Junior Counseling Chronicles
September 2021
College Information
4 Year Timeline for College Planning
2021-2022 Virtual College Fair Opportunities
National Education Fairs
NACAC offers two types of virtual college fairs: signature and focus. Signature Fairs are held on Sundays starting at 1 p.m. ET and are large events featuring more than 500 colleges and universities from the US and worldwide. Focus Fairs are smaller events that are promoted to students residing in specific geographic areas or who have specific program interests.
- Sunday, Aug. 29: Signature Fair: 1-6 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Sept. 12: Signature Fair: 1-6 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Sept. 28: Northeastern US Fair: 4-8 p.m. ET
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont - Sunday, Oct. 3 Signature Fair: 1-6 p.m. ET
- Thursday, Oct. 14: Midwest US Fair: 5-9 p.m. ET (4-8 p.m. CT)
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin - Sunday, Oct. 24: Signature Fair: 1-6 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Nov. 2: Arts & STEM Fair: 4-8 p.m. ET
- Sunday, Nov. 14: Signature Fair: 1-6 p.m. ET
Wisconsin Educational Fairs (WEF)
Wisconsin Education Fairs provide easy access to information about post-secondary options on a timely basis for all Wisconsin citizens, regardless of geographic location.
WEF includes all UW state universities and centers, Wisconsin's independent colleges and universities, Wisconsin technical colleges, and many out-of-state institutions. In addition, many community colleges, trade schools, and the national service organizations, such as the armed forces are represented.
Offered throughout the fall on an in-person/virtual basis. What a great opportunity for our students!
Fair Schedule: https://www.wefs.org/fair-schedule/
Registration Link: https://wefs.swoogo.com/registration
The College Tour App
New!
The College Tour app provides free on-the-go access to amazing college campuses across America.
With The College Tour app, high school students and their families can learn about the unique college culture and its distinctive academic programs while watching informative episodes at their own time and pace.
The College Tour app makes visiting college campuses across the US possible for everyone!
Click here for more information about the College Tour App and TV series!
Academic Testing
2021- 22 ACT Test Dates
ALL JUNIORS in the state of Wisconsin will take:
- The ACT test (with writing) - Wednesday, March 8th
- Registration for this test will take place at school.
- The statewide sponsored ACT tests are FREE for juniors
Additional ACT Testing Opportunities
Test Fees
ACT $60.00
ACT with writing $85.00
(late fee assessed for test option change after registration)
Method Test Prep
How can I practice for the ACT? How can I improve my original score?
Try Method Test Prep! Method Test Prep is an online ACT skills improvement resource. ALL PWHS students have access to Method Test Prep for FREE! Students who complete 20 weeks of organized practice in Method Test Prep are able to raise individual scores by an average of 4 points!
This October, ALL Juniors will create an individual username and password for Method Test Prep. Encourage your junior to log in and show you what they are working on! What a great time to start reviewing for the ACT!
Career Planning
Academic & Career Planning (ACP) - Xello
In October, students will have their first virtual Academic & Career Planning (ACP) lesson. The focus of the lesson is to remind our students about two very valuable ACP Resources: InspireWI and Xello.
InspireWI is our local partner that helps connect our students with meaningful career experiences right here in our area. Opportunities available to our students include; job shadows, work co-ops, and a variety of field tips and career exploration events. This year, there will be many virtual and in-person opportunities for students. For more information visit: InspireWI.org
Xello is an online program that is designed to help every student understand and navigate their future academic and career possibilities. Xello helps students discover relevant college, university, trade, and career options based on their personality, skills, and knowledge. All students have access to Xello at anytime. Ask your child to show you their Xello Dashboard!
Virtual Career Investigation Opportunities
InspireWI Virtual Career Events Calendar
This fall, InspireWI will be offering many virtual and in-person career experience opportunities. Experiences may be available in healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, business, aviation, engineering, and much more. If your child finds an experience of interest, make sure to register for the event on the InspireWI webpage below. All virtual events will be recorded, so if your child is unable to attend at the time it is offered, don't worry, you will have access to the recording. Don't see something of interest? Check back as InspireWI will be adding additional experiences regularly.
Click HERE for the InspireWI Career Experience Calendar
Social-Emotional Wellness
Ozaukee Family Services (OFS) Parent Education & Resources
Ozaukee Family Services (OFS), located in Grafton, offers a variety of free and low-cost parent and child resources and workshops.
Visit the OFS website for additional information, to register for upcoming workshops, or to view previously recorded workshops. http://ozaukeefamilyservices.org/
Small Groups
PWHS Universal Screenings
The Port Washington-Saukville School District’s mission is to “Educate all children to reach their greatest potential.” To support this mission, students are regularly screened academically and physically (i.e., vision and hearing) via a multi-tiered system of support. During the school year, students in grades 9-12 will also be screened using the Connections Survey and the Devereux Student Strengths Assessments (DESSA).
The goal of the DESSA screeners is for teachers to identify students’ social and emotional skills, which are essential to academic achievement. The DESSA screeners are brief, strength-based rating scales measuring the social and emotional skills that help students do well in school, at home, and in the community. Your student’s teacher will complete the strength-based assessments based on direct observations of the student’s daily interactions at school. This information will be used to better plan for all students, focusing on their individual strengths.
The goal of the Connections Screening is for students to identify adults and peers in the building with whom they have a connection. Research indicates that youth who have at least one positive adult connection in school are more likely to do better in school and are less likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors. The survey simply asks students about the connections they have in this building, both adult and peer.
Consistent with practices for analyzing academic data, the results from the screenings will be used by school staff to best meet the needs of all students. Parents/guardians will be notified if the results indicate that a student may be in need of additional instruction in one or more social/emotional areas.
The Port Washington-Saukville School District strives to provide a safe and positive environment for all students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your student's teacher, school psychologist, and/or building principal at 262-268-5500.