COUNSELING NEWSLETTER
Victor Senior High School
JUNE 2020
A Note from Mr. Siesto
I wanted to share with you some information about student access to school to retrieve any personal belongings you may have as well as drop off materials that belong to the school. Here is the information: this will take place next Tuesday, June 9th through Friday, June 12th and will happen according to a very specific schedule...
Scheduled Times
Tuesday, 6/9
8:00am - 10:00am Last Names A-B
10:00am - 12:00pm Last Names C-D
Wednesday, 6/10
8:00am - 10:00am Last Names E-G
10:00am - 12:00pm Last Names H-K
Thursday, 6/11
8:00am - 10:00am Last Names L-M
10:00am - 12:0pm0 Last Names N-Q
(Evening hours on Thursday June 11 from 4-7pm for students who cannot make it during their scheduled daytime hours.)
Friday, 6/12
8:00am - 10:00am Last Names R-S
10:00am - 12:00pm Last Names T-Z
Information for Students and Parents
All students must wear a mask and gloves
Students should arrive during their scheduled times
Parents will not be able to accompany their child into the building. Any parent driving their child to school can park in the North Wing Parking lot and wait for their child to exit the building
Students can only enter the building through the North Wing doors
Only 30 students will be allowed in the building at any given time
Students waiting to get in the building will line up outside the North Wing (maintain social distancing guidelines)
Students will have access to their PE lockers if necessary
All other pick-up and drop-off material will be in the gym
Materials from teacher classes
Artwork Pick-up/Drop-off
Chromebook and Wifi-hotspot Drop-off
Textbook/calculator Drop-off
Library book Drop-off
Musical Instrument Pick-up/Drop-off
Photography Equipment Drop-off
Yearbook Pick-up
Graduation Caps/Gowns and Regalia
Students will not be permitted into any other areas of the building including classrooms
All students will exit the building though the Main Office doors and can walk up to the North Parking lot to their cars or to meet their rides
*Please refrain from showing up outside of your scheduled time as it may compromise the safety measures we are putting in place and result in students waiting in line outside the North Wing entrance.
Attention Seniors!
Seniors: Colleges and the military require that we send your "Final High School Transcript" to the college/branch you plan to attend. In order for us to send it to them, you must complete the 2-minute Graduation Survey in Naviance by Wednesday, June 3rd. If you have any questions or concerns, or are still unsure about the college you will attend, please email your School Counselor to let him/her know. To complete the Graduation Survey, go to VCS STUDENTS :
- Click Classlink
- Log in
- Choose Naviance Student
- Go to About Me --> Home --> My Surveys --> Surveys Not Started
- Complete the Graduation Survey
1. The first question asks about your post high school plans. Indicate your choice using the pull-down menu. Choose continue and answer the remaining questions.
2. If you are attending college, let us know if you were Waitlisted or Deferred as well as the final decision of each of your college applications--Accepted, Denied, Guaranteed Transfer etc. This will help future students using the College Search in Naviance to know if that college will be a safe school, a reach school, or a good fit for them based upon their test scores, GPA, etc. If you didn't complete an application for any of your colleges, just mark it "incomplete."
3. IMPORTANT: Indicate where you will attend college and your intended major and click the UPDATE button. That will lock in your college destination. The scholarship section is optional.
SENIORS: Did you register for any Gemini courses through FLCC or Project Lead the Way courses through RIT during high school?
If so, you will need to request those college transcripts after you graduate in June. You need to wait until after graduation so that all of this year's grades are included on that transcript. That transcript needs to be sent to the college you will be attending, so you can review them with your Advisor during Orientation. Your Advisor will be able to tell you which credits transfer to your program, and how those credits can be used to move on to higher level classes, or to meet other requirements at your college. Follow these directions:
- After Graduation, click on this link to complete a Gemini/FLCC Transcript Request
- After graduation, click on this link to complete a PLTW/RIT Transcript Request.
- Make sure you request an "Official Transcript" to be sent as follows:
- one copy to be sent to the Admissions Office at the college you will be attending
- one copy to be sent to you at home (Always keep a copy for your records)
Your Counselors are so very proud of all your hard work and determination to get through this difficult year. You are ready to conquer whatever the future holds for you! Stay safe! Enjoy your summer! Please come back to visit us! We will miss you!
To all our Victor High School Students and Families,
We understand that this is a very challenging time as we adapt to changes in our life at school, work, and homes. Please know that your health is our primary concern at this time. As a Student Support Team, we are still here for you. While we adjust to assisting you from a distance, we will continue to support your child and family in any way that we can.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Question: “Who should I contact if my child or I have a question about their assignments?”
