Thurs 9/24 - Amphi Foundation Chrome Bowl Fund Raiser Thurs 9/24 - Mongolian Derby, Lecture Hall, 7pmFri 9/25 - Homecoming Dance following the game. T-shirt required Sat. 9/26 - Dorado Fest, 6am -noon, CDO Parking Lot Sat. 9/26 - Project Grad Paint Day, 8am - Noon, T-bldg basement Sat. 9/26 - OV Teen Movie Night, Aquatic Ctr, 7pm Tues 9/29 - Tucson College Night, TCC 6:30-8:30 pm Wed. 10/7 - Gifted Presentations, Lecture Hall 5:30pmWed. 10/7 - National Honor Society Inductions, MPR, 7pm Thurs 10/22 - National Christian College Fair, Pusch Ridge CA, 6-8pm Wed 10/28 - PSAT - CDO High Wed 11/18 - College Financial Aid Night, Cafe 6pm
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COUNSELING DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
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News from the Counseling Office
Week of September 21, 2015
This week's hot topic: Letters of Recommendation
Many students, seniors in particular, will find that they need a letter of recommendation to support their application to college, for a scholarship, or for a summer program. Below, we offer your student tips for securing quality letters of recommendation:
- Once you know that you will need a letter of recommendation, fill out the "Letter of Recommendation Request" form found in the counseling office, or on the counseling webpage. It is important that you fill out this form honestly and completely. Once you have completed the form, you can make an appointment with your counselor or teacher to submit it.
- Give your recommender at least two weeks' notice (more is preferable) when at all possible. While we understand that you sometimes find out about a scholarship opportunity less than two weeks before the deadline, and will do everything we can to help you in those situations, it takes a lot of time for someone to write you a quality letter. Please remember that the individual you asked to write your letter also has a full-time teaching/counseling job and other students whom they are writing letters for as well. Letters written in haste can be detrimental to your application.
- Provide your recommender with deadlines for each recommendation so that there is no confusion as to when the letter is due.
- Let your recommender know how the letter will be used. Is it to be a general college admissions letter? Is it for a scholarship? If so, what kind of scholarship? What qualities is the scholarship committee looking for in a strong candidate?
- On the recommendation form, we suggest that you waive your right to view the recommendation. This gives more credibility to the recommendation in the eyes of the college/scholarship committee.
- Ask for the letter in person - not by email, not by just dropping off the form, and not by phone. This is especially important now that more applications are online and students have the opportunity to input their recommender's name and email address, and the recommendation form is sent directly via email. Students need to let the recommender know that this email is coming - before the recommender receives it!
- Provide the necessary information regarding how the letter is to be submitted. Will it be uploaded to a website? If so, please provide the appropriate web address. Will it be mailed in? If so, please provide an addressed, stamped envelope. Will it be returned directly to you? If so, you will need to arrange a time to retrieve it.
- Whom to ask? Check first to see what the college/scholarship committee is requesting. They will often be specific about who they want to see letters from (For example, one counselor, one academic teacher, and one additional). Ask the people who know you best! The teacher for the class in which you excelled isn't necessarily the best one to write you a letter, if you just sat in the back of the room and didn't add much to the class. It might be better to ask the teacher for whose class you were an active participant, where you helped other students in the class, or where you demonstrated improvement.
- How many to submit? Again, check first to see how many are required. Follow the wishes of the college/scholarship; do not inundate them with more than they ask for (one extra is sometimes okay, but not two or more).
- Thank the recommender after the letter is completed (hand written thank you notes are very nice).
- Follow-up with the recommender and let him/her know the outcome of your application. (Did you get accepted to the college? Did you get the scholarship?)
If you or your student has any further questions regarding your needs for a letter of recommendation, please do not hesitate to visit us in the counseling office.
This week is our kick-off to College Week and...
Next Week is College Week at CDO!
In celebration of the 24 colleges we have visiting CDO this week and 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 and on the counseling website. It's never too early to start thinking about college, and these visits are for students of all grade levels! Please have your student register for these visits and print out their permission slips online.
