December Counseling Newsletter

Posted Date: 12/18/25 (11:37 AM)

December 2025

Hello Students and Families:

This is our last newsletter of 2025! Learn more about what’s going on at AHS as we look ahead to the second half of the school year. Students, great job finishing the first semester! During Winter Break, make sure to take some time to rest, relax and recharge. You deserve it!

General Information

End of the First Semester Our first semester ends December 19th. Report cards will be mailed home and final grades will be posted on transcripts by mid-January. A grade of D is passing for high school. If you have any concerns about your child’s grades please contact the teacher directly. Teacher email addresses are listed in Aeries. At the beginning of the second semester, grade books start over, so think of this as an opportunity for a fresh start to do your best for the second half of the year.

Schedule Changes For students hoping to make a schedule change for semester two: schedule change forms were emailed to all students last week and were due on Monday, 12/15. A reminder that changes will only be granted for the following reasons:

10th graders dropping PE (ONLY if you submitted a PE exemption form)
Seniors needing a class to meet graduation requirements or college eligibility
You need a class for Credit Recovery in order to graduate
You want to drop a class to better balance your schedule (as a reminder you need to be enrolled in 6 course for 9-11 grade and 5 as a senior- if you are a senior making a change to your schedule, you will need to notify colleges that you have applied to)

Students will be notified of any schedule changes by Friday, December 19th.

AHS Website Although the new AHS website has been launched, please do not rely on the information posted, as much of it is incorrect or outdated and still needs to be updated. We apologize for any confusion or frustration during this time.

Counselor Availability As a reminder, the Counselors will be on Winter Break along with the rest of the AHS Staff, from the end of school on Friday, December 19th until Monday, January 5th. Counselors will not be checking emails during this time. We will respond to emails after the break. Thank you for your understanding.

AC Transit Pass Program Albany High School has been added to the Alameda County Transportation Commission's Student Transit Pass Program! The Student Transit Pass Program provides students with Free Youth Clipper Cards to eligible students. Use this link to apply.

Social Emotional

Supporting teens over winter break is a great opportunity to show them love, care, and appreciation after what may have been a stressful semester. Many teens are experiencing burnout, and giving them space to sleep, relax, and recharge can make a big difference. Here are some tips to help support them:

1. Encourage Rest and Sleep: Teens are often sleep-deprived, especially after months of juggling schoolwork, extracurriculars, and social pressures. Winter break offers a chance to catch up on sleep. Let them know it’s okay to sleep in, take naps, and prioritize rest. Sleep is crucial for their physical and mental well-being, and it’s normal for them to need extra rest after the intense effort they’ve put in during the semester. Don’t stress about schedules or productivity—focus on giving them the time to reset.

2. Celebrate Their Hard Work: Let them know how proud you are of their effort, no matter how the semester went. Whether they had great grades or struggled a bit, acknowledging the hard work they put into school can go a long way in lifting their spirits. Winter break is a time for recognition and celebration, so take time to offer praise for their persistence, resilience, and dedication.

3. Create a Low-Key Atmosphere: Teens often face pressure to be constantly busy, but during winter break, it’s important to create a relaxed environment. This break is about recharging, so let them enjoy some downtime without feeling guilty. If they want to binge-watch a show, read, or simply do nothing, that’s okay.

4. Respect Their Need for Space: While it’s great to have your teen home, they may need some time alone to decompress after a busy semester. Allow them to retreat to their room or take some quiet time for themselves without judgment. Teenagers are often balancing intense social and academic pressures, and having time to be by themselves can help them mentally recharge.

5. Offer Fun, Low-Energy Activities: It’s a great time to bond with your teen, but keep it relaxed. Instead of high-energy activities or making plans that require a lot of effort, consider things that are easy-going and enjoyable. Watch a movie together, cook a favorite meal, do a simple craft, or just go for a walk. Let them engage on their own terms, without pressure to entertain or "perform."

6. Provide Opportunities for Creative Outlets: Some teens might feel pressure to do something productive during the break, but often they just need time for unstructured creativity. This could mean picking up a hobby they’ve neglected, drawing, writing, playing music, or experimenting with something new. Allowing them this creative freedom helps them unwind and feel rejuvenated.

7. Check in, But Don’t Push: While it’s important to check in with how they’re feeling, don’t push too hard for deep conversations or emotional processing. Let them know you’re there if they need support, but respect their boundaries if they prefer not to talk. Just knowing you’re available can be comforting.

8. Help Them Reflect, Not Stress: Winter break can be a great time to reflect on the past year, but it’s important to avoid making it feel like a time for self-evaluation or pressure to "do better" in the new year. Instead, keep it positive: talk about what they enjoyed, what they’re proud of, and encourage them to set realistic goals for the future, if they’re interested.

9. Limit School Talk: Winter break should feel like a real break from school. Try to minimize conversations about assignments, upcoming exams, or future academic pressures unless your teen brings them up. This time should be a chance to escape the pressures of school and focus on personal well-being.

10. Show Appreciation for Their Presence: One of the best things you can do during winter break is simply to appreciate the time you get to spend together. Teens often feel like they’re caught between childhood and adulthood, so showing genuine appreciation for having them home helps them feel valued and loved.

Grade-specific Information

9th Grade

9th Grade

Clubs are a great opportunity to meet new people and to think about something other than school all the time! Clubs are ramping up for the Spring Term and are welcoming new members. If you are interested in joining a new club use this link to the AHS Clubs Slideshow. You can email the club president to ask about joining. Try something new!

Xello AHS has a program called Xello, which is a college and career search tool. In addition to college admissions, Xello has lots of cool assessments for students such as Personality Style, Learning Style, and Career Exploration. Counselors will be introducing Xello to 9th graders in the spring. You can access Xello on your own. Simply log in through the waffle in your AUSD email account.

10th Grade

10th Grade Counselor Meetings Looking ahead to the 2nd semester, families should be aware that from late January to mid-February, Counselors will be offering meetings with 10th graders and their parents/guardians. These sessions focus on course selection for the junior year and drafting a plan for courses to take in the senior year as well as post-graduation options. Details about how to sign up for 10th Grade Counselor Meetings will be emailed to families closer to the time.

11th Grade

Xello Some Juniors may have had the opportunity to explore Xello last year in their World History classes.Xello is a college and career search tool that has lots of cool assessments for students such as Personality Style, Learning Style, and Career Exploration. Juniors will be assigned a Xello assignment in the spring. However, you can access Xello on your own. Simply log in through the waffle in your AUSD email account.

12th Grade

College Applications Please be aware that counselors will not be available during Winter Break to answer college application questions.

The following college application support links may be helpful if you have questions when submitting your applications(s):

Common App Help

For students who’ve applied to UCs, you can find information about updating your application here. Please note that UC Berkeley and UC Santa Barbara do not accept updates and UC Merced only accepts updates if you are admitted.

For students interested in applying to a California State University, applications are still being accepted at several campuses.

If you missed College Application Information Night in September, the slides and recordings (part 1 and part 2 - please forgive the blip during slides 15-17) were sent to all 12th grade students and families via ParentSquare on Friday, 9/12.

Semester Grades and College Admissions If a student receives an F grade at the semester in a course needed for graduation, a meeting with a counselor in the spring semester will be held to discuss a credit recovery plan. If a student receives a D grade at the semester in an A-G course, it is the student’s responsibility to report the grade to any 4-year colleges the student has applied to. Receiving a D grade may lead to the universities rescinding their offer of admission.

Once first semester transcripts are finalized, counselors will submit mid-year reports for all students who have indicated in Xello that they are required. If you have not already been in contact with your counselor about college plans requiring school documents, please do so ASAP.

Check email/portals Students who have applied to 4-year institutions should check their personal email and admissions portals frequently for any requests or updates from the colleges. Requests (for documents, housing applications, financial aid details, etc.) are often time sensitive and/or required, so don’t miss out!

Character Evaluation Please be aware that any referral for Academic Dishonesty will be disclosed to students’ colleges & universities if counselors are asked to evaluate a student’s character.

Outside Transcripts If you have taken classes at an outside institution (for example, a community college or another high school), please note that you will need to report all college or high school classes and grades on your applications and send transcripts from all institutions attended.

College Visits At this point in the school year, most college representatives are busy back on campus reviewing applications. Campus Rep visits are rare in the winter months and students can expect them to pick back up in the Spring.

Attending college tours is a great way to learn about a college you may be interested in. Many CSU campuses offer virtual campus tours. To find out more see this LINK.

Many private schools are hosting virtual tour events too, so be sure to check those out by going to individual school’s websites or attending a virtual event HERE. You can also find more information about private schools HERE. Don’t forget to log in to Xello to find even more information about private colleges!

Considering community college? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Both Contra Costa College and Berkeley City College have been on campus this fall and will return again in the Spring. We will also host a Community College Fair in the Spring.

Scholarships Students interested in scholarships should complete their Scholarship Profile in Xello. To get started, log in to Xello, navigate to the College Planning tab, and select the Scholarships section. From there, complete your profile to receive personalized scholarship matches. You can view potential opportunities, save them to your list, and track your application progress all within the platform.

Additionally, please continue to listen to or read the Daily Bulletin for ongoing updates and announcements about scholarship opportunities.

FAFSA Opened October 1st! Be aware that the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opened on October 1st. We recommend that every senior complete the FAFSA, even if you believe you are not eligible for aid. The FASA is the largest source of college financial aid, including federal grants (like Pell Grants), work-study, and federal loans. Many states and colleges also use FAFSA information to determine their own financial aid packages and merit scholarships.

Cal Grant GPA Verification forms were submitted on September 8th. Counselors automatically submitted your CAL GRANT GPA Verification Form. If your name or address is Aeries does not match the information submitted to FAFSA please contact Mrs. Grogans with the correct information. To review this information you may go to Calgrant.org