Answer: Please email your child’s teacher(s) first for help with their classwork. They know best how to support your student in their class.
Question: “How can I get in touch with someone from my child’s Student Support Team?”
Answer: Please contact your child’s School Counselor, School Psychologist or Social Worker. Please email us or call us at 924-3252 and dial the extension as indicated below. We will be checking our emails and phone messages each school day and will work to get back to you within 24 hours on school days.
Question: “Who do I contact if we have questions regarding academic programs, social/emotional issues, scheduling, college applications, transcripts, scholarships, etc.?”
Answer: Your child’s School Counselor supports students by the student’s last name
High School Counselors:
A-Co Mrs. Banaszak ext. 6418 banaszakm@victorschools.org
Cr-G Mr. Hooper ext. 6415 hoopert@victorschools.org
H-Mc Mrs. Nelson ext. 6419 nelsonh@victorschools.org
Me-R Mrs. Platzer ext. 6422 platzerm@victorschools.org
S-Z Mr. Mandile ext. 6416 mandileg@victorschools.org
Question: Who do I contact for questions regarding 504 Plans, IEP documents or CSE meetings?
Answer: Your Child’s School Psychologist supports students by the student’s last name
High School Psychologists:
A-L Mrs. Kate Mandile ext. 6421 mandilek@victorschools.org
M-Z Mrs. Leah Daniels-Farren ext. 6420 daniels-farrenl@victorschools.org
Question: Who do I contact for concerns regarding food insecurity, job/financial insecurity, housing issues or community resources that may be of help to us?
Answer: Our School Social Worker supports all students/families
School Social Worker:
A-Z Mr. John Ryan ext. 6414 ryanj@victorschools.org
If you have an urgent concern for the mental health or physical safety of a student
Call 911 or the Mobile Crisis Team at (585) 529-3721 or Lifeline at (585) 275-5151
or Text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
24 hours/day, 7 days/week
MCC Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
MCC Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
Reasons why it’s Important: Students are offered a host of exciting workshops, study groups, tutorial programs, individual and group counseling, and unique-faculty-student contact programs. Students may also be eligible for an EOP supplemental grant to help with college related expenses based on need.
Eligibility for EOP includes:
- High school graduate with a C average (GPA of 70-83) or a GED/ TASC recipient
- First-time, full-time day student (no prior college), and be a New York State Resident for at least one year,
- Qualify as economically disadvantaged according to EOP Guidelines. www.monroecc.edu/go/eop
- The application deadline is Friday, June 26– please encourage your students to apply.
Ways this Benefits Students:
- Five-week summer bridge (first-time students, fall only)
- The dates are July 6, 2020 through August 6, 2020
- Contact with counselor on a regular basis
- Financial advisement
- Study skills/orientation classes
- Academic Excellence Seminar - Warning and Restriction Program
- Assistance in completing federal and state financial aid forms
- Assistance with transfer to similar opportunity programs such as HEOP, SEEK, and College Discovery within New York State
- For more information email: eopoffice@monroecc.edu
MCC - Zoom Webinar
SUNY/MCC Monroe Community College invites students and parents to attend a ZOOM webinar with MCC this week. This virtual event will be a casual Q & A with MCC’s Admissions, Advisement and Transfer Services, and Financial Aid Counselors. Learn about Next Steps to enroll at MCC; like how to activate your MyMCC account, how to register for classes, and submit an application for housing. A representative from Financial Aid will also be on the call to answer general questions about FAFSA, TAP, Excelsior, work study, etc. Feel free to hop on with a parent – they’re invited, too!
When: Jun 5, 2020 02:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Q & A with Admissions, Advisement and Transfer Services, & Financial Aid Counselors
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://monroecommunity.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_n7H1XfenRbq1nD8nUrpn5g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
1000 East Henrietta Road - Rochester, NY 14623-5780
Phone (585) 292-2223 Fax (585) 292-3860
www.monroecc.edu
Follow Admissions on Twitter
Apply for Fall 2020 now! www.monroecc.edu
FLCC Fall Resource Guide
MCC 1,2,3...
Honors Institute at MCC
The Honors Institute at MCC combines coursework with Western New York’s many opportunities for co-curricular experiences, service learning, and undergraduate student research for an education tailored to each student’s exceptional talent and motivation. MCC Honors students explore perennial human problems and the most challenging developments emerging in the 21st century. Some topics of interest are global justice, science and religion, gender relations, sustainability, prejudice and criminal justice, mass media, business in a global economy, and cross-cultural understanding. You will become part of a community of scholars that are motivated and interested in academia.
