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WINTER 2022-2023
Fox Lane High School Guidance Newsletter
**Please note the format of this Newsletter is best viewed directly in the ParentSquare App**
SENIOR PARENT REMINDERS 
ED/EA DECISIONS:College decisions are really starting to roll in! If a student was accepted through an ED program (yeah!) they will need to IMMEDIATELY withdraw from any other college that they submitted an application to. Most of the time this can be done through a school’s portal or by sending an email to admissions.
We know there are lots of highs and lows during this time, so students should make an appointment with their counselor as needed to discuss any decisions and future plans.
If a student was deferred from an ED/EA school they should follow up with an email to the college, reiterating their strong interest in attending and they should include any updates – both academically and extracurricularly.
NAVIANCE UPDATES:Many deadlines have now passed, however for any remaining schools (January 1, 15, February 1, or Rolling) students should have completed transcript requests in Naviance at this point. Please also make sure that if it is a Common App college, that the student has also added it to their Common App account. We cannot submit materials unless they are listed on both Naviance and Common App.
Seniors should also update Naviance with all admissions decisions. They should go into Naviance and click on the "edit" pencil to let us know what decision they received. Students need to check their email regularly and often. We know this is challenging given the amount of information that is being sent through email. However, many schools will communicate with students via email. Additionally, students should create their application portal accounts for each college they applied to. Application portals will allow students to check the status of their application, and many schools will release admissions decisions through their portals.
SENIOR GRADES:
First quarter grades were sent in late-November to the colleges that our seniors applied to. Mid-year grades will be sent out automatically (there is no need to formally request) to all colleges in February... Senior grades do matter!
FINANCIAL AID:In case you missed it… below are the steps for applying for Financial Aid that were posted on the last newsletter.
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Families are able to complete both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile beginning October 1, 2022. Deadlines for completion vary from college to college but October 1st is the universal start date.
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Families will use the “prior-prior” year’s tax returns to complete the FAFSA. This means that financial aid packages and scholarships will be based on 2021 tax returns. Students who are applying Early Decision, Early Action, or Priority will likely have a deadline for submitting financial aid forms by November. It is highly suggested that parents review every college’s financial aid and scholarship website as early as possible to ensure that all deadlines are met.
FINANCIAL AID LINKS:
FAFSA (this form is required by all colleges)
CSS PROFILE (this form is required by many but not all colleges)
Colleges Requiring the CSS Profile
LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS:The local scholarship packet will be available on the FLHS Guidance website in early January. The deadline to apply is February 1st. There will be a basket in Guidance to turn them in. No late applications will be accepted, so please apply early to avoid any last minute issues.
JUNIOR PARENT REMINDERS
STANDARDIZED TESTING:
Now that your child’s PSATs scores have been released on Naviance and on your child’s College Board account, we have attached a video which will walk you through understanding PSAT scores: PSAT Video . Alternatively families can review this handout: Understanding your PSAT Scores .
If they do not already have one, students should create a College Board account at www.collegeboard.org using the email address they used on their PSAT answer sheet (NOT their BCSD email). The scores should automatically be filtered into their account this way. Students are also encouraged to make a Khan Academy account at www.khanacademy.org using that same email address. Linking Khan Academy to their College Board account by following these instructions will customize free test prep for students based on their PSAT results (highly recommended!) .
The Guidance Department will forward emails from test prep companies in our community. We have also compiled a list of local test prep companies that you can access on our website . Fox Lane High School does not endorse any particular test prep company. Families should discuss what options will work best for them.
As a reminder here are links for free SAT and ACT Prep:
Free SAT prep (Khan Academy)
Free ACT prep (Kaplan)
SAT vs. ACT: Students should consult with their counselor to develop an individual standardized test plan, and should then register as soon as possible at either www.collegeboard.org or at www.act.org depending on their plan. For an overview of the standardized testing options you can review this Standardized Testing Handout .
Testing Accommodations: If you are approved for testing accommodations through the College Board, remember to enter your SSD number when you register. If you receive testing accommodations in school, and would like to request accommodations for the ACT, please email your counselor as per the ACT instructions after you register.
Test Fee Waivers: If you receive Free or Reduced Lunch please reach out to your counselor for a fee waiver.
COLLEGE MEETINGS:Junior college planning meetings will begin in mid-January. We will be sending juniors instructions on how to set up their individual meeting after the holiday break. Families are also encouraged to schedule a meeting (after a student's initial college meeting) with their counselor to walk through the college selection process. This can be in person or virtual, depending on your preference. Please see the Class of 2024 Timeline for all upcoming dates and events.
COLLEGE VISITS/VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITIES:Families are encouraged to explore colleges and set up college visits/virtual experiences over the course of the next nine months. Please keep in mind:
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Students are typically on college campuses until mid-May and then back again in late August
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Many families target the February and Spring breaks to begin their college visits
Students should refer to college websites for details on campus visits, tours, and other information. Regardless if you make it to a campus in-person, it is still important for students to express interest to their prospective schools. Please refer to our handout on Demonstrating Interest for guidance on how to connect with schools.
