Northville Central School District Guidance Newsletter Karen Izzo, School Counselor

Volume XIV, Issue 3

United States Coast Guard Academy Informational Event 2017 On Saturday March 4th, interested students and parents will have an opportunity to attend an Informational Event about the US Coast Guard Academy. The event will include participation and speakers from:  Academy Admissions Officer for Up State NY,  Students who attended last year’s AIM program,  Active duty officer,  Active enlisted personnel,  Academy Admissions Partners,  USCGA Parents Association,  A current Coast Guard Academy cadet

February 2017

SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications for the following local scholarships are available in the School Counseling office… 

Lee & Mason Financial Services  Timeless Tavern Scholarship  John Woodward Memorial Scholarship  Northville Rotary Scholarship

~Please see Mrs. Izzo or Mrs. Sakadolsky for details or other opportunities about the upcoming scholarships and deadlines

Please let Mrs. Izzo know by February 15th if you are interested in attending.

SENIORS:      

College application deadlines are fast approaching Please stop by the guidance office for any further information from the colleges of your choice Send a thank you note to each of your teachers who wrote letters of recommendation for you Send in your acceptance notice to the college of your choice by May 1, 2017 Withdraw your applications from the schools you are not going attend Apply for scholarships available in the guidance office

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Northville Central School District

JUNIORS:  

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In February, Mrs. Izzo will visit the English classes to present information on the SATs and ACT FEBRUARY BREAK IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!! IT’S NEVER TO EARLY TO START COLLEGE VISITS Register for the SATs at www.collegeboard.org Register for the ACTs at www.actstudent.org

Time Management Tips For High School Students 1. Make a "To Do" List Every Day. Put things that are most important at the top and do them first. If it's easier, use a planner to track all of your tasks. And don't forget to reward yourself for your accomplishments. 2. Use Spare Minutes Wisely. Get some reading done on the bus ride home from school, for example, and you'll kill two birds with one stone. 3. It's Okay to Say "No."

Are you dependable? Dependability: Trust is important to you, and you care about being seen as responsible and trustworthy. People count on you to do what you say you will do. When you make a promise, you mean to keep it. Check out Strength Explorer on Naviance for further information

If your boss asks you to work on a Thursday night and you have a final exam the next morning, realize that it's okay to say no. Keep your short- and long-term priorities in mind. 4. Find the Right Time. You'll work more efficiently if you figure out when you do your best work. For example, if your brain handles math better in the afternoon, don't wait to do it until late at night. 5. Review Your Notes Every Day. You'll reinforce what you've learned, so you need less time to study. You'll also be ready if your teacher calls on you or gives a pop quiz. 6. Get a Good Night's Sleep.

Upcoming SAT & ACT Test Dates SAT · SAT May Registration deadline is April 7, 2017  SAT SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2017  SAT June Registration deadline is May 9, 2017  SAT SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 2017

ACT

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ACT April Registration deadline is March 3 2017 ACT SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2017 ACT June Registration deadline is May 5, 2017 ACT SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2017

Running on empty makes the day seem longer and your tasks seem more difficult. 7. Communicate Your Schedule to Others. If phone calls are proving to be a distraction, tell your friends that you take social calls from 7-8 p.m. It may sound silly, but it helps. 8. Become a Taskmaster. Figure out how much free time you have each week. Give yourself a time budget and plan your activities accordingly. 9. Don't Waste Time Agonizing. Have you ever wasted an entire evening by worrying about something that you're supposed to be doing? Was it worth it? Instead of agonizing and procrastinating, just do it. 10. Keep Things in Perspective. Setting goals that are unrealistic sets you up for failure. While it's good to set high goals for yourself, be sure not to overdo it. Set goals that are difficult yet reachable. Consider these tips, but personalize your habits so that they suit you. If you set priorities that fit your lifestyle, you'll have a better chance of achieving your goals * Information found on www.collegeboard.com

GUIDANCE NEWSLETTER

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JUNIOR HIGH STUDENTS   

6th—8th Grade English Language Arts Exam is scheduled for March 28th—March 30th 6th—8th Grade Math Exam is scheduled for May 2nd—May 4th 8th Grade Science exam is scheduled from May 24th—June 5th

Financial Aid Myths

All students in grades 6-11 will be choosing courses for the 2017-2018 academic year on March. All courses must be approved by a parent. See Mrs. Izzo for further information.

If you are reading this and thinking, “I am not going to bother filling out the Free Application for Financial Aid because…,” take a moment to dispel these common myths about financial aid. Myth: “My parents make too much money, so I won’t qualify for aid."

Reality: There is no income cut-off to qualify for federal student aid. Many factors besides income—from the size of your family to the age of your older parent—are taken into account. Your eligibility is determined by a mathematical formula, not by your parents’ income alone. And remember: when you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you’re also automatically applying for funds from your state, and possibly from your school as well. Don’t make assumptions about what you’ll get—fill out the application and find out. Myth: "Only students with good grades get financial aid."

Reality: While a high grade point average will help a student get into a good school and may help with academic scholarships, most of the federal student aid programs do not take a student’s grades into consideration. Provided a student maintains satisfactory academic progress in his or her program of study, federal student aid will help a student with an average academic record complete his or her education. Myth: “You have to be a minority to get financial aid."

Reality: Funds from federal student aid programs are awarded on the basis of financial need, not on the basis of race. The FAFSA doesn’t even collect this kind of information about an applicant.

REMINDERS:

Myth: “The form is too hard to fill out."

Reality: The FAFSA is easier than ever, especially if you fill it out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. There are detailed instructions for every question, and the form walks you through step by step, asking only the questions that apply to you. If you need help, you can access real-time, private online chat with a customer service representative.

