Happy February, Vikings!

February may be a short month, but there are many happenings in Schreiber Guidance and Counseling. Vikings, give yourselves a pat on the back for getting through Regents/mid-term week. You've made it through semester 1, so it's a great time for some self-reflection. Are you pleased with your progress so far? Or, is there room for improvement? Either way, it's a good time to update your goals. Don't forget to discuss with your school counselors. They are an excellent resource and can provide you with tips and strategies for success.

In February we observe Black History Month, where we honor and recognize the achievements of African-Americans. Look for events at Schreiber, and click here for events promoted by the Long Island Arts Alliance.

Lunar New Year celebrations will also take place this month. Check out how the Port Washington Public Library will celebrate!

During this first week in February, we also recognize the incredible efforts of our school counselors for their support of all students. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, highlights the unique contributions and tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and a career plan. National School Counseling Week takes place during the first week of February each year and is recognized this year from February 5 through February 9. Thank you, School Counselors!

Career and Technical Education is also in the spotlight in month. February is National Career and Technical Education month! CTE Month celebrates the value of Career and Technical Education and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country. Each year, Schreiber students who attend BOCES learn valuable skills to start their careers upon graduation. Your counselors can discuss the benefits of our CTE course offerings through BOCES Barry Tech.

Speaking of careers, the following passage from Ozan Varol's book Think Like a Rocket Scientist, is worth sharing. When the road to the future seems unclear, just start walking!

"The path...won't appear until you start walking. ...The secret is to start walking before you see a clear path.

Start walking, even thought there will be stuck wheels, broken drills, and exploding oxygen tanks ahead.

Start walking because you can learn to walk backward if your wheel gets stuck or you can use duct tape to block catastrophe.

Start walking, and as you become accustomed to walking, watch your fear of dark places disappear.

Start walking because, as Newton's first law goes, objects in motion tend to stay in motion - once you get going, you will keep going.

Start walking because your small steps will eventually become giant leaps.

Start walking, and if it helps, bring a bag of peanuts with you for good luck.

Start walking, not because it's easy, but because it's hard.

Start walking because it's the only way forward."

Continue to stay tuned to our website, this newsletter, and your inbox for more information from Schreiber Guidance and Counseling!

Have a fantastic February!

Lorrie Director, Pre-K-12 Director of Guidance

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Guidance Office phone: (516) 767-5810

Office Hours: 8:00 am - 3:15 pm

Counselors:

Ms. Cerny ncerny@portnet.org

Ms. Locrotondo (in for Ms. Garcia) blocrotondo@portnet.org

Ms. Jacobson ljacobson@portnet.org

Ms. Hazan khazan@portnet.org

Mr. Lorge jlorge@portnet.org

Ms. Ludwig jludwig@portnet.org

Ms. Poma jpoma@portnet.org

Ms. Rafferty drafferty@portnet.org

Ms. Strell dstrell@portnet.org

Clerical staff:

Ms. Hasselberger, Ms. Hernandez, Ms. Marzec, Ms. O'Kelly

Have you heard?? Schreiber's room 112 has been rebranded with a new vision..the Viking COVE. The COVE is our College and Career Office of Viking Exploration, and a place for all students to learn about post-secondary opportunities. The COVE is the home for college rep visits, workshops, and other information sessions. Students, have any ideas for the Cove? Feel free to stop by Ms. Director's office to discuss.

In addition to reading this newsletter, please check the Schreiber Guidance and Counseling website for up to date information from our department. Previous newsletters are also on our webpage for your reference. Students, be sure to check our bulletin board regularly and listen to daily announcements, and get in the habit of checking your Portnet email regularly to stay up to date! Previous newsletters are also on our webpage for your reference.

Schreiber Guidance and Counseling

Attention all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students,

Next week, the school counselors will begin their course planning meetings with students for 2024-2025. Each student will be scheduled for a 15 minute appointment with their counselor to discuss their academic planning for next year. The schedules will be posted on the Schreiber Guidance bulletin board (outside the main office) on the Thursday prior to scheduling. Students, be sure to check the board and take a photo of your appointment.

Each grade has a designated "scheduling week." The schedule is as follows:

Grade 9: Week of February 12-16 (schedule posted by Thursday, Feb. 8)

Grade 10: Week of February 26 - March 1 (schedule posted by Thursday, Feb. 15)

Grade 11: Week of March 4-8 (schedule posted by Thursday, Feb. 29)

Make ups will take place during the week of March 11-15. Any student who did not attend their originally scheduled appointment will meet with their counselor during this week. The Program Planning Guide has been shared on the Schreiber website. You can access it here.

The Federal Government said on Tuesday, January 29th that they need more time to fix a mistake on the FAFSA (Washington Post, January 30th, 2024). This delay means that colleges will receive students' FAFSA in March, and financial aid awards will be shared with accepted students in April.

