This year the Magnet has two full-time counselors: Mrs. Gold (L-Z) and Ms. Howe (A-K). Mrs. Gold has been the only full-time magnet counselor for over 10 years. Prior to counseling, she was a magnet tutor. Mrs. Gold is also the parent of former Humanities graduates and is one of the parents instrumental to starting the magnet. Ms. Howe is actually a former graduate of the Humanities Program and was the first alumni to come back to teach. She taught in the 11th grade program for 5 years. Ms. Howe is also both the former College counselor and Career counselor at Cleveland.

Programming

As of November 1, the counselors have already begun programming seniors for their spring semester courses. We will be programming throughout the month of November and December for all grade levels. Students meet individually with their counselor to discuss classes for next semester. Programming seniors has the added benefit of allowing the counselors to talk to seniors about college applications. 

Once the semester begins, students can only change classes within the first few weeks. To do this, they must fill out a change of program request form and submit it to their counselor. Your child needs to fill out the form. This policy is aimed at helping your child become an independent young man or woman. Talk to your child to see if he or she has submitted the appropriate form. Every student who submits a form will meet with his or her counselor. In the beginning of the semester the counselors are in the MPR and do not have access to phones.

Report Cards

Every five weeks progress reports are mailed home. If you are not receiving one, your address on file may not be correct. You can pick up a “Change of Address” form in the Magnet Counseling center. A copy of a utility bill with the correct address must be submitted with the form. Also, only the twenty week final report card is put on your child’s cumulative record.

Math tutoring:

Monday 3:10 to 4:00 H14, Mr. Steffen4:00 to 5:30, J1, Mr. Valdovinos

Wednesday7:00 am to 7:50, H29, Mr. Yick4:00 to 5:30, J1, Mr. Valdovinos

Thursday3:10 to 4:00, H13, Mr. Durbin

Friday3:15 to 5:00, MPR, Mr. Valdovinos (club meeting and tutoring combined)

Spanish and French tutoring:

Thursday3:10 to 4:00, H17, Ms. Broyles

Science tutoring (ICS and Physics):

Wednesday3:10 to 4:00, B4, Mr. Gundrum

If your child takes the bus, he or she can get a late bus pass for tutoring days. However, the late bus leaves Cleveland at 6:00pm and during the winter it is dark. Your child does not have to sign up for tutoring, the teachers will be in their rooms hoping students will come for help.

Attendance:

Your child must clear his or her absence the day following an absence. The note must contain the child’s name on record, date of birth, date of absence, reason for absence, parent signature, and a phone number where we can reach you.

Also all early leaves are verified by telephone. Please have a number listed where we can contact you throughout the day. Early leave notes must be turned in by nutrition or else we cannot guarantee they will be processed. If the note cannot be verified by telephone, your child cannot be released and someone on the emergency card must come into school and sign your child out.

If your child becomes ill during the day, they must go to the Nurse’s Office. If your child is sick, please do not send him or her to school.

Seniors:

UC and CSU applications are due November 30. Get your application if ASAP. CSUN’s application is due November 30. Even if you plan to attend a community college, you should apply to a CSU if you qualify to increase your options in May. You can always decide September 2008 to attend a community college.

Graduation Checks were mailed in October. Your child also received a copy in class. This check details the classes needed for graduation.

Financial Aid Night is December 3 at 6pm in the MPR in English and K2 in Spanish. Occidental College and CSUN will be presenting. The first day to apply for financial aid is January 1, 2008 for the 2008 to 2009 school year.  If you apply early, they will assume you are applying for current college aid. Please attend if you have questions regarding financial aid.

SAT/ACT: Most colleges will accept the December test date. On your application, you will put the intended test date. Colleges will wait for your results. Don’t forget you must send your scores directly from either the College Board or from the ACT to each college you apply to.

Juniors:

November 29, 2008 is the High School requirement night for Juniors. This evening will only cover high school graduation requirements NOT college requirements. Ms. Howe will be leading the Magnet break out session.

College Night for Juniors will be held in January. A letter will be sent home once the date is determined. A representative from USC and the college counselor, Mrs. Drell will both be presenting college information. PSAT results will be passed out and explained this evening.

SAT and ACT: Juniors should sign up for the SAT 1 for January and March 2008 and the SAT 2 for May and June. The SAT 2 are content exams, since students are taking AP US History, they should plan on taking the SAT 2 in US History. Sign up now online at www.collegeboard.com, if you cannot afford to pay, fee waivers are available in the College Office. The ACT should be taken once during the junior year. Don’t wait until your senior year to test because the senior year is hectic enough without SATs.

Sophomores and Freshmen:

Undergraduate College Night is scheduled for January. An invitation will be sent home.

Encourage your kids to talk about what they are learning in the classroom. There are many clubs and organizations that your child can join. We hope they are having a fun and fulfilling year.