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Counseling Newsletter October 9 - 15

Posted Date: 10/09/25 (3:45 PM)

Hoover Counseling Newsletter

Hoover Counseling Newsletter October 9 - 15 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
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Hoover Counseling Newsletter


School Counseling Department Updates

Become informed on important information and upcoming services that the counseling team will be offering in the days to come.


Table of Contents

  • Hoover Counseling Program
  • Hoover Highlights
  • EO - Student Connect Presentations
  • Upcoming and Ongoing Events
  • Academic
  • College
  • Career
  • Social Emotional
  • Scholarships
  • Senior Corner


Hoover Counseling Program

Click HERE to view the Full Annual Counseling Calendar
The Role of the School Counselor
School counselors design and deliver school counseling programs that improve student outcomes. They lead, advocate and collaborate to promote equity and access for each and every student by connecting their school counseling program to the school’s academic mission and school improvement plan. Their roles are vital to student outcomes.
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
School counselors uphold the ethical and professional standards of ASCA and promote the development of the school counseling program based on the following areas of the ASCA National Model®: Define, Deliver, Manage and Assess. 
Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success
The ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success describe the knowledge, skills and attitudes students need to achieve academic success, college and career readiness and social/emotional development. The standards are based on a survey of research and best practices in student achievement from a wide array of educational standards and efforts.


Hoover Highlights


Educational Opportunity - Student Connect Presentations


Every Monday from 11:10 am - 11:25 am during EO time, counselors deliver engaging, school-wide presentations designed to inform and inspire our students. Teachers log into Google Meets at the end of 3rd period and project the presentation onto their screen for students to see.


During these sessions, counselors cover a variety of topics, including:

  • Strategies for social-emotional wellness
  • Tips for academic success
  • College and career readiness insights
  • Upcoming school-wide events

We look forward to connecting with our students each week and providing valuable resources to help them thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Click below to view this week's presentation.


Bullying Prevention Month Presentation

The month of October is Bullying Prevention Month. Our 9th and 10th grade counselors, Mrs. Araxi and Ms. Iraheta, led a schoolwide presentation on bullying prevention and digital citizenship. They covered what bullying looks like (in person and online), how to be an upstander, and the steps to report concerns safely. Students learned how to support peers, use respectful communication online, and access help on campus. In addition students completed a Bullying Prevention Toolkit activity. Click below to view the presentation.

Click Here for Presentation

Upcoming and Ongoing Events



How to Reach Your Counselor

Students, you can schedule a meeting with your counselor by scanning the QR code below. Appointment times are offered before school, after school, during snack, and at lunch.

Appointments are highly recommended. You may drop by without one, but we cannot guarantee that a counselor will be able to meet with you at that time.

If you are experiencing a crisis, please let an adult know and come straight to the counseling office. 


Parents/Guardians: The online booking appointments are limited to only 10 minutes. In order to provide you with more time and better support, please contact Mrs. Moses, the counseling secretary, via email at hmoses@gusd.net or by phone at (818) 242-6801 ext. 81131.


CTE Counselor - Mrs. B


Free After School Tutoring in Collaboratory

Free tutoring will be available after school in the Collaboratory to support you with homework, test preparation, and building stronger study habits across all subjects. Whether you’re struggling in a class or just want to stay on top of your work, this is a great opportunity to get one-on-one support!



HTC/Collaboratory/Textbook Room Hours of Operation


Weekly Counseling Calendar


Dual Enrollment Application Workshop


Hoover Instrumental Music Fundraiser


Pumpkin Painting Contest


Career Explorers Club - Guest Speaker


GUSD College and Career Fair


Free Student Commissioner Opportunity


Choir Fall Concert


Hoover vs. Burroughs Football Game


Scholastic Bowl


Hoover Athletics Game Schedule


PBIS

Students receive Tornado Tickets for being Responsible, Respectful, and Engaged. Trade in your tickets for amazing prizes at the Tornado Trade Post. It is open every Tuesday and Thursday during snack. The store is located right around the corner from the Student Store.



Academics

10-Week Progress Report Grades

Ten-week grades will be posted on October 27. Please remember, this is a progress report and NOT your final grades. They provide an indicator of where you currently stand in your classes and can help you adjust your study habits and routines moving forward.


