News from the Counseling Office

Week of September 22, 2014

PSAT registration is going on now!!

The PSAT is both a practice SAT and the qualifying exam for the National Merit scholarship (when taken in the junior year). The PSAT is only offered once a year and CDO will be giving it on the Saturday test date, October 18 (it is also available in town on the Wednesday before at other schools). Both sophomores and juniors are encouraged to take the PSAT as it is good practice for sophomores and it is the National Merit qualifying exam for juniors. When students receive their scores back, they will also receive their test books and all of the answers to the questions, making this an excellent study tool for the SAT! Registration takes place in the bookstore and the cost of the exam is $25. We only receive a set number of exams and when they are sold out, that is it. Please do not delay...have your student register now!

Next Week is College Week at CDO!

In celebration of the 18 colleges we have visiting CDO next week and to support our goal of promoting a college going culture on our campus, the counseling department is sponsoring College Week next week! So, tell your student to grab their favorite college gear and show off their college spirit every day next week! And, while they're in their college logo gear, tell them to come by the counseling office and visit the various college representatives that will be on campus throughout the week. Look for specifics about which colleges will be visiting below. It's never too early to start thinking about college, and these visits are for students of all grade levels! Please have your student go by the counseling office to pick a permission slip for each college that they want to visit with.

We'll see you after break and "Go Cats!" or Cougars, or Ducks.....

College Week Visit Schedule:

Also, please don't forget the various upcoming College Fairs that can serve to expand on the opportunities that your student is going to have at CDO next week to visit with college representatives:

• Tucson College Night (http://www.tusd1.org/contents/depart/counseling/college.asp) will take place Tuesday, September, 30 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the TCC.
• NACAC National College Fair will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center on Sunday, September 28 from 11:00am-3:00pm.
• National Christian College Fair will be held at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (9500 N Oracle Rd) on Thursday, October 23 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

On a related note, the counselors began their fall classroom guidance lessons this week. During these lessons we will be meeting with all grade level students through their English classes to work on their ECAP, discuss graduation requirements, review to ensure they are on track for graduation, discuss college entrance requirements, and engage in 4-10 year planning. We will also share the updated version of our Junior/Senior Handbook with the junior and seniors. The handbook can be found on our website at http://www.amphi.com/schools/cdo-high/counseling/handbooks-and-forms.aspx, or if you or your student would prefer a hardcopy, one can be picked up in the counseling office.

Scholarship Spotlight:

The Flinn Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship to the U of A, ASU, or NAU. Eligible candidates will be in the top 5% of their class, have a minimum 3.5 GPA, minimum 1300 SAT (Critical Reading and Math only) or 29 ACT, demonstrate outstanding extracurricular activities and leadership skills, and be a U.S. citizen. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is October 17, 2014. Students may apply and find more information at www.flinnscholars.org.

Upcoming Events:

• September 25 during both lunches - current IB students will be having lunch with Pre-IB sophomores in the Cyber Café. All Pre-IB sophomores are invited to bring their lunch and attend this meeting. They will have the opportunity to talk with current students, ask questions, and further explore whether or not IB is the right program for them. Please contact Cris Cisco (ccisco@amphi.com) or Michelle Barcanic (mbarcani@amphi.com) if you have any questions.
• College visits this week:
  • Arizona State University, Wednesday, September 24, 9:00 am
  • Whittier College (Whittier, CA), Friday, September 26, 9:15 am
  • George Mason University (Fairfax, VA), Friday, September 26, 10:30 am

PSAT Tips - Seminar

All sophomores and juniors planning to take the PSAT are invited to attend a PSAT prep seminar October 1 (the next early-out morning).  Due to the extensive nature of this seminar, it runs from 2nd through 7th period.  The seminar is in the lecture hall.

Students MUST have parent and teacher permission to attend. You may download the permission slip or they are available in the counseling office and need to be competed and turned in to the counseling office no later than Monday 9/29.

September

October

CDO ANNOUNCEMENTS

DRESS CODE

• HEY DORADOS!  This is a reminder that the dress code is still in effect.  Ladies, your tops must have straps on the shoulders, no showing or exposed undergarments and your midriff, front and back, must be covered.  Open or exposed backs on shirts are not allowed, either. Gentlemen, same for you: no exposed undergarments, no tank tops where the armpit hole extends to the waist, no exposed midriff and no images or language on shirts that violate the dress code.  Dress code violators will be directed to Mrs. Henkel in Counseling where they will exchange their top for a CDO t-shirt.  Keep it classy CDO.

STUDENT IDs

• A GENTLE REMINDER ABOUT IDs:  IDs must be worn and displayed while on campus by all students. Around the neck or on the bag facing front is perfectly acceptable.  In the pocket or out of site is unacceptable - students must have it on and showing. If you don't have it on or showing in front you will most likely receive a lunch detention.  Thanks for your thoughtful cooperation.

STUDENTS

• STUDENTS, if you are a Junior or Senior with a 3.6 or higher weighted GPA and you did not receive an NHS invitation please see Mr. Alzner in the Library or Ms. Snider in T-14 so we can check and see what happened.
• ARE YOU 18 YEARS OLD? Will you be 18 by November 4? Do you need help navigating the voter registration website? Come to room T-24 during tutoring and Mrs. Erickson will help you get registered before the October 6, deadline. Bring your driver's license.
• STUDENTS - HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT JOINING A CLUB on campus but not sure which one you are best suited for? This week you can find the club for you by attending our annual club fair.  It will be held all week during both lunches. Clubs will be seated around the perimeter of the cafeteria waiting for you to come up and ask questions. Different clubs will be highlighted each day. Get involved and make a difference.

Parents of seniors

Would you like to design a special page in the 50th anniversary yearbook for your graduate? Would you like to leave them an enduring memory of their years at CDO or a special note to be remembered?  The following link will take you to the Herff Jones site where you may design that note or purchase a yearbook.  

Place your order now as this link will only be active until December 19, 2014.

Yearbook Order Link

Webpages

Amphi Homepage

CDO Homepage

CDO Film

EZ pay for Cafeteria

Counseling 

Palantir Print Edition

Parent Portal

Project Grad

Tax Credit Info

CDO Silent Witness Hot Line

696-5564

Website 

Officer Beauchamp:

Officer Brown

Information

Regular Bell Schedule 

MaxPreps 

Parent Organization 

Amphi Project Grad 

Athletics 

Pom  

Project Grad  

Spirit Line 

Theatre 

 SAT Test Dates @ CDO