School Counselors:
Andrew Akins - aakins@gfsd.org
Brian Bombard - bbombard@gfsd.org
Arlene Tobias - atobias@gfsd.org
Phyllis Currao - pcurrao@gfsd.org
Provided below is information about our school counseling program and some of the ways school counselors work with students at each grade level throughout the year.
A freshmen class meeting will be held in the fall to welcome students to the high school and introduce them to the school counseling program. Later in the year, school counselors will conduct a classroom lesson on utilizing SchooLinks. This program enables students to access resources related to career/college readiness and planning, resume building, scholarship opportunities and more. Students are encouraged to utilize SchooLinks throughout high school. Freshmen progress meetings are scheduled in the spring, which include a review of progress during freshman year, and confirmation of sophomore course requests and remaining graduation requirements. Post high school goals are also discussed.
A sophomore class meeting will be held in the fall. Sophomores are invited to take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) on a space available basis in October and the PreACT in the spring. These tests assist students in learning about their career/college readiness. More information about PSAT and PreACT will be shared in the fall. Later in the year, school counselors will conduct a classroom lesson on utilizing SchooLinks. In January and February, sophomores are invited to learn more about the International Baccalaureate (IB), Early College Career Academy (ECCA), and BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Sophomore progress meetings are scheduled in the spring. Sophomores are invited to a college rep panel discussion and a college tour field trip (on a space available basis) in the spring. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) will be offered to students in grades 10-12 each fall and spring. The ASVAB measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success.
A junior class meeting will be held in the fall. Juniors are invited to take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in October. Later in the year, school counselors will conduct a classroom lesson on utilizing Naviance Student. In February, juniors and their parents/guardians are invited to attend a college planning presentation and college rep panel discussion. During the spring semester, juniors are invited to sign up for a college tour field trip, are provided information about the New Visions Health Careers and Engineering programs, and annual progress meetings are conducted. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) will be offered to students in grades 10-12 each fall and spring. The ASVAB measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success.
A senior class meeting will be held in September, then senior progress meetings are held from late September through November. Remaining graduation requirements and future plans are reviewed and discussed. For college-bound seniors, school counselors host a College Application Information program for students and parents/guardians to explain how the student and counselor will work together through that process. School counselors host College Application Workshops during school in October and November. Seniors are also invited to sign up for a college tour field trip in the fall and school counselors will promote college financial aid assistance opportunities. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) will be offered to students in grades 10-12 each fall and spring. The ASVAB measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success.