GUIDANCE NEWSLETTER

February, 2023

SENIOR UPDATE

SENIOR UPDATE


SCHOLARSHIPS - Seniors attended their Guidance Scholarship Seminars at the end of January. Scholarships are posted in Naviance and will continue to update through March. The guidance counselors demonstrated how to search for scholarships, complete applications and request transcripts. All of the scholarships include specific application instructions and deadlines, it is important for students to read through each application thoroughly and pay attention to detail to submission instructions. Scholarships will be awarded at the Senior Awards Night in May.


To search for scholarships, students should follow the steps below:

  • Login to Naviance utilizing Clever
  • Click on "Colleges" at the stop of the screen
  • Click on Scholarship Search


**Scholarships are also posted on the bulletin board outside of guidance**


The Scholarship Transcript Request Form is available to download below, it is posted on the Guidance Webpage, in the Seniors Guidance Google Classroom and is also available in the Guidance Office.


Seniors should complete the Electronic Transcript Request Form if they are required to upload a PDF transcript directly to the scholarship application. Per usual, please submit the form a minimum of 5 days prior to the scholarship deadline to provide time to process.

SENIOR UPDATE
Scholarship Search Tips

Scholarship Search Tips

As a reminder, here are some helpful scholarship searching tips:

  • Apply to as many as applicable.
  • Pay attention to deadlines, requirements (essay, letters of rec, and where to send application (Guidance Office or Scholarship Committee).
  • Scholarships that require an essay tend to have less applicants, don't shy away from a little work!
  • Complete the Scholarship Transcript Request Form if required and submit to Mrs. Webb 5 days before the application deadline.
Scholarship Search Tips
Community Service Hours

Community Service Hours

Seniors are reminded that 40 hours of community service hours is a graduation requirement. Any senior that owes hours or have not turned in all their forms should plan to submit them to Mrs. Webb at their earliest convenience. Community service opportunities are posted on the Senior Guidance Google Classroom and posted on the bulletin board in the guidance office.
Community Service Hours
Quincy College Decision Day

Quincy College Decision Day

On Friday, February 10th the Director of Admissions of Quincy College will meet with any senior that is interested in applying to Quincy College for an on-the-spot admissions decision. Interested seniors should see their guidance counselor to sign up for an appointment. Seniors will be required to complete the Quincy College online Application prior to the appointment. Ms. Cathie Maloney, Director of Admissions will review the application, transcript and interview the student and provide an admission decision at that time.
Quincy College Decision Day
AFTER THE COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

AFTER THE COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) provides valuable guidance for high school seniors who have received their college acceptance letters and financial aid offers and are trying to make the college decision. The topics include an overview of different types of financial aid, an explanation of how to calculate the balance due at each college, and methods for paying the college bill. To view the presentation click the link below and for more information visit: Mefa.org/collegebound.com
AFTER THE COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
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INTRODUCING SCOIR!

The guidance team is pleased to announce that we are introducing a new system called SCOIR in place of Naviance to help parents and students navigate the college selection and application process. The current senior class will continue using Naviance and the students in grades 9-11 will gain access to SCOIR this spring during Guidance Seminars. The guidance counselors will work with the students to login, become familiar with the program and invite parents to access SCOIR. They will also work closely with Juniors to start their postsecondary planning including college searches and understand all of the steps they need to take to prepare to apply. Students, check out "The Student Experience on SCOIR."

Students will be able to send parents/guardians an email invitation so that they can link to their account. Parents and/or guardians will be able to view their profiles, see their college list, conduct their own college searches, and suggest colleges for their student to consider. SCOIR also provides parents with financial tools so that they can get a better sense of the cost of attendance at various colleges during the selection process.


We are excited to be able to provide SCOIR to our students and families, and we feel confident that everyone will find it helpful and easy to use. Parents, please take a few moments to watch this brief "SCOIR Introduction Video" to help you become familiar with SCOIR.

College Admission Night

College Admission Night

Please join the PHS Guidance Department on Tuesday, March 14th at 6:30 PM in the PHS Auditorium for the College Admission Night. Christopher O'Brien, Boston College Associate Director of Admission and Gregg Meyer, Bridgewater State University Dean of Admission will discuss the following topics:


  • Private & Selective College Admissions Requirements
  • State University Admission Requirements
  • Financial Aid Overview
  • Application & Essay Tips
  • Merit Scholarships
  • Q & A Session


After the College Admission Presentation parents are welcome to stay to view a demonstration of SCOIR conducted by Mrs. Goff.