TRANSITION PRESENTATION 
Navigating the Transition to College for Students who Learn Differently
December 7th at 6:30pm
Learn about: Differences between high school and college supports, how to access accommodations, and what to ask in your college search
Carin Horowitz, Transition Specialist at BCSD & Ferne Bork, Parent and Landmark College Representative
Families & students with IEPs or 504s are welcome!
Meeting Registration
Zoom Meeting Link
GROUP GUIDANCE CORNER 
SENIOR GROUP GUIDANCE:
Senior group guidance has officially ended. Seniors should continue to make individual meetings with their counselors as needed.
FRESHMAN GROUP GUIDANCE:Throughout November and December counselors are meeting with their 9th graders in group guidance meetings covering topics related to: adjustment and transition, graduation requirements, study skills and extracurricular activities.
JUNIOR GROUP GUIDANCE:Junior group guidance will begin in January. Counselors will meet with their juniors in weekly group guidance sessions from January through April. Attendance is mandatory. We will cover all components of the college application process. Topics to include:
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Standardized Testing/PSAT Review
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What Colleges Look for in Students
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Financial Aid
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The College Visit and Virtual Opportunities
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College Jargon
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Naviance/Scoir
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What are YOU Looking for in a College
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Researching Colleges
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The Application
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Application Component Part 1: Recommendations
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Application Component Part 2: The Essay
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Application Component Part 3: Activity Sheet/Resume
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Application Component Part 4: Interviews
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Peppercorn University (Mock Admissions Committee)
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Final Steps and Summer Checklist
SOPHOMORE GROUP GUIDANCE:
This spring we will meet with our sophomores in group guidance sessions. Topics for these sessions include: community service, extracurricular activities, creation of a resume, working papers, an introduction to Scoir, post-secondary planning, career exploration, and academic/social/emotional check-ins.
ACCESSING ACADEMIC SUPPORTS
Does your student need help in one of their courses? Or just want to improve?Here are some free academic supports :
After-school Help with Teachers :
All FLHS teachers are available for after-school help at least 2 days a week. Students should ask their teacher if they are unaware of their after-school days. This is highly recommended for any student looking for extra help in a class.
National Honor Society Peer Tutoring :
NHS Tutors are available to help students who are looking for additional academic support in math, science, English and social studies on Mondays and Wednesdays after school from 2:30pm to 3:30pm in the Library. Students interested in being tutored can attend the NHS tutoring sessions on either or both days, no registration required.
FLHS Writing Center:
FLHS teachers are available for help on any written assignment (does not need to be for English class) during lunch periods on several days. Writing Center Schedule
Spanish Club Tutoring:
Need help in your Spanish class? Come to the Spanish Club for help on Mondays from 2:30-3:30 in A109.
Videos on Khan Academy for virtually any subject: Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice
SCHEDULING FOR 2023-2024 
The course selection process for the 2023-2024 school year will take place throughout the winter and spring. Here is a general overview of the course selection process:
Winter 2022-23:
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Release of 2023-24 Course Offerings
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Initial Department Recommendations - each student will receive a recommendation from each teacher for courses for next year
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Course Selection Days - students will select in each class which courses they might be interested in taking next year
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Individual Meetings with Counselors - students will finalize their courses for next year with their counselor based on both teacher recommendations and student’s interests taking into consideration the total program for each student
Spring 2023:
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Course Requests posted on student/parent portals - families should review course requests for accuracy and potential changes
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Deadline for students/parents to submit a request to override a department recommendation
June 2023:
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Placements are finalized
August 2023:
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Schedules are posted on portals
To view current classes and course descriptions, please view our Guidance / 2022-2023 FLHS Course Catalog. Students will be sent information for the 2023-2024 school year when it becomes available.
TECHNOLOGY
PROBLEMS???Students who need help with their BCSD Chromebook or require other technical support should either access the Student Technology Help Desk in the Library during school hours or they should complete a Help Desk Ticket here .
Parents who are having issues with their parent portal should email parenttechsupport@bcsdny.org .
IMPORTANT WINTER DATES
Only Key Dates are listed. For a full list of important dates by grade level, please consult the timelines located on the Guidance website.
* All dates are subject to change. For final dates, please refer to the online district calendar.
THE FOX LANE HIGH SCHOOL
GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Main Phone: 241-6082
Fax: 241-6064
Registrar: 241-6093
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The Guidance Department is made up of eight counselors and a Coordinator of Guidance. Counselors meet with students, both individually and in group classes, to work on academic, personal and social issues and to provide guidance to students as they prepare their academic programs and develop post-secondary plans.
Counselors:
Kristin Brown 241-6191 kbrown0119@bcsdny.org Karen Deitch 241-6190 kdeitch2944@bcsdny.org Lisa Dunne 241-6092 ldunne1250@bcsdny.org Greg Fedorczak (Hillside) 241-1106 gfedorczak3311@bcsdny.org Jen Hickey 241-6071 jhickey0597@bcsdny.org Rori Mackie (Coschigano) 241-6081 rcoschigano0231@bcsdny.org Steve Marcisz (Coordinator) 241-6053 smarcisz0679@bcsdny.org Jo-Ann Mullooly 241-6117 jmullooly4886@bcsdny.org Stephanie Sun 241-6180 ssun4570@bcsdny.org
Winter 2022-2023 -
