OPHS School Counseling Newsletter
Fall Edition
School Counseling Staff
Ms. Pamela Gardner: Director of School Counseling GardnePD@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Maureen Andrada: School Counselor A-B AndradMF@pwcs.edu
Ms. Suzanne Salvo: School Counselor C-FE SalvoSG@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Shronda Peake: School Counselor FI-JENKINS PeakeSA@pwcs.edu
Miss. Lillian Orlich: School Counselor JEO_MELE OrlichL@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Keisha Mercer: School Counselor MELG_POR MercerKT@pwcs.edu
Miss. Taylor Oakley: School Counselor POS_SLY OakleyTM@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Eleanor Engler: School Counselor SM_Z EnglerE@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Melissa Bach: School Counselor Pre-Governor/Governor School BachML@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Margaret Stielper: Secretary StielpMM@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Tammi Hayter: Test Coordinator HayterTS@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Toni Gibson: Registrar GibsonTL@pwcs.edu
Mr. Carlos Rosa: School Psychologist RosaCX@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Kathy Bowden: School Social Worker BowdenKJ@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Brenda Miller-Dorick: School Nurse MillerBS@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Tami Walrabenstein Clinic Assistant WalrabTL@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Heather Lontos: Transition Specialist LontosHA@pwcs.edu
Phone: 703-365-6500
Fax: 703-330-2170
Twitter @OPHSCounseling
Administrators
Mrs. Legall-Brickey: A-EL
Mrs. Walton: EN-HAS
Mr. Barton: HAT-NGU
Mr. Henken: NI-REC
Mrs. Gill: RED-Z
UPCOMING EVENTS
Back to School Night: 9/8 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
ACT 9/10
Senior Breakfast: 9/17 8 a.m.-10 a.m.
Senior Interviews: 9/19-9/30
College Fair 9/26 at Battlefield HS 6-8 PM
SAT 10/1
PARENT INFORMATION Grades 9-12
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TESTING
College Entrance Testing
9th, 10th and 11th grade students will take the PSAT October 19th.
Senior Breakfast
Saturday, Sep 17, 2016, 08:00 AM
Osbourn Park High School, Euclid Avenue, Manassas, VA, United States
College Application Process
All Transcripts must be requested through Naviance/Family
Naviance/Family Connection use for Seniors – Class of 2017
To login to Naviance/Family Connection
* Click on the link or go to the OPHS website. Click School Counseling on the left side of the page. Then click on Naviance/Family Connections.
* Your User ID is your student number
* Your password is your date of birth with no spaces. ex:(mmddyyyy) *It is now 4 digits for the year just like school fusion/parent portal.
* After you login in the first time, change your password and keep it in a safe place.
* You must use the Naviance/Family Connection program to request transcripts and to sign up for college visits at OPHS
Requesting Transcripts
Requesting a Transcript
* Login to the Naviance/Family Connection website
* Select the Colleges tab at the top of the page
* Click the Transcript tab on the left side of the page
* Select the type of transcript you are requesting (college/scholarships/athletics)
* For college requests, select the type of application (Regular, Early Action, etc.)
* Select lookup and search for the name of the college you have applied to
* Click Request Transcript
* Print a copy of the transcript status page for your records
* Scholarship and NCAA transcript request are free of charge.
* ALLOW TWO WEEKS TO PROCESS A TRANSCRIPT REQUEST!!
* If the application is done through the Common Application, you must match your Common Application to your Family Connection account. See your counselor if you need help.
Letters of Recommendation
Requesting Teacher Recommendations
* Meet with the teacher you are requesting the recommendation from in person and give them a copy of the Letter of Recommendation form.
* Login to the Navinace/Family Connection website.
* Click on the Colleges tab.
* Click on Colleges I’m applying to.
* Click on add/cancel request under the Teacher Recommendation section at the bottom.
* Click on the drop down menu and select the teacher’s name.
* If the teacher is only doing a recommendation for one school, indicate in comments section and mention when meeting with teacher.
* Click on Update Requests on the bottom of the page.
Counselor College Recommendation Questionnaire
We are asking college-bound rising seniors to answer at least three of the following questions in order to ensure your counselor has the necessary information for your letter of recommendation. It is important to share details about yourself, your activities and what is important to you. Please complete at least 3 questions. You can also complete this on Family Connection. It is located in the "About Me" tab on the left side.
1.If you were writing your own recommendation, what personal information would you include to show your uniqueness? (i.e. what personal qualities distinguish you from your peers?)
2.What are your personal and academic strengths? (Explain with examples).
3.What are your special talents? (may be in any area such as art, music, athletics, science, literature, mathematics, computer science, etc. Please indicate if you have been recognized with awards for these talents. Also indicate how much time you spend developing these talents.)
