Walter Panas High School

Counseling Newsletter


Counseling Newsletter
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Student Scheduling (202
4-25)
Counselors are facilitating course selection in-person during February and March.  Following that, counselors have been reviewing student course selection submissions and ensuring they are appropriately aligned with diploma requirements. The schedule building process will extend through the remainder of the school year as follows:

  • Counselors review student course requests (Feb/March).
  • Academic advising for any changes in course levels is communicated between teacher, student, parent and counselor (Feb - March).
  • Verifications of student course requests are made available through Home Access after March 14, 2024.
  • The deadline to submit a request to challenge a higher level course is March 20, 2024.
  • Student schedules for the 2024–2025 school year will be made available at the end of this school year.

Are You a Well-Rounded Student?
It is advantageous for all students to be involved in clubs, sports, and/or community service.  This not only helps the student’s personal growth but will also enhance the student’s resume, and college application.  Many colleges today are not only looking for academic achievement but also a well-rounded student; a benefit that may make the student eligible for scholarships. Involvement in extracurricular activities and/or community service is an opportunity for a student to expand his/her leadership and communication skills.  A listing of LHS/WPHS clubs is available on the LHS/WPHS websites. Also, volunteer opportunities can be found on the School Counseling Google Classroom and/or in the School Counseling Office.

Making the Most of a College Fair
Attending a college fair without a plan can be overwhelming.  In order to make a college fair as effective as possible, students must do their homework in advance. Good preparation includes some basic searches to begin to identify what you want out of a college (majors, location, cost, campus life, special interest programs, etc.). The goal is to have specific questions answered by specific college representatives.  Your questions shouldn’t be ones to which you can easily find the answer on a web site. 

Visit for information:  https://www.collegefairguide.com/spring-westchester-college-fairs 

The Spring Southern Westchester College Fair will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, 6pm-8:30pm.

The Regional College Night will be held on Thursday, May 2 2024, at Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES in Yorktown Heights, 5:30pm to 8pm.

Seniors – About Those Financial Aid Packages...

  • This should go without saying, but unless you’re paying out of pocket for college, be sure to complete the FAFSA, as this will make you eligible for federal subsidized loans, which will almost always offer better interest rates and repayment options than private bank loans.
  • Make sure you understand the components and terms of your financial aid award package.  How much of it is grant (“free”) money and how much of it is loans (must be repaid)?  Is the grant money renewable each year if the level of need remains the same?  What grade point average must be maintained for scholarship aid?
  • If you plan on taking out a Stafford Student Loan and/or a PLUS loan (for parents), find out how the college administers these programs. They may process these loans directly through the school (Direct Lending) or you may have to obtain the applications through a lending institution. Remember that the maximum amount a student can borrow for the freshman year is $5,500 (no more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans).  Parents can apply for a loan for the cost of education minus the student’s other financial aid.
  • A College Work-Study Award is money that must be earned by the student in a part-time job (usually on-campus) during the school year.
  • Financial aid packages from schools with similar costs may be quite different; this is often due to the fact that various schools use different analyses to determine how much families can afford to pay.  It’s essential for this reason to carefully compare the financial information from each college!

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE

  • March 13:    School Counselor scheduling meetings with students
  • March 1:      Last day to drop 2nd semester course without transcript drop notation
  • March 8:      Registration deadline for April 13th ACT test
  • March 9:      SAT test (starting digitally)
  • March 14:    3Q Interim Reports available online in Home Access Center (HAC)
  • March 14:    Home Access Center (HAC) open for course review and confirmation
  • March 20:     Home Access Center (HAC) closes for course verification
  • March 20:     Deadline to submit Academic Advising Form (if applicable) and/or course changes, BOCES applications
  • March 28:     Superintendent’s Conference day (Staff only; NO Students)
  • March 29 – April 5:  Spring recess
  • April 1:         Last day to drop a 2nd semester course with transcript drop notation
  • April 13:       ACT Test (not offered in district)
  • April 19:       Registration deadline for May 4th SAT test (offered in-district @ LHS)
  • April 19:       End of 3rd Quarter
  • April 30:       3Q Report Cards available online in Home Access Center (HAC)
  • April 30:       LHS Senior Award Ceremony @ 7:00pm (by invitation only)
  • May 1st:        Universal deposit deadline for colleges (check your college because this deadline may be delayed).
  • May 3:          Registration deadline for June 8rd ACT test

WALTER PANAS HIGH SCHOOL, 300 Croton Avenue, Cortlandt Manor, NY  10567
PH:  (914) 739-2823 (press 3, Guidance), FAX: (914) 739-3545
ADMINISTRATION:  Joseph Spero, Principal,  Christian Clarke, Asst. Principal, Samantha Sherwood, Asst. Principal
COUNSELING OFFICE:  Nadia Potter, District Director of Guidance and Counseling
SCHOOL COUNSELORS:  Chelsea Aversano, Dale Chappelle, Laurainne Mosca, Sonia Recuppio, Brandon Thomas
SUPPORT STAFF:  Mary Ellen Brown, Kathy Giordano, Kathy Zadra, College and Career Ctr.