Woodbridge High School

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1 Woodbridge High School IRVINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BI-WEEKLY NEWSLETTER FEBRUAR Principal's Message Collaboration We continue the roll out of our new set of aspirations for students titled the Way of the Warrior. In previous newsletters I explained the Critical Thinking, Communication, and Creativity aspirations in detail and gave you an explanation of the role they will play in your student s courses and their life after high school. Today we discuss Collaboration. Below you will find how this aspiration is defined in our Way of the Warrior. Collaboration: We will demonstrate the ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams. We will build the capacity to recognize emotions, background, and intent of others in order to understand situations from another point of view. We will exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal. We will assume shared responsibility for collaborative work, and value the individual contributions made by each team member. The collaboration described above should not be confused with, or oversimplified, as simply group work. In both our Critical Thinking and Communication descriptions we discussed the growing need for students to craft arguments based on evidence, reason at the highest level, navigate information and recognize bias and intent, and fulfill their eventual role as citizens in our community by being an educated voter. Our students will be confronted with information and beliefs that may be different from their own and explore sides of an issue they have never IN THIS ISSUE Principal's Message Performing Arts Counseling PTSA Information Grad Night 2015 WHS UPCOMING EVENTS February 16 NO SCHOOL February 23 Late Start QUICK LINKS

2 considered. The first facet of collaboration might be better described as Empathy. We will demonstrate the ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams. We will build the capacity to recognize emotions, background, and intent of others in order to understand situations from another point of view. Recognizing emotions, background and intent are essential components of critical thinking, the literacy demands of the information age, and necessary if we want our students to be truly College and Career Ready. This facet of collaboration will prepare them to navigate a world in which bias, influence, irrationality, prejudice, and opinions of others will constantly challenge their intellectual integrity. The academic pursuit of Empathy is complimentary to the character aspirations we also have for students. In our new WHS crest (pictured below) you see the statement We show empathy. As previously noted we believe that behavior is something that can be taught. We feel our character aspirations and our academic aspirations are equally important to our students lives. Collaboration is not the same today as it was 20 years ago. In today s global economy both the tools and the need for these skills have rapidly changed. The second sentence in our description begins to explain the role collaboration will play in college and careers. Woodbridge High School Irvine Unified School District Parent Portal WHS Athletic Boosters Join the WHS PTSA! Do you want to participate in decisions about the programs that are supported at WHS? Click here to join the PTSA today! We will exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises to accomplish a common goal. We will assume shared responsibility for collaborative work, and value the individual contributions made by each team member. High-speed communications allow virtual teams to take on projects from locations spread out across the globe. Our students must be familiar with these tools and equipped with social skills to successfully contribute to the collaborative

3 work. Nontraditional abilities of building trust, leading with influence, working across cultural or social boundaries, and demonstrating global awareness have become highly coveted in today s economy. Developing collaboration is a direct investment in their ability to thrive in this new world. We know that this investment is worthwhile. Good things are happening at Woodbridge High School and I feel blessed to be a part of it. CHRISTOPHER KREBS Principal Performing Arts Colorguard begins their competition season with two guards, a Varsity and a JV team. They are hosting a competition here at Woodbridge on 2/14 from 5:30PM - 10:00PM. JV performs at 9:19PM and Varsity at 9:52PM. Then the next weekend 2/21-2/22 the Varsity team goes out to Temecula for Winterguard International Regional Competition. Counseling

4 Spring Schedules: Spring schedules were distributed on February 3 and necessary schedule changes were completed from Tuesday, February 3 through Thursday, February 5 in the media center. Students who still have concerns about their schedules should see their assigned counselor in the counseling office during snack and lunch only. California Scholarship Federation (CSF) Membership: Now is the time to apply for the California Scholastic Federation Spring Membership using first semester grades. CSF exists to promote and recognize high standards of academic performance and service on the part of students in California schools. CSF encourages service to the school and community while fostering pride in scholastic achievement. This statewide honor society is founded on the ideals of Scholarship for Service. Membership is based upon academic requirements. CSF Applications were sent out last week through Naviance to all Woodbridge parents and students. A limited number of hard copy applications will be available in the counseling office. A mandatory CSF meeting will be held in the large gym on February 19 during lunch explaining the application process and CSF requirements. Counselors will be outside the counseling office from February 23 through February 27 during lunch collecting, reviewing, and approving applications. Instructions for paying the $5.50 dues will be given to the student upon approval of the application. Senior Homeroom: Counselors will be meeting with their seniors during homeroom on Wednesday, February 11 to discuss some important graduation and college readiness reminders. The homeroom presentation will also be available for parents to view on the counseling website under the Senior Information

