The School Counseling Theme of the month is RESPECT.
RESPECT can be defined as showing regard for the worth of someone or something.
As we move through the month, we encourage you to reflect on the meaning of this theme as you incorporate it into your life.
CLASS OF 2024
COLLEGE APPLICATION WORKSHOP
Last year we launched a new approach to our post high school planning presentation. The positive response from the community was fantastic, so we are doing it again!
Juniors and their parents should attend TOGETHER and bring their charged, school issued chromebook. Our workshop includes a brief information session followed by actively working to aquaint students and parents with 4-year college application essentials such as:
creating your Common Application account
highlighting application essentials in Naviance
visiting the SUNY website
specific MW application procedures
10TH GRADE - BOCES PRESENTATION
On Friday, January 5th students will receive a presentation in their Global History 10 or AP World History class from OU BOCES to explain the Career and Technical Education programs available for juniors and seniors.
Sophomores interested in attending one of the programs must attend the BOCES CTE campus visit on January 31st from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM.
Visitation forms will be distributed during the social studies class presentations and are also available on the sophomore School Counseling Department Google Classroom.
Visitation forms must be signed and returned to the House A Office by Wednesday, January 24th to attend the visit. This is an important deadline as we need a headcount to arrange transportation in time for the visit the following week.
Students will be bussed back to MWHS from BOCES' Goshen campus and can take the activity bus home or await parent pick up. Students may NOT be picked up from the Goshen campus and must ride the bus back to the high school. Students who attend the visit will be assigned the 2024-2025 BOCES Questionnaire in our Google Classroom. This form is how you tell us if you want to be considered for enrollment into BOCES.
DON'T WAIT TO DO GREAT!
The first semester ends on Friday, January 26th. This means all half year courses (such as electives or senior year English and social studies classes) only have a few weeks left for students to finish all work and receive final course grades. If grades need improvement or there is a general desire to do better, after school extra help is a great resource. Caring about making progress and finishing strong is important and it's not too late!
Teacher After School Availability
Late buses available:
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 4:05 PM
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 5:05 PM
*NEW* Easy Login to Naviance
It is easier and quicker to log into your Naviance account! To explore potential careers, academic majors, and the colleges offering a pathway to your future goals, click on the Naviance logo at the bottom of your Google "waffle" menu.
Official GPA & Rank
After all summer school grades are finalized work can begin to calculate official GPA and rank for our current seniors. Students who attend MWHS for a minimum of four (4) semesters prior to senior year receive a rank and all other graduating students will be co-ranked. For this reason, we have a total class size and a number of ranked seniors. A six-semester, inital rank letter includes all ranked seniors and was posted to senior portals in October. A final, seven semester rank will be computed at the end of the first semester. This provides the final decision for valedictorian, salutatorian and the top 25. Seniors MUST complete a mid-year request form if your colleges require a mid-year transcript and report to be sent from your counselor.
COLLEGE SPORTS & NCAA
Any college bound athlete with goals of playing a Division I or Division II sport must review NCAA guidelines for qualification. The NCAA Eligibility Center has many resources and there is a Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete that is produced every year for reference. Athletes and families should also attend the NCAA presentation at our College Fair. There is much to learn, so do not wait until senior year to start reading! Some courses at MW do NOT qualify for NCAA credit so it is important to speak openly and often with coaches and your counselor about your plans. While faculty and staff can help share expertise, remember only NCAA can grant eligibility. Keep reading and asking questions to help keep you on the right path.
ACCES-VR APPLICATIONS
Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCES-VR) services are for individuals with disabilities that interfere with getting or keeping a job or who have difficulty advancing at their job. Information and the application will be sent home to all seniors with either a 504 or IEP around the second week of October. Only eligible students need apply. An ACCES-VR representative will be in touch with all applicants to review the next steps and the services that may be provided. An email was also sent to all applicable seniors and parents on the evening of September 15, 2023.
2024-2025 scheduling
The most important part of scheduling is saving accurate course requests into PowerSchool so the master schedule is built to fit student and district needs. This team effort between students, parents, teachers, counselors and administration is starting very soon. An email will be sent home the week of January 22nd with additional information and the timeline to the left helps you understand the process.
Accurate course requests are important since schedule change requests in the fall are based upon the limitations of the master schedule. Confirm all course requests before June; this gives students the best opportunity to receive their top choice classes this fall and avoid frustration from requesting schedule changes.
Counselors guide students towards courses for graduation and post HS preparedness.
Teachers help students consider which level of rigor is appropriate (ie: regents, honors or AP).
Have questions about which course level to request? Now is the time to start those conversations with teachers before meeting with counselors.
SCHOOL COUNSELING TEAM
Students partner with their school counselor for the duration of their high school experience. Please allow us the courtesy to assist you directly with any questions or concerns you may have.
Counselors work alongside school psychologists, social workers, student assistance counselors, speech therapists and assistant principals in their respective house offices. You can find each counselor in the house office listed below.
Please Note:
Counselor names listed in BOLD work with students in multiple houses.
House A
Mrs. Susan Alicea
Ms. Gambino
Mrs. LaMontanaro
House B
Mr. Oakes
Mrs. Pelsue
House C
Mrs. Ruby Alicea
Mr. Diaz
Ms. Jerez
House D
Mrs. Hogaboom
Mr. Willams
IMPORTANT DATES
JANUARY
5: BOCES CTE presentations in 10th grade social studies classes
18: Junior Post HS planning workshop - 6:00 pm - Lg Cafeteria
22: Scheduling details emailed home
24: BOCES Visitation Forms DUE to House A Office
31: BOCES Campus Visit
FEBRUARY
6-7: Scheduling workshops in PE classes
12: Individual student/counselor scheduling meetings begin
18: Scheduling Portal closes for students