YHS Guidance Spring Newsletter
Spring & End of the year newsletter 2024
Spring & end of the year updates and reminders
Happy spring! As we enter the 4th marking period of our school year, we would like to remind you of a few important things for each grade level. Please review and reach out if you have any questions before summer break! End of the year information will be updated when it becomes available.
INFORMATION FOR ALL
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
- College Fair: May 2, 2024 at BOCES in Yorktown Hgts. (see details below)
- Midpoint of 4th marking period: May 22nd (academic eligibility list generated)
- May 15th: juniors: recommendation questionnaire due! See junior section for details.
- May 24 - 27: Memorial Day Recess (schools closed)
- June 4th: Algebra 1 regents (only): alternate schedule shared by Principal's office closer to the date.
- Last day of classes for seniors: June 6th
- Senior Day: June 7th (a day to celebrate!)
- Last day of classes for grades 9-11: June 11th
- *Local exams: June 12 -13
- *Regents exam week: June 14- 25 (note: Algebra I regents is on June 4th)
- Senior Prom: June 18th (Glen Island Harbour Club)
- Juneteenth: June 19th (schools closed)
- Graduation rehearsal: June 21 (pick up tickets & cap and gown)
- Graduation: Saturday June 22 (see high school website for more information closer to the date)
- Last Regents exam: June 25
- End of 4th marking period: June 26
- Academic Eligibility: the list generated will carry over to the fall
- Late June: Check high school library webpage for summer reading assignments.
- Summer: The master schedule is built and students are notified of academic scheduling conflicts and are offered options for the following school year.
- August: schedules for the new school year are posted to the portal towards the end of August. If an elective class could not be scheduled, reach out to your counselor to request other options.
* In June, view the Yorktown High School webpage for dates and times of the NYS regents examinations and local exams.
Yearbook information
Working papers
SCHEDULING & COURSE SELECTIONS
- Summer: The master schedule is built and students are notified of academic scheduling conflicts and are offered options for the following school year. Check your school email over the summer!
- August: schedules for the new school year are posted to the portal towards the end of August. If an elective class could not be scheduled, reach out to your counselor to request other options.
Scroll to view information for your graduating class.
SENIORS: Class of 2024
Financial Aid packages
Comparing Award letters: Financial Aid comparison tool: Online tool to compare your financial aid packages. Before you put down a deposit and commit to a school, students likely have received numerous financial aid offers from their colleges. Use this tool to evaluate your financial aid packages to determine cost.
SUNY and HESC are hosting a series of online virtual events in April and May - SUNY Financial Aid events and HESC Financial Aid events.
Continue to view your college portals and emails from your colleges to view updates on whether your financial aid package is available to view. When in doubt, call the financial aid office of your college(s) to obtain a timeline.
May 1st: National Enrollment Deposit deadline
Scholarship binder
Excelsior scholarship
The Enhanced Tuition Awards Program application is also available on the HESC website for seniors who plan to attend a private college in New York State.
Additional scholarships including, but not limited to, STEM and teaching math and science in NY, and are available on the HESC website.
Senior Exit meetings in May
Grades: remain focused on the goal!
Return chromebook: June 6th
Senior Day: June 7th!
Senior day is an end of the year celebration hosted by the YHS Guidance Department and the Yorktown PTSA. The event starts with Breakfast in the cafeteria the morning of June 7th, followed by our guest speaker, BBQ, awards and Back to the Nest. A great way to celebrate your last day of school! More information to follow in the weeks ahead.
Senior Prom: June 18th
Yearbook pick up
Graduation rehearsal: June 21st
Graduation Ceremony: Saturday June 22nd
* Stay tuned for additional information in the event we have inclement weather.
Diploma distribution
The week following the graduation ceremony, diplomas may be picked up at the high school main office from 8:30 am to 2pm Monday through Friday excluding holidays. Students must have ID with them in order to pick up their diploma. Parents or guardians must provide ID in order to pick up as well
Last day to access your YHS school account: July 11
To transfer your account, visit takeout.google.com or visit the YHS Library website for more information. Email tsudol@yorktown.org or complete the help desk link if you have any questions.
