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Counselor and Parent Chat - September 19, 2025

This morning’s Counselor & Parent Chat was a win! 🙌
Huge thanks to our special guests from the National City Family Resource Center for sharing support and services for our families. Community + Counselors = Stronger Students. ❤️

Handouts from the Parent and Counselor Chat

Counselor & Parent Chat - April 23

Thank you to our parents who attended our last Counselor Parent Chat for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Please see resources and video recordings below.

Part One: OPSAM Health Center

Part Two: ScholarShare & CalKids

Part Three: Counselor Update

Access all flyers and slides from the parent chat

Click here to see all past Counselor and Parent Chats

Counselor and Parent Chat - February 5th

 Thank you to our parents who attended our February 2025 Counselor & Parent Chat

Part One: Presentation by San Ysidro Health

Part Two: Counselor Update

Click here for all the slides and handouts from the parent cha

Counselor and Parent Chat - November 13

Thank you to our parents who attended our November Counselor and Parent Chats. 

Click here to access all the handouts and slides from the meeting. 

Part 1: McAlister Institute

Part 2: Counselor Updates

Counselor & Parent Chats - April 10

Part 1: Marijuana presentation by McAlister Institute

Part 2: Counselor Presentation

Access all handouts here

Counselor/Parent Chats Q & A   February 7, 2024

Guest Speakers: McAlister Institute Q&A:

Contact information for Ms. Maya Bernal:

telephone  number: 619 691-1045 ext 2009  

maya.bernal@mcalisterinc.org

Can schools require random tests for students like they do in some workplaces? 

Per school counselors, we cannot test students, but we can provide resources like MCAlister where they can take their student to be tested.  At McAlister center parents can pay $25 cash for marijuana tests.  Results will be available within 5 minutes.   

Does school allow vaping and/or vapes on campus? No

How do staff/administration check if a student has vape?  

They don’t do random searches, however, if they catch students in a bathroom, etc., and suspect the student is under the influence they will search student belongings.

Counselor Parent Chat- Q&A:

Scholarship or FAFSA/CADA eligibility? 

There are some scholarships based on financial need, some students who do not meet financial need can be denied. But there are other scholarships based on merit, community service and other factors. Scholarships vary in requirements. Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships they are eligible for. 

For FAFSA/CADA students will not be denied, however, the amount received will be based on financial need.  It is the school the student applied to and plans to attend that will communicate with the student with respect to the financial aid award letter. If you have additional questions it is recommended to make an appointment with your student’s counselor.

FAFSA/CADAA deadline May 2, 2024. Please remember to check with the individual university.

Will I get confirmation my child will walk during graduation?

There will be senior clearance, June 3rd, to confirm your student completed all their remaining graduation requirements.  However you are welcome to contact your students counselor to check your students progress towards completing their graduation requirements. 

Can 11th graders do their volunteer hours in the summer?  

Yes. They can do it any time.  Seniors class of 2024 need 15 hours.  Please visit suhicounseling.com for more details. Remember graduating class of 2025 and beyond are required to complete 30 hours. Students need to complete the community service verification form. You are able to pick-up with their social science teachers, suhicounseing.com, and in the counseling center.

What benefits are there for my student to complete more than 30 hours of community service?  

The benefits can be for personal growth, scholarship opportunities and selective university admission, for example UC schools. 

Which teacher does my student turn in their hours to and what places are approved by the school?

Community Service Forms need to be turned into History/Social Science teachers. Students need to submit hours ideally that school year. For information on pre-approved places please visit our website under the community service tab.

Community Service Hours Opportunity - Multi Cultural Festival at Pepper Park 3/30

 The Multi-Cultural Festival will be held on Saturday, March 30th from 12PM-5PM at Pepper Park in National City. This event is family-friendly and free to the public.

There will be vendors, performers, Kids Zone with hands-on activities and free arts & crafts. We are looking for volunteers to help with pre-event setup, traffic control, and post event teardown. We are able to provide volunteer hours for students. If interested, please follow the link here to fill out our volunteer form.

Join us for a fun afternoon with live music, food and entertainment. We hope to make this year's festival a great success with your participation!

Counselor & Parent Chats - February 7th

Part 1: Opiod presentation by McAlister Institute

Part 2: Counselor Presentation

Link to notes and handouts

Click to access previous counselor parent meetings

 

Counselor/Parent Chat - November 15, 2023

Access handouts here

Counselor/Parent Chats Q & A   November 15, 2023

Guest Speakers: McAlister Institute Q&A:

Are students aware of the harm with nicotine and vaping?  

