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.
BOCES CAMPUS VISITATION
BOCES School Counselors presented the diverse CTE program offerings to all 10th graders during an assembly on January 6. These technical training programs provide an excellent pathway to careers immediately following high school graduation. Most programs are 2-year commitments (junior and senior year) that conclude with industry certifications and potential employment opportunities. In the presentation, sophomores are given a field trip form which must be returned by the deadline if they wish to attend the upcoming BOCES CTE campus visit to Goshen. The form also outlines the district critera for BOCES CTE program attendance. Students and parents should review the form together and sophomores interested in attending the visit must return the form by the stated deadline. Eligible students will attend the visit on February 4th. Additional details are listed on the permission slip.
Sophomores interested in learning more must complete and return the criteria/field trip form distributed in the presentation to House A by Friday, January 16th. This form is required to attend the mandatory BOCES campus visit scheduled for early February 4, 2026. Only students who attend this campus visit will be considered for program acceptance.
MONROE-WOODBURY LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Monroe-Woodbury Local Scholarship Packet was emailed and posted on the School Counseling Department website prior to winter break. If you have not already done so, current seniors should review the packet which includes a listing of area scholarships, a single, streamlined application, detailed instructions, individual scholarship criteria and deadlines. Do not leave money on the table! Review all information and apply for all applicable scholarships! Follow the directions carefully as some of the scholarships require additional information and have specific submission directions. Seniors may choose to submit their unofficial initial transcript (no senior year grades) or their mid-year transcript (when uploaded at the end of February showing Q1 and Q2 grades) to the committees. Transcripts are accessible 24/7 in Naviance.
DON'T WAIT TO DO GREAT!
The first semester ends on Friday, January 24th. 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!
There are no late busses on Friday afternoons
Late buses available:
Tuesday - Thursday: Departs HS at 4:05 PM
Monday - Thursday: Departs HS at 5:05 PM
ASVAB INTERPRETATION
All students who sat for the ASVAB assessment this past December are encouraged to attend the interpretation scheduled for Thursday, January 14th at 8:00 am. Students will receive a comprehensive understanding of the score report and taught best use of additional internet based resources available in understanding their score report. Attending the interpretation is highly recommended for all students who completed the ASVAB. Please visit Mrs. Pokorny in the House A Office for your score report and to confirm your attendance for the interpretation. You will be excused from class, but are responsible to make up any missed course work.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mrs. Susan M. Alicea, Chairperson
Ms. Gambino
Mrs. LaMontanaro
Mr. Oakes
Mrs. Pelsue
Mrs. Ruby Alicea
Mr. Diaz
Ms. Jerez
Mrs. Hogaboom
Mr. Willams
IMPORTANT DATES
JANUARY
16: BOCES Visitation Forms DUE to House A Office
23: End of First Semester
26: Start of Second Semester Schedules
FEBRUARY
3-18: At-Home student scheduling portal window
4: BOCES Visitation 12 - 3:30 PM
9: Deadline: Transcript/Recommendation Requests for the LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
27: Deadline: All LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION materials due to their respective committees
