
School Counseling Newsletter
December
Upcoming Dates
***December 7th HS College Financial Aid Night POSTPONED to January 10th***
- 12/2 - SAT National Testing - 7:30-3pm
- 12/15 - 2nd Quarter Interim Marking Period Ends
- 12/22-1/1 - December Recess - NO SCHOOL
Building Better Futures
The district is excited to announce that we have partnered with Building Better Futures, LLC. to bring our families a series of 10 virtual presentations titled "Parents as Partners". To learn more about the dates and descriptions for each session topic please click this link: 2023-2024 Parents as Partners Webinar Series.
Fifth Session Topic: Mindfulness-Informed Parenting: Learn the Basics for Introducing Mindfulness Practices to Your Child
Moderator: Dr. Paul Pineiro, Assistant Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools, New Jersey
When: The live webinar will take place Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 6:30pm. The session will be recorded and available for 30 days from December 7th.
Description: During this webinar, participants will learn the basics for introducing mindfulness practices to their child/ren. Whether it’s differentiating breathing, regulating busy thoughts, or establishing a mindfulness routine for taking a break from devices and screen time, mindfulness practices can help build emotional resilience in a time where overwhelm and anxiety are common challenges for young people. In addition to providing background on the science behind mindfulness, this session’s experienced panel will also share the strategies they have used in their teacher and parent roles so participants can leave with a foundation for being a mindfulness-informed caregiver.
How to Register: Please click this link to view the live session or the recording: Webinar Registration - Zoom
**There is an added viewing with school counselors on Thursday, November 16th at 6:00pm. **Please See Below
**ADDED IN-PERSON VIEWING OPTION**: School counselors will host an in-person viewing of this session for district families K-12 at the Wood Road / Milton Terrace Cafeteria on Thursday, November 16th at 6:00pm. School Counselors will facilitate discussion, answer questions, and provide additional materials after viewing this session together as a group. Food, drinks and daycare will also be provided! Interested families must RSVP here by 11/13/23 due to limited space and availability. Please view the flyer for additional information. We hope to see you there!
All Session Descriptions and Registration Links: If you miss a session or want to register for a future session you can see a full list of session descriptions and registration links here: Parents as Partners - Links and Topics 23-24.
For more information on the program and its founder, please check our website at www.bscsd.org or click HERE for a direct link to the page.
We hope that you will take advantage of this amazing opportunity!
SAT & ACT
SAT Registration at www.collegeboard.org
Upcoming SAT test dates hosted at Ballston Spa High School:
- December 2nd - Registration deadline 11/2
- March 9th - DIGITAL - Registration deadline 2/27
- May 4th - DIGITAL - Registration deadline 4/23
- June 1st - DIGITAL - Registration deadline 5/21
*Registration for the spring 2024 test dates are subject to change.
ACT Registration at www.act.org
Upcoming ACT test dates (NOT available at Ballston Spa)
- December 9th - Registration deadline 11/3
- February 10th - Registration deadline 1/5
- April 13th - Registration deadline 3/8
- June 8th - Registration deadline 5/3
School CEEB Code: 330-305
Please see your school counselor if you qualify for a fee waiver.
Financial Aid
FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
Users will no longer be allowed to access, create, or submit an online FAFSA using just their personally identifiable information (PII). They must be authenticated using an FSA ID. As such, create your FSA ID at least one week prior (preferably two) before you begin your FAFSA in order to allow time for the identity match process. Every contributor - anyone (student, the student's spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or the parent's spouse) who's required to provide information on the FAFSA - will need an FSA ID to access and complete their section of the online form.
*Failure to create an ID ahead of time will preclude you from accessing the FAFSA
What will I need to fill out the FAFSA?
To complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), you will need:
Your Social Security Number
Your Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Your federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. (Note: You may be able to transfer your federal tax return information into your FAFSA using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.)
Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable)
Records of untaxed income (if applicable)
A FSA ID to sign electronically
College Application Resources for Seniors!
- Scholarship Opportunities: Parents, please click here to gain access to our high school schoology page and use this access code: WHSS-DM79-S6FX7
If you are applying to a college or a scholarship that requires a letter of recommendation from your school counselor, please click your counselor's name below and complete the form.
College Bound ATHLETES
GET INVOLVED!
There is something for everybody!
The Ballston Spa High School Clubs & Activities program exists to provide a variety of co-curricular experiences for students. See a list of clubs here: https://www.bscsd.org/Page/1243
Working Papers
If you are aged 14-17 you will need an employment certificate, also called working papers, in order to hold a job in New York State.
Working Paper Instructions and Application
Working papers are divided into two age groups (14-15 and 16-17):
- 14-15-year-olds - Your working papers are blue. If you are 14 and 15 years old, you are issued these working papers because you are not allowed to work in a factory.
- 16-17-year-olds (in school) - Your working papers are green. The difference between 14-15 year old working papers and 16-17 year old working papers is that you are allowed to work in a factory. You cannot work around certain machines, do construction work, help on a motor vehicle, clean, oil, wipe, or adjust belts on machinery.
The School Counseling Office Team
Ashley Osborne, Beth Schreiber (Support Staff), Lyndsey Wilcox, Liz Pinkston (Greeter),
Colleen Bengle, Nicole Stehle, Christy Knapp, Patti Parker (Support Staff),
Christina Carlson, and Mara Gallagher
Join our High School Counseling Schoology page
PARENTS- Please join our new and improved School Counseling Schoology Group for important updates/events/information
Access Code: WHSS-DM79-S6FX7
For more information on how to become a Schoology Member please use the following link: