A note from the Director's Desk
Happy November, Vikings! In our office, November brings early college deadlines and the end of the first quarter of school. Can you believe it already? We hope that all students are achieving (and perhaps exceeding) their goals this quarter. If you are happy with your results, great! Keep it up! But, if you are disappointed or feel you can do better, now is a perfect time for a check-in with your counselor. Your counselor will provide you with tips to be successful. Counselors are also a resource for sharing information to help you achieve your goals. Be sure to speak to your counselor when it comes to strategies for academic success!
November is also National National Career Development Month, as designated by the National Career Development Association (NCDA). In addition to academics, career development is another one of the three domains of school counseling. Along with social-emotional learning, these three domains are the building blocks to promote high student achievement. Helping students identify their personal strengths and career interests is a large part of our work with all students from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, themes of thankfulness and gratitude are in the air. I've included a video at the end of this newsletter that explains the positive impact gratitude can have on us. I really like the concept of the gratitude journal to show our progress.
And speaking of gratitude, sometimes life puts us in places where it's hard not to feel it. Over the weekend I met a remarkable person whose life's work is all about gratitude. Ilene Fox carries on her late husband Allan's work through Realize Harmony, his creative vision. In his book, "Doodles, Volume One" he writes,
Wouldn't it be great if the feelings of love
that we have during the holidays
followed us throuhgout the year?
If we had a ceasefire on hate all year long? Forever.
All it takes is making the choice.
Forgiveness. Start by forgiving yourself.
Mistakes are how we learn, so live through them,
say "thank you", and forge ahead.
When we let go of the need to make a point...
When we let go of the need to defend our point of view...
When we simply let go...
We open the door for love.
You can see Allan's gratitude doodle below.
May you all enjoy a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday.
Lorrie Director, Pre-K-12 Director of Guidance
Counselors and email addresses
Guidance Office phone: (516) 767-5810
Office Hours: 8:00 am - 3:15 pm
Counselors:
Ms. Cerny ncerny@portnet.org
Ms. Galdamez agaldamez@portnet.org
Ms. Garcia vgarcia@portnet.org
Ms. Jacobson ljacobson@portnet.org
Ms. Hazan khazan@portnet.org
Mr. Lorge jlorge@portnet.org
Ms. Ludwig jludwig@portnet.org
Ms. Rafferty drafferty@portnet.org
Ms. Strell dstrell@portnet.org
Clerical staff:
Ms. Hasselberger, Ms. Hernandez, Ms. Marzec, Ms. O'Kelly
Stay in the loop!
In September, we unveiled our new interactive bulletin board as a way to keep students informed. New information is added weekly, so be sure to keep scanning the QR codes. We're also using our new website frequently to communicate with students and parents. Students, please get in the habit of checking your Portnet email regularly to stay up to date on Guidance and Counseling information. Students and families, you can also find information on the Schreiber Guidance and Counseling website and by reading this newsletter. The newsletters are also on our webpage for your reference.
College Rep Visits for November
This will be our last month for college rep visits for the season!
Twilight Program Underway at Schreiber High School!
Opening day for Schreiber Twilight was October 17th. What is Twilight? Our new partnership with Nassau BOCES, Schreiber Twilight Alternative High School provides an alternative setting in the late afternoon for students who may benefit from a smaller, more structured environment. Twilight provides students the tools to either return successfully to Schreiber during the day or to complete their high school requirements through Twilight. Twilight students are prepared for post-secondary education or employment upon graduation.
Students attend this Regents-based program in the late afternoon/early evening. Students receive strong academic and social-emotional support, as classes are small and largely student-focused.
Students can enroll in Twilight at any time. of our counseling and administrative team are currently reviewing and meeting with students to discuss Twilight. If you have any questions about Twilight, or if you believe your student might be a candidate, please contact your student's counselor.
Freshman Groups
Parents of BOCES Barry Tech Students - Open House 11/17 @ 6PM
Barry Tech will be hosting a new Parent Open House on Thursday November 17th at 6PM. Parents must register to attend. The registration banner is now live on our website. Links are included below.
Parents/Students can click on the blue Open House banner and register for the two programs they wish to come and see. Registration will be open until 12 PM Tuesday November 15th!
Naviance Single Sign-On Update/Login for Students
Some of you have noticed that your Naviance username has changed. A system update has completed the Naviance/Clever integration. Students must now log in using Clever to access Naviance. Click the Portnet Bookmarks folder (found in the upper left corner of your screen) and click the Clever button. You will see an image that looks like the one below. Then click the Naviance button and voila! You are in!
Parents will still use their username and passwords - Single-sign on access is only for students with Portnet accounts.
Save the date - Junior College Planning Night Monday, December 12th
PSAT Score Release Information
Methodize (formerly Method Test Prep)
Are you interested in getting a quick sense of where your son or daughter stands as far as the SAT and ACT? Port Washington provides all families with access to Methodize, a learning tool that includes an SAT and ACT Evaluation Test. Students take short (15 to 25 minute) sections and get an accurate sense of where they stand.
Click on the QR code to activate your son or daughter's Methodize account. Again, there is no cost to the family; the district is already providing this program to all students.
Once you activate the account, click on the SAT or ACT course and scroll down to "Evaluation Test" to begin the diagnostic.
In addition to full SAT and ACT prep courses, Methodize also provides a Financial Literacy course, an Academic Success course, vocabulary builder module, and more!
Passport for Good
Paul D. Schreiber is a Passport for Good school!
Passport For Good is a mobile-friendly web-based platform that simplifies, recognizes, and celebrates your engagement outside of the classroom. It allows you to journal and verify your community service, career development, and participation in extracurricular activities.
To make this transition a success, we need your help. You must first register for Passport For Good - Click the flyer below for the link and QR code to register. Once your account is activated, you are ready to begin using Passport For Good!
Some of Schreiber's clubs and groups have switched to using Passport For Good, logging their community service and career development hours directly within the platform.
Ask your Counselor if you have questions about Passport For Good.
