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
• How to Reach Your Counselor
• Upcoming and Ongoing Events
• Internship and Program Opportunities
• Academic
• College
• Career
• Social Emotional
• Scholarships
• Senior Corner

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.

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.

Course registration is coming up soon! One of our school counselors will be visiting classrooms to deliver an overview of the registration process, graduation requirements, and A-G requirements. Following the presentation, students will complete a Google Form to indicate the courses they would like to enroll in for next year.

Please note that class periods are shorter this year. Counselors will have one hour to present information and support students as they complete the Google Form, so preparation and focus during this time are essential.

In February, students will visit the Student Union with their English class, where counselors will meet individually with each student to review and finalize course selections.

It is very important that students thoughtfully consider their course choices. Once selections are submitted, changes will not be made.

Registration Classroom Visit Schedule

• Rising Seniors: January 22

• Rising Juniors: January 27

• Rising Sophomores: January 29
  
  

1:1 Student Meeting Dates

• Rising Seniors: February 3-4

• Rising Juniors: February 11-12

• Rising Sophomores: February 18 & 20

We invite all parents and guardians to join us for Coffee and Tea with the Principal, an important informational session led by the counseling team alongside Dr. Spurley. This is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the counselors as we prepare for the upcoming 2026–2027 course registration period.

Date: Monday, January 26
Two Sessions Available: 8:45 AM OR 5:30 PM

Location: Room 12101
(Parking is available in the faculty lot off School Street for the afternoon session.)

During this session, counselors will walk families through key information to help students make thoughtful and informed academic decisions.

Topics will include:

• The registration timeline and course selection process

• A review of new and available courses

• How to choose high school courses that support college readiness and help students stand out to universities

• A Q&A opportunity with the principal and counselors

We highly recommend attending, as this information is essential for supporting your student during course registration and planning for the year ahead.

Armenian, Spanish, and Russian translation will be available.
Please be sure to scan the QR code on the flyer to RSVP.

We look forward to connecting with you and partnering together to support our students’ success.

Applications for the Early College Academy (ECA) are open! This is a great opportunity to challenge yourself and earn college credit while you’re still in high school and have it built into your school day.

ECA is a competitive program at Hoover High School for motivated students who are ready for a more rigorous academic experience. If you’re curious, interested, or thinking about applying, make sure to attend one of the informational webinars to learn more about the program and how to apply. All dates and registration info are on the flyer below.

if you have a sibling in 8th grade who will be coming to Hoover next year, encourage them to apply too — applications are open for both 8th and 9th graders.

Check out the flyer, talk with your family, and consider joining an info session if this sounds like a good fit for you!

Information is subject to change until officially approved by GUSD. Be sure to save the tentative summer school dates June 15 to July 21. The information & dates are provided to help families plan for summer break and summer school.

Students who earn a D or an F at the end of the semester will have to repeat the class to ensure that they meet the A-G and high school graduation requirements. Summer School registration will begin in February.

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!

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his enduring belief that education should develop both intelligence and character, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo invites students to participate in the 2026 MLK Essay Contest.

This year’s contest encourages students to reflect on the true purpose of education and its role in shaping thoughtful, responsible, and engaged members of society. Through meaningful writing and personal reflection, students will explore how Dr. King’s message continues to guide learning, leadership, and character today.

Who Can Participate?
The contest is open to:

• Middle School Students: Grades 6–8

• High School Students: Grades 9–12

Please refer to the student flyer for the specific prompts.

How to Submit
Students should select the appropriate grade-level writing prompt and submit their essay using the QR code provided on the student flyer.

Deadline: January 26

We strongly encourage students to participate in this meaningful opportunity to honor Dr. King’s legacy through reflection, writing, and civic engagement. Cash prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners!

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.

The Los Angeles Pediatric Society (LAPS) is offering the Eve and Gene Black Summer Medical Intern Program for students interested in the medical field. This is a competitive and enriching opportunity to learn directly from medical professionals.

Program Options (Students apply for ONE):

• Online Program: Live presentations and interactive sessions with doctors, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, and other healthcare professionals
• In-Person Program: Hospital-based experience (limited spots; transportation required)

Online Program Dates & Times:

• Session 1: July 6–16, 2026 (Mon–Thu, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM)
• Session 2: July 20–30, 2026 (Mon–Thu, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM)

Eligibility Requirements:

• Current 11th or 12th grade student
• Born on or before 7/1/2010
• Must live in Los Angeles or adjacent counties
• No cost to apply

 Notification:

• Students will be notified by email by Friday, April 3, 2026
• If no email is received by then, contact: eseaman@lapedsoc.org

Application & Program Information:
Visit http://www.lapedsoc.org/summer

Questions:
eseaman@lapedsoc.org

 jgertner@lapedsoc.org

The Saban Research Institute at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is offering paid summer research internships through the LA-HIP (Los Angeles - High School Internship Program).

