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Thoughts From the Director of Guidance
1
National School Counseling Week
1
HS 101: Gearing Up for High School
2
College 101—Save
the Dates!
2
2016-17 Scheduling 3
Stratford Road Charactering
3
5 Tips College Admissions Reps Will Tell You, If You Ask!
4
Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS) “Strike Out” Bullying Contest
5
Save the Date: POBJFK College Fair 2016
5
Sophomore College Tour
6-7
Exciting News about the HS Schedule
8
Pasadena Celebrates Spirit Week
8
Important Dates 9
Guidance Newsletter
Plainview-Old Bethpage
Central School District
106 Washington Ave
Plainview, NY 11803
(516) 434-3000
If you haven’t already done so, sign up for the Parent Portal.
The portal connects parents to student
data online, anytime!
For more information, visit the
district website:
www.pobschools.org
February 2016
Greetings! As we try to stay warm through this winter, plans are well underway to help students prepare for next year and beyond. Please enjoy this edition of our newsletter as we feature information about course scheduling and character education at our elementary schools. In addition, I am happy to share a summary of our Second Annual Sophomore College Tour. Stay warm!
National School Counseling Week was celebrated during the week of February 1. This week focuses public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors and is used to highlight the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career (schoolcounselor.org).
At the middle and high schools, counselors shared uplifting messages through the morning announcements, distributed encouraging quotes and poems within the building to students and staff and played inspirational songs over the loud speaker. On behalf of the POBCSD counselors, THANK YOU to our school community for your support and collaboration in working toward the success of all of our students!
National School Counseling Week
Left: POB Middle School Counselors
Right: Mattlin Middle School Counselors
Below: JFK High School Counselors
Thoughts From the Director of Guidance
P A G E 2
HS 101: Gearing Up for High School
During the month of January, the Peer Mentor Club helped incoming freshmen start to prepare for their transition from middle school to high school. Peer mentors hosted a ninth period assembly, addressing academic high school expectations and tips for time management and organization. High school students emphasized practicing these tips early so that middle school students will be best prepared for the rigors of high school. The Peer Mentors will host two more assemblies in the spring and look forward to assisting 8th graders in their transition to JFK.
College 101 — Save the Dates!
Left: HS 101 programs at both Mattlin and POB Middle Schools.
Save the date for these upcoming College 101 events designed to help 12th graders in their transition to post-secondary life. Pay attention to the announcements, school messenger e-blasts, and/or speak with your child’s counselor for the location of each workshop. All events take place 9th period in the Guidance Conference Room unless otherwise indicated.
The Dollars and Sense of College… Financial Fact vs. Fiction — February 25 Counselors will discuss important financial management topics along with information regarding financial aid.
College Fair — April 20 at 7 pm in the Gymnasium Students will have an opportunity to meet with admissions representatives from over 100 colleges.
On My Own… — May 16 This workshop is designed to help ensure student readiness during the exciting educational transition to college. Students will learn what resources are available on a college campus while they develop self-advocacy skills.
College Survival Seminars — June 9 POB alumni participate in panel discussions with current seniors offering their advice on navigating the academic, social and emotional transition to college life.
P A G E 3
During the months of January and February, school counselors met with their students in a classroom setting and individually to discuss and plan for students’ 2016-17 schedules. Incoming freshman parents also had the opportunity to visit the high school and learn about the variety of courses available to JFK students.
In these meetings, counselors and students discuss and reflect on the students’ academic and personal strengths and interests while taking into account teacher recommendations and graduation requirements. Counselors also emphasize with their students the importance of “rigor with reality” when choosing their courses. “Rigor with reality” is a commonly used college admissions term that encourages students to appropriately challenge themselves academically. Research indicates that the students who choose increasingly rigorous courses build the college and career readiness skills that are necessary to succeed in college and beyond. We encourage you to speak with your child about their course selections. Be certain to take into consideration the entirety of their schedule, accounting for extracurricular commitments and future plans. We encourage you to utilize resources, such as Naviance Family Connection to assist your child in their career exploration. Remember, all course requests must be finalized no later than February 29. Please refer to the letter posted on the Guidance website for further clarification.
2016-17 Scheduling
Stratford Road Charactering
In an ongoing effort to promote character education for our students, Stratford Road Elementary School annually welcomes the Long Island Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS) to the 4th grade classrooms. CAPS presents the Steer Clear of Bullies program, a multi-media workshop designed to help students develop empathy, build social skills, and practice assertiveness skills.
