December has arrived and with it some fresh new updates from the School Counselors! 

SOPHOMORES Classroom Lessons

• Date: Monday, December 15

• Location: English classes

• Facilitator: School Counselors

• Details: Get important information about Graduation Requirements, how to book appointments with your school counselor, Dual Enrollment opportunities, and get some of your questions answered.

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CREDIT RECOVERY (Juniors & Seniors only)

• BLITZ #3

  • Date: Wednesday, December 17

  • Time: Period 1-5B

  • What is a Blitz?
    An intensive intervention to help juniors and seniors complete their credit recovery courses on EdGenuity. Multiple OCPS EdGenuity staff members visit to help our students, and give out goodies if they complete a course the same day!

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Semester 1 Closing

• 3 weeks left until the end of semester 1 ***that is just 15 school days!! Let's turn in that missing work!!**

• Teachers begin to input grades December 16

• GPA's recalculate at the end of the semester 

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COLLEGE & CAREER

• College Applications – Common App

  • Remember your school counselor/ teacher can only submit through XELLO. Students MUST connect their Xello and Common App accounts so the documents requested/ recommendation letters can be submitted.

  • Here is a how to resource: https://help.xello.world/en-us/Content/Knowledge-Base/Xello-6-12/College-Planning/CA_Student-Integrate.htm

• Need a recommendation letter? Remember to complete the Brag Sheet and contact your school counselor – a week in advance minimum**
  Brag Sheet Link: http://tinyurl.com26BragSheet

• SAT, ACT, CLT scores are SELF Reported. This means, the student must send these scores to colleges through their testing portals. School Counselors do not have access.

• Looking for Scholarships? Explore the Scholarships section in Xello on your launchpad. Multiple scholarships are provided.

Meet your College and Career Specialist! Mr. Rivera Robles 
He is here to help you every step of the way through the application process. Find him by the Bears Den in the morning or during lunches or send him an email. He posts important information on the Student Body Canvas page for you as well.

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DUAL ENROLLMENT

Valencia College:

• New DE students: need to complete orientation before they can register for classes. Students can choose either online 💻 or in person🏫 orientation.

• Registering for Classes: should register for classes by Fri. Dec. 5 to ensure funds are loaded to their account by Dec. 8.

  • Choose your classes from the Dual Enrollment Course List:
    https://valenciacollege.edu/admissions/dual-enrollment/approved-course-list.php

  • Register only for full term classes that start Monday, Jan.12 and end Sunday, May 3

  • Share your VC schedule with your school counselor and parent/legal guardian
    **⚠️Do not choose in-person classes if you have a full CCHS schedule.

  • Connect with your success coach if you have questions about registering for courses

  • Monitor your VC email for a notification about when it’s time to order instructional materials

  • Missed the last application window?
    The next application cycle will start mid January for the Fall 2026 term. Remember the Key Steps:

    • 1. Submit Application (make sure your counselors email is spelled correctly or we will never receive a notice – to triple check, make sure you let your counselor know you applied)

    • 2. Keep up with the emails from Valencia – they will contact you, not us or your parents. 

    • 3. Take the PERT or Submit Testing prior to the deadline

Orange Technical School:

• Sign Up to attend the Informational Session:
  https://tinyurl.com/cypresscreekotc

• Visit your CTE Career Specialist for more information:
  Sonia Penaranda Melo | Room: 100-103A
  sonia.penarandamelo@ocps.net

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TESTING

• December

  • School Day

    • FAST ELA Retakes - Dec 2, 2025

    • B.E.S.T Algebra 1 & Geometry Retakes - Dec 4, 2025

    • PMA/ CFE - Dec 8 - 10, 2025

  • Off Campus or Saturday (deadline to register closed)

    • CLT - Dec 3, 2025

    • SAT - Dec 6, 2025

    • ACT - Dec 13, 2025

• January (registration open)

  • School Day

    • PERT - Jan 13

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CHANGE IN SCHOOL COUNSELORS:

Mr. Durbin’s last day at Cypress Creek HS was November 21st; we apologize for any inconvenience in communication this may cause. The students previously assigned to Mr. Durbin’s alpha will have a new School Counselor starting January 2026. In the meantime, they are free to reach out to any of the great Student Services Team members below. 

The School Counselor's office visits work by appointments only. Student walk-ins are welcome every day during Lunches only at the School Counselor Corner - Cafeteria.

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School Counselors Off-Campus Dates:

• December 11, 2025 = District Training

• December 22, 2025 - January 2, 2026 = Winter Break