Guidance Newsletter: Fox Lane HS
Fall 2020
Welcome Back Foxes!
We have decided that we will no longer offer a separate 9th grade counselor model. As a result, all students will be assigned a counselor, ideally for their entire high school experience. In addition, we try to keep siblings with the same counselor so families will only need one contact in our department. Although counselors get to know students best through frequent personal contacts, counselors gain a great deal of information about students through teacher reports, parent contact, student records and participation in Group Guidance. By the senior year, guidance counselors are in a position to write a careful summary recommendation for each student.
As we enter an extremely challenging school year, please know that your child's guidance counselor is here to support you in a variety of ways. School counselors provide services to all students – personal counseling, academic advising, test interpretation, record keeping, high school program planning, schedule changing, career planning, college placement, teacher liaison, and parent advisement. Students receive these services in varying amounts according to their needs. If you ever need anything, please feel free to reach out; we are here to support you and your children, especially during these difficult times.
COVID protocols for scheduling Guidance meetings this year
STUDENT MEETINGS: Students are able to meet with their school counselor as needed, however there will be no in-person student meetings in the counselors’ small office spaces. Students may choose to meet with their counselor in a larger semi-private space in person, or privately through Google Meet. Students should email their counselor or Mrs. Izzo gizzo2899@bcsdny.org if they want to set up a meeting.
PARENT MEETINGS: All parents meetings will be held virtually through Google Meet. If you would like your son/daughter present for the meeting, we ask that you schedule your meeting on a day when your child is learning remotely. Parents should email their counselor or Mrs. Izzo gizzo2899@bcsdny.org to schedule any meetings.
GROUP GUIDANCE MEETINGS: All Group Guidance meetings will take place virtually after-school through Google Meet. During quarter one, counselors will meet with seniors every Tuesday and Thursday after school. All other grades will receive an email from the Guidance Department identifying their Group Guidance sessions which typically occur during quarter two for freshmen, quarter three for juniors and quarter four for sophomores.
SENIOR PARENT REMINDERS
GROUP GUIDANCE:
We are in the midst of our second week of virtual Senior Group Guidance. Seniors will “meet” weekly with their counselor to work on each component of the college application process. Seniors should also schedule an individual meeting with their school counselor, as needed, throughout the college application process. Students in Group 2 AND Fully Remote students will be on Tuesdays from 2:20-2:50 (the first 4 sessions will be held on: 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, and 10/13), and students in Group 1 will be on Thursdays from 2:20-2:50 (the first 4 sessions will be held on: 9/24, 10/1, 10/8, and 10/15.)
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT:
The Fox Lane High School Guidance Department invites you to attend the College Planning Program on Thursday, October 1st. We will present this program virtually. The Guidance Department will review the college application process in general, with specific attention given to our office procedures for sending transcripts and teacher recommendations via Naviance. The evening's presentation will be recorded for those who cannot attend live. We will email the link and post it on the Guidance Department webpage.
FERPA WAIVER:
Very important - before the Guidance Department office can send out transcripts and letters of recommendations - Students must: (1) authorize FLHS to release their records (ie. transcript, letters, etc.) to the colleges they are applying to, and (2) choose whether or not to waive their FERPA rights regarding their letters of recommendation. New last year! While students will complete an electronic version on the Common Application, parents/guardians must also sign the attached FERPA waiver. If not already completed, please return the attached waiver to the FLHS Guidance Department at your earliest convenience. No documents will be sent from the FLHS Guidance Department before the waiver is completed.
FINANCIAL AID:
This is the fifth year of new rules for financial aid applications. Please read this section even if you have completed financial aid packages for older children in the past. The system is relatively new and deadlines are now much earlier.
- Families are able to complete both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile beginning October 1, 2020. Deadlines for completion vary from college to college but October 1st is the universal start date.
- Families will use the “prior-prior” year’s tax returns to complete the FAFSA. This means that financial aid packages and scholarships will be based on 2019 tax returns. Students who are applying Early Decision, Early Action, or Priority will likely have a deadline for submitting financial aid forms by November. It is highly suggested that parents review every college’s financial aid and scholarship website as early as possible to ensure that all deadlines are met.