Tips for Success:

  • Schedule a meeting with your teacher to ask for help
  • Ask for help EARLY - do not wait 
  • Review your class notes, tests, and homework assignments
  • Stay on top of missing assignments
  • Check your portal and Google Classroom DAILY
  • Change your study habits -
  • Work on time management 
  • Attend free tutoring in the Collaboratory
  • Get help from your teachers during EO 
  • Use College Board resources for AP classes



This is a great opportunity to reflect on your learning and set yourself up for success for the rest of the semester!



College Announcements


GCC on Campus

Glendale Community College is here every Tuesday during lunch in front of the College and Career Center (Room 2101). Stop by if you have any questions!



GCC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LINK


College & Career Adviser - Room 2101

Our College and Career Adviser, Ms. Arroyo, is available to meet with students in all grade levels, with a special focus on juniors and seniors. She can support students with selecting a major, exploring careers/trade schools, researching colleges, and navigating the application process. Seniors can also receive guidance on completing their PIQs! Please take advantage of this amazing resource that we have at Hoover.



College Rep Visits at Hoover

College rep visits are an excellent way to explore schools you’re interested in, connect directly with admissions representatives, and learn about programs, scholarships, and opportunities you may not find online. We’ll be hosting many more college rep visits throughout the school year, and all grade levels are welcome to attend! See below for upcoming events. 



CaliforniaColleges.edu

California Colleges is the official California and GUSD platform with tools to help students explore careers, majors, colleges, and trade schools—all for free! Students can activate their accounts using their school email. Need a little guidance? Watch this student tutorial. Parents, you can monitor your student’s progress by creating your own account. Register at CaliforniaColleges.edu and check out this parent tutorial for step-by-step instructions.


How to Register Your Student Account

How to Register Your Student Account

Read the slide for more information. Click the right arrow below the tutorial to advance to the next slide. . To begin your account registration process, navigate to CaliforniaColleges.edu. Then, click Register Your Account in the top right of the screen. . Select I am a Student under the Tell us who you are dropdown menu..

Outgoing link icon
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GUSD College & Career Newsletter Link

Career Announcements

Work Permits

  • Need a Work Permit? Students can download a work permit at the following link https://hooverhs.gusd.net/6755_4 Complete the form and bring it into the counseling office.






Social Emotional Support


Therapy Dog - Kaya

Meet Kaya, our therapy dog! Kaya is here to help make our campus a calmer and more positive place! Whether you’re feeling stressed and anxious, or you just love dogs, stop by to show Kaya some love. She is super calm and friendly and loves being pet by our students. You can find Kaya in the upper quad and lower every Friday during lunch. 



Ohana Lounge - Room 2115



Mental Health - End the Stigma Presentation



Scholarships

Please take some time to explore scholarship opportunities with your student! Every scholarship—big or small—can add up and make a real difference.


12th grade students & families: Be sure to also check the Scholarship Spreadsheet for even more opportunities, including rolling and monthly deadlines: Click Here 




Senior Corner


Accessing Your Transcript

Students can access their unofficial transcript from Student Portal.

Sign in to https://q.gusd.net/production/studentportal

1. Select "Documents" on the left menu

2. Click the icon next to "High School Unofficial Transcript" that was posted on 9/19/2025

** look at the image below for reference**

For official transcripts, please visit https://hooverhs.gusd.net/6747_4 to place an order.




Senior Hoodies

Senior hoodies on sale again for $40! Order yours at the Student Store before October 17!



Write Your Future! 826LA’s 16th Annual Personal Statement Event

When: Saturday, October 11th 

Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (check-in begins at 9 AM)

Where: Orthopaedic Hospital Medical Magnet High School, 300 W 23rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90007

This free, full-day event pairs high school seniors with trained volunteers for one-on-one support as they write, revise, and polish their college application essays, including UC Personal Insight Questions, Cal State EOP Statements, and Common App personal statements.



