Guidance Newsletter: Fox Lane HS
Summer 2018 - Special Back to School Edition
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL FOXES!
GUIDANCE SPOTLIGHT: SCHEDULE CHANGES
Notes to keep in mind when requesting a schedule change:
If you are requesting a schedule change, please email your counselor. Counselors will not be in the office until Monday and they will begin to respond to emails at that time. Please understand that the counselors are working through hundreds of requests and will respond to you as soon as possible. It may take more than a day to process and respond. We sincerely appreciate your patience and kindly ask that you not send duplicate messages.
Developing a master schedule for a high school building is complex and we additionally appreciate your understanding and acceptance of your schedule as is, where possible. Of course, if there is a major issue with your schedule (i.e. you are missing a required course) we will want to rectify the problem immediately.
Please note the following when requesting schedule changes:
1. We respectfully ask that you not arrive in person to make a request. Please email all requests. Unfortunately, students will not be able to meet with their counselors individually before school starts due to the high volume of schedule changes that our office is processing.
2. We cannot accommodate requests for specific teachers. If a teacher request is made, it can only be honored if the change results in being placed in a smaller class section.
3. Please be aware that some changes may impact other courses. Once your schedule is changed it cannot be undone.
4. Due to the complexities of the master schedule, counselors are unable to honor changes to a different lunch period.
5. Requests to be in higher level courses must go through that specific department coordinator.
6. Please note that some courses are closed. Counselors are unable to add students to closed course sections.
7. Counselors are not able to reset Portal passwords. Please email esdportaladmin@bcsdny.org from your student email address if you need to have your password reset.
Again, thank you for your patience as well as your willingness to work with the schedule you have received where possible.
The FLHS Guidance Department Welcomes Stephanie Salazar
GROUP GUIDANCE CORNER
1) Reviewing Transcripts
2) Finalizing the College List and Review of Standardized Test plan
3) Overview of Application Process at FLHS
4) Review of Common Application and Other Applications
5) Review of Letters of Recommendations
6) Review of Visits
7) Review of Activity Sheets/Resumes
8) Review of Essays
SENIOR PARENT REMINDERS
Senior Parent Night will be on September 27th at 6PM in the MLMT. The Guidance Department will present an overview of the college application process.
On October 1st parents can begin to fill out the FAFSA and the CSS/PROFILE for need-based financial aid for colleges. Before you begin, you should gather your 2017 tax documents and financial statements.
If you haven't already submitted your Brag Sheet for the Guidance Department, please do so at your earliest convenience.
More detailed information will be provided on these topics in the Fall Newsletter. Stay tuned...
RECAP: WHAT IS FERPA? AND HOW DOES IT PERTAIN TO COLLEGE APPLICATIONS?
FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level.
Students will be instructed on FERPA and how to complete the waiver form in senior group guidance.
How does FERPA relate to your college application?
- Through the Common Application and Naviance students must: (1) authorize FLHS to release their records (i.e. transcripts, letters, etc.) to the colleges they are applying to, and (2) choose whether or not to waive their FERPA rights regarding their letters of recommendations.
- Waiving your right lets colleges know that you do not intend to read your recommendations, which helps reassure colleges that the letters are candid and truthful. Some recommenders may refuse to write a letter for you unless you waive your rights. Students are strongly encouraged to waive their FERPA rights at the onset of the college application process.
RECAP: FAMILY CONNECTION IS NOW NAVIANCE STUDENT
Naviance Student is LIVE! Please review the attached Reference Guides that give an overview of the new platform.
All parents have their own personal Naviance account. If you do not know how to access yours, please contact Gina Izzo (gizzo2899@bcsdny.org).
ALL GRADES: IMPORTANT FALL DATES
- August 30 (NEW STUDENTS): New Student Orientation for all new 10th, 11th and 12th Graders
- September 4 (ALL GRADES; FRESHMEN): First Day of School; Freshman Orientation
- September 7 (SENIORS): Registration deadline for October 6 SAT (If needed)
- September 8 (SENIORS): ACT test date – Registration deadline August 10 (If needed)
- First week of school (ALL GRADES): Add/Drop period for courses
- September 13 (SENIORS): First day of Senior Group Guidance; Group Sessions for all seniors with their counselor on every E and 5 day throughout the 1st Quarter –this is essential for a successful college application process; have your college list ready! (Required)
- September 20 (ALL GRADES): Back to School Night, 6PM for Parents (Encouraged)
- September 27 (SENIORS): 12th Grade Parent Night, 6PM – The college application process will be reviewed
- October (TBD) (ALL GRADES): Club Fair – Remember that it is important to be involved in extracurricular activities (either inside or outside of school)!
- October – June (JUNIORS): Students are encouraged to visit college campuses and begin to research schools on Naviance, the College Board, and other online resources
- October 1 (SENIORS): Parents may begin the FAFSA and CSS Profile for Financial Aid (Required for families applying for financial aid)
- October 6 (SENIORS): SAT test date – Registration deadline September 7 (If needed)
- October 6 – 8 (SENIORS): Columbus Day weekend – Opportunity to visit colleges
- October 10 (JUNIORS; SENIORS): PSAT All juniors take the PSAT exam in the morning; visit Khan Academy and create a SAT prep account https://www.khanacademy.org/sat (Encouraged); Seniors will have essay conference appointments available through the English Department
- October 11 (FRESHMEN): 9th Grade Parent Night, 6PM (Encouraged)
- October 11 (SENIORS): Deadline to request transcripts and recommendations to Guidance for the November 1st Early Decision, Early Action, Rolling Admission application at SUNY, CUNY, and other public out-of-state universities
- October 15 (ALL GRADES): Drop deadline for full year and first semester courses
GUIDANCE HAPPENINGS
- On June 6th–8th, Kristin Brown, Jen Hickey, and Steve Marcisz attended the annual NYSACAC conference at Marist College thanks to the Foundation for Bedford Central Schools
- One June 19th we bid a fond farewell to the Class of 2018 at Caramoor in Katonah, NY. Congratulations to the Class of 2018 – wishing them the best of luck in their future endeavors.
- This summer the counselors came back for a few days in August to review schedules and make changes for students with scheduling issues.
The Fox Lane High School Guidance Department
Counselors:
Kristin Brown, 241-6191
Karen Deitch, 241-6190
Lisa Dunne, 241-6092
Greg Fedorczak (Hillside), 241-1106
Jen Hickey, 241-6071
Rori Mackie (Coschigano), 241-6081
Steve Marcisz (Coordinator), 241-6053
Jessica Mineo, 241-6169
Stephanie Salazar, 241-6180
Website: https://www.bcsdny.org/domain/120
Location: Fox Lane High School, South Bedford Road, Bedford, NY, United States
Phone: (914) 241-6082
Twitter: @flhs_guidance