WARWICK VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE STAFF

You may contact your counselor by email (click on counselor's name below)
or by phone, at 987-3050, ext. 12601. FAX: 845-986-8982.

Michael Careccia A-Cot	Ms. Serena Sze Cou-Han	Julie Sekelsky Hao-Lor
Colleen Amideneau Los-P	Timothy O'Dwyer Q-T	Mary Fox, Guidance Director U-Z

Important AP Exam information

April 29, 2013 - Due to instruction days lost to Hurricane Sandy, impacted schools have been granted the option for students to take their AP exams during a later testing window. Please note that these dates are not the dates that were originally published in the school calendar. The school calendar has been updated with the new dates, and you can download the dates and information about the exams here (pdf). If you have any questions, please contact AP Coordinator Julie Sekelsky in the high school guidance office: jsekelsky@wvcsd.org or 987-3050 x12600.

Click the following links for information on exam fees, due dates and to download the payment form:

• Letter to parents/guardians of AP students (pdf)

• Fee waiver information (pdf)

• AP exam payment form (pdf)

Five WVHS students chosen to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) Conference in June

April 29, 2013 - Five outstanding WVHS sophomores have been selected to attend this year's RYLA Conference at Mount Saint Mary College this June. The conference is a program for high school sophomores who have shown leadership potential in their home, school and community. The conference is designed to strengthen and develop leadership skills. The five students are Grace Rotar, Kyle Sarbak, Nick Fitzsimmons, Deja Swindell and Timothy Snyder. Congratulations!

Ninth-grade program booklet for 2013-14

Feb. 13, 2013 - This booklet will help you plan your first year in high school, and answer some questions for you and your parents:

WVHS Ninth-grade Program Booklet (pdf)

Congratulate your senior on their many  accomplishments by placing an ad on the "wall"

Jan. 24, 2013 - The "wall" is back - congratulate your favorite class of 2013 member on their scholarship achievements, college acceptance or any other great accomplishment! read more

2013-14 WVHS Curriculum Guide and Course Selection Sheets

The 2013-14 Curriculum Guide and Course Selection Sheets have been posted online.

Missed Financial Aid Night? Here's some important info.

On Nov. 28, 2012, the WVHS Guidance Dept. held its annual Financial Aid Night for parents of college-bound seniors. Representatives from Marist College Financial Service Dept. presented pertinent information about applying for and acquiring financial aid, grants and scholarships. Click here for "Overview of Financial Aid and the FAFSA" (pdf).

Thinking About College but Don't Know Where to Start?

This website from HESC will take you through the journey step by step to get you where you want to be -- COLLEGE.

Check out subjects like: Why go to college? Your High School Plan, Different Careers,
Find Your College, Ways to Pay and Steps to Success

FAFSA Assistance Hotline

Help with the FAFSA from HESC

HESC’s special FAFSA Assistance Hotline, 1-800-808-1790, offers live help for students and their parents each Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 5:00 pm to answer any questions about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The FAFSA Assistance Hotline continues Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon – 5:00 pm through February 28 to promote Student Financial Aid Awareness.

Tell your seniors who are planning to attend college next year and their parents if they have questions about the FAFSA:

• Call the FAFSA Hotline: 1-800-808-1790 Tuesdays & Thursdays from noon – 5:00 pm
• Email anytime at FAFSAhelp@hesc.org

Visit the website for more information.

WVHS Offers Free Online PSAT and SAT Prep Course

All WVHS students in grades 10-12 have access, through their Naviance accounts, to a free online study guide for the SAT and ACT. "Method Test Prep" can be accessed via a link on the student's Naviance homepage.

If You Missed College Kickoff Night...

If you missed the info. session In September about the college application and admissions process, please click the link below to view the slide presentation from that evening, which includes important information about Naviance.
VIEW SLIDE PRESENTATION (pdf)

 

CONNECT TO NAVIANCE - A COLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING RESOURCE

Naviance's Family Connection is a comprehensive tool to assist students and parents with the career and college planning process.
Click here (pdf) to learn more.
Click here to open the Family Connections page of Naviance.

CEEB Code

The CEEB Code for Warwick Valley H.S. - 335790
Click here for other information about WVHS that you may need for college applications.

