Titan Talk
Henry M. Gunn High School
About Us
Email: mgordon@pausd.org
Website: gunn.pausd.org
Location: 780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto, CA, USA
Phone: 650-354-8200
March 13, 2023. Vol 6 Issue #28
Upcoming Events
3/13 - Local Holiday - No School
3/15 - Clash of the Titans. Extended Lunch
3/17 - End of 3rd Quarter.
3/17 - Spring Musical "High School Musical" opens
College and Career
Study Abroad Info Session
Wednesday, 3/15 during PRIME
Interested in studying abroad? Verto Education will be joining us on Wednesday March 15th during PRIME. Verto offers a pathway to college admission (70+ universities including CU Boulder, U Vermont, U Seattle, and more), and a freshman year abroad in iconic places around the world - think Spain, Italy, Argentina, England and more! Students will travel the world with Verto and stay on track to graduate in 4 years at one of our partner colleges, or can fit Verto into their already solidified college plans. If you have aspirations to travel the world and/or get into college, come learn more! Be sure to sign up for this PRIME offering on Flexisched.
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RACC College Fair
Monday, 3/20 @ lunch in the quad
We will be hosting a College Fair on Monday March 20th during lunch in the quad. This event is open to all students, so stop by the tables, introduce yourself, and gather helpful information! The following colleges have committed to attending the event:
- Clarkson University
- DePaul University
- Elon University
- High Point University
- Indiana University
- Loyola University, Chicago
- Marist College
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science
- Miami University, Oxford
- Penn State University
- University of Arizona
- University of Massachusetts, Lowell
- University of Nevada, Reno
- University of Oklahoma
- University of Wyoming
- Washington State University
SELF (Social Emotional Literacy and Functionality)
11th Grade:
Juniors will begin an exploration of values, and how those values connect to the college and career exploration process they’ve been engaging with. This includes watching an excerpt from a Ted Talk by Ruth Chang centered around making hard choices. (Link here for guardians).
12th Grade:
In response to feedback from seniors, both through surveys and focus groups, seniors will continue with a two-part lesson series on financial literacy. Topics will include budgeting and credit. Additional resources around financial literacy will be posted for students to their SELF Schoology page.
It's just a regular study hall session for 9th & 10th.
The Wellness Center
Wellness Center:
Check out our new brochure here! Wellness is hosting events for students during some upcoming PRIME times:
March 22 YCS-Health relationship (students can get service hours)
April 19 Allcove tie-dye event (limit 20 students)
April 26 YCS-Value of health
Coming Soon:
AT allcove!:
Open mic tunes-day, Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Whether it’s poetry, comedy, music, or karaoke, grab a mic or bring an instrument! Express yourself at our open mic tunes-day (get it?) We are a judgment-free zone and safe space for you to try out a new skill or show your support for others.
(in person, ages 12-25)
Herramientras para la ansiedad (edades 12-25): Wednesday, Mar. 8th, 5-6 p.m.
Durante esta sesión, se dará la oportunidad de aprender maneras de manejar la ansiedad con énfasis en reconocer aspectos en nuestras vidas que lo provocan e identificar recursos para reducir sus efectos en nuestros cuerpos en un ambiente de apoyo aquí en allcove Palo Alto. Registration es necesario para participar sobre.
(in person + online, ages 12-25, en español)
life, school, career: Wednesday, Mar. 15th, 4:30 - 6p.m.
This is a 4-part series of casual conversations and activities to process your big “scaries” of the future. Come chat with our peer support specialist along with our supported education and employment specialist in a fun, relaxing environment.
(in person, ages 12-20)NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Education Opportunities for Families
NAMI California the state organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will offer its next NAMI Ending the Silence: Families presentation on Thursday, March 16, 2023. It will be held at 4:00 pm PST via zoom:
Audience Perspectives
“It is amazing what just one day, one talk can do. You never really know what’s going on in the brain of any particular student.” -Teacher
“I’m really grateful and glad that you talked to us. I often feel very alone or weird because many kids my age don’t understand. But, now I’m sure they would be more supportive of me.” -Student
NAMI California, the state organization of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, will offer its NAMI Basics Education Program for the month of March 2023. It will be held on March 14th (6pm-9pm) through Zoom. See Flyer for more info.
Parent's Guide to Risk & Safety
For our Parent's Guide to Risk Assessment and Safety visit this page! Just as we've given our students more information on supporting their friends and peers, we hope this guide helps our parents and guardians assess the next steps for students needing crisis support or general wellness support.
If you or your student would like to find out more about general resources in the area or explore a curated collection of wellness tips and online support, please visit us at linktr.ee/gwellness for information on all things regarding the Wellness Center!
Visit our virtual wellness center at tinyurl.com/gwellness!
Gunn Counseling
Off-Campus requests.
