BREWSTER HIGH SCHOOL
SERVICES
STUDENT
CLASS NOTES
Seniors
Posted July/August 2019
Class of 2020!! Can you believe that you are a senior this year?? If we can guarantee one thing, it is that this year will fly by, so take some deep breaths, experience each day as it comes and appreciate the opportunities you will have. We're here to help you identify them!
For those of you planning to attend college next year, we start the year off at a sprint, with three early group guidance sessions to get your college applications off on the right track. It is really important that you attend these sessions, as we will be reviewing transcripts, walking through the application from start to finish, and giving you time to work on your applications. In our first session during the week of September 9, we will review transcripts, share post high school plans, and update Raise.me profiles. Make sure you take advantage of our application workshops, held on October 10, October 24 and November 19. These are drop-in sessions to get the individualized support that you need.
Many of you have taken the SATs or ACTs already. If you are looking to try to raise your score (or take it for the first time), you will need to register by the appropriate deadline. Remember, it will be your responsibility to ensure that your test scores are sent to the colleges you will apply to, but we will tell you what you need to know in order to do that.
Potential D. I or D. II athletes, make sure that you have registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse to ensure that you are eligible for college athletics. Also, keep your counselor informed of your plans so we can submit any documentation that may be necessary.
If the military is in your future, make sure you meet with the military representatives who visit our school. You want to make sure that you choose the branch of service that best fits your needs and abilities.
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Thinking about a gap year? Check out some of these resources. Planning to get a job right out of high school? That requires planning also. Check out our "Career" page for useful information regarding job applications, writing a resume and searching for available jobs. Make an appointment with your counselor if you need help finding jobs that you are qualified to perform.
Juniors
Posted July/August 2019
Class of 2021 - this is an important year!! Make it a good one!!
Our first session of the year during the week of September 16 will focus on the PSAT, which all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are expected to take, as well as a transcript review to ensure you are on track for graduation next year. Juniors will also complete a Career Interest Inventory in Naviance to identify potential careers prior to our focus on post-high school planning in the spring. We will spend this year helping you to identify a plan for the future that combines your strengths, your interests, and your abilities. Make sure that you take advantage of opportunities to meet with college and military representatives for additional information about options available to you.
As a junior, your PSAT score can help you to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship, a prestigious merit award for the top 1% of scorers. In our second group guidance session, we will help students access scores, and link to SAT test prep through the Khan Academy. You can also begin to think about the ACT, which also offers free online test prep through the ACT Academy. It is most common for juniors to begin their formal standardized testing in the spring, so there is no need to rush, although testing is offered all throughout the year. If you have concerns about testing, please speak to your counselor. We can provide information on test-taking strategies, managing testing anxiety, and also a list of schools that don't require any standardized test as part of their admissions process.
Most important for this year will be your academic performance. Don't wait until you feel overwhelmed or stressed to reach out for help. Your counselor is here to help you manage your academic responsibilities with the other activities in your life.
Make an appointment with your counselor if you have any questions (academic, college or career-related, or for some mental health resources). We look forward to working with you this school year!
Sophomores
Posted July/August 2019
With a year of high school under your belts, members of the class of 2022 may feel like experts! Make sure that you continue to work on the skills we developed in group guidance last year, including stress relief, study skills, and goal setting. Those are skills that will serve you well this year. Freshmen year didn't turn out the way you hoped? You have a fresh start this year to be the student that you are capable of being, and your counselor is here to help! Make an appointment to discuss strategies for academic success, to help you monitor your progress, and help you identify extra help when you need it. Also, spend some time reflecting on your freshman year. Did you meet the goals that you set for yourself? Did you maintain your friendships and become involved in meaningful activities? Is there an issue with your emotional or mental well-being that should be discussed? The beginning of the school year is a great time to set new goals (make sure they are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant/Realistic, and Timely).
The focus on this year in group guidance will be to build upon the strengths you identified last year. We will be discussing ways that your strengths can be used in the world by identifying various career and training options that highlight individual strengths. Make it a point to attend your group guidance sessions! In our first session, during the week of October 28, we will discuss what colleges are looking for in an applicant and help you set SMART goals for the year.
