September came and left before we could even catch our breath!  October went even faster...  Seniors and their parents received their naughty or nice Graduation Evaluation  by mid October.  College Voc/Tech Night, the PSAT and Mt. St. Mary's presentation all happened on the same day on October 14th but we managed to survive.  La Verne, CSU San Bernardino, Azusa Pacific, and CSU Long Beach already visited our school and provided wonderful presentations.   All seniors who meet the A-G requirements were invited to apply online to the CSU campuses on October 20-21 and to apply to the UC campuses on November 3-4.  Honor Roll was also a success with over 400 students being recognized for their hard work and efforts.  The Counseling Calendar is full of future services and activities we will be providing to our Rams...  Wow just writing about all this is getting me tired!  Have a restful and safe Veteran's Day everyone!!!
 
Lets Catch Up... 03/03/2009
 

On 12/09/08 the counseling department took 11 Seniors to the UCR Palm Desert campus for a workshop on a new local scholarship program.  This program is targeting local college-going students.  In addition to the student workshop, the Pathways to Success Scholarship was officially launched. 

On 12/11/08 Academic Awards Night was hosted by the DMHS Counseling Department.  We recognized 133 students who obtained a total G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher in at least three “A-G” university approved courses during the 2007-2008 school year.  Qualified students received a certificate and an academic letter or medal.  Congratulations to the students who earned this honor.

12/16/08 Beatrice Salcido from SBB College gave a presentation to our students at our DREAM Center.  Miss Salcido covered some of the services that SBB offers such as career counseling, admissions assistance, and financial aid.  She emphasized to our students that in today’s competitive job market it is important to have specialized training which will give our students the extra edge.

12/18/08 A Senior Assembly emphasizing the FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid was given by the counselors.  Students received handouts that included a list of documents needed to fill out the FAFSA along with a Student Handbook called Fund Your Future.  Students saw a 15 minute video:  A guide to filling out the FAFSA which was followed by counselor presentations and questions and answers time. 

1/7/09-1/9/09 All Seniors were given the opportunity to apply for the FAFSA Online in the Computer Lab.  We had a great number of students start their FAFSA Applications!! 

1/13/09 Counselors hosted the Parent FAFSA Night to help parents understand the Financial Aid Process.  Gloria Hernandez, a Financial Aid Specialist from College of the Desert presented to our parents and students.  About 75 parents and students attended this evening workshop, and had many of their concerns addressed.

1/14/09 ASVAB Interpretation was given to over 226 Juniors!  Students got their ASVAB scores back and filled out an Interest Inventory to further assist them in career planning.

2/5/09 Pathways 2 Success Presentation

2/6/09 UTI Fieldtrip:  This is our 3rd year visiting UTI and the 36 students who attended were very impressed by the facility.  We've already had 5 students complete their training and are now working in the automobile industry.  Thank you UTI for giving our students the opportunity to visit your campus and for all of your services!  Special Shout Out to Andy Radler our representative from UTI! 

2/9/09 Darius Riggins from CSUSB did a Follow-UP presentation for 52 of our students who were accepted to CSUSB.  Our students who are planning to attend a university have many concerns and worries which Mr. Riggins was able to address.

2/10/09 COSMOS  is a four-week residential program for talented and motivated students completing grades eight through twelve. Students work side-by-side with outstanding university researchers and faculty exploring advanced topics that extend beyond the typical high school curriculum. COSMOS courses are hands-on and lab intensive emphasizing current research underway at the University of California.  Melina Duarte, COSMOS Representative, gave a presentation to 35 of our students who are possible candidates for this wonderful program.

2/18/09-2/20/09 The PSAT Interpretation was offered to all the students who took the PSAT this school year!


2/23/09-2/27/09 FAFSA TIME CRUNCH!!!  Counselors made sure to be available at least 1 period per day during this week in the computer lab to ensure that students filled out their FAFSAs.  We were also available during lunch time to help students make corrections to the FAFSA or to submit it.