All Off-Campus course requests must be approved by Mr. Gordon through the Off-Campus Request Form. Requests to take an off-campus course for the Summer of 2023 will not be approved until after Spring Break (April 10th). Only requests for Spring 2023 requests will be considered before Spring Break.
Summer School
Counselors are now enrolling students in credit recovery courses for Session 1 of summer school. Students and Parents/Guardians will receive notification of Summer School enrollment the first week of April. Information on summer school options for Living Skills and Economics will be released the first week of April through the district's Student Services office.
2023-2024 Course Selection
The Course Selection window closed on Friday. Students should have all Course Selections in; any changes must be requested through their counselor.
***Please Note, particularly in Math and Science, Once courses are loaded, level changes will only be made between the first Progress report in September and the 1st quarter. Requests for level changes after then will take place at the Semester.***
Junior conferences are in full swing. Counselors have sent instructions on how to schedule. No Junior Conferences will be scheduled after March 31st.
Tutorial options are available in the Academic Center
After-school drop-in tutoring Clinics - no appointment necessary. Monday - Thursday
All subjects up to the AP level.
Ms. Collart is available to tutor students before school and up through noon, in Math. Students can utilize their preps to attend.
Ms. Steward (Afternoons) Students can drop in for tutoring on a specific subject, or unit, at any point.
Brainfuse: Online Tutoring Service: Open Monday - Sunday: 1:00 - 10:00 pm
Students with Palo Alto Public Library Card can access through Id Portal
Live chat-driven online tutoring (person not bot) and writing labs are available for FREE!
Counseling Dept. Hours:
The counseling department will be open from 8:30 - 4:30 Monday - Thursday and 8:30 - 4 on Friday. Walk-In hours are before and after school, brunch, and lunch. Counselors are also available by email to schedule appointments.
Look for an email from your student's school counselor introducing themselves and providing more detail about their specific schedule.
For meetings that will take more than 5 minutes, students should reach out to their counselor via email to make an appointment.
Counselor emails:
Cora Ross – cross@pausd.org
Derek Johanson – djohanson@pausd.org
Myesha Dickson – mdickson@pausd.org
Lorenzo Gomez – lgomez@pausd.org
Andrea Bueno – abueno@pausd.org
Jorge Chavez - jchavez@pausd.org
David Leftwich – dleftwich@pausd.org
We wish students good luck on their finals and are available to help.
We look forward to seeing you next year!!
- Gunn’s Counseling Department
Student Activities
Prom 2023 Donations: With rising costs, it is becoming more challenging to have an affordable Prom event for all of our students. The SEC hopes you will consider helping by donating for Prom 2023! These funds will go towards lowering the cost of Prom overall and ensure that everyone who wants to attend will be able to do so. No donation is too small (or too big!). Donate to the Titan Online Store today!
Need to borrow? Fill out this form: Gown Loaner Request Form IMPORTANT: We do not have caps or tassels - you can order both as a package from Jostens (cost: $20.00)
NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE ORDERED? Check Here
ROCK (Reach Out Care Know)
The Gunn Mental Health Symposium (hosted by Gunn SafeSpace Club and ROCK Club) will be taking place on March 1, 2, 8, and 9 during lunch. Please save these dates!
ROCK (Reach Out, Care, Know) is a peer-led group dedicated to promoting positive well-being and developing more and deeper connections in our community.
ROCK meets every Thursday in N114. Follow us:
@rockatgunn
Check out their website and on social media:
web: rockatgunn.com
Instagram: @rockatgunn
Email any questions to rockatgunn@gmail.com
Gunn Registrar’s Office News
Please send any transcripts from approved off-campus courses to our Registrar, Ofelia Smith, once completed to be placed on the Gunn Transcript.
Students requesting to take an off-campus course can check out our FAQ page linked here.
Registrar’s Office
College and Career Center
(650) 354-8284
Office Hours
M-F 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Gunn Affiliations
Gunn Foundation
Support Gunn Foundation!
Want to make 2023 a little sweeter? Order See's classic treats and support Gunn Foundation! Show your support for the Gunn Foundation scholars by sending a box of sweetness to your favorite people. We’ll receive all profits, up to 20%, from any items you purchase from now until March 30th. All proceeds will fund Gunn Foundation scholarships for the class of 2023. Order more to help us reach our fundraising goal! Please click on this link to place your order: Gunn Foundation See's Candies Storefront.
Since 1968, Gunn Foundation, an all-volunteer nonprofit corporation, has been granting need-based scholarships to college-bound seniors in the Gunn community. Scholarships fund essential expenses --- housing deposits, books, enrollment fees --- often unmet by aid packages. Your support of the Gunn Foundation shows the scholarship recipients that you believe in them and their potential. Please click here to make your donation: gunnfound.org/donate. Any amount can make a difference in the college plans and future of a deserving Gunn senior.