Guidance Newsletter: Fox Lane HS
Fall 2019
SENIOR PARENT REMINDERS
GROUP GUIDANCE:
We just completed week three of Senior Group Guidance. Each week seniors will have small group meetings with their counselor to work on each component of the college application process. Of course seniors should also schedule individual meetings with their guidance counselor throughout the college application process.
SENIOR PARENT NIGHT:
The Fox Lane High School Guidance Department invites you to attend the College Planning Program on Thursday, October 3rd. We happy to announce that Davin Sweeney, Director at College Wise and former Admissions Counselor at the University of Rochester, is back by popular demand to be our guest speaker. In addition to Davin's presentation the counselors will provide a "nuts and bolts" summary of everything that Fox Lane High School students and parents need to know as we approach college application deadlines. The evening's PowerPoint presentation will be made available on our website soon after the event.
FERPA WAIVER:
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 this 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 fourth 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.
1. Families are able to complete both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile beginning October 1, 2019. Deadlines for completion vary from college to college but October 1st is the universal start date.
2. 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 2018 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 PROGRAM:
Families who would like help filling out the FAFSA are strongly encouraged to attend a free FAFSA event at SUNY Purchase on November 9th at either 9:30AM or 11:00AM. Programs are designed to answer questions and provide assistance regarding the financial aid application, types of aid available, and the award process. Please click on this link to register:
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 AND COFFEE:
On October 18th at 8am the Guidance Department will host a senior parent College and Coffee event. College and Coffee meetings are informal daytime gatherings for parents who want to discuss the college application and financial aid process in a small and informal setting; topics are generally generated by parent participants.
COLLEGE VISITS:
College Visits are in full swing in the Guidance office! All through September and October College Admissions Officers will come to Fox Lane to conduct brief (30 min) information sessions for students. While an updated list is available through Naviance and on the daily announcement email we have attached the list as of 9/13. 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 ease.
JUNIOR PARENT REMINDERS
PSATs:
On Wednesday, October 16th all juniors will be taking the PSATs. All other grade levels will be on a 4 hour delayed start on that day. Families do not need to do anything to register their child for the PSATs. Students should have already received a PSAT Bulletin in their English class and they will pre-register for the exam in school prior to 10/16.
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, SAT, and ACT.
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.
PSAT results should be available in mid-December electronically 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:
Due to our new freshman guidance model Junior Group Guidance will now begin during the second quarter. During junior group guidance we will cover the entire process for applying to college. Stay tuned for a start date!
COLLEGE VISITS:
Each fall college admissions officers visit the FLHS Guidance Office to conduct brief (30 minute) information sessions. While these sessions are geared towards our seniors, juniors may attend if they are free or have lunch during that time slot. Juniors may not miss class to attend the information sessions. The current list as of 9/13 is attached to this newsletter.
SOPHOMORE PARENT REMINDERS
SOPHOMORE PARENT NIGHT (POSTPONED):
Sophomore parent night will be postponed due to the Theater renovations - more info to follow. Topics to be covered include:
1. Graduation Requirements
2. BOCES Tech Center
3. Standardized Testing (PSAT, SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests)
4. Activities/Getting Involved
5. Naviance
Sophomores who wish to take the PSATs will have an opportunity later this school year. Unlike the PSAT/NMSQT that our juniors will take in October, the PSAT 10 is normed for sophomores, and by taking it in the spring it will allow students to build their academic skills. There is a small fee for the PSAT 10. More information about the PSAT 10 will be sent in an email later this year. Stay tuned!
FRESHMAN PARENT REMINDERS
As you know, we have adjusted our model and all ninth graders now have either Mrs. Dunne, Ms. Salazar, or Mrs. Deitch (AVID) as their counselor. Through this model Freshman Group Guidance will now begin even earlier. Students have already started meeting with their counselor once in every 10 day cycle, and those meetings will continue throughout the year. Topics surrounding the transition to high school will be discussed.
