Senior Counseling Chronicles
September 2020
Senior Resource Meetings
Last week, the counselors sent out a virtual video of our Senior Planning Conference/Senior Parent Night. Topics that were covered included: the college application process, scholarships, testing, and FAFSA. After watching the video, if you still have questions, feel free to reach out to your child's counselor. If you have not already watched the video, please click on the link below to view.
Senior Meeting Opportunities - This Wednesday!
In-Person Meeting: 8:15-9:00am in the PAC
Please note: students must enter/exit through the PAC doors and depart PWHS no later than 9am. Mask and social distancing required.
Virtual Meeting: 2:35 - 3:05pm.
Please join us using the following zoom link:Jennifer Herlache is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Jennifer Herlache's Zoom Meeting
Time: Sep 16, 2020 02:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5654517457?pwd=SUpiNkVNUDdoeE14Y1BkRWRZeWZnZz09
Meeting ID: 565 451 7457
Passcode: 629131
Wednesday, Sep 16, 2020, 08:15 AM
Port Washington High School, West Jackson Street, Port Washington, WI, USA
College Planning Presentations - Essay Writing Workshop!
Rachel Stern from UW-Milwaukee will be at PWHS this year virtually! Below is a link to Rachel's first presentation of the year titled Essay Writing Made Easy. Additional topics that Rachel may be presenting on this year include:
- Exploring College Options
- College Planning 101
- Behind the Scenes of the College Admission Process
- Comparing College Choices in WI
How to Tell YOUR Story Through the College Essay!
Wisconsin Education Fairs (WEF) - College Planning & Financial Aid Information
WEF Fall 2020 will offer a virtual college fair series with access to over 100 post secondary options to explore plus a financial aid presentation. Click on the link below for dates and to register for a virtual WEF this fall.
UW Help
WHAT IS UW HELP?
A trusted source of University of Wisconsin information for more than 40 years, the UW Higher Education Location Program (UW HELP) is the front door to the UW System and all 26 of its campuses. The program helps students of all ages and backgrounds find UW System campuses that meet their needs. It also provides guidance as they prepare for college and connects them to UW System schools for a lifetime.
Click below for more information on the UW System.
Private College Information
Technical College Information
FAFSA Completion
College Goal Wisconsin
Scholarship Update
- PWSSD Local Scholarship Application: This application will be released to students in December. We encourage ALL students to apply.
- College/University Scholarships: Information available on each individual school's web page. Please note that some colleges will allow students to begin applying for scholarships as soon as the admission application is SUBMITTED. Contact the university for specifics.
- Nation-wide Scholarships: Students can search online for many scholarships. We also include some scholarship opportunities on the Senior Haiku page. Limited paper copies are available in the Counseling Office. Please do NOT ever pay for a scholarship search.
Does Your Child Need to Retake the ACT Test?
Juniors and seniors can take the ACT more than once, for a fee, by registering through the ACT website. Check the website below for upcoming dates.
Academic & Career Planning (ACP) - Xello & Inspire
In October, students will have their first virtual Academic & Career Planning (ACP) lesson. The focus of the lesson is Xello (formerly Career Cruising) and Inspire.
Xello is an online program that is designed to help every student, regardless of background, ability, or pathway, understand 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!
Last year, PWHS formalized our partnership with Inspire Sheboygan. Inspire expanded to Ozaukee county and has been an amazing way to connect our students with meaningful career experiences right here in our area. Opportunities include job shadows, work coops, and a variety of field tips and career exploration events. This year, many opportunities will be available virtually. For more information visit: https://inspiresheboygancounty.org/
Inspire Virtual Career Events Calendar
Between now and the December, Inspire will be offering many VIRTUAL job shadow/career experience events for students. Topics may include: healthcare, manufacturing, automotives, business, aviation, engineering and much more. If your child finds an experience of interest, encourage him/her to register for the virtual event. Even if they are unable to attend the virtual meeting due to a conflict with classes or other activities, they will have access to the recorded video. Don't see something of interest? Check back as Inspire will be adding additional experiences regularly.
Girls in Aviation Day 2020
If you know a high school girl interested in aviation here is a fantastic opportunity to be aware of. Girls in Aviation Day 2020 in an online event which will enable middle and high school girls to learn more about aviation careers. It will include age-appropriate breakout rooms for girls and families to interact with aviators from across Wisconsin. It is being held on Saturday, September 26th.
Who: Girls ages 8-17
Where: Virtual Event via Zoom
Time: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm CST
See the attachment for more details as well as registration information.
Girls in Aviation Day is an event put on by Women in Aviation (https://www.wai.org/), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests. Its diverse membership includes astronauts, corporate and airline pilots, maintenance technicians, engineers, air traffic controllers, business owners, educators, journalists, flight attendants, high school and university students, air show performers, airport managers, and many others.
The Sky's the Limit! Register now.
OFS Parent Education & Resources
Ozaukee Family Services (OFS), located in Grafton, offers a variety of free parent resources and workshops. At this time, due to COVID-19, all workshops are virtual. Some have been previously recorded for viewing at your convenience. Workshop topics of high interest include:
- Parenting in the Digital Age - September 22nd 6pm-7:30 via ZOOM
- Transitioning to Fall During a Pandemic - Previously recorded, see website to view
- Using Positive Psychology to Inspire Resilience During COVID - previously recorded, see website to view
Visit the OFS website for additional information, to register for upcoming workshops, or to view previously recorded workshops. http://ozaukeefamilyservices.org/
Small Group Offerings at PWHS
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.