Senior Portraits Update - October 16 & 17

If you have not booked an appointment for Senior Portraits, you have two options:

  1. Contact Lifetouch directly to visit their studio & take your portraits there! 

  2. Book for the in-school sessions on October 16 & 17

    1. You must wear a black top for the yearbook photo. This photo is free.

    2. If you choose to purchase a package, you can wear additional outfits (e.g. sports uniform, favorite outfit, etc).

    3. Appointments are during class time. Seniors must show their teachers their appointments so they can leave class.


Book your session by clicking this link: https://prestigeportraits.com/


If you tried to book an appointment and the system said it did not recognize your student, please contact Lifetouch and provide your student’s full name, phone number, and parent's email.

PRESTIGEMHAREA@LIFETOUCH.COM 

1-855-918-2930



Staying on Track: Graduation & College Opportunities for Seniors

Over the past two weeks, Mrs. Hernandez (12th Grade Counselor) and Ms. Arroyo (College Adviser) visited all 12th grade English classes to review graduation requirements, A–G eligibility, and post-secondary opportunities. These classroom visits ensure every senior has the information they need to stay on track for graduation and prepare for life after high school.


We encourage students to take advantage of upcoming college workshops and college representative visits—great opportunities to get personalized guidance and learn more about their future options.


Students & families can view the full presentation below.


Click Here for Graduation & College Opportunities Presentation

College & Scholarship Application Tracker

To help your student stay organized with deadlines and requirements, I created a College & Scholarship Application Tracker. This tool allows students to keep track of applications, essays, recommendation letters, financial aid, and scholarships in one place.


Please note: families must make a copy of the tracker in order to use it.


Instructions:

  1. Open the tracker here: College & Scholarship Application Tracker.

  2. In the top menu, click File → Make a copy.

  3. Save the copy to your own Google Drive.

  4. Your student can then begin entering their colleges and scholarships.


This resource is optional but highly recommended to keep students on top of their deadlines and organized throughout senior year.



Additional Resources

The following are resources from Schoolhouse, a free, peer-to-peer tutoring non-profit founded by Sal Khan of Khan Academy.


FREE SAT Bootcamps: 4-week program kicking off on September 5th (schedule selected by student). Perfect for students taking the Oct. 4th SAT. Students can choose between Math or Reading & Writing, or take both. They'll meet with a small group of students and a peer tutor twice a week.


College Admissions Workshops: This month we're running three small-group workshops that run for 2-4 weeks (schedule selected by students). 


  • The Essay - focused on crafting captivating essays

  • The Application - focused on understanding how to best fill out the different parts of college applications

  • Creating Your College List - focused on building a personalized list of colleges to apply to



Brag Sheets for Letters of Recommendation

If you need a counselor letter of recommendation, you must first complete a brag sheet. This form helps me learn everything about you that may not already be known, so I don’t miss any important details to highlight in your letter.

✅ Print your completed Brag Sheet and attach a copy of your resume (clubs, activities, awards, leadership, etc.).

✅ Submit the hardcopy to Mrs. Moses in the Counseling Office — electronic copies will not be accepted.

Reminder: All Brag Sheets must be turned in at least 3 weeks before your first deadline. The final deadline to request a letter of recommendation is November 14, 2025.

⚠️ Please note: UC and CSU applications do not require letters of recommendation.


For full instructions, use the Brag Sheet attached below and make sure you give thoughtful, detailed responses.




🎓 Support the Distinguished Scholars Academy (DSA) Class of 2026 at Hoover High School! 🎓

The Distinguished Scholars Academy (DSA) offers motivated students a rigorous academic pathway filled with honors and AP courses, enrichment opportunities, and leadership experiences that prepare them for success in college and beyond. Learn more here: DSA Information.

DSA 2026 supports the entire Hoover community by hosting events like Finals Study Night—a supportive space for students to study and receive tutoring—and the 12th Grade Decision Day Celebration—honoring our seniors' postsecondary plans.

DSA 2026 is currently raising funds to help cover the cost of a bus for an additional college campus tour this Fall. Please consider donating to support our Tornado scholars. Every contribution helps create more opportunities for our students to grow, lead, and achieve! Your donation is considered a charitable contribution and may be tax-deductible.

How to Donate:

  • Click here: Donate Here

  • Select “Buy Now”

  • Indicate your donation amount and proceed as a Guest (no account required)

Thank you for investing in the future of our Tornadoes! 🌪️


DSA 2026 @ UCI  (Nov 2024)




💥 Financial Aid Updates 💥



Hoover Counseling Website Link
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Olga Iraheta
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