School Counseling Newsletter
First Edition
School Counseling Staff
Maureen Andrada, Counselor (A-Bow)
Christopher Baxter, Counselor (Box-End)
Georgina Sandoval, Counselor (Ene-Hin)
Keisha Mercer, Counselor (Hio-May)
Juan Canas Ramirez, Counselor (Maz-Pie)
Courtney Jaeger, Counselor (Pif-Shin)
Jayna Cobbs, Counselor (Shio-Z)
Melissa Bach, Counselor (A-Z: Pre-Governor's and Governor's School)
Suzanne Salvo, Career Counselor
Marie Emery, Testing Coordinator
Christine Cortez, School Social Worker
Stanley Urbaniak, School Psychologist
Heather Lontos, Transition Specialist
Laura Inesta, Attendance Officer
Phone 703-365-6500
Fax 703-330-2170
How Can My Counselor Help Me?
Add extra support as you set and reach goals
Serve as your advocate collaborating with teachers, administration, and parents
Key people when transitioning to High School, College or Career
General Information
Upcoming Events
PSAT 10/16/2019
Touch Base Conferences 10/14 7:30-9:30 am.m.
ASVAB 10/18/19 7:30 (10-12 graders) Sign up on Naviance under College Visits
College Fairs
Western PWC College Fair
September 23, 2019
Patriot HS
10504 Kettle Run Road
Nokesville, VA 20181
6:00-8:00 pm
Eastern PWC College Fair
October 22, 2019
Forest Park High School
15271 Forest Park Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22193
Alcanza College Fair at GMU
Wednesday October 23rd
GMU invites you to the 19th Annual Alcanza College Fair geared towards the Latino student population in the DC area. See Ms. Salvo if interested.
Career Fair
Women in Technology (WIT) BAE Systems Opportunity
Scholarship Information
High school seniors who have shown outstanding academic ability despite financial challenges.They take a holistic approach to reviewing applications, and they do not have absolute criteria or cut-offs for GPA, standardized test scores, income, or other factors.
Osbourn Park High School's Scholarship Database
PTSO Scholarship
The OPHS PTSO offers a $500 to $1,000 scholarship each year to a graduating OPHS senior to recognize a special kind of student who demonstrates unselfish commitment to service, to school and community. The PTSO is looking for a senior student who shows leadership in all facets of their life, outstanding character, citizenship and has a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or more. The student must be registered to attend an accredited two or four-year college or trade school in the fall semester of graduation year. An OPHS PTSO family membership is required to apply for the scholarship. PTSO Family Membership Applications must be received by December 31, 2019. PTSO Scholarship Applications are due May 4, 2020. Please email osbournparkptso@gmail.com for additional information.”
Scholarship Databases
Federal Financial Aid Information
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - parents/students must complete after October 1st but prior to the school's deadline to be in the best position to receive Federal Aid.
- Financial Aid Toolkit - many great resources for parents and students
- FAFSA Assistance - online assistance for students and parents
- FAFSA 4Caster - estimate how much aid you can get for your student
- Federal Student Aid Program Summary
- Federal Aid Glossary
- Financial Aid Application Checklist - This is a sample that can be tailored to meet your needs
- Cost of Attendance Comparison - This is a sample that can be tailored to meet your needs
- Award Package Comparison - This is a sample that can be tailored to meet your needs
Brown Bag Lunches
Brown Bag Lunches
The Osbourn Park Brown Bag Lunch Program is an opportunity for Osbourn Park students to enjoy a free lunch and to visit with OP grads who have been successful in specific career fields. Each month an OP grad spends one hour sharing his/her life story with interested students. The professional/occupational targets change from month to month, from engineering to criminal justice, to education, to computer software. The students listen, ask questions and help determine their interest level in the specific profession. Students may sign up through Naviance. Passes are sent to the interested students so they may be excused from their classes to participate in the adventure and enjoy a free lunch.
Financial Aid Information Night
FAFSA Information Night
Mark your calendars! A county wide Financial Aid Information Night will be held on October 1, 2019 at the Kelly Leadership Center from 7:00-8:30 pm. This event will be broadcast using Facebook Live if you cannot attend. There will also be an on demand version available for viewing. This is the main county event but several hand on help sessions will be offered throughout the county. More details/dates to come! Hope to see you there!
Senior information NightJoin us on Thursday September 12th, 6:30-8:00 in the auditorium for senior information night. Important dates and senior information will be shared as well as two and four year college information, financial aid, and cap/gown information. Hope to see you there!
College/Career Visits
Check Naviance for a list of the college/career opportunities that will be visiting Osbourn Park this fall. Seniors may sign up in Naviance for the college visits. Print the confirmation page or show your teacher on your phone your registration page.
Log into Naviance Student:click on Colleges tab:Search Colleges:College Visits. Once you click register, you will receive an email confirmation which you may use as your pass. Attendance will be taken.
STEM Opportunities for Virginia Students
FREE NASA OPPORTUNITIES FOR VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!
Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) provides the following FREE STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) opportunities for Virginia high school students in grades 10 through 12.
10TH GRADE
Virginia Space Coast Scholars (VSCS) – Online course for 10th grade students focusing on missions flown or managed by NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, with a week-long summer academy program at NASA Wallops Flight Facility. http://vsgc.odu.edu/spacecoast/
11TH AND 12TH GRADE
Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) – Online course for 11th and 12th grade students focusing on NASA’s human spaceflight missions and the Journey to the Moon and on to Mars with a week-long summer academy at NASA Langley Research Center. Students can earn up to four free dual enrollment college credits. http://vsgc.odu.edu/VASTS/
11TH AND 12TH GRADE
Virginia Earth System Science Scholars (VESSS) – This interactive online earth system science course for 11th and 12th grade students features NASA scientific research and data. Students can earn up to five dual enrollment college credits and can also be selected to attend a summer academy program at NASA Langley Research Center. http://vsgc.odu.edu/VESSS