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.

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.

South Bay Community Talks- September 20th

 Youth in Action and Partnerships 4 Success under the Institute for Public Strategies will host the South Bay Community Talks in collaboration with McAllister on Wednesday, September 20th, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Olivewood Gardens in National City.

We will provide a safe space for teens, young adults, families, and community members of all ages to talk openly about issues related to community stress, alcohol use, drug misuse, and the fentanyl overdose crisis. Translation services will be available for those who prefer Spanish.

Along with hearing from community organizers and local mental health providers, a FREE light dinner will be provided for all who attend. Community service hours are available for youth who participate and bring their community service form ready for signatures.

Please feel free to share the attached flier with your community, peers, partners, and social media platforms. If there are any questions, please email: youthinaction@publicstrategies.org

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Counselor/Parent Chats - September 6, 2023

Click here to access materials provided during parent chat

Counselor/Parent Chats Q & A   September 6, 2023

We have an 11th grader. Looking for any resources to help situate her into a 4-year university next year. When do we apply, student services etc. How and when we apply for grants etc. How soon do we apply for scholarships etc.

·      All Juniors receive a Counselor Led Post Secondary presentation in the Fall of their Junior Year. Students can also schedule an appointment with their counselor. Our Counseling Center Website has a lot of information as well. Students also have a Google Classroom for their grade level where we upload resources including our in person presentations. Timeline and important info regarding college can also be found on our “So You Want To Go To College” flyer

We have a10th grader in the mod / severe dept. What resources are available to her as she progresses through high school. 

·   All students in the mod/severe program or who get special services have an IEP and students can work closely with their case carrier, school psychologist, and counselor. Students in the mod/severe program would also have transition plans in their IEP.

How can I have access to Jupiter grades?

·   Tech Support is available in the parent center on Tues/Thursday 8:30-10:30. Parents can also email their students counselors for Jupiter Access.

Are there any dates for university campus visits?

·   The counseling center is not currently hosting any dates for university campus visits. Students in the AVID program may have some campus visits through their program. If the counseling center becomes aware of any opportunities, we would post it on our counseling center website.

If there are any visits is there a preference for seniors?

·   No, all field trips offered are typically first come first served.

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.

My freshman is currently struggling in 3 classes with substitutes – who can we contact?

·   Please reach out to your students Counselor and administration if you are struggling to get in contact with any substitute teachers.

When does my 11th grader need to start volunteer hours?

·   Start as soon as possible – as early as 9th grade. Although we only require 30 hours, more hours is recommended for university admissions and scholarship consideration. We recommended students volunteer in something that they are interested in. The Class of 2024 needs to complete 15 service hours. Currently 30 service hours is required for the class of 2025 and beyond. More information and the community service form can be found on our website under the community service tab.

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.

Can my junior student start applying for grants? 

·       11th graders cannot apply for grants but they can apply for scholarships. Scholarship information can be found under the scholarship tab on our website

 My student did not get any information about Credit recovery 

·       Students who signed up should have gotten an email but if they did not the student can follow up with their counselor. Yesterday was the first day of credit recovery. Unfortunately, some class times were changed from afternoon to morning. Students can still report on Thursday. In the Morning, students should enter the main building through the north side of the building. Credit Recovery is Tues/Thurs and on the occasional Saturday. We understand some of the communication has been choppy. Credit Recovery will end on December 1st. For seniors taking credit recovery for A-G purposes, students will list any classes they are repeating when they apply.

What grades do students need to get a work permit? 

·   The school recommends a 2.0 but technically there are no GPA requirements. Permit applications can be found in the admin office.

 Does the school give any support in regard to sexual harassment/assault? 

·       For any support on this topic please make an appointment with your students’ counselor so that they can discuss different resources and make appropriate referrals as needed.

 

Chat with the Counselors/Charla con los Consejeros

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The SUHI Counselors would like to invite you to the Counselor Virtual Chats with Parents, Wednesday, September 6th at 9:30am, in the Counseling Center.  You will receive updates on what's new in the counseling center. Along with the opportunity to chat about any questions you may have.

You are also welcome to join us virtually. Here is link for the workshop: 

meet.google.com/vda-kjzs-wko

SAVE THE DATE (at 9:30am):

SEPTEMBER 6TH

NOVEMBER 15TH

FEBRUARY 7TH

APRIL 10TH 

We would love your you to submit your questions prior to the event. Please complete the following link:  tinyurl.com/suhichatsurvey

See you all on Wednesday,  

SUH Counselors