The 4th graders were enthusiastic participants in this year’s program! Here is what they had to say:
“It was awesome! Don’t be a by-stander; stand up to someone if they are a bully!”
“We learned about cyberbullies, and how making threats online is very serious.”
“It was good to learn about different types of bullying, like verbal and physical.”
For more information about the program and for resources about bullying, visit: http://capsli.org/bully-prevention-center/
P A G E 4
5 Tips College Admissions Representatives
Will Tell You, If You Ask!
It is scheduling season for grades 8-11 .Your school counselors encourage students to see them with questions and concerns about their programs. Counselors receive many excellent questions from students and parents and some recur each scheduling cycle. Here is what we know from our experiences in dealing with the college admissions representatives who will someday judge student readiness for college: 1. “Core courses are most important in examining a transcript.” Electives should complement rather than replace core courses. For instance, if deciding between a core science course such as Chemistry and an elective science course like Biotechnology/DNA Science, a student should take Chemistry as their core course. If they are also interested in Biotechnology/DNA Science then double up in science! As a rule, an elective should not replace a core requirement. 2. “It’s usually a good idea to have physics on your transcript.” Whether a student is accelerated in science or not, they should take physics! Some students will even enjoy physics so much that they take two years of it before graduating! 3. “A continuous strand of a world language is recommended.” There are exceptions to this rule, as some students will start a new language after completing level 3 in another. We have heard from colleges and universities that world languages is con-sidered a core subject and has an impact on the admissibility of a student in the college application process. 4. “There is no set number of AP courses that need to be on a transcript.” Remember that admissions representatives review the entirety of a transcript and are seeking students who have appropriately challenged themselves (rigor with reality). The number of AP courses appropriate for one student may differ from another. 5. “College level courses are impressive, even if you’re not sure of how your future college will grant credit.” Taking college courses in business, for instance, shows a level of interest and motivation that may be helpful in sharing a personal narrative about a student’s academic experiences in high school. Challenging oneself appropriately in college level courses can only help to increase the rigor of their program and thus the chances of getting into the college of their choice!
Right: University of Delaware: Memorial Hall
P A G E 5
As part of the New York Mets partnership with the Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS) and their efforts to "strike out" bullying, CAPS is launching a video contest to actively engage school communities to stop bullying.
First prize—Up to 15 students of the winning team and two faculty chaperones will be guests of the New York Mets at Citi Field for batting practice, a pre-game ceremony on the field and tickets to the game.
Participating school teams must create a 60-second PSA/video that promotes positive messaging (e.g. “upstander” behavior, respect for all, inclusion, etc.). Each video submission must be accompanied by a project plan outlining how this video was used in the applicant’s school community to promote a positive school climate.
The contest is open through March 18, 2016. For guidelines, contest entry form and additional information, contact [email protected] or visit: http://capsli.org/ny-mets-team-up-with-caps-to-strike-out-bullying/
Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS) “Strike Out”
Bullying Contest
Mark your calendars for an important annual event...
POBJFK College Fair
April 20, 2016 7-9pm
New additions this year…
Transition and Information Fair for Students with IEP’s & 504’s
7:30-8:30pm in the library
An opportunity for parents and students of IEP’s and 504’s to learn about the various opportunities and programs available to students in preparation for life after high school. Representatives from college disability offices as well as academic and vocational programs will be available to answer questions regarding the post-secondary transition for students.
Career Fair
6:30-8:30 in the lobby
Members of the community representing a variety of professions will be available to speak with students and parents. Students will be able to learn about the paths that these professionals have taken as well as the skills necessary for success in their field.
Save the Date: POBJFK College Fair 2016
P A G E 6
College Visit Tip:
Most colleges and universities have a
Long Island Admissions Representative
who is responsible for reading your child’s college
application. The college representative's
information can be found in the admissions
section of a college/university
website.
When planning a college visit, encourage your
child to communicate with the Long Island
admissions representative and see if you they are
available to meet with you during your visit!
Many of these
representatives will be present at our upcoming
College Fair, April 20th, 2016 at 7pm at POBJFKHS.
