OPHS Counseling Newsletter
Once a Jacket Always a Jacket
Counseling Staff
Ms. Pamela Gardner: Director of School Counseling GardnePD@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Maureen Andrada: School Counselor A-Broa AndradMF@pwcs.edu
Ms. Suzanne Salvo: School Counselor Brob-Dro SalvoSG@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Shronda Peake: School Counselor Dru-Haw PeakeSA@pwcs.edu
Miss. Lillian Orlich: School Counselor Hay-La OrlichL@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Keisha Mercer: School Counselor Le-Mori MercerKT@pwcs.edu
Miss. Taylor Oakley: School Counselor Morj-Ram OakleyTM@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Eleanor Engler: School Counselor Ran-So EnglerE@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Melissa Bach: School Counselor Sp-Z BachML@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Margaret Stielper: Secretary StielpMM@pwcs.edu
Mrs. HIlda Layne: Secretary LayneHG@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Tammi Hayter: Test Coordinator HayterTS@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Toni Gibson: Registrar GibsonTL@pwcs.edu
Mr. Carlos Rosa: School Psychologist RosaCX@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Kathy Bowden: School Social Worker BowdenKJ@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Brenda Miller-Dorick: School Nurse MillerBS@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Tami Walrabenstein Clinic Assistant WalrabTL@pwcs.edu
Mrs. Heather Lontos: Transition Specialist LontosHA@pwcs.edu
Phone: 703-365-6500
Fax: 703-330-2170
Upcoming Events
ASVAB March 8th 7:30. Sign up through Family Connection under "College Visits"
Brown Bag Lunch January 14th (10:15 AM - 11:15 AM) Students interested in the medical profession. The speaker is Dr. Wampler who attended OPHS. Sign up is in the Career Center. Free lunch will be provided.
Financial Aid Night February 10th 7-8 p.m.
Scheduling/Curriculum Information Fair February 10th 6-8 p.m.
* 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Parents/students will have an opportunity to visit with department chairs and teachers from various departments to discuss course offerings and address any questions or concerns they may have.
* The following information sections will be offered in Room 2A:
- Biotechnology Requirements (6:30 p.m.)
- Dispelling Myths about Advanced Placement (AP) (7:00 p.m.)
- Graduation Requirements/VHSL Requirements (7:30 p.m.)
Touch Base Conferences TBD.This is a great opportunity to meet with your student's teachers. No appointments needed.
Junior Night March 8th @ 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. OPHS Auditorium
Scholarship Information
Super FAFSA Project Virginia Financial Aid Assistance
Stonewall Jackson High School and the Virginia Association of School Financial Aid Administrators (VASFAA) are presenting a free FAFSA assistance program on Saturday, February 6th. Financial Administrators will be on hand to help parents complete their FAFSA form for student financial aid for college. Please check the VASFAA.org website for a list of documents to bring to help with the FAFSA completion.
Opportunities Guide and Workbook
Choosing a college starts with knowing your options
The Opportunities booklet helps high school students choose the right college, understand admission requirements, identify types of financial aid and more.
Redesigned SAT
The New Redesigned SAT will begin March 2016
Changes:
1600 point scale instead of 2400 point scale
Essay optional
No penalty for wrong answers
Students will earn one point for each correct answer
Zero points for wrong answers and
Zero points for unanswered items
Redesigned PSAT and Score Report
Redesigned PSAT/NMSQT - Starting October 2015: Did you know that the redesigned PSAT/NMSQT was launched in October 2015? Visit the CollegeBoard website to learn how the exam is changing, learn about the connection to the SAT, and view sample questions. Find information on understanding your score report.
SAT and ACT Registration
SAT Registration: https://sat.collegeboard.org
ACT Registration: www.actstudent.org
Students are encouraged to take at least one college admissions test junior year.
Senior Information
Ordering Cap and Gown: Call Herff Jones 703-594-3982
Senior Pictures: Victor O'Neill Studios 800-320-2894
Scheduling for the 2016-2017 School Year
February 10th 6-8 p.m.
Scheduling/Curriculum Information Fair
* 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Parents/students will have an opportunity to visit with department chairs and teachers from various departments to discuss course offerings and address any questions or concerns they may have.
* The following information sections will be offered in Room 2A:
- Biotechnology Requirements (6:30 p.m.)
- Dispelling Myths about Advanced Placement (AP) (7:00 p.m.)
- Graduation Requirements/VHSL Requirements (7:30 p.m.)
January 19 - 22
School Counselors will meet with current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students through Language Arts classes to review graduation requirements, distribute scheduling materials, and provide instructions on how to select and review course recommendations in Parent Portal.
January 19 - February 1
Teachers will meet with students to discuss course offerings and provide recommendations on which course(s) students should consider taking for the upcoming school year. Teachers may enter student course recommendations until February 1st
*February 5th - February 10 Students and parents will be able to view teacher recommendations and input their course selections through Parent Portal.
February 22nd School counselors will start meeting with students through Language Arts classes to discuss, review, and select their courses for the 2015-2016 school year.
SOL Retakes
SOL Expedited Retakes (from December testing) will begin Jan. 12 on the following schedule:
Jan. 12 8th grade Reading
Jan. 13 8th grade Math
Jan. 14 Social Studies
Jan. 15 Reading
Jan. 19 Science
Jan. 20 Math
Resources:
College Fair/Career Fairs
What: Historically Black Colleges and Universities College Festival
When: Saturday February 20th 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria, VA
What: Black College Career Day on Sunday, Feb. 17th 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
When: February 17th 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Where: Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, Washington D.C.
What: NOVA Career and Technical Showcase
When: March 4th from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Where: NOVA Annandale Campus
What: Veterinary Medical Career Fair
When: Sunday, March 6th from 2:30 p.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington D.C.
What: Northern Virginia Regional College Fair
When: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Where: EagleBank Arena (formerly the Patriot Center) George Mason University
Fairfax Campus
College Planning
Interim and Report Card Schedule
Report Cards
November 13th
February 3rd
April 14th
June 25th (mailed home)
Interims
October 1oth
December 18th
March 6th
May 21st
Dropping a course?
* Reminder: If a student drops a one-year course during the first semester, a notation will be made on the student transcript indicating either "Withdrawn, passing" (WP) or "Withdrawn Failing" (WF). If a student drops a one-year course after the first semester, a failing grade (F) will be recorded on the student's transcript. This procedure will become effective within one week after the issuance of the first interim.