5 tab after February 13. Students with questions should meet with their counselor. Financial Aid reminder for Seniors: All college bounds seniors, whether attending a community college or 4 year university, should complete the FAFSA application regardless of family income. Colleges use the financial information gathered on the FAFSA to determine many types of aid. For more information about Financial Aid and to find a link to the FAFSA application, please go to The FAFSA opened on January 1. Cal Grant eligibility is determined from FAFSA information. FAFSA+ GPA verification = Cal Grant application. The Cal Grant GPA verification was submitted automatically on your student s behalf by the district office on December 16 unless you opted out so if you and your student completed the FAFSA, you have applied for Cal Grants also. For more information about Cal Grants and eligibility guidelines please go to Many private colleges and universities require the CSS Profile financial aid application in addition to the FAFSA. The CSS Profile is used by these colleges to determine non-federal financial aid eligibility. Please use this link to access the list of schools that require the Profile: PXRemotePartInstitutionServlet.srv Questions?? Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC): FED-AID ( ) Priority deadline to submit the FAFSA is March 2. Ongoing FAFSA Workshops**- by Financial Aid Specialist Javier Williams every Wednesday 4:00 p.m. 6:00 Saddleback College

6 & Career Center in the Student Services Center, Room 140 Mr. Williams contact information: (949) Specialty College and Career Fair: WHS Counseling is hosting a college and career fair with booths hosted by trade schools, specialty colleges, community colleges, and branches of the military. Some of the schools represented will include: United Technical Institute, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Interior Design Institute, Toni & Guy Hair Academy, Advance Beauty College, Army, Navy, Marines, IVC, Saddleback and more. The College and Career Fair will take place on Thursday, February 19 during 2nd and 3rd periods. Students must sign up with Mrs. Barro in the Counseling Office to attend the fair during either class period. Booths will also be open to all students during the 10 minute break period between 2nd and 3rd periodsto pick up literature or to ask a quick question. Mark your Calendar: There will be a 9 th grade parent workshop on Wednesday morning, March 11 from 8:30 9:30am in the WHS Theatre. Although graduation requirements will be covered, the emphasis of this workshop is on college planning for both four year universities and community colleges. 9 th grade student workshops covering high school graduation and college guidance information will take place during the regular school day on Thursday, March 5. Information from all workshops are posted on the counseling website following the event date.

7 PTSA Information PTSA PARENT PROGRAM Woodbridge High PTSA Parent Programs Presents "Programs and Opportunities at Irvine Valley College with Anne Akers, Director of IVC Outreach and Community Relations. This will take place on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the WHS Staff Lounge. Save the date: Allison Lopour, Director of the Orange County branch of Collegewise, will present a talk called Secrets of College Admissions." This will take place on Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00 p.m. in the WHS Staff Lounge. The presentation will include the following topics: Trends in college admissions What students should do in high school to put themselves in the best position before they apply to college How to find the right college fit for your student How can parents best support their child in this process SACRAMENTO TRIP Congratulations to the following students who were selected to participate in this year s IUSD High School Sacramento Trip on March 10: Adithi Iyer Joseph Kim

8 Samantha Kosai Kathryn McDermott Daniel Freedland (Student Legislative Representative) THE PTSA NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW! The PTSA is low on fundraising this year and the simplest way that YOU can help us is by registering your Ralph s card. All you have to do is shop at Ralph s and they will donate 4% from each purchase to WHS. THIS IN TURN BENEFITS YOUR STUDENT AT WOODBRIDGE. PLEASE just take a few moments to register your card online by going to Ralphs.com/myralphs. WHS PTSA code is Or call Remember, you can pass on this information to friends and family even if they are out of our area. If they shop at Ralph s and designate WHS as the recipient of the rewards the contribution comes to our school. And don't forget, you will need to re-register each year. Click here for the information. Grad Night 2015!! Parents Grad Night needs your help now in planning this spectacular WHS Event!! We have amazing, experienced and energetic volunteers already involved; however, we need more participation to make this event happen! This is a great opportunity for all WHS Parents to step-up, help and participate in the planning of this year s Event!! We welcome all

9 Parents, at all grade levels! (This is not just for Senior Parents.) Our next Grad Night Planning Meeting is scheduled for: Tuesday, February 17 th in the WHS Media Center. 6:30pm for Grad Night Introduction and Information 7:00pm Regular Grad Night Planning Meeting begins Come join us to learn everything about Grad Night!! Help us make lasting memories for our Graduating Senior Class by being part of our continuing Woodbridge High School Tradition in planning this year s excellent Event!! Seniors Be part of the Warriors Grad Night celebration with all your friends!! Don t wait!! Get your Tickets for this popular event today!! Everyone will be there!! Tickets are $135 until February 28, 2015 and will increase again on March 1 st. Grad Night 2015 Tickets are available online at: WHS 2015 Grad night For Questions and information, please contact: mailto:info@woodbridgegradnight.org

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