We expect this will create many questions from our students and parents. We do, however, encourage all students to submit the FAFSA. By filling out the FAFSA, this may unlock merit scholarships and other need-based aid.

For the latest updates, check the U.S. Department of Education website here. Be sure to check with your college's financial aid offices for information on their procedures.

Parents, join Mrs. Poma, our Post-secondary counselor for webinars on topics related to college and career. Webinars will be held twice per month and will focus on a new topic each time.

Schedule of February chats:

Thursday, February 15th, 2024 at 9:30 am. Topic: How to support students as they transition to college

*A link will be shared prior to the webinar.

Click this link for recordings from previous chats.

Hey Vikings!

Get ready for Schreiber Guidance's new career series, "Vikings Ventures!" Mrs. Poma will kick off this initiative in late February/early March. Vikings Ventures is an immersion experience intended to bring awareness to various career paths. Students will have a better understanding of specific careers, required course work, and more. Mrs. Poma has already lined up community and university partnerships such as Stony Brook University School of Health Professions, and Northwell Health Medical Laboratory Professions.

Stay tuned to this newsletter and announcements for more information about Vikings Ventures!

Amy Baxter, an alumna from Schreiber Class of 2022 recently contacted her counselor, Mrs. Jacobson, to share an exciting opportunity she is participating in at SUNY Binghamton.

Amy is a Student Ambassador for the Human Development major in Binghamton's College of Community and Public Affairs. In her words she states, "Human Development is an interdisciplinary program of study with an emphasis on social and policy analysis. The major helps students develop key skills such as leadership, project management, social research, policy analysis, and systems thinking and prepares students to enter fields like law, health care, education, psychology, policy, and speech pathology, among others. Personalized attention and learning, combined with guided career exploration and internships, directs students to enter fields they are passionate about and in which they are committed to making a difference."

Amy is a passionate student in pursuit of a career in education. If you would like more information about this program or to speak to Amy, please speak to your counselor. Information is also included below in the attached flyers.

Seniors,

• As you receive decisions from your schools, you must update your Naviance accounts. Don't be shy! This information will help future Schreiber applicants and you will remain anonymous!
• Time to file your FAFSA! Check your colleges' deadlines for filing.
  
• Does your college require the CSS Profile? Click here for a list of participating schools.
• Apply for scholarships! Fastweb and Scholarships.com are good places to start. The Community Scholarship application opens January 31st!
• Remember to check your Portnet email! Be sure your contact information is up to date in ASPEN and on Naviance.
• Have questions? Come to Guidance for more information.

Seniors,

The 2024 Community Scholarship application is now LIVE! Through the generosity of local Port Washington sponsors, thousands of scholarship dollars will be awarded on Senior Awards Night on June 12. But first, you need to apply! The deadline to apply is Friday, March 1st. Seniors received an invitation to the Class of 2024 Community Scholarship Google Classroom this week. To access the application, you must check your Portnet email and accept the invitation to join. You will find descriptions of each scholarship, there, and you must submit your completed applications to the classroom. Families, information about the Community Scholarship can be found on our website by clicking here.

For High School Senior Parents | FSA ID Creation

Students and contributors (parents or spouses) are required to have an FSA ID to complete and sign the FAFSA online. FSA IDs should be created in advance so accounts exist prior to completing the FAFSA. Join us for a step-by-step guide. Parents can register here: Walk Through FSA ID for Parents

For EOP Applicants Only | EOP Completion Workshops

EOP Form Completion events are designed for EOP applicants who have already submitted an application to a SUNY school via applySUNY or the Common Application and are seeking assistance with the completion of their required EOP Financial Information Form. Applicants can register here: EOP Form Completion

For High School Seniors | Application Workshops

For those seniors who have yet to submit their SUNY applications, help is available. These workshops provide an overview of the application process, as well as step-by-step information on completing the SUNY Application. Registration is available here: How to Apply.

For High School Juniors | SUNY Overview

Introduce the Class of 2025 to SUNY! We offer "Which SUNY Are You?" sessions throughout the spring, as well as EOP Information and Financial Aid sessions. Students can register for all workshops here: suny.edu/studentevents.

More Good News From SUNY

University at Buffalo computer science student, Holliday Sims, was recognized by Governor Hochul during the State of the State address for her research utilizing AI to foster positive societal change. Read more

Nassau Community College alumni Billy Crystal and SUNY Potsdam alumni Renee Fleming are honored by the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for lifetime artistic achievements. Read more

Jamestown Community College, along with 14 other SUNY campuses, was recognized as one of AmeriCorps' Schools of National Service. Read more

Alfred State has earned a U.S. Department of Education grant for more than $2 million for its Degrees That Work project. Read more

Copyright 2024 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The State University of New York
H. Carl McCall SUNY Building, Albany, NY 12246

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A note from Oneonta:

Do you have seniors who are still thinking about where to apply? SUNY Oneonta may be a great option for them. To assist, we're offering free applications from Thursday, Feb. 1, through Saturday, Feb. 17!