2011-12 WVHS CURRICULUM HANDBOOK

Please note: listed courses are subject to change based on enrollment

The Warwick Valley High School 2011-12 Curriculum Handbook (pdf)

REGENTS EXAM REVIEW COURSES OFFERED LOCALLY

Regents review courses are being offered at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh.

Go to Passtheregents.com for more information.

"THE ADMISSION GAME" - A BLOG FOR COLLEGE PLANNING

"The Admission Game" is a blog geared toward those planning to go to college.
It might be helpful to juniors, seniors and their parents as you gear up for life
after high school. Some of the recent blog posts include:

“Letters of Recommendation That Make a Difference” 9/1/11

“Having Dreams—and Managing Expectations” 8/25/11

“Finding the Student’s Voice in the College Planning Process” 8/18/11

“A Good College Fit: The Importance of Getting It Right” 8/10/11

Click here to check out "The Admission Game" blog.

POST GRADUATE PLANNING GUIDE

What do you want to do after high school? Please read the Post Graduate Planning Guide (pdf) from the high school guidance office for some great tips and information to help with your decision-making and keep you on track and organized during this exciting time. Don't forget to fill out the WVHS Pre-Application Packet (pdf) and return to your guidance counselor.

PLANNING TO ATTEND COLLEGE IN NEW YORK STATE?

Learn about a new State-sponsored, fixed rate student and parent loan program called NYHELPs (New York Higher Education Loan Program.)
• Fact Sheet about NYHELPs - (pdf)
• Go to the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) website and learn about a number of programs that help individuals and families pay for college.

COLLEGE PLANNING FOR SENIORS
Click here for lots of important information for seniors who are planning to go to college.

FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION

FAFSA, Financial Aid timeline and MORE

SENIOR SOURCE

Congratulations! Welcome to your senior year. You and your parents are likely to have many questions and concerns as you move towards completing your high school career. It is extremely important for seniors and parents to work with their counselor during this time of year. Please don't hesitate to call the Guidance Office to make an appointment if you have any questions or concerns.

MORE information for seniors and their parents.

IMPORTANT TEST DATES

Information about tests and important upcoming test dates and deadlines. MORE

COLLEGE TEST PREP COURSES

The battery of standardized tests you will be taking - including the PSAT, SAT I, SAT II, ACT and A.P. exams - require preparation. It is not the intent of the school district to endorse or promote test prep courses. However, there is clearly evidence to suggest that the more familiar and prepared you are with a particular test, the greater the likelihood that your performance will be enhanced. Although the Warwick Valley Central School District does not offer test preparation courses, there are many courses available in the area. Below are some links to help you decide whether or not to take a course and if so, which one:

Sylvan Learning Center

Kaplan Educational Services Center, Inc.

Princeton Review

Number2.com

College Board

Educational Services Center, Inc.

Score Prep - Call: 1-800-PREP182

CAREER CORNER

Thinking about a career doesn't always mean completing a four-year degree. Determine what is right for you. Part of a successful career-planning strategy is to understand what it is that excites and motivates you. MORE

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND SUICIDE

As a part of our continued effort to educate, inform, and raise awareness, the students of Warwick Valley High School were a part of a presentation addressing mental health issues and suicide. This presentation consisted of the video "The Truth About Suicide," a question and answer period, and a student questionnaire. Each social studies classroom teacher was joined by two school counselors so that students viewed this important presentation in a safe, nurturing environment.

Click here to learn about the warning signs of depression, how to "ACT" if a friend is in crisis, and what resources for help are available to you, including resources located at the High School.

Click here to read the letter Principal Linkens sent home to parents regarding the presentation. (pdf)

Click here to view the questionnaire students were given as part of the presentation. (pdf)

GUIDANCE FORMS

The following forms are available to download and print out. They are posted as PDF files. To view or print PDF files, you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer. If you don't already have it, you can download it for FREE from the Adobe Website.

PAST GRADUATES of WVHS: Past Graduate Transcript/Immunization Request Form (pdf)

CURRENT WVHS students: Schedule Change Request Form (pdf)

CURRENT WVHS students: Transcript Request Form (pdf)