Transcripts sent to colleges in July
Senior transcripts will be finalized, posted to the portal and sent to colleges in early July. This process is automatic and does not need to be requested. IMPORTANT: review your high school transcript on the portal at the end of June through July 6th before they are sent to your college or university. Seniors who took college courses, see below for information on how to send your college transcript and/or AP scores.
How to: transfer your College credits
If you were registered in a college or AP course at Yorktown High School, and paid for college credit through that university or took an AP exam, remember to send your scores and college transcript to the college you will be attending in the fall. Credit recognition decisions are at the discretion of the postsecondary institution at which the student matriculates. View the links below to request your official college transcript. AP scores and college transcripts are typically available during the month of July. Visit the college credits section on our webpage for additional information.
Below are the links to assist you with this process to request your college transcript:
SUNY Albany credits: Send in July
SUNY WCC credits: Send in July
SUPA credits: Send in July
RIT Project Lead the Way: Send in July
AP credits: Send in July
JUNIORS: Class of 2025
The college search
Below are some of the next steps. More details are available on the junior timeline.
Spring college fairs!
The Westchester-Putnam College Conference committee is holding two upcoming college fairs in April. See link for additional information and list of college participants. Both sites provide parking.
Admission is free and students do not need to register.
Review Junior year timeline/checklist
View the junior year timeline to make sure you don't miss any important steps before the end of the school year. See link at the bottom of the newsletter for information about the senior year timeline.
Recommendation questionnaire: Due May 15th
Login through Classlink. View instructional video for assistance. IMPORTANT TIP: SAVE OFTEN!
Parent Brag Sheet: Due May 15th
SAT and ACT registration
SAT Register here for the SAT: www.collegeboard.com
ACT Register here for the ACT: www.act.org
Admissions requirements are evolving. Visit individual college websites and fairtest.org for a list of colleges that are test optional for your graduating class.
Community service hours
In the fall of your senior year, the community service office will list the total hours you have recorded through their office on your high school transcript. See the community service webpage for the minimum hours required in order to be recorded on your transcript. Check your community service hours on the Community service webpage, submit any necessary google forms to the community service office. Questions? Reach out to Community Service Advisor Mrs. Mero at mmero@yorktown.org before the summer break.
Letters of recommendation: June
College Essay Workshop June 4th!
Yorktown High School is hosting a College Essay Brainstorming workshop on June 4th for all of our juniors. Featuring the College Essay Guy, this program will get you started and prepare you for how to write your college essay and personal statement over the summer. View the common app essay prompts and write a rough draft over the summer. In the fall, bring your draft to the Writing Center/English teachers for their review and suggestions. Additional information about the College Essay Workshop for juniors held on June 4th will be provided closer to the date.
NCAA registration
College campus visits & tours
Finalize your college list
College financial aid estimator
Cost estimator: In the interim, here is a tool to Estimate your Federal Student Financial Aid through FAFSA. Every college website has a cost estimator link available as well.
Merit: In addition to FAFSA, some colleges offer merit scholarships based on specific criteria including grades, scores, special talent and service (i.e. art, music, theater, community service). View college websites to see whether they offer merit scholarships and review the process to obtain one. Visit the guidance webpage for additional information about scholarships and financial aid.
Final GPA: End the year strong!
Summer reading
- At the end of June, view the high school library webpage for the summer reading assignments.
August: Create your common app account
- In August, create your common app account and begin your Common Application online. This is your college application. Most of your colleges will likely use this application tool. Complete it to the best of your ability, save your password someplace safe that you can access when you meet with your counselor in the fall to review.
- View Creating your common app instructional video to assist you through this proces
- View common app walkthrough Instructional video through Khan Academy
Common app workshops in August!
Dates: Additional information regarding dates and times of these workshops will be provided over the summer. Check your school email and guidance webpage for updates.