FINANCIAL AID LINKS:
FAFSA (this form is required by all colleges)
CSS PROFILE (this form is required by many but not all colleges)
https://student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aid-profile
Colleges Requiring the CSS Profile
COLLEGE VISITS:
Virtual College Visits are in full swing in the Guidance office! All through September and October College Admissions Officers will offer Fox Lane students virtual information sessions. While an updated list is available through Naviance and on the daily announcement email we have attached the list as of 9/30. Senior participation is strongly encouraged as these visits contribute heavily to a student's demonstrated interest.
BRAG SHEET:
If you haven't already submitted your Brag Sheet for the Guidance Department, please do so at your earliest convenience. We have attached the questions for your convenience.
JUNIOR PARENT REMINDERS
PSATs:
On Wednesday, October 14th all juniors will be taking the PSATs. All other grade levels will be on a remote learning schedule that day. A Google Form will be sent out to juniors this week so students can confirm whether or not they plan to come in on the 14th to take the PSATs.
The PSATs will only be offered in person on October 14th. Masks will need to be worn for the entire duration of the exam. Bus transportation will be provided for students who request it on the Google Form. There is no fee for the PSATs. Students should have already received a PSAT Student Guide in their English class which contains a practice exam (in addition an electronic Student Guide was emailed to students last week).
No preparation is required for the PSATs. We encourage students to create a Khan Academy account (https://www.khanacademy.org/) if they would like to review practice questions. Attached to this newsletter are two handouts detailing the PSATs, SATs, and ACTs.
We highly recommend that prior to taking the exam, students get a good night’s sleep, eat a hearty breakfast, and come prepared with two number two pencils (non-mechanical) and a calculator; due to safety precautions no extra supplies will be available for students to borrow (pencils, calculators, etc.).
PSAT results should be available electronically in mid-December and in early January via a mailing. Students and families are encouraged to reach out to their guidance counselor to develop an individual standardized test plan for college admissions.
GROUP GUIDANCE:
During junior group guidance we will cover the entire process for applying to college. Stay tuned for a Winter start date!
COLLEGE VISITS:
Each fall college admissions officers visit the FLHS Guidance Office to conduct brief information sessions. While these sessions are geared towards our seniors, juniors may attend if interested since all info sessions this year are being conducted virtually during after-school hours. The current list as of 9/30 is attached to this newsletter, and the weekly visit schedule is emailed as part of the announcements. All virtual information sessions will take place during September and October.
SOPHOMORE PARENT REMINDERS
Welcome to 10th grade! It is a new and unusual school year but there is a lot to look forward to during sophomore year. Most school counseling related work in 10th grade happens in the spring semester but please tune in to our sophomore timeline (attached) for any important dates related to your child’s personal goals. Additionally, there will be a Sophomore Parent Night in November, where we will share other relevant information such as college admissions testing explanations, taking courses at the BOCES Tech Center, graduation requirements and extracurricular activities.
GROUP GUIDANCE:
During the spring semester, sophomores will participate in a series of guidance sessions with the school counseling team. Career development is our overarching theme for sophomore year and students will complete a series of comprehensive interest inventories to explore possible future occupations. Naviance, our college and career platform, will house the outcomes of the career assessments and parents will have an opportunity to view them late in the spring.
Students should pay close attention to their student email as counselors will reach out prior to a Group Guidance session with an invitation to a Google Meet. Since we do not have the opportunity to meet with groups of students in person, it’s imperative that students do not miss our scheduled times together.
FRESHMAN PARENT REMINDERS
Welcome to 9th grade! During this new and unusual school year, we recognize that the freshmen have unique transition needs. Beginning in November, we will hold a series of Freshman Guidance sessions. Students should look out for emails later this fall with information about how to participate. In the meantime, please have your child email your individual school counselor with any questions that arise.
GROUP GUIDANCE:
Freshman Guidance will focus on many topics – academic, social, emotional, life skills, and anything else that comes up. Integrated within all topics will be the identification of resources in the building and an inherent belief that health and wellness are the foundations upon which to grow and achieve.
Students should pay close attention to their student email as counselors will reach out prior to a Group Guidance session with an invitation to a Google Meet. Since we do not have the opportunity to meet with groups of students in person, it’s imperative that students do not miss our scheduled times together.
Current Topics Planned:
- School procedures – Attendance, ongoing COVID protocol, Social-Emotional learning goals, where to find important information.
- Graduation requirements – Understanding credits, high school report card, final transcript (portal, quarter grades, GPA, weighted grades).
- Study skills – Learning style inventory, how to study best, what to eat before a big test, how to deal with test anxiety, academic integrity.