This program is for current juniors who are interested in science, technology, engineering, or math. LA-HIP combines hands-on biomedical research, college counseling, and SAT prep over seven weeks (June 15 – early August 2026). Interns receive a stipend, Metro pass, and meals.

Virtual info sessions will be held from November to January. Check website for details. 

Applications deadline is February 1st 

www.chla.org/lahip
Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to gain real research experience and college prep support!

Distinguished Young Women of Los Angeles County is inviting members of the Class of 2027 to apply for over $1 Billion in scholarships available through their national program!

Distinguished Young Women (DYW) is the largest and oldest scholarship program for high school girls, offering life-changing experiences, Life Skills Workshops, and access to incredible scholarship opportunities—all at no cost to participants.

Program Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Application Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026
Cost to Participate: FREE

All local participants become eligible for scholarships from partnering universities, simply by taking part. Students selected to represent Los Angeles County will also receive a cash scholarship and compete for $30,000 in additional scholarships at the state program in summer 2026.

Apply here: distinguishedyw.org
Questions? Email: losangeles@distinguishedyw.org

The Samuels Family High School Internship Program (LA-HIP) at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles is offering paid summer research internships for Summer 2026.

About the Program:

LA-HIP is a seven-week, full-time internship for rising seniors who attend public high schools in the greater Los Angeles area and are interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math).

You’ll gain:

• Hands-on biomedical research experience

• College counseling and academic support

• Princeton Review SAT prep

• A stipend, Metro pass, and meals

• Continued college counseling even after the summer ends

Program Dates: 

📅 June 15 – Early August, 2026 (Monday–Friday)

Info Sessions:

Virtual info sessions are available. Check the attached flyers to register and learn more about eligibility, program details, and application tips.

Application Details: 

🗓 Application Opens: November 3, 2025

⏰ Application Deadline: February 1, 2026 

🌐 Apply at: www.chla.org/lahip

If you’re a current junior interested in STEM, don’t miss this opportunity!

Are you passionate about architecture, urban design, or sustainable city planning? embARC at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design is now accepting applications for Summer 2026!

 

• Priority application deadline: February 17, 2026 (11:59 PM Pacific Time) – this is the final application deadline for financial aid and housing

This immersive four-week summer program on the Berkeley campus offers rising juniors and seniors a chance to:

• Explore architecture, urban design, and city planning as possible college majors and careers

• Develop college-level design and technical skills

• Build a design portfolio for college applications

• Work on real design/build projects for local nonprofit partners through the Community Build experience

Program Details

• Dates: July 6–31, 2026

• Held on UC Berkeley’s campus

• On-campus housing available (optional; separate fee)

• Commuter option available for students living locally

• A limited number of need-based scholarships are offered

Students will also attend workshops and studios in sketching, digital design, materials exploration, and sustainable planning all while earning college credit on an official UC Berkeley transcript and a certificate of completion.

Eligibility:
 • Rising high school juniors and seniors (must be at least 16 by July 5, 2026)
 • Minimum GPA required: 3.0
 • No prior design experience necessary

Learn More & Apply: Visit the program website for details and deadlines (applications are open now!). 

Questions? Email embarc@berkeley.edu

We’re officially in second semester, which means a fresh opportunity to refocus, reset, and finish the school year strong. Whether the first half of the year went exactly as planned or came with a few challenges, this is a great moment for students to reflect on what’s working, make adjustments, and set clear encourage goals moving forward.

Please review the following reminders and tips for a successful 2nd semester!

Reminders:

• The way you begin often sets the tone for the whole semester

• Create good habits that you will follow throughout the semester

• Every assignment, quiz, and participation point matters

• Work hard now = less stress later!

How Not to Fall Behind:

• Get organized (planner, materials, charged/working Chromebook)

• Check your grades and portal weekly

• Complete every assignments on time. Do not count on turning in your work at the end of the semester

• Ask for help early (teachers, counselors, tutoring)

• Build routines: study schedule, phone off, focused space (Homework lab)

• Attendance matters! Attend every day and be on time

• If you are absent due to an illness, your parent/guardian must call to excuse your absence

  • If you are on a SART contract, your absence will not be cleared without a doctor’s note

• When you miss a day of school, it is your responsibility to find out which assignments need to be completed

  • Check Google Classroom

  • Ask a friend 

  • Ask your teacher

• Act ASAP - Do not wait several days before you complete missing work 

  • You may forget the content for that lesson

  • You may forget to complete work

  • Your work will pile up 

• If your class took a test/quiz while you were out

  • Communicate with your teacher to schedule a day/time for make-up

• Do not wait for your teacher to reach out to you!