Common application
assistance for seniors
held in August and in the fall
Senior portraits: End of August
Review senior year timeline
SOPHOMORES: Class of 2026
Sophomores: Preparing for your junior year
This year, our focus with sophomores has been to encourage you to be the best student possible, remain active in clubs & activities, begin exploring careers and identifying a possible college major.
In the spring, counselors will visit sophomore classes (thank you social studies department!) to assist students with exploring a variety of careers, learning about the job description, wages, and what training and education is needed for that career. Students explored what classes and activities they need to focus on today in order to achieve their goal in the future.
Continue to do the best you can leading up to your finals or regents examinations. Your college search in your junior year will be based, in part, on your grade point average (GPA) posted to your transcript.
In the fall of your junior year, counselors will visit classrooms to discuss the PSAT registration information and the junior year timeline. The PSAT is the practice test for the SAT and is offered once per year in October to our college bound juniors. We will also review with you steps to take in your junior year to make it the most productive year ever!
In the winter of your junior year, you will meet with your counselor to discuss your college and post secondary plans. This meeting will include information about the college search, SAT/ACTs, application process, deadlines, the college essay, letters of recommendation, athletics, naviance, The Common Application, and other websites to help you navigate through this process. We will provide you with the tools to complete a college search that matches your interests, grades, college major, and location preference as well as other particulars specific to your individual needs.
In the spring, you will meet with your counselor to discuss your academic placement and elective options for the following academic school year.
Here is a link to the junior checklist/timeline if you would like a sneak peak!
Spring college fair: May 1st & May 2nd
The Westchester-Putnam College Conference committee is holding two upcoming college fairs in May. See link for additional information and list of college participants. Both sites provide parking.
Admission is free and students do not need to register.
Community service
Questions? Email Community Service Advisor Mrs. Mero at mmero@yorktown.org.
Summer reading
- At the end of June, view the high school library webpage for the summer reading assignments.
FRESHMEN: Class of 2027
Freshmen: Preparing for your sophomore year
Congratulations on navigating through the challenges and excitement of your freshman year! This year, our focus with freshmen has been to help you transition to a new learning setting, adjust to the demands of high school, do well in your classes, access help as needed, become involved in clubs & activities, and set goals.
During this school year, counselors from the YHS Guidance Department visited husker discovery classes to assist freshmen with exploring careers. We discussed your goals during your freshmen meet & greets and later met in the spring to review your course selections and academic placement for the following school year.
As we approach the end of freshman year, the most important thing to focus on now is to prepare for your finals and finish up the year strong. Your final grades will become part of your high school transcript that colleges will view in the future.
Over the summer, consider using the summer time to "recharge your batteries" and do something enjoyable and productive. Review the clubs & activities page on the guidance website as well as the athletic department to explore activities you would like to join in the fall. This will become part of your college application as you follow your interests and build a resume to distinguish yourself from other applicants.
Final grades
Your transcript will become part of your college or technical school application when you apply in the fall of your senior year. Some employers and many scholarship applications also ask to see your grades as well.
Summer reading list: grades 9, 10, 11
Summer activities
Continue to find activities over the summer that are both productive and meaningful to you. Find ways to volunteer, work, read, learn something new, and remain in contact with others over the summer. End the year strong and enjoy a well deserved summer break coming up!
Attendance office: contact 914-243-8050 option 1
Guidance Contact information
Erin Fink: efink@yorktown.org
School Counselors:
Lauren Calman: lcalman@yorktown.org
Kasey Genevese: kgenevese@yorktown.org
Allison Greenberg: agreenberg@yorktown.org
Eric Levine: elevine@yorktown.org
Michelle Snyder: msnyder@yorktown.org
Timothy Sullivan: tsullivan@yorktown.org
Marissa Warren: mwarren@yorktown.org
Office Assistants:
Maggie Braig: mbraig@yorktown.org 914-243-8050 Ext. 11606
Christine O'Meara: comeara@yorktown.org 914-243-8050 Ext. 11602
Follow us on X, sign up for Remind and visit our webpage!
Website: www.yorktown.org
Location: Yorktown High School, Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY, USA
Phone: 914-243-8050
X (formerly Twitter): @YHSNYGuidance