GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ALL STUDENTS:
As students enter high school, they are assigned a counselor alphabetically by the student’s last name. The counselor works with the student throughout their four years of high school. It is during this time that counselors have the opportunity to become well acquainted with their students and with the parents of the students. A close working relationship with parents is encouraged and is established through special programs and meetings along with individual conferences.
COUNSELING SERVICES:
• Consultants in interpreting individual student needs
• Interpreters of test scores
• Facilitators in conferences
• Coordinators of special services and placement
• Counselors for individual students and groups
• Sources of general information
• Assistance in career and academic decision making and post-secondary planning
Counseling Department Staff:
Ms. McElvogue A-Da 328-3608
Mrs. Flemate Db-Ja 328-3606
Ms. Jergensen Je-N 328-3637
Ms. Summers O-Sl 328-3642
Ms. Emerson Sm-Z 328-3607
Ms. Benton 328-3609
Appointments with counselors may be made by calling the counseling office at 328-3609. Students may also make appointments during their study period, before school, after school, or during their lunch period by seeing the secretary in the counseling center. We encourage students and parents to visit our office and learn what valuable information and resources we have to help students.
ACT for ALL Juniors
This spring, your junior will be taking an ACT test at Coronado High School. The State of Colorado mandates that all juniors take an ACT on Wednesday, April 28, 2010. Scores from the April 28 ACT test will be posted on students’ transcripts and will become part of their permanent record.
There are several oportunities for college bound juniors:
• Coronado will be offering an ACT prep class on April 6, April 7, and April 8 after school. The class covers material from the ACT Preparation Manual. The class runs from 3:15 to 4:30 and will review English, math, and science. The cost is $17.00, and students may register with Ms. Benton in the counseling center. The Coronado ACT prep class focuses only on review of subject matter.
• Students may also select to take the Rocky Mountain ACT Seminar “ZAP” Workshop at Coronado High School on March 3 and 4. The cost is $89.00. All juniors will receive information about ZAP in a home mailing from the workshop sponsors this spring. ZAP focuses on test taking skills as well as reviewing for
the test. ZAP Workshops are also available at other local high schools if your student is unable to take ours. Please visit www.rmass.com for information.
• Once again, we are offering a free ACT practice test for all juniors on March 9 (sophomores take the science CSAP). We encourage all juniors to take advantage of this free opportunity. Students taking the practice ACT will receive their scores on April 1, and will hear from a Princeton Review representative who will analyze scores and offer hints for improving scores. Last year, a significant number of students who took the practice test improved their score on the state test.
Post Secondary Options for Juniors and Seniors
Some sophomores and juniors may be interested in our Post Secondary Options in their junior or senior year. This program allows students to take one or two classes at either Pikes Peak Community College or at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Interested students should talk to their counselors. Registration
deadlines for the program are mid-April for fall semester and mid-November for the spring semester. Any student interested in participating in the program for multiple semesters, must complete an entire registration packet for each semester.
CU Gold Program
Juniors and seniors may also select to take classes at Coronado High School for college credit through CU Denver. This is an excellent opportunity to get a jump on college classes and credits. See your counselor or Jim Keating for more information.
Future Seniors
Memorial Hospital, in conjunction with School District 11, offers a program called Learning Link. This program allows students an up close experience in a variety of medical fields within the hospital. Students need to apply through their Coronado counselor for the program. Only a limited number of students are selected to participate in the program each semester. Students work at the hospital two times per week during school hours to receive 1 elective credit towards graduation.
2010/2011 Coronado Registration Information
Coronado students will receive their registration packet for the next school year on February 4, 2010. Theywill have time to review the packet with their parents, teachers, and counselors in order to determine whichclasses they need and want for the next school year. Completed course request forms will be due February
16. Registration is a very important process. We build our master schedule around student requests and assign staff around those requests; therefore, we ask that students carefully select classes so that they follow through with their selections. Again, when students sign up for classes, they are making a commitment
for the following school year.