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End of the 3rd quarter marking period is March 31, 2017 End of 35 week progress report is May 5, 2017 End of the 4th quarter marking period is June 13, 2017 Regents & Final Exams are scheduled for June 9th–22nd, 2017

Strategies for Succeeding in College Beginning your college education means you’ll be exploring a new place, making new friends, learning new things and setting your own priorities. You are going to face a lot of big changes in a short time. That’s exciting — and challenging. The more prepared you are for college when you get there, the more ready you'll be to address these new challenges. Here are some realities to consider, and a few common-sense ways to help you handle them.

College Work Is Harder The material covered in college courses is more complex than that taught in high school classes, and it’s presented at a faster pace. Also, professors assign more reading, writing and problem sets than you may be used to. Your Strategy: Give yourself an opportunity to adjust gradually to the new academic demands. Choose a course load that includes some challenging classes and others that are less intense.

You Make the Schedule You are responsible for managing your time in college. It’s your responsibility to get to your classes on time, do all your assignments and be prepared for exams. Your Strategy: Use a calendar and note when and where your classes meet, when assignments are due, and when tests take place. Create reminders for deadlines and important dates. When you plan your schedule, give yourself plenty of time to study and write papers; that way, you can avoid pulling an all-nighter at the last minute.

More Independence — and Responsibility It’s time for you to take control of your life. That means you have to handle your finances, manage daily life, and keep yourself healthy and focused. Of course, your college has support systems to help you with these things, but now they’re your responsibility. Your Strategy: Make smart decisions. For example, when it comes to your money, stick to a budget and use credit cards wisely. When it comes to your health, get enough sleep, eat well, and pay attention to what your body tells you. You need energy to enjoy all that college has to offer and succeed in getting a good education.

A New Social Scene Social opportunities abound. You may have the chance to meet different people, join a new crowd and even remake your image if you want to. Your Strategy: Remember that new friendships can be exhilarating, but true friendships are formed slowly. When participating in social events and activities, consider your choices carefully. Talk to parents, trusted friends from high school and college counselors about how to make good choices.

Reach Out to Resources College is full of resources — professors, tutors, counselors and resident advisers. Help and advice are available, but it’s up to you to seek them out. The good news is that once you do adjust to college life, it opens new doors to all sorts of learning — and living. Information provided by the collegeboard.org

How to Help Your Child Succeed in High School High school students need their parents to be interested and involved in their academic progress. These suggestions will show you how you can help your child succeed in high school.                

Provide a good place to study Help your child set academic goals Use rewards and consequences to encourage change Attend all parent programs Insist on daily attendance See all progress reports and report cards Help with time management Deal effectively with homework Listen Encourage independent problem solving Monitor activities and jobs Encourage a healthy lifestyle Encourage positive activities Be award and be informed Set limits and boundaries Be a good role model

REMINDER!!!!

Any students interested in attending the Career & Technical Center MUST complete an application prior to enrollment. Mandatory Parent Night is February 6th. All applications are due before the February break.

CLASS RANK DETERMINATION In order to establish a degree of equity in academic ranking between students enrolled in college-preparatory or regents courses and students enrolled in school-credit courses, the Northville Central School Board of Education has adopted a quality point system illustrated by the interpreted as follows: WEIGHTED The weighting for passing grades only is based as follows: 1. Regents class grades are given the difference between the class average and 65. 2. Advanced Regents level class grades are given the local weight plus 10 points. 3. Accelerated level class grades are given the local weight plus 20 points. The determination of levels is as follows: 1. Regents level classes are those required for NYS graduation. (Global 9, English 9, Studio Art, DDP etc.) 2. Advanced Regents level classes are those required for an Advanced Regents diploma either as minimum requirements or as part of a sequence. (Career & Technical Center, Alg II/Trigonometry, Chemistry, Spanish III etc.) 3. Accelerated level classes are classes that are college level or University in the High School requirements. (Pre-Calculus, Calculus, EN 103/104 etc) 4. Physical Education is calculated in the formula. Final ranking of senior students is determined after grades have been issued for the first semester of the senior year. Final grade in each subject is determined by the teacher on the basis of 4/5 class average and 1/5 final school examination. Senior year first-semester averages in full-unit courses are treated in the same manner as half-unit courses when assigning quality points. For the purpose of weighting, full year courses taken by seniors will be considered 1/2 credit courses in January.

DIGNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS ACT New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act (The Dignity Act) seeks to provide the State’s public elementary and secondary school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function. No student shall be subjected to discrimination based on their actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or sex Why is the Diginity Act Needed in New York State? * It provides a response to students who are harassed and bullied at school. It promotes civility and creates a safe, nurturing environment. What sites and events are covered by the Dignity Act? * The Dignity Act applies to public schools, BOCES and charter schools. It also applies to incidents on school property (in a school building, athletic playing field, playgroud, parking lot, school bus). It also applies to public school sponsored functions (schoolsponsored extra curricular events or activities)

The Northville Central School Counseling Office will be hosting a Career & Technical Center Night on February 6, 2017 at 6:00pm in the auditorium. All parents and students who are interested in attending the Career & Technical for the 2017-18 school year must attend. We will be presenting an overview of the CTC programs as well as distributing the required application.

College Application Information Night Any parent of a student in grades 911 are invited to attend a seminar on February 9th at 6pm in the auditorium with Admissions Specialists from SUNY Brockport and SUNY Plattsburgh about the application evaluation process. Get a first hand look of what admissions personnel take into consideration when reviewing a students application.