Sophomore College Tour
On January 28-30, the POBJFKHS Guidance Department hosted their second annual College Tour. This tour was designed specifically for 10th grade students as an introduction to the college search and admission process. Students visited eight colleges over three days, including Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University, Northeastern University, Tufts University, Quinnipiac University, Brandeis University, and Bentley University. During the trip students had the opportunity to tour campuses, meet with students (including POB alumni) and meet with admissions representatives. Students gained insight into the application process and the academic preparation that is needed to succeed on the college level. They learned the importance of quality over quantity in building an extracurricular resume, the value of school counselor and teacher recommendation letters, and how critical it is that they use their own voice when writing a personal statement. The student feedback was tremendous! Students shared how better prepared they now feel to tour a college campus and embark on their college journey. Students expressed a motivation to work harder and increase their involvement in extracurricular activities and leadership opportunities after hearing first-hand how important these areas are in the evaluation of an application. POBJFKHS was thrilled with the success of this year’s College Tour and looks forward to hosting our sophomores next year!
Below: Sophomore students tour Northeastern University
P A G E 7
Below: Sophomore students and chaperones on the steps of one of Harvard University’s libraries.
Above: Students enjoy free-time while Candlepin bowling (traditional in the Northeast)
Above: Chaperones tour Bentley University
Above: Students tour Brandeis University Library
Stay Tuned for Information on the 2016-17
Annual College Tour
P A G E 8
POBJFKHS is proposing a full 9-period day plan for the 2016-2017 school year. The
proposal will be presented at the February 29 Board of Education meeting. It is our goal
to give all students increased opportunity to take advantage of our varied course
offerings while also being able to enjoy a lunch period. The plan also provides additional
opportunities for students to meet with a teacher during the school day for extra
academic support.
Please join us on March 3 at 7:00 pm in our LGI
for our 9 Period Day Community Forum.
Have You Heard? We Have Exciting News!
Pasadena had Spirit Week for POB’s un-vacation the week of February 16– 19. For the four days Pasadena had fun while learning in school. Tuesday was Teacher Guest Reader Day. Teachers from the school read to other classes in the building. On Wednesday, students enjoyed Pajama Day and the students saw the play Charlotte’s Web sponsored by the PTA. Thursday was Crazy Sock Day and on Friday the school celebrated with the First Annual Pasadena Vocabulary Parade. It was the best un-vacation Pasadena has ever had. Thank you to all the students and staff who made the week a spectacular success!
Pasadena Celebrates Spirit Week!
P A G E 9
Elementary Schools
Feb. 24— POB Family Night -No
activities after 5 pm
March 2—Grade 3 District Wide Music
Assembly, 10am, SR
March 9— Founder’s Day, 6:15pm
March 14— K-4 Marking Period Begins
March 18— Report Cards Posted
March 21-KC Parent/Teacher
Conferences AM
March 22-KC Parent/Teacher
Conferences, aft. & eve
March 24-25— School Closed
March 30-Parent/Teacher Conferences
OB/PAS/PKWY/SR, AM
March 31-Parent/Teacher Conferences
OB/PAS/PKWY/SR, aft. & eve
Middle Schools
Feb. 24— POB Family Night-No
activities after 5 pm
March 2— HS 101 POBMS
March 7— Incoming Gr. 6 Parent
Meeting, 6:30pm
March 7— Incoming Gr. 7 Parent
Meeting, 7:45pm
March 9— Founder’s Day, 6:15pm
March 14— St. Baldrick’s MMS
March 15— Progress Reports Posted
March 16— HS 101 MMS
March 18 — POBMS Volleyball
Fundraiser
March 24-25— School Closed
April 8— Marking Period Begins
April 15— Report Cards Posted
High School
Feb. 16th-19 Battle Week
Feb. 24— POB Family Night-No
activities after 5 pm
March 2— College Roundtable, 7pm
March 9— Founder’s Day, 6:15pm
March 15— Progress Reports Posted
March 16— College Essay Night
March 24-25— School Closed
April 8— Marking Period Begins
April 14-16— Spring Musical, 4:30pm
April 15— Report Cards Posted
Important Dates to Remember
Plainview-Old Bethpage
Central School District
106 Washington Ave
Plainview, NY 11803
(516) 434-3000
Laurie B. Lynn, Director of Guidance
Newsletter Editors:
Domenick DiDomenico [email protected]
Cristina Rivas-Laline
Sara Schaffer
Board of Education
President, Mr. Gary Bettan
Vice-President, Ms. Debbie Bernstein
Trustees
Ms. Jodi Campagna
Mr. Seth Greenberg
Ms. Ginger Lieberman
Ms. Lauren Sackstein
Ms. Emily Schulman
Administration
Dr. Lorna R. Lewis, Superintendent of Schools
Ms. Jill M. Gierasch, Deputy Superintendent
Dr. Vincent Mulieri, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
Mr. Richard Cunningham, Assistant Superintendent for Business