We know the application process can be overwhelming for students, and not all are ready to hit 'submit' in the fall of their senior year. We hope this opportunity helps your students take that important first step toward their future education. Here's what they need to know:

• Apply using the Common Application and select the "free application" in the fee waiver section, OR
• Apply using the SUNY Application and the application fee is automatically waived.

Help us spread the work, and please let us know if you have any questions!

800-SUNY-123

This email was sent to ldirector@portnet.org by SUNY Oneonta Admissions.
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Free Application Period Now Open
Encourage your students looking for a creative, collaborative, and inclusive community unlike any other to apply to Purchase. Now through February 15, we’ve got the application fees covered.

Why Purchase?
With professional training in the arts and rigorous programs in the liberal arts and sciences, Purchase offers a campus culture that’s energized and open to possibility.

• Small class sizes
• Many opportunities for hands-on learning—such as the Senior Project, research presentation opportunities like the Natural and Social Sciences Symposium and Humanities Symposium, and many more.
• Top ten for the percentage of graduates who earn PhDs in their fields among public liberal arts colleges, according to the National Science Foundation survey.
• Top Ten Public Liberal Arts Colleges for 2024 in U.S. News & World Report.
• NCAA Division III athletics program

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Dear students and parents of the Class of 2025,

Schreiber school counselors are eager to begin junior planning conferences next week. This is a kind reminder for students to submit their planning documents to their counselor's Google classroom at least five days before your meeting. This gives your counselor sufficient time to read through your documents and consider appropriate options prior to your conference. Students, if you haven't joined your counselor's Google classroom, QR codes are posted on the Guidance bulletin board for you to scan. Counselors have all shared their appointment calendars with students, but if you have any questions, please come to Guidance and Counseling.

Documents can also be found on the website by clicking here.

Juniors, if you or your families were unable to attend the meeting on Dec. 13th to discuss the post-secondary process at Schreiber, click here to watch a recording of the presentation.

Juniors! Have you checked out the college planning guide that was released last month? Click the link below for everything you wanted to know about applying to college. It's a great resource you'll use over and over again as you prepare for life after Schreiber. Be sure to read it prior to your junior conference, and come prepared with questions to ask. Bookmark this link, because you'll be using this over and over again over the coming months.

Are you interested in getting a quick sense of where your son or daughter stands as far as the SAT and ACT? Port Washington provides all families with access to Methodize, a learning tool that includes an SAT and ACT Evaluation Test. Students take short (15 to 25 minute) sections and get an accurate sense of where they stand.

Click on the QR code to activate your son or daughter's Methodize account. Again, there is no cost to the family; the district is already providing this program to all students.

Once you activate the account, click on the SAT or ACT course and scroll down to "Evaluation Test" to begin the diagnostic.

In addition to full SAT and ACT prep courses, Methodize also provides a Financial Literacy course, an Academic Success course, vocabulary builder module, and more!

Methodize Student User Guide

Methodize Student Video

Schreiber Twilight alternative high school is our new partnership with Nassau BOCES. Twilight provides an alternative setting in the late afternoon for students who may benefit from a smaller, more structured environment. Twilight provides students the tools to either return successfully to Schreiber during the day or to complete their high school requirements through Twilight. Twilight students are prepared for post-secondary education or employment upon graduation.

Students attend this Regents-based program in the late afternoon/early evening. Students receive strong academic and social-emotional support, as classes are small and largely student-focused.

Students can enroll in Twilight at any time. Our counseling and administrative team meet regularly with students and parents to discuss Twilight. If you have any questions about Twilight, or if you believe your student might be a candidate, please contact your student's counselor.

Paul D. Schreiber is a Passport for Good school!

Passport For Good is a mobile-friendly web-based platform that simplifies, recognizes, and celebrates your engagement outside of the classroom. It allows you to journal and verify your community service, career development, and participation in extracurricular activities.

To make this transition a success, we need your help. You must first register for Passport For Good - Click the flyer below for the link and QR code to register. Once your account is activated, you are ready to begin using Passport For Good!

Some of Schreiber's clubs and groups have switched to using Passport For Good, logging their community service and career development hours directly within the platform.

Ask your Counselor if you have questions about Passport For Good.

See the attached flyer for information on the PWPL's upcoming Lunar New Year celebration.

Hi Parents! Are you familiar with Grown & Flown? This is a great resource for parents of tweens, teens, and young adults - not to mention and excellent survival guide! If you see something here and want to chat about it, let me know!