College Admission Night
Junior College Visits

Junior College Visits

The guidance counselors will be meeting with the juniors this spring to review all the things they need to do to prepare to apply to colleges in the fall. We will provide a detailed checklist and give students time to research potential colleges. This is a great time to start planning visits to prospective colleges. It is recommended that students visit colleges over February and April vacation, weekends and if necessary, on a school day.


As stated in the Student Handbook: High school juniors may have two days excused for college visits during the second semester of their junior year. Students must submit verification of the visit from the college or university in the form of an official school document (either hard copy or electronic) with school letterhead, the signature of a school official, and the date(s) that the student attended. Emails confirming the date of a college visit will not suffice, as the documentation must show that the student attended, not that they will attend.

Junior College Visits
NCAA Timeline / Student Athletes

NCAA Timeline / Student Athletes

Attention all students grades 9-12! If you are interested in becoming an NCAA Student Athlete it is important that you follow this timeline! Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center for more information!
NCAA Timeline / Student Athletes
SAT/ACT Information & Testing Dates

SAT/ACT Information & Testing Dates

The PHS Guidance website is a great resource for important information for students and parents. In addition to the guidance timeline, important links and dates we provide all SAT and ACT test registration information. It is recommended that Juniors plan to take their SAT and/or ACT in the Spring of their Junior year. Consider bookmarking this page for future reference!


PHS GUIDANCE SAT/ACT INFORMATION

SAT/ACT Information & Testing Dates
Course Scheduling 2023-2024

Course Scheduling 2023-2024

It is already that time of year when the course selection process will begin! The timeline is as follows:



  • February 1 - 28 - Teachers will make course recommendations and discuss with students their course levels for next year.
  • February 15-17 - Students will attend course selection assemblies and learn about new course offerings, electives and information about the Pathways Program.
  • March 2nd - Program of Studies of Night, learn about the courses offered, the course selection process in the PHS Auditorium at 6:30 PM.
  • March 2 - 24 - Guidance will meet with students in grade 8-11 to select courses. Students should be prepared to select 28 credits and review elective options prior to their seminar. (Email reminders will go out to students prior to their seminar). Students are strongly encouraged to login to PowerSchool and review their course selections with parents at home after selecting courses.


For more information regarding the course scheduling timeline please visit the PHS Guidance Website.

Course Scheduling 2023-2024

Program of Studies 2023-2024

Students and parents are strongly encouraged to read the 2023-2024 Program of Studies which provides course descriptions, program sequences, graduation requirements, weighted grade point average scale, process for schedule changes and much more important information. The purpose of the Program of Studies is to help students and their parents make choices from among the range of courses available at Pembroke High School.
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IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES!

2/1 - 2/28 - Teacher Recommendations for 23-24 school-year

2/10 - Quincy College Decision Day

2/15 - 2/17 - Course Selection Assemblies

3/2 - Program of Studies Night

3/7 - 3/24 - Course Selection Guidance Seminars

3/14 - College Admissions Night

PHS GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

PHS GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

GUIDANCE COUNSELORS:

Kerran Goff, Lead Counselor

Kerran.goff@pembrokek12.org
781-293-4023 ext. 2121
Grade 9: P-Z / Grade 10: P-Z / Grade 11: N-Z Grade / 12: O-Z

Robin Conathan
Robin.conathan@pembrokek12.org
781-293-4023 ext. 2122
Grade 9: A-F / Grade 10: A-F / Grade 11: A-Gi / Grade 12: A-F

James Shannon
James.shannon@pembrokek12.org
781-293-4023 ext. 2117
Grade 9: G-O / Grade 10: G-O / Grade 11:Gl-M / Grade 12: G-N

GUIDANCE INTERN:
Mackenzie McDonald

Mackenzie.mcdonald@pembrokek12.org
781-293-4023 ext. 2133

GUIDANCE SECRETARY:
Janice Webb
Janice.webb@pembrokek12.org
781-293-4023 X2115

PHS GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT