Dream Team Chronicles
Welcome Back
Welcome Back
The School Counseling Department hopes that everyone had a restful summer. We are excited to start the 2017-2018 school year.
The class of 2021 seems to be acclimating well to the high school. The counselors have begun individual meet and greet sessions with their freshman and are enjoying getting to know them.
Our amazing seniors have begun their Common Application process with the School Counseling Department. Students are encouraged to meet with their school counselor regularly to receive assistance with their post high school plans.
PSAT's Wed. October 11th, 7:30
This year's PSAT will occur on Wednesday October 11th. All freshman, sophomore, and junior students will take some form of the PSAT.
Our freshman students will take the PSAT 8/9. This test establishes a baseline measurement of a student’s college and career readiness as they enter high school. Our Sophomores and Juniors take the PSAT’s as a practice for the actual SAT’s. They are a shortened version of the SAT’s. Students can prepare for the test by visiting www.collegeboard.org or www.khanacademy.org
Students here in Wolcott are at an advantage because we give the PSAT’s for all 9th, 10th & 11th grade students free of charge during the school day. If you have any questions regarding this testing please call the School Counseling Department. Just like any other testing, we encourage students to take this test seriously since it will give them an indication of how well they will do on the SAT’s. We encourage students to get a good night’s rest the night before and to eat breakfast that morning. The testing time will be around three hours.
The PSAT/NMSQT lets students:
- Get ready for the SAT
- Enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation competitions for recognition and scholarships
- Access personalized college and career planning resources
- Request information from colleges and universities
- Assess critical reading, mathematical reasoning and writing skills
- Get specific suggestions on how to improve academic skills
Best Advice for High School Freshman
Freshman Tips and Advice.
These rules work. To boil it down even more briefly, there are two things you need to remember: Build relationships from the very beginning, and be honest. Everything else will fall into place!
https://grownandflown.com/teachers-advice-for-high-school/
1. Work hard on your first assignments.
This is your chance to show your teacher what you can do, and what he/she can expect from you. Read thoroughly, write as well as you can, and participate fully in the activities of the first week.
It is hard to change someone’s impression of you, and you want the person grading your work to feel that you are trying from the very beginning. He or she will be more accepting of slip ups later in the year, if you have shown that you are willing to work in the beginning.
2. Participate. Participate. Participate.
This is the way your teacher will get to know you. Your teacher doesn’t care particularly that you are 100% correct in your answer, but that you are putting effort forth and paying attention to what has already been said. Remember that putting your hand up shouldn’t result in your ears shutting down.
Don’t speak just to speak, speak to add to the discussion.
3. Ask questions when you don’t understand something.
Generally, if you have a question, someone else has the same one. Probably many people have the same question, but are too shy to ask. If the question doesn’t get asked, it probably won’t get answered. Don’t be left wondering.
Ask the question. This is the only way I know what you understand, and what you don’t.
4. Be honest in all areas of your work.
I have forgiven many transgressions on the basis of honesty. No matter how close you think you are to your classmates, nine times out of ten they will throw you under the bus to save themselves. The truth will come out. Mistakes are made. We all make bad choices when under stress or overwhelmed. It is the way you deal with the choice and the consequence that tells me who you are.
Honesty is the best policy! If you have made a mistake, it is better to be up front rather than to get caught cheating. Be honest with yourself and honest with your teachers. They will respect you and your honesty.
5. If the class is a reach for you (an honors class, or A.P. class you wanted to try), be prepared to ask for help.
You cannot grow on your own. Advocate for yourself. Help can come from any number of places, but should always start with the teacher. She knows that you are struggling, but wants to know that care about your own success. If you find that you don’t get the help you’re looking for from your teacher, find another resource. But always let your teacher know you are working hard.
If your teacher knows you are trying to grow, he or she will be more likely to help you achieve your goal.
6. Develop a relationship with at least 3 teachers by the middle of Junior year.
You will need at least 2 teachers to write a college recommendation, or to be a job reference, and you don’t want to put yourself in a precarious position when the time comes to ask.
Know who will be your best advocate, and talk to that teacher face to face. The worst thing that can happen is that the teacher says no. That’s why you want to have that third teacher in your back pocket.
7. Get to know your School Counselor!
It’s easy to forget that each guidance counselor has hundreds of students for which he/she is responsible. Don’t wait until you are in crisis to seek her out. The better she knows you at your best, the better she can help you at your worst. Make appointments to check in, see that you’re on the right track, and ask questions about what is missing in your high school schedule.
They are experts in their areas, but it’s hard for them to guide you if they don’t know you.
