will see Counselors for Grade Level Presentations as well as SOS. 12th Graders will see Counselors for Grade Level Presentations as well as in College Planning Workshops or events such as Future Ready.

• Your Guidance Technicians will sit down with you 1-2x a year to review classes or registration for the following semester.

• Your Counselors will be available in various workshop opportunities that offer additional support to students: Thoughtful Thursday, Mindfulness Mondays, etc.

Financial Aid Night

The Guidance Department hopes you can join us this Wednesday, October 19th at 6:00 PM via Zoom for our Financial Aid Night hosted by Saddleback College! Visit this link to access the Zoom or see the flyer posted below. Space is limited so log on early! If you are unable to attend, the financial aid office at Saddleback is happy to meet with you to walk through the application. Also, your students will be assisted with the FAFSA during the Future Ready event.

Future Ready - Senior Event

Our seniors will have the opportunity to take part in our Future Ready campaign taking place during the school day on October 26th and October 27th. This event is designed to help both seniors and parents through the college application process and will hopefully ease some of the stress that comes along with it!

During this event, all seniors will be walked through the Saddleback application process and get help on starting their financial aid applications! That means that all seniors will have started the Promise Program initial steps, whether it is their 1^st choice or their back up choice! YAY!!!!!

To be most adequately prepared for these applications, it will be helpful for them to complete a CCC Apply Account and FSA ID. The FSA ID will be needed to start and sign the FAFSA. Both students and parents should have an FSA ID! An FSA ID will not be needed for the CADA.

Remember!!! Money for college comes in many forms! In addition to state and federal financial aid, your senior may qualify to receive one or more college/university-specific scholarships, grants or more! Filing a financial aid application is the first step toward college success and opens the door to so much opportunity!

On day 2 of our event, all seniors will have the option of attending one workshop of their choice! Here is a list of options!

· Cal State Apply

· UC Application

· Common Application

· Saddleback Matriculation and Counseling 100 Enrollment

· Military Career Opportunities

· Trade School Information

Saddleback College Counselor - Ms. Alejandra

Did you know that we have our very own Saddleback Counselor on campus every Thursday from 8:30AM-1PM? Her name is Ms. Alejandra and she is available by appointment to help you explore Saddleback College courses, majors, degrees and transfer options.

Book an appointment with her by accessing her Calendly:

• https://calendly.com/counseling100/saddleback-thhs

Once you book your appointment. Your high school counselor will send out a call slip to your class at the time of your appointment. I will meet you in the Guidance center. Please bring your Chromebook if you want help with the application, matriculation or registration.

Hablo español y padres son invitados a la citas pero no es requerido.

Military Mondays and Freedom Fridays

THHS Counselors are happy to host our local Military Recruiters from the U.S. Marines, U.S. Army, U.S. National Guard, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard. Our recruiters visit our campus on Military Mondays and Freedom Fridays throughout the school year during lunch in the Quad. If your student is interested in enlisting after high school, they can stop by to meet the local recruiters and ask any questions they may have. Our recruiters serve multiple districts in Orange County so not all branches will be present every Monday or Friday; however, we will still have several here every month. We will also be hosting various Military events throughout the year so make sure to check the THHS Guidance Newsletter or our @THHSGuidance Instagram page for more information!

U.S. AIr Force AIM High Flight Academy

Are you curious about flying for the U.S. Air Force? Check out the AIM HIGH Flight Academy hosted by the local U.S. Air Force Recruiters. This is a three-week program designed to teach and inspire future aviators. You'll receive one-on-one training from U.S. Air Force Pilots and gain valuable experience in the classroom and the sky. Applications are open for ages 16-18! See flyer below for more details or visit Aim High Flight Academy

Mustang Learning Center

We are pleased to announce that the Mustang Learning Center is available again this school year!

This is an opportunity for students to work directly with THHS teachers for academic support (various subjects - English, Math, Science, etc.).

Please visit during these times:

• Hours:

  • Mondays at Lunch

  • Tuesday-Friday 7:45-8:30AM & lunch

• Location: Library (old blue lab)

• Start Date: September 12th

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!

Mindfulness Mondays

Have you checked out Mrs. Lunsford's Mindfulness Mondays on Instagram?

Harvard Graduate School of Education shares that, "... lessons on techniques to calm the mind and body — can reduce the negative effects of stress and increase students’ ability to stay engaged, helping them stay on track academically and avoid behavior problems." If you're interested in reading more about their research regarding the benefits of mindfulness within schools, please click here.

Take a deep breath and find a moment of calm by watching one of our Mindfulness Monday quick videos. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed or would like to be proactive in your self-care, you deserve to take a few minutes just for yourself.

View the videos on our Instagram @THHSGuidance