- Extra-curricular activities – Keys to your personal development as well as physical and mental health (clubs, athletics, community involvement, part-time job, volunteerism, taking an outside class for interest).
- Course selection – Planning for 10th grade and beyond (special options – Tech Center, ASPIRE etc.).
- Goal setting – What are your short and long term goals? What habits would you like to develop? (hobbies, personal development, part-time job, college/career ideas?) Summer 2021 – what are your plans? Need working papers?
- Periodic check-ins – social/emotional learning, nutrition, physical health/exercise, sleep cycles, personal connections and activities/clubs, respect for self and others, digital citizenship.
Important Fall Dates:
October 1: Parents may begin the FAFSA and CSS Profile for Financial Aid (Required for families applying for financial aid) – Seniors
October 1: Virtual 12th Grade Parent Night – The college application process will be reviewed – Seniors
October 8: 9th Grade Parent Night (Encouraged) – Freshmen
October 14: 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) - Juniors
October 15: Drop deadline for full year and first semester courses – All
November (TBD): Freshmen Group Guidance – all freshmen will meet with their counselor periodically in small groups (Required) – Freshmen
November 5: Virtual Sophomore Parent Night – graduation requirements, standardized testing, activities and other topics will be discussed – Sophomores
November 6: End of Quarter 1 – All (First quarter grades will be automatically sent to all active applications unless specifically requested otherwise) – Seniors
November 16: Course Level Change deadline – All
December/January: PSAT results provided by the College Board for your review. Scores will be released by the College Board in an electronic format in mid-December and paper format in January. Based on the PSAT results, and/or SAT vs. ACT comparative test, students and families should consult with their counselor regarding their personal standardized test plan – Juniors
December 17: 11th Grade Parent Night (virtual) Focus of evening: Standardized Testing, Khan Academy, Naviance, College Research, Creating a Smart College List, Financial Aid and Paying for College, Timeline of the Application Process (Encouraged) – Juniors
December & May Sophomore Group Guidance – all sophomores will meet with their counselor periodically in small groups (Required) – Sophomores
Winter (TBD): PNW BOCES Tech Center visit (Optional) – Sophomores
Winter (TBD): Junior Group Guidance begins; small group planning sessions are scheduled for students to better understand the college application process and to create a smart perspective college list (Required) – Juniors
* Only Key Dates are listed. For a full list of important dates by grade level, please consult the timelines attached below.
Annual Guidance Department Highlights At a Glance
10th Grade Parent Night (November): Focuses on various topics including: graduation requirements, standardized testing, and getting involved
11th Grade Parent Night (December): Focuses on the college planning process typically through the lens of a seasoned college admissions counselor
12th Grade Parent Night (October): Focuses on the college application process
College and Coffee (11th grade – spring): Informal daytime gathering for parents who want to discuss the college planning process in a small and informal setting; topics are generally generated by parent participants
College Fair (April): large college fair run by PNW BOCES for all of Northern Westchester that is conveniently located at FLHS; while the focus is mainly for juniors, sophomores may attend; in addition to college and representatives, workshops are also offered for families
Group Guidance Program: All students will meet in small groups with their counselor for each year they are in high school; range of topics include: Freshmen (fall & winter) – graduation requirements, 4 year planning, learning style inventory, course planning, getting involved, etc. Sophomores (winter & spring) – career assessment, personality profile, preparing for final exams, etc. Juniors (winter & spring) – college planning process (how to research colleges, creating a resume, mock interviews, application procedures, letters of recommendations, college essay, etc.). Seniors (fall) – college application process (submitting applications, college essays, college resumes, financial aid and scholarship information, etc.)
PSAT (11th grade – October): All juniors will sit for the PSAT/NMSQT
PSAT 10 (10th grade – Spring): Sophomores may elect to take a PSAT that is normed for 10th graders.
Individual Student and Family Appointments: as needed
* Other programs may be added throughout the year. Most communications are sent through our seasonal newsletter and through emails via our Naviance program. If you do not receive emails from “Fox Lane Guidance Department,” please let us know so we can check your email in our system.
The Fox Lane High School Guidance Department
The Guidance Department is made up of eight counselors and a Coordinator of Guidance. Counselors meet with students, both individually and in group classes, to work on academic, personal and social issues and to provide guidance to students as they prepare their academic programs and develop post-secondary plans.
Main Phone: 241-6082
Fax: 241-6064
Registrar: 241-6093
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