Guidance Newsletter December 2020
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December 2020 Plainview- Old Bethpage Central School District GUIDANCE NEWSLETTER 106 Washington Ave, Plainview, NY 11803 (516) 434-3000 In this issue: Taking Care of Oneself During Distance Learning 2 Director’s Message Five Things Overheard About College Admissions 3 During the Pandemic “....and then, 2020…” Make the Most of the PSAT’s 4 Additional Scholarship Resources 4 With all that has happened over the past year, I seem to find myself engaged in more and more negative conversations. The 411 on NYS Financial Aid 4 Although my nature tends to be mostly optimistic, I admit that at Scheduling for 2021-22 4 times, I have struggled to find the silver lining this year. A friend recently shared a video of Brene Brown discussing joy and Tips On Reducing Stress By Breaking Down Tasks 4 gratitude. She said, “When we lose our tolerance for vulnerability, joy becomes foreboding.” We must face our College Decisions: Waitlist & Deferral 5 current struggles with determination and strength, believing in POBJFK Guidance Event Highlights 6 our capacity to endure. When needed, ask for help and share your vulnerabilities and fears. Find and embrace moments of joy POBJFK Peer Mentors Making Remote Buddies 6 and while doing so, remember to practice gratitude. Let’s all Attention Juniors! 6 commit to identifying our joy and demonstrating gratitude every single day. News From Mattlin Middle School 7 13 Signs of High Emotional Intelligence 8 I hope you find the information in this newsletter to be useful. As always, we would love to hear your feedback and How to Teach a Child to Reset After a Bad Day 8 suggestions. Six Ways Families Can Encourage Positive Mental 8 Health Habits Here’s to a wonderful year ahead. Happy 2021! Club Life at Mattlin 9 Be Well, Teenage Self-Care in the Age of Covid 9 Laurie B. Lynn, Director of Guidance 5th Grade Academy at Mattlin & POBMS 9 Email Etiquette 10 What is Happening at Our Elementary Schools 11 What Video Gaming is Displacing in The Lives of 13 our Children 2020 Non-Tech Holiday Gift Idea 13 December 2020 · Guidance Department 1 Taking Care of Oneself During Distance Learning 1. Create a Routine: Some recommendations to help keep your day as normal as possible. 1. Wake up and get ready like normal (shower, eat breakfast, dress presentably like it is an in-person school day) 2. Create the “classroom.” Find a clean space designated as the working area. Try not to do schoolwork in a space typically used for relaxing. 3. Be present and be realistic. Do not use the computer or phone for personal activities while doing online school work. Maintain open lines of communication with teachers. 4. Limit social media use but remain social. Try to limit the time spent on social media sites and instead try to remain in touch with friends and family in meaningful ways. Call, FaceTime, or even send a letter or card! 5. Use free time mindfully. Rather than going from one screen to another, try to engage in some screen-free activities during down time such as reading, working on a puzzle, playing outside, going for a bike ride, or crafting. 2. Find a Hobby: Use extra time to start a project or learn a new skill! 1. Origami 2. Bracelet making 3. Coding 4. Learn a new language 5. Yoga 6. Hand lettering 7. Cooking or Baking 8. Reread some of your favorite books 9. Learn some new board games 3. Move! Physical activity will help you to feel your best. 1. Go for a walk/run outside 2. Take the dog for a walk 3. Incorporate stretch/movement breaks in between online classes 4. Try something new, like Yoga 5. Ride a bike December 2020 · Guidance Department 2 Five Things Overheard About College Admissions During the Pandemic With so much uncertainty this year, it can seem overwhelming as the rules and processes change in many ways. The good news is that many colleges are erring on the side of greater flexibility rather than less. Whether you're a senior or underclassman, here are five quotes to keep in mind as you consider college admissions this year: 1. "When we say test optional, we mean it." - Colleges have uttered a familiar mantra during this admissions cycle. Test scores never trump important other criteria in a student's curriculum vitae, such as the rigor of the transcript. Now, more than ever, this rule of thumb is true. And, this means that other parts of the application, such as the essay or recommendations may hold more weight. 2. "We will be able to handle differences in the transcripts based on last spring." - Colleges will be able to process applications based on the fact that some high schools moved to different grading systems in the spring of 2020. At POBJFK, we are lucky that we did not implement pass/fail final grades or smiley/sad faces on the transcripts. 