8th Grade Orientation Evening
The Coronado Counselors would like to cordially invite the incoming freshmen (current 8th graders) and their parents to the 8th Grade Orientation Evening. It will be held at Coronado High School on Thursday, January 14, 2010. Students and parents will learn about the variety of programs offered at Coronado and will have an opportunity to speak with Coronado Academic Department Chairpersons to answer any questions about specific courses. It is an evening not to be missed – mark you calendars. Hope to see you there!
Middle School Registration Information
Coronado Counselors will be visiting the middle schools on the following days to take the 8th grade students through the registration process for their 9th grade year. If questions arise after we have visited with the 8th grade students, please call the Coronado Counseling Center at 328-3609. Initial Orientation: Completed Course Requests Due: Tuesday, January 12 – Jenkins (Orientation and course requests will be completed on the same day.) Wednesday, January 13 - Holmes Wednesday, January 20 - Holmes Thursday, January 14 – West Thursday, January 21 - West
For All Males who are 17 or 18 years old
Selective Service Announcement Federal law requires that all males register with Selective service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Students can submit their registration information on the Internet www.sss.gov or by filling out a form that is available at any post office. Selective Service registration is required to be eligible for a federal student loan, job training, most federal jobs, and U.S. Citizenship.
Community Service
An Opportunity for All Students As students apply for the National Honor Society, college admission, and scholarships, they find that a history of volunteering or assisting others plays a significant role. Many applications ask what a student has done over the four-year period of high school. Has the student committed to the service of others? Has the student demonstrated leadership within these activities? There are many opportunities in our community to help others. Students in high school should consider giving time to programs such as the Marion House soup kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, Silver Key for senior adults, the Humane Society, the summer Park and Recreation programs and other organizations.
Campus Visits
Would you like to tour your prospective college campus? Campus visit information is available on each of the college or university websites. If you need help in obtaining the information or website, see your counselor. Internet access is available in the counseling center.
TEST DATES FOR SENIORS
It is not too late for a senior to take yet another test. If your score is in need of improvement, the following
dates are suggested for ACT and/or SAT Tests:
ACT Test: December 12, 2009 (register by November 6, 2009)
SAT Test: December 5, 2009 (register by October 30, 2009)
For College Bound Seniors
College applications are due soon. Hopefully, you are bringing your applications to closure. The counselors suggest that all applications are completed by December 1, 2009. The deadline for requesting an official transcript prior to Winter Break is December 15, 2009. Availability of official transcripts will resume on January 6, 2010. For those students interested in applying to a Colorado college, check out
www.collegeincolorado.org . We have found this site to be very helpful.
Financial Aid
The FAFSA form needs to be completed as soon as possible after January 1st so that colleges can prepare a financial aid package for your student. It is recommended that you complete the FAFSA form online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The online application process is 2 to 3 weeks faster than applying by mail. Please visit the website now to apply for a personal identification number (PIN). Both the student and the parent need a pin number.
Scholarships
Scholarships are posted in Senior English classes, in the counseling center, and available on the Coronado web page, www.coronadocougars.com. Make certain that your student is checking for appropriate scholarships. Students may also shop for numerous other scholarships on a variety of web sites such as www.fastweb.com, and www.schoolsoup.com.
Deadlines, Deadlines, Deadlines
Guess what? In the world of college admission, deadlines are for real. Ignore them and you’re out of luck. Pay attention to the deadlines for:
College Applications – Many of the private institutions have January 1 deadlines. As we approach the end of the semester, be sure to allow at least 10 working days for counselor and teacher recommendations. Transcript requests must be made by December 15 for applications being mailed before Winter Break.
Filing for Financial Aid – Schools have their own deadlines for when the FAFSA
results must be received. Priority deadlines are just that – those that file by a priority deadline will have a better chance of having their financial needs met if they qualify for financial aid.
Scholarships also have strict deadlines – make sure you know if the deadline means, “postmarked” or “received by”.
Merit Awards – Large universities, such as CSU, award merit scholarships to the top students who have applied by a certain date.
READ, ASK QUESTIONS, AND BE INFORMED.