 
 

Today we had Andrew Caddo with the Art Institute visit DMHS.  He had a wonderful presentation on the various programs The Art Institute has to offer.  From Culinary Arts, Fashion Design, to Graphic Design; there was information for any student interested in these career fields.  There were 117 students who attended the presentation, ranging from 9-12th grade.  Caddo also spoke about the different scholarship opportunities that The Art Institute offers.  Representatives will be available in February at the Fantasy Spring Casino to help students and parents get more information and enroll students for next year.  Mr. Caddo will also be conducting classroom presentations in Mrs. Bliss’s art classes for more in-depth info on careers available through the Art Institute. 

 

 
 

Yesterday the GEAR UP program had a SUPER TREAT for the sophomore class of 2011...for those who obtained their parent's permission they were able to see the movie Freedom Writers and hear from one of the Freedom Writers in person.  Mauricio Antonio Becerra who works with Erin Gruwell from the Freedom Writers Foundation and who was characterized in the movie spoke to our students in the theatre before the movie was showed.  He did classroom presentations where he encouraged and motivated our students to stay in school and further their education even when life gets tough.  Mauricio shared some of his personal experiences during his high school years and students had the opportunity to ask questions and advice from him.  All sophomores received a free copy of the book Freedom Writers Diary and there was a book signing at lunch time.

 
 

Freshmen and Sophomores we hope you enjoyed your assemblies as much as we enjoyed preparing and presenting them to you.  We want to encourage you to do your best in school and to plan for your future...life after high school.  Remember you all have the potential to achieve your dreams if you really want them.  Don't forget our main message...Don't Drop Out, Stay In School!!!! 

 
 

The Ram Counselors along with Mr. Peter Alvarez from Catch The Dream Program have been super busy Bees this week!  Here are some of the events that we set up for you this week:

11/14/08 CSU Long Beach Presentation (50 students participated)

11/17/08 CSU San Bernardino Presentation (48 students participated)

11/18/08 UC Riverside and Cal Baptist Fieldtrip

11/19/08 Chico State Parent Presentation (Evening)

11/20/08 St. Mary's University Fieldtrip

11/17-11/21 Counselors Available for University Online Applications             (at the Career Center on rotating periods)

 

 
 

Andy Radler, a representative from Universal Technical Institute (UTI), came to visit DMHS on November 12th.  He gave an informative presentation to our students and emphasized the importance of advancing your education after high school.  He informed our students about UTI and their specialized training and certified programs in automotive/diesel technology, collision repair and refinish technology.  Many former DMHS students who have attended UTI have come back to the Coachella Valley and have been hired at high end dealerships and automotive repair shops.  We had a little over 200 students attend this workshop!

 
 

Congratulations to Jannell Garcia, Class of 2008, for winning a Full Scholarship from Burrtec Waste and Recycling Services which will cover all her college expenses for the next 4 years.  In addition to the monetary aid, Jannell will be doing an internship with them and has a guaranteed part-time job and summer job with them.  Jannell was selected for this scholarship based on an essay she turned in and after being interviewed by Burrtec representatives.  Mrs. Alicia Garcia, our school's registrar and Mr. John Garcia who also works at CVUSD are the proud parents of Jannell.  Special thanks to the Burrtec Company for believing in our students and making their college dreams a reality. 

 
 

On November 12th the counselors did a PowerPoint presentation for the Junior Class.  Topics covered included graduation requirements, what to expect your senior year, and life after high school.  5 short video clips were presented covering different career options that require a University Degree, community college, trade/tech school, apprenticeship or just a high school diploma.  We want our students to start thinking about what they plan to do after high school so that we can help guide them in the right direction.

 
 

DMHS Counseling Department was honored to present speaker Dr. Raul Ruiz to all 10th, 11th and 12th graders on November 3rd.  Dr. Ruiz gave an inspiring and very motivating presentation that kept students' attention and who responded with excellent questions.   

Raul Ruiz MD, MPP, MPH, graduated from Coachella Valley High School and grew up in Coachella with parents who were migrant farm workers.  He completed his undergraduate studies at UCLA before acquiring a Medical Doctorate at Harvard Medical School and a Masters in Public Policy at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. He also completed a fellowship in International Emergency Medicine and Harvard Humanitarian Initiative at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and a Masters in Public Health at Harvard School of Public Health.  He currently works as an emergency physician at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California and focuses his skills in developing policy to improve emergency care for vulnerable populations such as the poor and civilian victims of war and terrorist activities.  He became the first Latino to receive three graduate degrees at Harvard University.

Si Se Puede!!!