Click the link below to view the video!

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!

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 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. 

Check your counselor's Google Classroom and the counseling newsletter weekly for updates on upcoming College rep visits. 

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.

• 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.

• Looking for a job? Supermarkets Hiring Immediately:

  • Krispy Kreme

  • Ralph's

  • Trader Joe's

  • Vons

  • See below for job's via the GYA Employment Programs. 

  • Start your job search and browse for thousands of hourly position openings. You can also start your job search at snagajob.com.
    
    

• Highest Paying Occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/highest-paying.htm
  
  
• Fastest Growing Occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm
  
  
• Most New Jobs: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/most-new-jobs.htm

Students are invited to participate in the YEIP Virtual Outdoor Education Internship Class, an engaging opportunity to build practical life skills while exploring the world of outdoor education — all from home.

Participants will learn the basics of camping, survival skills, first aid, outdoor cooking, mapping, astronomy (stars), plants, wildlife, and more. In addition to outdoor-focused content, interns will take part in weekly skill-building lessons covering communication, tolerance, and general workplace readiness. This program is sponsored by the Youth Employment Internship Program (YEIP).

Program Format
This internship will be held virtually. All participants must be able to log into Zoom with a camera and microphone.

Important Participation Requirements

 To participate, students must:

• Provide their own sack lunch

• Submit the following during the first week of class:

  • A completed W-9 form

  • A copy of their signed Social Security card

  • A completed registration form

A submission link will be emailed to both the student and parent/guardian during the first week of class. W-9 forms and instructions will be provided.

This is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable skills, explore new interests, and build professional experience in a supportive virtual setting.

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. 

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 

Cómo encontrar dinero gratis para la universidad con becas - Miércoles 19 de Noviembre las 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM (online)

• Las becas pueden ser de gran ayuda para los estudiantes que van a la universidad y sus familias, pero muchos no saben dónde encontrarlas ni cómo solicitarlas. Durante esta sesión, los estudiantes y las familias aprenderán consejos clave sobre cómo solicitar becas, cómo crear un ensayo ganador de becas, y más. También compartiremos consejos útiles e información para ayudarte a completar su FAFSA® y encontrar el dinero que necesita para pagar la universidad.

• Si estás interesado pero no puedes asistir, regístrate de todas formas: recibirás una grabación para verla cuando quieras.

• Registrate aqui

Are you passionate about the environment and want to make a real difference in your community? UC Santa Barbara’s Yardi Scholars for Environmental Justice (Yardi EJ) Program offers an incredible opportunity for students who care about sustainability and social impact.

What you’ll get:

• Up to $40,000 in scholarship funding over four years

• Hands-on environmental projects and changemaking experiences

• Mentorship and advising from UCSB faculty and peers

• A supportive community of future environmental leaders

Who can apply:

• Current California high school seniors applying to UCSB for Fall 2026

• Open to all majors

• Students who are first-generation to college and/or have financial need are strongly encouraged to apply

Key Dates:

• Application opens: December 2, 2025

• Deadline: February 13, 2026

Join the Interest List to stay updated about info sessions and application tips.
View the program flyer HERE

For questions, contact Gabby Gutierrez-Serrano at ggutierrezserrano@ucsb.edu

We are excited to share that Glendale Community College (GCC) will be visiting Hoover to support 12th grade students with completing their GCC applications. This is a great opportunity for seniors who plan to attend GCC or want to keep their college options open.

Location: College & Career Center
Dates & Times:

• Friday, January 30 – during 5th period

• Tuesday, February 10 – during 6th period

Important Attendance Information:
Students may attend only if they do not have a class during that period or if they receive permission from their teacher to be released from class. If a teacher is unable to excuse a student, seniors are encouraged to attend an alternative workshop or schedule a one-on-one appointment with our College Adviser, Ms. Arroyo, for application assistance.

If you have any questions or need additional support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Hernandez or Ms. Arroyo. We’re here to help every step of the way!

Seniors, save the date. The Cash For College line-by-line application help is on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in at Glendale Community College. This event is open to all 12th-grade students and families. For more details, please see the flyer below. Register and RSVP by January 23, 2026.

Purchase your grad nite tickets now at the Student Store! Please note, even if you have a season pass you must purchase the grad nite ticket as this is a special event. The last day to buy tickets is on April 10. You must turn in the attached parent permission slip at the Student Store when purchasing your ticket.

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.

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.

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.

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! 🌪️

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