SCHOOL COUNSELING THEME OF THE MONTH IS: COMPASSION

COMPASSION can be defined as showing concern or sympathy for others

The ASVAB is coming

Monroe-Woodbury's annual ASVAB administration will take place on Friday, December 1st (snow date: Wednesday, December 6th). The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude exam used to help students better understand how their academic abilities correlate to future occupational and military success. Although administered by the military to more than one million military applicants each year, it is an exploratory tool that is not only for students looking to enlist in the military. There is no obligation to join the military by taking this exam. Given each year in December, we encourage 10th, 11th and 12th grade students to sign up if interested. An email will also be sent home and interested students must register using the ASVAB Registration Google Form no later than November 22, 2023. Contact your School Counselor with any questions.

TRANSCRIPT REMINDER

The bulk of all college applications are being processed through our office from now until winter break. We remind students to know and respect all deadlines including those on the Transcript Request Form. If you are late, the guarantee of submitting all documents by your college's deadline is compromised.

Our office is working with you and your teachers to help you meet your goals. Respecting deadlines is essential in balancing the needs of our seniors with the daily needs of 9th, 10th and 11th-grade students as well. Please remember to only request letters of recommendation for MW teachers/faculty via Naviance. Never request MW letters through the Common Application website or your letters will be greatly delayed.

BOCES Presentations

During the first weeks of December, sophomores will attend an in-class BOCES CTE presentation to learn about their diverse program offerings. Most programs involve a 2-year commitment and conclude with certification and the potential for employment following high school graduation. Their 1-year programs offer similar benefits. Interested sophomores must complete and return a visitation pass to the House A Office. This will allow qualified sophomores to visit the BOCES campus on January 31, 2024. For students who choose to pursue a BOCES CTE program after visitation, their application will be reviewed for consideration into their chosen program for junior and senior years of high school.

Working Papers

Looking for a job this holiday season? Don't wait until the last minute to apply for your working papers! Stop into your house office to pick up an application or follow the instructions on the MWHS website, then submit your application to your House Office. You must have a physical dated within the last 12 months in order to obtain your working papers. If you do not already have a current physical exam on file with the nurse, please submit a valid copy (must have the doctor's stamp) of your physical exam from your doctor's office with your working papers application. Based upon NYS labor laws, one set of working papers are issued for students age 14 - 15 years old and new/ different working papers are issued for students who are 16 -17 years old.

Once documents have been submitted to colleges and deadlines have passed, it is not uncommon for seniors to receive messages that transcripts and/or recomendations have “not been received” by colleges. Do not panic!

Step 1: Go to Naviance and confirm your documents were sent. To do this, look in your "colleges I’m applying to" section at the "Office Materials" column. If it says:

Step 2: If you see items were sent, contact your college and speak to an admissions representative to confirm receipt. Many college messages are auto-generated and are not always up to date. 

Step 3: If the college cannot download the submitted materials, see your counselor for the confirmation code and/or to request that it is re-sent.

Volunteering - It's a Win-Win

Experience is the best teacher and the world of work can teach us about our strengths, weaknesses and what we want in a career. "Work" doesn't just mean a job where you get paid. Volunteering your time is one way to learn about what you enjoy doing, explore potential career paths and discover your natural talents. There are direct and indirect ways to volunteer your time! Connect with local organizations you already know or review our list of ideas to help you start networking. Ask your counselors about suggestions for volunteering if you'd like ideas. If you'd like to use your volunteer experience towards a Comprehensive Endorsement, check your School Counseling Google Classroom to get the paperwork and full details. 

PSAT Score Reports

Now that you have taken the PSAT, how did you do? In early December your scores will be ready and College Board will email an access code to the email address you provided during your PSAT administration. Instructions on how to establish your College Board account will be sent along with an access code. Once you enter your unique code, you will view your scores and get access to supportive tools and study materials to help you prepare for future SAT administrations. Get a jump on the process now by going to the College Board website to establish a student account in anticipation of accessing your scores.


Counselor Check-in

Students partner with their school counselor for the duration of their high school experience. If you have a question or concern, please allow us the courtesy to assist you directly. Counselors are located in their respective house offices. School psychologists, social workers, student assistance counselors, speech therapists and assistant principals are also in house offices. 

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

Please Note: Counselors in BOLD have students in multiple houses.

IMPORTANT DATES

November

9TH GR "MEET & GREETS" WITH COUNSELORS CONTINUE

NOV 1: TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORMS DUE FOR ALL DECEMBER TO JANUARY 5TH COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

NOV 9:  END OF 1ST QUARTER

NOV 22: ASVAB REGISTRATION CLOSES

December

DEC 1: ASVAB ADMINISTRATION

DEC 6:  9TH & 10TH GRADE COLLEGE KICK-OFF NIGHT - 6 PM

DEC TBD: BOCES CTE PRESENTATIONS (IN-CLASS) 

DEC 9:  ACT ADMINISTRATION

DEC 15: 2ND QUARTER MID-POINT/PROGRESS REPORTS

DEC 22: MWHS COMMON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION OPENS