8. Join something and get involved!
Find a club or an activity that suits you. There is something for everyone. Not only will you find your “people” through this club, but you will find ways to stretch yourself, your creativity, and your intellect in completely new and different ways.
If you find a way to connect to the school community, you will be more likely to keep yourself on track for success in general.
Sophomores!
Sophomores! You now know your way around the school and have the opportunity to start helping others find their way. Start the year off with a positive outlook and utilize the resources in the building as you start to adjust to the workload of a new schedule. There are in school tutors in the Instructional Support Center, Peer Helpers, and the ability to meet with your teachers after school if you need a little extra support starting the year off right. Try challenging yourself and setting goals that are both short term and long term. Anything from completing your homework as soon as you get home from school to talking with a teacher about what it would take to get into the class you want now are just a couple of options. When you can begin to realize and shape your dream you are one step closer to achieving it!
As the year progresses be sure to continue adding to your resume with extracurricular activities, sports, and clubs that you can join. This will help you in senior year when you have to compile a list of all your achievements. It is also something you can look at with your school counselor to find areas where you can build additional skills that are valuable for college and career possibilities. While thinking about the future you can also join the College Fair on September 28th or make a friend with an upperclassman and join while visiting some of the colleges they are looking at too.
Do You Know Your Learning Style?
Have you ever sat in a classroom where you just don’t remember what the teacher said the other day, no matter how many times they explain it to you? Have you studied and studied for a test, but can’t recall anything? Some of this may be because you are using the wrong studying methods.
There are several ways in which a person learns or studies best. Some people may respond better to one learning style than the other. You may have completed the Naviance Learning Style Assessment with your counselor, but here are several different learning styles that can be used independently or in a combination with another style.
Different Learning Styles:
1. Visual (spatial): You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.
Create a picture to associate an idea or theme.
2. Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.
Make up a song to jog your memory.
Check out: Math Rocks... "Geometry is Killa-Hot" - The Ron Clark Academy at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYvw7_TrAXs .
3. Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.
Speaking the notes aloud or create the information as if you were going to give a presentation or speech on the material.
4. Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.
Try acting out the story you are reading.
5. Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.
Create a flow chart to better understand the information given.
6. Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.
Create flash cards or memory games that you can study with a friend.
7. Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.
Find a quiet space to study. For some this is easier said than done. A solitary space can be found outside, in a pre-specified spot at home, or with background music in to drown out other noises.
Pandora has music stations specifically for studying too. Some favorites include: Film Scores Radio, Instrumental Hip Hop Radio, and Solo Piano Radio.
Try merging different learning styles to make something unique to your needs. For example combine the social to kinesthetic styles to have a fun time creating a dance with a group of friends. Add visual with verbal and create a matching memory card game with one index card being a picture and the other being the definition you read aloud. Take the time to think about how you learn best and create a plan for that incorporates how you learn with how you choose to study.
College Prep for High School Juniors
By Tavia Evans and Kay Peterson, Ph.D
The road to college speeds up significantly in your junior year. It’s difficult to balance excelling in your classes with maneuvering through college exams, applications and deadlines. Stay on the college admissions track by following these steps.
Plan for the Future
Grades are important, but so is the difficulty of the courses you take. Instead of the easy “A,” choose tougher classes. Colleges like to see students who have taken rigorous classes during high school.
“The student’s high school curriculum is the most important factor we look at in the admissions process,” says Roz Bolger, assistant dean of admissions at Emory University. “Good academic performance in a strong curriculum shows the student has been challenged in high school, and that’s good preparation for college.”
Use your junior year to fill any gaps in your coursework and explore your personal interests:
Meet with your counselor. Discuss your career goals and the classes you should take. Many selective schools require college preparation classes that include three or four years of coursework. Review your high school curriculum to be sure you’re covered.
Get Involved
Don’t forget about the world beyond the classroom. Colleges like to see students who can balance outside activities and maintain good grades.
“Extracurricular activities are the icing on the cake,” says Jane Schoenfeld, an educational consultant for the Independent School Placement Service of St. Louis, Inc. “Admissions committees want to see how a student can contribute to the college inside and outside of the classroom.”
Perform community service or get a part-time job. Extracurricular activities show that you’re a well-rounded individual and you know how to manage your time efficiently.
Research summer programs. Many colleges offer arts camps and college prep courses during the summer for high school juniors and seniors. These programs are a good way to develop your talents and get your foot in the door with colleges.
Go Above and Beyond
Do your best in your classes. Remember: Class rank and G.P.A. are key factors in college admissions. Take honor-level and advanced placement courses. Enroll in courses at a community college. Your high school transcript will show admission committees you are up to the challenge of a competitive college environment.
Get a Head Start
Don’t wait till senior year to research schools, college entrance tests and financial aid options: Take a “virtual” campus tour on the Internet. Visit the homepages of schools that interest you. Also attend college fairs to meet admission representatives and obtain course catalogs. If possible, plan to visit campuses yourself to get a first hand account of the school’s culture and social life.
Prepare for college entrance exams. Your scores can determine what scholarships you qualify for and what college you attend. Ask your counselor about services that offer ACTand SAT preparation classes and practice tests. Keep track of the dates and deadlines for the tests.
Learn about financial aid options. Don’t let the cost of a college education scare you. Attend financial aid seminars hosted by local schools. Ask community businesses and organizations if they offer college scholarships. You can also search scholarship databases on the Internet like FastWeb to apply for awards that match your interests and career goals.
Junior year is the perfect time to begin preparing for college. And whether you’re headed for a state school or you have dreams of Harvard, a clear strategy will guide you toward your destination.
COMMON APP. INFO FOR SENIOR PARENTS
SAVE THE DATE!!!!!!
COLLEGE REPS TO VISIT WHS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR
Seniors and Parents,
College Representatives meet with students at WHS
Representatives from a variety of college admission offices are scheduled to come right here to Wolcott High School. During their visits, reps meet with interested students in small groups to discuss topics such as the academic programs, campus life, financial aid and admission procedures of their college. They also answer students' questions.
With so much information already available on college websites and in catalogs, you may wonder why you should attend these in-person sessions. Below are five reasons to encourage students to meet with the college reps.
1. Students have a chance — in their own town — to meet face-to-face with a rep and ask specific questions.
2. Students can let the college know they are seriously interested.
3. In many cases, the reps are admission officers from the college, so students have a unique opportunity to make contact with a person who may be evaluating their application in the future.
4. The meeting provides students with a specific contact at the college to whom they can send questions.
5. Sometimes reps, particularly ones from state universities, will give an early read on students' transcripts, test scores and course selections during their visits. This helps students assess their fit at that institution and figure out what they can do to improve their chances of getting in.
Below is the current list of colleges scheduled to meet with our students right here at Wolcott High School in the School Counseling Career Center. College visits are in the students’ Naviance account. If a student is interested in meeting with a college rep they should sign up in Naviance (colleges tab, view all upcoming college visits) and stop by School Counseling/Career center for a pass. If the visit is scheduled during a class the student must get their teacher's permission to come to the College visit. College visits will also be in the daily announcements and on the bulletin board right outside of School Counseling.
Massachusetts College of Liberal ArtsWed September 13, 201712:45 PM
Nichols CollegeTue September 19, 20177:30 AM
Franklin Pierce UniversityTue September 19, 20171:10 PM
Saint Joseph's College-MEWed September 20, 201710:30 AM
University of New EnglandThu September 21, 20178:00 AM
MCPHS - Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health SciencesFri September 22, 201711:00 AM
WHS College FairThu September 28, 2017 6-7:30 PM
The University of ScrantonFri October 6, 20179:45 AM
Merrimack CollegeFri October 13, 201712:30 PM
Western New England UniversityMon October 16, 20171:30 PM
Providence CollegeThu October 19, 20171:30 PM
University of HartfordThu November 2, 201712:30 PM
Save the Date -(see attached flyers)
- September 28 -Wolcott High School College Fair
- October 11-Senior College Visit Day
PAYING FOR YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION
Wolcott High School Counseling Department
Email: amobley@wolcottps.org
Website: www.wolcottps.org
Location: Wolcott High School, Bound Line Road, Wolcott, CT, United States
Phone: 203-879-8157
Twitter: @dreamteamwhs
2017-2018 Counselor Breakout
Mrs. Taryn Villano-Corso
Seniors A-E 2018
Juniors A-D 2019
Sophomores A-D 2020
Freshman A-D 2021
Mrs. Alyssa Giedra
Seniors F-Ma 2018
Juniors E-L 2019
Sophomores E-L 2020
Freshman E-L 2021
Mrs. Kelley Brochu/ Ms. Stabile
Seniors Mc-S 2018
Juniors M-R 2019
Sophomores M-Sa 2020
Freshman M-Sm 2021
Ms. Aisha Mobley
Seniors T-Z 2018
Juniors S-Z 2019
Sophomores Sc-Z 2020
Freshman So-Z 2021