Junior Counseling Chronicles
September 2020
College Information
4 Year Timeline for College Planning
College Planning Presentations
2020-2021 Virtual College Fair Opportunities
Virtual Milwaukee National College Fair
Admissions representatives from schools across the country are all virtually gathered. Their goal: To encourage you to learn more about their institutions and help you sort through the qualities you are looking for in a college. Students can explore college options, ask questions and gather information.
Sunday, October 18, 2020 Noon - 8PM
Click below to pre-register and obtain a list of represented colleges.
Wisconsin Educational Fairs (WEF)
Wisconsin Education Fairs provide easy access to information about post-secondary options on a timely basis for all Wisconsin citizens, regardless of geographic location.
WEF includes all UW state universities and centers, Wisconsin's independent colleges and universities, Wisconsin technical colleges, and many out-of-state institutions. In addition, many community colleges, trade schools, and the national service organizations, such as the armed forces are represented.
Offered throughout the fall on a virtual basis. What a great opportunity for our students!
Admission Representative Meetings 3-5 PM
9/16/20,
10/7/20
11/8/20
Interactive Financial Aid session: 5-6 PM
9/16/20
10/7/20
11/8/20
Academic Testing
2020 - 21 ACT Test Dates
ALL JUNIORS in the state of Wisconsin will take:
- The ACT test (with writing) - Wednesday, March 9th
- Registration for this test will take place at school.
- The statewide sponsored ACT tests are FREE for juniors
Additional ACT Testing Opportunities
Test Fees
ACT $55.00
ACT with writing $70.00
(late fee assessed for test option change after registration)
Method Test Prep
How can I practice for the ACT? How can I improve my original score?
Try Method Test Prep! Method Test Prep is an online ACT skills improvement resource. ALL PWHS students have access to Method Test Prep for FREE! Students who complete 20 weeks of organized practice in Method Test Prep are able to raise individual scores by an average of 4 points!
This October, ALL Juniors will create an individual username and password for Method Test Prep. Encourage your junior to log in and show you what they are working on! What a great time to start reviewing for the ACT!
Career Planning
Academic & Career Planning (ACP) - Xello
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 co-ops, 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
Virtual Career Investigation Opportunities
Girls in Aviation Day 2020
If you are a high school girl interested in aviation here is an opportunity for you. 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.
Social-Emotional Wellness
Ozaukee Family Services (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
Small Groups
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.