Yes, we speak to youth as well and educate teenagers on the health concerns with nicotine and vaping.  

Do you go to schools and present?  

Yes, I visit a lot of schools to help educate students.

How can we tell if our student is vaping?  

A lot of vapes still have a smell and release smoke.  The smell is like a fruit.  The smell will stay on clothes, furniture.  If you go into their room or bathroom, check their things. Some vapes look like highlighters.  As we continue to research the consequences of vaping, more information surfaces.

Can schools require random tests for students like they do in some workplaces? 

At McAlister center parents can pay $25 cash for marijuana tests.  Results will be available within 5 minutes.   Per school counselors, we cannot test students, but we can provide resources like MCAlister where they can take their student to be tested.  

Does school allow vaping and/or vapes on campus? No

How do staff/administration check if a student has vape?  

They don’t do random searches, however, if they catch students in a bathroom, etc., and suspect the student is under the influence they will search student belongings.

Counselor Parent Chat- Q&A:

There was a military presentation in one of her students' classrooms, but when she called the school no one on campus knew about it.  Why does this happen?  

I would welcome a parent to speak with their student counselor.  The counselor can help investigate and help discover the answer.   

Do you have support for ADHD?  

Yes, any student with diagnosed mental/physical disability, we have support for your student.  We encourage parents to contact their child's counselor for further details.

Is there a fee waiver for community college?  

There is no fee for community college applications.  The CSU/UC application has questions built in application that determine if a student is a candidate for fee waiver. 

I always check my child's grade, but it shows a missing assignment but my student tells me they turned it in?  

I suggest, via jupiter grades, email the teacher directly to confirm what assignments are missing, or contact your student counselor for help.  

In addition, usually if it’s marked as missing it’s because they turned it in late.  Very likely the student did it late, and it may take time for the teacher to correct late work.  I would encourage parents to tell students that they can review the work they turned in late. 

Do teachers update grades weekly or do they have some kind of timeframe? 

There are no guidelines.  The requirement is that the teacher give a progress report and final grade.  Anything in between progress reports and final grades is teacher discretion.

There are many programs, how can parents be prepared to best guide their students with options available for pre registration?  

At suhicounseling.com website, parents/students can access Course List with descriptions and some include videos. 

What options are available for period 0/7?  

These are very limited to MCJROTC and bands. Please contact your student counselor for additional help.

When are the next grades? 

 They are the final semester grades.

What is the support students with IEP receive, or can parents select classes for students? 

 Students with IEPs get the same opportunity to request classes with counselors.  In addition, students with IEPs, have IEP meetings to discuss placement, case carrier and counselor to support them.  

What are the upcoming College University and FASFA Deadlines for 12th graders?

Counselors are currently reviewing post-secondary plans with seniors during their individual credit check meeting. Important dates and deadlines can be found on our “So You Want To Go To College” flyer. Seniors can access their grade level presentation on their Google Classroom. The Deadline for CSU/UC’s is November 30th. FASFA Deadline for priority is March 2nd.

Which teacher does my student turn in their hours to and what places are approved by the school?

Community Service Forms need to be turned into History/Social Science teachers. Students need to submit hours ideally that school year. For information on pre-approved places please visit our website under the community service tab.

SUHi Money Monday - Income Caps?

Happy #SUHiMoneyMonday Red Devils!

No matter how much money your family makes, you are eligible for financial aid.

First step is to create your FSA ID! Go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id to get started!

FAFSA and CaDAA open in December!

Have questions? See your counselor!

 

SUHi Monday Monday: Do You Need Money For College?

 

Attention seniors!

Do you need money for college?

It is important that you submit your FAFSA/CaDAA to increase your chances of receiving the financial aid you are eligible for.

What is the difference between the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CaDAA):
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fE2kKQ4JuyChtkr1uP1erchLRxSP4ISa/view?usp=sharing

The first step for all students, parents, and legal guardians applying through the FAFSA will be to register for a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID.

We encourage students and their contributors (parents) to create an FSA ID as early as possible to be ready for the December opening of the FAFSA and CaDAA.

How to video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTb7hMVtzco

Counselors will call you out on SUHi Money Mondays in Novmeber to help with your FSA ID.

Remember, if you do not have a SSN, it’s OK! You are still eligible for financial aid.

Questions?


See Ms. Luansing afterschool in the counseling center.

October 2023 Scholarship Bulletin

October 2023 Scholarship Bulletin now available!