4.How do you spend your free time? (Give specific examples. For instance, if you like to read, make sure you list the titles of your favorite books. If you play video games, which ones? If you play sports, which ones, where?)
5.What do you choose to learn on your own time? What is your intellectual passion?
6.What are your current career goals? Why?
7.Describe an obstacle that has affected your, positively or negatively? How has overcoming this obstacle helped you to grow?
8.In what ways has your family influenced you personally and academically?
9.In reviewing your transcript, is there anything you would like to explain to colleges in order to put your grades or course selection in an appropriate context? If so, explain.
10.Of all the activities in which you have been involved in during high school, which activity has been most important to you and why? (You may choose a school-affiliated program or an independent one.)
11.How have you shown evidence of leadership ability?
12.How have you demonstrated good character?
Manage Stress
6 Smart Strategies for Stress Management
1. Breathe
2. Use positive re-framing
3. Find time to turn electronics off
4. Get a good night’s sleep
5. Meditate for 10 minutes a day
6. Make time to socialize
Study Skills
10 Habits of Successful Students
- Get Organized.
- Don't multitask.
- Divide it up.
- Sleep.
- Set a schedule.
- Take Notes
- Study.
- Manage your study space.
- Find a study group.
- Ask questions.
Manage Time
2) Create a life schedule
3) Be flexible but realistic
4) Allow time for planning avoid procrastination
5) Avoid procrastination and distraction
6) Exercise to clear your head in between study sessions
7) Has your organization been effective?
PSAT
PSAT FOR ALL 9TH-11TH GRADERS WILL BE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016!
TESTING WILL BEGIN AT 7:30 AM IN 1ST PERIOD CLASSES.
Monday, Sep 19, 2016, 07:30 AM
Osbourn Park High School, Euclid Avenue, Manassas, VA, United States
SAT, ACT and AP Test Dates
College Entrance Testing
All PWCS students take the PSAT in October of 10th and 11th grade.
College Exam Test Dates
College Planning Calendar
Here are the top 5 steps you need to take to ensure your college planning and application process is successful:
- Begin with the end in mind – As Stephen R. Covey states, know what the end goal is.
- Develop a game plan that will get you to your dream college
- Break your long-term goal into short-term action steps
- Become resilient – Failure and setbacks are part of the growth process in pursuing your college goals, and it’s expected.
- Develop your passions.
Dr. Jeff & Dr. Brian Haig
The Experts in College Planning and Student Success
College Fair Information
The Western Prince William County Regional College Fair will be held at Battlefield High School, located at 15000 Graduation Drive in Haymarket, on Monday, September 26 from 6–8 p.m.
The Eastern Prince William County Regional College Fair will be held on Thursday, October 13 from 6–8 p.m. at Gar-Field High School, 14000 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge.
STEM Opportunities
Virginia Tech College of Science
NanoCamp is a 3 day camp to help expose high school students to the exciting world of Nanoscience. http://www.cpe.vt.edu/nanocamp/
Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS)
A NASA-based science technology engineering and mathematics educational program for high school juniors in Virginia
Educatorshttp://vsgc.odu.edu/VASTS/index.html
The Society of Women Engineers at the University of Virginia invites you to apply for a place in our High School Visitation Program taking place
November 19, 2016.
About the Program:
The program gives young women a comprehensive look at engineering fields and at UVA’s engineering curriculum through informative speakers and hands-on design activities. The program is designed to benefit participants with all levels of engineering experience. We particularly target those students who are not yet familiar with the field but may be interested in applying to engineering schools or pursuing an engineering career.
The fall session of the program will be for high school seniors, however juniors may apply. Interested students may be selected to spend Saturday night (the 19th) in UVA dorms with SWE members.
Program Activities:
The program gives young women a comprehensive look at engineering fields and at UVA’s engineering curriculum through informative speakers and hands-on design activities. Some of the events throughout the day are:
* Design Activity
* Majors Fair
* Scavenger Hunt around Grounds
* Lab and Dorm Tours
* Professional Panel
* Tour of UVA
How to apply:
The application to apply for Fall High School Visitation can be found at our website: http://www.virginiaswe.org/#!hsv/c15b8
SOL Writing Test
The Writing SOL will be given Monday, October 24 (Multiple Choice) and Tuesday, October 25 (Writing Prompt). Makeups will be October 26-28.
Osbourn Park SCO
Website: https://osbournparkhs.pwcs.edu
Location: 8909 Euclid Avenue, Manassas, VA, United States
Phone: 703-365-6500
Twitter: @OPHSCounseling