This is a really great year of discovery for you as you wrap up the first half of high school. Let us help you learn how to use your strengths to develop positive plans for a productive future!
Freshmen
Posted July/August 2019
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Welcome, class of 2023!! We're excited to work with you over the next four years to help to achieve your personal, social and academic goals.
Our first group guidance session of the year will be held during the week of October 7. During this session, we will introduce ourselves to you, talk about the role of the professionals in the office, and complete a social-emotional assessment to target your strengths and discuss ways to improve. We will also make sure that everyone has access to the student portal and knows how to check grades. Please make sure you meet with your counselor for any issues regarding academics, college and career planning, and/or mental health. It's why we're here!
Parents
Posted July/August 2019
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We offer a variety of evening meetings and question and answer sessions to address any questions or concerns you may have. We are also available to meet with you to address individual concerns you may have. Please contact one of the guidance secretaries to make an appointment.
Our senior evening presentation will be held on September 23 at 6:30 pm in the PAC. At this important meeting, we will present an overview of the college application process and discuss the role of our department in helping to ensure the process goes smoothly. A financial aid presentation will be held on November 19 and a FAFSA completion workshop will be held on October 15 in the iLC. If you are unable to attend any of these programs, the full presentation will be available on our website. We can provide assistance in completing the FAFSA and the TAP, the two applications that will open the door to much of the financial aid your students will be eligible for as college students. Our junior evening presentation will be held on January 21, during which we will provide an overview of the college process. We invite all juniors and their parents to set up an individual college planning meeting with a counselor in the spring. Please contact the guidance secretaries to set up that important appointment.
Please know that we value the insight that you can provide for us, and see our partnership as one that is critical to the success of your children. If we can be of any assistance, please let us know.
Group Guidance Schedule
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 9
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SENIOR SESSION #1
Transcript review, Raise.me, Post high school plans
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16
JUNIOR SESSION #1
PSAT information, transcript review, Career Interest Inventory, College/Career SMART goals
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 23
SENIOR SESSION #2
College application process, college conference information
WEEK OF OCTOBER 7
FRESHMEN SESSION #1
Introduction to student services, 9th grade survey, SEL assessment
WEEK OF OCTOBER 21
SENIOR SESSION #3
Application workshops, diploma names, financial aid information
WEEK OF OCTOBER 28
SOPHOMORE SESSION #1
What colleges are looking for; grades check and SMART goals
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 11
SENIOR SESSION #4
Application workshops
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 18
FRESHMEN SESSION #2
Grade check and information; Mindfulness and perceived stress, organization and study habits
WEEK OF DECEMBER 2
SOPHOMORE SESSION #2
Study habits, organizational skills, perceived stress scale, mindfulness
WEEK OF DECEMBER 9
JUNIOR SESSION #2
College Board accounts, PSAT scores, self-inventory, game plan
WEEK OF JANUARY 6
JUNIOR SESSION #3
College search, College research, grade check
WEEK OF JANUARY 21
FRESHMEN SESSION #3
PSAT scores, grades check, introduction to Naviance Strengths Explorer, "Name It, Claim It, Aim It"
WEEK OF JANUARY 27
SOPHOMORE SESSION #3
Career clusters, career research, BOCES information, PSAT scores
WEEK OF MARCH 9
JUNIOR SESSION #4
Course selection, Junior Autobiography
WEEK OF MARCH 16
SOPHOMORE SESSION #4
Course selection
WEEK OF MARCH 23
FRESHMEN SESSION #4
Course selection
WEEK OF APRIL 20
FRESHMEN SESSION #5
Raise.me, freshmen survey
WEEK OF APRIL 27
SENIOR SESSION #5
Senior survey
WEEK OF MAY 18
JUNIOR SESSION #5
Common App accounts, summer to-do list
WEEK OF MAY 25
SOPHOMORE SESSION #5
Resume, Raise.me, reflection
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