NINTH GRADE PARENT NIGHT:
The FLHS administration is hosting a 9th grade parent night on October 7th. Ms. Salazar and Mrs. Dunne will both be present at this event.
ALL GRADES: Important Fall Dates:
Only Key Dates are listed. For a full list of important dates by grade level, please consult the timelines attached below.
Fall (TBD): Freshman Group Guidance begins – all freshman will meet with their counselor in small groups throughout the year (Required), 9th
October 1: Parents may begin the FAFSA and CSS Profile for Financial Aid (Required for families applying for financial aid), 12th
October 3: 12th Grade Parent Night – The college application process will be reviewed, 12th
October 5: SAT test date – Registration deadline September 6 (If needed), 12th
October 7: 9th Grade Parent Night (Encouraged), 9th
October 11: Deadline to request transcripts and recommendations to Guidance for November 1st schools, 12th
October 12-14: Columbus Day weekend – Opportunity to visit colleges, 12th
October 15: Drop deadline for full year and first semester courses, All
October 16: PSATs day for Juniors / Seniors will have essay conference appointments available through the English Department (Encouraged), 11th & 12th
October 18: College and Coffee, 8am – This is an informal parent discussion group regarding college planning (Optional), 12th
October 21: Club Fair – Remember that it is important to be involved in extracurricular activities (either inside or outside of school)!, All
October 24-25: Parent/Teacher Conferences – all parents are welcome, walk-in basis only, All
October 25: Deadline to request transcripts and recommendations to Guidance for the November 15th schools, 12th
October 26: ACT test date – Registration deadline September 20 (If needed), 12th
November 2: SAT test date – Registration deadline October 3 (Too late for most ED/EA schools), 12th
November 5: 10th Grade Parent Night (Encouraged), 10th
November 6: End of Quarter 1, All
November 7: Start of Quarter 2, All
November 9: Deadline to request transcripts and recommendations to Guidance for the December college applications, 12th
November 9-11: Veteran’s Day – Opportunity to visit colleges, 12th
November 15: Report Cards posted, All
November 15: Course Level Change Deadline, All
November 26: Financial Aid Night, Presentation by HESC representative from the NYS Education Department. https://www.hesc.ny.gov/ (Encouraged), All
December (TBD): Sophomore Group Guidance – starting in the second quarter, all sophomores will meet with their counselor periodically in small groups (Required), 10th
December 3: Deadline to request transcripts and recommendations to Guidance for the January college applications, 12th
December 7: SAT test date – Registration deadline November 8 (Typically last test date for seniors), 11th & 12th
December 14: ACT test date – Registration deadline November 8 (Typically last test date for seniors), 11th & 12th
December/January: PSAT results provided by College Board for your review, 11th
Winter TBD: Junior Group Guidance begins and are scheduled during E & 5 Days (Required), 11th
Early January (TBD): Course Selection – each student will have one day of “Course Information Day” followed by “Course Recommendation Day” with each of their teachers, All
January 2: Local Scholarship packet will be available online on the Guidance website, 12th
January 11: Deadline to request transcripts and recommendations to Guidance for all February application deadlines, 12th
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 (January): 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 and Coffee (12th grade – fall): Informal daytime gathering for parents who want to discuss the college application and financial aid 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
- Financial Aid Night (open to all grades but targeted to 11th grade parents – November): An overview of the financial aid process 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 (all year) – 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) – 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 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.
GUIDANCE HAPPENINGS
- On September 3rd the counselors helped to Welcome the Class of 2023 during Freshman Orientation
- Jess Mineo and Angela Alvarado, Student Assistance Counselor, will run groups this fall for all new transfer students
- On September 25th Lisa Dunne attended a presentation by Marc Brackett at PNW BOCES in collaboration with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Marc discussed topics in his new book Permission to Feel
- On October 23rd several of the FLHS Guidance Counselors will attend that annual Guidance Expo at the County Center
- On October 30th Lisa Dunne and Steph Salazar will bring a group of students to the National Hispanic College Fair at Manhattanville College
The Fox Lane High School Guidance Department
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