Benefits Students: Students graduate with a SUNY Certificate in Honors Studies in addition to their earned degree. Our scholars learn how to develop undergraduate research and present their projects at regional and national conferences as well as MCC’s very own Scholar’s Day. The Honors Institute prepares our students to transfer to some of the nation’s finest colleges and universities.
Eligibility: Students are eligible to register for Honors courses if they have done one of the following:
- Earned a high school GPA of 87 or higher
- Graduated in the top 15% of their high school class
- Earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher in MCC courses
- Earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher from another college
- Obtained a recommendation from one of their MCC instructors
- If you do not satisfy any of the criteria above and are interested in Honors, contact the Honors Institute at 292-3351 or honorstudies@monroecc.edu.
- Honors Institute Information Session coming up next week: Tuesday, June 16th at 11:00 am students and families can join with the link below: Register in advance for this webinar: https://monroecommunity.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1NYWdsIqQf21cpgji8dW5g
SENIORS - Interest Free Student Loans
Due to current circumstances, now more than ever families may need support in sending students off to college this Fall. The Ontario Children's Foundation offers Interest Free Student Loans to those college students who are under age 21 and reside in Ontario County. The application period is now open. The link to apply is; http://ontchildfound.net/index.html Click on Education Loans tab to apply.
National Association of College Admissions Counselors advice to Seniors and Juniors
College Admissions and Financial Aid Night Information
Dear Victor High School students, parents and guardians,
Since we were not able to hold our Spring College Admissions and Financial Aid Night presentation this week the Counseling office and the College Career Center wanted to send out information for your review.
Financial Aid video presentation: by Renee Swift, Associate Director of Financial Aid Nazareth College
College Admissions/Search presentation: by Megan Sarkis, Assistant Director of Admissions, SUNY Brockport
College Admissions/College Search Process
Given the current situation that we are all navigating, the college search process will look a little different this spring. While many campuses are closed, colleges have adjusted their process to assist prospective students in the college search process. Colleges are now offering virtual tours, information sessions, and webinars to assist students in their search. This offers our students the unique opportunity to “visit” many colleges from their own homes (even University of Hawaii!). In addition, many admission and financial aid offices are welcoming questions via email. We encourage all our students to explore Naviance and individual college websites to assist them, as they embark on their new “virtual” college search process.
You can also visit NACAC College Admission Search to get additional admissions information.
Things to remember:
Admissions requirements MAY change. Please visit individual college websites and understand that this is a continuing discussion and may change over the course of the next few weeks/months.
Colleges recognize that the majority of schools are closed across the nation and grading profiles and structures may look different. Colleges will modify how they review applications accordingly.
Due to SAT and ACT test date cancelations, colleges and NCAA are in the process of individually reviewing how they are going to adjust their admissions/eligibility criteria. Some schools are changing to a “test optional” criteria, that allows students to apply without SAT/ACT scores included. Please visit individual college websites and NCAA.org for the most accurate and up to date information.
The SAT and ACT are offered in the summer & fall for students who have not taken the exams and are looking for future opportunities to do so. Please visit www.collegeboard.org and www.actstudent.org for registration dates and information.
Please reach out if you have questions or need support with this process.
High School Counselors:
A-Co Mrs. Banaszak ext. 6418 banaszakm@victorschools.org
Cr-G Mr. Hooper ext. 6415 hoopert@victorschools.org
H-Mc Mrs. Nelson ext. 6419 nelsonh@victorschools.org
Me-R Mrs. Platzer ext. 6422 platzerm@victorschools.org
S-Z Mr. Mandile ext. 6416 mandileg@victorschools.org
College and Career Center:
Mrs. Zollo ext. 6423 zolloh@victorschools.orgPlease click the link below for information on wellness and self care for families
SENIOR NEWS
Some colleges and universities have put together a spreadsheet that provides live updates on colleges' visit policies, virtual visit opportunities, virtual accepted student days, updated decision deadlines and deposit dates. This information should help you with your college search and college decisions.
Visit this page at:
ATTENTION high-achieving graduating seniors planning to pursue a STEM degree at a public or private college in New York State this Fall!
STEM Incentive Program Applications Now Available
Students in the top 10 percent of their graduating class can now apply for a NYS Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Incentive Scholarship Program award. Recipients may attend any public or private in-state college, and will receive an amount up to the SUNY resident undergraduate tuition ($6,670 in 2017-18) or actual tuition, whichever is less.