Pre-College Week and College Week Visit Schedule:
September
DePauw University (Green Castle, IN) Monday, Sept. 21, 10:30 am
University of Chicago (Chicago, IL) Tuesday, Sept. 22, 10:00 am
George Mason University (Fairfax, VA) Wednesday, Sept. 23, 9:00 am
University of California, Santa Barbara Thursday, Sept. 24, 8:20 am
Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN) Thursday, Sept. 24, 11:00 am
Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA) Thursday, Sept. 24, 12:15 pm
University of California, San Diego Friday, Sept. 25, 8:15 am
Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, AZ) Monday, Sept. 28, 9:30 am
Pacific University (Forest Grove, OR) Tuesday, Sept. 29, 8:00 am
University of San Diego (San Diego, CA) Tuesday, Sept. 29, 8:30 am
Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO) Tuesday, Sept. 29, 9:30 am
Rhodes College (Memphis, TN) Tuesday, Sept. 29, 10:00 am
University of Hawaii, Manoa Tuesday, Sept. 29, 10:30 am
Cornell College (Mount Vernon, IA) Tuesday, Sept. 29, 11:00 am
Whittier College (Whittier, CA) Tuesday, Sept. 29, 12:45 pm
Tucson College Night (at TCC) Tuesday, Sept. 29, 6:30-8:30 pm
Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ) Wednesday, Sept. 30, 9:00 am
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott, AZ) Wednesday, Sept. 30, 9:30 am
Whitworth University (Spokane, WA) Wednesday, Sept. 30, 10:10 am
Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, FL) Wednesday, Sept. 30, 10:30 am
Northeastern University (Boston, MA) Wednesday, Sept. 30, 11:15 am
Bates College (Lewiston, ME) Wednesday, Sept. 30, 11:30 am
Colorado College (Colorado Springs, CO) Wednesday, Sept. 30, 12:15 pm
Mount Saint Mary's University (Los Angeles, CA) Wednesday, Sept. 30, 1:00 pm
Arcadia University (Glenside, PA) Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2:00 pm
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, 29 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the TCC.
- NACAC National College Fair will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center on Sunday, September 27 from 11:00am-3:00pm.
- National Christian College Fair will be held at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (9500 N Oracle Rd) on Thursday, October 22 from 6:00-8:00 pm.
As well as the individual college representatives that will continue to come even though College Week is officially over including Johns Hopkins University and Princeton University in October!
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 18, 2015. Students may apply and find more information at www.flinnscholars.org
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CHANGES TO FAFSA - Important for College-bound students
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Summary
On Sept. 14, 2015, President Obama announced significant changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) process that will impact millions of students. Starting next year, students will be able to:
* Submit a FAFSA® Earlier: Students will be able to file a 2017-18 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1, 2016, rather than beginning on Jan. 1, 2017. The earlier submission date will be a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as October 1 every year.
* Use Earlier Income Information: Beginning with the 2017-18 FAFSA, students will report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017-18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) will report their 2015 income information, rather than their 2016 income information
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Please help us to serve CDO and families better.
We need your help learning about you and tax credits, interests, etc.
Please complete our survey.
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MICHELLE TANAKA PRESENTATION
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 Students planning to take the PSAT: Please go to counseling to pick-up a permission slip for the annual PSAT prep seminar. This seminar will be held in the Lecture Hall on the early out morning in October. You will need a permission slip to attend. The seminar is a full morning from 2nd through 7th periods. Please plan with your teachers to attend the entire morning.
PSAT TESTS STILL AVAILABLE
$25 to the bookstore as soon as possible
PSAT Test - Wednesday, October 28 @ CDO
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DORADOFEST
Saturday, 9/26, 6:00 am-12:00 Noon Doradofest featuring the IB Yard Sale, NHS Car Wash, and Ac Dec Bake Sale in the CDO parking lot IB Yard Sale: Please call 668-5464 to coordinate pickup of any furniture for the IB Yard Sale to be held Saturday, 9/26. Donations are being collected prior in H302 at CDO. Contact Cris Cisco at CDO if interested in renting table space for only $10 for your group or family. Come to shop, eat, and have your car washed for good cause!"
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REACH PROGRAM
The REACH Program serves gifted students at CDO through a series of seminars, the honors internship program, and personal advocacy as needed.
Parents of Gifted:
- If your child has previously been in the REACH program at any school in the Amphitheater District they are already eligible to receive services. You need take no further action!
- If your child has been in advanced classes or gifted programs outside of the Amphitheater District please complete the testing referral and turn it into the counseling office at CDO before September 21.
- If your child has never been tested for a gifted program and seems to be a pretty sharp cookie please consider having him/her tested for the REACH program.
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Orders placed by Sunday, September 27, 2015 will arrive to your home by October 10, 2015 (if shipped) or available for pick up at school on October 14, 2015 (choose pick up).
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If you shop Amazon, please use www.smile.amazon.com instead of just amazon and choose to support CDO Parent Organization. Every little bit helps us to help CDO.  |
PSAT registration starts Monday, August 24th.
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 Wednesday, October 28th. Please note that typically the PSAT is offered on a Saturday, but this year it will ONLY be offered on a Wednesday. Sophomores are encouraged to take the PSAT as it is good SAT practice test. For Juniors, this is the qualifying exam for National Merit. 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. There are a limited number of tests, so have your student register now to reserve your spot!
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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.
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