Applying for scholarships is beneficial as they can significantly reduce the financial burden of education, open doors to opportunities, recognize achievements, and enhance your academic and personal development.

Class of 2024 Google Classroom: thw7gmh

University of Colorado, Boulder - Full Ride Scholarship

 

The Morgan Family Foundation/SUHI Foundation has opened its FULL RIDE scholarship to the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado, Boulder. Please share with your students. There will be a virtual info meeting, and students must pre-register.

Counselor Chats - Nov 15th

We invite all parents to meet with our dedicated counselors. Join us to discuss your child's academic progress, well-being, and any concerns you may have. Your insights are invaluable in ensuring the success and support of your child's educational journey. Let's work together for their bright future!

 

Red Ribbon Week: Parent Presentation - Get Real About Drugs

We invite you to a crucial drug awareness workshop, where we'll address the dangers of deadly drugs. Join us for a frank discussion, learn about prevention, and discover vital resources. Your presence can make a significant difference.

Let's protect our children together.

October 25th will be in English, 6PM
October 26th ,Thursday in Spanish, 11am.

 

Our Safe Space: October 2023

Hello Our Safe Place Community:

Happy October! We hope you're all doing well and are ready for an exciting month ahead.

As always, we're here to provide support and a sense of belonging for everyone in our community.

We're thrilled to share our October calendar with you, full of engaging activities and events:

📅 October Calendar Highlights 📅

10/15: Field Trip at 4PM 🚌 Join us for an adventure as we embark on a field trip this month! Keep an eye out for updates and details about this exciting outing on our Instagram page! (Program Participants Only)

10/31: Halloween Movie Night at 4PM 🎬👻 Get ready for some spooky fun as we celebrate Halloween with a movie night. Dress up in your favorite costumes and join us for an evening filled with treats, tricks, and cinematic delights.

We always welcome your questions and feedback, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us at OurSafePlace@csbcs.org. Our team is here to assist you in any way we can. Remember, we offer a range of services, including tours, one-on-one support for parents, presentations, and training sessions. If you have specific needs or ideas for collaboration, please reach out to us.

Wishing you all a fantastic start to the spooky season! ​🍂🎃

 

Upcoming University Presentations

Planning to apply to a 4-year University? Want to learn more about the admissions process and overall campus going culture at some universities?

Join us for in person university presentations. (*) virtual presentations
 

SUHi Wellness Message: October 2023

Be present.

Welcome back students. It’s time to re-focus and get back into the swing of things. Sometimes we are focused on our problems, what happened last week. But it's important to learn to enjoy where you are today, while you are on your way to where you're going. 

Life is not always about the destination; it's about the journey, with all the bumps in the road, the disappointments, the things you don't understand. Too often we rush through the day, trying to force our way through the challenges and setbacks. 

It's important to slow down and enjoy the journey. Focus on what you need to be doing now, maybe it's homework, maybe it's chores. Take it one day at a time and stay in the present.

Be Well Red Devils!

 

Visit our website for more info: www.suhicounseling.com

 

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress, please call or text 988 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7/365.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR BEAUTIFY CHULA VISTA DAY

Organizers seek 300 volunteers for two Chula Vista sites 

The City of Chula Vista and the South Bay Sustainable Communities Network are calling for volunteers to register for the 20th annual Beautify Chula Vista Day neighborhood cleanup on Saturday, October 21. 

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and volunteers can choose from two Chula Vista locations to participate in beautification activities: Chula Vista Animal Care Facility - 130 Beyer Way, Chula Vista, CA 91911 Memorial Bowl at Memorial Park - 373 Park Way, Chula Vista, CA 91910 

 Volunteers will help remove graffiti and clean up litter from streets, parks, and neighborhoods. Approximately 300 volunteers are needed to make a lasting impact.

 Participants must provide their own transportation, and are advised to wear appropriate clothing and shoes, bring work gloves, a refillable water bottle and snacks or lunch. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours and for residents to get involved by lending a helping hand in their community. 

 All volunteers must register prior to the event. For details and registration for individuals or groups, please visit www.BeautifyChulaVista.org. For registration questions, please contact the City’s Environmental Services Division at environmentalservices@chulavistaca.gov or (619) 691-5122.

 https://www.chulavistaca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3697/3175

 

Fentanyl Awareness Workshop

There are fentanyl awareness events in Spanish coming up!

They will be 100% in Spanish, registration is required, the event is free, Narcan will be distributed for free and there will be free childcare on site.

10/6 National City: MLK Jr Community Center 5 -7:30pm