For more information, visit hesc.ny.gov/STEM.
File Your FAFSA
Paying For College
Check out the website below for downloadable materials, articles and videos on the college financial aid process including the FAFSA, understanding award letters, student loans, and scholarships.
http://www.payingforcollege.comFAQs for SENIORS
JUNIORS!
What's The Difference Between ACT vs. SAT: An Expert Offers His Opinion
PLEASE NOTE!!
The SAT for June has been cancelled.
**Please click this link for updates regarding the ACT Testing Schedule changes due to COVID-19
http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
**Please click this link for updates regarding the SAT Testing Schedule changes due to COVID-19
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/dates-deadlines
Preparing for the College Application Process
Juniors! Now is the time for you to continue your career research and your search for college majors and degree programs. Mrs. Zollo has already visited your English classes to work on the College Search in Naviance. Continue thinking about career paths, the college major that will lead to that career and where you may want to attend college. Exploring careers, colleges and majors will help you make sure you choose a school that is the right fit for you.
Until campus tours and information sessions resume, take the college virtual tours offered on your college websites. Email and/or call college admissions offices with questions you may have. In addition, College Admissions Strategies published a great article entitled "A New Normal for Everyone." It includes a few great websites that provide videos and virtual tours of campuses, conversations with Admissions staff, videos of day-to-day life with students and a peek inside what goes on at different college campuses.
SOPHOMORES!
Career Research
Begin your career research in Naviance. If you haven't already, complete the Strengths Explorer assessment and research careers and career pathways, saving your favorites to your Naviance “Careers I’m Thinking About” list. You are welcome to continue this research at any time, as well as complete the “Do What You Are” personality survey, the Career Interest Inventory and other assessments that will assist you with your career research.
OTHER NEWS
Driver's Ed
Mr. Purdie is having students sign up as usual, but not submitting payment yet. Everything is explained on the website and on the google doc to register, but if you have any questions, you can email him directly at purdiea@victorschools.org
Working Papers
See the link below for the Work Permit Form. If you are unable to print out the Work Permit Form, copies are available at the school and can be filled out when you come.
University at Buffalo - Pharmacy Summer Institute
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High School Programs at Boston University
They are offering five pre-college programs for students to choose from, all of which provide rigorous and collaborative college life experiences that will enable students to gain a strong sense of their personal and academic potential. Here is a brief overview of their programs:
- High School Honors is a six-week residential, commuter, or online program in which students take Boston University undergraduate courses and earn up to eight transferable college credits. Students must be entering their junior or senior year of high school in Fall 2020.
- RISE Internship/Practicum is a six-week, non-credit residential or commuter program in which students conduct scientific research in a university lab under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students must be U.S. citizens and entering their senior year of high school in Fall 2020.
- Academic Immersion (AIM) is a three-week, non-credit residential program for students to focus intensively on a single academic topic while enjoying and experiencing life on a college campus. This summer we are offering three AIM tracks: Introduction to Experimental Psychology, Introduction to Medicine, and Creative Writing. Each track combines classroom work in the subject area with experiential learning activities. Students must be entering their junior or senior year of high school in Fall 2020.
- Summer Challenge is a two-week residential program in which students take two non-credit seminars of their choice and experience life on a college campus. Students must be entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in Fall 2020.
- Summer Preview is a one-week, non-credit commuter or residential program in which students explore one subject of interest while previewing the college experience. Students must be entering their freshman or sophomore year of high school in Fall 2020.
If you have any questions, please contact Boston University at summerhs@bu.edu.
Your Counseling Team!
Mrs. Banaszak
Counselor
Last names A-Co
Ext. 6418
Mr. Hooper
Counselor
Last names Cr-G
Ext. 6415
Mrs. Nelson
Counselor
Last names H-Mc
Ext. 6419
Mrs. Platzer
Counselor
Last names Me-R
Ext. 6422
Mr. Mandile
Counselor
Last names S-Z
Ext. 6416
Mrs. Mandile
Psychologist
Last names A-K
Ext. 6421
Mrs. Daniels-Farren
Psychologist
Last names L-Z
Ext. 6420
Mr. Ryan
School Social Worker
Ext. 6414
Mrs. Stone
Counseling Secretary
Ext. 6407
Mrs. Turner
Counseling Secretary
Ext. 6408
Mrs. Mereness
Internship Coordinator
Ext. 6424
Mrs. Zollo
College Planning Coordinator
Ext. 6423