SHS Counseling

If you have yet to hold a junior post-high school planning meeting, contact shscounseling@westportps.org or 203-341-1225 to schedule an appointment for a conference with your child’s school counselor before the end of the school year.

Seniors must update Scoir with each of their admission decisions and the college they plan to attend once known. Soon, each student will be completing a post-high school plan survey. More information will follow.

Scores from the PSAT 8/9 and PSAT 10 taken in March at Staples are now available to access. Students who provided their email address should have received an email from the College Board explaining where and how to view their scores. If you do not already have a College Board account, create one here. Please also check your email for additional information from College Board and the School Counseling Department.

The Westport Youth Commission is promoting a new Student Job Bank through QuadJobs, an online job platform that is connecting Westport students to flexible, part time jobs. It is available for free to all Westport High School students and requires a school email address to make an account. Learn more by visiting westportyouthcommission.org and contact Kevin Godburn at kgodburn@westportct.gov with any questions.

Thursday, April 25 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Westport Library

The Westport Library and Staples High School Counseling Department are pleased to offer a presentation on College Admission Testing. In the evolving college admission landscape, we recognize that you may have questions about what lies ahead and how to begin forming your testing plan. Drew Heilpern from Summit Educational Group will offer expert, in-depth information and guidance regarding the SAT and ACT, differences between the tests and how to decide where to focus, timing of taking the tests, test preparation, and understanding the test-optional trend.

Monday, April 29 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Westport Library

Celeste Jacobs (University of Connecticut, School of Fine Arts), Emma Davis (Manhattan School of Music), Lynne Porter (Fairfield University), and Chris Andersson (Founder/CEO of Nothing But Drama LLC) will join us to discuss choosing the right-fit college and arts program, the application process and timelines, portfolios and auditions, and what to expect as a college student majoring in the arts. There will also be a Q & A session with recently graduated Staples arts students.

Thursday, April 25 during the lunch waves in the College & Career Center

A representative from the University of Exeter in England will be visiting the College and Career Center. Students interested in learning more about the academics, admission process, and student life can drop in during their lunch wave. Contact Ms. Zeigler in the College and Career Center if you have questions.

Tuesday, April 30 during the lunch waves in the College & Career Center

A representative from Binghamton University will be visiting the College and Career Center. Students interested in learning more about the academics, admission process, and student life can drop in during their lunch wave. Contact Ms. Zeigler in the College and Career Center if you have questions.

Thursday, April 25 7:30 p.m.

The College Guidance Network, a trusted resource, periodically hosts free webinars with experts in the fields of adolescent development, college admission, financial aid, and more.

Featured Expert: Lisa Damour, Author of Untangled and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers

Host: Brennan Barnard, Director of College Counseling, Khan Schools Network

Lisa Damour, Author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, explains why they do what they do, when parents should be concerned, and what we can do to support their healthy development.

Tuesday, April 30 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater

Take advantage of the opportunity to meet with over 175 colleges, universities, gap year programs, and businesses. This event is free and open to all high school students. For more information, visit: https://www.ctcollegefair.com/.

Wednesday, May 15 from 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. at the Wheeler Recreation Center at the University of Bridgeport

Details on this and many more local scholarships can be found on the Staples High School Scholarship Resources 2024 document.

Please note that many scholarships require students and families to complete the FAFSA in order to be eligible. Due to FAFSA processing delays, some students have not yet received their Student Aid Index. If this is the case, students should complete all other aspects of the scholarship application. As soon as their FAFSA has been processed, they can update their application. Students should see Ms. Zeigler in the college and career center with questions.

Seniors must update Scoir with each of their admission decisions and the college they plan to attend once known. Refer to the email from SHS Counseling on March 25 for more information and details. After the April break, each student will be completing a post-high school plan survey. More information will follow.

The Mission of Believe Your GRReatness Foundation is to promote the healing power of music to individuals who may be struggling with or battling depression or other mental health issues.

The Purpose of the Gil Rodriguez Scholarship Fund is to provide scholarships to deserving high school graduating seniors intending to pursue a course of study that includes music education at either a two-year or four-year educational institution, or an accredited gap year program.

Criteria and eligibility:

1. Applicants must be graduating seniors attending High Schools in Fairfield County, CT.
2. Applicants must have at least a 2.0 grade point average.
3. Applicants must demonstrate community involvement, improvement in academics, and desire to attend college or an accredited gap year program.
4. Applicants should be pursuing a program of study that includes music (either as a major or a minor).

See Ms. Zeigler in the College and Career Center if you would like to apply. Deadline: May 15

Gain experience and insight into politics and government by volunteering as an intern on State Senator Maher's re-election campaign. Interns will conduct outreach as well as research for the campaign. Learn more and apply online using the link below.

The Westport Center for Senior Activities is looking for students to assist seniors who need assistance with their tech devices in their new “Tech Hub”. Students will work one-on-one with seniors as well as teach tech info classes to small groups. Hours: Wednesdays from 8:30- noon and Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:30 pm.

Contact info:

Holly Betts,

Assistant Director

203.341.5096

hbetts@westportct.gov.

July 8-12 and July 15-19 at Staples High School

This year’s program is called ILLUMINATE and it takes campers on an exciting, weeklong summer adventure with lessons that explore connections between science, technology, engineering, and innovation! Volunteer Leadership Interns are extremely important to Camp Invention because they empower participants while supporting the local Director and Instructors. Their role is to act as a mentor to program participants by helping them brainstorm and problem-solve throughout the week.

For participating during the week of camp, Volunteer Leadership Interns receive the following:

• 40 certified volunteer hours
• Specialized training in leadership and intellectual property
• A letter of recognition from the United States Patent and Trademark Office

We hope you were able to join us for this engaging and informative workshop with Sebastian Little, expert leadership and performance coach and former Yale University football standout. If you were not able to attend or would like to revisit the information presented, below are links to the recording and additional resources.

We hope you were able to join us for the International Admissions Panel. If you were not able to attend or would like to revisit the information presented, below are links to the recording as well as a list of helpful resources.

If you were unable to attend College Planning Night, please see links to the recording and handout below.

We hope you were able to attend this informative presentation. Links to the recording and handout can be found below. If you would like a copy of the presentation slides, please email Bill Smith directly at: bsmith@scholarfits.com.

We hope you were able to join us for this informative presentation! In case you missed it or would like to refer back to the information presented, see a link to the recording below.

If you weren’t able to attend our College Financial Aid Application Night or wish to revisit the comprehensive information shared, please see links to the recording and handout below.

Given the changes to the FAFSA process and timeline, stay tuned for more information. In the meantime if you have any questions, contact your child’s school counselor or Ms. Zeigler in the College and Career Center.