3. "Some college programs may be consolidated, changed, or eliminated." - In researching college options, it's important for students and families to dig deeply and research the changing landscape of college majors. Before the pandemic, many colleges were already facing dwindling enrollments due to changing demographics. The pandemic may have accelerated this trend, and it's impacting what colleges are offering in terms of academics and services. You'll want to ask about this when talking to college representatives. 4. "We want to know about a family's changing circumstances." - Many of us have experienced changing financial circumstances, and it's important to share updates with colleges in their consideration of financial aid, grants, and scholarships. 5. "We would love to connect with you!" - In terms of technology, college admissions officers, like the rest of us, have developed new ways to reach students. Whether it's a virtual open house, college fair, rep visit, or coffee chat, demonstrating interest in a college remains a way that you have some measure of control over the college admissions process. Connecting with an admissions officer can also allow you to ask pertinent questions and get the most updated information. Short of a campus visit, this is a great way to reinforce your interest in attending a particular school. Of course, your counselors are also here to help you each step of the way! December 2020 · Guidance Department 3 Make the Most of the PSATs Scheduling for 2021-2022 Did your child sit for the PSAT? If so, be sure to take During the months of January and February, school advantage of these steps to make the most of their counselors (grades 8-11) meet with their students individually, to discuss and plan for students’ 2021-22 scores and efforts: schedules. 1. Get free, personalized SAT practice. The PSAT In these meetings, counselors and students discuss and is a great preparation for the SAT. Your child’s reflect on the students’ academic and personal strengths score unlocks personalized practice through and interests while taking into account teacher Official SAT Practice on Khan Academy, for free! Visit satpractice.org to create an account, and recommendations and graduation requirements. link your College Board and Khan academy Counselors also emphasize the importance of “rigor with accounts to get started. reality” when choosing their courses. “Rigor with reality” is a commonly used college admissions term that 2. Practice and Improve. Juniors (Class of 2022) encourages students to appropriately challenge are eligible to earn money for college by practicing for the SAT and improving their score themselves academically. Research indicates that the through the College Board Opportunity students who choose increasingly rigorous courses build Scholarships. the college and career readiness skills that are necessary to succeed in college and beyond. 3. Utilize BigFuture to begin a college search. Explore majors and careers based on your child’s Details about courses can be found in the 2021-2022 interest. Course Curriculum Guide which can be found on our district’s website. Additional Scholarship Resources We encourage you to speak with your child about their course selections. Be certain to take into consideration the The College Board partners with scholarship providers entirety of their schedule, accounting for extracurricular connected to the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 10. Through these partners, students can access over $300 commitments and future plans. We encourage you to million in scholarship awards. For more information, click utilize resources, such as Naviance Student and the on this link: about scholarships. Course Curriculum Guide, to assist your child in their career exploration. The 411 on New York State Financial Aid Tips on Reducing Stress By Breaking For the latest information on financial aid in New York, including the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the Down Tasks Excelsior Scholarship, the New York State STEM One way that students can reduce stress and be more Incentive Program and more, visit page 22 of the Long productive is to determine what they want to focus on, Island College Fair Guide. break down those larger goals into realistic tasks, and know which tasks are most urgent. Here is a form that can https://view.flipdocs.com/?ID=10001670_154427 help students with planning, and achieving their weekly goals. https://success.oregonstate.edu/sites/success.oregonstate. edu/files/LearningCorner/Tools/breaking_down_my_week_ fill_-_20.pdf December 2020 · Guidance Department 4 College Decisions: Waitlist and Deferral You receive your college admissions decision, and it says, “You have been put on a waitlist.” What does this mean? It means that you meet the admissions criteria, but the college has already filled its quota. If a spot becomes available later on, you may be offered a place; but this often occurs after May 1 and even into June.